Kentucky Kernel: February 16, 2023

‘We cannot be done.’

Kentucky community members rally for voting rights at state Capitol

By Alexis Baker news@kykernel.com

Members of the commonwealth gathered for the "We Love Voting Rights" Lobby Day and Rally in the rotunda of the Kentucky Capitol building on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Shouting voices echoed through the hallways of the Capitol building making it known demonstrators stood for formerly incarcerated individuals’ right to vote, during the rally hosted by Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC).

The rally began with chanting the phrases “voting rights,” “I love voting rights” and “you love voting rights” in hopes it would reach the higher chambers where legislators worked.

The rally was led by Shelton McElroy, a community member who said he was “impacted by incarceration.” McElroy introduced a variety of speakers who spoke about their passion for voting rights and shared personal experiences.

Tayna Fogle, KFTC’s lead organizer, stood at the Capitol before the rally to teach students voting for the first-time about aspects of the government they have yet to learn.

“Their parents elected me into office,” Fogle said. “I’m just a basic, everyday advocate for voting rights in Lexington and across the state of Kentucky and nationally.”

Roger Fox, a social worker

from Danville, Kentucky, is in long-term recovery. He said his daughter sparked his passion for voter advocacy.

Fox said while his daughter was working on a school project, she asked her mom who she was going to vote for, and she answered.

When Fox’s daughter asked Fox, there was no response. He explained to his daughter that due to his former incarceration Fox could not vote.

Fox’s voting rights have since been restored by Governor Beshear’s executive order for the civil rights of convicted felons in 2019. According to Kentucky. gov, the executive order gave over 140,000 people the right to vote.

“I looked at my daughter, and I said, ‘I can’t be done.’ We cannot be done,” Fox said. “What’s been done in the executive order is great, it created some clarity for us, but we need a clear pathway for this restoration of rights.”

There was a consensus among the crowd that action doesn’t define a person.

When Alaina Sweezy, a mother of two in long-term recovery and formerly incarcerated, took the microphone, she called for a ballot initiative to restore voting rights. She said that the community would not stop until they reach their goal.

“As a human being, a citizen of this country and community member in the state of Kentucky,

I deserve to not be labeled as the worst thing I’ve ever done,” Sweezy said.

The crowd cheered as the speakers’ words bounced up the rotunda walls.

Cheers amplified as Kenneth Jenkins made his way to the podium.

Jenkins struggled for air as he was on an oxygen machine, but he still incited his passion for voting rights for all and emphasized the productivity that voting

brings to the table.

“As Kentuckians, we all say we want to look out for each other, so this is a good place to start,” Jenkins said. “I believe that we can do this together.”

Not all legislation is against the fight for equal opportunity voting rights. McElroy highlighted that Rep. Keturah Herron, Rep. George Brown and Sen. Gerald Neal support their initiative.

Former Rep. Charles Booker made an appearance at the rally

as well.

“Today is really about raising awareness that we’re not giving up this fight, that the momentum is behind us,” Booker said in an interview after the rally. “Me working here in the Capitol now, but even our work over the years, has really been about sticking to the fight – knowing that our lives are worth it. Today was just a resounding statement that we’re not going anywhere and we’re going to win.”

TRAVIS FANNON | STAFF

Kentuckians gather for the "We Love Voting Rights" Lobby Day and Rally on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in the Kentucky State Capitol rotunda in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Humans of UK:

Anaya Ali makes the most of freshman year

By Rayleigh Deaton features@kykernel.com

This is Humans of UK, inspired by the Humans of New York Instagram series by photographer and author Brandon Stanton. This series dives into the individuals of UK as well as their stories, strifes and passions.

Some freshmen take a while to acclimate to the culture of college and find ways to plug in at UK. For firstyear animal science major Anaya Ali, the problem is finding enough time in the day for all the things she’s involved in.

In addition to juggling classes, Ali participates in a number of clubs and organizations at UK, including the co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, 4 Paws for Ability, a pre-vet club and the Student Government Association’s Leadership Development Program.

However, she said that her favorite organization she is part of is the Student Activities Board (SAB).

“I love student orgs … My favorite title that I have for myself is being able to say that I work for SAB, because that means that not only do I get to actively help people, but I also get to know and meet so many re -

CARTER SKAGGS |

ally awesome, fun people,” Ali said.

At the suggestion of her first-year ambassador, she signed up for the SAB email list and joined the organization the summer before her freshman year.

SAB accepted her application and she became a chair for traditions. Ali continued this role through the entirety of fall 2022.

As a chair for traditions, she helped with tasks ranging from working events, holding office hours and making TikToks.

"My first event was during K-Week during Campus Ruckus,” Ali said. “If anyone got a shirt during Campus Ruckus, it was from me."

Last semester, she applied to become a director, a role she started following

winter break. As a director, she oversees a team of chairs.

She said her favorite event to host was Yoga at the Yard, in which students practiced yoga in UK’s baseball park. "We got to do a really nice, calming yoga routine on this very, very beautiful baseball field," she said.

Ali said she aspires to become the vice president of internal affairs by senior year.

Through SAB, Ali forms many connections and works with a variety of student organizations, including Collegiate Curls, SGA and the Office of Student Organization and Activities.

Ali is currently running to be an undergraduate senator-at-large with SGA.

"I really want to work for the betterment of UK,” she said.

She's not the first in her family to get involved in SGA. Her older sister, Noor Ali, was an SGA vice president, while her other sister, Iman Ali, currently serves as an SGA associate justice. Ali joked that being in SGA is a “family gig.”

To Ali, involvement at UK is a way for her to better connect with fellow students and her campus, allowing her to make the most of her time in undergrad.

“I love being that face that people know,” she said.

Rayleigh Deaton, editor-in-chief editor@kykernel.com

Hannah Stanley, managing editor

Gray Greenwell, copy editor

Kendall Staton, news editor news@kykernel.com

Cole Parke, sports editor sports@kykernel.com

Samantha Money & Ali Cetinok, asst. sports editors

Gray Greenwell, features editor features@kykernel.com

Karrington Garland, opinions editor opinions@kykernel.com

Jack Weaver, photo editor photo@kykernel.com

Abbey Cutrer, asst. photo editor

Akhila Nadimpalli, lead designer

Allie Hall, asst. designer

Kendall Staton, newletter coordinator

Gracie Moore, Twitter manager

Savannah Kennedy, Instagram/Facebook manager

Raven Rolle, TikTok manager

KENTUCKY KERNEL OFFICES

9 Blazer Dining University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506

On the front cover: CARTER SKAGGS | STAFF Lauryn Hagan, left, and Elijah Vann talk after finishing their dinner at Puccini’s Pizza Pasta on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky.

STAFF

Anaya Ali, a freshman animal science major, poses for a photo on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at The 90 in Lexington, Kentucky.

UK Transportation Services offers free rides to local airports for spring break travels

By Casey Sebastiano news@kykernel.com

UK’s Transportation Services announced it will offer free shuttles to surrounding airports for those flying over spring break.

Students, staff and faculty are able to take advantage of the shuttle services provided, which are completely free of charge.

“Students, staff, and faculty can ride to and from Kroger Field to Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Louisville International Airport (SDF), and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). This service is offered in partnership with the Student Transportation Council,” the department said via a Feb. 13 email.

To secure a spot in the shuttle, sign-up for a ride on UK Transportation Services’ website. Riders must sign-up at least one day prior to scheduled departure.

The vans and shuttles provided typically seat 14 passengers and have a baggage compartment on board. Riders will be able to utilize the baggage compartment on the shuttle for luggage if needed.

According to the email, the shuttles will pick up riders at Kroger Field on Monday, Mar. 10, at 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to take them to their desired airport.

For riders who are in need of a way to get to Kroger Field, on-campus buses run to Kroger Field. The Blue and White routes begin at 6:45

a.m. and run every 7-10 minutes.

Transportation services suggested students leave their residence halls 30 minutes before their shuttle departure time to ensure they do not miss their shuttle appointment.

The shuttles will also be picking up students, staff and faculty from these airports upon their return to campus on Sunday, Mar. 19. The return trips are scheduled for noon and 7 p.m.

The yellow bus route will be available to take those that have returned to campus from Kroger Field to their residence halls or other destinations on campus.

On Sunday, Mar. 19, the yellow route will begin running at 9

a.m. instead of the usual start time of noon.

A minimum of three shuttles will be provided on both Mar. 10 and Mar. 19. There will be at least one shuttle to each airport, according to Lindsey Piercy, UK’s director of digital strategies and a public relations officer.

“We’ve been providing this service for several years now, starting out with offering service to Blue Grass Airport. In 2018-19, we added service to Cincinnati and Louisville airports,” Piercy said.

UK Transportation Services encourages those with questions concerning the airport shuttles to visit their website or to email UK Transportation services.

Shots fired on campus Wednesday morning; UK police said no injuries reported

By Abbey Cutrer and Alexis Baker news@kykernel.com

Early Wednesday morning, UK police reported that shots were fired in an area near the Johnson Center and Kroger Field. A subsequent update said the incident was not declared an active threat to students, and no individuals were harmed.

Sent via campus-wide email and text on Wednesday morning, a bulletin said shots were fired at 1:28 a.m. on Feb. 15 in the area of University and Cooper Drive near Parking Structure 1. The alert said to avoid the area.

A siren sounded across campus with

a voice saying, “Attention attention, seek shelter immediately.”

UK’s emergency alert system, UK Alerts, shared another update at 2:14 a.m.

“While UK Police are still investigating reports received of shots fired near Parking Structure 1, this is not an active shooter situation,” the website said. “There are no victims reported. We will share more information as it becomes available.”

At 2:22 a.m., another bulletin was sent stating the emergency condition had passed.

“You may safely resume your regularly scheduled activity,” the alert read.

At this same time, another siren

sounded on campus with a voice saying “All clear.”

In an interview with Kernel staff, UK Police Chief Joe Monroe said UKPD’s dispatch center received two calls from witnesses after hearing gunshots and seeing someone running away from the area towards Cooper Drive.

“We’re actively following up (with a) lead that they provide a suspect for us,” Monroe said.

Monroe said when he can release the information he will be updating the campus community on the suspect.

In the release, Monroe said officers reported to the scene after a gun was

fired from inside a vehicle. It was not an active shooter situation, and there were no victims.

“The safety and well-being of our students, employees and entire campus community is our top priority and the university has made significant investments to keep campus safe,” Monroe said. “Safety is a shared responsibility but an incident like this reinforces why these efforts are so important – this morning, our emergency notification system was activated immediately and police responded in less than two minutes. We will continue to work to make our campus safe and prepared for any emergency.”

By Autumn King news@kykernel.com

UK’s Student Activities Board (SAB) and Collegiate Curls came together to host UK’s first Natural Hair Care Expo, on Thursday afternoon in the Gatton Student Center.

The expo gave students with textured hair a chance to receive tips and tricks, watch demonstrations, receive free products and enter a drawing for a chance to win one of two blow dryers.

“I think hair is your key to confidence. So, I think if your hair looks good, you feel good and you’ll go out and be more successful in whatever you do,” Mollie Share, the person behind the event, said.

Share worked with Melanie Day to find the Lexington businesses that were at the event.

Collegiate Curls hosts Natural Hair Care Expo

Collegiate Curls, founded in October 2016, shares a goal of uplifting multicultural students and helping them achieve their dreams within higher education institutions across the East Coast.

UK’s Chapter of Collegiate Curls was founded in 2016.

Ryan Smith, President of UK’s Collegiate Curls chapter, said she wished she learned how to take care of her hair sooner.

“There is no specific way that your hair is supposed to look. As long as you’re taking care of it; healthy hair is good hair. So, if you’re taking care of your hair, you’re supposed to embrace however it looks,” Smith said.

“So, you have to be able to learn about your hair and be able to embrace it, in whatever form that is.”

The expo had representatives

from several Lexington businesses, including Twist of Textures, Well Groomed Barbershop Parlor, Hairapy Studios, Tina Braids and You’ve Got Curls and Hair Loss Center.

Each business had a booth during the event.

Expo attendees were given two tickets for free products that the booths were giving out. These included things like brushes, hair moisturizers and raw shea butter.

Day Allen, a UK student and one of the winners of the blow dryer drawing, said the event felt like a community.

“(There’s) a lot of people of color just coming together to express that we have hair and that we love our hair and that we are able to just like, have products and other things that celebrate the fact that our hair is how it is,” Allen said.

During the event, there were tutorials on how to do specific hairstyles, like twist outs, demonstrated by Sherietta Green, owner of Twist of Textures.

A panel was held to discuss things like hair care tips, ways to manage a hair care routine and putting an emphasis on having a hair care professional involved in hair care routines.

The panel was made up of Green, Anthony Burdette, owner of Well Groomed Barbershop Parlor, Melanie Day, owner of You’ve Got Curls and Hair Loss Center and MaChon Fogle, owner of Hairapy Studio.

“I just felt like there was a need for it on campus,” Share said. ”I just feel like there’s so many people here with so many different backgrounds and we just don’t focus on that. I wanted to do that.”

SAMUEL COLMAR | STAFF

Students visit the Hairapy Studio Lex booth at the Natural Hair Care Expo on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at the Gatton Student Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

Netflix enforces password-sharing rules: A struggle for college students

By Alexis Baker opinions@kykernel.com

Bills, bills, bills — while an iconic Destiny’s Child song, bills are the last thing college students want to think about.

The world is up in arms about Netflix cracking down on the number of households that can share an account on the service.

Netflix announced that users can only have one simultaneous stream before having to pay a premium to add an account. It will cost $7.99 to add someone who doesn't live in a primary user’s house.

For families that support multiple college students, this adds up, and for college students supporting themselves, this is an unnecessary worry on top of all of the college fees they have to pay.

While $7.99 doesn’t seem like the worst deal, Netflix is the leading streaming service in the world and is not making beneficial decisions for the customers that helped them get there.

The generation that is in college right now contributed to the virality of the phrase “Netflix and Chill.” This boosted Netflix’s popularity and sustained it for years to come.

NETFLIX

on a downward spiral with the content they provide.

Netflix frequently takes away what’s loved by everyone and replaces it with Netflix originals that are cheaper to produce. This is yet another prime (not Amazon) example of corporate greed.

It is only a matter of time before Netflix goes bankrupt due to the mass amount of people canceling their memberships. It started strong, then executives thought way too highly of themselves and their company.

In order to stay afloat, Netflix needs to give its customers what they want. There needs to be a flat rate for the content it provides, less Netflix original content and reduced restrictions on account sharing.

Netflix doesn’t have the right to define what the “correct” household criteria is.

ILLUSTRATION BY ALLIE HALL

Netflix decided to repay the young generation by depriving them of their limited leisure time and money. It doesn’t seem fair, but it’s passed off as business.

Many households are already paying for Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, HBO Max, etc., and paying to add multi -

ple college students to their Netflix account is equivalent to another membership.

College students are not the only people having to deal with this burden. Military families, multi-homeowners and anyone who doesn’t live what Netflix defines as a “traditional” lifestyle will suffer as well.

While it’s understandable that Netflix doesn’t want your brother’s girlfriend’s sister’s dog’s friend using your account, the underlying purpose of the password-sharing rules is just another way to profit from consumers — it’s corporate greed.

Netflix has already been

If they can’t provide for their customers, there are other alternatives for streaming. There are maybe even too many alternatives for streaming. The world will adjust, and Netflix will crumble like a Redbox rental stand.

I guess I don’t need to rewatch “Gilmore Girls” that badly.

Love is Blind... but the Kernel is here to help

By Alexis Baker and Laurel Swanz features@kykernel.com

In a culture where dating decisions often take the form of split-second swipes on a phone screen, the Kernel wanted to offer four UK students the chance to find something deeper.

On Sunday, Feb. 12, we set up two couples on blind dates at Puccini’s Pizza Pasta, courtesy of the Kernel, to possibly meet their Valentine – or at least make a new friend.

The Kernel opened an application for any students at UK looking for love (and a free meal).

The four students were selected from the pool of ap-

plicants, paired up based on their responses to questions about their personality, sexual preference and what they were hoping to get out of the date. Editor-in-Chief Rayleigh Deaton and Managing Editor Hannah Stanley sat down and played matchmaker, pairing the couples that they believed would be the most compatible.

The participants knew nothing about their date going into the evening, giving them the chance to learn about someone else with no prior knowledge about them – a unique opportunity in today’s social media-inundated society.

MARIA RAUH | STAFF

Ansley Colvin, left, and Brigid Whipp talk during their blind date on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at Puccini’s Pizza Pasta in Lexington, Kentucky.

Ansley Colvin and Brigid Whipp

Before the date... Ansley

Roommates Ansley Colvin and Lauryn Hagan signed up for the blind date together on a whim, not expecting to both be chosen.

“We were just like, ‘Let’s do it for the plot,’ and then we both actually got picked!” Colvin, a 19-year-old architecture major, said. “So me and my roommate are both going on blind dates today.”

Sunday night was more than Colvin’s first blind date — it was her first date ever. She said she has always “had bigger fish to fry” than being in a relationship. She spent her last two years of high school battling nephrotic syndrome and missed out on the dating experience many people gain at that age.

This didn’t scare her, though.

“I feel like it’s just gonna be an experience and there’s nothing else I can do about it but be myself,” Colvin said. “I don’t ever like to force things, so just whatever happens, happens.”

Colvin was more nervous about the food selection at Puccini’s than the date itself, having lactose intolerance.

“I am dairy free so I’m a little nervous, but I heard (the food) is really good so that’s worth it,” she said.

If anything, Colvin said she hoped to gain “a good story to tell someone when (she’s) old” from the date.

“I think that more people should do things for the plot to see how it goes,” she said.

Brigid

Freshman equine science and management major Brigid Whipp bought a new dress for what she said was her first date since she was 10. As she waited outside the restaurant, her emotions were a stirring mixture of excitement and anxiousness. What could go wrong? At least she’s going in style, right?

Whipp went out on a limb and signed up for the blind date not expecting to be chosen, but her friends and family had been encouraging her to “put herself out there,” she said.

While Whipp’s expectations of the date were up in the air since she had never been on a blind date before, her expectations of a future partner were not. As an avid animal lover, Whipp said she needs someone that understands that part of her.

“I hope they understand that sometimes (animals are) going to have to come first, but that doesn’t mean I love them any less,” Whipp said.

Whipp’s expectations of Puccini’s were not up in the air either. Having been there before, she said she enjoys their fettuccine alfredo.

“If it goes well, it goes well. If it doesn’t, I got free food,” Whipp said.

MARIA HAUH | STAFF

Brigid Whipp applies makeup in her room at Woodland Glen II while getting ready for her blind date.

CARTER SKAGGS | STAFF Ansley Colvin picks out an eyeshadow to apply at University Flats while getting ready for her blind date.

After the date... Ansley

An hour and a half later, Colvin left Puccini’s stuffed with angel hair pasta and tiramisu.

“The food was great, one of the best tiramisus I’ve ever had,” she said. “It’s gonna hurt my stomach so bad later, but whatever.”

As for her date with Whipp, Colvin said it was “interesting, to say the least.”

“We talked about our grandmas, I don’t know … I don’t know how it got there,” Colvin said.

The pair acknowledged to one another that they weren’t each other’s type, but still had an enjoyable dinner together.

“It was definitely worth it. It’s what you do in college, and I got free food!” Colvin said. “You can’t be pessimistic about it because there was nothing wrong with it at all. She was so nice and she was a good person to have a conversation with at dinner.”

Colvin didn’t take the lack of a spark with Whipp personally, saying they both mentioned being picky about romantic partners. She left the date feeling grateful for the opportunity and excited for the debrief to follow with her roommate, Lauryn Hagan, and their suitemates.

“Of course, we’re gonna talk about our contrasting experiences,” Colvin said, having finished her date before Hagan’s began. “There are five of us in our suite, and they were like, ‘we wanna hear everything.’ And so I’m not allowed to talk about it until Lauryn gets done with her date, and then we’re all gonna have popcorn, debrief … It’s gonna be tea!”

Although Colvin doesn’t anticipate a romantic pursuit will come out of the evening, she said she gained some perspective from the experience and will be more open to going on dates in the future.

“Ask more people on dates, because what are you gonna lose? I think nowadays we are so obsessed with technology and hooking up and Tinder and all of that, just ask people out!” she said. “I’m just kind of living my life now and doing things that are out of my comfort zone. So yeah, I actually think I will (go on more dates), ‘cause why not? And I’ll know where to go!"

Brigid

After an odd exit to a brief dinner, Whipp said she was not confident in a future with Colvin.

“She was more interested in the food aspect of it, but she’s nice,” Whipp said.

Although Whipp went into her date with a bit of anxiety, she said that once she started talking, she felt fine. She took the initial step of putting herself out there, as her friends and family suggested.

Although Whipp said that she had fun and would recommend to her friends to go on blind dates as well, she was not the biggest fan of her company.

Whipp said that she could not see herself dating Colvin.

Whipp and Colvin did not exchange contact information on their date, and upon following up with Whipp, she said they have not contacted each other since the date.

A plus side of Whipp’s not-so-successful date was the food that she knows and loves.

Whipp got her classic fettuccine alfredo and a piece of chocolate cake.

MARIA RAUH | STAFF Ansley Colvin, left, and Brigid Whipp leave Puccini’s Pizza Pasta after their blind date.

MARIA RAUH | STAFF

Brigid Whipp, left, and Ansley Colvin talk during their blind date at Puccini's Pizza Pasta.

Before the date...

Lauryn Hagan and Elijah Vann Lauryn

Sophomore human health sciences major Lauryn Hagan pulled up to Puccini’s in a new outfit: a baby pink, puffy-sleeved top with ripped jeans, a black denim jacket and gold jewelry.

“I kind of used it as an excuse to get a new outfit,” Hagan said. “Cute and comfortable, pink for a Valentine’s Day kind of vibe!”

Hagan said she had never been on a blind date before that Sunday.

“I’m excited! I am a little nervous, but I’m just gonna see how it goes,” she said.

She said she was hoping to have a good conversation and make a new friend.

“If it’s more than that, it’s more than that,” Hagan said.

Hagan has been in one long-term relationship before, which she said helped her learn more about herself and what she wants in a partner.

“Someone who I’m compatible with, someone who is a little spontaneous and just kinda wants to have fun, someone who I can trust,” she said, describing her ideal match. “Kind of like ‘golden retriever energy,’ if you’ve heard that term before.”

Whether she was about to eat pasta with her dream man or not, Hagan was looking forward to whatever the night had in store.

“I’m just excited to see what happens,” she said.

Elijah

Wearing semi-casual attire and a beanie, freshman theater design major Elijah Vann arrived at his date with his heart set on food and “a good time.”

“I just did it for the food,” Vann said.

While food consumed most of his pre-date thoughts, Vann said he was feeling “shocked” that he was even picked and participating in the blind date.

Having never been to Puccini’s, and usually an Olive Garden-goer, the night was sure to be one full of unknowns for Vann.

BRADY SAYLOR | STAFF

Elijah Vann plays with his cat, Dinner, at his apartment before his blind date.

CARTER SKAGGS | STAFF

Lauryn Hagan shows off her monogramed necklace at University Flats.

After the date...

Lauryn

After her date with Vann, Hagan described the evening as “one of the best dinner conversations I’ve ever had.”

The pair talked about “pretty much everything there is to talk about,” Hagan said, and they discovered they have a lot in common.

“I feel like we had similar personalities,” she said. “The conversation was never awkward for the entire time. We just shifted from topic to topic.”

Hagan and Vann discussed everything from music to traveling to career aspirations to hometowns.

They discovered a shared love for concerts and the bands The Backseat Lovers and COIN.

“He saw them (The Backseat Lovers) in concert so we talked about that. And then we were just kind of suggesting music suggestions to each other,” Hagan said.

Hagan has since listened to one of Vann’s suggestions, the band ThirdStory, and loved it.

“I’ve been listening to it all day and it’s actually really good!” she said on the following Tuesday.

They discussed a shared dream to travel to Australia and their separate dreams of becoming a pediatric physician’s assistant and a theatrical lighting designer.

Hagan enjoyed her ravioli and tiramisu and said Puccini's environment helped the conversation flow.

“I liked it in there,” Hagan said. “It wasn’t too fancy, which was nice and didn’t make it high-stress.”

Hagan and Vann didn’t talk about seeing each other again at dinner, but Hagan said she’d be open to it.

“I feel like if it were to happen I would enjoy (a second date), but I don’t know if compatibility romantically was there as much as getting a new friend,” she said.

Next Tuesday, Hagan will get another chance to assess as she and Vann have already made plans for dinner and a movie via Snapchat.

Time will tell if this budding friendship will develop into anything more. Either way, Hagan is glad she went on the blind date.

“It was fun not knowing anything and then leaving knowing so much more about a person that I probably would’ve never met otherwise,” Hagan said.

Although it remains to be seen how these relationships progress, the blind dates gave four students the chance to sit down and meet someone that they probably would not have otherwise. And for those looking for a perfect spot for a first date of their own,

Elijah

After staying at Puccini’s almost until the restaurant closed, Vann returned from his date.

“I think it went well. I think it went great,” he said.

While confident about the date itself, he was unsure about the possibility of a future date.

Hagan seemed to check all the boxes for Vann: looks, common interests and future plans. He told her that he wanted to be a lighting designer, and she wanted to be a pediatrician. While different, this didn't disrupt their conversation.

Despite a seemingly successful date, they did not exchange contact information initially, he said.

“I’m a wimp,” Vann said.

Going in with high hopes about the food, Vann was not let down by his chicken alfredo pasta and caesar salad, and he enjoyed his surroundings as well. He said that other Puccini’s customers even interacted with them while they were on their date.

Following the experience, Vann said he would be open to going on another blind date in the future.

Two days later, Vann said things were going “very well” with Hagan in light of the pair’s plan to have dinner and catch a movie together next week.

Puccini’s is a great option!

The Kernel would like to thank Puccini’s for allowing us to hold the dates in their Chevy Chase location, as well as these four adventurous individuals who took the plunge and tried something new.

CARTER SKAGGS | STAFF

Elijah Vann, left, and Lauryn Hagan exchange Snapchat usernames after their blind date at Puccini's Pizza Pasta.

UK needs to do more to promote safety in an unpredictable world

By Gracie Moore opinions@kykernel.com

Following the shooting at Michigan State University on Monday, Feb. 13, shots were fired in an on-campus parking garage at UK early Wednesday morning.

The first alert went out at 1:28 a.m. when the initial shooting occurred. This alert included texts and emails sent to students as well as the campus wide alarm system telling people to seek shelter.

The next alert went out at 2:14 a.m. with an update stating that it wasn’t an active shooter and the police department was investigating.

Text alerts, campus-wide warnings and sirens woke up many students, while others didn’t learn of these until the following morning.

Were the alerts enough? What happened to cause shots to be fired? What do students do in this situation?

I woke up to first see a text from my mom, checking in around 3 a.m. to make sure I was safe. I hadn’t seen the alerts at that point, and I slept through the sirens, so I was unsure what had happened.

Then I saw the alerts.

“Shots fired in the area of University and Cooper Drive near Parking Structure 1. Avoid the area,” the first email said.

I live at the University Flats, less than a mile away from the parking structure on University Drive.

My heart sank. Even though it wasn’t an active shooter situation, I was still shaken up from the shooting that occurred at MSU less

than two days ago.

This isn’t the first instance of gunfire to shake the UK community this academic year.

In September, 11 UK students were injured in an off-campus house party shooting, resulting in another mass text alert.

And now it’s like nothing ever happened.

I didn’t hear any sirens or alerts. Neither I nor my roommates were woken up by any sort of warning, and the gunfire was right down the street.

The outdoor alert systems and text alerts are great safety features, but they don’t seem to always reach students in

a timely manner.

Maybe I’m just a heavy sleeper, but for the sake of students’ safety, it worries me that so many weren’t aware of the incident until hours after it was cleared.

I understand that shots are fired in areas throughout cities often, but on-campus gunfire and shootings shouldn’t be such common occurrences throughout the United States.

There may not be much that can be done for better safety across the nation, but UK can do better when it comes to preparation as well as warnings.

Like I mentioned earlier, the outdoor sirens seem to work for those out-

side as well as reaching some inside, but they aren’t always loud enough to reach everyone. These sirens are placed in the blue emergency notification towers placed around campus.

UKPD says that they use VoIP phones to reach buildings and share alerts, but that’s only helpful during the hours when buildings are open.

UK has a decent alert system in place, and I’m grateful for that, but I think there is definitely more that can be done.

For on-campus incidents, there could be some sort of alert system inside university housing and buildings.

This would give a better chance that students could hear when there are situations like active shooters, gunfire and other safety concerns.

In addition to a more advanced warning system, the university should prioritize teaching students what to do in the event of an active shooter.

In an update issued by UK Police Chief Joe Monroe, he stated that the university has plenty of safety systems set in the event of shootings, such as active aggressor training.

This is a great initiative, but I’ve never heard of such a thing on campus before.

The university should have one priority: the safety of its students. And by making this a priority, they have an obligation to prepare students for as many situations as they can.

Additionally, UK president Eli Capilouto sent a campus-wide email around noon on Wednesday, but it wasn’t regarding the early morning gunfire.

See page 13

JACK WEAVER | STAFF

Police work the scene of a shooting at an off-campus fraternity party on University Avenue on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Continued from page 12

Instead, Capilouto’s email announced that a candidate for Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement will visit on Monday.

I understand that it can be difficult to find the words to address situations like these, but addressing it even a little is better than complete disregard.

Advertising active aggressor training and making sure that students know exactly what to do in an active shooter situation are just two ways that the university can increase safety.

Lone gunfire isn’t nearly as anxiety-inducing as living through a four-hour campus-wide lockdown like at MSU, but these situations are far too frequent to move on from so quickly.

Many MSU students went to Oxford highschool, which had a school shooting less than two years ago on Nov. 30, 2021.

Students should not have to experience one school shooting, let alone two completely separate ones in two years.

I’m extremely grateful for the safety I do have, but I can’t feel safe in a world where so many people my own age and even younger are dying from gun violence.

Wednesday morning’s events may not have been an active shooter situation, but it could happen. We see it too often to assume it could never happen to us.

Thoughts and prayers only go so far. We need better safety systems. We need training. We need to know details, not just general statements.

We need change.

Who runs the world? Squirrels

By Gracie Moore opinions@kykernel.com

It’s time we talk about the chaos of the campus squirrels.

WKU may have white squirrels, but our squirrels seem to act on every intrusive thought that goes through their little heads.

These guys are afraid of nothing. They will do just about anything for food, and they seem to find the craziest spots to hang out.

The tiny comedians have gained so much popularity that they have a student-made Instagram page, Big Blue Squirrels.

On this profile, you’ll find plenty of squirrels in trash cans, eating human food and action shots.

When I messaged the owner of the profile, they said they started posting after seeing how comfortable the squirrels are around humans.

They saw so many funny photo opportunities and thought the page would be a great place to share their runins as well as submissions from other students.

Along with many other students, I have had some wild encounters with the campus squirrels.

Once when I was walking back to my apartment fairly late at night when campus was very quiet after a long time of studying, the only living creature that I could see was a squirrel.

He had a gigantic breadstick. I guess he had just left Papa Johns.

He was struggling to run

through the posts of the handrail with his dinner. I had nothing better to do so I stood there for about three minutes, just watching this confused squirrel attempt his escape with the horizontal breadstick until he eventually turned his head so his food was vertical and made it through.

But not all encounters have been so pleasant.

I had to take my breakfast on the go one day, and I suppose this squirrel hadn’t had his first meal of the day either. He was scavenging through the trash can where I couldn’t see him.

I guess he smelled my sandwich and really wanted it, so he

leapt out of the trashcan in an attempt to steal my food. His airtime was outstanding.

My favorite experience of all was seeing the squirrel with no tail who lives between Memorial Hall and the Law Building.

I had a class in the Law Building last semester, so I was heading that way and saw a face in the hole of a tree and was curious, so I went to investigate a bit. I think I scared him, because he was about to run out but then ran right back in when I got near.

As small of a joy as it may be, walking around campus and seeing the squirrels being wild never fails to make me smile.

I’ve always loved animals, so I love being on a campus with so many dogs and squirrels, and of course, the interactions between those two animals usually ends in laughter as well.

It’s a simple joy that never fails to brighten up my day. Unless the squirrel is trying to steal my food. All innocence and cuteness disappears when they threaten my food.

It’s very pure that college students find such a fascination in such a small and cute animal. It’s heartwarming to see people laughing at the squirrels or admiring from afar, and I hope this interest never ends.

CARTER SKAGGS| STAFF

A campus squirrel clings onto a tree after being spooked by a student walking on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, near Patterson Office Tower in Lexington, Kentucky.

Kentucky womens basketball’s rollercoaster conference season nears its end

By Aaron Benjamin sports@kykernel.com

Few things went well offensively for Kentucky womens basketball during its 74-52 loss against Ole Miss on Monday.

The Wildcats went 3-14 from the 3-point line, just 21.4%, while three of the team’s starters did not record a point.

Unfortunately for the Cats, offensive struggles have been apparent far before Monday’s loss, with the team having been struggling since the end of 2022.

Kentucky started the new year with a ranked matchup against Arkansas in Lexington. The Hogs dominated the Cats, winning by 21 points in what was the Razorbacks’ first win in Lexington since 2003.

The Wildcats then traveled to Stegeman Coliseum in Athens to take on Georgia. The game would be close near the final buzzer before the Cats ultimately fell in a close contest, losing 64-60.

Next up was No. 7 LSU in a match that proved to be difficult for the blue and white as the Tigers jumped out to a 30-17 halftime lead.

Going into the fourth quarter the Tigers would lead by 27 and eventually took the win to drop the

Cats to 0-4 in SEC play.

With the Cats still winless in conference play, No. 1 South Carolina entered Memorial Coliseum on Jan. 12, giving them a chance to down the reigning national champions.

Kentucky even remained competitive in the game through the first three quarters, only trailing by eight.

Yet, in the fourth quarter, the point differential would favor the Gamecocks by as many as 21 as they would cruise to victory.

The Cats would eventually find their first SEC victory on the road at Florida, winning 81-75 following the tough loss to the Gamecocks.

Unfortunately for Kentucky, the celebration would not last long as the Cats lost their next two games against Mississippi State and Auburn by a combined four points.

The Wildcats seemed to come back to life in Memorial Coliseum on Jan. 29, recording a 23-point win over Missouri with four of UK’s five starters getting double-digit point totals in the contest.

Kentucky had that winning energy heading into their rematch with the defending national champions, only this time the Cats did not have home advantage.

While the Cats ultimately fell to South Carolina 87-69, Kentucky did a better job at not letting too many points up in a single quarter, showing progress after recording its big win.

Then, this past Thursday, Feb. 9, the team lost to Alabama 72-65, coming up just short, an all-too familiar story for the team this season.

Shifting the focus back

to the Ole Miss matchup, the Cats lost 74-52, regressing from their performance against the Crimson Tide.

Now, with its back on the ropes, the team has just four games left in the season –Georgia, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M and Tennessee – before heading into the SEC Tournament, which will be held in Greenville, South Carolina, at the beginning

of March.

With a rally desperately needed for seeding purposes, the Cats will return to play on Thursday, Feb. 16, inside Memorial Coliseum when they take on the Georgia Bulldogs for the second time this year.

The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. EST and will be televised on the SEC Network+.

JACK WEAVER | STAFF

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Kyra Elzy yells at a referee during the Kentucky vs. Louisville womens basketball game on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

Across the (By)Line: Tennessee Volunteers basketball

By Cole Parke sports@kykernel.com

The “Across the (By)Line” series will give Kentucky basketball fans an in-depth look at their opponent for this week — from the mind of the opposing school’s sports editor.

This week: The Daily Beacon, Andrew Peters, Tennessee

How is Kentucky’s win in Knoxville earlier this year going to affect the matchup this Saturday?

“I think (Kentucky’s win) obviously fires them (Tennessee) up a ton, especially the older guys like (Santiago) Vescovi, (Olivier) Nkamhoua and (Uros) Plavsic. They’ve been around the program for a while and I think if there’s anything they hate, it’s losing to Kentucky.

To feel that once this season, I think that the intensity is going to step up on Saturday. It was already there the last time they played, but I think they’ll come into this game a little bit more intense. I’m not gonna say losing helps them, but I think because they lost that first matchup they’ll come in prepared to just leave it all out on the court.

A lot of these guys are about to play their last game against Kentucky, so I don’t think they want to end out on a loss. I think it’ll be a really fun game for that reason, just as it always is with these two teams.”

Tennessee has been taking more losses lately, what has been going wrong for the Vols?

“You don’t want to say that teams are just getting lucky, but if you look at the last couple of games, that’s kind of what it looks like.

Obviously, Vanderbilt. That’s honestly a pretty tough environment to play in. Jerry Stackhouse is a great coach. So with that game, I think they just kind of got outplayed. They looked pretty sluggish on offense and had a pretty big defensive lapse, which is very rare for them, and then, Stackhouse drew up a perfect play there at the end.

Then against Missouri I think a lot of it has to do with that first half, they came out really slow. Missouri came out really hot – I think Missouri had like eight threes in the first half, which, before the Vanderbilt game they hadn’t given up more than eight threes in a game, so I think their 3-point defense has kind of slipped over the last couple of games, and that’s been huge.

You look at that Missouri game and, you know, it’s obviously a heartbreaking loss and kind of disheartening to lose two games – two games straight on a buzzer beater – but you look at that game and you find a lot of positives, because that second half was the best they’ve looked on offense this entire season, by far.

I think if they can take that momentum that they had in the second half and bring it into the Kentucky game on Saturday I think that they’ll return to looking like one of the top teams in the country like there were three weeks ago.”

It feels like these teams can never sweep each other. Do you think that will continue this year and Tennessee will win game two?

“What’s fun about this rivalry is no matter how good the other team is, no matter how bad the other team is, they always seem to split the series.

Even back in the rough 10 years that Tennessee had, the early 2000s and 2010s, they would still go into Rupp Are-

na or go into Thompson-Boling and get a win over Kentucky, so I don’t really see that changing this year, especially with how the game earlier in the season went.

I just don’t think that they’re going to stand getting beat by Kentucky twice. I definitely see them splitting the games again this year and that’s what makes this game a rivalry: it’s always going to be competitive.

I think Tennessee is going to take the kind of feeling that they’ve had from the last two games and turn it into a fired up performance on Saturday.”

What will be the key to victory for Tennessee on Saturday?

“As of right now Josiah-Jordan James isn’t playing and Julian Phillips is questionable. Without those two guys Tennessee’s defense slips a ton, (the team) falls off a cliff defensively because those are two of the best guys on defense. I think if they’re able to play

on Saturday, Tennessee plays a highly defensive game.

You look at shutting down the perimeter, obviously, it’s going to be tough to shut down Oscar Tshiebwe without any really great defensive big men, but I think if those two play it’s going to be a defensive game and I think if they don’t play then Tennessee’s got to win on offense.

(Tennessee) had a really good threeguard lineup against Missouri on Saturday, which kind of led to that offensive success in the second half and if Josiah and Julian are playing, they go back to that three guard lineup and try to win it through a plethora of 3-pointers and quick runs on offense.

I think the key is offensive success mixed with the stout defense that we’ve seen from them all year. I think that Tennessee is objectively a better team than Kentucky this year and so I think they just can’t get outplayed on Saturday. I think it’s as simple as that.”

SAMUEL COLMAR | STAFF

Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) guards Tennessee Volunteers forward Uros Plavsic (33) during the Kentucky vs. No. 5 Tennessee mens basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.

By Luke Fetzer sports@kykernel.com

Kentucky softball wrapped up the 40th edition of the NFCA Leadoff Classic with an undefeated record, finishing 2-0-1 in an opening weekend that included mercy rules, cancellations and controversy.

The Classic, which took place in Clearwater, Florida, pitted the Cats alongside several high-profile teams including Louisville, Tennessee and Texas.

While the Cats finished second in the Classic, bested by the Vols in terms of record, head coach Rachel Lawson’s group left with plenty of positives to relish in, despite the controversial finale against Texas.

The Wildcats efficiently dispatched St. Johns, their first opponent on Friday, in a game which ended as a 14-4 blowout.

Lawson’s team quickly regrouped and found themselves facing in-state rival Louisville, which entered the matchup having won its earlier game against South Alabama.

Another impressive display earned the Cats a shutout against the Cards, with the game finishing 8-0 in a five-inning mercy ruling.

Karissa Hamilton’s impressive hitting exhibi -

Kentucky softball wraps up NFCA Leadoff Classic undefeated

tion, which was topped off by staunch defense and a two-hitter by Stephanie Schoonover, carried Kentucky’s undefeated record into Saturday’s matchups.

Hamilton’s significant contributions to the success of the Cats even earned her a place in the all-tournament team.

With a Saturday double-header against Pittsburgh and Southern University being rained out, the Cats stepped up to challenge on Sunday against No. 9 Texas.

Despite trailing 4-0 at the end of the second inning, the Cats, led by Schoonover, slowly began creeping back, notching a run in the fourth courtesy of an RBI double by sophomore Hallie Mitchell.

Schoonover, who quickly found her groove in the game, went on to retire ten straight Longhorn batters, giving the Cats a chance to turn the tide.

After an electrifying sixth inning, the Wildcats clawed their way back from the brink, tying the game 4-4.

With the game continuing on, the Cats were forced to watch the clock as, per NCAA rules, if a game is not completed by a set “drop-dead time,” the score reverts to the last

completed inning.

The end of seven innings saw both teams fighting for that crucial breakthrough before the eighth innings saw the Cats finally take the lead 7-4 in the top of the eighth.

With Texas now up to bat, the “drop-dead time” was quickly approaching. Whether considered clever, controversial or downright dirty, the Longhorns effectively brought the game to a screeching halt, utilizing mound visits,

infield meetings, pinch runners, warmups and even a batter requesting eye drops in the middle of an at-bat, watching precious minutes tick by as 3:30 p.m. quickly got closer and closer.

Unfortunately for Kentucky, Texas’ strategy worked, with the “dropdead time” being reached, forcing the score to revert back to 4-4 and ending the game in a tie.

While still undefeated, the tie ruined the Cats’ chances of clinching first

in the Leadoff Classic, with the Volunteers, who finished the tournament 3-0, clinching the win.

While the undefeated record moved Hamilton and the rest of the team up to No. 16 in the national polls, the Cats have another long trip ahead of them, traveling to Celina, Texas, to participate in the North Texas Tournament.

Kentucky first faces off against UT Arlington at noon EST on Friday, Feb. 17.

JACK WEAVER | STAFF

Kentucky Wildcats pitcher Stephanie Schoonover (23) pitches the ball during the Kentucky vs. Morehead State softball game on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at Cropp Softball Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.