Feb. 5, 2020 by The Wichitan and Wai Kun

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Feb. 5, 2020 | thewichitan.com |Real Students. Real Stories. | Vol. 84 No. 7

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Don’t complain if you’re not going to vote

s politics become increasingly divided, it’s vital college students turn out to the polls so politicians listen to the concerns of a large portion of the population, but that’s only an option if young adults take the proper steps to enforce our legitimacy. The number of times people complain about rules and regulations, yet don’t make the effort to put in to practice their ability to make a difference, is the reason older generations scoff at any young person impassioned about a topic. No, the voting process isn’t perfect, but by refraining from participating in the only method of effective communication that impacts decisions in the government proves their neglect and prejudice against younger generations valid. By choosing to remain ignorant of issues going on in the news, Gen Z and Millennials label themselves inept. They are inadequate to have stances because they refuse to get off their couches and move their anger from meaningless tweets to action at the polling booths. Repeatedly, younger generations lament how they’re not taken seriously, but action that proves otherwise is few and far between. Older generations have every right to laugh at the “whiny youth” when they don’t have action, effort and research to back their claims. Complaints only matter if people take responsibility for their complaints and put the rubber to the road. People have to quit being irresponsible with their education and lack of involvement. Claiming ignorance only goes so far, and even then, it gives weight to people saying younger generations are uneducated and ill-equipped to take on the importance of engaging in the political system. It’s easy to be complacent in democracy and post hashtags that do nothing. It is substantially harder to actually care about what goes on in the world. Getting registered to vote is as simple as checking these boxes and then filling out a single form.

C A M P U S VO ICE S

The Counseling Center is the place to go

hen you first come to college are you scared? A more broadened question would be, “Are you afraid to bear the new comings that college brings to you?” If the answer is yes, the counseling center is a place that many students fail to take advantage of while in college. The counseling center provides Jordan many helpful opportunities that will benefit Breedlove them in a way that allows them to relieve any issues that they may be experiencing throughout their college life. For those who would like to truly know the process of going to the counseling center for any personal reason, it is actually quite simple. It is as quick as calling a loved one. Just call to make an appointment, and they will help you out with the rest. Once you have made the arrangements, you will just need to fill

My take on the awesome halftime performance

his past weekend one of the biggest sporting events in the world (best one imo) took place with QB Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs making a comeback victory within the last 12 minutes against the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl LIV. For the next couple of weeks (or until the XFL begins) Christian the major sports media outlets will live off of Evans everything the Kansas City Cheifs do following the everyday movements of the major players of the Chiefs as well as covering the sure enough incoming parade that will take place in Kansas City, Missouri NOT Kansas City, Kansas (duh). But I’m not here to write about the most exciting Super Bowl in two years. No, I’m not here to talk about how Jimmy Garoppolo fumbled the bag or how Google was absolutely wrong for making us all feel for Loretta in that ad. I’m here to talk about that awesome halftime show featuring musical artists Jennifer Lopez and Shakira along with surprise musical artists, Bad Bunny and some other dude who I and I bet you have probably never heard of. Now, before I go any further, I have to warn I have little to no exposure to the discography of either J Lo or Shakira; I might actually know more about Bad Bunny than those two combined, but I know who they are and I know a good concert when I see one. Due to the unspoken American rule that you should never watch the Super Bowl alone, I had the pleasure of watching the game with my friends. When the halftime performance came on, we were all just as excited to see. The first thing that came

EDITORS: Kristin Silva, Amos Perkins PHOTO EDITOR: Bridget Reilly Vol. 84 | No. 7

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out the necessary paperwork that they provide you, and you will be given a professional on-campus counselor to talk you through any difficulties you may be having. However, the counseling center does more than one-on-one sessions. They provide various groups for different issues that some of us need some guidance with. For specific example, there is a social anxiety group meeting every Thursday for those of you who struggle with approaching strangers or speaking in front of others. If you need any sort of help throughout college, and you are unable to reach out to someone, the counseling center provides you a place to freely talk through any troubles. The counseling center on campus is a valuable resource. It’s available to any student and faculty attending MSU. It is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and it is located on the corner of Hampstead and Louis J. RodriMarketing sophomore guez.

DESIGNERS: Brittni Vilandre, Omar Combie BUSINESS MANAGER: Jeri Moore

ISSUE STAFF: Cortney Wood, Christian Evans, Brian Lang, Jordan Breedlove, Stephanie Robledo, Matthew Tempelmeyer, Abby Jones, Dallas Wabbington, Khirstia Sheffield, Colin Stevenson, Gabriella Solis, Taylor Anderson, Christian Oseguera ADVISOR: Jonathon Quam

to my head was, “Wow, these scantily clad women are KILLING IT!” The choreography, light and firework effects were spot on, the outfit changes were crazy fast, and although, I couldn’t understand what the heck Shakira was saying for 80% of the set, that tongue flick thingy she did sealed the deal to make this the best Super Bowl halftime performance of this decade. Now after that, what honestly came to my head when the performance started was, “Geez, my mom would not like this,” a statement that was later confirmed by a text my mother sent in my family’s group message. But she was relieved that my baby brother and his friends were not interested in watching the halftime show and had turned off the TV to play hide and seek. Good for her. Going on Twitter during the halftime show, I could see that there were a lot of older folks that shared kind of the same sentiment about the halftime performance as my mother. I saw takes from folks upset about how much of their bodies showed, to “tHiS hALfTiMe sHoW Is NoT kId FrIenDLy” to even the “fact” that females shouldn’t host the halftime show anymore. I think that if anyone feels comfortable enough to expose that much of their body to the world without breaking TV censorship laws, more power to them. I mean, I know I’m not at that level yet (give me one summer), so I’m not gonna knock someone who is. Secondly, the whole idea of the halftime show not being “kid-friendly” is true. But, it’s not just the halftime show, its the whole Super Bowl experience. Odds are the same people who said they had to turn off the TV or remove their children from the room because of the halftime show also allowed their children to watch the

see HALFTIME pg. 4 Copyright ©2019. First copy free. Additional copies $1.00 each. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication. Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a email address, telephone number and address.

PHOTO COURTESY IMBD

Kang-ho Song, Hye-jin Jang, Woo-sik Choi, Seo-joon Park, and So-dam Park in Gisaengchung (2019).

PHOTO BY JERI MOORE | THE WICHITAN

Lyn’s Jerk Chicken Burger.

PHOTO COURTESY IMBD

Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, and Azhy Robertson in Marriage Story (2019).

Oscars 2020: the best of the best T

he Oscars are just around the corner and predictions on who will win big are running rampant. Eight films are nominated for the highest honor of Best Picture this year, and this is my take on four of my favorites. One of the top-choices for award pundits is Sam Mendes’s tense war thriller “1917.” Mendes shoots and edits the film to give it the appearBrian ance of being shot in one continuous take, a Lang gimmick that has been the film’s biggest selling point to audiences. The single shot is disorienting at the start, but it keeps the audience locked into the action and makes the movie feel like you’re watching a video game. The cinematography isn’t enough to make this film truly stand out to me, though, and with its limited dialogue and simple plot, it’s hard for me to see “1917” as truly deserving of Best Picture. While there’s plenty of outstanding movies nominated this year, one of my favorites is Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women.” This charming remake is filled with A-list actors that breathe new life into their famous characters. Gerwig’s clever editing adds fresh perspectives to this classic story and gives the worn-down plot a much-needed refurbishment. Saoirse Ronan’s Jo March is iconic and spunky as ever, but my favorite character is Florence Pugh’s rendition of the traditional villain Amy. While Jo stays steadfastly the same inde-

pendent spirit, Amy has more room to grow and is given all of the funniest lines. Even though Laura Dern (“Marriage Story”) has the Best Supporting Actress race locked up, it’s nice to see Pugh’s name on the list too. Noah Baumbach’s indie “Marriage Story” feels calculated to win an Oscar. It’s a modern-day “Kramer vs Kramer” that exposes the trials of divorce and disentangling yourself from the person you loved the most. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver pull out all the emotional stops in this one, crying and fighting their way to acting nominations and critical acclaim. Award voters might pan this flick due to its Netflix pedigree, however, and while it’s not the worst film that was nominated, it’s not at the top of my list. The dark horse of the Oscar race this year is Bong Joon Ho’s buzzy thriller “Parasite.” This Korean drama/comedy focuses on the disparities between the ultra-wealthy and the shrinking middle class in South Korea and the fascinating symbiotic relationship between the two. It has a powerful message but never feels preachy. Instead, the affable characters push the story along effortlessly and subtly change the genre several times right under the audience’s noses. Everything feels meticulously planned and perfectly executed and there’s plenty of symbolism to explore (if you’re into that kind of thing). Don’t let the subtitles scare you off because “Parasite” just might win the Oscars this year.

Fazmoz: A taste of the Caribbean in the south

azmoz is a new addition to the Wichita Falls international food scene. Located at 2611 Plaza Pkwy, this new Carribean fare is a great way to think of warm and balmy places while the Texas weather toys with our seasonal sensibilities. Jeri The Lyn’s Jerk Chicken Burger is a Moore marinated and grilled chicken sandwich with cucumbers, tomatoes and sauteed onions served with volcanic onions rings. I thought the rings would be spicy but they weren’t. I’d agree to them being called bomb rings. The meal was rounded up with a few bottles of Ting. I can’t stand grapefruit, but I’m in love with this soda made from real grapefruit. At almost $4 a bottle, I couldn’t order too many refills. This whole meal had set me up for failure and I’ve gone back many times after. The second meal I highly recommend is the Curry Chicken. Granted, it’s hard to mess up curry, but this dish was exceptional. Wouldn’t change a thing other than having a hot and spicy version of it. Why? Because I like to punish myself. The meal was served in large portions still steaming from the kitchen by polite waitstaff who checked on my table regularly. The beginning of Fazmoz is that the owner was an MSU student who sold plates of food to students on campus. A student turned business owner kind of makes you wonder where we’ll all be in just a few short years.

Feel strongly about something? Don’t just talk about it, email us your thoughts and see them in the next edition! Email us at: wichitan@msutexas.edu

‘Circles’ is the perfect unintended posthumous closing curtain

ircles is the 49-minute posthumous new album by deceased Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native Malcolm McCormick AKA Mac Miller. Mac Miller tragically passed away two years ago at the Christian age of 26 of an accidental Evans drug overdose, about a month after his last previously released album Swimming. Mac Miller began working on Circles along with his previous album Swimming, and as songwriter/record producer Jon Brion puts it, Circles was meant to be a “companion album” to 2018’s Swimming as a part of a trilogy of albums with the last album being a “pure hip-hop record.” Mac Miller had already completed most of the album before his passing and Jon Brion completed what was left to do based on his conversations with Mac Miller. The album’s existence was then revealed to the world by Mac Miller’s family via the late rapper’s Instagram account with his family remarking, “It was important to Malcolm for the world to hear it.” The album has no features on it, which only feels right considering the circumstances behind the release. The only single from the album, “Good News” was released January 9, 2020, followed by the whole album eight days later. The first song on the album Circles opens and sounds more like a eulogy than a song, as Mac Miller continues to address themes about himself in relation to the world with a lo-fi melody playing in the background. Jon Brion also commented to Zach Lowe on Apple Music that he added a cymbal and vibraphone to this track. The next song, “Complicated” is also a song that Miller played for Jon Brion before his

passing. The third track “Blue World” turns from the somber feel of the first two tracks to a higher spirited tempo that, at the same time, does not escape from the lo-fi feel that the album has up to this point. In the song, Mac Miller laments to the listener how things are a little crazy and shady in the world, but his message is “don’t trip about it.” This is easily one of the more enjoyable songs in the album. Following it, we have “Good News” which was the only single that was released from the album. This song also has a lo-fi/softcore feel to it and at this point, you’ll probably understand that lo-fi/softcore is going to be an overarching them in this album. From here, the next couple of songs explore the many different concepts that Mac Miller has been talking in an abundance about since his fourth studio album The Divine Feminine. “I Can See” sounds like a piece of poetry brought to life by Mac’s vocals and “Woods” has him exploring the concept of love and loneliness in another up-tempo lo-fi beat. “Hand Me Downs” has a Swimming-vibe to it as if it should be on that album and features Mac Miller reflecting on his state of mind and the way he copes to keep himself sane despite all that went on around him. The final song on the album “Once a Day” was originally recorded on his phone and was added to the album as the closing track Overall, the album is a great curtainclosing-in album form for a music career that ended too quickly. Mac Miller touched the hearts of people everywhere and his affinity to help others even when he needed help showed his selflessness and just how great of a human being he was. Circles ultimately gives us one final glimpse into the mind of Mac Miller, his feelings, passions and his thoughts. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best, I give Circles a 4.5.

Penn Badgley in You (2018).

PHOTO COURTESY IMBD

‘You’ shows a different perspective on stalking T

he Netflix series You is based on the novels written by Caroline Kepnes. It is a story that follows Joe, who is a charming man that will go to any lengths to become part of the lives of Stephanie those he loves. The first seaRobledo son revolves around the events within the first novel, which focuses on Joe’s love for Genivere Beck. This thriller puts its viewers into a false sense of security by disguising itself as a regular romance that begins rocky but ultimately ends with both leads living happily ever after.

from HALFTIME pg. 2 Super Bowl ads of which about half encouraged the drinking of alcohol and the other half was related to taxes, vehicles, and insurance; things that I checked and are confirmed not very kid-friendly. Also, let’s not forget to mention the fact that they are allowing their children to watch grown men speed their progress towards CTE, but that is a discussion for another column. As for the women, shouldn’t host Super Bowl Halftime shows anymore tweeted by an older gentleman as well, how much more

As the episodes progress, it becomes apparent that it is not a romance, but rather an obsession. You takes a different approach at the suspense by being in the perspective of the culprit rather than the victim. This new perspective allows the viewers to see the reasoning behind the offenses created by Joe and how he goes about committing them. Although the series is a thriller there are many moments of comedy and romance making it appealing to a wide audience. The mixture of genres is also a characterization of the main character who on the surface seems normal, but in reality, it is far from it. “Ok Boomer” and sexist can one get. Unlike some, I thoroughly enjoyed the Halftime show and I personally thought the coolest thing about it was the addition of Spanish songs to the show. The Super Bowl is a uniquely, American event so it only makes sense that it reflects aspects of American culture. America, despite what some may like, is one huge melting pot of different cultures, ethnicities and races. It was awesome to see another type of culture being represented during the Halftime show.

Respiratory junior

A Wichitan suggestion: I

f you’re one of the many college students who want to experience the world-building and fantasy drama of HBO’s Game of Thrones but don’t have the time to Amos watch 73 hour-long epiPerkins sodes, Netflix’s The Witcher is the show for you. The Witcher is based upon a series of novels by the same name written by Andrzej Sapkowski, namely The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny. The Witcher season one’s plot precedes the events of the main Witcher saga that fans of the game series or books may be familiar with. This fantasy adventure follows brooding loner Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a member of a magically enhanced people known as “witchers,” as he finds himself reluctantly pulled into the politics of the world around him. This series also follows the development of Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra) as an abused hunchback to an infinitely powerful sorceress, and Princess Cirilla (Freya Allan) as she evades capture to

‘The Witcher’

the cocksure bard, Jaskier (Joey Batey) provides frequent comedic relief. The soundtrack, composed by Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli, provides a mystical and beautiful background to the saga. The non-linear storytelling can be confusing at first, but it makes it that much more satisfying when all the plot lines come together. Ultimately, the show is carried by Cavill’s ability to make the gruff and brawny witcher a character that the audience can easily sympathize with.

Number of episodes: • •

One season Eight episodes

Status: •

Season two slated for 2021

Where to watch: Henry Cavill in The Witcher (2019).

search for Geralt. For those who need more in a series than just monster-slaying and magic, The

PHOTO COURTESY IMBD

•

Netflix

Warning: Witcher has plenty else to offer. The romantic subplot between Geralt and Yennefer is complex and gripping, and

•

This show contains graphic violence, strong language and nudity.

Comic by Abby Jones

Crossword created by Matthew Tempelmeyer

1. What country gave Florida to the USA in 1891? 2. Who invented the electric light bulb? 4. Which Italian leader was terribly afraid of the evil eye? 6. What is the world’s longest river? 7. What kind of animal is the jackrabbit? 8. What did Joseph Priesley discover in 1774? 11. In which U.S. state was Tennessee Williams born? 12. Who painted the Sistine Chapel? 13. What did the 7 dwarves do for a job? 14. How many events are there in the decathlon? 15. Who starts first in chess? 16. How many dots are there on two dice? 20. Where was Marco Polo’s home town? 22. Where is the smallest bone in the body? 24. What Spanish artist said he would eat his wife when she died? 25. What horoscope sign is a crab?

ACROSS

1. Name the largest freshwater lake in the world 3. Which river goes through London? 5. What type of elephant has got the biggest ears? 9. How many squares are there on a chess board? 10. What color are aircraft black boxes? 12. Where would you find the Sea of Tranquility? 17. Who is the president of Iraq? 18. What film star was in 9 weeks and is now a boxer? 19. Who wrote Julius Caesar, Macbeth and Hamlet? 21. Which is the only mammal that can’t jump? 23. What’s the smallest type of tree in the world? 26. How many prongs are on a fork? 27. Who gave his name to the month of July? 28. Name the world’s biggest island.

Comic by Dallas Wabbington

Sudoku created by Kristin Silva

PHOTO BY KHIRSTIA SHEFFIELD | THE WICHITAN

Business academic counselor Jaylon Williams.

PHOTO BY KHIRSTIA SHEFFIELD | THE WICHITAN

Business academic counselor Jaylon Williams advises general business sophomore Bruins Sibley and accounting junior Kyla Budgewater for their Spring semester classes.

“I try to set my students up for the best possible means of success” KHIRSTIA SHEFFIELD REPORTER ife after graduation, though it’s meant to be a time filled with excitement as students finally acquire the chance to create an entirely new identity outside of being a student, it can also be, for many students, a time of apprehension or fear. Life is unpredictable and, for many graduates, facing the real world while trying to discover their purpose can be both frightening and crumbling to one’s confidence. Jaylon Williams, sociology graduate, said she believes post-graduate depression is a real issue most graduates face. “After graduating in December of 2018, I had to realize that I was no longer going to be moving at the same pace that I was used to. I was involved in so much every day and was always busy, but the moment I walked across the stage, all of that stopped. I had plenty of moments where I questioned my next move,” Williams said. “I was really in a rut, because I was working at regular jobs that anyone without a degree could obtain which made me question, ‘Why did I even go to college?’” In spite of questioning all the years she spent chasing her degree and wondering if the sacrifices she made were worth it, Williams said she never gave up on herself. After 10 months of spending time in jobs that didn’t fulfill her, her hard work and continuous pursuit toward success payed off. In October 2019, Williams became an

academic advisor for the Dillard College of Business Administration. “I spent months of my life just being average,” Williams said. “It sucks when you go to college and you don’t see the big results many of us expect after we graduate. We spend thousands of dollars and years of our lives trying to educate ourselves to build a name for ourselves, just to end up working minimum wage jobs, but I always saw the light at the end of the tunnel.” Though she faced many challenges before becoming an academic counselor, Williams said she now more than ever realizes the importance of having a degree. “That expensive piece of paper, will create more opportunities to network and climb up the ladder of success than not having one will. Graduating college opens doors and allows your name to be in rooms you haven’t even stepped in,” Williams said. “Your degree holds monumental power and the impact of higher education should never be diminished.” Although Williams said she never thought she would be an academic counselor, she believes she has found her purpose. After months of adjusting to her new job, Williams said she loves being a strong force in the lives of all the students that step into her office. “I work with the freshmen, sophomores and transfer students, so for me being an academic counselor means being the foundation for these students. I am the face of

the university for most of the students that come into my office, so I get the opportunity to get a hold of them and really sell the university,” Williams said. “I love my alma mater, I am the person I am today because of what this university has done for me, and I want to pass that on and really influence students to take advantage of everything that this university has to offer.” Despite making an impact on the lives of her students, Williams expresses the challenges she faces while being an academic counselor. “I have to divide the line between being an advisor and being a friend,” Williams said. “At the end of the day, I can’t force anyone to go to class or make the grades. I struggle with walking on that thin line of friend and counselor because this is my job, and with some of the students, I have to put my blinders on and pretend like they are a different person. I can’t teach students to prioritize or stay motivated, and I’ve learned that sometimes you have to let them learn those hard lessons so that they can move on to the next level.” All in all, Williams said she spends her time as an academic counselor striving to build relationships with her students that will last long after they graduate college. “I try to set my students up for the best possible means of success,” Williams said. “Whenever students come into my office they can expect the truth that will guide them to where they want to be because I’ve

already been in their shoes, and I know what it takes to finish college. When they leave here, I want to know that they just didn’t get a degree and that I played a role in their college career. I take a lot of pride in being a stepping stone in their journey toward success.” Williams also expresses her desire to obtain her master’s degree so that she can move into a more permanent position. “I will most definitely pursue my master’s degree,” Williams. said “I thoroughly enjoy what I do so I’ve been thinking about getting a master’s in human resource development with a concentration in organizational psychology. I believe in elevation and doing whatever it takes to get to the next level, and I know to move through the chain within higher education that I have to at least have my master’s degree.” Though it may seem Williams has a lot on her plate, Williams said that doesn’t stop her from being extremely involved in her community. She volunteers with the Humane Society, she is a member of the alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and she makes donations to First-Step. Williams said she strives to live a balanced lifestyle because a balanced life is a happy life and she looks forward to what life has in store for her.

Sexual education benefits everyone

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION FACTS

Sex Facts

• You can’t get herpes from a toilet seat. • One in two sexually In light of the sexual assault that happened on campus Jan. 20, here is some sex education. This incident is still • You can get HIV from active persons will under investigation by MSU Police. getting a tattoo or contract an STI by body piercing. GABRIELLA SOLIS age 25. what you don’t and what you need. Community Resources Help and Support • A Pap test is not an REPORTER • The Centers for DisSafer Sex STD test. SU Texas has over 5,000 undergraduate stuThe Center, located at 4011 Seymour Hwy, Wichita ease Control and “At Midwestern State University, the Title IX Dedents from 44 states and 54 countries; the Falls, TX 76309, is a non-profit organization that of• You can’t get HIV partment provides students, faculty and staff with Safe sex looks different for many partners. Some Prevention (CDC) esdiversity is incredible. With this diversity in fers free services to the community. Included in these access to their rights and options under Title IX. people choose to use birth control, internal or exterfrom a mosquito demographics comes diversity in sex education, or in timates that nearly services are: a.) female STI testing and treatment for The Title IX Department conducts investigations nal condoms, dental dams, gloves, lubricants, toys or some cases, lack thereof. It is valuable to engage in the bite. gonorrhea and chlamydia; b.) pregnancy testing; c.) pre- into possible violations of MSU’s Sexual Misconduct 20 million new STIs discourse surrounding “taboo” topics such as LGBTQ+ a combination of any of the above. It is important to natal classes; and d.) ultrasound. For more information Policy, as well as oversees the university’s primary • You can get an STI know how to use all of these products; health providers about The Center, go to www.thecenterwf.org occur every year in sexual behaviors, sex with disabilities, sex while pregprevention and education programming related to answer your questions or individuals can seek out just through oral this country, half of nant, BDSM/Fetish and anal intercourse. Our communi- will sexual assault, interpersonal violence and sexual City of Wichita Falls Health Department, located at ties need informative and inclusive sex education, safer a Certified Sexual Health Resource at Adam & Eve to sex. 1700 3rd St, Wichita Falls TX 76301, offers several sexual harassment.” those among young sex practices and sexual health resources. get information regarding the topics mentioned. It is health services for free, or at low cost, with no appointTo report dating violence, sexual assault, sexunecessary to understand that any combination of conpeople aged 15–24. • Baby oil and Vaseal harassment, stalking, or other forms of sexual ment necessary. Among other services, the Health Detraception and STI barriers can still result in pregnanConsent line® are not okay misconduct, follow this link to MSU’s online form: • Even though young partment offers HIV/AIDS and syphilis testing for free. cy or disease transmission. Hygiene will help prevent https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?MSUto use with latex MSU’s Vinson Health Center, located at 3410 Taft transmission of infection. people account for Consent is a hot topic in society right now; many Texas&layout_id=6 Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76308, is the college’s health condoms. half of new STI cas- people have concerns and questions about what conFirst Step Inc., located at 624 Indiana Ave, Wichicenter for students. In addition to their many other sent really means. In a broad sense, consent is ongoing es, a recent survey ta Falls, TX 76301, is a nonprofit organization which • You can’t use a conWash your hands before and after play services, they offer well-woman gynecological visits and enthusiastic. Consenting to one act does not mean provides free, confidential and comprehensive dofor $90 and contraceptive counseling for $45. Appointshowed only about consenting to all; consent one day does not mean condom more than Clean toys with an antibacterial toy mist or foam mestic violence and sexual assault services. For help, ments are necessary; bring your MSU student ID. sent the next. It is vital to ask for permission before 12% were tested for once. before and after play call 800-658-2683. engaging in any physical acts; hesitation and inebriaAdam & Eve, located at 3905 Wayne Ave, Suite F, STIs in the last year. tion/intoxication automatically mean “NO.” If a person Get tested regularly for STIs. Communication with • Most women won’t Wichita Falls, TX 76308, is an adult boutique across your partner(s) prior to sex is pertinent; include quesis unable or unwilling to enthusiastically say “YES” the from Chipotle. While Adam & Eve sells lingerie and • CDC estimates that have an orgasm National Sexual Assault tions about recent test results, preference on contracep- adult toys, they also sell: a.) pH balanced lubricants; b.) answer is automatically “NO.” It does not matter if it is undiagnosed STIs through vaginal sex tion/STI prevention and sexual acts that you would like sex aids (e.g., vaginal dilators); c.) condoms (i.e. latex, your partner, if you have known each other for a long Hotline 1-800-656-4673 to engage in or avoid. cause 24,000 women time or if you only. polyurehave engaged thane, polyto become infertile • The average penis in these acts beisoprene, and each year. size is about 5 to 6 fore. It is autonlambskin); omous, so speak • The total estimated and d.) deninches. up and let your tal dams. direct cost of STIs • Anal sex is not an partners know annually in the U.S. what you want, activity just for gay about $16 billion. men.

http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/statistics/

Play involves students in SOCIAL DISCUSSION

PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN

Psychology freshman Brittany Roberts opens up in the after play discussion adressing that persons of color have to be “on the defensive” when in a mostly white community. Jan. 28. AMOS PERKINS MANAGING EDITOR he Defamation Experience, a play by Todd Logan, instigated discussion among the 76 students in attendance at the Akin Auditorium Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m. The play, presented by the MOSIAC Cross Cultural Center, told the story of the fictional court case, Wade v. Golden. Regina Wade (Krystel V. McNeil), an African-American owner of a small business, sues Arthur Golden (Johnny Arena), a wealthy Jewish businessman, for defamation after he accuses her of stealing a watch and allegedly costs her, her biggest client. The case’s verdict is left to an audience poll near the end of the play. Tuesday’s audience voted 73 in favor of Wade and three in favor of Golden. “The most significant part of [the play] comes from the audience being the jury for the court,” Zy Jones, business management sophomore, said. “Not only do you get presented the issue, but you also are a part of the ruling and, [you] impact the end result.” The final tally was heavily in favor of Wade, but several students in the audience admitted that Golden being accused of being a racist played a factor in them not siding with him. Supporters of the defendant were less vocal than supporters of Wade in defending their viewpoint. Kimm Beavers, actress and managing producer, used this to open up a conversation about

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Political science and management information systems Elexander McCray explains his view of racial prejudices. Jan. 28. how people value their own public perception. “Some people may have felt like they couldn’t vote for Golden because he was portrayed as a racist, and they didn’t

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Kimm Beavers calls on a student to voice their opinion about prejudices, following the conclusion of the play The Defamation Experience. Jan. 28.

want to be portrayed that way,” Beavers said. Along with deciding the verdict, the audience was directly involved after the play by answering questions from Beavers about the play and the social issues it brought to life. Discussion between Beavers and the audience lasted for the entirety of the 30 final minutes allotted to the play. “The important thing is you participate. That makes you very good in my book,” Brian McKnight, actor and director, said. The Defamation Experience opened up discussion for topics such as racism, classism, religion, gender and other forms of prejudice. Actors went into the audience and passed around microphones so students could offer their insights on these issues. Students were able to reflect on their own experiences and share their viewpoints on social issues in relation to the play. “There’s passive bias where you just want to be cautious [and] there’s aggressive bias, like in this case, where Golden accused her of stealing because of the color of her skin,” Omar Combie, mass communication freshman, said during the discussion period. Beavers shared with the audience her own view on being bias. “Our biases can allow us to hear and see what we want to hear and see,” Beavers said.

SHOOTING AT TEXAS A&M COMMERCE raises eyebrows for on campus safety

BRIDGET REILLY with physical aggression, improvise weapons PHOTO EDITOR and commit to those actions. wo women have died and a “The last step is to fight. If confronted by child was treated for injuries the shooter and there’s no other option to sefollowing a shooting at Texas cure yourself or run, then it comes down to A&M University - Commerce. The fight,” Coggins said. incident took place in Pride Rock Every semester, by state law, anyone who Residence Hall just before 10:20 qualifies as a student or employee is automatia.m. Feb. 3. According to the Comcally enrolled in the MSU alert system. This merce University Police Departsystem is powered by e2Campus OMNILERT, a ment, the shooting appeared to mass notification solutions provider. However, be a targeted, isolated event and to receive text notifications, students and emremains an active investigation. ployees are encouraged to upload their mobile This is the fourth campus shooting numbers to this database. occurrence to happen in Texas in “You can go to the webpage - msutexas.edu/ 2020 causing four fatalities so far. police - on the left-hand side column there is This event begs the question: a link that will take you to MSU Alert. In that what would happen if there was an link, if you follow the instructions precisely, active shooter at MSU Texas? PHOTO COURTESY OF MSUTEXAS.EDU/POLICE you can enter your information,” Coggins said. Patrick Coggins, chief of Police, How to setup cell phone number to receive MSU emergency alerts. “It also allows you to enter other phone numexplained a number of actions that bers, so if for instance, you want to enter your would take place for a call of that parents’ information, you can go into your aca shelter in place, where everybody is told to stay put and nature. shelter yourself until further notice. That is just one poten- count and enter their phone numbers so they receive the “Our on-duty police units are immediately notified of tiality that may exist. It may be that depending on the situ- same text as you would.” that call. They would constitute the initial response,” Cog- ation, the emergency notification includes instructions on While the MSU Alert system will be utilized in the event gins said. “Officers are going to literally flood the location a certain portion of the campus to leave or evacuate, but of a campus emergency, the MSU Texas Twitter and Faceuntil we are sure the situation is stabilized. In addition, what it boils down to is remaining calm and following di- book pages will also send out information on the situation. there are notifications that would immediately go out to rections as they are put out.” notify the campus to take some sort of action.” The MSU Texas Police Department has an instructional Sending a notification is situationally dependent, how- video pertaining to an active shooter situation, located on ever, federal laws are in place to determine when the cam- their website. It gives three potential options for surviving. pus gets notified. “The first step, run, is intended to create distance be“MSU Alert is the primary platform that we would use tween yourself and the assailant, which is one of the best to notify the campus community of an emergency in which things you can do in protecting yourself from becoming a they need to take some sort of action, whether it’s protec- victim,” Coggins said. “If you can get out of there safely, get tive or an evacuation,” Coggins said. “We have an internal out of the location and get to a safe location.” policy that is based on the Cleary Act, which is federal legThe next step is to hide. islation that deals with notifying the campus community “If you can’t get out of the location without crossing of an emergency. Once we are able to verify or confirm an paths with the assailant, the idea [of hiding] is to barricade emergency is taking place, we will make the notification.” yourself, make yourself safe, whether it’s in an office, a In the event that a notification is needed to be sent, Cog- bathroom, a classroom or anything like that in order to segins wants students and employees to remain calm and fol- cure yourself and keep yourself safe until law enforcement low the directions given in the notification. can arrive on scene,” Coggins said. “The notification would come along with instructions QR Code for the instructional video on how If running or hiding is not an option, the video instructs on what to do,” Coggins said. “For instance, looking at the viewer to fight. Attempt to incapacitate the shooter, act to survive an active shooter situation. Commerce, they chose to do a lockdown, or what they call

PHOTOS BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN

Jinx the cat perches on top of owner and general studies junior Brooker Hager’s shoulder. Jan. 23. | Max the dog responds to “who is a good boy?” | Max the dog comforts owner and general studies junior Brooke Hager with kisses.

The dog in the window TAYLOR ANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR ome students look to counseling and medication to help cope with the struggles of college life, but these students found comfort in their four-legged friends. Sarah Eakin, nursing senior, found hope in her furry friend, Layla Mae. The Blue Heeler, Australian Shepherd and Catahoula mix was given to Eakin as a surprise gift and has brought nothing but love. “I can’t imagine my life without her. She really has been the best thing that has happened to me,” Eakin said. Juggling nursing and social life can be a handful, but Eakin looks for the warm welcome and embrace from her best friend. “She always there for me; she’s there when I get home; she sleeps with me — it’s almost that she knows if I had a stressful day or if I’m upset. It’s like she can sense my temperament and pick up on those cues and is more consoling, but she also knows if I

need space. She’s very mindful of whats going on around her,” Eakin said. “I think she has a bigger impact on me than I can ever repay her for.” Similar to Eakin’s story, Brooke Hager, general studies junior, has also found support in a furry friend. Hager rescued her pit-mix, Max, from animal services. Hager was diagnosed with anxiety during her freshman year of high school and looked to her childhood pet, Sherlock, for emotional support. After moving away from home and not having Sherlock with her, she decided that it was time to adopt a friend of her own. Max encouraged Hager to continue to live life and interact with others. “I’ll get in these moods and stay inside all the time. He gets me out to go walking [or] go to the dog park. Human interaction,” Hager said. Little things like going on a walk or going to dog parks have helped Hager turn her anxiety for the best. “If I didn’t have him, then I probably wouldn’t go

outside,” Hager said. Over the years, she has built a bond so strong that it’s life-threatening. “I don’t think I could live without him anymore,” Hager said. While these two students look to their furry, fourlegged friends, Evin Alvarez, exercise physiology senior, looks to his scaly four-legged friend. “It is a whole different type of pet and requires a lot of care as well, so interacting with it is very helpful,” Alvarez said. The constant attention and skill needed to successfully take care of Alvarez’s chameleon distracts him from the bad days that come with college life. “It distracts me from the bad days I’m having. I have to physically interact with him every day in order for him to trust me. [Taking care of my chameleon] requires some skill which is good for me since it helps me focus on that and not other things,” Alvarez said.

LOCKER ROOM TALK

TAYLOR ANDERSON SPORTS REPORTER

lizabeth Cathcart (No. 43), forward and marketing senior, never knew she would one day become a collegiate basketball player, and now, she stands strong on the court as a Mustang. Cathcart started playing basketball as a child in her driveway while watching the UT women’s basketball team on television. She was given the opportunity to play Amateur Athletic Union basketball, but things did not start to click until after one of her close friends passed away during her sophomore year of high school. Basketball became a safe haven for Cathcart. “When I was on the court I would forget about everything, all that Adrenaline, you’re just in the moment. So that’s when I got basketball to get me out a dark place and push me to keep getting better and not to give up. You just fall in love with the process,” Cathcart said. All of Cathcart’s dreams and expectation of collegiate basketball came to a halt after seriously injuring her ankle during senior year of

high school. Unfortunately, her ankle was not able to heal in time for her freshman season and caused her to redshirt. “That part was devastating to me, because you have all these dreams and all these goals. I want to do this as a freshman, and I want to do this and this,” Cathcart said. Amid a tough recovery, Cathcart was not able to practice or work out for three months. “I had to stay off it completely. So I got depressed. You’re five hours away from home. The thing with injuries, they don’t see how many hours you put in the weight room, watching film, watching the sport on TV and getting out there to practice. When you have your whole world around that and now you have to stop, you don’t know what to do with your time. For me it was my grieving outlet, it was how I vented and coped with things,” Cathcart said. Fortunately, Cathcart had an army behind her to help her fight through the storm. She was able to lean on her teammates, coaches and athletic trainers. However, her journey was nowhere near over. Cathcart developed impinge-

PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN

Marketing senior and forward Elizabeth Cathcart ducks under a West Texas A&M University defender to shoot for two-points, Jan. 31, 2019.

ment syndrome in her ankle the following year. “My redshirt freshman year, I had to play with my ankle the whole year. [I took] 800mg ibuprofen, oral steroids, cortisone shots, you name it. Again, I started to get depressed because I can’t play four years like this,” Cathcart said. Cathcart and the athletic trainers were able to find a successful surgery solution, and Cathcart underwent a full recovery and was ready for next season. Hopes were high as Cathcart started her redshirt sophomore year, but no one expected another storm to come. “Seventh game I broke my back. My L5 and slightly bulgy disk. That’s when I’m just sitting there, asking if I’m supposed to play basketball. I’m in complete disbelief about it, too,” Cathcart said. The injury left Cathcart speechless toward her teammates, families and herself. With nobody else to lean on, Cathcart took on a new hobby. “I started cooking. I told my mom that I’m canceling the meal plan and just going for it. She thought I was crazy, but I’m making enchiladas now,” Cathcart said. Through all the highs and lows throughout her career, Cathcart chose to look at the bright side. “You learn so much about pushing through and persevering. It’s preparing me for life,” Cathcart said. Not only is Cathcart deciding to look up, she is able to look up to her Head Coach Noel Johnson as she battles cancer. “She tells us everything she went through as an athlete has prepared her mindset for battling cancer. She attacks it like she did when she played. To have her as a role model and other teammates around me through the injuries, it’s a blessing,” Cathcart said. Comeback kid Cathcart is back and dominating her senior year. Even though she is close to walking the stage, Cathcart keeps pushing to lead her team with character and hard work. “I want to keep being an example for my teammates on what it means to be dedicated to the grind and fall in love with the journey,” Cathcart said. Mica Schneider (No. 4), guard and finance senior, also started her basketball journey in her driveway, shooting around at the age of five. She said Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs were her biggest influences. However, Schneider didn’t realize her own potential until eighth-grade, after she received her first college letter. “That was reality: that I can actually play

college ball. That was the first time I got exposure to college scouts. It was kinda surreal,” Schneider said. At first, being recruited by college scouts felt unreal. Now, Schneider works to lead her team to victory, even through personal adversity. “My senior of high school [and freshmen year], I tore my ACL, and I had to recover from that. Reality hit that I’m not 100 percent from that; I’m not as fast, I’m not as athletic I used to be,” Schneider said.

PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN

Business finance senior and guard Mica Schneider takes a successful jump shot and scores against Texas A&M University Kingsville. Jan. 30.

A VI CTOR I OU S DAY I N T HE D OME PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Kinesiology redshirt freshman Frances King dribbles along the court towards the opponents goal. Feb. 1.

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Accounting freshman and guard Markayla Johnson goes for a 3-point goal. Feb. 1. PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Business Finance senior and guard Mica Schneider faces down an opposing player. Feb. 1.

PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN

Radiology junior and forward Kityana Diaz protects the ball from a Texas A&M University International defender. Feb. 1.

Fans in the Dome witnessed a complete sweep for men and women basketball against Texas A&M International Saturday, Feb. 1. The atmosphere was aggressive as both teams bounced back from losses against Texas A&M Kingsville earlier in the week.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (87-77) The women started the day off with Elizabeth Cathcart (No. 43), forward and marketing senior, storming the court with a bang, scoring eight points within the first four minutes of the first quarter. The Mustangs put up a strong defense against the Dust Devils, only allowing them to score 20 points in the period. Mica Schneider (No. 4), guard and finance senior, made a 3-point buzzer-beater to advance the Mustangs to 24-20 at the

end of the first quarter. The Mustangs put up a competitive first half, leading the game 51-39. The team started the third quarter off a little rocky, with the Dust Devils closing the gap 66-55. However, that didn’t stop the Mustangs as they charged in the fourth quarter shooting five points within the first two minutes. Markayla Johnson (No. 12), guard and accounting freshman, came off the bench during the fourth quarter, capturing a career high six points. “Get in and play hard, keep the same energy as the team before we had on the court. It’s all about believing in yourself, and that’s what I did,” Johnson said. “I just went in there and said to just play your game.” Schneider ended the night with a career high of 26 points and lead her team to victory, beating the Dust Devils 87-77. The team celebrated its victory without Noel Johnson, head wom-

en’s basketball coach. Coach Johnson was unable to be on the court with her team as she was not feeling well due to her fight with ovarian cancer. “The way I saw it was, the CEO is not always in the office. They tell you what to do and they tell you how to do it,” Cathcart said. “You have to keep doing your job, so if the boss steps out for lunch, or they’re not feeling well, you have to do what’s expected of you. I thought we did pretty well on that today.” Assistant Coach Christopher Reay stepped into the head coach position for the game. “Some days are better than others. She’s had days where she misses practice; it just had fallen on a game day. We tried to give her rest this morning during shoot around [but] she still wasn’t feeling up to it. I’m just proud of the team for the way they responded and performed,” Reay said.

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Mass Communication senior and guard Elijah Lee dodges between opposing players while dribbling the ball. Feb. 1.

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Business sophomore and guard Trae Jones reaches for a successful layup as his momentum carries him out-of-bounds against Texas A&M University International. Feb. 1. (Left)

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Mass Communication senior and guard Darius Thompson jumps for a 3-point on the opponents goal. Feb. 1. (Left)

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Senior guard D’Monta Harris jumps for a shot on the opponents goal. Feb. 1.

MEN’S BASKETBALL (99-58) The men’s team continued the fight against the Dust Devils. D’Monta Harris (No. 13), guard and undecided senior, lit up the net by scoring 11 out of the team’s 16 points within the first five minutes. The Mustangs followed behind him, as scoring 19 points in the first half. Harris continued to lead the team with 13 points and Ola Ayodele (No. 15), guard and general studies senior, led with three rebounds. The Mustangs continued to push through as they finished the first half victorious 4321 against the Dust Devils. The team’s intense drive followed into the second half as Harris added six more points. Halfway through the last half, the Mustangs stampeded into a 30 point lead. Darius Thompson (No. 3), guard and mass communication senior, protected the net with three blocks. Elijah Lee (No. 1), guard and mass communication senior,

posted his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. “I really was just having fun today, and the rest just took care of itself,” Lee said. Lee’s pressure on the net and Harris’s phenomenal 26-point game helped his team advance to a 35-point lead against the Dust Devils. As the clock ran out, the Mustangs kept pushing hard to berth a new team high with 15 made 3-pointers. “We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. We continue to progress on and get better and better each day, and today was a clear sign of that. I think we’ll be alright and today was fun,” Harris said. The Mustangs ended the week with a victory against the Dust Devils 99-58. “What I was so proud of tonight [was that] it wasn’t a game where I was on the sidelines calling a million plays. This was

them being basketball players, doing fundamental reads,” Justin Leslie, head men’s basketball coach, said. “The best part for me was the fact that we had 25 assists as a team. When you’re sharing the ball and making the larger plays and passing like that, it’s just so contagious in the right way and so exciting to see.”

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Business sophomore and guard Trae Jones passes the ball to a teammate. Feb 1. (Below)

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN OSEGUERA | THE WICHITAN

Marketing senior and guard Elizabeth Cathcart goes for a lay up between two Texas A&M University International defenders. Feb. 1.

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Accounting freshman and guard Markayla Johnson jumps for a goal. Feb. 1. PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN OSEGUERA | THE WICHITAN

Mass communication senior and guard Elijah Lee shoots a jumper. Feb. 1. (Below) PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN OSEGUERA | THE WICHITAN

General studies senior and forward Ola Ayodele takes flight for the opening tip off against Texas A&M International. Feb. 1. (Left)

PHOTO BY BRIDGET REILLY | THE WICHITAN

Criminal justice freshman and forward Daniel Mosley scores with pressure from a defender from Texas A&M University International. Feb. 1. (Left)