October - November 17' Issue

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@xulaherald

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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

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Xavier University of Louisiana

New Orleans, La.


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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

Op-Ed: The Freshmen Perspective on Problems by Alajuwan Joseph Staff Writer ajosep13@xula.edu

According to Google, problems are matters or situations regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome. At Xavier there are many problems that need to be addressed immediately. Some of these problems include parking conditions, housing conditions, and, seemingly most important, the life of the LGBT community. Parking is one of the major space concerns at Xavier. Most of the parking is reserved for the staff, so students don’t have an efficient amount of space to park. Some students who live in St. Katherine Drexel Residence Hall have to park all the way in the St.Martin Deporres Residence Hall’s parking lot which is a five block walk from their dorms. According to Nijiah Copeland, “ I pay entirely too much money to have to walk five blocks down just to get to my car each and every day.” She is totally right. For the

money students pay, Xavier should have more than enough parking space for their students. Although there is a parking lot that stays empty, the one across from the Living Learning Center Residence Hall, it is not easily accessible to park in. If Xavier was to redesign the parking lot so that it would be easier to get to for students, it would add many parking spots. Another problem that we face on campus is housing conditions. According to Cortland Ramirez, “ It feels like I’m going to prison each and every time I walk into the St. Michael’s Residence Hall. I also feel as if curfew needs to be extended because we are adults now and we should be responsible enough to know when to wake up for class.”

The problems that I have noticed are: the bathrooms are always dirty, there is always urine on top of the toilet seats, and paper towels everywhere. Also, sometimes the bathrooms aren’t cleaned on the weekends. Toilet tissue, soap, and other bathroom necessities aren’t always stocked, which is the least that can be done. According to Amina Craighead, in St.Katherine Drexel Residence Hall, “ The washing machines are always broken. The curtains in the bathrooms don’t fit so you can see girls as they shower.The bathrooms are always dirty and the janitors don’t clean them.The curfew and visitation hours needs to

be extended because we are grown and we need more time to enjoy ourselves.”

Even though there are a lot of problems in the residence halls there are, fortunately, some benefits that come with it. These benefits includes the fact that Cedrick Keyes in St. Michael’s Residence Dorm, is always helpful, they have tutoring, and there are many events that take place that attempt to help us cope with adjusting to the college lifestyle. Some solutions can include cleaning the bathrooms more often, keeping them stocked, and extending the visitation hours and extending curfew. An important problem we face at Xavier is the treatment of the LGBT community on campus. LGBT students are constantly bullied or harassed on this campus because they are expressing who they are. The LGBT community is rarely included in any school functions, and are treated by Xavier as if they do not exist. According to Whitney Kwentoh, “The LGBT community on campus feels alienated because of the school’s Catholic background.” Another student, MeMe Jenkins said, “ Xavier just doesn’t have enough education about the LGBT community. We had to changed our club’s name to be considered an actual club.

Xavier will have an ‘LGBT Week’ but all I see is posters hanging up. I don’t see any events or any workshops. They even stopped a transexual woman from running for homecoming queen a few years ago.” I feel as if Xavier needs to do something to assist the LGBT community with their problems, or even just to bring awareness to the problems they face. For example, one day when Tylan Nash walked into his dorm, a group of boys were sitting at a table and they started to call him a “faggot.” Tylan decided not to mention any name. It is hard to suggest solutions to make people respect other people. It’s disheartening to know that I have to come up with ways to change ignorance. However, I do feel as if Xavier can host more events that are inclusive of LGBT, like having a LGBT week that involves speakers, or events, or something to educate people. If Xavier wishes to promote a more “just and humane” society, they shouldn’t just focus on promoting it through scholarly education or through physical service - they should also try to educate the ignorant.

The treatment of the LGBT community at Xavier is an important problem we face on campus according to Alajuwan Joseph.

on campus. Xavier needs to do more to protect the rights of LGBT community and do something to make them feel secure. Nobody deserves to be judged because after all, “do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you,” Matthew 7; 1-2. Xavier loves to stress that it’s a Catholic university; however, if it is not helping all of its students, then it is not following their mission We should love each other for who we are, not hate each other for who we are not. There are many problems that need to be addressed at Xavier. After all, how can we promote a more just and humane society if we are having problems that render our success.

One problem that I do find that I really wish Xavier would change is pretending that LGBT does not exist

iHealth Symposium: The Day in the Life of a Pharmacist by Janella Newsome XULA News Manager jnewsom2@xula.edu

The sounds of teenage voices echoed throughout Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy Qatar Atrium where one hundred high school students met with XULA faculty, students and staff at the iHealth Symposium:

The Day in the Life of a Pharmacist. The students who came from Mobile, Ala., andOrleans and Jefferson parishes began their busy day attending a career fair where they learned about a variety of jobs available in the industry including nuclear and academic pharmacy.

“We are trying to expose the students to the many facets of pharmacy,” said Randall Schexnayder, assistant dean for professionalism with Xavier’s College of Pharmacy. “Pharmacy is a very rewarding career. A lot of people don’t know about the wide range of opportunities that’s available by becoming a pharmacist. Students really

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need to be educated about that.” Students were allowed to participate in a lab demonstration conducted by Dr. Donna Robinson, a pharmacy professor who has taught at Xavier for 10 years. Robinson said this method is one of the better approaches to determine the level of interest students have in

pharmacy. “When I ask questions, I can tell right away if the students are engaged based on their responses,” said Robinson. ”It is imperative that we place them in this environment so they can see if they are truly interested... THE STORY CONTINUES ON

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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

# W h a t s O n Yo u r M i n d

by: Dazell Green & Ju n i n e G o od i s on

Questions: 1.) How would you describe you overall Xavier experiences? 2.) What quality of life issues most affect you?

Haneen Sahli, p1 Major: Pharmacy Hometown: Chalmette, Louisiana

Elge Stevens, Freshman Major: Biology Pre-med Hometown: Waldorf, Maryland

“1.) It is very good. Diverse and open minded. Although it’s an HBCU it is still very diverse and have other minorities within. 2.) Academically! The transition was somewhat difficult from undergrad to pharmacy.”

“1.) I really like the people here, I chose to go to an HBCU to get away from so many white people. I truly enjoy being surrounded by positive black people. 2.) I hate the living situation in the Mikes. I hate showering there it’s disgusting. The food isn’t always the best; the sausages they are usually not cooked thoroughly for breakfast.”

Maya Bragg, Junior Major: Biology Pre-med Hometown: Peoria, Illinois “1.) It’s been great, trying to balance school and extracurricular activates. Recently I became president of XAB. I enjoy throwing events for student, it allows me to show student how much I love Xavier and make them love it as well 2.) Mentally. Trying to balance academics, social life, extracurricular can be mentally exhausting. I’ve learned to take breaks and do things for me to remain mentally stable.”

George Rogers, Sophomore Major: Chemistry Pre-Pharmacy Hometown: Raceland, Louisiana “1.) Very exciting, Nice atmosphere, small classes. A lot like high school; there’s a lot of events, good teaching staff, a great curriculum and there’s nice programs for specific majors. 2.) Sometimes mentally and spiritually. There’s a lot of homework, class and going in between classes, studying, stresses you out.”

Briana Montgomery, Junior Major: Mass Communication Hometown: Los Angeles, California “1.) The school experience is very academic, which creates a very large learning environment but the social aspect could be better. 2.) I’ve learned a lot more about myself here but the people are boujee and I miss having my own space.”

Ameen Kassim, P1 Major: Pharmacy Hometown: New Orleans, LA “1.) Enjoyable and filled with warm personalities. I really do like it here. 2.) Being Islamic and Muslim, I’ve improved my spiritual quality of life, Knowing that its open to many religions and cultures not just Catholic.”

Zachary Holly, Sophomore Major: Neuroscience Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Tia Alexander, Freshman Major: Political Science Pre-law Home town: New Orleans, Louisiana

“1.) It’s been good so far, nothing too bad, it’s just very stressful! 2.) Nothing too big that I couldn’t handle. Family was an extreme support system to help me. Also, my faith; when you don’t have it while you’re struggling who are you really going to lean on?”

“1.) I was Pressured to come here because it’s a family legacy but I love it and I’m truly enjoying the experience. 2.) I only have one problem. The food sucks! Since I live off campus I don’t get a meal plan. If I have to spend money on food we should have some better options. “

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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

The Xavier Herald Staff Fall 2017

Editor-in-Chief: Nicholas Davison _______

Arts & Entertainment Editor: Natese Dockery

Photography & Video Editor: Dat Le Copy Editor: Kaelin Maloid Design Editor: Chandler Rigby Sports Editor: Ayanna Robertson Web Editor: Mark Veals _______

Staff Writers

Alajuwan Joseph Blair Lyons Kennedy Cox Cleo Singleton

Photographers Stephen Chinn

Contributing Writers Janella Newsome Ed Cassiere

Faculty Advisor: Melinda L. Shelton 504.520.5096, mshelton@xula.edu

HERALD CONTACT INFORMATION

Xavier South, 112B 504.520.5096 Email Stories: herald@xula.edu Advertising: 504.520.5096

Herald Office:

The Xavier Herald is an award-winning newspaper produced by, for and about students at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, La. While The Herald is housed in the Department of Mass Communication, its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the department or Xavier University. The Herald is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and as such adheres to the collegiate journalists’ code of ethics. The Herald staff reserves the right to accept, edit, or refuse content.

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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

Check out These Videos Here on xulaherald.com

Xavier Professor Featured on WDSU

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Fall C areer E xp o by Janella Newsome XULA News Manager jnewsom2@xula.edu

Hundreds of Xavier University of Louisiana students from a variety of majors entered the Convocation Center on October 3 – looking their professional best with resumes in hand determined to meet with over 30 employers at the Fall Career Expo. According to Tracey Jackson, Program Manager with Xavier’s Office of Career Services, this is the first time the career fair has been hosted on the XULA campus in nine years.

Congratulations XULA Heroes, A Message From Dr. Verret

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“I was even more excited about the career fair this year because it was here on campus providing an opportunity for all of our students to come and visit different types of employers who are in need of all types of majors,” said Jackson. There were military recruiters as well as professionals from the federal government, hospitality, healthcare, housing, public education, media and retail industries.

Sales and marketing major Kenneth Clark, III, a senior talks with a recruiter at Xavier’s Fall Career Expo.

“The comments the employers made about our students were so complimentary,” said Jackson. “All day long, they kept saying how prepared Xavier students are.” Prior to the career fair, Jackson’s office prepped the students with a number of workshops where they conducted mock interviews, helped create dynamic resumes, worked on professional attire and overall etiquette. New Orleans native, Kenneth Clark, III, a senior majoring in sales and marketing said he took full advantage of the services being offered and feels he is ready for gainful employment. “I interacted with a few different companies and

made a few connections so hopefully when I graduate, I’ll be able to get into one of the positions from the career fair,” said Clark. Chemistry major, Alexis McKinney, a senior from Milwaukee, Wisconsin said her future is looking brighter after an in depth conversation with members of the Thermo Fisher Scientific company. “This is great, especially for me, being a senior,” said McKinney. “I didn’t have to go anywhere for this opportunity, it was presented to me, right here on campus.” According to Jackson, the career expo is one of many investments and resources provided by Xavier to make certain students and alumni are ready for careers in the workforce.

#TeachInNOLA

Gold Nuggets “Kill” Lady Tigers, Extend Winning Streak to Six

Gold Nuggets’ Volleyball Breaks 19 Straight Losses Against Springhill

Continuing the historical tradition of civil rights movement protest, seven like-minded faculty representing Xavier University of New Orleans, Tulane and Loyola universities, and Southern University of New Orleans held simultaneous teach-ins on their campuses Oct. 23, 2017. Project coordinator Dr. Kimberly J. Chandler, associate professor in XU’s communications studies department, says of the teach-in: “Injustice and inequality are produced through miseducation. We’re launching #TeachInNOLA because education has the power to dismantle social ills.” Their mission is to promote education as the practice of freedom, Chandler says. Dr. Lisa Flanagan (Top left) and Dr. Ross Louis (Bottom left) led students in performance activism exercises. Dr. Chandler (Far right), and Xavier SGA President Bryan Redman led a panel discussion to close out the evening.

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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

Division of Business: Resort Management by Justyce Riggs Division of Business jriggs@xula.edu

My name is Justyce Riggs. I am a sophomore Accounting major with a 3.3 GPA. I am also on the Track and Field team at Xavier University. Summer 2017 I went to Destin, Florida and worked at the Henderson Beach Resort as a relation to my major. My job description was In-room dining. With In-room dining you are to serve customers with professional room-service. My tasks at the Henderson Beach resort was to credit accounts with the charges from their room. It was a lot of office work of filling out papers, organizing paperwork, charging accounts to customers, charging accounts to the resort, taking important phone calls and having meetings with Resort management to speak on ways to improve on the new resort that was expanding quickly.

Working In-room dining at The Henderson Beach Resort was a way for me to feel the workload of office work. Also, the tedious amount of charges to accounts. It helped me with working with different kinds of people and staying focused during intense moments. Working in the Beach Resort, everything was to be handled with care and managed correctly. I learned that when working in the office, that you have a lot of different tasks that needed to be handled in a specific amount of time. Being a dedicated worker made all of the difference to

my summer job. It gave me the ability to love the job I worked at also know how to handle working with money and paperwork all at the same time.

D i v i s i o n o f B u s i n e s s : B e au t i f y by Maya Suell Division of Business msuell@xula.edu

My name is Maya Suell, and I am a junior accounting major. As my first year at Xavier came to an end, I ran across a flyer for an internship with a start-up company called Beautify. Unlike other beauty services in New Orleans, Beautify will provide ondemand services to their prospective customers. Since convenience is most valued now-a-days, I knew this business could really thrive. My interest in this internship was my own drive to

own a business one day, and I felt getting to experience the beginning stages of opening of a business would be beneficial to me. As I worked with the founder, Kiyann Clanton, I gained experience in the process of opening up a business, managing a business, and the accounting work that went into the business. This is not just any business; beauty related businesses differ completely as many do not realize all the necessary steps of precaution that go into them. The risk in this industry is already very high, so the addition of the on-demand services, which could take place anywhere, will make it even higher. When starting up, we had to extensively research contracts, insurance policies, and employee hiring processes that would best fit in this particular start-up. As for gaining management experience, our input was used in creating the hiring and

training packets, and we also created and ran focus groups, of which we had three to get as much feedback from potential customers as we could. As previously stated, the risk in this business venture is extremely high so the hiring and training processes needed to be very extensive. My accounting skills were put to the test as Clanton had me input a majority of her overall expenses that had occurred since she began her venture. Through this, I gained experience in QuickBooks Online. Although I was completely unaware of how the software worked, I soon got the hang of it with her help. As an intern, I also worked on my networking skills as I often had to reach out to others to participate in the events and photoshoots to promote its opening. Although Beautify has not launched yet, I am proud to say that I was given the opportunity to be apart of the journey and cannot wait for its opening.

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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

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Photos By: Stephen Chinn & Kaelin Maloid

The XU Fashion Spread

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“Fashion to me is just expressing yourself.” CHANDLER RIGBY

The XU Fashion Spread Page 9

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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

“Mr. Davis” is the South’s “4:44” by Blair Lyons Staff Writer blyons1@xula.edu Since re-emerging into pop culture after his release from prison, Radric “Gucci Mane” Davis has proven his work ethic yet again by releasing four albums across the past two years. Even though 2017 saw more features than projects from Gucci, that didn’t stop him from entertaining his fans. Four days before his $1.7 million wedding to Keyshia Ka’oir, Gucci Mane released his sole project for 2017, “Mr. Davis.” “Mr. Davis” has a more serious approach to Gucci’s past work, who is known for often putting together numerous projects in a short period of time. “Mr. Davis” serves as Gucci’s official re-entrance to the industry standard of albums. With 11 out of 17 songs having a

feature attached, it’s obvious Gucci planned an album that has a diverse tracklist. On the album’s intro, Gucci admits that he’s made his mistakes and has had his share of differences with friends and with his now- wife, Ka’oir. It’s clear Gucci has matured beyond his old days of selling and taking drugs. As the tracklist goes on, Gucci reinstates his prancing vocals and makes you remember who was the originator of the “trap music” genre. If you are interested in Migos or any newschool “trap” rappers, then this project is for you. This is oldschool “trap” at its best but with a new-school twist in the features and production list. Atlantic Records had to have some type of interference in the production, since the album itself was pushed back twice. Gucci Mane also has a strong ability to pick

instrumentals that bounce along with his illustrious flow. The album’s instrumentals are the same as any other Gucci Mane project, as he enlists producers like TM88, Zaytoven, Murda Beatz, Southside and Metro Boomin’. Other producers to note are the up-and-coming XO producer/singer NAV, Atlanta legend Mike Will MadeIt and Key Wane, a producer who never disappoints to set a dark, mid-tempo mood. Tracks worth noting on “Mr. Davis” are “Work in Progress,” “I Get the Bag,” “Stunting Ain’t Nuthin’,” “Curve,” “Members Only” and “Lil Story.” All of these tracks have one thing in common - Gucci shows that he has not changed, street-wise. He still talks about women and drugs, he just does it in a newer, wiser way. On “Members Only,” he talks about these same subjects, but on the hook dismisses himself and gives a shout-out to his homies back in Atlanta.

Courtesy of: Atlantic Records

“Mr. Davis” is a revelation towards how music has changed over the course of the last couple of years. “Mr. Davis” is the South’s 4:44, but only through the way Gucci’s impact

can shake up the industry. In the end, Gucci Mane has enabled himself to release music whenever he wants and still have an impact.

Fashion Steals the Show at The Mane Event Wedding Ka’oir opted for a diamond bouquet, which is definitely a unique choice. In accordance with the theme of ice, Keyshia also wore a bejeweled headpiece and two tier diamond earrings.

by Kennedy Cox Staff Writer kcox3@xula.edu The wedding bells are ringing! Fitness guru Keyshia Ka’oir and rapper Radric Davis, also known as Gucci Mane, celebrated their marriage on Oct. 17, 2017. A star studded guest list witnessed the couple coming together at the Four Seasons in Miami. With a wedding that reportedly cost $1.7 million, the opulence was not lost on us. The bride donned two custom gowns, both covered in jewels. Keyshia’s first dress was designed by Charbel Zoe, the same designer that dressed Ka’oir at the VMAs in late August. Zoe is very fond of bodycon and intricate jeweled designs. His couture house designs upscale party dresses in addition to wedding dresses and have been worn by other celebrities like Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, and Britney Spears. Keyshia’s reception dress, by Yousef Aljasmi, was of a similar shape to the dress she wore to the ceremony. Also like the last dress, it was adorned

Mrs. Davis was not the only one committed to looking as ornate as possible. Gucci and the groomsmen’s tuxedos, designed by Hideoki Bespoke, cost more than $5,000. Gucci’s custom suit was paired with crystal smoking slippers with a nice red bottom. Congratulations to the newlyweds, we hope your future is as bright as Keyshia’s engagement ring! Tune in to see more about the Wopsters every Tuesday night at 9 p.m. on their show ‘The Mane Event’ on BET.

Above: Keyshia Ka’oir in her Charbel Zoe designed wedding dress, Right: Gucci Mane & Keyshia Ka’oir enjoying the wedding festivities

with beautiful crystals, but formatted in a way that made the dress appear to be dripping in jewels. For the rehearsal dinner, the couple wore matching red outfits; Keyshia’s dress with

a tulle princess bottom was designed by Giannina Azar. And no one could overlook the accessories. Instead of a traditional flower bouquet,

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Above: Keyshia Ka’oir in her reception dress by Yousef Aljasmi


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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

Feel Their “Vibes”: #XULA21 Students Showcase Talent by Kaelin Maloid Copy Editor kmaloid@xula.edu

“Baby, tell me is you feelin’ the vibe?” Vibes by JSAND (feat. DEZ, DJ, and BAM) According to Jaleel “J-S.A.N.D” Ross he, along with friends Blake “Max” Brinkley, Glenn “Bam” O’Neal, and Dewayne “DJ” Parquette , “accidentally” created a song that’s making it’s way across Xavier’s campus. The song, released October 1, is titled “Vibes,” and reminiscent of the early 2000’s r&b with it’s Usher samples, smooth beats, and melodic voices. The process to “Vibes” started the same night J-S.A.N.D finished another song, “Don’t Wanna” (featuring Kelseaux and Dez). J-S.A.N.D. made a “cold sample from a Japanese lady” whose name he forgot, and Dez, who was in the room, started singing “Nice and Slow” by Usher to the beat. “I was like, ‘oh, we can do something with that,” J-S.A.N.D said. Three days later, J-S.A.N.D. had a solid verse, modified to Usher’s rap on “Nice and Slow.”

“The vibe is tight, and it’s laid back like a recliner.” Vibes by JSAND (feat. DEZ, DJ, and BAM) Creating music goes a little like this: J-S.A.N.D puts on a beat. DJ sings something. BAM comes up with a line. DJ starts singing the line. “And then it’s like, ‘oh we can build on that,” J-S.A.N.D. said, nodding his head. “Three hours later, we have a song. It doesn’t take that long to make a song.”

In order to have musical abilities, though, the four had to start somewhere. Binkley, from Houston, got his first guitar for his tenth birthday in the fifth grade. At first, he hated it, and his parents had to make him take lessons and play. It took him three or four years before he realized he liked playing, and then, Binkley said he “put a lot of time into it.” Binkley also plans on continuing to play guitar. It’s not something he ever plans on quitting. According to Binkley, it’s where he “goes to.”

“Oh, baby, it’s such a wonderful feelin’, but sometimes you gotta slow it down.” Vibes by JSAND (feat. DEZ, DJ, and BAM) “Over the past three or four years, it’s become a spiritual thing,” Binkley said. BAM, from Lafayette, started his musical career drumming in church. Also a writer, BAM said he is always going to write. DJ, from Gonzalez, Lou., discovered he could sing in the fifth grade. According to him, he “never took it seriously” and never imagined pursing it. “But then people told me, ‘you could sing,’ and after awhile, I started to take it a little more seriously,” DJ said. He isn’t sure where he plans on continuing with his vocals. DJ said he’s always liked to sing, and he might take it to the next level, but he isn’t sure. Finally J-S.A.N.D., also from Lafayette, has been in music since the sixth grade; however, he also didn’t take it seriously at first—at least until the eighth grade. He started by rapping, and then progressed into making beats.

“I never did sports, didn’t play video games. I wasn’t into cars.” J-S.A.N.D said. “Music was always my thing.” For J-S.A.N.D., who said music was never a hobby but a passion, he plans to continue being in music. Even as an attorney, J-S.A.N.D. said he will do music “on the side.”

“Roses are red, violets are blue, the only girl I see is you.” Vibes by JSAND (feat. DEZ, DJ, and BAM) The quartet, who all bring something different when it comes to music, met at Xavier. J-S.A.N.D. and BAM are roommates, who have been knowing each other for a while. The two met DJ in the library, although J-S.A.N.D. didn’t know his name until six days later. “I actually got his name when I told him to put his number in my phone,”

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J-S.A.N.D said. DJ and Binkley are also roommates. Musically, they each bring something different. BAM writes the choruses that DJ sings, and “every now and then,” he’ll drop a poem, he said J-S.A.N.D. produces, records, mix & masters, raps, and does cover art “And I play guitar,” Binkley said. “That’s what I do. I play guitar.”

“We’ve all gotten positive feedback,” BAM said of the song’s circulation on Xavier’s campus. Thankfully, for those that like “Vibes,” this isn’t the last thing you’ll hear from the quartet. In the future, they will be releasing a song titled, “St. Mike’s Blues.” And if you haven’t heard “Vibes,” you can hear it on J-S.A.N.D.’s Soundcloud, J-S.A.N.D.

If you are up & coming artist here at Xavier and would like your work featured, contact Kaelin Maloid to schedule a meeting time & interview Email: kmaloid@xula.edu Twitter: @KaeMaloid


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How modding is changing the way people play the Sims by Cleo Singleton Staff Writer csingle7@xula.edu

The Sims, a life simulation video game franchise by Electronic Arts, has been a mainstay in pop culture for almost 17 years now, but many die-hard fans have been complaining about how underwhelming the series has become. Players are able to “play with life,” as the tagline says and create people in-game with character traits, dynamic needs, and emotions. The Sims 4 is the fourth installment in the Sims franchise. The game creators boast smarter, more distinctive, and more vibrant virtual people, or Sims, than ever before. While the Sims 4 seems to be innovative, “simmers” are widely in

Above: A twerking Sims mod available on modthesims.com

Above: A male pregnancy Sims mod available on modthesims.com

search of ways to enhance their games. Modding is when players download “mods,” or file modifications, to their games that changes the gameplay. Players can download custom content–dresses, hair, furniture, custom made

homes, etc.–for their sims. They can also create new, distinctive memories for their sims that are not available to them in the untouched game. With The Sims 4 being rated T for teen, a stretch in the eyes of many simmers, many human or fun experiences are not included

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Above: An extreme violence Sims mod available on modthesims.com

in the game. Players can find modifications that add aspects to gameplay like murder, violence, unplanned pregnancy, disease, and other events that add an element of realism to the game. As an avid Sims player since 2012, I’ve found that the

game developers have started caring less about quality and more about the quantity of game add-ons. Because of this, game mods add a sense of realism to the game that keeps me always coming back for more.


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highlights from xulagold.com Vaughan leads Gold Nuggets to 11th straight GCAC title National Championships Nov. 18 at Vancouver, Wash — the Gold Nuggets by virtue of their GCAC team title, Sewell as one of the top four men’s finishers not on the winning EWC team.

by Ed Cassiere Assistant Athletics Director for Communications ecassier@xula.edu

CLINTON, Miss. — Maliya Vaughan dethroned teammate Taylor Price and led Xavier University of Louisiana to an 11th consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference team championship in women’s cross country Friday morning. Vaughan, a junior from Elk Grove, Calif., ran 5,000 meters in 20 minutes, 43.50 seconds to become the sixth Gold Nugget to win the GCAC individual title. Price, a sophomore, was second in 20:52.48.

XULA junior Brianna Pace was next in 21:47.82, giving her a second straight thirdplace finish at conference. The Gold Nuggets swept the top three spots at this meet for the second consecutive year. XULA won the women’s

team scoring with 23 points, followed by Edward Waters with 50 and Dillard with 71. In the 8,000-meter men’s race, freshman Camren Sewell led most of the distance before finishing second in 29:27.13. Edward

Earning All-GCAC honors because of top-10 individual finishes were Vaughan, Price, Pace, Carlie Calais (seventh place, 22:22.06) and Hajjia Mohammed (10th, 23:11.07) of the Nuggets and Sewell and Darrick Williams (10th, 31:15.79) of the Rush.

Waters outscored the Gold Rush 45-64 to end XULA’s 10-season reign as men’s team XULA’s Joseph Moses champion. A year ago XULA outscored Edward Waters 35- was voted GCAC Coach of the Year on the women’s side 36 for the title. for the eighth consecutive season and the 10th time in 11 The Gold Nuggets and Sewell qualified for the NAIA seasons.

Nuggets clinch tie for 7th straight GCAC championship by Ed Cassiere Assistant Athletics Director for Communications ecassier@xula.edu TALLADEGA, Ala. — Xavier University of Louisiana defeated Talladega 25-15, 25-20, 25-12 Saturday to clinch no worse than a share of its seventh consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season volleyball championship. The Gold Nuggets (18-2, 10-0) will win the championship outright with a victory in their final two GCAC matches or a Dillard loss in its final four GCAC matches. Dillard (1415, 6-2) will visit third-place Tougaloo (17-9, 8-3) Monday; XULA will play fourthplace SUNO (5-17, 4-5) at 6 p.m. Thursday at XULA’s Convocation Center. XULA closed the first set with a 12-2 run and scored seven straight points to take a 19-7 lead in the third. Kayla Black’s kill ended the match, which lasted 66 minutes. Juliana Tomasoni hit .417, served two aces and had 13 kills and 15 digs in her 12th doubledouble of the season. Lauryn Taylor produced double-figure

kills for the second straight match; the freshman had 10 kills, hit .450 and had three blocks. Also contributing for the Nuggets were Anna Dalla Vecchia with 16 digs; Adili Rikondja with three blocks, a .353 hitting percentage and a season-high nine kills; Black

with seven kills, 12 digs and two blocks; Vivica Price-Spraggins with six kills and two blocks; Eva Le Guillou with a careerhigh-tying 25 assists; and Tiffany Phillips with 13 assists, seven digs and two aces.

The victory was the Gold Nuggets’ eighth in a row; the last five matches were on the road within 10 days. XULA has won 17 of its last 18 matches and all 30 of its sets against GCAC opponents.

Talladega (9-16, 2-7) has lost four straight.

The Gold Nuggets are 16 victories above .500 for the first

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time since 2013. XULA-SUNO will be a Dig Pink match for breast cancer awareness, and fans are encouraged to wear pink. Seniors Tomasoni and Kaelan Temple will be honored in a pre-match ceremony.


October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

Page 15

#BL ACKHAIRMAT TERS

Photography by Amanda English

Jazmine Nash | Senior

Matt Melder | Sophomore

Kevin Marks | Freshman

Keegan Davis | P3

Ericka Lassair | Sophomore

Jaelyn Johnson | Freshman

Camille Moore | P2

Mariya Lewis | Freshman

Alexis Arceneaux | Sophomore

Dominique Griffith | Sophomore

Alexis Day | Sophomore

Kiona Moore | Junior

Summer Page | Sophomore

Tashely Drake | Freshman

Cortland Ramirez | Freshman

Solomon Desselle-Hirsch | Sophomore

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October 23, 2017 - November 20, 2017

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