THE
Daily Egyptian SERVING THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SINCE 1916.
DAILYEGYPTIAN.COM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023
VOL. 107, ISSUE 15
Two SIU automotive students die in collision
Joei Younker | @younker_joei
The Saluki family suffered two losses Monday morning in an automotive accident. Wolfgang Gustaveson, 19, of Park Ridge, Illinois, and Frank Martinez, 18, of Des Plaines, Illinois, were both SIU students majoring in automotive technology. Carbondale Police Department responded to the 1500 block of North Illinois Avenue for the traffic crash on Dec. 4 at 7:45 a.m. Upon arriving at the scene officers
found two trucks that were in a headon collision. The occupant of the southbound vehicle was transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, while the two SIU students were found dead in the northbound vehicle as a result of the collision. “We extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends,” Chancellor Austin Lane said in an email sent to the student body soon after the accident. With the excruciating number of losses in the Saluki family this year, it is
highly encouraged for students to utilize the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) that Southern Illinois offers. CAPS can be reached by calling (618) 453-5371 or online at https:// shc.siu.edu/counseling/. All classes in automotive technology were canceled Monday as the student body mourns the deaths of these two students. Reporter Joei Younker can be reached at jyounker@dailyegyptian.com.
SIU delivers performance of Alice Childress’ “Wedding Band”
Aidan Quinn (44) rushes the ball down the field as the Salukis face the Idaho Vandals in round two of the FCS Playoffs Dec. 2, 2023 at P1FCU Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho. Photo provided by Saluki Athletics
Midnight strikes for SIU football: Salukis eliminated
Carly Gist | cgist@dailyegyptian.com
The Southern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance is holding its final production of the semester: Alice Childress’ “Wedding Band: A Love-Hate Story in Black and White.” The two-act play, which explores themes such as racism, loneliness, social injustice and community, was written in 1962 and first performed in 1966 at the University of Michigan. According to PBS THIRTEEN, the play was optioned for Broadway, which would have made Childress the first Black woman to have a play in the renowned theater district. However, after she refused “to compromise in order to make white audiences more comfortable,” “Wedding Band” did not receive a wider audience until 1972, when it was performed at the New York Shakespeare Festival. It received a major New York revival last May, 50 years later, by Theatre for a New Audience at Polonsky Shakespeare Center in Brooklyn. The play is making its southern Illinois debut Thursday. “We have a lot of opportunity to engage in path-making without a lot of predecessors to shape what expectations might be, so there’s lots of freedom in that,” Guest Director Omiyemi (Artisia)
Brandyn Wilcoxen | @brandynwilcoxen 17-10 late in the fourth quarter, Kaitlyn Rose (left), playing Juila Augustine, reads a letter from Mattie’s husband, October, during the first act of “Wedding Band” by Alice Childress Nov. 28, 2023 at the Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theater in Carbondale, Illinois. Malia Jones (center) is playing Mattie and Israeli Jones (right) is playing Lula Green. Jasmine Thompson | jthompson@dailyegytian.com
Green said. Green is a Professor of Theater and Africana Studies at William & Mary, a public research university in Virginia. She said she lived in Chicago for some time and spoke highly of returning to Illinois. “It’s been a great opportunity for me to see a different part of the state that I would have never thought about traveling to, and to see what it’s really like to live in the southern part of middle America,” she said. “I have fallen in love with the sort of small town portraiture on the architecture, because you just don’t see that in the suburban area where I live.” Green also said she has really appreciated getting to work with the
students at SIU, and that this place has become a “home away from home in multiple ways.” “That’s just been really affirming, as we tackle what I think is one of Childress’ most significant plays,” she said. “I’m really glad to know that Childress is experiencing a bit of a revival in this time period. I feel like it’s long overdue, and I’m grateful that SIU Carbondale School of Theatre and Dance has decided to be a part of that conversation to revive this woman’s work.” “Wedding Band” is set in Charleston, South Carolina (Childress’ place of birth), during the 1918 flu epidemic and nearing WEDDING BAND | 9
As Saturday became Sunday in the Midwest, Southern Illinois fans were glued to their televisions to watch Saluki football come closer to an upset than almost any other team in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, which had gone chalk throughout the day. But just past midnight back home in Carbondale, Idaho kicker Ricardo Chavez hit a field goal from 29 yards out to send the Vandals to the quarterfinals with a 20-17 overtime win, and end the Salukis’ potential Cinderella run before it could truly begin. “Heck of a football game to be a part of,” head coach Nick Hill said. “It’s tough coming up on the wrong end of it.” Although the contest came down to a final kick, several pivotal moments occurred leading up to Chavez’s game-winner. The Salukis led 10-0 at one point, and
forcing No. 4 Idaho to play catchup for most of the night despite being the favorites in their home stadium. “When we take the emotion out of the game, we’ll look back and see that we had our opportunities in this game to win it,” Hill said. The Salukis got on the board first with a Ro Elliott rushing touchdown in the second quarter, and tacked on three more points after Idaho fumbled in its own territory on the next drive. Suddenly up by two scores, the result was as good as SIU could have asked for against one of the top teams in the country. Idaho found some rhythm on its final drive before halftime, going into the break down 10-3. With a chance to add onto that Saluki lead at the start of the third quarter, running back Justin SALUKIS | 10
1, 2, & 3
BEDROOMS (618)549-0335 | (618)549-0895
AVAILABLE Grab a roommate for $300-$350 per person!
805 E. Park Street
Page 2 | News
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Holiday Celebrations Photos by Enan Chediak | echedial@dailyegyptian.com
Students pose for a group photo during La Posada celebrations Dec. 1, 2023 in Grinnell Hall at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois.
Brett Keen (right) helps his daughter Violet Keen (left) with spelling at the Letters for Santa Dec. 1, 2023 at the Old Train Depot in Carbondale, Illinois.
Josh Stokes (left) looks at the jewelry and other art made by himself, Alydia Downs, and the other metalworking students at SIU for the Holiday Craft Sale Dec. 1, 2023 in the Student Center at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. Downs is a graduate student in metalsmithing and blacksmithing at Southern Illinois University.
Midal Mour (left) helps his daughter Alhm Mour (right) with her design at the Cookie Decorating Dec. 1, 2023 at the Carbondale City Hall.
Marsha Burris (right) purchases jewelry from Mary Patterson (left) at the Holiday Craft Sale Dec. 1, 2023 in the Student Center at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. Patterson is an SIU alumni, retired art teacher at Murphysboro, and the owner of GlassRoots by Mary Anne which makes glass-fused jewelry, home decor, and crystal pendants.
News | Page 3
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Light up this holiday season with activities in southern Illinois
Joei Younker | @younker_joei
Southern Illinois has many different opportunities to get in the holiday spirit. On Saturday, Carbondale hosted its 32nd annual Lights Fantastic Parade. The parade was kicked off with the lighting of the brand new Big Chill sign on Main Street, which is the successor to the iconic Dairy Queen that lost its franchise in May. The parade was full of floats dressed to the nines in Christmas lights, with even a Carbondale Fire Department ladder truck decorated in lights. The Carbondale Community High School band followed the truck playing a Christmas medley. The ending of the Lights Fantastic Parade was brought by “the best dressed band in the land,” the Marching Salukis of Southern Illinois University, accompanied by Grey and Brown Dawg. While you will have to wait until next December to see the Lights Fantastic Parade again, there are many other opportunities to get in the holiday spirit here in southern Illinois. The Varsity Theater will be hosting a number of events this season beginning
Friday, Dec. 8 when it hosts “The Holly and the Ivy,” a holiday play. The show will run on Friday and Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. and Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. “The Holly and the Ivy” is directed by 1974 SIU graduate Kevin Purcell and is set in 1947 England after World War II. With the hardships of the war and finding ways to reconnect with each other, the characters will find a way to make their holiday just as special as any other. The Varsity will be hosting a number of other events this Christmas season. Ivas John’s “Blue Christmas,” a holiday concert celebrating the music of southern Illinois and beyond, will take place Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. The concert will feature some of the region’s most popular musicians, including The Gordons, Tim Crosby, Smith & Hill and many more. Closer to Christmas, The Varsity will host a showing of “The Muppet Christmas Carol” on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m., bringing the 1992 classic holiday film to Carbondale. Project Human X, located in Carbondale, will be hosting a few
Christmas crafting events this month. On Dec. 9, the group will be hosting a ceramic Christmas tree painting event where you can paint your very own ceramic Christmas decor. Following this event, on Dec. 14 the organization will be hosting a glass, seashells and resin Christmas tree making event where you can create your own Christmas tree art with different materials. At John A. Logan campus in Carterville on Dec. 11, the Harrison Bruce Historical Village invites community members to take a walk through southern Illinois in the 1800s. Festive music, treats, vendors, children’s crafts and a visit from St. Nicholas himself mark the event, which is free and open to the public. The Marion Cultural and Civic Center will host “A Carpenters Christmas” on Dec. 17. It’s being billed as a night of creativity, connection and celebration. Outside of the Carbondale area, the fifth annual lights parade will take place in Cairo on Dec. 8. Floats in the parade will begin lining up around 5 pm with the parade beginning at 6 pm. After the parade there will be free hot chocolate,
cookies, fireworks and more. Dec. 15 and 21, the Robin’s Nest of Carbondale will be having everyone’s favorite holiday visitors. Get those little ones out and active this holiday season but bringing one of their favorite movie characters to life. The Grinch who stole Christmas will be paying the Robin’s Nest a visit Dec. 15, to watch his very own movie and enjoy some popcorn. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday pajamas. The Robin’s Nest will also be hosting Santa Clause on Dec. 21. Children of the Carbondale area are invited to wear their favorite Christmas attire for photos with the jolly man.. For those who will be traveling this holiday season, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to get in the spirit. All across the state there are drive through Christmas light shows where you can see the beauty of Christmas through lights displaying nativities, dancing candy canes and even Taylor Swift, a fan favorite this season. The Holiday Lights Fair in Du Quoin
has been setting up at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds for two decades. This light show has become a tradition for many in Southern Illinois. Admission to the show is $10 a car and will be lit up from now until December 30 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. For those looking to give back this season there are plenty of opportunities in the area. The Carbondale Police Department is working with the Coats for Kids program through their Christmas Store to provide new coats and toys to children ages 1 to 10 in Carbondale (see story page 1). There are also many local churches that offer opportunities for community members to make donations to those in need during the holiday season. With December moving fast, take this opportunity to get out and enjoy all of the holiday season festivities that southern Illinois and its surrounding areas have to offer.
increase it causes in resting brain entropy. While coffee shops are a go-to place for caffeine, they are also a place many students take to for studying. Many people wonder why they get their best work done in coffee shops. Could it be the high-paced environment, the calming music or possibly the ambiance or aesthetic of the shop itself? A study done at the University of Illinois looked at the effects of noise on creative thinking. The study found that the level of ambient noise in the average coffee shop is around 70 decibels, this level of noise enhanced the creative performance of participants compared to a lower decibel range. The study was led by Dr. Ravi Mahta, an assistant professor of business administration at U of I. Mahta said being in an environment that is extremely quiet can prevent you from thinking abstractly; complete silence sharpens your focus too much. Mahta’s study showed that moderate noise levels can give students just the right
amount of distraction to where they are able to think “outside of the box.” The whir of a milk steamer, the light roar of the blender and the quiet voices of the baristas helping other customers can be a big help to students when preparing for a week full of exams. Along with the level of distraction that coffee shops supply for students when studying, they also provide a change of environment. A person’s surroundings play a large role in the effectiveness of their study session and the information they retain. Classic advice says that studying in the exact same place each day can help you learn better, but recent studies say otherwise. Studying in the same area or room each day can become stressful or uncomfortable. A change of scenery can be a refresh for your brain and help prevent burnout. Studies have shown that studying the same material in different locations can increase a person’s ability to retain information. Carbondale offers a wide variety of
coffee shops for students to study at. The SIU Student Center’s Starbucks has cozy seating inside the shop as well as high top tables along the outside of the shop. Another on-campus coffee shop is Delyte’s in Morris Library; while the shop may be small, it offers multiple booths that can fit anywhere from one to six people for solo or group study sessions. Off-campus studying is a great way to switch up the scenery. A standalone Starbucks location is located off of East Main Street and offers tables and booths, as well as a study room for groups to be secluded from other guests. Common Grounds Coffee House is located off of East Grand Avenue. With a wide variety of caffeinated drink choices, the coffee house has table seating for small group studying, as well lounge chairs and individual seating for a more isolated study area. Lastly is Blend Tea and Crepe Lounge. As the name implies, the shop has a cozy lounge environment good for studying or
taking a mid-study break. Not only do they offer indoor and outdoor seating, they also have a variety of options when it comes to teas and sweet or savory crepes to offer students a little caffeine and food to fuel their studying. Switch up your environment by studying at a coffee shop for this semester’s final exams. Sit down with a cup of Joe and see the change studying in a coffee shop can make. While coffee can be good for studying, it is important to remember that there is such a thing as too much caffeine. An excess amount of caffeine can cause side effects such as tension headaches, feeling lightheaded, nervousness, dehydration and insomnia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends 400 milligrams or less of caffeine per day; this is equal to around five cups of coffee.
Reporter Joei Younker can be reached at jyounker@dailyegyptian.com.
The science behind coffee shops, studying
Joei Younker | @younker_joei
Something that every student is familiar with when it comes to finals week is caffeine; more specifically in the form of coffee. The week leading up to finals is often made up of busy days of attending classes and long nights of filling your mind with information for exams. Those long nights can leave students feeling exhausted. Where do you go when you’re feeling exhausted? A coffee shop. Coffee and teas that are high in caffeine help to increase activity in a person’s brain and nervous system. These beverages prevent students from feeling tired because the caffeine in them blocks adenosine, a natural substance in the body, from triggering fatigue. The caffeine also interacts with dopamine to improve cognitive function. Not only does the caffeine in coffee prevent drowsiness; it also can help to improve short-term memory. Caffeine has been shown to improve the brain’s ability to process information due to the
Reporter Joei Younker can be reached at jyounker@dailyegyptian.com
Page 4 | News
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Local holiday shopping: Think Vintage and Hometown Pride Gifts and Sweets Alli Goering agoering@dailyegyptian.com
As the holiday season gears up, gift shopping is on the top of everyone’s lists. Two stores in Murphysboro – Think Vintage, and Hometown Pride Gifts and Sweets – are eager to sell holiday products. The shops have a combination of decor, miniatures, candies, stocking stuffers and much more. ”We have Christmas decor items, handmade ornaments, novelty socks for stocking stuffers, Murphysboro spiritwear, Shawnee National Forest shirts and all kinds of Big Muddy Monster gifts. Everything in our shop makes great gifts but we specialize in local items,” said Wendy Preece, coowner of Hometown Pride Gifts and Sweets. These businesses have been serving the southern Illinois community for several years. Hometown Pride Gifts and Sweets has been located at 1334 Walnut Street for a little over three years and is celebrating its fourth Christmas. “We love to see how much our customers love to come in and reminisce about the nostalgic candy we carry. We love to see the faces of little children as they come in and see all the candy. It brightens our day,” Preece said. Hometown Pride Gifts and Sweets is full of specialty candy
to give customers a variety to pick from. They bring candy from other places down to southern Illinois to give the community the opportunity to try and buy different products. “We carry old time candy as well as specialty candy by Bissinger’s, and Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate of St. Louis, among other places; and delicious fudge,” Preece said. This holiday season, owners David and Wendy Preece are sticking to their mission statement and trying to provide the community with candy that cannot be found anywhere else. “Hometown Pride Gifts and Sweets’ goal is to offer southern Illinois gifts to visitors and to local residents that you cannot find anywhere else. We want to bring back the ‘kid in the candy store’ vibe from years in the past,” Wendy Preece said. On the same block, Think Vintage is enthusiastic to sell products for the holidays. Think Vintage has been in business at 1338 Walnut Street for 10 years and continues to serve the southern Illinois community. It has a variety of vintage and vintage-inspired products. “Gosh, it just kind of makes me feel good that somebody thinks what I have is good enough to give someone as a gift,” said Andrea Stephens, owner of Think Vintage.
Stephens handmakes a variety of her products, such as framed artwork and miniatures. Over the years, she has listened to her customer base and crafted her products to fit her consumers. “People kept coming in and looking for certain things, and I started making certain things and those things just kind of grew,” Stephens said. “So I have sections like my fairy section, and then I have the dollhouse miniatures area. I have a nature area, and I have a lot of Edgar Allan Poe.” Think Vintage sells new products as well. It has jewelry, pillows and books. Stephens has worked to create a store that has products that will fit any customer’s needs. “Think Vintage makes a lot of people think it’s just a thrift shop…I’m a really small shop, so everything is very hand-picked and distinct,” Stephens said. Both of these businesses will be participating in a Shop Stroll on Saturday, Dec. 9, along with other local shops located in Murphysboro. The event is being run by Handmade Homestead, a
local business that sells soaps, face creams and bath bombs. There will be giveaways and attendees will have the opportunity to meet live animals. “She’s having a unique thing this year, we’re going to be giving away a basket full of gift certificates and there will be baby goats,” Stephens said. At the event, people attending will be able to browse and enjoy refreshments along with products from different local stores. There will be deals and the opportunity for free products. “We will have refreshments, and specials throughout the day.
Athletic Director, Tim Leonard, and the Executive Leadership Team about SIU’s Imagine 2030 plan, Black said. The Imagine 2030 plan is designed to improve student success and engagement through on-campus events and resources, as well as collaborations within the community. However, achieving that objective will need to start with young students in the area to build connections that have the potential to enhance student involvement. Black said, “We want to connect with future Salukis and strengthen our partnerships in the region.” Reaching out to local schools with the Saluki Athletics reading program provides a great stepping stone for the success and progress towards this goal, he said. This is the first year this program will be taking place since being unveiled in October. Educators were able to sign up individually for the chance to get involved, and the newly announced program has reached an impressive number of students. “It has had a great response with over 100 classrooms participating,” Black said. Not only is this experience significant to the students who choose to take part
in the program, but it is also a great opportunity for SIU athletes to join forces with the community that supports them. “One big goal is to connect our student-athletes with the community that cheers for them on game day. We want to create meaningful connections with our young fans, encourage literacy, and a lifelong love for books,” Black said. Fostering early learning through reading, and creating connections in the brain, helps to promote language, cognitive, social and emotional development. Since the program highlights athletics, it has the potential to reach students who may not typically have an interest in reading. “Saluki Athletics is committed to being part of the community. We want our young Salukis not just to feel like spectators — they are part of the team,” Black said. “This program is our way of making that connection real. By organizing programs like this, we’re spreading Saluki Pride across Southern Illinois.” The program is hoping to see the achievements of these local students on SIU’s very own campus in the coming
years, with the help of boosted literacy levels. Leonard said, “We look forward to celebrating the success of our future Salukis and the positive impact of this program throughout Southern Illinois.” Students need support from elsewhere as well. The Illinois Tutoring Initiative (ITI) at SIU is making a positive impact on the students of grades 3-8 in southern Illinois. The ITI is providing High Impact Tutoring currently to Carbondale, Murphysboro, Herrin, Cobden, Unity Point, Giant City, and Meridian districts. Jessica Madden, director of Illinois Tutoring Initiative, said, “It’s important that parents begin reading with their children as infants to immerse them in the language and expand their vocabulary before they enter into school. Upon entering their formal years of school, children should be reading 20 minutes a day minimum and retelling the story.” By collaborating with SIU, schools in the area have the opportunity to begin increasing their literacy rates at an early age.
Peyton Cook | @_peytoncook_
Also with a $10 purchase you can pick a card off the Gift Tree for discounts or free gifts,” Preece said. This event is featuring the local shops located on Walnut Street in Murphysboro. They will have the opportunity to chat with customers and show their holiday products. “Murphysboro’s Main Street is becoming a popular shopping spot in southern Illinois,” Preece said. Staff Reporter Alli Goering can be reached at agoering@dailyegyptian.com.
SIU partners with local schools to promote the love of reading
Annalise Schmidt aschmidt@dailyegyptian.com
SIU student-athletes team up with local elementary schools through the Saluki Reading Program to help recapture students’ interest in reading. Students in kindergarten through 8th Grade who are taking part in the program are encouraged to read for 20 minutes each day for a chance to win tickets to SIU home basketball games. The program will take place throughout the month of November. Michael Black, assistant AD for marketing said organizers will be having a poster contest with prizes, such as a class pizza party with Grey Dawg and team posters. To motivate students to hit their reading goals, they will also receive a free ticket to both a men’s and women’s basketball game. “We are committed to giving back and supporting our community,” said SIU athletic director Tim Leonard. “The Saluki Reading Program will create opportunities for our student-athletes and local students to connect and develop a passion for books.” The Saluki Reading Program came about during a conversation with
“Younger children struggle with phonemic awareness; these foundation skills are important to being able to know how to phonetically pronounce words. Also, some students struggle with comprehension. It’s important for students to be able to read a story and retell the story with specific details.” This program has also allowed students of the School of Education to begin preparing for their future career. Future teachers are able to put their education to use and gain teaching experience, while simultaneously helping students succeed. “We have some teacher candidates that are involved with the Illinois Tutoring Initiative program, and it gives them the opportunity to plan lessons, build relationships and teach students as they prepare for their own classroom teaching experience,” Madden said. By serving as tutors and mentors, college students can make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth, assisting and motivating the future generations. Staff reporter Annalise Schmidt can be reached at aschmidt@dailyegyptian.com
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE YOURS tMENTAL u d e n t H HEALTH e a l t h S e RESOURCE rvices
Ad | Page 5
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
S t u HOUSING d e n t OR H FOOD e a l tINSECURE? h Services
Are you struggling to make ends meet? Are you having difficulty affording Counseling or Health Services? Not sure where your next meal is coming from or where you might sleep tonight? If you are experiencing any of these situations, the Higher Education Resources and Opportunities for Salukis in Need (HEROES) program can assist you. Are you struggling to make ends meet? Are you having difficulty affording Counseling or Health Services? Not sure where your next meal comingstudents from or with: where you might sleep tonight? If you are experiencing any of these situations, HEROES Program canisprovide the• Higher Education Resources and Opportunities for in Need (HEROES) Housing Accommodations • Salukis Educational and Learning program Support can assist you.
HOUSING OR FOOD INSECURE?
H H E E R R O O E E S S
• FoodProgram Assistance • Resources During Academic Break HEROES can provide students with: • Financial Assistance • Assistance Filling out Paperwork for • Housing Accommodations • Educational and Learning Support • Mental and Physical Health Resources ID Cards, Low-Cost Housing, SNAP Benefits • Food Assistance • Resources During Academic Break • Financial Assistance • Assistance Filling out Paperwork for HEROES Headquarters: The HEROES Headquarters, located in the basement of the Student Center, includes a basic • Mental and Physical Health Resources ID Cards, Low-Cost Housing, SNAP Benefits needs store next to the Saluki Food Pantry. The store offers essential supplies, including sheets, towels, microwaves, refrigerators, and other crucial supplies, including toiletries, for students in need. HEROES Headquarters: The HEROES Headquarters, located in the basement of the Student Center, includes a basic needs store next to the Saluki Food Hideaway, Pantry. Thealso store offersin essential supplies, sheets, towels, microwaves, HEROES Hideaway: The HEROES located the basement of including the Student Center, is a de-stress zen den refrigerators, and other crucial supplies, including toiletries, for students in need. that offers tranquil, multicultural mindfulness features, including a massage chair, yoga, and meditation tools.
HEROES Hideaway: HEROES also located the basement of the Student Center, is a de-stress zen living den The PEERS HEROESThe Program: TheHideaway, Peer HEROES supportinprogram facilitates peer educators supporting students that tranquil, multicultural features, including a massage chair, yoga, andstrategies, meditation tools. withoffers mental health conditions. In mindfulness addition, mentors provide education on behavior change intervention skills, and self-care methods. The PEERS HEROES Program: The Peer HEROES support program facilitates peer educators supporting students living with mental health conditions. mentors provide education on behaviororchange strategies, intervention skills, The HEROES Campus Liaison, In Dr.addition, Jaime Clark, can be contacted at 618/453-6341 email heroes@siu.edu For more and self-careabout methods. information HEROES, please visit the following website or scan the QR code: heroes.siu.edu The HEROES Campus Liaison, Dr. Jaime Clark, can be contacted at 618/453-6341 or email heroes@siu.edu For more information about HEROES, please visit the following website or scan the QR code: heroes.siu.edu
counseling and psychological services
c c a a p p s s
CAPS counselors provide supportive, affirmative, trauma-informed, and confidential services to students. We work with diverse students on a wide range of presenting issues and utilize treatment techniques based on individual needs. Our services include: CAPS counselors provide supportive, affirmative, trauma-informed, and confidential services to students. We work with wide rangeViolence of presenting treatment techniques based on • Same Daydiverse Servicesstudents on • aGender-Based Services issues and •utilize Eating Disordered Outpatient Program needs. Our services• include: •individual Individual Counseling Alcohol and Other Drugs • SIU Mandatory Suicide Assessment
counseling and psychological services
• Group Counseling • Couples Counseling • Mental health on-line screening tool • Same Services • Gender-Based Violence Services • Eating Disordered Outpatient Program Crisis Day Service Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program • Individual Counseling • Alcohol and Other Drugs • SIU Mandatory Suicide Assessment counselors are here to support you!Counseling SIU Students can access mental health counseling by calling 618/453-5371 •CAPS Group Counseling • Couples • Mental health on-line screening tool • Crisis through Service Friday 8:00 a.m. • Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program Monday to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (excluding university
closures) or by walking into any of our locations on campus. CAPS counselors are here to support you! SIU Students can access mental health counseling by calling 618/453-5371 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00after p.m.9and Saturdays Sundays 12:30closures, p.m. to and 9:00semester p.m. (excluding university Counseling and risk assessment support p.m., campus and closures, holiday closures) or by walking into any of our locations on campus. breaks is available by calling Connect@SIU at 1-833-434-1217. Counseling and risk assessment support after p.m., campus closures, holiday closures, and semester For more information about CAPS, please visit9 shc.siu.edu/counseling breaks is available by calling Connect@SIU at 1-833-434-1217. For more information about CAPS, please visit shc.siu.edu/counseling
wellness and health promotion services
Wellness and Health Promotion Services provides health promotion and prevention education to equip students with the skills needed to make effective choices regarding their health and wellbeing. We offer presentations and workshops on a variety of topics, including: Wellness and Health Promotion Services provides health promotion and prevention education to equip students with the health skills needed to make effective choices regardingand their healthPrevention and wellbeing. We offer • Physical • Violence Suicide presentations and workshops on a variety of topics, including: • Nutrition • Stress Management • Sexual Health • Resilience and Coping Skills • Physical health • Violence and Suicide Prevention • Alcohol and Other Drugs • Health Equity • Nutrition • Stress Management • stressed? Sexual Health • Resilience and Coping Skillsfor students, offering Feeling The Dawg Lounge is our free and open stress management lounge Alcohol and Other Drugs Equity three•themed relaxation rooms with massage chairs,•art Health and coping tools, and support animals! We also offer monthly Downward Dog yoga sessions and Calming Craft activities. For a schedule of events and Feeling stressed? The Dawg Lounge is our free and open stress management lounge for students, offering dog days in the Dawg Lounge, or to request a presentation, visit shc.siu.edu three themed relaxation rooms with massage chairs, art and coping tools, and support animals! We also offer monthly Downward yoga sessions and Calming Craftsurvivor-centered activities. For a schedule ofto events Confidential Advising Dog Services is dedicated to providing assistance SIU and dog days in the Dawg Lounge, or to request a presentation, visit shc.siu.edu students that have experienced sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking. Call 618/536-4441 or email confidentialadvisor@siu.edu. Confidential Advising Services is dedicated to providing survivor-centered assistance to SIU students that have experienced sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking. Call 618/536-4441 or email confidentialadvisor@siu.edu.
wellness and health promotion services
w w h h p p s s
SHC.SIU.EDU
Page 6 |
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
| Page 7
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Lights
Fantastic Parade
Kids on a float smile and wave as they pass by parade goers Dec. 2, 2023 at the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade in Carbondale, Illinois.
Photos by: Dominique Martinez-Powell @dmartinez_powell.photography
Light up train float passes by parade goers
Community members gather to buy goods from the newly opened Big Chill. Big Chill lit up it’s new sign for the first time just before the parade.
Members wave from the Anna Oasis Shrine Club float Dec. 2, 2023 at the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade
Cambria Fire Department member waves from the fire engine.
Community members smile as they pass by on an SIU tram. Layout by Lane Frost | lfrost@dailyegyptian.com
Page 8 | News
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Saluki Athletics partners with police to provide coats for youth in Carbondale Carly Gist | cgist@dailyegyptian.com
The police department is teaming with Saluki Athletics to collect coats at all basketball games this winter. The donations will benefit local children ages 10 and under who are served by the Christmas store. For 23 years, the Carbondale Police Department has hosted the Carbondale Community Christmas Store and Coats for Kids program to help families in need during the holiday season. “Together we can make a difference for children in need in the Carbondale community,” Chief Stan Reno said in a press release. “The staff and police officers with the Department are proud to continue this initiative to help provide for the families of 150 children during the holiday season.” Michael Black, assistant athletic director for marketing at Saluki Athletics, said the tradition started with the football team in the late 2000s. “Back in the day, football had done this as a charity drive in 2007 and 2008, and then basketball kind of revived it again in 2015,” Black said. “So it’s [the partnership] been going on for eight years…We team up with them to help collect coats in the area for their Christmas store and just give back to the community.” The basketball games have been a helpful motivator, he said. “We’ve already had donations as soon as we put out the boxes. A lot of people in this area [are] very giving, and being able to have kind of a public space where people are coming to the games anyway, we’re able to have that added incentive,” Black said. The Carbondale Police Department will be accepting donations through Dec. 8, but Saluki Athletics will continue collecting donations at all men’s and women’s basketball games. For those unable to make it to a game, there are collection bins located at the ticket office in Banterra Center. SIU’s upcoming collection dates are: •Wednesday, Dec. 6, women’s basketball vs. SIUE •Saturday, Dec. 9, women’s basketball vs. Saint Louis •Tuesday, Dec. 12, men’s basketball vs. Austin Peay •Sunday, Dec. 17, women’s basketball vs. Oklahoma State “A lot of people do their lastminute Christmas shopping a day or two before, so it gives us a timeframe after that; a little bit of a buffer where people can still donate,” Black said. The athletic department will also be accepting donations on Monday, Dec. 18. Those who donate will receive a free ticket
to the men’s game on Dec. 19 vs. North Dakota State. “We are extremely happy with the support from SIU and look forward to continuing the partnership for future coat drives,” said Susie Toliver, Crime Victim Advocate and Program Coordinator. Along with the coat drive, the Christmas store provides toys to “families in the Carbondale community who need some assistance for the holidays.” Toliver said that any gift appropriate for the age range is accepted. “Giving the community an opportunity to see the police department in a different way creates a bridge between the police and community,” she wrote in an email. Anyone interested in volunteering with the program can contact Toliver at 618-4573200 ext. 447. If other groups and organizations are interested in collecting coats, Black said they can bring those donations to the Banterra Center. “There’s a sense of community when you’re coming to a sporting event, you know? Everyone is cheering for the same team,” Black said. “We’re all here and we’re all Salukis. If you can give back in a way and know that you’re helping another Saluki or family that’s less fortunate, it feels good. And that’s what being a Saluki is all about.” Black said the athletic department is looking to host events with other organizations in the future. “There’s different initiatives where we’re trying to get involved,” he said. “...We’re looking at trying to have a firefighters versus police [game] during halftime. Just little things like that. And as we do that, I feel like
Yarauseth Zavala | yzavala@dailyegyptian.com
some of the community engagement pieces will naturally follow.” The department is currently working with the SIU Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders to raise awareness.
“For our men’s basketball game versus Missouri State on Wednesday, January 31…we haven’t announced it yet, but it’s [going to be] an Autism Awareness game…That would be the first
[time] we would do that, and… we’d like for that to [become] an annual tradition,” Black said. Staff reporter Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@dailyegyptian.com
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
WEDDING BAND CONTINUED FROM 1
the end of World War I. The story is centered around a decade-long romance between Black seamstress Julia Augustine, played by Kaitlyn Rose, and White baker Herman, played by Seth Worthington. Rose and Worthington are both freshmen at SIU, but due to the level of maturity they carry with these complex roles, you’d never be able to tell. “I feel like it was more of a good challenge than a difficult one,” Rose said about bringing her character to life at such a young age. “Obviously it was gonna be hard – I’m 18 playing a mid30s African-American woman who has gone through so many struggles, but with the environment that I’m in and with such a great director, I was able to kind of overcome those challenges pretty quickly and pretty easily.” Rose said the most challenging aspect of taking on the role of Julia was being sure to separate herself from the character. “I’m not my character, but I can still find aspects of myself in Julia,” she said. “So just tapping into her and trying to convey her story as well as I can was kind of difficult, but through the rehearsal process, it’s been getting easier and easier. I am just so excited to portray her.” Worthington said, before this year, he had never taken acting classes, which made portraying Herman more difficult than his roles in the past. “I don’t know how to exactly portray characters this intense because I’m used to doing shows [where the] character’s more happy-go-lucky,” he said. “So to be in a straight play like this, that is this intense, it put a lot of strain on what I thought I could do, but I think I’m happy [with the results.]” Despite being together for ten years, Julia and Herman remain unmarried, as anti-miscegenation and Jim Crow laws were present during this time period. The play begins shortly after Julia, who has already relocated many times throughout the years, has moved into a new neighborhood, where she attempts to keep her relationship with Herman hidden. However, Julia has grown tired of the isolation she has experienced, and after opening up to them, is determined to connect with her neighbors. They are: Fanny Johnson (Xiana Cylin), a pretentious yet spunky landlord who Childress describes as the “selfappointed, fifty-year-old representative of her race” Mattie (Malia Jones), a dignified mother who struggles financially with her husband away at sea Lula Green (Israeli Jones), a protective and caring mother who makes paper flowers to earn money Phoenix McCoy serves as an understudy for this show. Bailey Warner, Imogen Perry and James Medwedeff are also a part of the cast, playing Herman’s sister, mother, and The Bell Man respectively. Arminda Thomas, dramaturg of the Theatre for a New Audience’s production of “Wedding Band,” said in an interview with The New Yorker that some of the White Broadway producers in 1966 wanted the piece to be more about Herman rather than Julia. “I think money and control sometimes plays way more of a role in
artistic creation than it should,” Green said. “Here we have a Black woman playwright, who’s wanting to center the narrative of another Black woman. So I feel like we as producers, directors, any artist that believes in the value of the story, should honor the integrity.” Green said the story had a positive influence on her. “As another Black woman who read this story, if we want to talk about impact, it impacted me in a positive way,” she said. “And so I think centering Julia’s story doesn’t lessen the impact in any way, it may shape who wants to tell the story and who wants to invest in the story, but there are a lot of people out in the world. So I feel like those who are meant to have the experience of ‘Wedding Band’ will.” Rose emphasized that all-in-all, this is a story about hearts intertwined. “This is a story of love, love of community, love of two individuals,” she said. “It is a story of love, and I just want the audience to not focus on the fact that it’s such a difficult story to hear, that it could be applied to today as well, but I want them to take away the fact that they all, in certain aspects, love each other and we see the character growth of them loving each other. It’s a story about love!” Israeli Jones said experiencing the love the cast shares for one another has been the most rewarding aspect of the show. “We’ve built this community with each other and it’s just really rewarding to be together and share the story with other people,” she said. The sense of community behind the scenes translates seamlessly on stage. It is arguable that Rose, Cylin, Malia Jones and Israeli Jones are all leads of the show. Each actress delivers a strong performance. They don’t overpower one another but rather support each other, further highlighting this sense of camaraderie. While the story is ultimately Julia’s, Childress highlights her neighbors’ voices as well, and we get to learn their stories alongside her. When audience members enter the intimate Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theater, they will be greeted by not just a backyard, but two characters. The children of the play, Teeta (Mattie’s daughter played by Arianna Foreman) and Princess (a white child Mattie babysits played by Amelia Warner) toss bean bags, jump rope and greet audience members as they enter the space. “Do you like my dress?” Princess asked during a dress rehearsal on Tuesday, twirling around to show off her costume. “My mama says it makes me look pretty.” Foreman and Warner’s great attention to improv impresses audiences before the show even begins. A playlist also sounds throughout the theater beforehand, featuring songs from African-American artists such as Beyoncé, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin. The stunning set, which was created under the leadership of guest scenic designer Timothy J. Jones, is composed of two houses – Julia’s and Lula’s – connected by a clothesline. Audiences are shown Julia’s bedroom which is neat and, apart from a few items on the table and dresser, empty, indicating that she has just moved in. Lula’s kitchen, on the other hand, reveals cluttered shelves and two coats hanging from chairs for the two people
News | Page 9 that live there: she and her adopted son, Nelson (Dwayne Freeman, Jr.). Clumps of grass occupy the ground and vines hang from the ceiling, resembling trees. When the lights, designed by Assistant Professor of Lighting and Sound Design Jaemin Park, hit the white screen behind the set, the appearance of a specific time of day is created. The timely and elegant costumes were designed by Graduate Master’s Student in Theater Jennifer Helms. Cast members commended Green for creating a positive environment. “It was so rewarding to be directed by Miss Omiyemi,” Foreman said. “She was wonderful, and I’m glad we got to know her. She got to teach us something, and it was a really great experience.” Green described the rehearsal process as one that “centers an ethic of care.” “I’ve been really mulling over, as I think about this work and other situations that I’ve been in, how we can really center wellness in our rehearsal process in ways that allow students to feel empowered and as safe as possible,” she said. “You can never be truly 100% safe, right? We’re humans, we’re not robots. But what kind of boundaries, measures, cushions, can we put in place so that students feel like, okay, if [something] happens, we have recourse. We have a way of recovering. And that when this work is over, [they will not] be harmed in the process. That’s critical.” “We’re just in a different day and age of educational training in theater that I think just demands particular sensitivity,” she continued. “We’re in a different time…[but] we’re not that far removed from 1918…While we may not be living in that particular time period, the sentiment is still very much [present]. And so students come to these educational institutions to engage in this work, and in some way, this lab is a safer place than the world itself. Then they go back out in the world and have to confront these same forces that they’re having to confront in the rehearsal room. There’s got to be some reprieve, right? And I think here is the place to do it. ” The show will run Nov. 30, Dec. 1-3 and Dec.7-10. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinees will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 618-453-6000. You can also visit the McLeod Theater or Banterra Center box offices. Rose urges audience members to “come to the show with an open heart and an open mind.” Worthington said, “I don’t want people to leave here thinking they just got preached at for two hours. I want them to leave feeling like they just watched a really good show with a compelling story, and I want the emotion to come from what we put out there and not exactly what we’re trying to make them hear.” “Wedding Band,” presented by the School of Theatre and Dance, tells a powerful and thought-provoking story of love, community and resilience that audiences will truly never forget. Staff reporter Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@dailyegyptian.com
Contact Us
Email: editor@dailyegyptian.com Faculty Managing Editor: Annie Hammock
News/Sports Editor: Brandyn Wilcoxen
ahammock@dailyegyptian.com
bwilcoxen@dailyegyptian.com
Editor-in-Chief: Cole Daily
Digital Editor: Logan Brown
cdaily@dailyegyptian.com
lbrown@dailyegyptian.com
Design Chief: Peyton Cook
Business Manager: Jessica Guthrie
pcook@dailyegyptian.com
jguthrie@dailyegyptian.com
Photo Editor: Lylee Gibbs
Ad Chief: Makena Masterson
lgibbs@dailyegyptian.com
mmasterson@dailyegyptian.com
About Us
The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a weekly basis. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Carterville, and Springfield communities. The Daily Egyptian can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com or on the Daily Egyptian app!
Mission Statement
The Daily Egyptian, the student-run news organization of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is committed to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues affecting their lives.
Publishing Information
The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and functions as a laboratory for the School of Journalism in exchange for the room and utilities in the Communications Building. The Daily Egyptian is a non-profit organization that survives primarily off of its advertising revenue. Offices are in the Communications Building, room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., 62901.
Copyright Information
@2023 The Daily Egyptian. All rights reserved. All content is property of the Daily Egyptian and may not be reproduced or transmitted without consent. The Daily Egyptian is a member of the Illinois College Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers Inc. and the College Business and Advertising Managers Inc.
Submissions
Letters and guest columns must be submitted with author’s contact information, preferably via email. Phone numbers are required to verify authorship, but will not be published. Students must include their year and major. Faculty must include rank and department. Others include hometown. Submissions should be sent to editor@dailyegyptian.com
Page 10 | Sports
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Carbondale for Christmas: How SIU athletes celebrate the season Ryan Grieser rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com
By December 16, many SIU students will be making their way back to their families’ homes, and remain there for nearly one month. SIU athletes in swim and dive, track and field and basketball, will not. Athletes will be able to travel home for some amount of time, but all of the above sports have games or meets during break. According to Quierra Love, a senior women’s basketball player, women’s basketball will receive more time off than in the past. “This year, we’ll have about five days to go home and celebrate Christmas with our family. So it’s not too bad,” Love said. “It allows you to cherish the moments that you do have with your immediate family.” Five days still isn’t a lot of time. Tyranny Brown, a junior on the women’s basketball team, says not being able to spend as much time with her immediate family makes the moments she does get to spend even more precious. “I go home and I spend pretty much every waking moment with my family, especially my mom, my dad, my brother,” Brown said. Love places an emphasis on trying to do as much as she can with her family while home for the holidays. “Since we don’t have a lot of time with them, you do everything you can with them at that point in time,” Love said. Sophomore sprinter and long jumper Caleb Massiah, who is from Barbados, is rarely able to see his family due to the distance. “I spent the whole Thanksgiving
SALUKIS
CONTINUED FROM 1
Strong fumbled inside the Idaho 30-yard line to keep the lead at one possession. Both defenses held sturdy, holding each other to short, quick drives. Even as Idaho started to drive down the field, a Branson Combs interception kept the Vandals from getting into scoring territory. It was clear that if either team was going to make a dent, it would need to be something special. That’s exactly what the Vandals got when Jermaine Jackson returned a punt 86 yards for Idaho’s first touchdown of the night. As the third quarter neared its end, the Salukis’ double-digit lead had evaporated despite a dominant defensive effort. Southern’s ensuing drive saw the team move down the field and convert on a goal-to-go situation with Elliott’s second rushing touchdown, giving his team a 17-10 lead. Entering Saturday, the Salukis were 8-0 on the season when they scored more than 10 points. Idaho’s first drive of the fourth quarter ended with a fourth-down sack that could have been the dagger in the Vandals’ comeback efforts. Southern
break here… even over Christmas, I might now even go all the way home,” Massiah said. Though he may not be able to travel home, Massiah is able to use the break to take some reset. “My time is really just split between school and track… when I go home for break, I really try to disconnect from a lot of that and to spend a lot more time with my family.” Massiah said. “I still cater towards doing track, that’s still really important to me, but a lot of my time is really just spent with my family or with my friends doing stuff that we enjoy.” Being in Carbondale while classes are out of session leaves athletes with a lot of spare time, as per the NCAA, their respective teams are only able to have them for 20 hours of “countable athletically related activities” per week. Love says that the extra time that players have allows them to spend a lot of time together and do things besides just school and basketball. “If there’s snow outside, some of us have gone sledding, or go to the movies together, watch movies, have game nights,” Love said. Due to the close bonds formed among each other, teammates are able to help fill the gap sometimes felt when athletes can’t be with their immediate families. Brown thinks that this year’s women’s basketball team in particular has become close. “With this team, especially this year, I feel like we have stepped into a more family role. You don’t get that every year,” Brown said. A connection to home and to the season can also be felt through decor; Love said that she enjoys
“going to my coach’s house to help decorate.” Brown and her roommate also lean into the tradition. “We always make the effort to decorate our house, just to keep some familiarity of how it was when we were growing up, just decorating the tree and lights and things like that,” Brown said. “We try to keep that same Christmas feeling and holiday feeling around.” Brown is “a big fan of traditions”, whether with her family or her team. One that exists for women’s basketball: their annual white elephant t-shirt exchange. “I find that fun, just to kind of have that tradition,” Brown said.
Even if they’re in Carbondale for much of the break, athletes still have their own traditions or things with their family and friends that they look forward to when they do go home. Massiah said one of his favorite things to do on break is seeing the ocean. Massiah said “Regardless of whether it’s with my friends or my family, I really like going to the beach… just chilling in the sun all day.” For Brown, seeing a Christmas light show or “opening a present the day before Christmas” is a family tradition, while one of Love’s favorite things to do while home is
simply spending time with family. One can’t forget the coaches, who are also sometimes missing out on traditions and time with their families. They play a big role for the players around the holidays. Love credits coach Kelly Bond-White and her staff for helping athletes stay together during the holidays. “The coaches do a great job of keeping us together, keeping us doing a lot of things as a family to take away from some of the distraction that we could get from not being with our families,” Love said.
would receive the ball at midfield with 12 minutes to burn off the clock. But instead of building on their one-score lead, the Salukis went backwards on every play before being forced to once again punt on 4th-and-23. Quarterback Gevani McCoy led his offense down the field on what was a game-tying drive for Idaho, as the team had three passing plays of more than 20 yards on the same possession. When the Vandals scored with 4:17 left on the game clock, it was the first touchdown the Saluki defense had given up since Nov. 11, ending an 11-quarter streak without giving up a touchdown. The Vandals lined up for seven plays in goal-to-go situations on that game-tying drive, including a 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line that resulted in an incomplete pass. However, SIU was flagged three times in that sequence, the most critical being a defensive pass interference on cornerback Mark Davis Jr. on that fourth-down stop that kept Idaho on the field. Southern was given one more shot to win the game in regulation,
receiving the kickoff with still four minutes left. The Salukis marched inside the Idaho 30-yard line, and kicker Jake Baumgarte lined up for a 41-yard field goal to try to send the Salukis to the quarterfinals. However, the kick was blocked, and for the first time in school history, the Salukis would be heading to overtime in a playoff game. “We’ve had our struggles kicking the football this year, that’s noted,” Hill said. “...Looking back on it now, maybe could have taken a timeout to maybe take a shot or getting a little bit closer. Then you’re kinda playing with fire there a little bit too.” SIU started overtime with the ball, but the offense could not replicate the rhythm it had established in the fourth quarter. The first pass sent the team backwards; the second fell incomplete; and the third – and final of Nic Baker’s hall of fame career – was intercepted by an Idaho defender. “Tough way to end it, but honestly, I’m probably the one person at SIU who knows that feeling,” Hill, a former quarterback, said. “We got beat 20-17 to Joe Flacco and Delaware in
the semifinals and my last pass was a pick too. And so, it’ll sting for a little while, but I don’t have any regrets in my career, and Nic Baker shouldn’t have any regrets for his career either.” Knowing it only needed a field goal to win, the Idaho offense leaned on running back Anthony Woods to set up Chavez’s eventual walk-off kick. It would be the first time Idaho led all night, but all that would matter was what team was winning at the end of the game. “I knew what type of effort and game we would come here and play,” Hill said. “They did that. They ended up making one more play than us, and [we] got beat.” The Salukis finish their season with a record of 8-5 and another secondround exit. It is the third time in four years that SIU saw its season end in the second round, but 2023 was by far the closest the Salukis have come in recent years to advancing farther into the bracket. Idaho (9-3) will stay home for the next week to host the No. 5 Albany Great Danes (10-3) in the quarterfinals of the FCS Championship. Saturday marks the likely end to
several seniors’ careers, including offensive stars Baker, Elliott and D’Ante’ Cox, and defensive impact players such as Devin Cowan, P.J. Jules and D.J. Johnson. “To all our seniors, man, I really appreciate those guys,” Hill said. “That’s what I went around the locker room and told them all. Just appreciate them believing in me and coming to this program, and then just the ups and downs of the season, just the grit of this team is what I’ll always remember.” The outgoing class of seniors has been with the team during its rise to national prominence, and 2024 will mark an inflection point for the program as it looks to sustain that success and build on it in the coming years. “I wanted to keep going for them, just because it’s a special moment that they’ll always remember,” Hill said. “It felt like we had the team to do that. They’ve proven that this year.”
Cohen Poe | cpoe@dailyegyptian.com
Sports reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com
Sports editor Brandyn Wilcoxen can be reached at bwilcoxen@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @BrandynWilcoxen.
News | Page 11
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
“Give, give, give, to your heart’s desire:” TIP presents Holiday Hygiene Drive Annalise Schmidt aschmidt@dailyegyptian.com
The Intersectionality Project (TIP) is connecting with the Carbondale community to support local families during the holiday season by hosting a Hygiene Drive. The drive will take place up until Dec. 8. Items can be placed in the donation bins all over campus. Items to donate include deodorant, toothpaste, soap, feminine products, and lotion. Daniel Killins, the founder of TIP, said, “The hygiene drive’s goal is really to just collect for the needy. Hygiene is very important. I’ve realized there’s a lot of people who don’t have soap, who can’t afford soap. People who are homeless get the sample sizes or the travel sizes, because they can’t afford the full product. We wanted people to give us unused items that will last.” Many off campus ministries and communities have holiday drives at this time, so it is important to the organization that they offer resources that differ from what is already being collected. “I know we usually focus on canned goods, clothes and blankets, which are very essential. But hygiene is the one thing to me that can be overlooked. You have to make sure that you are cleansed, so you don’t get any more bacteria or diseases coming back to you,” Killins said. The group is also requesting masculine
products in particular this season. “I really do want a lot of masculine and male products. When it comes to men, we don’t really have products gathered, specifically men-scented or men-marketed.” Any donations are highly appreciated, regardless of how big or small. Killins said, “We need people to give, because it is important to the community. I mean, it’s the time of giving, is it not?” The Intersectionality Project (TIP) got started in honor of LGBTQ History Month in 2021. It was cocreated by the then Black Resource Center coordinator Chara McKinzie and current head of TIP, Killins. Killins, with the support from McKinzie, came up with the idea of having a roundtable. It was inspired by a roundtable on YouTube called The Grapevine. Students can come together to contribute their own perspective and ideas freely regarding their black and queer identities. “She [McKinzie] saw my vision,” Killins said, “so I decided that it was time to create an RSO for black and queer people on this campus, because we didn’t really have any black and queer specific organizations that were duly accepted.” Members of TIP converse with the intent of creating more diversity on campus as well as throughout
Carbondale, and they address issues that affect them personally. Killins said he wanted a place where people could come and learn, and they could see themselves and envision themselves making a difference. “This is really a black-founded and black-concentrated RSO, but we also want people in the Hispanic and Latino community to join us as well. We just want it to be a place where people can really get involved,” Killins said. By including a variety of voices, TIP’s goal is to hear a variety of opinions and discussions to gradually make campus and the surrounding areas more inclusive. One of their steps in doing so included the discussion and organization of the Holiday Hygiene Drive. TIP spent time connecting with other groups on campus to both gather products that they think people need most and to increase the promotion of the project. “My frat brothers [Omega Delta Phi] are in charge of collecting the products and giving them to Carbondale United, and WGSS, [Organization for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies] is in charge of making sure that the LGBTQ community gets the products that they need.” TIP is also working with two outside organizations during this project: the Carbondale Park District, as a drop off location, and Carbondale United.
Jessica Harrocks, Carbondale United Program Director, said, “Carbondale United’s mission is to eliminate the root causes of gun violence.” Those causes are often related to poverty, and access to opportunities for employment and education. With donations from TIP and the hygiene drive, they can help families combat some of these obstacles. “We at Carbondale United are building community so that we may tackle these challenges together,” said Harrocks. Carbondale United’s office is located in the Northeast side of the city, in a historically Black neighborhood, Harrocks said. It is important for the group to partner with other organizations like SIU, who can bring attention to their cause, and provide support for their growing organization. “Our most vulnerable members of the community are especially susceptible to having little to no income, and that can leave individuals and families reliant upon community support for basic hygiene items,” Harrocks said. One of the main activities performed at Carbondale United is helping people find employment. Having personal hygiene products help people feel confident, and allow them to enter or re-enter the workforce or school with personal pride. Harrocks said, “While there are
government programs like SNAP that struggling families utilize for acquiring basic food needs, there are little to no subsidization allocated for hygiene items. Your donations will go directly to those in need in Carbondale.” Ideally, Carbondale United would like to impact 50 families through this hygiene drive, and the donation from TIP, by providing at least some relief in acquiring basic needs. “It feels good to know that I have people who want to help us, or who want to receive products. I don’t know the people that they’re reaching out to, that’s none of my business, but I know they appreciate what I’m doing and my kindness,” Killins said. In the name of holiday spirit, Killins said he would like those who are able to donate to, “Give, give, give, to your heart’s desire.” Drop off locations for the Holiday Hygiene Drive include: • Morris Library (first floor) • The Student Center (first floor) • The Student Multicultural Resource Center • The Communications Building: (one in the journalism office, and one in the communication building foyer by the staircase) • Carbondale Park Districts. Staff reporter Annalise Schmidt can be reached at aschmidt@dailyegyptian.com
Page 12 | Ad
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
• LOCAL, ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE • WELLNESS • BULK • GROCERY • DELI • FRESH PRODUCE • CRAFT BEER & WINE •
Neighborhood Co-op Grocery Open daily 8am - 9pm
In the Murdale Shopping Center • 1815 W. Main Street, Carbondale IL • (618) 529-3533 • www.neighborhood.coop
2/$3
3/$5
$2.29 ea
2/$6
Organic Tomatoes
Organic Nut Butter Cups
Water
Crispbread
Muir Glen
Justin’s
14.4-15 oz. • Selected varieties
1.32-1.4 oz. • Selected varieties
The Mountain Valley 3.3.8 fl. oz. • Selected varieties
Wasa
4.9-9.7 oz. • Selected varieties
2/$6
$3.79 ea
$4.49 ea
$4.99 ea
Potato Chips
Tortilla Chips
Organic Graham Crackers
Preserves
Kettle Brand
Late July
4.25-5 oz. • Selected varieties
7.5-7.8 oz. • Selected varieties
Annie’s
Bonne Maman
13 oz. • Selected varieties
14.4 oz. • Selected varieties
$5.49 ea
2/$5
2/$5
2/$7
Organic Peanut Butter
Organic Macrobar
Mineral Bath
Pure Castile Bar Soap
Maranatha
16 oz. • Selected varieties
Gomacro
2-2.5 oz. • Selected varieties
& DEBT DAWG
Aura Cacia
2.5 oz. • Selected varieties
Dr. Bronner’s
5 oz. • Selected varieties
Sale prices valid through December 19, 2023 • Closed Christmas Day
Are you an owner? Run for our Board of Directors!
Jump on Board APPLY ONLINE THROUGH DECEMBER 10
www.neighborhood.coop/run-for-board