Winter 2018 by Butler Grizzly Magazine

PG. 14 | Mental Health Reporter shares insight on struggling with mental health in college.

PG. 20 | Student Section Students and players talk about unfair support for their games.

PG. 16 | Fake News Donald Trump continues assaults on media outlets.

The Grizzly Winter Fall2018 2018||Issue Issuetwo one || Butler Butler Community Community College College

On the Cover:

On the cover editor-in-chief Tatum Sturdivant and reporter Mia Rodriguez worked to illustrate the complexity of the human brain. With things like mental health, racism and ASMR it can be difficult to understand how and why people think and act the way they do. Hopefully, after reading this issue you will get a better understanding of the different viewpoints on these topics.

Table of Contents PG.6

PG. 10

PG. 14

PG. 22

Holding Traditions

Behind the Sport

Hot Mic

Academics

Tattoos

ASMR

Mental Health

Fake News

Sports Update

Sports

Reversed Racism

Community

Entertainment

HoldingTraditions

Students talk about celebrating the holidays while living on campus

Do It Yourself Christmas Gifts by Lauren Hugo | co-copy editor

by Sydney White | reporter

uring the holidays, some students get to go home to their families while there are those who are far away from home and have to spend their holidays alone. No matter how far from home, these students can still find a way to get into the holiday spirit on campus despite being homesick and missing out on their culture’s respective celebrations. Precious Opara, a freshman at Butler, came all the way from Nigeria and with the holiday season right around the corner, she is missing her family. Back in Nigeria, the holidays would consist of Opara cooking with her family. Their favorite foods to make include jollof rice and plantain, Egusi soup, Ogbono soup, vegetable soup with fufu, Porridge yam, beans with plantain, Owerri soup, and Garri. On Christmas Day, Opara and her family would go to church. The next day, the Nigerian King, HRH Eze Augustine Uwadiegwu Ekechi comes and a celebration ensues featuring dance, fireworks, food, ice-cream trucks, masquerade shows, and photo booths. Afterwards, Opara and her family would go to her uncle’s house and watch movies. Despite really liking it here at Butler, Opara says it is not the same as being home. “I have been away from my family for four years and it has been pretty hard because when I was in Nigeria, I was always with them,” says Opara. “I’m not a big ‘holiday person’ so I do not do anything during holidays.” All students feel a certain way about not being at home during the holidays. Freshman Kassidy Rice decorates her dorm room with her roommates as a way to make it feel a little bit more like home. For Halloween, Rice and her roommates painted pumpkins. Bethany Khanu, sophomore, gets to go home to her family during the holidays. Khanu says that on Thanksgiving, she and her family sit around and talk while eating a wide variety of foods that they had cooked together. Thanksgiving is not Khanu’s favorite day of festivity though. “Christmas is my favorite holiday...it is the season of giving and a great time to be with family,” Khanu says. Students are not the only people who celebrate holidays at home. “During thanksgiving, my family and I celebrate the traditional Thanksgiving. We have turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing,” says Kamielle Freeman, a math instructor here at Butler. Some people, like freshman Hayly Moore, don’t do anything special on holidays like New Year’s. “We cook a meal at my aunt’s house and socialize and the kids play outside,” Moore says. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, holiday traditions are different across the board. Whatever holiday you celebrate should be nothing but fun for you and your whole family. Whether you live in El Dorado, Kansas or Nigeria, have a president or a king, the way holidays are celebrated are all different. Living at home makes it easy to keep traditions strong, while living away from home makes traditions harder to follow. With the help of roommates and a great community surrounding students, there are ways to make it “home” here at Butler Community College, where students continue to celebrate the different festivities year-round.

Personalized Mugs Materials needed: Mugs ($1 at Dollar Tree) Oil Based Sharpie Paint Pens Scrapbook Stickers Oven

1. Pick the monogram/design you want and stick it on the mug. You will want to make sure it is in the right place/angle etc. 2. Next you will want to make a ton of dots on the mug around the scrapbook sticker. Follow the directions on the markers to get the paint going. I recommend practicing dots on some cardboard beforehand. Once ready, start filling in the area around the sticker with dots. Add a second color if you like. Wipe away mess-ups with some rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip. 3. Once you have the design you want and it’s dry, peel off the scrapbook sticker to reveal your design. 4. Turn on your oven to 350 and let the mugs bake for 30 minutes. Then let the mugs cool down inside (which may take a few hours).

Candy Sleigh Gift

Materials needed: 2 candy canes 1 Kit Kat® 4 finger milk chocolate bar, 1.5 oz 10 Hershey’s Miniatures Glue Decorative ribbon 1. Glue two strips on the bottom of the Kit Kat bar. Stick the two candy canes to create the bottom of the sleigh. 2. Starting with four of the miniature candies, glue them on top of the Kit Kat bar. 3. Continue to glue three candies on top of the four candies, then two on the three, and finally one on top of the two. 4. After the glue dries, wrap some ribbon around the treat to give it the final touch.

Designer: Tatum Sturdivant & Noah Merrell | The Grizzly | Issue Two

Editor’s Note A someone being emotional, or seeking attention. In today’s society many people have tattoos and some of them struggle with being discriminated against. We have a story about students with tattoos and what they mean to them. Lastly we have a story about fake news. With Donald Trump’s attacks against media claiming that it is all “fake news,” we want students to understand how to tell if what they are reading is true or not. I hope you enjoy our second issue of The Grizzly and are looking forward to our next. Thank you for reading!

fter being given the opportunity to go to Dallas and attend the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP)/College Media Association (CMA) conference at the end of October, I came back wanting to apply several different concepts. With only a month to complete this issue we struggled to get everything done in a timely manner, as well as making sure it met our standards. In this issue we covered some topics involving mental health, tattoos and how they are perceived in today’s society, and fake news. I believe that these issues are important for many reasons. Mental health is something many college students struggle with, but people tend to just bypass it as

The Staff Editor-in-Chief Tatum Sturdivant

Assistant Editor Allison Simon

Photo Editor Nadine Armstrong

Design Director Noah Merrell

Copy Editors Lauren Hugo

Lucas Pollard Tatum Sturdivant, Editor-in-Chief

Mission Statement The Grizzly staff strives to keep students up to date on issues and events that matter to them. Content is edited and reviewed to ensure factual and relevant stories that are taking place on, around and near Butler Community College campuses. The Grizzly hopes to encourage students to stay involved in local happenings by informing them through a modernized and personal publication produced by students for students.

Sports Editors Madison Pierce Matthew Will

Reporters Amari Beasley Mia Rodriguez Sydney White

@butlergrizzlymagazine

@TheGrizzlyMag

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or even story suggestions you can contact our social media representatives Tatum Sturdivant at Taytiee.Rhianna@gmail.com, or Noah Merrell at Merrenoa45@gmail. com. You may also contact us at thegrizzlymagazine@gmail.com. We always want feedback from our audience.

behind

sport

the

Claire Dugan gives insight on what it is like to manage the women’s soccer team photo by Madison Pierce

by Madison Pierce | sports editor

rom picking up lost balls to doing the player's laundry, freshman sports manager Claire Dugan keeps busy on and off the field. Dugan went out for the management position for soccer because her cousin used to play soccer at Butler. “My cousin mentioned [the scholarship] to me...she said it’s a good way to meet new people and something to fill up time,” Dugan says. Dugan is one of four managers for the soccer team. Two managers would switch out every other week. There are three women and one man for soccer management. Haley Lard, a freshman as well, is one of the girls Dugan mostly manages with. “I live on campus along with Haley while the other two don’t live on campus, so it is kind of harder for them to be there all the time,” Dugan says. The managers for the soccer team have to wash the players’ uniforms, which takes about an hour and a half, set up the game days, travel with the team and pack the travel bag. When the players kick the balls out of the box they have set up, the managers would go get them balls at practice, also helping to pick up after practice, film games and take statistics. “Before the games, it is fun and light,” Dugan says. “But we know we have to get things done.” The managers will go to the field and roll out the ball cart with the flags, setting up the warm-up cones and getting the pinnies (a soccer warm up jersey) out. They set up the goals, and make sure they are in the right place and won’t move. After that the managers set up the corner flags, and then put out the balls

and jerseys for scrimmage practice. Dugan gets the Butler starters’ roster and the other team’s roster as well. “Haley will hold on to the camera and pick up cones from the field,” says Dugan. They wait for the team to get there, and then they grab the stats clipboard and game camera from the coaches. “We both get any of the balls that roll away while the team is warming up, and right before the game starts we have to make sure everything is off the field and then set up to film and take statistics,” Dugan says. The managers then also have to take down the field at the end of the game. “My least favorite part is having to wake up early to go to practice at 7 a.m.,” Dugan says. Dugan’s favorite part about being a manager is getting to hang out with the team. “I’ve become really close with the soccer girls,” Dugan says. Dugan eats with the soccer girls in the cafeteria. They have grown close to each other since soccer has started. The scholarship covers books and tuition. In order to keep the scholarship the managers have to keep up their grades and go to class. They get grade checks from the teachers so the coaches know they are doing well in their classes. Dugan became a manager to get more involved, to get to know more people, and help pay for college. “I’ve learned a lot about soccer. Overall it’s just a good experience,” Dugan says.

Designer: Tatum Sturdivant & Noah Merrell | The Grizzly | Issue One

Hot Mic Sophomore Jacob Green reflects on what it is like being a DJ by Tatum Sturdivant | editor-in-chief

isc Jockeys (DJs) and DJing have grown more popular in recent years. Instead of a live band to play at events, people are now hiring DJs in order to meet all of their music desires. After stumbling across a few nonvocal tracks in 2007-2008, sophomore Jacob Green became interested in being a DJ. Green has an electronic dance music (EDM) radio show at Butler on Fridays from 2 - 4 p.m. for KBTL 88.1 FM The Grizz. Green also does gigs at weddings, parties and school dances. “A lot of people do not have an ear for nonvocal music because most of the meaning in a song can be sought in lyrics,” Green says in a phone interview with The Grizzly. “But for those that follow electronic music, they can find that spirituality in the melody and not necessarily in lyrics. I always found that so intriguing that a person can use musical elements rather than lyrics to express feeling or emotion … to a listener.” While Green enjoys DJing, that does not mean it has not come with its fair share of challenges and pressures he has had to overcome. “My least favorite part would be the pressure because while you are expressing these feelings to other people the pressure is on you to keep that going; to follow it up with something that makes sense,” Green says. “You cannot go from playing some crazy bash ‘em up hardcore song to playing ‘Careless Whisper’ by George Michael. Personally, for me, [the] pressure is not too thrilling.”

“It is not necessarily what you put together, it is how you put it together. If you put it together from your mind or…from your heart.” Although Green does not plan out what he is going to say, he says he does prepare his music ahead of time. “I just go through my music library and see what I have,” Green says. “I think about how I can use this song and then use it to lead into another song that might contrast a little bit.” However, when Green performs a gig he does like to practice beforehand, he says. “When I set up I will drop five or six tracks in a row and practice a few transitions and I will practice scratching a little bit and call it a day,” Green says. DJing versus Radio Show While DJing and having a radio show are similar, there are ways they differ and tend to affect one another in some way. “DJing here in Wichita … I just throw out a song that I have never played before to see how people react,” Green says. “I do not know what [the song] is going to do, but I want to see. If I get a really positive reaction out of it I will put it on my setlist for the radio show.” Green does not just get insight on what songs get a good reaction, but he knows what people want to hear. “The radio show … has clarified my understanding of what people want to hear as opposed to what I think people want to hear,” Green says.

Preparing for a Show Even with the pressure piled on his shoulders, Green goes into his radio show without practicing what he is going to say ahead of time like others do, he says. “A lot of people say they practice before they go do a show. I let those things come naturally because that is where the best things can come out when you just let that flow,” Green says.

Learning From Mistakes Thinking about radio stations, one thing people cringe at is dead air. Green recalls one time during his first year in the Mass Communications program where he loaded a long song on the deck and stepped out of the radio station not realizing the door was locked.

“If you want to do it; pursue your dreams. It can get difficult in a heartbeat.”

photo by Madison Pierce

“I had this gut feeling the door was going to be locked,” Green says. “But I kept on walking anyways and I closed the door.” Another time Green recalls is when he DJed his high school’s homecoming in 2015. After a song with high energy, Green played a slow jam which led to every person getting off the dance floor and finding a chair. “I got to thinking and I had not played a certain song yet, so I put Usher, ‘Yeah!’ on the deck and I faded it out and dropped it right in,” Green says. “All of a sudden here they are on the dance floor again. It is really challenging to keep that energy going in your environment, you have to keep a constant flow of energy going.” Advice Green advises anyone interested in being a DJ to do is to learn how to handle pressure. “Sometimes when you are under pressure it will show in your set,” Green says. “They are going to see that you are nervous and it is going to become a tangible feeling for the other people.” In order to handle this pressure, Green recommends not to practice, but to do it how you want it to be done. Lastly, Green urges anyone interested to go for it, but be ready for what is to come. “If you want to do it; pursue your dreams,” Green says. “It can get difficult in a heartbeat.”

“[My favorite radio DJ] is Jim Dorman. He is funny and plays some good songs.” - Jerrodd Zogt | Sophomore

“[My favorite radio DJ is Hitman [because] he is just a great guy. He is really open about things.” - Zeb Campbell | Freshman

Designer: Designer: Tatum Noah Sturdivant Merrell || The The Grizzly Grizzly || Issue Issue Two One

Hitting

goals

Biology teacher has creative way of earning extra credit for students

by Noah Merrell | Design Director

iology professor Martha Sager has been running 5ks for almost two years and has used them as both a metaphor and a motivator for both herself and her students. Sager started running 5ks as part of a challenge, but her friend suggested that she take it one more step and do a series of 5ks. “It sort of mushroomed after that. I think we’ve both ended up doing more than we thought we would at the start,” Sager says. The races became somewhat of a passion for Sager and she even found a way to use her students as a way to motivate her and in return motivate them. “The idea started a few years ago. I wanted to keep motivated in terms of exercise and I thought it might be interesting to compare the challenges I face in doing a 5K or a sprint triathlon (this is a short triathlon that the YMCA conducts), with the challenges students face when completing a college biology class,” she said. Sager said she hopes the class sees a lot of parallels between her races and the challenges they face in college. “if I were to wait to try and prepare for a race or a triathlon until the night before, the chances of me doing well in the race the next day would be pretty small. This is similar to waiting to prepare for an exam until the night before. That doesn’t usually result in a strong score,” she says. She believes that training for a race is like studying for a class and that you need to practice a little each day to ever get better. “It’s a little bit of mental confidence. I would hope my students understand the same thing can apply to them …if Collection Biology professor Martha Sager has collected many medals since she started running in 2016. Her collection ranges from medals she got at Hawaii to ones here in Kansas.

they study a little bit each day, and try to do a variety of study techniques (reading, taking notes, using note cards, completing the study guide, having a study buddy) then maybe there is a little bit of a confidence boost as they face the exam,” Sager says. Although she goes into the races confident, she does not think they are easy. “I think the way I feel before a race starts is probably similar to how students feel right before an exam. I can feel a little anxious or nervous. I have found, though, that once I start and keep going…it generally gets easier,” Sager says. Sager does not only talk to her students about the races, but she has come up with a way for them to get involved with their own challenge. “The result of the original concept is a sort of an interchange of ‘challenges.’ I give ‘challenge assignments’ to my students. If they complete them early they can earn up to two challenge tickets they can attach to an exam for bonus points,” she says. Although the main goal is to help her students and give them bonus points on a test, Sager says she has to admit that the tickets motivate her a lot because she does not want to let her students down. To this day Sager still runs the 5ks with her friends and feels that she has become more healthy because of the 5ks and she believes that the races, much like finishing a college class, are an accomplishment in themselves. “I will discuss with my students at the end of the semester to apply to one of the goals I set (finishing the race in less than 30 minutes). Students will often come into the class at the start of the semester with a specific goal (‘I have to get an “A” in this class’ or some other specific grade). What I want to ask my students is if I don’t get to my goal (the under 30 minute race) would that mean all this running and all these races I’ve completed were a waste? I would hope they would understand the answer to that question is ‘No, of course not.’ I’ve enjoyed the races, I’m in better shape than I would be if I hadn’t been running, just completing so many of them is in and of itself an accomplishment.” Sager wants her students to know that it isn't the grade they get in the class that decides if they did well or not and that, just like her races, as long as they finish and really gave it their all then they have achieved something.

switching Direction Butler changes the enrollment process by Nadine Armstrong | Photo Editor

utler has made the decision to switch to a program called Pathways, taking effect the fall of 2018, to help students know what classes they need to take so they can graduate with an associate’s degree. Pathways is a concept that was formed a number of years ago. With Pathways, students will have a degree plan that shows all the classes they offer and are required to take. Students will also have a chart showing the order they should take classes. Doctor Keith West, professor of mass communications and member of the Pathways committee, says we had strayed from giving students a list of what they have to do to graduate on time. “Especially here at Butler Community College. We would tell [students] what classes [they] needed to take over the course of two years, but not necessarily which one went before which.” Pathways plans to solve the recurring issue of students not taking the fundamental classes that are supposed to be the basis of other specialized courses. Pathways will help students make sure they have all the tools needed for other classes they will take. To prepare for Pathways, all departments are re-examining the degrees and determining what classes are necessary and what is not. Some departments will be adding new classes to the program while others might not change at all. The mass communications department will be modifying some classes and adding others. They have already started do so by combining Introduction to Audio and Video Production and will add a Media Buying and Selling class next year. What will change (no matter what the degree) is that students will have a four-semester plan available to them to help decide what classes to take. Along with Pathways, Butler will be adding Mega majors. “Mega majors” are general education classes that are common to students their first semester plus an exploratory class that will allow students to look at the group of majors they are interested in. After completing the exploratory class the goal is that students will know what major they want to pursue by the end of the semester. “All in an effort to support our students but also give our students what they need,” West says. “The mega majors are really the heart of this whole student centered re-evaluation, and the mega majors combined with pathways is what makes Butler unique. We are the only school in Kansas doing it.” Next year, Butler will be in a transition period where both concepts are offered. In degrees where requirements do not change, there will be very little impact on the students. If a student is in a program where the requirements change they can choose to stay with what they are doing or they can switch over to Pathways. “If [a student's’] degree requirements change [they] are responsible for [finishing] the degree requirements for when [they] started at Butler,” West says.

“I feel like for community [colleges Pathways] is helpful, but for university [colleges] not so helpful.” - Vanessa Cowdin | Freshman

“I like it and do not. It gives you an outline of what you need to take, but then having the freedom of having to choose your classes is very liberating.” - Elizabeth Sanders | Freshman

“For this semester my [admissions counselor] said I better take these types of classes for now. Next semester I can choose the classes I wanna take but that’s one of the reasons why I am falling behind in all my classes, because I am not actually enjoying any of them.” - Karim Shehata | Freshman

Designer: Tatum Sturdivant & Noah Merrell | The Grizzly | Issue Two

Inked Perceptions

Students reflect on what their tattoos mean to them, as well as how they are perceived in 2017 by Lauren Hugo | co-copy editor

“The semicolon is just the beginning,” Chacon says. “I want to finish my first tattoo, which is going to say ‘I’m not healed I’m just stitched up’ next to the semicolon, then get a tattoo of triangles on the top of my back. The first [triangle] is going to have mountains inside it because I was born in Colorado. The next [triangle] is going to be a wheat field for Kansas. The last triangle is going to be blank until I settle down in a place I love.” Tia Reuschel, a sophomore at Butler, got a tattoo on her inner bicep this past July, in honor of her mom getting her first surgery for breast cancer. “The tattoo says ‘daughter of a fighter’ and the ‘I’ [in ‘fighter’] is the breast cancer [awareness] symbol for my mom,” Reuschel says. “She actually liked it and she’s glad I went with it.” Reuschel says her mom wants a tattoo herself now. Stephanie Brey, a freshman at Butler, actually got a matching tattoo with her mom. The tattoo was Brey’s second and most meaningful tattoo. “[The tattoo is on] my forearm and it matches my mom’s. It says ‘you are my sunshine’ and hers is ‘my only sunshine,’” Brey says. “The [tattoo] is for me and my mom because she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. [Now it is] kind of like a ‘she’ll always be with me’ tattoo.” Brey’s brother and sister-in-law also have lyrics to the the third and fourth part of the song, in honor of her mom. Not all tattoos need to be meaningful,

ccording to skinfo.com, tattoos belong to 40% of people who did not graduate high school, 29% of high school graduates, 25% of people with some college education, and 14% of college graduates. When it comes to self expression, many Butler students get tattoos as a permanent way to show their individuality. Jacqueline Chacon, a freshman at Butler, shares the story of why she got her tattoo of a semicolon. “[The tattoo] is below my collarbone and it means ‘it’s not the end’ because when ‘13 Reasons Why’ came out, it was a trigger for me,” Chacon says. Chacon explains that the semicolon is also a stitch, as she is just “stitched up” and if she sees or hears something damaging, her stitches will slowly come undone. The tattoo is a reminder for Chacon to never give up and to keep on going. Chacon’s family had mixed reactions to her new tattoo. “My parents don’t approve of tattoos, so my mom was only okay with it as long as she couldn’t see it,” says Chacon. “My dad was mad and didn’t say anything. My family is Catholic and they say that we’re given a body and should keep it the same because it’s God’s vessel.” This does not stop Chacon from wanting more ink.

photo by Allison Simon

“Peoplew hoh avetattoosare openminded,theydo not care whatpeoplethink.Ithinktattoos are cool,bute xpensive.” -Audree Sprague | Freshman

“[I got a tattoo because] I have alwayswantedatattooandI choseacrosstoshowthatIam abeliever.” -DanikaFrancka | Sophomore

though. There are those who get tattoos for the simple fact that they like them. “My first [tattoo] was my rose on my back,” Brey says. “The rose doesn’t mean anything—it’s just for me.” Calisa Marlar, the lead foreign language professor here at Butler, says the college is progressing their views on those with tattoos. “Back in the day, tattoos might have been distracting. Nowadays, sometimes I look at them and I think ‘wow, those are pretty,’” Marlar says. “They have become more colorful, but I think I’m little more traditional in that. If I had tattoos, I would probably cover them up.” Marlar believes in the past five years alone, attitudes towards tattoos have changed rather drastically in the United States. Anyone who knows Marlar knows she lived in Spain for some time, so she shared how other cultures view tattoos. “I can’t speak to every culture,” Marlar says, “but in the Spanish-speaking culture, overall, they are more conservative about those kind of things. There are still Spanish-speaking cultures where it’s not okay for women to wear shorts or pants. They still like for women in the professional realm to wear skirts. Spain is a little bit more what I would consider to be contemporary. But still, even living there in 2000, I didn’t notice a lot of visual body art.” As for students with tattoos in the workplace, you would think most professions that students work in—retail and food industry—would be pretty lenient on tattoos. Especially with the changing times, some would expect major companies and businesses to accept tattoos in a professional environment. Mattie Wiseman, sophomore at Butler and manager at the Walgreens in El Dorado, believes tattoos in the workplace are not and should not be limiting career potential. “We, [Walgreens] are a nonjudgmental zone. Many of our employees have tattoos and piercings,” says Wiseman. If you look online, you will find that Walgreens’ policy states that employers cannot hire or turn someone away due to their appearance. Hopefully, more companies will follow suit in time. Skinfo.com lists some of the most tattoo-friendly companies: Forever 21, Whole Foods, Sally’s Beauty Supply, Hot Topic,

“Ineverassumeanythingabout people.Idon’tseepeople[with tattoos] anydifferent[than] without.” -Lorynn Boyce | Freshman

“I plan on getting more tattoos. I want my whole body filled with tattoos, just not my neck.” - Tony Reeves | Freshman

Target, IKEA, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Best Buy, and Amazon. Even with several companies changing their views, not everyone is convinced on allowing tattoos in a professional environment. Although skinfo.com says 73% of people claim they would hire staff with visible tattoos, it also claims 37% of HR managers cite tattoos as the third most likely physical attribute that limits career potential and 47% of people (of all ages) feel that visible tattoos are “inappropriate” at work. A popular thing people do with tattoos is place them where nobody can see it on a regular basis, like the shoulder blade, back, or any other area that is normally covered by clothes. They fear judgement or the assumptions people will make. Employers who justify the stigma that come with tattoos claim that they demonstrate “decision-making.” As long as the tattoo is not completely offensive and obscene, this is not always true. Tattoos and piercings do not equal a person’s ability or skill, as a surgeon could sport a whole sleeve of tattoos without it affecting or inhibiting his ability to operate on patients. With the stigma—and in some cases, discrimination—against people with tattoos, organizations like STAPAW, which stands for Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work, have been created to bring attention to the unfair attitudes towards tattoos and piercings in the workplace. Their slogan is “My Body is Not My Resume.” The group says they don’t support employers hiring people with tattoos, they support employers hiring the most qualified candidate. If the most qualifying candidate happens to have tattoos, employers shouldn’t consider it a barrier to their potential. Whether somebody has tattoos and piercings up and down or are as bare as the day they were born, STAPAW welcomes workers to help join and spread the message. They can be reached at stapaw.com. Although we may have progressed as a country on how we feel about tattoos, there are people who still have to worry about being able to get a job or function in society because of the art on their skin. Some students desire to express themselves through tattoos, but will have to always have the thought of “can I still pursue my career and get my dream job?” in the back of their heads. Designer: Tatum Sturdivant | The Grizzly | Issue Two

ASMR?

What is

The phenomenon helping people relax and fall asleep by Lauren Hugo | co-copy editor

SMR, standing for autonomous sensory meridian response, is a tingling sensation that occurs in response to different kinds of auditory or visual stimuli. The term ASMR was coined by Jennifer Allen, a cybersecurity professional in New York, who started a Facebook group for people who have similar experiences with certain triggers. Of those who experience ASMR, the feeling is described as “euphoric.” Most of the ASMR community resides on YouTube. The channels who create certain acoustic and visual videos with the specific goal of triggering ASMR

call themselves ASMR artists, or “ASMRtists.” ASMRtists create videos that involve whispering, personal attention, tapping on objects and roleplaying. Some of these roleplays include being a doctor, hairstylist and a close friend. For some, this may be a strange or uncomfortable idea. Why would you want somebody you do not know whispering in your ears or tapping on objects in such a close proximity? Even without the pleasant feeling of ASMR (which not everyone experiences), some people use the ASMR videos as a way to relax or fall asleep. “When I watch ASMR videos, it is like I am in another reality or I am in another dimension. I’m not even part of this world that I am living in, there’s nothing to worry about. No problems, no anything,” says ASMRtist Taylor in her YouTube video explaining ASMR. Her YouTube name is ASMR Darling. Another community of ASMR resides on Instagram, under the tag “Oddly Satisfying.” Most of the ASMR videos on Instagram are centered around visual triggers, as people play with slime, mix paints and so on to create content that can only

be described as oddly satisfying. Sofia Hampton, a freshman at Butler, discovered ASMR videos on Twitter. “I saw those videos of people slicing [kinetic] sand and said ‘this seems interesting,’” says Hampton. “I find the videos satisfying.” Hampton says she used to watch these videos on a regular basis but fell out of that routine a while ago. ASMR content is a similar concept to white noise for some of the listeners. To put it into perspective: there are people in the world who prefer to have their fan on at night for the sole purpose of its sound, just as there are people who listen to ASMRtists through headphones before bed only as something to fall asleep to. A common misconception with ASMR is that it is sexual because the videos are so intimate. This creates a bad perception of what the listener’s intentions are and makes the content creators and audience feel a sense of shame for wanting to enjoy and relax using these stimulating videos. If you have never seen an ASMR video and you plan on checking it out now, make sure to go into it with an open mind. What may at first seem bizarre or weird can be something that aids you in falling asleep or relaxing enough to do your homework.

The audible Student talks about personal experience experience with ASMR Opinion by Lucas Pollard | co-copy editor

or me, the journey of discovering ASMR was purely accidental. It started in 2013 when a YouTuber I watched uploaded a parody ASMR video featuring a character named Maria. Though unfamiliar with the community and phenomenon itself, I found great humor in the video and it became an immediate favorite of mine. Upon attempting to look it up on a later date, I found a video by a popular ASMRtist, Maria, “GentleWhispering.” I was immediately entranced, to say the least, the phenomenon and community opening up to me all at once. And, while I never experienced “tingles” myself per se, I was still affected, becoming overwhelmed with surges of both relaxation and calmness, which were pleasant. The first few weeks after discovering the phenomenon, I admittedly became somewhat obsessed. My sole and primary goal at the time was to both learn all that I could about the phenomenon, as well as discover what my personal trigger(s) might be. Having only experienced “tingles” once in a blue moon, if they can even be described as the “phenomenon” which has little to no scientific proof backing it, despite accounts from multitudes of people online. Two other similar phenomenons exist: frisson and synaesthesia, both of which I have been familiarized with on two separate occasions though neither of which can be described as ASMR, as I found out upon research on the topic.

White

Noise

A review on Sleep Orbit

Review by Noah Merrell | design director

leep Orbit allows people to experience their own personalized sounds to help them relax. Although ASMR is not all about sleep, I did try out the app and I found the sounds to have a calming effect. I never experienced tingles like I thought I would. The app does seem like a good replacement for a fan running in

your room or any white noise of the sort. I think it would be a helpful tool to get a good night’s sleep, but that is about it. I do not know if I will ever use this app again, but it was fun to play with for a few minutes.

The first time I ever actually knowingly experienced “ASMR,” it was induced by the sounds of crinkling packaging during a “lucid dream” roleplay by TheOneLilium ASMR on YouTube. I remember feeling a sensation start from the back of my neck, travel down my vertebrate and specifically settle in my dangling left hand. The second time was completely self-induced by the thought of the sound of cardboard children’s books creasing. The last and final time was induced by the sounds of a shaking water bottle by FatFr33Pudding ASMR/Pudding Whispers, also on YouTube. The biggest thing I would say about my own personal ASMR experience is that it cannot be forced. In opposition of the specialized soundtracks used in horror movies to stir your emotions or the forced adrenaline rush stimulus utilized in songs (auditory frisson), ASMR is completely self-made and regulated. Also, not everybody can experience the sensation either, and over-indulgence can result in an immunity. That does not mean to stop indulging, listening and watching the videos, which I personally believe to be the best way to manifest said sensation. Lots of people including myself listen for their own relaxation and entertainment, even without experiencing ASMR. A good stress-relief and free asset, the only way to know for sure whether you experience it or not is to get out there and start searching.

Tapping Whispering Blowing Turning Pages

rating: 7/10 Designer: Noah Merrell | The Grizzly | Issue Two

Five tips on how to be less stressed by Amari Beasley | reporter

hether you are a well-organized student, a partier, or an athlete, college gets stressful. Here are a few ways to make it easier for you: Get your rest: “2K” or “Madden” all night may be fun, but waking up for your 8 a.m. class and running off of four hours of rest definitely is not. On a side note, lack of sleep can cause you some serious illnesses like diabetes, heart failure, obesity, or even depression, and you do not want that. Exercise: At least 20 minutes of exercise a day helps reduce stress. While exercising, make sure you are doing something you enjoy as well. Dancing, yoga, swimming, lifting weights, just have fun with it! Get support/talk about it: This means vent, rant, COMPLAIN, etc. There will always be someone who can relate and that is always a good feeling. Find a friend or a relative. There are also counselors at school! Don’t be afraid to get help. Do not wait until the last minute to do your work: Procrastination is something that everyone does, but it is a bad habit. Knock it out when it comes to mind or even the day you get the assignment. Setting a reminder and finding fellow classmates to do it with helps as well. Think about your passion: Take a moment to think “Why am I in college?” Whether you are on a scholarship, or just there for your general education, think about how far you can go. Always find time to do what you love as well, as it can help keep you going.

Daily Struggles Opinion by Mia Rodriguez | reporter

ollege can be stressful, especially when balancing classes, as well as holding a job, and even wanting to keep up a social life. School assignments pile up quickly and can be overwhelming to some, affecting their mental health causing depression and other mental health issues. When someone has an episode they may not show up for classes for a few days, causing them to fall behind. From depression, anxiety/panic disorder, eating disorder, and others, many students suffer while still juggling every other aspect of life. This causes some to lose focus and feel stressed out, worthless, and even helpless. Mental health needs to be taken seriously, and proper assistance needs to be there for the students so they do not feel like a burden. “People commonly experience their first mental health difficulty between the ages of 18-24, which is when many people are enrolled in college,” Butler Community College’s El Dorado campus’ counselor Nancy Hamm says. “The adjustment to college, increasing personal responsibilities and independence, and change of social support are highly stressful. This makes it all the more important for college students to take care of themselves and be watchful of their mental state. Proper sleep, regular meals, scheduled activities and social support can help buffer this stress. Common mental health issues of this age group include depression, social anxiety, general anxiety, eating/body image concerns and trauma. It is very important to encourage others to seek help and to seek help for yourself if you notice a change in your everyday functioning and ability to cope with problems.” Hamm continues,“Mental health conditions are real biological illnesses which are successfully addressed with treatment. The brain is an organ just like any other organ, and sometimes it malfunctions like other bodily systems.” The students interviewed for this story want to remain anonymous for privacy

Students give their first hand experience with mental health

reasons. Depression is not when you are just sad, depression is much more than that. “I have missed school for a week, did not tell anyone why I was gone. I did not shower for days; I did not eat. I just laid in bed and looked at my wall [until] I felt better,” Student 2 says. Depression will make you feel unwanted even though many people tell you that they care and love you, but your head doesn’t believe them. It’s when you want to stay in bed and not want to pick up your phone, not tell someone how are you doing or where you’re at. Depression can even affect grades. It can leave you at home debating on getting out of bed, if people actually care like they say they do. It’s not just sadness, anyone can be sad. Depression is more than just being sad, it’s debating on life and if it’s worth living or not. “I have wanted to end my life at many points; I have gone to therapists to help me and they do, but I still think about death,” Student 2 says. Depression is not the only mental health issue that affects students, it can also be eating disorders. It is difficult to think about food, difficult to see a plate of food in front of you and think “maybe today I will eat” or “today I will not throw this up.” Food can be a person's worst enemy and can be tough on their physical health. Putting your physical health at risk can cause hospitalization, putting you out of school and causing more health problems. What a lot people do not understand is that eating disorders/body image affects many college students. “Laying in the hospital bed being forcefed is not a way someone wants to take in their food; I want to stop throwing up and I am trying to get help. It is a slow process but I am working on it and it takes time,” Student 1 says. Do not think food is harmless, it affects a lot of people. Actress and singer Demi Lovato talks about her eating disorder in her new YouTube documentary, “Simply Complicated.” She explains how she overcame it, relapsed and went through

rehab. When discussing her rehab, Lovato admits to throwing up again, her old relationship triggered her eating habits and how she is still working on her eating disorder but getting better day by day. It may take weeks, months, even years, but with hard work and help you can help support your friend or you personally can get help. Sitting down and your chest gets heavy you cannot breathe, you start shaking: a panic attack starts. “I remember my first major panic attack. My muscles tensed up, I could not move my body, I lost control of my breathing and I almost passed out on the floor in the dorm of my school in the past. One of the girls that lived on the floor found me and got the RA who calmed me down, got me water, as well as called an ambulance to take care of me. I felt better and am glad I did not have to go to the hospital, but I was advised to keep my stress low and drop a class or two to not overwhelm myself, as well as start seeing a therapist biweekly,” Student 2 says. Anxiety is tied to panic attacks, but does not always happen with anxiety. Anxiety is one of the most common mental illness that college students are diagnosed with. Stress, being overwhelmed and changes in the environment can all be causes. It can affect grades, but some teachers understand what is going on in a student's health and they are happy to help. “I failed high school because of severe anxiety,” sophomore Matthew Hendricks says. “Every project and assignment seemed like this insanely unaccomplishable goal, and there was no point in trying. Some teachers helped, some really made it worse. The teachers at Butler are amazing and seem to be more aware of this in students.” As family and friends, we want the best for each other and we want to help people who are going through tough times. We want the best for everyone and want to make students feel that they are worth it and they are wanted. This is why we need to tell our friends that we love them and ask them how they are feeling. Let us make this world a better place for everyone to feel loved and welcomed.

Designer: Tatum Sturdivant | The Grizzly | Issue Two photo by Noah Merrell

FAKE

Increasing attacks on media sparks discussion

NEWS

by Noah Merrell | design director

ith President Donald Trump battling the press and throwing around the phrase “fake news,” students at Butler Community College and people nationwide are left wondering which party is right and what exactly makes news “fake.” “I have no idea how to check to see if something is fake news,” freshman Delaney Dold says. She also says that although she does not know how to check to see if the news is real, she does think Trump’s attack on the media is only because of negative coverage he does not like. “I feel like he cares too much about what people think of him,” Dold said. “I mean, as president, you are in the public eye, so you are constantly hearing people’s opinions.” “Fake News” is defined by the Cambrige dictionary as false stories that appear to be news, spread on the Internet or using other media, usually created to influence political views or as a joke. This means “fake news”can range from anything like parody news accounts (The Onion) or if you share the same beliefs as Trump, the mainstream media like CNN and The New York Times. Trump has attempted to make his own

news source that is promised to be only “real news.” Trump’s news station was produced at Trump Towers and can be found on his website and on Facebook. “Trump TV” was shared with more than 22 million Facebook page followers and on Twitter. The station was criticized by many, including Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, who tweeted that the video felt like “state-owned channels.” With the line between real and fake news becoming more blurred, some schools have even begun teaching about fake news. According to Yalda Uhls of Common Sense Media, a national nonprofit working on improving media literacy, in 2017 four states passed media literacy legislation: Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Washington. Some students at Butler think classes like this would be beneficial. “I am interested [in taking a class on fake news]. I want to know what makes something ‘fake news,’” freshman Kassidy Redington says. “I am gullible, so I read stories and I am always like, ‘oh my gosh that happened.’” With fake news not coming to an end anytime soon, it seems all people can do to not be fooled is to get informed.

Personal attack

How do you know if news is fake or real?

Journalist says fake news should not be taken lightly Opinion by Noah Merrell | design director

s a student journalist, I have been taught the most important part about being a writer is telling the truth. “The purpose of journalism,” writes Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel in The Elements of Journalism, “is not defined by technology, nor by journalists or the techniques they employ.” Rather, “the principles and purpose of journalism are defined by something more basic: the function news plays in the lives of people.” (From American Press Institute.) When people like Donald Trump throw around fake news I take it to heart, because I know all the work that goes into writing a story and gathering the facts to make sure you are representing whatever you are writing about fully and truthfully. I understand Trump may not be happy with the way he is covered by the media, but maybe he should be looking at the actions he takes and understand that the media is only repeating what he is doing through their stories. People need to stop using Trump as their main source of news and start doing their own research.

“My grandparents watch a lot of news so they usually tell me what’s going on” Hunter Gowen | Sophomore

“I usually get my news from social media and most of the time I think it is legit.” Taylor Allison | Sophomore “As a journalist I have learned not to take everything at face value and how to find credible sources.” Victoria Lemon | Sophomore

Fact From Fiction 1

Always question what you are reading. You cannot take things for face value. Never just assume what you are reading is factual when it could be someone’s opinion stated as fact.

Listen to every side. Do not just watch one news channel or read a singular newspaper. If you get your news from multiple sources, you are bound to be able to see the whole truth, not just one station’s side.

Trump tweets about fake news from his personal account claiming news stations to be spreading false news.

Ways you can check to see if what you are readfing is “Fake News”

Check the sources. “Real news” will always have reliable sources. Check up on who they are citing. If the story is online, they will usually have links to studies or polls used in the story.

Designer: Noah Merrell | The Grizzly | Issue Two

Sports Updates

Going In Sophomore forward Jordan Russell looks to pass into the box. Butler lost 3-0 to Cloud County in the Region VI finals in Topeka. photo by Matthew Will

Get It Together Tight end coach Brady Foltz hypes up tight end sophomore Jordan Dole before the game against the Hutchinson Blue Dragons. Butler won 38-10 on Saturday, October 21. photo by Allison Simon Switching Up Freshman midfielder Melonie Baca turns on a Cowley defender. Butler defeated Cowley 7-1 on September 22. photo by Matthew Will

Soccer Butler’s soccer team ended 15-5, 11-1 in conference. While the season had much success, a 3-0 loss to Cloud County in the Region VI finals forced the season to a halt. Butler had been the national tournament in six straight seasons, but the loss kept them out of it. “We all got along this season,” said freshman Sierra Salsman. “And I look forward to growing as a team next year.”

Football The Butler football season ended on a sour note, losing 7-0 to Iowa Central, who ended their NJCAA record 25game losing streak with the win. The season as a whole was quite positive, ending 8-3, 5-2 in conference. Butler did not receive an invitation to play in a bowl game for the first time in three years.

Men’s basketball Butler’s men’s basketball team has begun the season 4-4. In conference play, they are 1-4. While Butler has a lot of talent, the Jayhawk conference is stacked with good teams this year, headlined by No. 1 in the country, Hutchinson. “The season is going good so far. I expect us as a team to win games and be the best we can be,” said freshman Josh Conrad.

Women’s basketball The Butler women’s basketball team is off to a 5-3 start, 2-3 in conference. Their record doesn’t show the talent level, as the Grizzlies have played a couple very good teams so far. The early season in highlighted by Butler’s 104-29 win over Bethel College’s JV team. “We’ve won 24 games in each of the last five years. It’s nice to start the season off good” said Assistant Athletic Director, Matt Jacobs.

Getting Lit Linebackers Will Honas and Charlie Benton huddle along with the other team captains to get hyped before a game. photo by Allison Simon Pushing Past Freshman Russell Smith goes up for a layup against Bethel JV. Butler won 130-65 at the first home game of the year. photo by Allison Simon Killing It Sophomore guard Jalise Smallwood goes up for a layup against Bethel’s JV team. The Grizzlies defeated Bethel JV 104-29. photo by Matthew Will

Designer: Noah Merrell | The Grizzly | Issue Two

Empty Seats

Students show lopsided support for winter sports

Opinion by Allison Simon | assistant editor

ooking up in the stands at Butler football games, there are more open seats than there are people. The quiet stands at games can be tough on the athletes. Win or lose, the crowds never change. It is the same few students, parents and donors. They cheer as loud as they can for the team, but for a community college with a winning athletic program, it is not as loud as it could be. “It is difficult to keep the spirit up during a game when we look up and the seats are empty,” sophomore offensive lineman Noah Johnson says. There is not a designated section at the football stadium for students so they can sit together. “I think [that] if there was a designated section for students, there would be more students at games,” freshman Bailee Wallace says. “That way if you go alone or with a friend, it is not awkward trying to find somewhere to sit.” Some students travel in packs around campus. They get their friends together and go to different events around Butler. Not having a student section discourages students to go by themselves when their friends cannot go with them. “They don’t want to sit alone, and with a student section they have a place to sit with others,” freshman Nia Washington says. The student section would allow students to get to know each other better and grow new friendships instead of people just hanging out with people in their social circles. “It’s tough knowing that we have to hype up ourselves because we don’t have a crowd to help us get excited about the game,” Johnson says.

There needs to something that gets the students involved at the games, so they do not just sit there. They need to be engaged and actively cheering on the teams. “If there were theme night I would definitely go to all the games dressed up and it would be cool to see others dressed up,” freshman Lauren Reischmann says. The cheerleaders try to keep the spirit up by getting the crowd involved with different cheers, but this is a hard task to do when less than half of the seats are filled. Basketball games are a different story. The seats fill up fast starting at 5 p.m. and keep growing as the night goes on. The crowd is so loud their voices echo off the walls. They crowd together and cheer on Butler until the very last second on the clock. “The basketball games are crazy and a lot of fun,” Washington says. “The students cheer along with the cheerleaders and heckle the other team.” Some game nights the stands get so loud they drown out the sound of shoes squeaking and the players running up and down the court. After the women’s game, the team runs around the baseline, receiving high fives and hugs from everyone they pass. For the men’s team, the crowd waits in the stands until they come out of the locker room and clap for them. Some even go on down onto the court. “[The] student section makes games more enjoyable because of the way they cheer, the comments they say to other teams and there is a lot of them that come. They are very lively,” freshman basketball player Vicky Duru says.

“It is difficult to keep the spirit up during a game when we look up and the seats are empty.”

Designer: Noah Merrell | The Grizzly | Issue Two

Reverse Racism

Student talks about unfair race bias

Opinion by Noah Merrell | design director

hate #StopWhitePeople. This hashtag is nothing but hate towards my race and a shining example of how racism is not only a prejudice performed by white people, but it is a universal hate shared between every race that needs to stop. Let’s get this straight: Racism is just simply racism. You can wrap your comments in fluffy bows of humor, or stab the oppressed with words of hate, but racism is just simply racism, point blank period.

“White people are privileged.” “White people are rich.” ‘White people cannot dance.” “White feminism is not true feminism.”

These quotes are like nails on a chalkboard to me. Most people believe that you can only be a victim of racism if you are of color, but believe it or not, racism does not have a race itself. The

definition of racism stated by the Oxford Dictionary is “Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.” Nowhere does it say “Oh, but whites… Yeah nobody can have a prejudice towards them… Oh, that skin tone yeah they are too privileged to be discriminated against.” I am not ignorant of my race’s history. I have not forgotten about slavery, I have not forgotten about the slaughter of the Native Americans, or the Asian work camps. I understand everything my race has done, and I carry those shames through the pigment of my skin. I do not need it thrown in my face. Those were not this generation’s actions and it won’t be if we get united! It gets tiring hearing just how privileged I am just for having this skin. “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” It is an old saying that they teach us in grade school, but it carries a lot of truth. If I respect your race and do not discriminate, then show the same respect towards me and do not discriminate against me. What makes you so special that you can say whatever you want about race and come away unscathed? Things like #StopWhitePeople will only increase this division between the races. It is time people stop passing judgments based on race and more from actions.

#StopWhitePeople2017 Trending tweets spark controversy

1-2-3-4 I declare a race war Design Director Noah Merrell illustrates the constant battle between races we see in today’s society through a thumb war using people of two different pigments as the participants.

“I have heard someone say that white people have the futures of blacks in their hands and it’s pretty messed up.” Patrick Spicer | Sophomore

“I think we can be racist because it’s not effective. You can’t really oppress white people.” Robert Thomas | Freshman

“I don’t think a black person can be racist towards a white person, but we can be racist towards other races.” Kyandre Lyond | Sophomore

Designer: Noah Merrell | The Grizzly | Issue Two

community photos Birth to My Creation Top: Victor Frankenstein, sophomore Caden Middlebrooks, figures out how to bring his creation to life. Frankenstein worked non-stop on how to reanimate a body. photo by Nadine Armstrong Giving Tribute Sophomore Meredith Moxley plays â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Star Spangled Bannerâ&#x20AC;? during the unveiling of the Veterans Square patio at the El Dorado camous. The band also played a mashup of many different patriotic songs. photo by Noah Merrell The Workings of the Heart Bottom right: Elizabeth Lavenza, sophomore Kalene Blanton, and Victor Frankenstein, sophomore Caden Middlebrooks, get married after knowing each other all their lives. Victor and Elizabeth confess how they feel before and during the wedding. photo by Madison Pierce

Why? Top left: William, freshmen Valorie Falo, asks Justine, freshmen Sofia Hampton, why things are the way they are. Justine explains things the best she can because she is not an educated girl. photo by Madison Pierce Stocking the Cupboard Top right: Sophomore Destiny Smith works in the food pantry which is located in the purple room in the student union. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The food pantry is a good place for students to get food from if they are waiting on financial aid, and for students to give back and help others,â&#x20AC;? student body present, sophomore Sierra Cargill says. photo by Nadine Armstrong Letting Go President Kim Krull releases balloons during the Veterans Square unveiling on the El Dorado campus. The balloons were released as a unifying end to the event. photo by Noah Merrell

Designer: Tatum Sturdivant | The Grizzly | Issue Two

The workings of a show

A look at what goes on behind closed doors

by Nadine Armstrong | photo editor

un, excitement, hard work and friends are what you will find at a Butler musical rehearsal. Students are laughing, talking and getting ready to get to work. One student gets to rehearsal before everyone and that is the stage manager, sophomore Allison Pieschl. She arrives about 20 minutes early to set up for that day. “I get the check-in sheet and make sure everyone is present, and I let the director [Samuel Sparks] know it is time to go,” Pieschl says. “Then [I] tell everyone they need to put their phones away and [that] it is time to get started.” When the phones are away the actors head to the stage. Pieschl heads to the computer to run the music, while Sparks finds a spot to watch and take notes on what needs improvement. The actors waiting to go on stage are usually going over their lines and music or are watching, anticipating their cue. If a scene goes wrong Sparks stops them and works with them on what they need to do in order for it to run smoothly. “Rehearsals are a blast. I love rehearsals,” sophomore Caden Middlebrooks, playing Frankenstein, says. “Sometimes I get nervous because I’m trying to stay on top of everything and I don’t like to be behind. If I’m not up to date on my script I’ll be all jittery at rehearsals. Other than that I try to be on top of everything and try to have a blast. Everyone is real[ly] fun.” By the time the audience sees the show the actors have overcome many of the struggles that come up along the way. “The music is really difficult for this musical, so it is really hard to follow along and make sure everyone is on the same track,” Pieschl says. “It is difficult for the actors as well. It is probably the biggest issue, but they are really hardworking and I think that

“[My favorite part about rehersals is] getting to know people better and being around people who love what they do. Everybody has worked and fought a little bit to get where they are.” - Rose Bogner | Sophomore

they will be ready to go.” There are a lot of things the actors have to remember so sometimes it can be hard to remember it all. “Retaining the lines. In order for me to memorize things, I have to continually go over and over again,” Middlebrooks says. “I can’t just read something and remember it. Memorization is probably the hardest part.” Sometimes it is even remembering to not do the little things that they normally do that their characters do not. “During rehearsals it is just staying still,” sophomore John Lind, playing Creature, says. “I have to keep moving something.” Rehearsals are where the magic starts to happen and the actors often grow together. “[My favorite part about rehearsals is] each time we have a different rehearsal we get to see the growth everyone has made,” Lind says. “All the progress everyone has worked so hard to get, and it is nice to see everything come together at the end of each rehearsal. Also seeing everyone being a happy little family.” In order for a performance to go well the actors spend time outside of rehearsals practicing. Both Line and Middlebrooks say they practice whenever they have free time. Opening night is the night that everyone is excited about. People get to see the show for the first time and the actors get to show what they have been working on. “That is my favorite part [about opening night is], just watching the audience react and kind of understanding how much hard work we put into it. Always,” Pieschl says.

“Time management was [probably] my hardest bit to challenge myself with. It was really difficult trying to figure out when I can learn my song, the dances and still maintain my school.” - Dustin Jones | Sophomore

“Some challenges were definitely staying in tune with, not only the performers, but also my fellow pit members.” - Emily Son | Sophomore

Life’s a drag Student shares thoughts on upcoming season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Opinion by Lucas Pollard | co-copy editor

Practice Makes Perfect Freshman Sofia Hampton sings to Valorie Falo about why things are the way they are. photo by Nadine Armstrong Take Notes Sophomore Emily Flickinger takes notes over what Sparks notated during the rehearsal. photo by Nadine Armstrong

ollowing two of the most popular “RuPaul’s Drag Race” seasons ever, “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” returns for a third exciting season winter of 2018 on VH1. Prior to the official announcement from VH1 in August followed by the cast “Ruveal” special on October 20, host RuPaul Charles teased a new season in July to Billboard. The return of “All Stars” was announced in 2015, after a four-year hiatus. With rumors circulating online ever since, it is no surprise a follow up season was in the works. The surprise however comes in the sheer quickness of said sequel. With the first season premiering in summer 2012 featuring contestants from the first four seasons and the second season premiering fall 2016 featuring queens from three more seasons, it is surprising to see a third introducing only two more seasons’ worth of queens into the mix. Minded when the cast for “All Stars” season two dropped, I like most “Drag Race” fans was a little disappointed in some of the casting choices made and began imaginatively casting a third in my head, especially after the most recent season ended with a shock crowning and elimination of front-runner, Shea Coulée. Sadly, very few of my desired contestants made the official roster, but that’s not to say all hope is lost. Just as quickly as VH1 and World of Wonder were able to turn out a third season of “All Stars,” the same could happen with its successor. Meanwhile, “All Stars” season three is offering a lot for fans of the show, especially if the rumors on Reddit turn out to indeed be from a production insider. During the “Ruveal” RuPaul took a step “back to [his] roots” reintroducing the previous contestants in a format very reminiscent to regular “Drag Race” season three’s casting special. The only notable difference this time being the re-introduction of former contestants as well as the guest appearance of none other than Chaka Khan! Any fan of RuPaul’s knows how much he loves his old-school divas, so this doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. Long-time fans should be more than familiar with WOW’s tricks by now. Regardless, of the queens announced, Trixie Mattel, Shangela LaQuifa Wadley and BenDeLaCreme appear to be the fiercest of competitors, though I personally am still rooting for Thorgy Thor and Chi Chi DeVayne. Don’t get me wrong, Milk and Morgan McMichaels both will hopefully have something special to bring to the competition, though I am not certain how they will fare. My one ongoing complaint outside of the casting decisions and swiftness of this season’s production lies in the possibilities of the 10th returning queen in question having a major advantage over her competitors and the final main stage challenge being another girl group rap performance which simply put isn’t going to be nearly as entertaining as it was the first time on “All Stars” season two as we saw in season nine. I am hopeful for this season as a whole, as “Drag Race” has been my favorite show since early 2014. Hopefully if this season does well along with season ten which is supposed to premiere spring 2018, “All Stars” season four will be a definite reality come spring/summer 2020, just before the fan-demanded winner’s season. Designer: Tatum Sturdivant | The Grizzly | Issue Two

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