February 17, 2022

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TODAY

M en’s hockey closes reg. season page

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The sun’s out, y’all...but not for long. Enjoy it while it lasts.

STUDENT RUN NEWS SINCE 1926

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2022

MENTORING MATTERS MSU’s defensive tackle Andrew Yogei shares his mentor experience By JULIA BARTON News Director

Minnesota State University, Mankato student athlete Andrew Yogei gets involved with the Mankato community in a variety of ways, but being part of the YMCA Brother/Sister program is one that stands out to him. Yogei, who is a junior and defensive tackle on the MSU football team, has been a big brother for the YMCA for a year and a half. He first heard about this program from one of his fellow teammates while attending a Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) meeting. Soon realizing he wanted to be a part of the program, he described the process to be fairly easy, from filling out the application to undergoing the background checks and matching process. “For me and my mentee it was really easy to connect, since we both play football, so we always talk about that,” said Yogei. The YMCA has their mentors fill out a personality test along with their availability to ensure each mentor and their mentee are able to create a bond. Even with his busy schedule juggling school and sports, Yogei makes an effort to meet with his mentee at least two to three times per month while partaking in a variety of activities.

“This one day I had my mentee come to the football facility and I introduced him to some of the coaches and let him tour and take pictures in the locker room. After he said to me, ‘I want to be like you when I grow up’ and that meant a lot to me.” With the YMCA having a need for more male mentors in the program, mentees may be waiting for months until a mentor becomes available. Those who currently participate in this program encourage the parents to be involved as much as possible to be that point of contact when setting up meetings. “The YMCA does a lot to facilitate our relationship with the mentees. They have programs every month that gather other mentors and their mentees around the area to get together and do stuff,” Yogei shared. Stemming from childhood, Yogei voiced how the influential people in his life growing up helped shape him into who he is today. “There was a football player I looked up to in middle school and I remember thinking that one day I’ll be like him, so I think that experience has shaped me into how I am a role model now for my mentee,” Yogei shared. “I give a lot of credit to my role models growing up for teaching me how to act.” Making a difference in someone else’s life is something he found to be impactful for himself as well as his mentee. “I always tell my mentee that as much as he thinks he is the one being impacted, I truly cherish the time we get to spend

By RADIT MAHMUD Staff Writer

The Minnesota State University, Mankato Student Government met yesterday to discuss the upcoming budget season as well as present two senator reports. The senate discussed several projects, including working with the University Dining Center to introduce a food waste project. In this project, the leftover food could be reallocated for students who are in need. This project has met some roadblocks, including food safety concerns, as well as the cost of saving the food. During the open forum Sam Steiger, Program Coordinator from Maverick Adventures, introduced the new additions to the Campus Recreation. These additions include a phone application that allows students to use their cell phone to check in at the Otto Recreation Center as well as look at upcoming events. He also mentioned the STUGOV on page 4  MADDIE BEHRENS • The Reporter

Andrew Yogei is a junior at MSU who is majoring in accounting and planing to intern at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in New York this summer.

together because it reminds me of the little kid I used to be,” said Yogei. This upcoming summer, however, Yogei will be out of town as he landed an internship out of state, but he hopes to still communicate with his mentee long distance. The Brother/Sister YMCA program aims to create a unique bridge connecting car-

ing adult mentors to local youth. Being a mentor means you care about building one’s self-confidence, social and communication skills, positive behaviors, and help improve relationships at home and within the community. For those interested in becoming a mentor, visit the YMCA website.

grams this month is snowshoe yoga, with the next date being Feb. 24. “We have the wellness and fitness program coordinator with Campus Rec come out and lead some mindfulness

discussions on our hike. We do different yoga poses along the way that you can do while wearing snowshoes, and there’s also a point where we’re gonna stop and people can take off ADVENTURE on page 2 

Staff Writer

Maverick Adventures has wintertime events in full swing, with activities such as snowshoeing fast approaching. The program at Minnesota State University, Mankato is designed for students to learn, stay active, and gain leadership skills in fun and unique ways. Maverick Adventures offers a wide range of courses in multiple locations, such as the fitness trail on campus, Seven Mile Creek, and Minneopa State Park. They run events

that feature everything from ice fishing, to hiking, to canoeing. “Our events are beginner friendly, so it doesn’t matter what your level of experience is. We provide all of the guidance, instruction, and material that you need,” says Madison Vandersee, one of the graduate assistants with Maverick Adventures. “If you’re worried that you don’t have enough experience to do it, that’s what we’re there for. We’re there to help you feel comfortable in that and to have a group to go out and explore with.” One of the upcoming pro-

Courtesy photo

Maverick Adventures takes on the snow By ALEXANDRA TOSTRUD

Stu Gov. discuss food insecurity

507 gives back with Battle of the Bartenders By JENNA PETERSON Staff Writer

Giving back to the community has never been easier for those who also enjoy a refreshing cocktail. The 507, a local bar based in downtown Mankato, is in the middle of its second annual Battle of the Bartenders charity event. This event, beginning Feb. 2, spans over five weeks on every Wednesday night with bartenders from The 507 creating cocktails and battling for the charity of their choice. Elijah Pitchford, assistant to kitchen manager at The 507, explained what this battle entails and how it functions. “It’s six of our bartenders. They all have their drink of choice and every Wednesday we have two of them go against each other,” Pitchford stated. “Basically, you buy a ticket if you’re somebody sitting down and you have a chance to try both drinks.” From 6 to 9 p.m. the barBATTLE on page 7 


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February 17, 2022 by MSU Reporter - Issuu