The Daily Mississippian | February 29, 2024

FAFSA changes cause uncertainty among prospective students

There are several factors that influence where students choose to continue their higher education. However, one factor tends to rise above the rest: money.

Many students rely on loans, scholarships and other forms of financial aid to fund their college educations, but delays in the release of the updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid have left people unsure of where they stand.

The FAFSA Simplification Act, passed in 2020 and updated in 2022, revamped several aspects of the FAFSA and outlined a, “significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024-25 award year.”

While the FAFSA usually rolls out on Oct. 1, this year’s updated application was not released until Dec. 31, 2023, with a submission deadline of June 30. Many students have encountered tech-

nological difficulties, with some still having trouble accessing the application.

“Students and families have encountered hours-long wait times and glitchy forms after the federal government unveiled a ‘streamlined’ process at the end of last year,” according to reporting from Mississippi Today.

In addition to changes to how financial aid eligibility is calculated — like replacing Expected Family Contribution with a Student Aid Index — families also encountered additional questions on sex, race and ethnicity, while questions on Selective Service registration and drug convictions were removed. For Mississippi residents seeking state aid, there are additional FAFSA filing deadlines. The Higher Ed Legislation Plan Grant deadline is April 30. For students who wish to apply for the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant and the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant, the deadline is Oct. 15.

Although the changes to the application were meant to make filing for need-based aid more ac-

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UM students among 47 implicated in Lafayette County Metro Narcotics sweep

VIOLET JIRA

thedmnews@gmail.com

The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit, a multi-jurisdictional drug-related task force, issued 47 arrest warrants between Wednesday, Feb. 21, and Friday, Feb. 23. The warrants were issued for drug violations and other felony crimes. At least three University of Mississippi students were among the 47.

Additionally, 22 individuals have outstanding warrants in connection to last week’s sweep.

During the arrests, officers seized $23,000, five guns, 2 ounces of cocaine, 613 grams of marijuana, 17 THC cartridges, 14 bottles of Prometh -

Black Alumni Reunion returns to connect students past and present

KHARLEY REDMON

The biennial Black Alumni Reunion is making its return today, Thursday, Feb. 29, boasting a weekend full of events and opportunities for alumni and current students to connect.

Alexandria White, president of the Black Alumni Chapter Board and an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education, said that close to 400 people have registered for the event with graduation years as far back as 1972.

“We are excited to see Black alums come back to network, to reminisce and to enjoy how the university has grown over the past two years,” White said.

ant for this reunion to show undergrads that there is a community, even after you graduate,” White said. “You do receive your degree, but your relationship to the university continues.”

Erica Avent, a member of the Black Alumni Chapter Board and assistant professor at the University of Mississippi, reiterated the event’s focus on connecting past and present students.

“We have curated a weekend that is catered to Black alumni interacting with each other, current students (and) faculty departments. It is really a return to the university for them,” Avent said.

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To wrap up Black History Month, the University of Mississippi held a musical concert on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Gertrude

C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts

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- Erica Avent Member of the Black Alumni Chapter Board

White said that the Black Alumni Reunion holds a special importance in building and maintaining the Black community at the University of Mississippi.

“I think it’s import-

White and Avent highlighted Career Coachella, taking place on Saturday, where students can chat with alumni in their respective fields while enjoying refreshments and appetizers. White and Avent said that the reunion also gives the university a chance to honor

STUDENTS CELEBRATE COILS

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azine syrup and 25 doses of fentanyl.

“All of our buys totaled around 1,000 dosage units of fentanyl. We purchased about 1,000 pills from all of the violators,” Alex Sauver, commander of Metro Narcotics, said.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that has driven the rise of addiction and opioid-related deaths throughout the country in the past few years. Sauver urged the public to, as always: “Be careful and wary when buying and taking illicit drugs,” he said.

Metro Narcotics is known for using confidential informants. Sauver confirmed that such informants were engaged by the department to purchase drugs from suspects in the investigations that preceded the arrests.

According to public records, two students are accused of selling THC and one student is accused of selling Adderall to the Metro Narcotics Unit on eight different occasions in October and November 2023. Collectively, the students are facing 11 felony drug counts for the sale and possession of illicit drugs.

Part of the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette County Metro Narcotics operates in conjunction with the University of Mississippi Police Department and the Oxford Police Department. Last week’s arrests were performed with assistance from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department, Panola County Sheriff’s Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and the Tupelo Police Department.

FAFSA continued from page 1

cessible, many students have struggled to adjust to the new process.

“It took me days to fill out,” freshman business major Braden Root said. “If I wasn’t already a student at Ole Miss, I would have just given up.”

While current students such as Root might not have as much reason for concern, the FAFSA changes have led to uncertainty among families of prospective students.

“My daughter really hoped to make an early decision, but that will not be possible until we know about financial aid and scholarship offerings,” Shannan Waits from Maurice, La., said. “The Ole Miss Financial Aid Office told us that it may be mid-April before they can send out that information.”

While the new application is open, final award offerings might not come in before college decision deadlines. Typically, high school seniors celebrate “Decision Day” on May 1.

In California, some colleges including University of California and California State University have extended their decision deadlines to May 15 due to the FAFSA challenges.

While these deadlines may complicate the situation for some schools, students with their sights set on UM have less to worry about, as the university does not have a set decision date.

“UM is a rolling admissions school that does not currently impose decision deadlines or confirmation deposits,” Laura Diven-Brown, UM director of financial aid, said.

Diven-Brown urged both new and returning students to fill out the

FAFSA forms as soon as possible.

“The issue is that students and schools cannot get any results back right now. So no federal or need-based awards can be determined yet,” Diven-Brown said. “But I would urge everyone, new and continuing students, to file now so their data will be in the system when we get ready to award.”

While there is no decision deadline, some UM scholarships do have filing deadlines.

To combat these issues, the University of Mississippi has extended the priority filing deadline for scholarships like Ole Miss Opportunity, a need-based scholarship, from March 1 to June 1 for the 2024-25 school year.

“We know that students and parents are anxious about making plans

for next year. They want to know what financial aid options are available before choosing a college,” Diven-Brown said. “So, financial aid and admissions are doing everything we can to provide information to them while we all wait for the FAFSAs to be processed.”

As of now, UM expects to begin making award offers around mid-April, but the university is flexible about students accepting award packages.

“We do want students to confirm that they are accepting their financial aid as well, which is done through myOleMiss,” Diven-Brown said. “But we are flexible about that, especially knowing that new students are still being admitted until fall starts. We won’t be canceling award offers unless we hear from a student that they are not attending.”

• Former Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

• Former Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Since 1970

2023

• Practiced at his privately owned law firm for 45 consecutive years - located at the same place, being the Oxford Square, Downtown, Oxford, Mississippi.

• Still practicing at his privately owned law firm for over 50 consecutive - located at the same place, being the Oxford Square, Downtown, Oxford, Mississippi.

• Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 different Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure courses each and every semester at the University of Mississippi for 29 consecutive years.

• Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 different Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure courses each and every semester at the University of Mississippi for 29 consecutive years.

• A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at the University of Mississippi since 1981.

• A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at the University of Mississippi since 1981.

• Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for over 6 years.

• Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for over 6 years.

• Former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for 8 years.

• Former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for 8 years.

• Former Vice President and President of the Lafayette County Bar Association; member of the Mississippi Bar Association, etc.

• Former Vice President and President of the Lafayette County Bar Association; member of the Mississippi Bar Association, etc.

• Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi Commission on Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations of the Canon of Ethics and All Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice of Law. Occupied the positions of Vice Chairman and Chairman and served for 18 years.

• Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi Commission on Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations of the Canon of Ethics and All Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice of Law. Occupied the positions of Vice Chairman and Chairman, served for 18 years.

• A Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense conducted at Harvard Law School.

• A Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense conducted at Harvard Law School.

• Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense.

• Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense.

• Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi in for Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys.

• Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi in for Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys.

• Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Organization.

• Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Organization.

• Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 from the Mississippi State Bar given to one Attorney in the State each year for outstanding contributions to the practice of law.

• Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 from the Mississippi State Bar given to one Attorney in the State of Mississippi each year for outstanding contributions to the practice of law.

• Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awards.

• Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awards.

• Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys

• Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys

• Member of the National League of Renowned Attorneys - Top 1%

• Member of the National League of Renowned Attorneys - Top 1%

• Awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNCC.

• Awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNCC.

• Member of the American Jurist Institute - Top 10 DUI/DWI Attorney for Mississippi

• Member of the American Jurist Institute - Top 10 DUI/DWI Attorney for Mississippi

• Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in the State of Mississippi

• Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in the State of Mississippi

• Selected by the Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi’s Top 10 Attorneys, et cetera.

• Selected by the Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi’s Top 10 Attorneys, et cetera.

GRAPHIC: MILO GILDEA / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

UM astronomy brings cosmos to campus

ISABELLE FROST thedmnews@gmail.com

Each month, onlookers have the opportunity to observe different celestial bodies like Saturn or Jupiter at the University of Mississippi’s Kennon Observatory. The Astronomy Open Houses are hosted by the astronomy department. This month, students and community members of all ages gathered to observe the moon.

Participants also looked at the Orion Nebula, a star-forming complex. Nicholas MacDonald, assistant professor of astronomy and physics at UM, described the significance of this phenomenon.

“It looks like a smudge, but what you’re seeing is literally a stellar creation. It’s a star be-

ing born. It’s the most beautiful, subtle thing,” MacDonald said.

Although the crowd at the open house on Feb. 18 consisted mostly of adults, Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Physics Anuradha Gupta hopes to make this event welcoming to a larger group of people.

In addition to the monthly viewing, the Department of Astronomy and Physics hosts a monthly talk in which patrons can learn about different aspects of the universe.

“We thought we could also have something in parallel to the telescope viewing session so that there is also something to look forward to. That’s one reason that there’s some educational learning about what they are seeing or

about our universe,” Gupta said. The department also hosts other events like an art competition and astronomy trivia. The art competition allows different age groups to enter their celestial-themed art, and each group has a winner. The monthly talks invite speakers and aim to help supplement what can be seen through the telescope.

“The telescope is very mesmerizing, and you are in awe of seeing things, but what is the science behind that? So, (the talks) at least educate the public on the science behind the things we see or don’t see like black holes, or neutron stars,” Gupta said. “We aim to teach the public about astrophysics and about our universe in general.”

The next open house is slated for March 17 from 7:30 to 8:30, weather per -

mitting. A full list of dates can be found on the astronomy department’s website.

Cedar Oaks mansion stays in city’s hands

HANNAH IVEY thedmnews@gmail.com

Set against a thicket of trees in a neighborhood near Oxford’s Avent Park, the Cedar Oaks mansion is one of the city’s many historic landmarks. Recently, the city of Oxford — to whom the house was donated — made an effort to change legislation surrounding the city’s ability to sell the home. The move was met with pushback from many community members.

Oxford native Lillian Susan Walker Smith Sahag was born in Cedar Oaks. The house was donated by her family. Despite her and her family’s continued support and donations to the house, they were not informed of the resolution to sell the mansion. This prompted Sahag to write a letter to the Oxford Board of Aldermen urging them not to pass the resolution that would allow the sale of Cedar Oaks.

“This home has served the city of Oxford in so many ways, in so many capacities,” Sahag said. “So much was given by the people of Oxford for that house, and for the heritage and beauty of Oxford, and to promote Oxford and the wonderful aspects and history of it. To just not respect and not understand what has made Oxford such a wonderful town that people love and come to see, I think, is a horrible mistake.”

The Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, Feb. 20, and voted

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on a resolution that was “in support of local and private legislation allowing the sale of certain property in Oxford, Miss., commonly known as Cedar Oaks.”

The vote resulted in a tie, with Mayor Robyn Tannehill casting the deciding vote in favor of the resolution.

The next morning, Tannehill said in a Facebook post that City Clerk Ashley Atkinson received an email from Shane Barnett, chairman of the Mississippi House Local and Private Legislation Committee, stating the city could not pursue the legislation change due to the lack of a unanimous vote.

“The committee would only be considering resolutions for local and private legislation that had passed from the local entities with a unanimous vote,” the post said. “Oxford will not pursue the change in local and private legislation considered at last night’s Board of Alderman meeting.”

Dubbed “the house that would not die,” Cedar Oaks boasts a rich history. Built by William Turner in 1859, the mansion was occupied by his daughter Molly Turner Orr during U.S. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s second occupation of Oxford during the Civil War. Orr Sarah Isom — the first female faculty member at the University of Mississippi — persuaded him to spare the house. Grant and his troops proceeded to set much of the city ablaze. The basement of Cedar

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Oaks was used to house Confederate prisoners during the war.

The city of Oxford sought to build a hotel on the land the house was seated on in 1963. Instead of tearing the house down, the city moved the house to where it is today, on Murray Street.

Keri Dibrell is president of the Cedar Oaks Guild, a non-profit organization devoted to the preservation and support of Cedar Oaks. The guild works to keep the mansion maintained and available to the public and hosts many events there throughout the year.

“Cedar Oaks is an important historical building that cannot be replaced or rebuilt,” Dibrell said. “When you walk through the front door of the mansion, you are transported to a different time.”

The Cedar Oaks Guild was given no notice of the resolution, though Tannehill called Dibrell and apologized for the oversight.

“Cedar Oaks is safe, for now,” Dibrell said in a Facebook post following the resolution’s failure. “Thank you to everyone who helped save Cedar Oaks from being sold by the city. You made a difference, and we are so grateful!”

Although the city will not move forward with the mansion’s sale, many Oxford citizens were dismayed at the possibility that the city was considering selling the historic mansion.

“Cedar Oaks is part of Oxford legend and lore,” Joe

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Atkins, professor emeritus of journalism at UM, said.

“It was my understanding that the city was awash in cash,” Atkins said. “They have record revenues from the tourist tax this past year, and I think Cedar Oaks benefits from that. I don’t know why they would need to sell this home to raise more revenue unless there’s a problem we don’t know about.”

According to a Facebook post from Tannehill on the day before the Board of Aldermen meeting, the resolution did not seek to immediately sell Cedar Oaks or any part of its property but simply to allow the city the option of selling it should they deem it necessary.

“A town with 28,000 tax payers that sees approximately 60,000 people in town on any given weekday and as many as 250,000 on an SEC home football weekend has to be creative in exploring possibilities for our growing city,” Tannehill said. “This exploration may result in no changes at all.” She then went on to list a few possibilities for the house, including selling the house to be preserved and lived in, or, “selling some of the adjacent lots for development under Mississippi Historic Landmark guidelines and using that money to implement needed improvements and annual costs.”

Dylan

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN EDITORIAL staff

Cedar Oaks, built in 1857.

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GRAPHIC: MILO GILDEA / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

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RebelTHON raises record amount for Mississippi children’s hospital

Students put on their dancing shoes on Saturday, Feb. 24, for the University of Mississippi’s annual RebelTHON, a 12-hour marathon fundraiser for Children’s of Mississippi in Jackson, the state’s sole children’s hospital.

The organization raised $272,616.06, which is $60,000 more than last year’s total.

“That amount is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with RebelTHON,” Tanner Gough, director of special events and a junior accounting major, said. “Our executive leadership did a tremendous job spearheading this year’s efforts. We broke our all-time fundraising record, and the level of enthusiasm I witnessed from the participants was unlike any other year I’ve been involved in. The future is incredibly bright for the children in our state.”

Sellers Shockley, a junior public policy leadership major, serves on the Miracle Family Relations Committee. After two years of involvement with RebelTHON, her favorite part of the organization is the ability to connect with kids and help the community.

“RebelTHON is a crucial way that Ole Miss can help the community,” Shockley said. “The money and awareness that this dance marathon generates goes a long way toward supporting the state.”

Kate Brasher, a morale captain for RebelTHON and a junior allied health studies major, has been involved with the event for three years.

“The dance marathon felt unreal. It was such an emotional moment to see that we raised $272,616.06 for Children’s of Mississippi,” Brasher said. “It brings me so much joy knowing how this money is going to help so many Miracle families.”

While this year’s event had 1,115 registered participants, the organization hopes to bring in even more students in the future.

“After such an amazing year, it makes me super pumped for the next year,” Brasher said. “We already have so many students that participate in RebelTHON, so imagine what a big difference we can make if we get even more.”

One of the main accomplishments of RebelTHON has been the funding of “The Family Room” at Children’s of Mississippi.

“The Family Room gives the families of the Miracle kids a place to go do laundry, cook, watch TV, etc., while not having to leave the hospital,” Brasher said. “This year, RebelTHON fundraised for a school to be added in the hospital. RebelTHON is so important because even the smallest changes can make such a difference in a Miracle family’s life.”

Gough reiterated the importance of this event not only to the community, but to the

state of Mississippi as a whole.

“Being Mississippi’s flagship university, Ole Miss has a direct responsibility to serve and contribute to the overall advancement of this great state,” Gough said. “RebelTHON is put on with Mississippi kids and families at the heart of what we do, so to be able to better them in any way possible is what we seek to accomplish. Saving a family a trip to Austin or Philadelphia when they can stay right at home is a cause I see as worth being a part of.”

RebelTHON participants dance during the 12-hour dance marathon on Feb. 24.

PHOTO COURTESY: REBELTHON

RebelTHON participants dance to a silent disco during the 12-hour dance marathon on Feb. 24.

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UM concludes Black History Month with celebratory concert

As part of its Black History Month celebration, the University of Mississippi presented the 2024 Black History Month Concert on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Produced by McDonnell-Barksdale Chair of Ethnomusicology and Professor of Music George Dor, the concert’s theme was “Humanity is Counting on Us.” The event was free to the public.

Many artists participated in the event. Guest artist Kirk Whalum, a Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist and gospel songwriter, was featured. The Memphis, native specializes in soul, R&B and funk, and he also toured with Whitney Houston for several years.

Whalum offered a free workshop for music students in Nutt Auditorium.

After performing their own outstanding piece, the Mississippians Jazz Ensemble, accompanied by Whalum on stage, performed several soulfilled selections, including “Blue Pepper” by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn and “Do You Feel Me?” by Whalum.

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alumni who have made contributions to the community.

“I’m looking forward to the masquerade ball, where we are highlighting and amplifying trailblazers here at the university,” White said.

Six awards will be given out this year. John H. Hawkins III, the first African American UM cheerleader, and Tyrus McCarty, the first African American faculty member in the School of Engineering, will be honored with the Dr. Jeanette Jennings Trailblazer Award. Velsie Pate, the global engagement coordinator for the Intensive English Program, will be honored with the Jackie Certion Guiding Light Award.

The UM Gospel Choir sang two songs, “There is No Way” by Ricky Dillard and “At the Cross” by Darrel Petties, while swaying in unison with each other.

The Ole Miss African Drum and Dance Ensemble then performed a Southern Ewe social dance, which originated in Western Africa.

“Gospel choir means everything to me. It’s simultaneously my greatest challenge and my greatest reward,” Aaliyah Bishop, a senior psychology major and president of the choir, said. “I consider it a gift from God. This organization and the opportunity to serve such a beautiful group has brought out aspects of my character that dared to be elevated, challenged and expanded. Without gospel choir and without the members that share this experience with me, I wouldn’t have been able to explore the depths of my potential as a leader and peer.”

Bishop expressed her excitement leading up to the concert.

“We have worked diligently to prepare for this concert,” Bishop said. “It’s an immense honor to be able to serve and represent our university in this manner. More than anything, each of us has a greater under-

DT Shackelford, co-executive director for the Neighborhood Christian Center in Decatur, Ala., will be honored with the Alumni Achievement Award. Coolidge Ball, the first African American athlete at UM, will be posthumously awarded the Celebrated Athletic Award. Asya Danielle Branch, Miss Mississippi USA 2020 and Miss USA 2020 winner, will be honored with the Wayne Johnson Community and Civic Award.

Branch, who has not visited the university in around two years, talked about her excitement to return to campus.

“There’s just something about stepping foot back on campus that is always refreshing for me and just takes me back to my time as a student at Ole Miss,” Branch said.

The Wayne Johnson Com -

standing of the roles that we play in the world as a whole.”

Bishop further expressed the significance of being able to be a part of the UM Gos-

pel Choir and this year’s Black History Month Concert. “It goes beyond singing and performance. It’s a way to reach the audience on a deeper level

through collectively pouring ourselves into each song and into each other,” Bishop said. “Being able to display our individual gifts as an ensemble is a blessing.”

munity and Civic Award recognizes exceptional service by Ole Miss alumni through commitment to their community in a civic, ministerial or volunteer capacity. Throughout her terms as Miss Mississippi USA and Miss USA, Branch advocated for criminal justice and prison reform. She is still active in this work today.

“I began working with children of incarcerated parents, and that extended into working with parents who actually are incarcerated and government officials to implement change,” Branch said.

Branch worked with organizations like Prison Fellowship to help incarcerated family members connect with their children by organizing visitations, letter writing or deliver -

ing gifts during the holidays.

“I grew up as a child of incarcerated parents for 10 years of my life,” Branch said. “It really was a healing journey, being able to work with these families and share my personal experience and show them that I’ve been in your shoes, but I didn’t let it define me or the trajectory of my future.”

Shackelford earned his doctorate of higher education with an emphasis in equity, ethics and social justice and has spent much of his career in educational advising and advocating for neighborhoods that experience inequitable practices.

“I’m a first-generation college student,” Shackelford said.

“There was a lot I didn’t know, but now I’m able to go back at 33 and shake the hand and hug the necks of those who’ve

helped me become who I am.”

In addition to networking and highlighting specific honorees, the reunion is meant to be a celebration of Black excellence and joy for all.

“The Black alumni reunion is a time of celebration, to celebrate the fact that we are here. The students have attended, they have matriculated, they have graduated and they have extended into society doing productive things,” Avent said.

“It is a wonderful weekend to come back and celebrate that. It is a wonderful weekend to come back and reconnect. That joint endeavor of coming to the university as African American students binds us all together.”

A full list of events and information can be found on the Ole Miss Alumni Association website.

Black History Month Concert performers in the Ford Center on Feb. 27.

ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

The awards gala commences at the 2022 Black Alumni Reunion.

FILE PHOTO: VIOLET JIRA / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Black Hair: a journey to self-acceptance

JERIDIANE RAY thedmfeatures@gmail.com

From the moment that African people first touched American soil, their hair was criticized for its non-adherence to western beauty standards.

The expression of Black hair has been socially and systemically suppressed by several institutions, such as the United States Army. Thus, Black hair stands as a cultural symbol of resistance and unwavering love and pride in cultural identity.

Sophomore international studies major Fatimah Wansley shared that her hair is a form of self-expression.

“My natural hair is such a big part of the way I express myself. It’s what makes me feel beautiful and confident, and the way I do my hair is such an unmatched feeling,” Wansley said.

Junior math education student Caitlin Parker shared similar feelings about what her natural hair means to her.

“I feel like it’s a form of expression of who I am. To just be able to actually touch my hair, know that I can do it. That brightens my day,” Parker said.

The path to self-acceptance and love of natural hair is a collective experience shared by Black people. Known as the natural hair journey, this process involves finding just the right formula to retain length, preserve moisture and promote healthy hair growth. Due to the variations in curl grades and environment, this tedious process can take months and, in some cases, years.

“My natural hair journey

has been extremely complex … I ended up doing a big chop when I was around 13 or 14, and it made me really insecure because I couldn’t do some of my favorite styles anymore,” Wansley said. “But time went on, I started watching natural hair influencers and followed some of their advice, and I started seeing results about two years in. After many, many keratin treatments and hundreds of dollars spent on products, my hair started to thrive and the healthier or longer it got, the more I wanted to wear it out.”

While enduring the daily stressors of managing their natural hair journey, Black people simultaneously navigate the social stressors of adapting to their natural hair with their friends, family and colleagues.

Parker pointed out experiences like this in her own natural hair journey.

“My grandpa would look at me sometimes and say, ‘Oh, that’s your real hair?’ It’s not like he was saying it in a curious manner but in a serious manner,” Parker said.

Despite these experiences, Black people still search for ways to protect and uplift their natural hair. Many Black women utilize certain hairstyles to protect their natural locks.

Oxonian braider and junior journalism major Chrishona Stanford listed an array of benefits of protective styling on Black hair.

“I think I give Black women a chance to relax when it comes to dealing with their natural hair. For up to three months, they don’t have to worry about do-

ing their hair. They can just get up and go while knowing they have a fresh hairdo,” Stanford said. “Protective styling helps keep natural oils and moisture inside while not exposing it to the rough hair surrounding it, from humidity, heat, cold, etc. It allows Black women to have a stylish style while knowing their curls are well protected inside.”

Time and time again, Black hair has demonstrated the beauty of defying traditional western beauty standards and has paved the way for creative demonstrations of Black identity.

St. Clair Detrick-Jules, award-winning author of “My Beautiful Black Hair” and “My Hair Is Like the Sun,” admires the essence of Black hair.

“There’s so much to say about the beauty of Black hair — its versatility, its gravity-defying nature, its coils aligning with the helix of life itself, its power to transform both people and places,” Detrick-Jules said.

Detrick-Jules went on to share that what she loves most about Black hair is its ancestry.

“What I most love about Black hair is probably the way it expresses lineage. My hair is an inheritance from ancestors whose names I’ll never know, whose faces will never be stamped in old photos hanging on my wall,” Detrick-Jules said. “Though I won’t know who they are, I know they’re with me because I see them in my curls. Despite the discrimination against natural Black hair, I continue to find joy, love and power in it. Expressing my hair in its natural state is nothing but guidance from

my ancestors and reminds me that I carry within me the gift of other lifetimes and places.”

The natural hair journey has led many members of the Black community to the experience of self-actualization and self-acceptance. The amalgamation of these occurrences has impacted the way that Black women think of themselves and the world around them.

“I feel like the journey has

shaped me as being so dependent on myself. I used to be so dependent on others … It didn’t take me until I was 19 or 20 to feel I (didn’t) need their opinions to tell me what to post. I don’t need their opinions to tell me if my hair is beautiful … I am the leader of everything that I do in my life, so that’s where self-actualization came in,” Parker said.

Army ROTC connects cadet to her calling

RAEGAN SETTLE thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Shaunna George, a cadet in the Ole Miss Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, found her calling for service through the University of Mississippi’s ROTC program.

George, a Grenada, Miss,. native, joined UM’s ROTC program to strengthen her knowledge of military science while earning a college education.

The senior biological sciences major enrolled in the Army after graduating high school. George served as a 68W combat medic for nearly a year. While on holiday block leave, her recruiter recommended she join Ole Miss ROTC. She was drawn to the program for its prestige, its close proximity to her home and the impressive program for her major.

A day in the life of an ROTC cadet is far more disciplined than that of the typical college student. George wakes up at 5 a.m. before physical training on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and “rooks” on Thursdays. Cadets must pass rigorous fitness tests each semester to meet military regulations.

“We’re really embracing being stuck together,” George said. “When you’re in college and want to go out to The Square or you have Greek activities, going to ROTC you

workouts an easy adjustment.

However, George expressed that the ROTC lifestyle presents more than just physical challenges.

“I feel the hardest part for a cadet with no military introduction or prior service may be understanding their why,” George said. “When I enlisted in the military, I knew what I wanted out of it. If you don’t know what you want, it may be hard to find your purpose within the group.”

ROTC leadership has enriched George’s involvement in the program. In the fall semester, the cadet served as battalion executive officer, overseeing cadets in staff positions. Now, George stays involved in ROTC leadership as the community service cadet to help fellow students meet their required service hours.

Once she graduates in May, George plans to complete a master’s degree in biological sciences at UM before enrolling in a physician’s assistant program. This summer, she will begin drilling monthly with a new unit in Crystal Springs, Miss., as a platoon leader.

Outside of the ROTC program, George is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. George said Ole Miss ROTC has taught her empathy, strength, discipline and patience. Even

with her prior service, George felt ROTC allowed her to learn and better herself as a mentor to younger cadets. She lauded the ROTC’s supportive staff and encourages those interested in ROTC to pursue their passions.

“Do it,” George said. “Come to this program as a sponge. If you think the Army may be for you, start investing in the program.

Let others know your strengths and weaknesses. This program will take your weaknesses, shape them and make them strengths.”

have a family who gets it.”

Physical training activities range from three-mile runs on Oxford’s Whirlpool Trails to upper body workouts at the South Campus Recreation Center. A “rook” is an exercise involving running a target 15-minute mile carrying bags weighing at least 35 pounds. George grew accustomed to carrying a heavy medic bag during her prior service, making ROTC

While ROTC life has its difficulties, George said she would not change anything about her four years in the program. George credited Ole Miss ROTC for discovering her passion for service.

“I always knew I wanted to do service. My sole purpose is service to people. My oldest brother is in the Air Force and inspired my military side. Being a medic, when someone is hurt they come to you. If you’re successful in treating them, they start calling you ‘doc.’ That’s when you know you’ve done somebody good,” George said.

Fatimah Wansley.

PHOTO COURTESY: FATIMAH WANSLEY

Shaunna George.

PHOTO COURTESY: SANJAY PATEL

UM students boycott in support of Palestine

PALEIF RASPBERRY thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023, some UM students have shown their support of Palestine by joining boycotts of companies that they perceive to be profiting from the conflict.

Freshman psychology major and Clinton, Miss., native Roman Wells first heard about the conflict in the beginning of October 2023 via social media posts. Wells began boycotting immediately after news emerged about specific brands showing their support for Israel in the conflict.

“The first time I heard about companies that were putting money toward the destruction of towns and cities, I was like, ‘Nah, I’m boycotting Starbucks, McDonald’s, (Hewlett-Packard), Subway,’ and I’m a really big reader, so I’m boycotting most authors that have talked about supporting the Zionist movement,” Wells said.

When asked about how boycotting has affected their life, Wells replied that they don’t really think about it most of the time.

“We’re on campus and the only coffee we have is Starbucks. I guess it’s kind of inconvenient, but there are so many other coffee shops,” Wells said. “So, for the most part, it’s been about avoiding (those businesses). As soon as I saw and read about the effects of what was going on I was like, ‘This isn’t something I want to stand for.’ It was something I wanted to fight against.”

UM Marketing Professor Melissa Cinelli offered her thoughts on boycotting in general.

“Consumers participating in

the boycott hope that they will ‘hurt’ the brand or company by reducing its sales and profits,” Cinelli said. “Businesses who are subject to boycotts have to worry not only about shortterm loss of sales but also about damage to their brand image.”

According to Cinelli, boycotts are not as effective as they should be in theory.

“A lot of consumer spending is driven by habits, which are tough to shake, even if the consumer wants to make a statement with their spending,” Cinelli said. “If the boycotted product is purchased relatively infrequently anyway, then ‘boycotting’ amounts to doing nothing. If consumers do not believe the boycotted brand to have good substitutes, they may purchase it anyway.”

An article published by Newsweek on Jan. 30 revealed that Starbucks had lost more than 12% of shares since Nov. 16, 2023, a $15 billion loss in the company’s market valuation. This could partially be attributed to the boycotts due to the Israel-Hamas war, but there are other factors at play as well: Starbucks employees have been striking since December 2021.

Another reason Cinelli describes many boycotts to be ineffective is because of how short the news cycle is and how there is always something new to argue about. Often, consumers just forget about the initial boycott.

“It’s a question of how central the issue is to the brand and the customer base the brand is trying to appeal to,” Cinelli said.

Zynub Al-Sherri, webmaster for UM’s Muslim Student Association, is a senior public health and Arabic major. She first

heard about the war immediately following her mom and sister’s return from the West Bank on Oct. 6, 2023 and is actively participating in the boycotts.

“Israel often steals aspects of Palestinian and Arab culture and claims it as its own, and hummus is one of them. Sabra is an Israeli-owned brand, and on top of that, it’s the name of a massacre that Israel played a huge part in carrying out against Palestinian and Lebanese civilians in Beirut,” Al-Sherri said. “Another brand I’ve been boycotting for a while is HP, which has supplied Israel with materials to spy on Palestinian civilians.”

Since Oct. 7, 2023, she has become more strict in her means of boycotting, going as far as making lifestyle changes to avoid supporting certain brands.

“I’ve stopped buying virtually everything I regularly used to. I have changed my makeup and skincare routines because many of those brands fall under L’Oréal, which supports Israel, such as La Roche Posay, Clinique, Cerave, NYX and many others. I’ve even had to change my menstrual products because Always is owned by Procter & Gamble, which supports Israel,” Al-Sherri said. “I’ve started boycotting Starbucks too, not because they directly support Israel, but because they filed a lawsuit against their union for coming out in support of Palestine.”

However, Al-Sherri feels as though boycotting has had a positiveimpactonherlifeasaconsumer.

“I’ve replaced my everyday items with things I like even more. This has also encouraged me to eat healthier and be more conscious about where my money goes in general,” Al-Sherri said. “I’m also

forced to shop more locally now and support smaller businesses, and that’s a win in my book.”

The Oxford native describes boycotting as an “easy, nonviolent form of resisting the occupation and genocide.”

Al-Sherri suggests that many people should boycott as much as they can and that being an agent of change is a lot easier than people think it is.

“I think people have this idea that they’re incapable of causing change to happen, but it’s this

mindset that allows oppressors to thrive,” Al-Sherri said. “Small actions in massive numbers create long-lasting and big change, and that’s what boycotting is all about.”

Al-Sherri expressed that boycotting is a deeply personal choice for her to make due to the fact that the act is extremely personal for her because she is Palestinian herself and has family in Palestine.

“I want to see my country free,” Al-Sherri said. “Palestinians, like all people, deserve safety and equality under the law.”

Review: ‘Dune: Part Two’ brings sci-fi spectacle to the big screen

and general moviegoers alike.

In 1965, Author Frank Herbert released his science-fiction novel “Dune,” a work that many deem the influential force that brought about “Star Wars,” “Game of Thrones” and virtually every major science-fiction epic that came after it.

Nearly 60 years later in 2021, director Denis Villenueve retold the story with a film by the same name that garnered much praise from fans of the source material

While a monumental technical achievement in its own right, the film adapted only the first half of the original novel, leaving fans craving more from this vast fictional world.

After two years of anticipation and a months-long delay due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, “Dune: Part Two” is here.

The seuqel is a masterwork of direction and magnitude on the grandest scale possible. Villenueve abandons the shoe-leather approach of the first film in favor of a visu -

al feast and an overwhelming assault on the senses. The film thrives in its ideals and scope rather than buckling under the weight of them, and it stuns with each new revelation, both big and small.

From the opening moments of the film, the technical mastery on display flawlessly immerses viewers into its world.

Shortly thereafter, viewers are quickly thrust back into the trials and tribulations that this wide-ranging cast of characters faces. In a matter of seconds — with just a

handful of frames and without even a hint of where the story would lead — I was engrossed.

Transcendent visuals and euphoric sound design pull you in, while a swift sincerity sneakily pierces through your heart and soul, rendering the viewer mentally incapacitated due to pure fulfillment and wonder.

The film is an improvement on its predecessor in every conceivable way, as it seamlessly threads the needle between worldbuilding and compelling storytelling.

Villenueve wields the intrigue of this world and its inhabitants like a mighty sword and knows precisely when to strike to achieve the most staggering effect. One of the many ways in which these shocking results are cultivated is the performances. Each actor is more committed than the last, and none of them falter.

Timothée Chalamet is a force to be reckoned with, and he quickly dismantles any concerns I had regarding the level of commitment and gravitas he would bring to the now-iconic figure of Paul Atreides. He is matched by Austin Butler’s astounding villainous por -

trayal of Feyd-Rautha, which is, without exaggeration, the most impressive feat of acting I have yet seen from him.

The ways in which each character’s predetermined ideals regarding religion, prophecy and loyalty both coexist and clash are endlessly riveting, as is what the film has to say about these ideals.

It is doubly impressive that this film finds its place in the zeitgeist despite its source material being decades old.

“Dune: Part Two” is not a perfect film. Few movies of this caliber are able to achieve such a description. There are wounds left unmended and characters left underutilized, but they are only a brushstroke in the larger canvas of this saga. The film leaves audiences speechless and craving more, but not in an unfulfilling, cliff-hanging sense like its previous entry. “Part Two” is a fully realized venture into this miraculous world, and I am in awe that it exists.

Villenueve has crafted what will easily become the definitive “Dune” adaptations and one of the hallmarks of its genre.

“Dune: Part Two” hits theaters worldwide on March 1.

Zynub Al-Sherri holds the flag of Palestine outside of Starbucks at the J.D. Williams Library on Feb. 6.

EMILY HOLLOWELL / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

In or out: Where do the Ole Miss Basketball teams stand in March Madness projections?

LUKE DUNAVANT thedmsports@gmail.com

People may wonder what bracketology is. It is a term that refers to the theoretical odds of making the NCAA championship tournament for both the women’s and men’s basketball teams. The most popular one is Joe Lunardi’s bracketology for men’s teams and Charlie Creme’s bracketology for women’s teams. Lunardi made bracketology what it is today, and Creme later applied it to women’s basketball.

These predictions and standings are normally the most accurate predictions out there, so where do the Rebels stand?

Women’s Basketball

It appears the team is comfortably in the tournament. The Rebels are projected to be the No. 8 seed in the Portland four division. They would hypothetically face Princeton, who is projected to be the No. 9 seed, in the first game.

If the Rebels’ upward trajectory continues, they could be serious contenders in the NCAA tournament.

Ole Miss could move up to one of the top-five seeds if the Rebels win the SEC tournament — a tall order, as they would likely have to beat top-ranked South Carolina. However, even a good

showing could set up the Rebels for success in the big dance.

Throughout the season, the Rebels have beaten many good teams such as Tennessee, Mississippi State, Georgia and Florida. Most of their losses have been very close ones as well.

All of Ole Miss’ remaining games are against opponents in the bottom half of the SEC standings; this safety leaves Ole Miss in third place in the conference with no real path to move up. It is up to the players and coaches to finish strong and put a championship-worthy cap on this season.

Men’s Basketball

The Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team stands in the category of “first four out.” This means the Rebels would be one of the first four teams left out of the tournament. This also means that to be eligible, they would have to win the rest of their regular season games and most likely win the SEC tournament.

The Rebels have had a very up-and-down year, after starting the season with a 13-0 run. Ultimately, though, the team has lost a few key games that will probably end up keeping them out of the NCAA Tournament. These games include blowout losses to Tennes-

see, South Carolina, Auburn, Mississippi State and Kentucky. The Rebels have won games that everyone expected them to win, such as Texas A&M, Missouri, Florida and Arkansas. However, these wins hardly move the needle for

the Rebels’ championship dreams. A better-than-expected performance in the SEC Tournament could elevate the Rebels back into the March Madness field, but at this point, the prospects are dim.

Jaylen Murray dribbles at the three-point line against South Carolina on Feb. 24.

ARASH ATTAR / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Tyia Singleton boxes out a Florida defender during a game on Feb. 15.

MARIA RAMIREZ / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Ole Miss Softball goes 2-2 in Clemson Classic, drops two games to No. 9 Tigers

RUSS EDDINS thedmsports@gmail.com

The Ole Miss Softball team split its games at the Clemson Classic on Feb. 23-25 between the University of Connecticut, Clemson University and Miami University. They dropped both games against No. 9 Clemson, but they took the other two games against unranked opponents. The Rebels now sit at 11-3.

Game one: University of Connecticut

The Rebels got off to a slow start in the tournament, but pitching kept them in the game. In a low-scoring contest, Ole Miss managed to outmaneuver Connecticut, which led to a 2-1 victory over the Huskies.

Connecticut got on the board first in the top of the fourth inning thanks to an RBI double. Ole Miss then tied it up on a single from catcher Jamie Mackay. Ole Miss eventually took the lead off of pitcher Aynslie Furbush’s single that scored Mackay from second.

Furbush got the start on the mound pitching four innings, allowing one earned run on one hit and striking out seven batters. Catelyn Riley pitched two innings, recorded two Ks and earned the save to round out a relatively successful night of pitching for Ole Miss. In the end, it was the combination of great pitching and timely offense that allowed the Rebels to surpass the Huskies.

Game two: No. 9

Clemson University

After pulling out the game one win against Connecticut, Ole Miss was quickly shot down by Clemson 9-1. The run rule went into effect toward the end, so this game only went six innings: The lone Rebel run came off a throwing error when utility player Jalia Lassiter stole home.

Makenna Kliethermes started the game for the Rebels. She pitched three innings, allowed four hits and gave up two walks and three runs, two earned. Valerie Cagle pitched six innings for the Tigers, gave up one unearned run and struck out eight Rebels.

Clemson handled this game as a top-25 team should, dominating the diamond.

Game three:

Miami University

The Rebel bats finally woke up in this game, and Ole Miss out-slugged Miami and won 10-8. Ole Miss had 17 hits to Miami’s eight, and Miami had eight errors to the Rebels’ one.

Going into the fourth inning, the Rebels were down seven to one, one of the largest deficits in this young season. Then they scored one in the fourth inning and six in the seventh inning to take a one run lead.

Lassiter and infielder Angelina DeLeon both hit doubles to bolster the Rebel attack, while infielder Delaney Rummell, utility player

celebrate with Aynslie Furbush after her home run against UT Martin on April 4, 2023

Game four: No. 9

Clemson University

Ole Miss had the opportunity to get revenge on the Tigers but were once again shut down with Clemson winning 5-0. Losing two games to one team by a combined score of 14-1 is a blow to morale, but Ole Miss still has a lot to look forward to with its 11-3 record.

In this one, two errors cost

the Rebels big time in the Tigers’ four-run fifth inning. Both teams had three hits, but Clemson only had one error.

Despite allowing only one earned run, Furbush took the loss in the game as pitcher. Brianna Lopez came on in relief and allowed three unearned runs and recorded only one out.

For the second time in the series, the Rebels had no answer for the Tigers’ pitcher, Cagle. She came on in relief and pitched 4.2 innings. She allowed no hits or runs, walked

two batters and had five strikeouts.

What is next?

The Ole Miss Softball team will finally return to Oxford and play games in their own stadium. With the Ole Miss Classic now on the horizon, the Rebels must focus on their upcoming games against Southeast Louisiana University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Kent State University in a five-game weekend slate. Games will run from Friday, March 1, until Sunday, March 3.

Brady Lexie and infielder Paige Smith all hit home runs to headline the offense in the comeback win.

Teammates

IAN SPARKS thedmsports@gmail.com

Ole Miss Baseball won its fourth game in a row on Wednesday night, Feb. 28, as they beat the Missouri State Bears 12-3. A total team performance that was punctuated by the Rebel bats staying hot propelled the team to a 2-0 midweek record.

The Rebels started behind in their second game in two days. The Bears scored two runs in the top of the second inning to pull ahead early. A run off a wild pitch, followed by an RBI double, put Ole Miss in the hole.

However, the Rebel offense would not keep quiet for long. Ole Miss scored four runs in the third inning to give them a 4-2 lead. A pair of two-run doubles hit by infielders Jackson Ross and Ethan Lege in the bottom half of the inning gave the Rebels their first lead of the evening.

The Rebels’ pitching staff had a remarkable day, too. As a whole, Rebel arms struck out 13 batters on the night; pitchers Mason Nichols and

Austin Simmons lead the way with three strikeouts each. The two-sport star Simmons allowed just one hit and one unearned run in two innings of work, displaying a great mix of pitches with good velocity.

Right-handed pitcher Cole Tolbert came into the game during a crucial moment, with the bases loaded for Missouri State in a two-run game. With a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio a year ago, Tolbert got the Bears’ leadoff hitter Jake McCutcheon to strike out on three pitches.

Notable performances:

Treyson Hughes and Brayden Randle

Outfielder Treyson Hughes came into the game on a slow start. A .351 career hitter at Mercer University, Hughes was touted as a shining addition to the Rebel team. This game was proof of that, as he went 3-5 with two RBIs on the night.

Freshman shortstop Brayden Randle was a starter, and he did not disappoint, as he went 2-4 with a triple and a walk. With infielder Luke Hill winning the starting spot for most games,

this was a great chance for Randle to show what he brings to the table for this program.

Shining moment: Ross’ hot streak continues Ross was named D1 Baseball’s Player of the Week over the past week. Ross, a transfer from Florida Atlantic University, had eight hits, four homers and a whopping 11 RBIs last week. He showed no signs of slowing down, as his two-RBI double ripped down the leftfield line tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning. Ross went 1-4 on the night with one walk.

Up next: The University of Iowa

Ole Miss will host the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend, March 1-3, at Swayze Field. Earlier this week, it was announced that the weekend rotation would see a change, as pitcher Gunnar Dennis will get the Friday night start followed by pitchers JT Quinn and Grayson Saunier on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

SUDOKU©

Puzzles by KrazyDad

CLASSIFIEDS INFORMATION

Daily Mississippian is published on Thursdays during the academic school year. Classified ads must be prepaid. All major credit cards accepted. No refunds on classified ads once published. The DM reserves the right to refuse ads that appear to offer unrealistic or questionable products or services.

To

an hour! NOW

Make

1- New Mexico art colony; 5- ___ never work!;

9- Spanish snack;

13- Legal rights org.;

14- Mock, annoy;

16- Raw materials; 17- Golda of Israel;

18- Transmits; 19- Greek goddess of victory;

20- Starting; 21- Bambi’s aunt;

22- Washroom;

24- Building wings;

26- Respiratory organ;

27- Tribe ruler; 29- Abhorrence;

33- Steamed;

34- Heath;

35- Just right;

36- Encountered;

37- Coming down;

38- Sgt., for one;

39- Copycat;

41- Breezy;

42- Dens;

44- Tonic;

46- Therefore;

47- Chadic language;

48- Prepare for takeoff;

49- Manatee;

HOW TO PLAY

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 with no repeats.

TOUGH

52- Women’s ___; 53- Exec’s note; 57- Pond organism; 58- Together; 60- King of comedy; 61- Garden pest; 62- New Mexico’s state flower; 63- ___ dancing is popular with cowboys!; 64- All there; 65- Fragments; 66- Lacking;

DOWN

1- Writer Janowitz; 2- Breezes through; 3- Assortment; 4- Excess; 5- In and of ___; 6- Mall frequenters; 7- Actress Turner; 8- Acid; 9- “West Side Story” number; 10- Seed cover; 11- Short dog, for short; 12- I’d hate to break up ___; 15- Tidal river; 23- Thunder Bay’s prov.; 25- Levi’s rival; 26- Crackers;

27- Fancy pancake; 28- Couldn’t stand; 29- France’s longest river; 30- Greek column type; 31- Bead material; 32- Old Pontiacs; 33- Muslim leader; 34- New Brunswick neighbor;

37- Railroad;

40- Enclosure formed by the chest bones; 42- Superman foe

Luthor; 43- Creatures; 45- Dove sound;

46- ___ corpus; 48- Color; 49- Cheek;

50- Actress Raines; 51- Son of ___!;

52- Centers of activity; 54- Charles Lamb’s nom de plume; 55- Jazz flutist Herbie; 56- Till bills;

Crossword puzzle provided by BestCrosswords.com (www.bestcrosswords.com). Used with permission.

JOHN MATTHEWS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Diary of a Black Girl: Jena Brown

EDITOR’S NOTE: Diary of a Black Girl is a monthly column focusing on the experiences of Black women at the University of Mississippi. In this installment, junior opinion writer Bre’Anna Coleman recounts her conversation with senior exercise science major Jena Brown about her transition from homeschooling to public school.

When I was younger, my family and I moved from the Virgin Islands to the United States. I spent the majority of my younger years homeschooled since my mom wasn’t too fond of public schooling. From my understanding, she believed traditional schools didn’t allow children to be children. She thought it hindered them from being themselves and wanted to give her children an alternative way to learn.

I felt the experience was great, and it was better than what public school could have offered me at that age. I didn’t have to worry and stress over standardized tests. I wasn’t bound by the typical 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. school schedule. Instead, I could work on my own time and my siblings and I were free to do whatever we wanted. If I wanted to go to a farm instead of doing algebra, it was up to me.

I can look back now and say homeschooling made me a well-rounded person. It empow-

ered me to see that I can be more than any teacher could teach me. I can put my hands on whatever I want to and learn from experience. For that, I’m thankful.

Homeschooling does come with some drawbacks, though. One of the downsides was that it was hard finding my people in the homeschool groups. Living in the South, it can be hard to find other Black children who were homeschooled and desired to go to art museums, farms and even community gardens. It’s hard as a kid without peers with similar interests.

As I grew older, I noticed that I was the oldest in the homeschooled group. Everyone I had grown up with had quit homeschooling and began attending more traditional institutions. This inspired my decision to go to high school.

Just like that, I entered a whole new world.

I was this tall kid. I spoke differently and no one really knew me.

At Water Valley High School, there were probably only about 25 people in my graduating class. After graduation, most people didn’t think beyond small jobs in their hometown or enrollment in community college.

I almost felt like I couldn’t dream big. Ultimately, I ended up transferring high schools in pursuit of more rewarding opportunities.

I spent my senior year at Oxford High School. I was there for just one semester before the

COVID-19 pandemic struck. Even then, I felt the difference between the two institutions. I was encouraged by faculty and peers alike to pursue anything I wanted. My college applications list was expected to be filled with more than just nearby community colleges.

High school also made me aware of religion and how it affected the people around me. Religion can influence people’s entire worldview. I didn’t grow up in a religious household. My mom was raised Christian and my dad was raised Muslim. Both of them had very intense experiences growing up and decided they wanted something different for their children.

I ultimately chose the University of Mississippi, and I can confidently say that it was a good decision for me. I originally desired to go out of state, but due to the pandemic, I decided that paying out-of-state tuition just to sit in on Zoom lectures would defeat the purpose of enrolling in an out-of-state university. Plus, I had already established connections at Ole Miss, and I knew the resources were great.

Still, I struggled to find community when I first entered college. It has been much better lately, though. It was hard at first to find people with shared interests, and the pandemic made everything more challenging.

In the first semester of freshman year, I was mostly home due to COVID-19. My sopho-

more year, I came back, and joined several student organizations, but by then everyone seemed to have already found their people and cliqued up.

Going from being inside all the time to going outside all the time was an extreme change of pace. Putting myself out there was a huge jump for me, but I eventually found the people for me and adjusted to the new pace of life.

I don’t think people truly realize how impactful COVID-19 was for everyone. Being an introvert, it was very hard to revert back to being around people. But I am glad that I finally found my community within the University of Mississippi.

Bre’Anna Coleman is a junior political science major from Drew, Miss.

Students are crying too much

A few weeks ago, The Daily Mississippian published an article entitled “Top 10 places to cry on campus.” Instagram users responded to the article, sharing their favorite places to cry at the University of Mississippi, virtually wallowing in one another’s sorrow. Talk about a sense of shared struggle.

While this article is innocent on its face, I believe that it is a symptom of something deeply wrong with our college-aged generation. Being upset to the point of

tears on a regular basis is not normal, and we should not accept it as normal. According to the National Education Association, the majority of college students meet the criteria to be diagnosed with at least one mental health problem. But why is this happening? Is there suddenly or coincidentally just a huge spike in chemical imbalances? Or is there something else going on?

Maybe it is the decline of religion. A godless world would surely bring me to tears. Maybe it is the decline of true, meaningful friendships.

Maybe drunkenness and sex

without commitment are pitiful things to base your life around.

Maybe the college social culture is toxic.

Maybe students simply have been coddled for so long that they cannot handle a tough homework assignment, an actual job or the lack of an invite, while the generations before us fought wars and worked for what they had.

Maybe you are not ill; only the culture we live in is.

Whatever the cause is, I believe that it is too big of a coincidence for the mental health of college students to suddenly get dramatically worse than that of previous generations. The chances are just too high for there not to be some external problem at play, right? There is a problem deep within the culture, not something uniquely bad about our generation. Rampant crying is just a symptom. This is not normal and therefore should not be normalized.

What should we do? We

Opinion Policies: Columns

should learn how to be strong, choosing what is good and hard over what is bad and easy. As author Abigail Shrier said on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, “Making happiness your goal is actually a recipe for being unhappy. If you don’t make your kid strong, he can’t be happy.”

Having an unhealthy lifestyle and worldview cannot be solved by mental health resources alone. More people are in therapy than ever before, and mental health is still declining. While medicines can help some, they are not a cure, only a tool to manage it. As The Daily Mississippian’s article proved, crying and mental illness in general are becoming increasingly destigmatized. However, what if the destigmatization has morphed into celebration?

Although crying can be healthy, and getting help for those who need it is essential, being chronically upset should not be celebrated. It should be mourned, and action should

be taken to remedy it. The increase in crying, a symptom of the increase in the mental health crisis, is not a victory. Instead, it should frighten us all. A generation emotionally ill-equipped to handle college classes and life is in no place to handle the real world.

To the students who are struggling and reading this, know that the problem is not you. Our society is broken, giving us many reasons to cry. However, tears without action do not do any good. Go to church. Build long-lasting meaningful friendships. Cultivate mental fortitude. Develop a work ethic. Do hard things. Have high aspirations. Choose responsibility and virtue over pleasure and vice. Then, do not celebrate your tears: Celebrate your triumphs.

Cass Rutledge is a junior majoring in public policy leadership from Madison, Miss.

Jena Brown.

JENA BROWN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN