MISSISSIPPIAN THE Daily
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Caleb Ball crowned king, runoff elections today
SIMONE BOURGEOIS
thedmfeatures@gmail.com
In addition to crowning Caleb Ball as Homecoming King, the Associated Student Body announced campus favorites, class maids and runoff elections for Homecoming Queen and Mr. Ole Miss and Miss Ole Miss Tuesday night on the steps of the Lyceum.
Runoff elections will be held today, Thursday, Sept. 19 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students can vote in myOleMiss for Miss Ole Miss, Mr. Ole Miss and Homecoming Queen. The winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m at the Lyceum. The Miss Ole Miss runoff candidates are Madeline Mueller and Betsy Vise. Competing for Mr. Ole Miss are Jakota
A look inside
ZYN-SATION
A new form of smokeless nicotine consumption, Zyn, has increased in popularity among college students.
SEE PAGE 2
MADDIE & TAE
Maddie & Tae have released a new EP ahead of their show at the Grove on Sunday, Sept. 22.
SEE PAGE 5
STITCHERY
The Stitchery is a newly opened needlepoint and craft store in Water Valley, Miss.
SEE PAGE 6
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Ole Miss will return to Oxford, hosting Georgia Southern in one final non-conference game.
SEE PAGE 9
In 2021, suicide was the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24 in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. During September’s Suicide Prevention Month, this statistic is on the minds of many students and mental health professionals.
Juawice McCormick, director of the university’s counseling center, emphasized the importance of recognizing Suicide Prevention Month.
“Suicide Prevention Month presents renewed and ongoing opportunities to heighten awareness and provide information and suicide prevention education, such as promoting healthy connections, focusing on coping and problem-solving skills, identifying and supporting people at risk and lessening harms and preventing future risk,” McCormick said.
Laura Drislane is a licensed clinical psychologist with a background in suicide risk assesment and an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Mississippi.
“Currently suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States,” Drislane said.“We’ve seen suicides increase at a higher rate in rural
The Flamingo:
Located in the heart of Oxford on University Avenue, Flamingo Apartments — a local landmark with a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 — stands out as an Art Deco gem.
Built in 1935, the two-story, nine-bay building designed by architect James T. Canizaro is believed to be the first reinforced concrete frame structure in Oxford, according to local Sanborn maps — a database that uses insurance maps by the Sanborn Map company.
Canizaro’s work on the Flamingo earned him future jobs in Oxford, including designing Oxford’s former modernist-style City Hall, which was eventually demolished. The Flamingo remains one of the few surviving examples of Canizaro’s work in Oxford.
The building has been owned by Phil Bailey since 1987.
Throughout Bailey’s ownership, the building has undergone many colorful transformations. When he first purchased Flamingo Apartments, the build-
ing was, as Bailey referred to it, “just a plain beige building.”
“I painted it electric blue,” Bailey said, referring to the original color inspired by the pastel blue buildings of South Beach, Fla. “It just felt more like that.”
When he first pitched his bold idea to city officials, it was met with resistance.
“I was talking to one of the aldermen and I said, ‘I’m going to take this (building) and paint it neon blue,” Bailey said. “He said, ‘No,’ and I said, ‘Hey man, watch this.’”
In 2001, Bailey “tamed it down a little bit” with a more muted
Caleb Ball celebrates winning 2024 Homecoming King with friends and members of his campaign team.
PHOTO COURTESY: ALANA AKIL
RESULTS PAGE 5
Zyn-sation: nicotine pouches soar in sales
ence, technology and medical projects. She said that Betz’s observation might be the case.
“Over time, it seems like a lot of different products that we consume are trendy or a way of signaling that you are a part of a particular group or class,” Centellas said, “Cigarettes were associated with club kids and models in the ’90s, and then vapes came in … now it seems that Zyns are the next thing.”
Centellas noticed a more casual use of Zyn compared to cigarettes.
“I’ve seen students with them in class just at their desks,” Centellas said. “You wouldn’t see this with a cigarette or vape.”
University policy on tobacco use includes language about prohibiting smoking on campus, including vaping. However, tobacco-free and smokeless products like Zyn are not explicitly mentioned.
Director of the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education Nick McAfee brought attention to the unknown health effects of Zyns.
“We don’t know yet how safe or not safe nicotine pouches are because they haven’t been around enough for us to study them. Are they probably safer than smoking? Yes,” McAfee said.
“Are they something that people who don’t already use nicotine should use? No.”
The National Library of Science found that 16% of youth ages 15-24 have tried nicotine pouches, with 12% still currently using them. The American Lung Association found that only 35% of nicotine pouch users were smokers before. Due to its addictive nature, 78% of youth users who have tried nicotine pouches continue to use them.
“We will meet with you and talk about some of your own reasons for quitting,” McAfee said. “We also have different connections with campus mental health professionals and in the university pharmacy who have nicotine replacement therapy available to folks who need help.”
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communities compared to those living in urban environments.”
Mississippi lost 417 lives to suicide in 2022 — a 14.8% increase compared to 20 years prior — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mississippi communities face many challenges that support that disproportion, Drislane said.
“Living in poverty and experiencing financial hardships, unsafe or unstable housing and unemployment can all cause immense stress contributing to elevated suicide rates,” Drislane said. “Rural residents are also more likely to be geographically distant from friends, family and neighbors, which can lead to feelings of social isolation.”
Erin Harrell, a psychiatrist and nurse practitioner in Oxford and Hernando, Miss., echoed this.
“We know that the opioid
cess to things like counseling, therapies, groups, social supports and diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses,” Harrell said. “And so a lot of
“This month is an ongoing opportunity to remind us all that we matter, that help is available for all and that there are other solutions to our problems (and) other ways to manage and heal from the pain we are experiencing. We are all beloved.”
- Juawice McCormick director of the University Counseling Center
epidemic has hit Mississippi especially hard, and I think that’s true for a lot of communities that fall on the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum, which is why we find that mental illness does tend to congregate in those communities, as they have a lack of ac-
times, those people will find themselves feeling very alone, and that’s kind of a way out.”
Drislane emphasized the importance of small efforts in making individuals feel connected.
“Tragically, people who die by suicide often have the misperception that they are a
burden on others and that the people around them would be better off without them,” Drislane said. “A simple daily phone call for a couple of minutes can go a long way to making someone feel connected and might even be life-saving.”
Carmen Hillhouse, a counselor at the university’s wellness center, encouraged those struggling with mental health to seek counseling.
“Give it a try and see if that’s something that you like because you can’t allow other people’s opinions to affect you and your health,” Hillhouse said. “You have to see if it’s something that is a good fit for you.”
The University Counseling Center has many programs in place for anyone who is struggling with mental health.
“We have licensed counselors available 24/7, 14 licensed clinicians, 10 graduate students from counseling and psychology, three nurse practitioners and a psychiatrist available to our campus community at the (University Counseling Center) or via telephone,” McCormick said. “This service is essential for students in crisis in need of immediate support.”
In addition to seeking counseling, keeping healthy habits like regular sleep can help students maintain their mental health.
“If you sleep better, your mood improves dramatically, and if you’re feeling good, you sleep better,” Drislane said.
Kiersten Ingalsbe, a sophomore criminal justice major from Summer-
ville, S.C., explained what she does to cope with stress.
“I like to take walks around campus, listen to music, play with sensory toys or watch
“Tragically, people who die by suicide often have the misperception that they are a burden on others and that the people around them would be better off without them. A simple daily phone call for a couple of minutes can go a long way to making someone feel connected and might even be lifesaving.”
assistant
movies,” Ingalsbe said. “All of those things are great ways to alleviate college stress.”
McCormick reiterated the importance of awareness.
“This month is an ongoing opportunity to remind us all that we matter, that help is available for all and that there are other solutions to our problems (and) other ways to manage and heal from the pain we are experiencing,” McCormick said. “We are all beloved.”
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EXECUTIVES
Lola Phillips Kendall Scott
GRAPHIC: KAT MOORMAN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
- Laura Drislane
professor of psychology
University establishes Mississippi Cannabis Research Program
Gov. Tate Reeves signed Senate Bill 2888 on April 8 establishing the Mississippi Cannabis Research Program at the University of Mississippi to research the effects of medical cannabis on patients.
The bill went into effect on July 1, and the university distributed a press release detailing the program on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Restricted use of cannabis for medicinal purposes became legal in Mississippi in 2022.
The new program will operate under the National Center for Cannabis Research and Education (NCCRE) at the School of Pharmacy. In partnership with the Mississippi Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program, the NCCRE was created to conduct research on medical cannabis and products as well as its effects on patients.
“We know through a lot of clinical research that has been done on pharmaceutical-grade products that it can have beneficial effects, so we’re trying to figure out, specifically for our state and
patients in our state, how these different products are affecting the patients,” Robert Welch, the director of the NCCRE, said. “They foresaw that there’s going to be a need for this center, and sure enough they created this research program based around our center to conduct all of this work.”
The bill establishes a Medical Research Advisory Board to oversee medical cannabis research and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The advisory committee will consist of 11 members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house.
“The National Center for Cannabis Research and Education will help to ensure that Mississippi remains at the forefront of natural products research,” Sen. Nicole Akins Boyd, a sponsor of the bill, said. “I am proud of the University of Mississippi for continuing to be a national leader in research excellence.”
According to the NCCRE website, the program will research safety, efficiency and potential therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis for patients. One of the areas of research at the NCCRE is re -
al-world evidence studies. The center is collecting and analyzing patient outcomes data and the effects of the products sold through the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program.
“We’re going to get (patient outcome) data, analyze it and hopefully be able to clarify for the legislature, public, patients and healthcare community how well these products are working,” Welch said. “That will hopefully bring a lot of clarity to how these patients are experiencing these products out there in the real world.”
The center is also conducting drug-to-drug interaction studies to determine how cannabinoid products interact with prescription drugs or other types of drugs.
The NCCRE is also applying for federal grants to determine various health effects of cannabinoids; they are also aiming to fulfill a need for cannabis research and amplify the potential of cannabis products.
“We’re leveraging our many years of cannabis expertise to amplify the potential for these products for patients,” Welch said. “We’re hoping to make a national impact as well through all of this information.”
Cannabis plants grow in the University of Mississippi’s indoor growing facility.
PHOTO COURTESY: KEVIN BAIN / OLE MISS DIGITAL IMAGING SERVICES
PHOTO COURTESY: KEVIN BAIN / OLE MISS DIGITAL IMAGING SERVICES
Robert Welch, director of the National Center for Cannabis Research
PHOTO COURTESY: KEVIN BAIN / OLE MISS DIGITAL IMAGING SERVICES
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White and Santino Rocchio. Abby Johnson and Vanessa “Nessa” Bonner are in the runoff for Homecoming Queen.
The 10 campus favorites
even nominated for (Homecoming Queen) is such an honor. … I am so thankful for where I’m at right now.”
Johnson, also a Homecoming Queen runoff candidate, encouraged students to stay involved in the election process until the end.
“I am honored and humbled to be in contention for
“It has been so incredible to have this support from everyone, and I’m so excited. This has been truly the best week ever, and I will never forget this.”
- Kate Downs senior maid
elected Tuesday are Julianna Barrack, Sally Kate Dabney, Brooke Bradley, Caroline Brock, Mary Addison Gregory, Xenia Minton, Victoria Nowell, Lydia Snopek, Mollie Wright and Anne York Emily Deutsch won the freshman maid election with 42.91% of the vote. Emma Simpson was elected sophomore maid with 21.15% of the vote. Zoey Swan won junior maid with 25.57% of the vote. Kate Downs won senior maid with 28.79% of the vote.
Some candidates spoke about today’s runoff.
“I’m just so thankful for all the support and love I’ve received so far,” Bonner, a senior forensic chemistry major, said. “The fact that I was
Homecoming Queen to represent the Ole Miss and Oxford communities. I hope people continue to feel my love, leadership and ‘lead the way,’ as my slogan states, by voting in the runoff election,” Johnson, a senior integrated marketing communications major, said.
Mr. Ole Miss runoff candidate White, a senior integrated marketing major, spoke about his plan moving forward.
“I’m gonna do all I can do,” White said. “And all I can do is all I can do.”
Rocchio, a senior accounting major, is also in the running for Mr. Ole Miss.
“I am excited, and it has been great seeing all the support from my peers around me,” Rocchio said.
Mueller, a Miss Ole Miss runoff candidate, is appreciative of all of the support she has received.
“I feel just so grateful to be here. I could not have even imagined being in this position in the first place, so I am really filled with gratitude to go into (today) ... and see how we can keep celebrating and highlighting opportunities for students,” Mueller, a senior psychology major, said.
Vise, a senior Arabic and international studies double major, is running against Mueller in today’s election for Miss Ole Miss.
“Going into the runoff, I’m just excited to meet more people tabling and continue to run a campaign that represents all the joy I’ve felt at Ole Miss so far. I’m grateful to have made it this far and it’s really unbelievable it ends (today),” Vise said. “The support these past two weeks has felt unreal. I’ve got a million thank you notes to write when this is all over to all the people who’ve made this campaign possible.”
Some of the winners shared how they felt after the announcements.
“It feels really amazing (to be elected). I come from a really small town and rural Mississippi, and this place has made me who I am today, and every person I’ve met here has made me feel like this place is my home. It just means the world to me, and it is such an honor,” Ball, senior political science major, said.
Victoria Nowell, a campus favorite and senior integrated marketing com-
munications major, spoke about how she is excited to continue a family tradition.
“My parents went to school here. … My mother, Lisa Nowell, was also a campus favorite for the class of 1995, so I am honored to continue that legacy,” Nowell said.
Campus Favorite Xenia Minton, an integrated marketing communications major, expressed her gratitude for being able to give back to the UM campus.
“I’m really honored. … I have loved giving back to campus the past three years, and I love getting to meet so many amazing, incredible people and be involved in lots of the amazing organizations on campus,” Minton said.
Freshman Maid Deutsch, an integrated marketing communications major, said
platform so much. The class of 2028 really pursued (the platform), and I’m just so excited to represent them at homecoming,” Deutsch said.
Senior Maid Downs, an accountancy major, was equally excited.
“I’m just so elated. I’ve been a fan of this university my entire life. Normally I’m not the one to be the face of a campaign, but Ole Miss is truly the one place where I would do this,” Downs said. “It has been so incredible to have this support from everyone, and I’m so excited. This has been truly the best week ever, and I will never forget this.”
After the announcements, senior public policy leadership major and ASB Attorney General Alex Kipping expressed her pride in the candidates.
“Huge congratulations!
“I come from a really small town and rural Mississippi, and this place has made me who I am today, and every person I’ve met here has made me feel like this place is my home.”
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that she is excited to represent the class of 2028.
“Tonight was unbelievable. I am so excited. My platform was ‘encourage others,’ and honestly I have never felt that
I’m so proud of everybody who participated in this process. It’s grueling, and it’s draining, but I think the event here tonight showed why it’s all worth it,” Kipping said.
Maddie & Tae release new EP ahead of Grove set, Ole Miss mentioned in lead single
thedmfeatures@gmail.com
Country duo Maddie & Tae released their new extended play, “What A Woman Can Do,” on Friday, Sept. 13, just 10 days shy of when they will take the Grove Stage at the Student Activities Association’s Fall Concert on Sunday, Sept. 22. Maddie & Tae have had a rollercoaster of a career since their breakout song, “Girl In A Country Song,” hit No. 1 on
the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 2014. They have released seven singles, seven EPs and two studio albums since then. The team has tried again and again to mimic the success of 3x-Platinum-certified single “Die From A Broken Heart”; I think that needle could finally move with this EP.
The EP’s lead single, “Heart They Didn’t Break,” is a beautiful ode to the friendships that help fix the mess ex-partners make
when they end a relationship.
Local listeners will hear a familiar name drop in the song’s opening line: “It’s 200 miles from Ole Miss.” Though I am not sure either of the pair has any connection to the University of Mississippi, it taps into the specificity that good country music requires.
“Heart They Didn’t Break,” alongside most other tracks on this EP, sing a rock-country tune of female empowerment. This project hosts an interesting sound that can only be hinted on by their previous studio albums. But the theme of women supporting women is valuable and encouraging.
The title track offers some of the following beautiful, supportive lyricism.
“Give her a house, she’ll make it a home // That you’ll miss like hell when you’re gone too long // She’ll build your whole world in a living room // Man, what a woman can do.”
“Sad Girl Summer” is a breakup anthem that really hones in on that rock sound. Maddie & Tae love an electric guitar. On this song, too, these ladies focus on lifting other women up; notice a pattern?
In a time where country music can seemingly only uplift one woman at a time to the mainstream, it is refreshing
to see country music’s lead female duo releasing music that says, ‘Hey, we’re here for you. We’re going to support one another through this.’
It will be exciting to see Ole Miss students come together to the tune of country music and camaraderie, much like in Maddie & Tae’s (hopefully)
future
hit “Heart They Didn’t Break” and their empowering “What A Woman Can Do” EP. Maddie & Tae will perform on the Grove Stage at 5 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 22, alongside fellow women in country Annie Bosko and Just Jayne.
Maddie & Tae’s “What A Woman Can Do” EP
Caleb Ball
Homecoming King
The Stitchery opens as the first needlepoint store in the state
LYDIA WATERS
thedmfeatures@gmail.com
The Stitchery, located in Water Valley, opened on Aug. 1 as the first needlepoint store in the state of Mississippi.
Needlepoint is a type of embroidery done on canvas, usually over a paper pattern, which results in an ornate design of the stitcher’s choosing.
Camille Breckenridge, owner of The Stitchery and a Water Valley resident, was inspired to open the shop after she picked up the hobby and realized there was not a store in her area that supplied the products for her new craft.
“I just saw a need and thought I enjoy this, (and) I am an empty nester. I’ve been retired for four years, you know what? I want to open a store so that I can share this with others and provide something for the community,” Breckenridge said.
The Stitchery offers many crafting supplies, from premade, hand-painted canvases to a variety of colored threads.
The Stitchery also holds classes where beginners can learn the craft of needlepoint. To take a class, attendees must pay a fee starting at $75 for two hours of instruction. Materials such as scissors, threads and the canvas are included in the fee.
Breckenridge mainly wants to offer a center for Mississippians who love arts and crafts.
“I want people to feel like they can come in and bring whatever they’re working on. It doesn’t have to be needlepoint,” Breckenridge said. “Maybe they’re working on a crochet project. Bring it in. Sit there. You can talk to other people. You can have a quiet space. I have (a) little coffee bar set up … where people could come and meet others
and share and learn more about the crafts that they enjoy.”
Breckenridge dreams of expanding the store.
“I would like to really expand the classes that I offer … (and) to provide education on different types of handcrafts because there’s so many different types of needlework that really are kind of becoming extinct,” Breckenridge said.
“People aren’t doing needlepoint or crewel or embroidery like the older generations did, and I just think it’s such a beautiful craft, and I would like to increase the classes that offer so that other people could learn these types of hobbies.”
The Stitchery needlepoint store in Water Valley, Miss., on Sept. 3.
PHOTO COURTESY: ZOE KEYES
The Stitchery storefront on Sept. 3.
PHOTO COURTESY: ZOE KEYES
PHOTO COURTESY: ZOE KEYES
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shade of yellow. In recent years, Bailey took on the challenge of modernizing the building without losing its original charm.
“This place was in rough shape. So back in 2020, I said, ‘You know, we’re going to bring the Flamingo back,’” Bailey said. “We redid all new kitchen cabinets, redid the bathrooms, and then it just became the Flamingo.”
While well known amongst Oxford residents, the building peaked in fame when it became a filming location for the 1992 film “The Gun in Betty Lou’s Handbag,” a 1992 comedy film about a librarian who lies about committing a murder to get
attention from her husband.
“When they came, they took over all of this, and you know it wasn’t like it was an Academy Award winner, but it certainly was a lot of fun for Oxford,” Bailey said.
Bailey said that many student residents have called the Flamingo home for many years.
“I’ve had students live here (from when they’re) sophomores and stay until they’re seniors, (and) some have even gone to graduate school (and stayed here),” Bailey said.
Tyler Noggle, a UM alumnus from Alpharetta, Ga., was a resident of the Flamingo Apartments during his sophomore year in 2023.
“What I enjoyed about the Flamingo was that it was really close to everything you could want. I felt like I was in the middle of everything,”
Noggle said. “It’s really the people (that) make the Flamingo such a good spot.”
Last year, Bailey converted two of the four apartments into short-term rentals to allow for more flexibility in accommodating guests, especially during busy football game weekends. It also allows Bailey to keep the rent of the two-bedroom, one-bath units at a relatively low price.
As Oxford continues to grow and change, Bailey sees the Flamingo as a permanent part of the cityscape.
“The Flamingo will be here when I’m gone, that’s my hope,” Bailey said. “If we ever have a tornado, all you gotta do is go downstairs in the basement. It’s better than any storm shelter that we have in Oxford.”
The living room in the Tropicana unit at the Flamingo Apartments on Sept. 17.
ASHLYNN PAYNE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Phil Bailey, the owner of the Flamingo Apartments
ASHLYNN PAYNE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
A sitting nook in the Tropicana unit on Sept. 17.
ASHLYNN PAYNE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
The dining area in the West Palm unit on Sept. 17.
The entryway to the Flamingo Apartments on Sept. 17.
Ole Miss Soccer opens SEC play on the road
DELANEY SMITH
thedmsports@gmail.com
Ole Miss recently played Samford in a tight 2-1 soccer match. Kayla Keefer sealed the deal with the game-winning goal in the final moments of the Rebels’ last non-conference matchup before starting conference play against Tennessee.
Going into the match, the Rebels were 5-4 in non-conference play, with two of the losses coming from No. 4 Michigan State and No. 10 Memphis.
Keefer, a freshman, leads the team with four goals. The new Rebel netted a hat trick in her first collegiate game. Senior Kelly Brady is back for her fifth collegiate season and second with the Rebels. She scored an early season goal against Lipscomb on Sunday, Sept. 15 after tallying eight in 2023.
Team Japan Olympic alternate Shu Obha has returned this year as goalkeeper. Obha, in the back of a stout defense, has allowed just over one goal
Kelly Brady rushes after the ball during a game against Lipscomb on Sept. 15.
a game over the course of five games. When she played Michigan State, she had a season high number of saves — six.
Against Tennessee, the Rebels will be looking for redemption. The last time they met was in 2022, when the Rebels took a 1-0 loss at home with the single goal from Jaida Thomas, who has yet to score this season.
This fall, Tennessee is 4-11 in non-conference play, with
an impressive tie against the 2022 National Champions, the No. 7 UCLA Bruins. Forward Sammi Woods leads the team with two goals, while four other players have one.
Three days after the Rebels play in Knoxville, the team is set to take a trip to Baton Rouge, La. The Louisiana State Tigers are 4-1-1 this season, with a loss to Arizona State and tie with Utah.
The leading scorer for LSU is Ida
Rebels volleyball faces Houston in Big 12 match
SARAH FENTON
thedmsports@gmail.com
Ole Miss Volleyball will travel to Houston on Friday, Sept. 20 to take on the University of Houston Cougars.
In this Big 12 versus SEC matchup, both teams bring strong performances and high hopes for their seasons into the game.
Coming off of an 11-18 (513 in the SEC) season in 2023, the Rebels are aware that this season is not going to be any easier, with seven ranked teams on this year’s schedule.
Ole Miss is predicted to enter each game with heavy momentum thanks to experienced veterans and new players alike on its roster.
Talented players for Ole Miss include middle blockers Sasha Ratliff and Payton Brgoch, and outside hitter Julia Dyess, who
ended last season with more than 200 kills. Defensive specialist Cammy Neiesen plays a major part of this team’s defensive system. Newcomers Ragan Kinard from USF and Emma Ammerman from Pepperdine tally over 400 kills in less than 100 matches played. UCLA transfer Mokihana Tufono finished with 100 digs, 21 aces and 27 assists last season. All three have proven to be strong additions to the team.
Losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament last year ending with a 19-10 overall record, Houston looks to bounce back with high energy and new players as well.
Annie Cooke, a versatile opposite hitter and setter, has been a strong competitor throughout her collegiate years for the Cougars. University of Miami transfer Angela Grieve carries a lot of
SUDOKU©
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Hermannsdottir with four goals. Before SEC play starts for the Tigers, the team heads to Northern California to face San Francisco and UC Davis. In 2023, Ole Miss beat
LSU 1-0 with a game-winning penalty kick from Brady. The Rebels will play Tennessee on the road in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 21 and LSU in Baton Rouge on Sunday, Sept. 22.
offensive power with the help of transfer setter Rebecca Rocassin from Jacksonville, Fla., who recorded 1,036 assists last season.
The Rebels will need to focus on locking down Grieve and Cooke if they wish to shut down the Cougars to claim a much-needed victory. Using Dyess at the net to put up a huge amount of kills will help their overall offensive front.
Juniors Nia Washington and Vivian Miller will also be key players for the Rebels up at the net to take down the Cougars’ Grieve and Barron. The Rebels’ offensive intensity and defensive strength make them intimidating competition on the court.
The Rebels will take on the University of Houston Cougars on Friday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. ESPN+ and SEC Network+ will broadcast the game.
5- Flat sound; 9- Room in a casa; 13- Head of France; 14- Wigwam; 15- Southwestern art colony; 16- Ms. Bombeck; 17- Practice piece; 18- Sea-going eagle; 19- Mountain range; 21- “Miss Saigon” setting; 22- Heroic; 23- Pouches; 25- Half-moon tide; 27- Long-distance race; 31- Basic monetary unit; 35- Now ___ me down...; 36- K-6; 38- Depart; 39- Blazed a trail; 40- Fragrant bed?; 42- Put on; 43- Bring to mind; 46- Editor’s note; 47- That’s ___!; 48- Continues a subscription; 50- Frenzied rush; 52- Lack; 54- Hit with an open hand; 55- ___ even keel;
58- Some MIT grads; 60- Exceedingly; 64- Table d’___; 65- Old sailors; 67- ___ Misbehavin’; 68- Void partner; 69- Distinguishing characteristic; 70- Struck, old-style; 71- Till bills; 72- Bone: Prefix; 73- Ballpark figs.; DOWN 1- Salt Lake City college team; 2- Hatcher of “Lois and Clark”; 3- Look ___, I’m Sandra Dee; 4- Rumor; 5- Harden; 6- Twirled; 7- Family car; 8- Appeared; 9- Spire; 10- Seniors’ org.; 11- Burt’s ex; 12- Wait ___!; 14- Instructor; 20- Snitch; 24- Goes it alone; 26- “You’ve got mail” co.; 27- Distance runner; 28- Advil rival;
29- Radioactive gas; 30- Bird homes; 32- Big dipper; 33- Shun; 34- Actress Taylor; 37- Runs into; 41- Least original; 44- Dog-houses; 45- Lamb’s dam; 47- Pacify; 49-
HOW TO PLAY
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 with no repeats.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
WILSON ENGERISER
thedmsports@gmail.com
After a hot start to the season, Ole Miss is slated to face off against Georgia Southern in week four as both teams close out their non-conference games. The Rebels sit at a perfect 3-0, outscoring their last three opponents 168-9.
After playing a good game against a tough Boise State team in which they lost 56-45 in week one, Georgia Southern bounced back with wins against Nevada 20-17 and South Carolina State 42-14. This will also be the first time that Georgia Southern faces a Top Fiveranked opponent in six years.
The Eagles are led by former University of Southern California Head Coach Clay Helton. He has guided the Eagles to decent seasons the past two years, securing two bowl game berths but losing them both.
Helton was hired by Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin at USC as the quarterbacks coach in 2010. In 2013, Kiffin promoted Helton to offensive coordinator, which
Ole Miss returns home for game against Georgia Southern
then led to the head coach job for the Trojans in 2015.
Helton has plenty of experience against top teams. As head coach, he has 12 wins over Top 25 teams, with four in the Top 10 and three in the Top Five.
Georgia Southern uses a pass-heavy offense with sophomore quarterback JC French amassing nearly 800 passing yards this season. Its rushing attack leaves much to be desired with only 321 rushing yards through three games.
Ole Miss is a much more balanced offense with over 1,300 passing yards and almost 800 rushing yards so far this season. Quarterback Jaxson Dart leads all of college football in total passing yards with 1,172, almost 150 more yards than the next closest quarterback. Next to Tennessee, Ole Miss is also the second-highest scoring team in the nation, averaging 56 points per game.
Ole Miss’ defense also looks stout, allowing only nine points this season and just 33 rushing yards per game; the Rebels have the top rushing defense in the nation.
Nov. 5, 2023.
The Rebels have one more non-conference game to prove themselves as a talented and competitive SEC opponent. Ole Miss is currently the
favorite by 36 points heading into Saturday’s game, but with Helton’s experience as head coach in big games, this could be a trap for the Rebels.
Kickoff for the game is 6:45 p.m., and will air on the SEC Network.
Henry Parrish Jr. excels on offense
sive four passes for 27 yards.
DYLAN LIGGETT
thedmsports@gmail.com
Goulds, Fla., native Henry Parrish Jr. started his football career at Christopher Columbus High School. It would be here that ESPN would rate him as a three-star running back.
Parrish committed to Ole Miss to play under running back coach Kevin Smith, turning down offers from Miami, Florida, Oregon, the University of South Carolina and Penn State.
During his freshman season with Ole Miss in 2020, Parrish reached 263 yards for two touchdowns on 56 carries. His breakout game came in a 53-48 thrilling shootout loss to LSU on the road in which he scored two rushing touchdowns and ran for 87 yards on 16 carries in addition to catching an impres-
As a sophomore, Parrish rushed for 553 total yards with three touchdowns on 105 carries and had 21 receptions for 173 yards.
After the 2021 season, Smith took a new job at the University of Miami, and Parrish entered the transfer portal — ultimately following him to the Sunshine State.
In his standout first season with the Hurricanes, Parrish had 130 carries for 616 yards and four touchdowns, 17 receptions for 120 yards and another two touchdowns in the 2022 season. Parrish was named third team All-ACC. He continued his career at Miami in the 2023 season with 100 carries for 625 yards, six touchdowns and 11 receptions for 32 yards.
When Smith returned to
Ole Miss, Parrish once again followed him once again.
In the season opener against Furman, Parrish had eight carries for 40 yards, with one reception for 12 yards. In week two, after being named the starter over Ulysses Bently IV, Parrish had another successful game, rushing for 165 yards on 14 carries with four touchdowns and one reception for 16 yards against MTSU.
In the Rebels’ 40-6 victory over Wake Forest, Parrish found the end zone twice and rushed for 133 yards on 22 carries.
Ole Miss returns home this weekend to face Georgia Southern on Saturday, Sept. 21 and will begin conference play against the University of Kentucky in Oxford on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Ulysses Bentley IV stares down the field during a game against Texas A&M in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on
HAILEY AUSTIN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Henry Parrish Jr. walks onto the field before a game against MTSU in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 7.
CHRISTIAN TOLLIVER / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Week 4 college football pick ‘ems
DM SPORTS DESK
thedmsports@gmail.com
Georgia Southern @ Ole Miss: 45-10 (Nate Donohue)
After another dominant performance, Ole Miss returns to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium looking to continue a perfect record.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart looks like a Heisman front-runner, with 1,172 passing yards on the season. Led by Tre Harris and Juice Wells, the receiving corps promises to give Georgia Southern secondary problems.
Running back Henry Parrish Jr. has rushed for six touchdowns through three games, including 100-yard performances in the past two games. On defense, the Rebels have yet to allow a touchdown all season and are seen as one of the nation’s top defenses after week three.
Georgia Southern is 2-1 — the loss coming against a solid Boise State team that nearly managed to beat No.7 Oregon two weeks ago.
Quarterback JC French, who has thrown multiple touchdowns in all three games this season, leads a capable offense.
The Golden Eagles have holes on defense. With a home advantage, the Rebels can most likely hand Georgia Southern its second loss of the season.
USC @ Michigan: 31-28 (Luke Dunavant)
In USC’s first ever Big 10 matchup, the Trojans will head to Michigan to face the reigning national champions on their home turf.
USC looks to have yet another quarterback, with Miller Moss lighting up LSU’s defense in week one. He threw for nearly 400 yards as the Trojans beat the Tigers 27-20.
In their home opener, the
Trojans handed Utah State their first loss of the season 48-0. Trojan linebackers Eric Gentry and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold led the defense each recording seven tackles in USC’s shutout win.
On the other hand, Michigan’s offense looks lackluster. The Wolverines beat Fresno State 3010, but they were up by only 10 heading into the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Alex Orji seems to have won the QB battle over Davis Warren, something that fans are somewhat upset about. Warren is a much better passer, but Orji is the more athletic player.
In the Texas vs. Michigan matchup, one of the most anticipated of this season, Michigan’s defense did not perform like they did the season prior and fell to the No. 1 ranked Longhorns 31-12.
This matchup will be a classic for two historically good football teams. If Moss and the USC offense perform like they have been doing, the Trojans can take home their first Big 10 win.
Tennessee @ Oklahoma: 31-20
(Tanner Shapiro)
Tennessee started week one with a bang, beating Chattanooga by 60.
Led by Nico Iamaleava — a talented young QB who put up three touchdowns and looked strong against Iowa last year in the bowl game — the Volunteers have outscored their opponents 191-13.
In last week’s win, the Volunteers scored 71 points and held the Kent State offense to zero — a feat the Sooners need to be aware of.
Oklahoma looks sharp, led by QB Jackson Arnold who had a four-touchdown game against Temple.
The key player of this game will be Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who is high on many NFL draft boards. Pearce will rack up two sacks in a tight game against the Sooners.
This will be a closely watched SEC matchup as both of these
teams have high expectations going into conference play.
Arkansas @ Auburn: 35-17 (Dylan Liggett)
In their first SEC matchup of the year, Arkansas and Auburn both seek a crucial victory that will most likely set the tone for the rest of their seasons.
With quarterback Taylen Green, running back Ja’Quinden Jackson and NFL caliber tight-end Luke Haasand, Auburn has to come out strong offensively to make a statement against the Razorbacks.
While Auburn has talented receivers in both Cam Coleman and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, alongside an effective ground game in running back Jarquez Hunter, weaknesses in both the defense and quarterback Payton Thorne will be the ultimate undoing for the Tigers.
Utah @ Oklahoma State: 34- 31 (Lily Green)
Utah versus Oklahoma State will be a more interest ing matchup, as this is the first Big 12 matchup for the Utes. Both teams experienced blow out wins in their first games of the season, and each will have a chance to make this game close.
While Utah is favored for this game, Mike Gundy, Okla homa State head coach, will look to seek an upset in his first conference game of the season.
However, Oklahoma State will have a challenge in scoring due to the Utes’ defensive skill, as they were ranked 10thn in the country in preseason ranking.
UCLA @ LSU: 38-14 (Sarah Fenton)
UCLA and LSU will meet for just the second time in Death Valley for a Big 10 vs SEC matchup. This will be one
of UCLA’s toughest matches this season, so the Tigers will need to put up a strong front to find easy success in this game.
LSU stole one of the most exciting SEC games last week, barely squeezing by South Carolina 36-33 with a game-defining field goal. The Tigers are making up for their loss to USC in their season opening loss 27-20.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier went 24/40, 285 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. LSU’s game on the ground totaled 132 rushing yards.
The Bruins are coming off a tough loss last weekend in their first Big 10 matchup of the season, dropping game one to Indiana 42-13. Quarterback Ethan Garbers completed 14/23, 137 passing yards and threw an interception.
Despite a new conference and a new head coach in Deshaun Foster, after the departure of former head coach Chip Kelly, Garbers and the Bruins have a lot to prove in order to make a statement in Saturday’s game.
LSU has the opportuni-
NC State @ Clemson: 35-21 (Ian Sparks)
NC State and Clemson open up their conference slate on Saturday. Playing at Death Valley is no easy task, making the Tigers a three-score favorite for this matchup. Clemson’s sole loss came at the hands of Georgia in the opener, losing 34-3. The Tigers responded with a convincing win over Appalachian State 66-20. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik had a career night, throwing for 378 yards and five touchdowns and completing 24 of 26 passes. Clemson is coming off a bye week, so it will be interesting to see whether there is any early rust against the Wolfpack. NC State’s sole loss also came to an opponent from the SEC East, No. 6 Tennessee. The Wolfpack have two wins over Western Carolina and Louisiana Tech. This game could be close; however, the Tigers should pull away from NC State. The Wolfpack will struggle to contain Klub-
KAT MOORMAN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Overusing words? Not very demure
REN HITE thedmopinion@gmail.com
Over the past month, it has been nearly impossible to venture to any corner of the country without hearing the phrase “very cutesy, very demure, very mindful.” The saying was popularized by TikTok creator Joolie Lebron in a now-viral video discussing appropriate ways to do hair and makeup at work.
Although it was posted only a little more than a month ago, Lebron’s video has garnered over 4.8 million likes, and the phrase and usage of the word “demure” has become popular around the country. In fact, Mississippi has the highest trend usage and searches of the word “demure” by state.
The definition of the word demure is reserved, modest or shy; however, it is rarely used in the proper context. For many, the use of these terms are just for laughs — they neither know nor care what they mean, but these phrases have a real impact.
The effects of trend-words have proven to be more negative than positive — especially for lower-income and marginalized populations. The usage of trend-words can cause others to push biases about their educational or economic status onto those who use them.
More often than not, excessive or inappropriate use of trend words can make the speaker or writer seem less professional or educated. When individuals rely heavily on trendy jargon or clichés, it can
come across as a lack of genuine understanding or original thought.
This is not to say that popular phrases like “cutesy” and “demure” are negative in themselves, but it is a slippery slope when individuals suddenly adopt these phrases in an effort to elevate their vocabulary.
We need to ensure that people have access to literary and rhetorical resources outside of their daily scrolls on TikTok. Literacy is an issue that impacts not only Mississippi, but also the entire nation.
Based on 2022-23 literacy statistics conducted by The National Literacy Institute, 54% of adults have literacy levels below sixth-grade level, and 44% of American Adults do not even read a book in a year.
This is not the first time we have seen the adoption and overuse of random phrases and words used in viral videos. In the past year alone, phrases including “girl dinner” or “girl math,” “Roman empire” and “the ick” have overtaken our screens and our vernacular.
In addition to what was discussed above, people need to realize that these terms are like milk — they have a short shelf like. Despite recently entering our shared lexicon, the term “demure” is already on the verge of being curdled with cringe.
Ren Hite is a senior journalism major from Jackson, Miss.
GRAPHIC: HALEY REED / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
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