April 9, 2019

TUESDAY APRIL 9, 2019

International Festival takes guests on a trip around the world Cultures showcased through food, entertainment, education and goods

OLAYINKA GBOLAHAN STAFF WRITER Minnesota State University, Mankato held its annual Mankato Area International Festival titled “Fusion and Inclusion”. The event was organized to celebrate diversity in our community and experience different cultural exploration.

The festival kicked off with a flag parade within the Centennial Student Union, which later assembled on stage in the ballroom. The flag bearers stayed stationary throughout the opening ceremony which included a prayer from Hamdi Elnuzahi and a welcoming address from the dean of Gloabl Education, Dr. Anne Dahlman and Mankato City Councilperson At-Large, Mike Laven. They encouraged the audience to explore and communicate with people from other cultures. It also emphasized the importance of the festival which has a strong historic relevance and the continuous impact the international community has brought to Mankato.

This followed with Dr. Wayne Allen giving a

John Shrethsa | MSU Reporter A Mankato resident attendee observing building and scenery photos on display at the photo contest during the Mankato Area International Festival on Sunday, April 7

testimony and honoring with a presentation of flowers for Grand Marshal Dr. Jackie Vieceli of her wonderful work in the Department of Government and her continuous gracious acceptance of international cultures.

They also congratulated Vieceli on her publication with the inclusion of global issues.

There was also a testimony by a student to honor Pat Lueck who have served the MNSU community for 12 years by showing respect and love to every individual, irrespective of their cultural

backgrounds. A slideshow of national fun-facts was projected in the background throughout the festival and a standing ovation was held with the exit of the flags. The opening ceremony concluded with a Chinese lion dance accompanied with percussion instruments to bring good luck and fortune while showcasing their culture.

The festival continued with an African drumming performance and workshop by an artist with a stage name Brother Ghana. He taught about 20 people simultaneously how to beat

Its your Super Tuesday, Mavs!

DAVID BASSEY EDITOR IN CHIEF Today is Election day!

By voting in the student government elections, we can finally express our views on the issues that matter to students. All positions will be up for grabs from President, Vice President, senators,

commission and board members.

Voting will be open from 8 a.m. to 6:p.m.

The locations to vote on campus are in the CSU, Dining hall, Taylor Center and also online at mnsu.edu/ voting.

It should be noted that there will be a referendum vote day in the election

on the increase in student fees. The proposed 4.91% Student Activity Fee increase helps funds student oriented departments and organizations throughout campus.

If you know someone who would be great on a position on the senate, feel free to write in as well.

Thank you for voting!

IN THIS ISSUE: Keys to eliminating substance abuse ........ Page 4 How can volunteering help you? ............... Page 6 Virginia tops Texas Tech ......................... Page 10 FCPC hosts Spring Fashion Show............ Page 12

the African drum. He was extremely welcoming and his methods were effective and sequential with counting and explanations. Brother Ghana also gave individual tutees an opportunity to express themselves independently and taught some amazing African dances. There were other performances in the Ballroom, like a Moroccan tray belly dance by Satori Violet.

Everett Smithson, a blue vibe music group, performed a New Orleans centric style music which featured drums, guitars, harmonica, vocals and the accordion concertinas.

The festival was very eventful and showcased performances at simultaneous times in the Ballroom, Ostrander and the Hearth Lounge. Performances at the Ostrander included a very beautiful and fluid sword dance by Sherazade Patrice Hundstad, a traditional Nepali dance by Senha Shakya, a beautiful rendition of “All I Want” by Kodaline performed

by Rabin Burlakoti and Pooja Gurung. Then a humor filled and interactive discussion with Kaab, who talked about his cultural experiences with traffic, weather, people, ice fishing and hunting in comparison with his home country Pakistan. Christian Mayala performed a popular Hindi song. Yohanis Ferede from Ethiopia performed a hip-hop dance. Steven and Udu Ovraiti, a band of brothers, performed with a musical keyboard and their

FESTIVAL page 7

Game of Greeks

Fraternities and Sororities to host thrilling Game of Thrones themed Greek Week JOSHUA SCHUETZ STAFF WRITER Winter has already come and gone (thank God), but the Greek organizations on campus are gearing up for an epic week of Game of Thrones themed activities, in celebration of the university’s Greek community and to encourage camaraderie and competition alike.

On Monday, students can congregate in the CSU Mall to enjoy a kingly feast of hot-dogs, chips, and all the drinks one could desire. We have been informed that the ale shipments for Westeros have been destroyed in an unfortunate dragon attack, so pop and juice will have

GREEK page 7

WEATHER OUTLOOK: TUESDAY (4/9)

H: 55 L: 34 Cooler; bit of PM rain.

WEDNESDAY (4/10)

H: 38 L: 32 Varied snow, 3-6” poss.

THURSDAY (4/11)

H: 37 L: 29 Blizzard, 4-8” possible.

FRIDAY (4/12)

H: 37 L: 23 Morning snow; cloudy.

SATURDAY (4/13)

H: 44 L: 33 Mostly sunny; chilly.

Have a story idea?

Email News Editor Madison Diemert madison.diemert @mnsu.edu

2 • MSU Reporter

News

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Students advocate voting rights for felons

MARIA LY STAFF WRITER A student group at Minnesota State University, Mankato are currently working on a project to advocate and spread awareness about felon disenfranchisement and voting rights for felons.

The group consists of Jenessa Rudell, Sierra Sanders, Kali Shae, Emily Stensvold, and Luke Westman, whom are all a part of the Masters of Social Work program at MNSU. Awareness around voting rights for felons are very low, as many people do not even know the laws surrounding felons and voting. Minnesota’s laws on voting rights for felons is that a person, if convicted of a felony, has their right to vote revoked until they complete their sentence, probation, or parole.

Rudell stated, “This is very concerning because probation can last up to 30 to 40 years, that means you’re living, working, paying taxes in the community, but you don’t have the right to vote and express that right.”

Many felons who have lost their right to vote usually have drug charges against them, most which are non-violent.

Issues regarding racism is also a part of the challenge in getting rights for felons, something that has been a problem for decades.

According to the policy brief made by the group, African Americans make up 13.4 percent of the United States population and are

38 percent of the prison demographic. In Minnesota, African Americans are five percent of the population and about 31 percent of this demographic are incarcerated.

Westman stated, “Most people don’t know about the racial disparities in the prison populations, especially in Minnesota. Minnesota tends to be a more liberal state and however with that in mind, the demographics in the Minnesota prison population is highly skewed. A lot of the background policies that have sort of perpetuated these injustices is the federal war on drugs, because most of the offenders are nonviolent offenders regarding possession of substances and things like that, and that’s where a lot of this takes place and is rooted in, however, political framework has

give us an opportunity to really advocate and show them that they have a stake in this issue and how important it is to be able to restore voting rights for felons.” She hopes and welcomes other students and community members to join the group in advocating at ACLU’s lobby day.

The group suggests students who want to get involved in the movement for voting rights for felons should educate, research and familiarize themselves with the policies and issue.

Sanders stated, “We’re just scratching the surface of it, there’s so much information that we know, and there’s also an immense amount of information that we probably haven’t discovered yet. Being familiar with the issue and understanding what you’re advocating for, and discover you’re stake in it is a huge

According to the policy brief made by the group, African Americans make up 13.4 percent of the United States population and are 38 percent of the prison demographic. disregarded criminality, and all of this background stuff is ignored.”

The group hopes to advocate and join the American Civil Liberties Union on their lobby day, Wednesday, April 10, to distribute their policy briefs and further spread the message.

Sanders stated, “We’ll be going up to the capital with the ACLU to rally and lobby, and we’re also having the opportunity to speak with individual legislators who’ll

MEGA COIN LAUNDRY OPEN 24 HOURS 50% OFF WEDNESDAYS FREE WIFI & TV 1880 Tailwind Drive, Mankato

thing.”

One way the group suggests to get to know more about felon disenfranchisement is to watch Netflix’s documentary

the “13th”.

Stensvold suggested, “Even just reading this policy brief- it’s quick, simple, to the point, gives a lot of information for people who don’t know where to start to try to explore the issue- this is a great place to start.”

Rudell stated, “Our policy brief is basically saying that we do agree that this is the right step in the right

MNSU lSenior Art students will display their art at the University’s Conkling Gallery in three annual senior exhibits that range from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, May 7.

All artwork will be on display at 139 Nelson Hall, the Conkling Gallery.

Receptions will be held at 7 p.m. in the gallery on April 1, April 15, and April 29.

MINNESOTA lThe Mall of America and its Nickelodeon Universe theme park have been named as a certified autism center, the first destination in Minnesota to achieve the designation. This came after the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards required that at

direction, but it’s not going far enough, so what we hope to advocate for is that people take this a step further and challenge that a little bit so that we can move past it and restore votes for everyone.”

To find the policy brief about voting rights for felons and felon disenfranchisement visit: http://sbs.mnsu.edu/ socialwork/policybriefs.html

least 80 percent of guestfacing staff at the mall and its seven-acre amusement park complete the organization’s sensitivity and awareness training.

WORLD lTech giants like Facebook and Google came under increasing pressure in Europe on Monday when countries proposed stricter rules to force them to block extreme material such as terrorist propaganda and child porn. lBenjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz face off in Israeli parliamentary election today. lThe Trump administration is preparing to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a “foreign terrorist organization

VOTE TODAY! in the STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS and for the STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEE REFERENDUM

507-461-2246

www.megacoinlaundry.com s r

r

TM

Now Accepting Major Credit Cards

Centennial Student Union Room 280

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

News

MSU Reporter • 3

The harmful effects of substance abuse on college students

MICHAEL MCSHANE STAFF WRITER College students must go through many challenges before they walk down the stage to retrieve that diploma, but over the course of many years now, a new challenge has fallen on the laps of countless college students throughout the nation – substance abuse.

Substance abuse, which can range from alcoholism to addiction to a wide variety of dangerous and addicting drugs such as heroin and prescription pills, have increased alarmingly in the past decade.

Around one in four college students have used an illegal drug in the past month, according to a study done in 2015 by the Institute of Drug Abuse. Illegal drug use by college students have risen from 34 percent in 2016 to 43 percent in 2016.

Young adults finally having freedom out of their parents’ homes find themselves tested by their new-found freedom to try new things with new friends. The adrenaline of letting go, having fun and trying new things can place many college students in serious danger.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

The reality of the situation is that many drugs are not only addictive, but deadly.

In the last week, three North Mankato residents were hospitalized after they overdosed on heroin.

All three are expected to survive, but it should be a reminder that such drugs do not consider the age of the person taking it.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, opioid overdose deaths reach well into the thousands nationally in the college age group.

Thad Shunkwiler, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Health at Minnesota State University, Mankato who teaches drug education said, “Drug overdose is a serious medical

situation. Whether it be a friend who has had too much to drink or a complete stranger who cannot respond to you, calling emergency

primarily focusing on its effects on mental health.

Shunkwiler was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to the Medical Marijuana Research

“The adrenaline of letting go, having fun and trying new things can place many college students in serious danger.” medical professionals could be the difference between life and death.”

Shunkwiler specializes in substance abuse research,

Task Force in 2016.

Legally accessibly to many, alcohol remains on the top of substances abused by college students worldwide. Around

32 percent of college students reported binge drinking in a two-week timeframe.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that about 1,825 college students die year-round, with thousands of students being sent to the emergency room due to alcohol poisoning.

Students walking the hall may have noticed a pamphlet taped to the walls addressing how to detect if someone is going through alcohol poisoning. Going through the list of signs which each first letter spelling out “MUST HELP”, it represents the grim part of student life.

“Alcohol remains the number one substance that college students abuse,” said Shunkwiler. “Alcohol remains number one in part by access, there’s just as many liquor stores as bookstores around campus, and also by our culture which has normalized excessive use of alcohol by college students.”

Teachers themselves must deal with students coming to class either in morning classes when students had a little too much the night before or at night classes after students return after a trip to “happy hour” at the bar.

However, this way of living could have serious

ABUSE page 4

4 • MSU Reporter

News

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

How substance abuse should be approached in universities

JOSHUA SCHUETZ STAFF WRITER Last week, I wrote about American wages and the need to establish a national wage floor. I’ve previously wrote about food deserts and solutions to the housing shortage.

Today, I’m going to look at a different issue: job deserts.

Job deserts, are essentially an area with a surplus of workers and a severe shortage of jobs. These areas are usually located either in rural communities or in impoverished and deindustrialized urban neighborhoods.

Most of these regions were once characterized by a large company or industry which completely dominated the area and its economy, and which provided the bulk of jobs to the community. Since then, the industry has left, and nothing has arrived to fill the gap.

The results of such a situation are predictable: family breakdown, skyrocketing rates of drug and alcohol abuse, a growing informal economy whose often illicit work replaces that of the formal economy, and depopulation.

How does one deal with such a situation? There are a few ways. In cities, better public transportation can allow residents to commute more easily, thereby leading them to be able to find work in better areas. Encouraging entrepreneurship and business development in these areas is also a path forward.

In rural areas, there needs to be a strong focus on encouraging both people and industry to revitalize these towns. Incentivizing companies to set up roots in a declining area can lead to more small business popping up to meet the demands of a better off workforce.

In general, areas that need to be caught up economically should be designated as zones for said catching up, and public policy should guide both government and private dollars towards improving these areas. That means working with the communities on the ground, and it also means making sure that the jobs available are within reach of locals.

Otherwise, gentrification and displacement are likely to occur.

OLUWATOMIKE BALI STAFF WRITER Starting out college can be really overwhelming for students, which is why college students “are twice more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than those who don’t attend college.” Asides from the numbing effects of substances, students are forced to use drugs and alcohol as a socializing factor.

They drink and use drugs for fun which eventually leads to an addiction for most people.

Why drugs? The majority of those who use substances listed peer pressure as a factor. A lot of college students are pressured to feel among, drug and alcohol is seen as a socializing factor.

A fair amount of students claimed stress and anxiety as one of the reasons for substance abuse, having a lot of school work to do, jobs and exams can be really stressful.

Students turn to drugs as a numbing factor and a way to cope.

Some common forms of substances that are abused in colleges are alcohol, marijuana, and adderall,

Photo courtesy of Flickr

among others The key factor to handle drug substance use on college campuses is through prevention strategies, and some of them are mentioned

“A lot of college students are pressured to feel among, drug and alcohol is seen as a socializing factor.” below.

Policy and enforcement: Making policies and enforcing them with consequences is an effective way to prevent drug

ABUSE

Continued from page 3 repercussions further down the road that is more severe than a bad grade. Students using illegal drugs to combat a rough day or to simply get that high are at risk of putting their future on the line.

“There will always be a portion of students who want to change the way they feel for recreational purposes,” Shunkwiler states.

“What’s been growing in the past several years are students who are changing the way they feel because they aren’t feeling well.”

Stress and depression are just a few of the many causes as to why students drift toward dangerous addictions. Drugs are seen as that escape from the outside world. Shunkwiler himself hits the nail on the coffin when he said, “People lack non-chemical

use on campus. The school and administration should be responsible for enforcing policies.

Education: Students should be continuously

coping strategies in life.”

Students who do see themselves with an addiction shouldn’t feel afraid to find help. Minnesota State has multiple different avenues students can go through to find help. Student Health Services and the counseling center have the ability to help students going through substance abuse as well as any underlying issues that got them into that addiction.

“Students in college will always see drugs as a recreational way change the way you feel,” said Shunkwiler. “But far too many are leaning on these drugs to cover up the real problem, and that is where we need to focus our efforts in combating substance abuse on this campus and on college campuses everywhere.”

educated on the negative effect of abusing drugs on their health. Educating them on other positive ways to cope with stress and college

life. Equipping students with information can limit the use of substances.

Accessibility: Limiting access to bars and liquor stores can be effective at reducing alcohol usage.

Limited proximity to campus and lesser display or advertising of alcoholic products on campus Also, providing adequate counselling opportunities that allows students to talk their problems out instead of turning to drugs.

The consequences of substance abuse and addiction has more negative impacts on the lives and future of an addict. Therefore, it is important to put measures in place.

LOOKING TO MOVE? Check out choicerealtymankato.com for all your rental needs!

North Mankato, MN 507-345-3090

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

News

MSU Reporter • 5

Student profile: Pecard, a well-rounded writer and teacher

KAITLYN JORGENSEN STAFF WRITER You may have taken one of her classes in a recent semester, you may have ran into her at the KMSU studio, or maybe you encountered her at a workshop for Aktion Club Theater. While many talented writers may prefer to work more quietly behind the scenes, this is one student whose light isn’t likely to be upstaged.

Today’s student profile brings one of the College of Arts and Humanities graduate students into the spotlight.

Lorna Pecard is a Master of Fine Arts student at Minnesota State University, Mankato studying creative writing.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lorna graduated

Photo courtesy of Lorna Pecard

part about being in the MFA program through MNSU is that you’re required to take classes that are outside of your genre. At first I wasn’t

“Graduate school is definitely an uphill battle, and Pecard wishes underclassmen knew the importance of building relationships with their professors.”

From the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee with her undergrad in English and Creative Writing. She moved to Minnesota to seek out the artist community, and the graduate program opportunities MNSU had to offer.

One of those opportunities would be the 2018-19 Nadine B. Andreas graduate assistantship, of which Pecard was a recipient. Thanks to her assistantship she has had the opportunity to find her passion for teaching through her own Intro to Creative Writing classes.

Pecard stated, “The best

fond of the idea, but looking back it has made me a more well-rounded writer and a better teacher.”

Graduate school is definitely an uphill battle, and Pecard wishes underclassmen knew the importance of building relationships with their professors. “Something I wish I had known as an undergrad was to keep in touch with your professors, find one to essentially be a mentor, and visit them during office hours even if you’re doing well in that class.

That way, when you get to be a senior you have those contacts and people you can

YOGA MEDITATION Four Weekly Classes introducing yoga postures, meditation, and mantra beginning Monday, April 15th, 7 p.m.

No charge, donations for a service project accepted.

First Congregational United Church of Christ 150 Stadium Road (down from MSU) For information: markfmaya@gmail.com 507-779-9736

ask for references that will later benefit you in life.”

As if graduate school weren’t a heavy workload on

its own, Pecard also serves as a managing editor for the Blue Earth Review, a co-host for KMSU’s Weekly Reader, an author interview program, and a workshop facilitator for Aktion Club Theatre, a social justice theatre group for people of all ages and abilities. She has also been a teaching artist at The Loft Literary Center.

Pecard says that she didn’t originally set out to be a writer, in fact she began her undergrad by majoring in Pre-veterinary Science, when her interests began to shift, she later discovered her passion for poetry. Pecard still remains passionate about animal rights and environmental issues, which she portrays through her lifestyle as a vegan, and by fostering her four adorable cats, all of whom were adopted/rescued.

6 • MSU Reporter

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 EMAIL THE EDITOR IN CHIEF:

DAVID BASSEY

How volunteering for an organization can help you

david.bassey@mnsu.edu OR AT reporter-editor@mnsu.edu

EMILY ECKSTRAND GUEST WRITER Did you know that this week is National Volunteer Week?

In honor of this inspirational week, I thought that I would tell you how volunteering helps not only organizations, but it helps college students both mentally and socially. I don’t know about you, but as a college student, this doesn’t sound too shabby to me.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 62.6 million people volunteered at least once for an organization in 2015. While that may sound like a lot of people, that is only about 26 percent of people, and most of these people only volunteered one time.

Most volunteers happen to be higher educated, married, older, white, females. I am sure that these people are great volunteers, but volunteering is beneficial for everyone! Also, a little diversity wouldn’t hurt.

The goal of volunteering is to help an organization in need, but it also helps the individual in more ways than one. A study focused on college student volunteers in 2014 concluded that volunteering allows college students to achieve cognitive gains, to achieve leadership skills, and to gain time

SPRING 2019 FALL 2015

EDITOR IN CHIEF: David Bassey .......................389-5454 EDITOR IN CHIEF: Rae Frame ............................389-5454 NEWS EDITOR: Madison Diemert ..................389-5450 NEWS EDITOR: SPORTS EDITOR: Nicole Schmidt ......................389-5450 Kevin Korbel .......................................

SPORTS EDITOR: A&E EDITOR: Luke ...........................389-5227 LucasLonien Torborg .....................................

Repoter Archives

management skills.

I know that for me, time management is a skill that I struggle with and that I

According to Mayo Clinic, volunteering regularly decreases stress, decreases the risk of depression, and

“A study focused on college student volunteers in 2014 concluded that volunteering allows college students to achieve cognitive gains, to achieve leadership skills, and to gain time management skills.” need to hone in on. College students usually have a lot of things on our plate, so learning some time management skills by helping an organization is a win-win situation.

Other benefits from volunteering also include someone’s mental health.

gives you a sense of purpose.

For me, being a full-time college student definitely increases my stress levels, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life makes me lose sight of what is important in life.

This semester, I have been

volunteering at BENCHS in Mankato, and it has definitely helped clear my mind and help my keep my schedule organized.

Volunteering has helped me gain mental tranquility, and it can help many other college students as well.

Also, volunteering works as a great resume builder!

Looking at these benefits, who wouldn’t want to spend some of their time volunteering for a great organization? In the spirit of National Volunteer Week, I encourage all of you to put yourself out there and make a difference in someone else’s life, and help yourself while you’re at it.

PHOTO EDITOR: VARIETY EDITOR: Jeremiah Eberline Ayodele.................. ................................

Matthew 389-5157 ADVERTISING SALES: ADVERTISING SALES: Riley Grinstead.....................

389-1079 Mac Boehmer .......................389-5097 Kole IgouPoliszuk .............................

389-6765 Brandon ...................389-5453 CodyCrew VanDenEinde ..............389-5097 Josh .............................389-5451 Jacob Wyffels .......................

389-6765 Nathan Norman ...................389-5453 Emily Benz ........................... 389-1063 BUSINESS MANAGER: Max Mayleben .................... 389-5451 Jane Tastad ........................... 389-1926 BUSINESS MANAGER: Jane DESIGN/PROD. Tastad ..........................

389-1926 AD. MGR.: Dana Clark ........................... 389-2793 ADVERTISING DESIGN/ PRODUCTION MGR.: Dana Clark .......................... 389-2793

POLICIES & INFO POLICIES & INFO

• If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made call Editorsuggestion in Chief Rae •inIfthe youReporter, have a complaint, or Frame like at 507-389-5454.

The Reporter will would to point out an error made in the correct any orDavid misspelled Reporter, callerrors Editorofinfact Chief Bassey at 507-389-5454.

TheFormal Reporter will correct names in this space. grievances any errors fact or misspelled names in against theofReporter are handled by the this space. Formal grievances against the Newspaper Board.

Reporter are handled byUniversity the Newspaper • The Minnesota State Mankato Board.

Reporter is a student-run newspaper •published The Minnesota State University twice a week, comingMankato out on Reporter a student-run newspaper Tuesdaysisand Thursdays.

The Reporter published twice a week, coming out on generates 78 percent of its own income Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Reporter genthrough advertising and The receives erates 78 percent its ownfrom income through approximately 22ofpercent Student advertising and The receives approximately 22 Activities fees.

Reporter is free to all percent from Student Activities fees. The students and faculty, but to start a subReporter is free to all students and faculty, scription, please call us at 507-389-1776. but to start a subscription, please call us Subscriptions for the academic school at 507-389-1776. Subscriptions for the year are $55.00 and subscribers will academic school year are $55.00 and subreceive will the paper threewithin to fivethree days scribers receivewithin the paper after to fivepublishing. days after publishing.

Letters exceeding exceeding400 400words wordsmay maynot not •• Letters be accepted. accepted.The TheReporter Reporterreserves reservesthe the be right to to edit editletters letterstotofitfitspace spaceororcorrect correct right punctuation.The TheReporter Reporterreserves reservesthe theright punctuation. right to publish, not publish, at its disto publish, or not or publish, at its discretion. cretion.must Letters mustyear, contain year, major or Letters contain major or affiliation affiliation with the or university, or lack therewith the university, lack thereof.

All letters of. All lettersphone must contain numbers must contain numbersphone for verification purposes. for verification purposes.

THE OPINIONS OPINIONSEXPRESSED EXPRESSEDININTHE THEMSU THE MSU REPORTER ARENECESSARILY NOT NECESSARILY REPORTER ARE NOT THOSE THOSE OF THE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF THE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY SYSTEM SYSTEM OR STUDENT BODY. OR STUDENT BODY.

“Have you ever volunteered?

If so, for what?”

TAYLOR LEIGH, UNDECIDED “I usually volunteer at my local hospital and clinic.”

KEERTHANA SADASIVAN, DOMINIK DRABENT, STATISTICS AVIATION MANAGEMENT

ANJOLA ONADIPE, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE

“I volunteered for the “A lot, but my favorite is shelter “Yeah, I volunteer as a YMCA children’s house as a mentor.” work.” big brother.”

STEPHEN OGUNLANA, BIOLOGY “I have been a language partner.”

Compiled by Maria Ly

ADITI MUKHERJEE, IT (MS)

“I have volunteered for Sodexo for Asian Night, a charity event in St. Peter, and at a library as a peer tutor.”

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

News

MSU Reporter • 7

FESTIVAL Continued from page 1 amazing vocals with a cover to a Nigerian song “Uyo Meyo” and “Jealous” by Labrinth, and an original. Afterwards, Patsy O’Brien performed an Irish folk music with guitar and an outstanding and impactful storytelling style.

Subsequently, a Twin Cities based group named Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli, which means warrior of the first cactus flower, performed a Tenochica traditional dance that has strong historic significance of about 1000 years and have been passed down generations. It was a very upbeat and energetic dance that expresses their way of life, danced in their traditional attires and accompanied with a drummer. The performance in the Ostrander Auditorium concluded with a musical group named Urban Flavor who performed a soul, R&B, jazz and funk music which included the usage of musical instruments like the saxophone, guitar, drum, flute and piano. The group made emphasis on the bond of a family they have built in music and related it to a form of expressing their struggles.

They performed a beautiful cover of “What’s Happening

Brother” by Marvin Gaye and “One Love” by Bob Marley, along with some originals.

In the Hearth Lounge, student bands like Metsys and the Elements were given an opportunity to showcase their amazing talents through their performances. It also featured a student dance group named Lit Bros and Greg Herriges who performed a mix of progressive world music.

There was an also a planned event for kids to explore culture from different part of the world in the upstairs level of the CSU. The room contained booths from Africa, India, Asia, East Asia and the Middle East.

They had fun and educating activities like face painting, a popular west African Ludo board game, bead making, Holi festival, terracotta Diya lamp making, coloring books, chop-stick challenge, Mongolian puzzles, Shagai bone dine, Ramadan lantern and Egyptian jewelry craft.

The movie “Moana” was also playing with popcorn for guests.

A silent auction was held to help raise money for future International Festivals,

John Shrestha | MSU Reporter

Brother Ghana conducting an African drumming workshop at the Mankato Area International Festival in the CSU ballroom on Sunday, April 7 the Endowment Scholarship and for MNSU students. The auction featured items like décor, clothes, beverages, arts and crafts and other artifacts.

With all the amazing and diverse performances, there were also food from different cultural groups presented by MNSU student organizations, which gave them an opportunity to make money for their groups. The food court featured delicious delicacies like stuffed potato

chops, Mango Lassi, steamed Momos with sauce, fried plantain with crispy chicken, hibiscus tea, teriyaki chicken, kimchi hot dogs, gyros, pastry pies, wontons, Coca-Cola chicken-wings, boba tea, and many more.

In the lower level of the CSU, the festival gave opportunity for RSOs and community organizations to table and provide information regarding what they represent like, YMCA Mankato, Fair Trade, AFS Next and study

abroad programs, MNSU services, etc.

When asked, Jacy Fry, Director of International Student Services, what she hoped was achieved through the event, her response was, “I hope the Mankato community took the opportunity to meet our international students, learn more about their cultures and where they are from, sample some of the delicious food and see them for the neighbors they are!”

Week. On Friday, a game of musical chairs, titled King of the Throne, will occur in the CSU Hearth Lounge,

along with a Dragon Egg Hunt, which will take place around campus. On April 14, an awards banquet will

recognize the contributions of the Greek community and the faculty who support its organizations

GREEK Continued from page 1 to suffice. Every noble house shall have its banner unfurled.

On Tuesday, the noble chapters at the university will compete in a Cardboard Boat Regatta at the university swimming pool, contesting against Poseidon’s briny depths.

Wednesday shall bring with it a clothing drive, located outside the Centennial Student Union. Anyone with clothing to spare is invited to come and donate it. All

donations will go to the Salvation Army.

The event on Thursday, billed as the highlight of the week, will be a lip-sync Greek God and Goddess competition, wherein the Greek chapters at MNSU will put on a show for the audience. These displays will not only include music and dancing, but various displays of all sorts of feats.

All good things must end, and so shall it be with Greek

HOUSE FOR RENT AVAILABLE AUGUST 1, 2019 1103 HIGHLAND AVE. 4+ bedroom/2 bath: garage, CA, laundry, washer/dryer, 2 blocks from campus. $1600/mo. + utilties.

1 small pet okay.

Contact Jim at: 507-420-7057 or eagleridgekato@gmail.com

8 • MSU Reporter

Advertisement

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

MSU Reporter • 9 Have a story idea or a comment?

Minnesota State University, Mankato

EMAIL

Sports Editor Kevin Korbel

kevin.korbel@mnsu.edu

Baseball stays hot, sweeps U of Mary The combination of pitching and power guides the team to another series win

ANDREW NEURURER STAFF WRITER Minnesota State’s baseball team played a three-game series in Bismarck, North Dakota, winning all three games against University of Mary this past weekend.

The team had a double header Saturday, April 6, taking both games with ease.

The first game marked a 6-0 victory and another win for sophomore pitching phenom, Cam Kline, who extends his record to 6-0 on the season. Kline pitched 7 innings, giving up five hits and eight strikeouts.

Second baseman Teddy Petersen had a 3-for-4 effort, including a double and knocking in two runs for the Mavericks, while junior Ty Denzer and senior Jordan Hart also of their own had

Photo courtesy of Maverick Athletics Redshirt junior Ty Buck (pictured) hit a grand slam during the Mavericks matchup against University of Mary Sunday, April 7.

two RBIs in the first game against the Marauders.

The Mavericks as a team piled together 13 hits and ended up with two errors.

Regardless of those two mistakes, they played well and were able to get their 20th win of the season.

MSU had just as much success in their second game, just with more offensive

power. They picked up their 21st win on an 11-2 victory.

Redshirt sophomore Trevor Divinski picked up his third win on the season, giving up five hits and two runs in 6 innings.

Both redshirt junior Ty Buck and freshman Nick Altermatt hit homeruns in the victory.

Buck led the team with four RBI’s on two hits during the

game.

Junior pitcher Hunter Even picked up his first save on the season after getting in 3 innings of work. He only gave up one hit and recorded six strikeouts.

The Mavericks are now 22-8 on the season after taking the third game against the Marauders.

Redshirt freshman Kyle

Nordby record his third win on the season after battling towards a 12-4 victory.

Nordby came in to relieve starting pitcher Collin Denk after he gave up six hits and two runs. Nordby struck out

BASEBALL page 10

Softball steals two of three on the weekend The women gained some momentum this past weekend, improving their record to 20-14

MEL STRAMM STAFF WRITER This weekend, the Mavericks’ softball team faced off against the Augustana Vikings and Wayne State Warriors in two double headers. After two losses on Saturday, MSU was able to come back strong with two wins on Sunday.

Augustana started off Saturday’s games by scoring five runs during the top of the first and second inning.

The Mavericks answered at the bottom of the second due to a throwing error on a fielder’s choice, allowing sophomore Tory Richards and junior Carly Esselman to score.

Augustana then went on to conclude the game with

Photo courtesy of Keith Paap Sophomore infielder Torey Richards (pictured right) swinging at a pitch in a game against Augustana Saturday, April 6.

another run at the top of the seventh with a 6-2 win for the Vikings.

During the next game, Maverick pitcher Lexi Schoper

allowed only one hit for the Vikings during the first two innings.

However, Augustana would then score within the three

following innings, leaving Mankato down 6-0.

Freshman outfielder Kayla Monky scored a run on a double by sophomore

Courtney Potter. Unfortunately for the Mavericks though, Augustana answered quickly with six more runs on seven hits, which left the Mavericks trailing 12-1. Richards batted a home run for the Mavericks at the bottom of the sixth inning, but the game then concluded in six innings, 12-2.

Coming off of two losses, the Mavericks were hungry to score during Sunday’s games against Wayne State, and they surely did not disappoint.

Sunday started out with a win for the Mavericks in the first game. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, a walk for freshman Haylee Bridges allowed for redshirt freshman Hannah Hastings to score.

Shortly after, a single up the middle by Monky lead to two more runs which put the Mavericks up 3-0.

SOFTBALL page 11

10 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Virginia wins it all, tops Texas Tech 85-77

BRADY OLSON STAFF WRITER The NCAA basketball season officially ended Monday night, when Virginia defeated Texas Tech 85-77 at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

The first semifinal between Texas Tech and Michigan State was all about defense.

The Red Raiders clamped down on the Spartans, allowing only three players to score in the first half. That defense was key in the first half, as Texas Tech’s offense sputtered throughout the game.

The main catalyst for Texas Tech’s in the second half would be senior guard Matt Mooney. Mooney would hit four 3-point shots and score 22 points in the game, as TTU star player Jarrett Culver continued to struggle from the field. Michigan State was helpless on offense, shooting just 32 percent from the field as TTU won 61-51.

In the nightcap, Virginia

and Auburn provided an entertaining game that would come down to the wire.

Auburn, who at one point was down ten to the Cavaliers, stormed back thanks to a 14-0 run within the last five minutes of the game.

Down four with 17 seconds remaining, Virginia’s Kyle Guy hit a big 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining.

Virginia fouled Auburn’s Jared Harper, who would split his free throws on the other end. A controversial no-call ensued when Virginia’s Ty Jerome may have double dribbled bringing the ball up the court, even though there may have been a missed foul call on Auburn right before.

With under two seconds left, Virginia inbounded to Guy who missed on a corner three. However, a foul was called on Auburn’s Samir Doughty. Guy would go to the line, sinking all three free throws and handing Virginia a 63-62 win.

In the final, things got off to a slow start before Virginia got on a 15-4 run to take a ten-point lead. Texas Tech came storming back, hitting a barrage of threes on the Cavs as they took a 25-21 lead.

Virginia responded quickly, however, and would take a

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

Virginia players celebrate after the championship game against Texas Tech in the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 8 in Minneapolis.

32-29 lead into the half.

In the second half, Virginia would again strike first as a quick 6-0 run extended their lead to nine. Texas Tech tried to respond, but could only stem the tide as the clock ticked. However, with under four minutes to go, the Red Raiders would tie it up, thanks to an 8-0 run.

With 35 seconds left, and

BASEBALL Continued from page 9

Texas Tech down by one point, Culver hit Virginia’s DeAndre Hunter with a spin move and go-ahead layup, as Texas Tech pulled ahead 66-65. A Jerome jumper on the other end went off the mark, and Odiase would hit both free throws on the other end. But Hunter, looking for redemption, hit a corner 3-pointer on the other end.

Culver missed a three on the other end, but a Virginia turnover would give TTU one last shot. The in-bounds went to Culver, but the shot wouldn’t go as the game

Captain Morgan 1.75L

$19.99

went to overtime.

With 41 seconds left in OT, a pair of Jerome free throws gave Virginia a fourpoint lead. Texas Tech failed to convert on the other end, and Virginia would ice the game at the foul line. With the win came Virginia’s first ever national championship, and it comes a year after becoming the first ever 1-seed to lose in the first round of the tournament.

Also with this win, Virginia completes one of the most improbable comeback stories in college basketball.

Smirnoff Red, White & Berry 1.75L

$15.99

Keystone

Coors

24 Pack • 12 oz. cans

24 Pack • 16 oz. Cans

2 for $25.99

$18.99

Photo courtesy of Maverick Athletics Sophomore pitcher Trevor Divinski (pictured) throwing off the mound against University of Mary.

two of the three batters he saw.

U-Mary scored first and took a one-run lead early in the ball-game, until MSU battled back with a strong second inning. The Mavericks totaled eight runs in the second inning, powered by first baseman Buck, who hit a grand slam. That marks his sixth of the season after

hitting just one last year.

The Marauders had 10 hits, just one shy of MSU, but they didn’t do themselves any favors when they recorded six errors. It’s hard to win ball games when they are committing those kinds of mistakes. The Mavericks capitalized and scored two runs on those mistakes, completing the series sweep.

Coming up next, the Mavericks will travel to Aberdeen, South Dakota, to take on Northern State.

They will play two games on Wednesday, April 10 for a doubleheader. The Wolves are 12-14 on the season, as the Mavericks try to capitalize on a weak NSIC opponent.

Twisted Tea All Flavors 12 pack cans

2 for $22 Offer valid until 4/14/19

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Sports

MSU Reporter • 11

Nipsey tragedy takes sports world by storm After Nipsey Hussle’s tragic death, the sports world showed admiration for the fallen rapper

JOHN LAFOREST STAFF WRITER Some of the biggest names in sports mourned the passing of rapper and philanthropist Nipsey Hussle who died Sunday, March 31 after being shot on the streetoutside of his clothing store in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Hussle’s killer was identified as Eric Holder. Holder was a friend of Nipsey’s and seen in several pictures with the deceased rapper. Holder was taken into custody April 3, pleading not guilty

to murder. An hour before Nipsey was shot, he tweeted, “having strong enemies is a blessing”.

Nipsey was not only beloved in the music community but as well as the sports community. He was a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan coming to the Staples Center frequently to watch LeBron and company play. The NBA world was taken back with the artist’s death.

The 33-year-old musician, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom, had been a constant presence at NBA games over the years, and stars of the league took to social media to mourn him in the hours after his passing.

“So so SAD man!!” Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tweeted along with a series of exclamation points

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press Nipsey Hussle (pictured) was a musical icon across the landscape of pro sports.

and crying emojis. “DAMN man this hurt.”

“Please just open your hearts, eyes and ears!” he wrote in a follow-up tweet.

“Please let’s stopping waiting until we’re gone before we

SOFTBALL Continued from page 9

Photo courtesy of Keith Paap

Senior outfielder McKenzie Paap (4)

A home run for Wayne State by infielder Kim Vidlak allowed for the only Wildcat score of the game. After a couple more hits for each team but no scores, the game ended with a Maverick win by a score of 3-1.

Mankato softball would earn another win during the second game.

Singles by Esselman and Potter during the second inning would drive in two RBIs apiece, ensuring a lead for the Mavericks at 4-0 in the early half of the game.

After a score by Wayne State at the top of the fourth, MSU was able to answer with a score of their own through a score by Esselman on a wild pitch.

Little hits were allowed during the following innings until a sacrifice fly by Potter drove again Esselman home for the 6-1, which concluded the last game of the weekend for the Mavericks, putting the team’s current record at 20-14.

Up next, the softball team will play Southwest Minnesota State Wednesday in Marshall. They play a twogame doubleheader, with games scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

decide to finally LISTEN!” Kyle Kuzma, James’ teammate on the Lakers, added, “My dawg you will be missed… we still gonna run these laps.”

Russel Westbrook credited his historic performance of 20 points, 20 assists and 20 rebounds to Hussle. After grabbing his final rebound of the game, the 8-time AllStar of the Oklahoma City Thunder shouted “THATS FOR NIP!” He commented more on the performance and said, “That was for my bro, man,” he said. “That was for Nipsey. Rest in peace to Nipsey, man. I’m just thankful to go out there and compete at a high level, man. Thankful to have these teammates.

Thankful and humbled to go out there and play the game I love.”

N i p s e y ’s heavy involvement with repairing his neighborhood in Crenshaw makes the death so much more shocking.

Nipsey responsible for implementing jobs through opening business’s and also funding local public schools in the Crenshaw area. California senator and presidential candidate Kamala Harris tweeted this. “His senseless death leaves us worse off.”

“I grew up in gang culture,” Hussle told the Los Angeles Times in 2018. “We dealt with death, with murder.

It was like living in a war zone, where people die on these blocks and everybody is a little bit immune to it.”

Nipsey death left a rippling effect because of the great intentions he had to change the world beyond the music.

STRAWBERRY DOLLARITAS ARE BACK!

JOIN US FOR

1/2 PRICE APPS 3PM-6PM & 9PM- Close

BUY 1 MONTH GET 2ND HALF OFF!

ONE COUPON PER CLIENT. MUST PRESENT THIS COUPON. SET UP YOUR APPOINTMENT AT BUILDNTONE@GMAIL.COM.

No sign-up, no annual, no key or cancellation fees & Month to Month Contracts (new members only) STUDENT & MILITARY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE

261 BUNTING LANE MANKATO BUILDNTONE@GMAIL.COM

(ONE BLOCK FROM CAMPUS)

1900 Adams St. | Mankato, MN 56001 | 507-386-1010

12 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

The Showcase of the Immortals: WrestleMania 35 invades MetLife Seth Rollins, Kofi Kingston, and a women’s winner-takes-all main event highlight this year’s show

AARON YOUNG STAFF WRITER Burn it down! That’s exactly what Seth Rollins did Sunday night at the Showcase of Immortals, WrestleMania 35.

In a WrestleMania filled with unexpected turn of events, the show began with an unexpected turn from the beginning.

After Hulk Hogan made a surprise appearance, Paul Heyman raced to the ring, pleading for the match between Brock Lesnar and Rollins for the Universal Championship to begin the show, just so Lesnar can “go back to Las Vegas, where he’s wanted.”

And so, both Lesnar and Rollins battled it out for the belt at the way beginning of the night. Rollins ended up burning Suplex City to the ground after a low blow and three curb stomps and became the new Universal Championship.

What followed was a battle of legacies, where the “Phenomenal” AJ Styles took on “the Viper” Randy Orton in a clash of the titans, where Styles took him down with the Phenomenal forearm.

Roman Reigns, after coming back from a battle with leukemia, took down Drew Macintyre.

Batista fought Triple H with his career on the line in a No Holds Barred match. The battle was brutal, as Triple

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press The view outside Wrestlemania 35 on Sunday, April 7 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

H tore out Batista’s nose ring at one point. Triple H would end up winning this matchup, after a supermantype sledgehammer hit off the steps, followed by a pedigree to put Batista away.

Things got even crazier when The Miz took on the “Best in the World” Shane McMahon, in a Falls Count Anywhere match. At one point, the Miz’s father got involved before the Miz made a save.

The highlight of the match was when The Miz suplexed Shane off the tech platform, which resulted in a pin and win for Shane O’Mac. The Universe saw “the Demon King” Finn Balor emerge from the shadows to defeat Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental

title, followed by Samoa Joe crushing Rey Mysterio’s dreams of becoming the US Champion as well.

WrestleMania also was the last match for Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, but many would say that his match was a bust. His opponent was Baron Corbin and the fans wanted to see a surprise like John Cena, but instead Corbin ended Angle’s career.

Speaking of Cena, he returned in a segment with Elias, but for the first time in over a decade, Cena came out as the Doctor of Thuganomics, did his rapping and gave Elias the FU, not the AA. WrestleMania turned Iconic when the Iconics won the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

One of the biggest surprises of the night came when Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder won the Raw tag titles, ending Hawkins 269 match losing streak.

On the kickoff show, Braun Strowman conquered 29 others in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal and Carmella, New York native, won the WrestleMania women’s battle royal.

Tony Nese defeated Buddy Murphy in a high-flying matchup to become the new Cruiserweight Champion.

KofiMania ran wild as Kofi Kingston faced off against Daniel Bryan and after a great match, pinned him to become the WWE Champion.

Then there was the Main Event, where History was mad, as it was the first ever

Women’s Main Event. Raw women’s champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey faced both the Queen, Charlotte Flair, who was the Smackdown Women’s Champion and “The Man”, Becky Lynch, in a winner take all triple threat match.

All three women tore it up in the Main Event and despite a controversial finish, fan favorite Becky Lynch came home with the both titles.

WrestleMania 35 was one of the best Mania’s ever, and no doubt gave the WWE fans everything they wanted. Now with WrestleMania 35 out of the way, will it plant the seeds for what’s expected at WrestleMania 36? We’ll wait and see.

JOIN US FOR THE 12TH ANNUAL RECORD STORE DAY! WE OPEN AT 9AM FOR 12 HOURS OF PURE PARTY PLEASURE TO CELEBRATE THE INDEPENDENT RECORD STORE!

• Lola's Food Truck will be here from 10am-2pm (weather permitting) • FREE coffee from the Coffee Hag at 7am!

• We will be giving away free tickets to Death Cab For Cutie, Halestorm & In This Moment!

• 50% OFF all used DVDs.

HERE IS THE SCHEDULE FOR RSD 2019:

SATURDAY APRIL 13, 2019 OPEN 9AM-9PM

9am-Noon

Shuffle Function Radio Roulette with Shyboy Tim & Shelley Noon - 4pm DJ Sets 4pm Theyself 5pm Good Night Gold Dust 6pm Onion Bun 7pm CICADAkILLER (Times are subject to change) ALL AGES WELCOME!

HERE ARE THE RSD RULES: The first 20 people in line get to shop for 10 minutes then you must checkout. The next 20 get to shop for 10 minutes then checkout and so on.

There will be no saving spots in line or budging.

You can buy as many RSD titles as you want but we limit 1 title per customer.

No holds or special orders on RSD product.

s r

r

TM

507-625-6507 630 N. Riverfront Drive

REGULAR STORE HOURS: 10AM-6PM MON.-SAT. 12PM-5PM SUNDAY

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

MSU Reporter • 13 Have a story idea or a comment?

Minnesota State University, Mankato

EMAIL

A&E Editor Lucas Torborg

lucas.torborg@mnsu.edu

LGBT Center hosts another dazzling drag show

MARIA LY STAFF WRITER Hosted by the LGBT Center, the drag show, Wednesday, April 3, was a hit as new and past performers hit the stage.

Emceed by Victoria DeVille, the night started off with her mashup of Shrek songs and “It’s Not Easy Being Green” as she exhilarated the audience in her Fiona look. Later in the show she made the audience laugh with her Monster’s Inc. mashup as she dressed as Roz and held a Mike Wazowski puppet. “I’m watching you,” she would say.

The Rose Sisters, a student drag family, performed in the show with Princess Blue Rose performing a lip sync act of Cardi B’s “Money”, Luscious Rose with “Never Enough” from the Greatest Showman, and Aniyah Rose with a ren-

Maria Ly | MSU Reporter

dition of Rihanna songs.

Making her debut, the newest addition to the Rose Sisters, Cici Rose got the crowd throwing their dollar bills as she tore the house down with her energetic dance moves to Katy Perry’s

“Walking on Air”.

Dollar bills scattered the stage as volunteer Julia Knutson came on stage and swept the money away. Using her years of softball experience, she also threw free LGBT Center t-shirts to the

crowd as the t-shirt cannon was having complications.

KC Jae also made her debut as a new student performer. She made the crowd laugh as she came on stage dressed as a cow, udders and all, as she danced and lip

synced to “Old McDonald”, Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda”, Itsnickbean’s “Chicken Nug-

DRAG page 15

Movie Review: Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary” New remake proves that “sometimes dead is better” ly disappointing that the remake of his cult classic “Pet Sematary” is so disappointing. It is easily the worst film I’ve seen this year and commits the greatest sin a film can, namely being unbearably boring while also being terrible. I would rather watch last year’s “Holmes & Watson”. At least that movie was fun bad, in a “Room” way. This movie is so bad that I almost walked out of the theater. There is nothing to be gained by watching it, and I cannot believe that anyone enjoyed it.

The biggest problem with the movie is the complete lack of horror. I was at no point scared at all by this film. The jump scares are telegraphed for almost a full

KOLBY SPOMER STAFF WRITER Stephen King finds himself in a bit of a Renaissance period right now. Since his dominance in the early 80s to late 90s, he had somewhat faded from the public.

He was still well-liked, but nobody was making much of anything based on his works anymore. Then the Duffer Brothers came along and made “Stranger Things”, the Netflix hit inspired strongly

by King’s novels.

Thanks to that series, a new “IT” movie was greenlit, and it did incredibly well, garnering critical acclaim in addition to lucrative financial success.

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

Suddenly, King found himself making money hand over fist as new projects based on his

works kept getting produced, like the “IT” sequel and the much anticipated “Shining”

sequel “Doctor Sleep”.

With things looking bright for King lately, it is immense-

SEMATARY page 14

14 • MSU Reporter

A&E

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Singer Lil Nas X removed from country music charts

ALYSSA BUNDE STAFF WRITER Music is consistently changing and in times of great change who is to say where the line is drawn for specific genres? That “who” is Billboard. The company decided to remove singer Lil Nas X’s country rap hit “Old Town Road” from the country charts because the song was not, “embracing enough elements of today’s country music in its current version.”

Billboard released a statement to Rolling Stones regarding the situation. They stated, “Billboard offers category-specific charts simply as a tool for people in the music business to better gauge the success of songs relative to others in a given format.

We are often times faced with difficult categorization choices.”

The statement continued, “Determining which chart a song lives on is an ongoing process that depends on a number of factors, most notably the song’s musical composition, but also how the song is marketed and promoted, the musical history of the artist, airplay the song receives and how the song is platformed on streaming services.”

After the removal of the song, Billboard received widespread criticism. Billy Ray Cyrus was among those that supported Lil Nas X’s song. He took to Twitter to defend the young artiste. He stated, “it was so obvious to me after hearing the song just one time, I was thinking, what’s not country about it?”

Since the songs release, Cyrus decided to collaborate with Lil Nas X and remix “Old Town Road.”

Minnesota State University

Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves, Dan + Shay

Student Jordan Laak stated, “bringing in Billy Rae Cyrus because it [the song] was a great move because Cyrus was once considered not country enough for country.”

After Cyrus hoped on board for the unconventional country song, According to The New Yorker, Billboard seemed to backtrack and suggested it might reconsider its decision and make “Old Town Road” eligible on the country chart again.

MNSU student Kolby Spomer stated, “I think it all depends on what happens to other hybrids. Do Drake songs like “Passion Fruit” chart on hip hop or RNB? Do rap rock songs mad by 21 Pilots chart on both rock and rap?”

This is a valid question.

As music continues to take new forms and new artistes appear, will music genres broaden or become stricter?

Only time will tell.

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

SEMATARY Continued from page 14 minute before they happen, and the atmosphere is so drab that the film ends up being closer to a bad drama than a good horror film. Whoever the head cinematographer was should probably take a step back and look at their work, and then decide to quit and spend time with their family, because it is utterly uninspired.

There were points when I had to squint to make out what was going on. Another huge problem with the film is that nothing happens. If you know the basic premise of “bury things here and they’ll come back, but

ooooh watch out because they’ll be spooky,” you already can guess what happens. Now I understand that it’s a remake, but so was “IT” and that managed to have original scenes and scares.

This movie is a near shot by shot copy of the original, with one twist that was already spoiled in the trailer.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Well hey man, I haven’t seen the original so maybe I’ll dig it.” You’d be very wrong. My friend hadn’t seen the original and about 20 minutes in he had already guessed every single plot point down to when they would occur. This is

all due in part to the script being absolute trash, with the writers either being too scared or too careless to change anything at all or write anything resembling an original line.

When a movie is inspired by the works the of Stephen King, it not only creates excitement for hardcore fans of King, but also casual fans and therefore is easier to promote. It is obvious that the film-makers knew this and relied more on King’s name than their own talent.

Reporter Rating

2 5

win at ACM Awards Las Vegas - Grammy-winning duo Dan + Shay solidified themselves as the hottest group in country music with multiple wins at the Academy of Country Music Awards, where Keith Urban was named entertainer of the year and Kacey Musgraves won three honors.

Urban won the top prize Sunday with his ninth nomination for the award, besting Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean, who held the title the last three years.

“Baby girl, I love you so much,” Urban said, looking to his actress-wife, Nicole Kidman. “To the fans out there, you are amazing.

You have no idea what you mean to me.”

Urban also won entertainer of the year at the Country Music Association Awards in November — his first time winning the prize since 2005.

No women were nominated for the top ACM honor.

Musgraves was the sole women up for album of the year.

She won twice when “Golden Hour” picked up top album — as an artist and co-producer of the project. She was also named female artist of the year.

Musgraves said the award “goes out to anyone woman, girl, or anybody really”

who has been told “her perspective or style is too different.”

“Just stay at it. It’ll work out,” said Musgraves, who won four Grammys earlier this year, including album of the year and best country album.

Other categories didn’t feature many female nominees: Bebe Rexha was the only woman competing for song of the year with “Meant to Be,” while Maddie & Tae was the sole female act up for duo of the year.

But both honors, along with single of the year, went to Dan + Shay.

“I think somebody got the cards mixed up tonight,” Dan Smyers said onstage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. “This is all incredible. We are all winners tonight.”

Smyers technically won five honors — picking up double wins in song of the year as artist and co-writer (shared with Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon) and single of the year as artist and co-producer (shared with Scott Hendricks). Shay Mooney, who won three awards for his role in the duo, didn’t write or produce the song.

Even Thomas Rhett jokingly dedicated his male artist of the year trophy to Dan + Shay.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

A&E

DRAG Continued from page 13 get Song”, and the classic Kelis’s “Milkshake”.

The show also brought Minneapolis drag queens and kings to the stage. Nocturna Lee Mission performed throughout the show with an array of songs from Kim Petras and Avril Lavigne and Ava Max’s “So Am I”.

Before leaving the stage after her last performance, Nocturna Lee Mission talked about how she went to school at Minnesota State University, Mankato 12 years.

“Being with you all makes me feel like a corpse,” said Mission.

Besides drag queens, drag kings also entertained the crowd. Making his first drag debut, a new student performer Earl Gay with his suspenders looking fresh. He performed a quirky lip sync of “Once In A Lifetime” by the Talking Heads.

Fellow drag king, Sonny Sideup, performed an emo lip sync of “Mama” by Chemical Romance with a jacket a true rock star would wear.

Another new drag performer to the Mankato drag scene was Miss Ava Cado as she moved the audience with her live opera performance.

Making sure she didn’t lip sync, Victoria DeVille asked her to belt out a note, which she did without a falter in her voice.

Also new to the Mankato drag scene was Midnight Noon as she marched around

stage with her angsty dance moves to Lady Gaga’s “Judas”.

Luna Muse, a famous drag queen around campus, gave her last performance as a student. She served the audience looks and lip synced to a vast array of songs from Katy Perry to Kim Petras.

With their new sister, CiCi Rose, the Rose Sisters did a group performance as they recreated the Cheetah Girls and made the crowd go wild with a nostalgic throwback lip sync extravaganza performance. The performance was also heartfelt as they lip synced to songs that showed the sisterhood and bond of the group as the Cheetah Girls would sing, “We are sisters. We stand together.

We make up one big family, though we don’t look the same.”

The show ended with DeVille when she sang Sarah McLachlan’s cover of “Rainbow Connection”.

DeVille parted the audience with a small motivational speech about beauty, being different and embracing weirdness. “I think the most important thing you can take away from watching a drag show - yes there’s glamour, yes there’s beauty, there’s comedy, there’s feelings - but I think the most important thing to realize is that beauty is being different, that is what beauty truly is,” said DeVille.

Fashion Photography Club hosting Spring Fashion Show MANKATO, Minn. - Fashion and Commercial Photography Club at Minnesota State University, Mankato is a student run organization that welcomes all students to express themselves through the creative channels of fashion, modelling, and photography. We celebrate the diversity and uniqueness that is found within each and every individual. Our goal is to foster self-confidence and positivity through our club activities, which include weekly photoshoots and our annual Mankato’s Next Top Model competition.

This year marks the fifth cycle of Mankato’s Next Top Model, which is a six-week competition that challenges 12 models and a variety of photographers to capture expressive images in relation to a central theme.

This year’s theme is evolve, which fits perfectly with the approaching spring weather.

Just as the seasons cause our environment to evolve, so too do we evolve as individuals throughout our lives.

As this year’s competition reaches its final stage, we invite you to celebrate all the models’ and photographers’ achievements at our Spring Fashion Show and Mankato’s Next Top Model Finale event on the evening of April 12th, where the winner of the competition will be crowned.

MAV LIFE is back!

I think there’s supposed to be a cartoon here ...Well, oops! I gotta vote today anyway

Solution

MSU Reporter • 15

Photo courtesy of the Fashion Photography Club

At the show, the audience will get to see contestants from all stages of the competition walk the runway featuring spring ensembles from the local Mankato boutique Vagabond Village. Over 25 unique, vintage inspired outfits will be showcased, all with a fresh pop of spring.

There is also a brilliant lineup of performances set to entertain the crowd that you won’t want to miss. DJ Prate and rappers Leekthough and Gency are set to perform throughout the show. For the finale, the four remaining Mankato’s Next Top Model finalists will individually walk the runway to highlight their one-of-a-kind personalities and runway skills. The audience will get an exclusive chance to vote on their favorite runway walk, which will help determine the winner of

Mankato’s Next Top Model.

If you would like to learn more about FCPC and show your support for the talented MNSU students that participated as models and photographers in our competition this year, we welcome you to attend the event! Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance for the discount price of $3. Full ticket price at the door of the event will be $5. Tickets are on sale in the Centennial Student Union throughout the week of April 8th, and are also available online at http://bit. ly/FCPC_TIX for your convenience. For more information, you can search for our organization and our event on MNSU’s Engage website, or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat @ fcpcmankato.

16 • MSU Reporter

Advertisement

Tuesday, April 9, 2019