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New poetry club at UC ANDREA WARD | CONTRIBUTOR
Chairs and lime-green couches are arranged in a large circle next to the stacks in the Elliston Poetry Room in Langsam Library. Roughly 30 students talk and laugh while music plays in the background, and different scenes flash from a projection that stretches across the ceiling and the far wall. A podium placed next to a stack closes the circle. There’s enough room for someone to stand behind it without bumping elbows with a shelf that houses a portion of the room’s poetry collection. Nineteen students stand behind the podium this evening, and each of them share some of their poetry. This is the first open mic
of the Cincinnati Poetry Collective, a new poetry club at the University of Cincinnati. Organizers Ryan Talbot, Malik Aguiniga and Ava Whitson, all of whom are second-year students at UC, founded the club to fill a poetry hole on campus, they said. The three of them met in fall 2018 when they sat next to each other during a small introductory poetry class taught by Kimberly Grey. “All throughout the class, we kind of slowly opened up with each other,” said Aguiniga, the vice president of the club and a communications student. Talbot, Aguiniga and Whitson have been writing since childhood, but Grey’s class cemented their shared Poetry Continued on Page 2
Hannah Beachler, a University of Cincinnati DAAP graduate, won an Academy Award for Best Production Design. PROVIDED BY DAVID AGELL | CREDIT TO CHRIS BRITT
DAAP graduate wins Academy Award KEELY BROWN | NEWS EDITOR Hannah Beachler, a University of Cincinnati graduate, recently became the first African-American to win an Oscar at the 2019 Academy Awards for best production design. Beachler was nominated for her work on the 2018 blockbuster film “Black Panther.” Beachler, 48, first attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where she studied film. She later became a student at UC’s College of
Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), where she studied fashion design before landing her dream job on the “Black Panther” production team. DAAP programs are annually ranked among other top world and national class programs. Beachler’s time at UC prepared her for a job as a production designer. Throughout her career, she has worked on numerous notable movies, including the 2015 Rocky film “Creed,” the 2016 best-picture winning drama
“Moonlight,” the Miles Davis biopic “Miles Ahead” and Beyoncé’s 2016 television special and visual album “Lemonade.” “Black Panther,” produced by Marvel Studios, is the world’s ninth highestgrossing film of all time, racking up $1.35 billion at the box office. According to Marvel’s website, the movie follows the story of T’Challa, a superhero who steps up to lead DAAP Oscar Continued on Page 4
A member of Cincinnati Poetry Collective reads one of her poems at the Cincinnati Poetry Collective’s first event on Feb. 28, 2019 in the Elliston Poetry Room in Langsam Library. ALEX MARTIN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
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Students launch poetry club in Langsam Poetry Continued from Cover passion for poetry. “That class totally changed my life,” said Whitson, the art director of the club and a fine arts student. The class visited the Elliston Poetry Room, and after that, the idea of launching a poetry club took root. “We’re like, hey, let’s establish something diverse, artistic and get people cranking,” said Talbot, president of the club and an English student. They were encouraged to do so by Grey and Michael Peterson, the curators of the room. Talbot, Aguiniga and Whitson collaborated over winter break to formally establish the club. “This is just really important to all three of us,” said Whitson. “That definitely kept the momentum going all through the process of getting things together.” The Feb. 28 open mic was the club’s first. They wanted
to start with something a little lighter to encourage more students check it out, Talbot said. Organizers began the event by sharing some background information about the club. Afterward, each of them shared a poem, and Aguiniga encouraged attendees to snap after each reading. They then called names from the list of students who signed up to read. After going through the list, they opened the floor to anyone who wanted to share a poem. The room filed with the sound of snapping fingers after each speaker finished reading. “It’s beautiful to see just kind of UC’s lifeblood spilling into this room,” Talbot said. Talbot closed the open mic portion with another poem, and Aguiniga ended the event by leading a haiku prompt about pizza and tacos. The turnout was higher than any of the organizers
expected. “We had a great turnout because it was built with love,” Aguiniga said. Keress Weidner, a firstyear English student and an assistant at the library, said he heard about the open mic event from a friend. “The shear turnout in itself was surprising,”Weider said. “I was elated to see it.” More than 30 students came, and the event ran for about two hours. Twenty-two students shared a combined 33 poems in the Elliston Poetry Room — a room that poets like Robert Frost and John Ashbery have read, lectured and workshopped in. The room continues to host renowned poets every year, Peterson said. The room is named after George Elliston, a woman who worked as a news reporter for the now-defunct Cincinnati Times-Star at a time when few women were allowed to write hard news, according to the Elliston Poetry Room section of the UC Libraries website. She
was also a poet, and she left money to the university to establish “a chair of poetry to encourage and promote the study and composition of poetry.” Talbot, Aguiniga, and Whitson want to keep the poetry tradition alive in the Elliston Poetry Room, around campus and, if their club is successful, around the city. For now, their focus is building a community for UC undergraduates to share and workshop poetry, they said. The Cincinnati Poetry Collective meets every Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Elliston Poetry Room to workshop, talk and hang out with anyone who is interested in writing or learning more about poetry. More information can be found @cincypoetrycollective on Instagram. Information on Elliston Poetry Room events can be found at the Visiting Writers Series section of the UC Department of English website or @ ellistonpoetryroom on Instagram.
Malik Aguiniga, vice president of Cincinnati Poetry Collective, reads a poem. ALEX MARTIN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
LET’S MARCH UNBEATABLE UC BASKETBALL COVERAGE
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Two hundred years of Boldly Bearcat women — Part III ELIZABETH SCHMITT | FEATURES EDITOR This the third installment of an ongoing series that pays homage to women who have influenced the University of Cincinnati and its surrounding community.
Evelyn Venable (1913-1993)
As the voice of the blue fairy in Disney’s “Pinocchio,” Evelyn Venable radiated the sound of ethereality — an essence that was mirrored in her on-screen presence in films like “Death Takes a Holiday” and “Cradle Song.” A Cincinnati native, Venable attended the CollegeConservatory of Music, but she left the college in 1933 to join a Shakespearean acting troupe, according to UC Magazine. After playing Ophelia in “Hamlet” at the Los Angeles Biltmore Theatre, she signed a film contract with Paramount Talent. The starlet played timid leading roles which, according to IMBD, resonated with her off-screen presence as well. Often described as luminous, Venable has claimed to be the inspiring figure for Columbia Pictures’“lady of liberty” logo. The actress eventually earned her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and married cinematographer Hal Mohr. After the birth of her two daughters in the early 1940s, Venable gave up her film career to raise children. After her daughters were grown, Venerable enrolled at UCLA and earned degrees in Latin and Greek. Then, in 1967, she joined the staff at UCLA as a professor in classics and drama. She spent the rest of her days as an educator before she died of cancer in 1993.
Monica Nolan (1913-1995)
In 1979, UC inducted Monica Nolan into the James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame for her incredible tennis career. While Nolan was an extraordinary athlete who played tennis, field hockey and basketball for UC, she was also a fierce, career-driven woman. She won many regional tennis tournaments and qualified for the Wimbledon Tennis
Championship, but she was never able to compete due to then-ongoing World War II conflicts. Nolan was actively involved in the tennis community and served on the Women’s Committee for the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association. She was also the first president of Ten Plus, a support group organized for UC’s women’s athletics, according to the UC Hall of Fame. Nolan, outspoken in her life as she was in her career, ventured into the workforce as a stockbroker who advocated for equality in the workplace. Often referred to as a “noisy feminist,” she campaigned as a Democrat for a congressional bid in 1962, but she ultimately lost to her opponent, three-time Cincinnati mayor Carl W. Rich. Still, Nolan continued to be a dominant force in the business sector. In 1990, Cincinnati Magazine described her as “a stockbroker and a rather formable athlete, ran for U.S. Congress in the early ‘60s. She has an old-fashioned, enthusiastic, arm-swinging, pre-soundbite speaking style that reminded us of the days when the government seemed to be possible and even respectable.”
Marian A. Spencer (1920-present)
A beloved figure in the Cincinnati community and namesake of UC’s newly opened residence hall, Spencer graduated from UC in 1942 with a degree in English. She is considered one of earliest and most visible civil rights activists in Cincinnati, according to a biography by the Cincinnati History Library and Archives. Spencer grew up in Gallipolis, Ohio, and from an early age, she experienced racism and its impact on the AfricanAmerican community firsthand. When Spencer was 8 years old, the Ku Klux Klan hosted a moonlight march in her hometown, according to CityBeat. Spencer’s father used the experience to instill fearlessness in his daughter — a trait she carried with her for the rest of her life. In 1952, Spencer displayed her fearlessness while fighting for equality for her own children as she chaired the NAACP Legal Action vs. Coney Island case. The case, which Spencer filed and won, desegregated Coney Island — allowing all children to enjoy the park regardless of the color of their skin. From there, Spencer’s momentum lead her to work as a civil rights advocate, and much of her work focused on desegregating public schools. Spencer is a skilled negotiator, which she exhibited after successfully merging an African-American YMCA in the West End with an all-white YMCA to open a metropolitan YMCA downtown. She has spent much of her life working in the NAACP, and she became the first female president of the organization’s Cincinnati branch in 1981. Spencer went on to serve on city council as a Charterite, was a member of UC’s board of trustees and has received several other prestigious awards. At 98 years old, Spencer continues to be an empowering woman in the Cincinnati community who often appears on campus for events.
Dorothy “Dottie” Mueller Braun (1928-2014)
Marian Spencer is a civil rights activist in Cincinnati and “... A great example to our (University of Cincinnati) students,” according to UC President Neville Pinto. PROVIDED BY UC MAGAZINE
Like Nolan, Dorothy “Dottie” Mueller Braun was an incredible athlete. During her time at UC, Braun received varsity letters for basketball, swimming, rifle, archery, volleyball and bowling. She graduated from UC in 1950 and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa honorary and Mortar Board honorary and was awarded a “C” ring. For her incredible athleticism and superior integrity, Braun was inducted to UC’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. After earning her master’s degree in social work from Ohio State University, Braun worked as a social worker in Finneytown, Ohio. In a letter to the National Women’s Hall of Fame, Braun’s children said their mother “worked tirelessly to give to others the tools to succeed and to help them on their roads to achieving independent full lives.”
Through her roles as a Girl Scout troop leader and a member of the Finneytown’s board of education, Braun stood up for girls’ equality in education and athletics. “Throughout her life, Dottie has demonstrated, by both her actions and her words, that no girls should ever have limits to their dreams,” said her children. Braun lived her life performing small, everyday acts that culminated to become a bold feminist statement. She insisted on having a career outside the home at a time when many women were discouraged from doing so, and she fought tooth and nail to forge a path for the women who came after her.
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UCPD honors two officers for saving student’s life KEELY BROWN | NEWS EDITOR
Left: Hannah Beachler’s look for the 2019 Academy Awards. @CHINCILLA1970 | TWITTER Right: Hannah Beachler poses with her Academy Award for production design in “Black Panther.” @CHINCILLA1970 | TWITTER
DAAP graduate makes history DAAP Oscar Continued from Cover the Wakanda nation after the death of his father. After taking his rightful place as king, an old enemy appears, and T’Challa is forced into a conflict that puts the fate of his homeland — and the world — at risk. The newly crowned black panther rallies his allies and releases his full power to defeat dangerous foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life. The movie became the first comic book and superhero film in history to be nominated for best picture, and it was also nominated for seven Academy Awards, including best picture, original score, original song, costume design, sound editing, sound mixing and production design. “Black Panther” won three of those nominations, taking home Oscars for original score, costume design and production design. It was the first film in Marvel Studios’ history to win an Academy Award. In her emotionally moving Academy
Awards acceptance speech, Beachler thanked her mentors, co-workers and family for giving her the opportunity, agency, self-worth and strength to help create an award-winning movie. “I give the strength to all of those who come next; to keep going, to never give up,” Beachler said in her speech. “And when you think it’s impossible, just remember to say this piece of advice I got from a very wise woman: ‘I did my best, and my best is good enough.’” Although Beachler is now one of a select few individuals who have been honored with an Academy Award, she hasn’t forgotten her roots. According to David Agell, Beachler’s public relations representative, she is back home in Cincinnati working on a new feature film. “She’s working on a Todd Hates movie called ‘Dry Run,’” said Agell. “[It’s about] a corporate defense attorney takes on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution.”
Two University of Cincinnati police officers were recently awarded for their efforts to help save the life of a student who suffered a seizure. UCPD officers L. Kennerly Newlin and Laura Hutchings responded to the Lindner College of Business after a report of a student having a seizure Feb. 5. When they arrived, the student was unconscious, bleeding from a head injury and no longer breathing. The officers immediately began life-saving actions, including CPR and AED shocks, before the student was transported to the hospital. Doctors credited the officers’ quick response, saying their actions saved the student’s life. The student was released after a weeklong stay in the hospital’s intensive care unit and is expected to fully recover and continue his college career. “I’ve been in policing a long time, and looking backward, you both have what policing so needs
today,” Maris Harold, chief of police, told the honorees at a recognition ceremony Feb. 28. “You both possess the kindness and compassion, and I have to tell you, it is the kindness that people will remember.” Newlin and Hutchings said they were humbled and honored by the recognition they received.
“We both have a great passion for our profession and feel a deep satisfaction at being in a position to protect and serve the UC community,” the officers said in an email. “While we are unable to speak for all of the other amazing people that were involved in the joint effort, for us, knowing that we were part of saving someone’s life will always
Two UCPD officers were honored after their efforts helped save the life of a student who suffered a seizure. TNR FILE ART
be the highlight of our careers.” James L. Whalen, director of public safety, highlighted the police department’s ability to safeguard UC’s large community, saying the department prides itself on the opportunity to do good things for the people it serves. Whalen described Newlin as a thoughtful professional, a good-hearted person and a strong leader whose peers look to him as an example. “It is my selfish hope that you carry on with your career and that you seek promotion — because quite frankly, we could use the help in the supervisory roles that you’re capable of bringing to the table,” said Whalen. “We very much appreciate you.” Whalen said that although Hutchings has been with the department only for a short time, she represents the best qualities of the newly hired officers. “You stepped right into your role, and within a very short period of time, you performed admirably in a tense situation that, honestly, odds-makers would’ve likely favored to have a negative outcome as opposed to a positive outcome,”Whalen said. “I’m looking for great things to come from your career here.” Whalen concluded the ceremony by reiterating that the university may have lost a student if not for the officers’ involvement. “You both now get the privilege of living the rest of your lives knowing that you saved the life of another,” Whalen said.
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Musical theater chair to direct his last show at CCM
Costume rendering for Quasimodo’s by Dean Mogel for CCM’s production of Hunchback of Notre Dame. PROVIDED BY REBECCA BUTTS | ASSISTANT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER AT CCM
ANNE SIMENDINGER | SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT The College Conservatory of Music’s (CCM) musical theatre department continues its 50thanniversary celebration with “Hunchback of Notre Dame” at the Corbett Auditorium March 7-10. The musical is based off the Victor Hugo novel and features songs from the Disney animated film of the same name, including new music by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. The musical takes place in
15th-century Paris and tells the story of Notre Dame’s hunchbacked bell-ringer, Quasimodo. Quasimodo is held captive in the cathedral by his caretaker, archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, but he yearns to walk among the Parisians as they celebrate the Feast of Fools. He escapes captivity, but is treated cruelly by everyone in the city except for a beautiful gypsy, Esmerelda. The two develop a friendship, but Esmerelda has also caught the attention of Captain
Bryce Baxter plays Claude Frollo in CCM’s production of Hunchback of Notre Dame. PROVIDED BY REBECCA BUTTS | ASSISTANT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER AT CCM
Phoebus and Frollo. The catch? Frollo is set on a mission to destroy the gypsies, and Quasimodo must protect and save them. “Hunchback of Notre Dame” marks the final show for some CCM students, many of whom will graduate and embark on new adventures. It’s also the final piece directed by Aubrey Berg, CCM musical theater chair, before he retires at the end of the semester. “It’s as if we are all giving it one last ‘hurrah’ before we close this chapter of our lives,” said Bryce Baxter (Frollo), a senior musical theater student. “Even better, we get to do that with a production that has so much beauty and magic throughout the entire creative lens of everyone involved, whether that be onstage or behind the scenes.” In addition to the set, costume designer Dean Mogle is helping to transport audiences to 15thcentury Paris by “supplying a boatload of Medieval costumes,” said Berg. There are several themes that echo modern elements in today’s society. Aria Braswell, assistant director, highlighted a few of the difficult topics this show
explores — topics like racism, rape, immigration and social structure/disarray that were problematic when the Victor Hugo novel was written in 1831 are just as problematic today. “As performers, our job is to share stories and hopefully make people reflect and think on what was said,” said fellow senior Jenny Mollet (Esmerelda). “I believe ‘Hunchback of Notre Dame’ has so many messages that are relevant to today, such as not to judge a book by its cover or to fight for what you believe in, despite the consequences.” Between the timeless story, gorgeous score, elaborate set, stunning costumes and undeniable talent of this company, “Hunchback of Notre Dame” is sure to be a show you won’t want to miss. Senior Alex Stone (Quasimodo) said CCM has yet to have a production of this caliber.
Jenny Mollet plays Esmerelda in CCM’s production of Hunchback of Notre Dame. PROVIDED BY REBECCA BUTTS | ASSISTANT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER AT CCM
“We have had big shows before, but nothing this massive,” said Stone. “Especially with it being Aubrey Berg’s last show, this spectacle will hopefully
be a show to remember.” To purchase tickets, call the box office at 513-5564183. Tickets start at $32, but discounts are available for UC and non-UC students.
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Get out and do something: March 8 to March 10 ERIN COUCH | SENIOR REPORTER
Friday, March 8
CCM Mainstage Musical Theatre: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”: Relive your Disney days this weekend as CCM puts on “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Featuring music from the 1996 Disney film, follow along with the story of Quasimodo — a deformed bell-ringer who escapes from the clutches of his evil caretaker into the real world, where he finds solace in the gypsy community and fights off his past life. Tickets can be purchased at the CCM Box Office or by calling (513) 556-4183. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. CCM Corbett Auditorium, Mary Emery Hall. Student discount available. Pendleton Block Party for International Women’s
Day: Girls run the world, according to Beyoncé. Friday is International Women’s Day, so come celebrate the history of badass ladies at a giant block party in Pendleton. Bop to some tunes from woman-fronted bands like Elsa Kennedy and Freedom Nicole Moore & the Electric Moon, check out the new mural at 3 Points Urban Brewery, build your own mimosa flight at Boomtown Biscuits, make your own custom hat and more. At Nation Kitchen & Bar, $1 from every drink purchase will be donated to Planned Parenthood. 6-11 p.m. Friday. 1200 Broadway St., Pendleton. Free.
Saturday, March 9
Taft’s Spring Garden Market: With temperatures dropping into the teens this week, it’s safe to say we’re
all yearning for a taste of spring. Come out to Taft’s Brewpourium Saturday to stock up on all the items you need for the upcoming spring weather at this local vendor market. Get your fix of lovely springtime flower arrangements from The Flower Lady, indulge in honey and beeswax products from Bee Haven, find some flower pots to hone your green thumb from Pot Head Pottery and browse wares from a dozen other vendors — all while sipping a Taft’s craft beer. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Taft’s Brewpourium, 4831 Spring Grove Ave., Spring Grove Village. Free. Disney on Ice: “Frozen”: More Disney this weekend: Come watch as Disney on Ice comes to Cincinnati to present the animated flick that took America by (snow) storm in 2013, “Frozen.” Grab a little brother or sister and
buy tickets here. 11 a.m. Saturday. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown. $17-$110.
Sunday, March 10
Raiders of the Lost Laughs: Comedy Open Mic: Midterms are upon us, folks. Need a laugh after flunking that exam you spent nine hours studying for? Urban Artifact has you covered with its semimonthly comedy open mic. Sign-ups start at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. 7-9 p.m. Sunday. Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside. Free. Morehouse College Glee: As if this weekend’s picks didn’t have enough singing, the world-famous Morehouse College Glee Club is putting on a free concert Sunday in Cincinnati. The historically African-American college’s singing group from Atlanta
Eight podcasts you absolutely can’t miss CHLOE ROSENBERGER | STAFF REPORTER Sometimes, the sheer number of viewing options on Netflix and Hulu can be overwhelming. Pop radio can get tiresome when the same 40 songs are
played time and time again. In situations like these, podcasts — with diverse content ranging from pure entertainment to valuable education — are a great alternative. Here are some recommendations:
“Armchair Expert” Hosted by actor and writer Dax Shepard, “Armchair Expert” began in December and involves insightful — and often humorous — conversations with
Dr. Death is a podcast hosted by medical journalist Laura Beil that discusses a medical system that failed to protect its patients.
celebrities, ranging from actress Chelsea Peretti to TV personality Dr. Phil. Shepard’s mission is to explore “the messiness of being human” — a goal that is achieved through stories of personal and professional struggle. “My Dad Wrote a Porno” Often hailed as Britain’s most popular podcast, “My Dad Wrote a Porno” is a hilarious take on a nightmarish scenario: what would you do if your own father wrote a series of smutty romance novels? Host Jamie Morton answers this question by reading his dad’s secret passion projects aloud, interjecting commentary along with two of his funniest friends. “Gilmore Guys” Though “Gilmore Girls” may be retired from the airwaves, superfan hosts Kevin Porter and Demi Adejuyigbe take an episodeby-episode journey through the show to remember all of its perfections and imperfections. In addition to its simple charm, this
has been around for more than 100 years, and this weekend will be performing a variety of selections, including classical, spiritual and more.
5-8 p.m. Sunday. Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3655 Washington Ave., North Avondale. Free.
University of Cincinnati’s CCM puts on its production at the Corbett Auditorium starting this Thursday and running through Sunday. ALEX MARTIN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
podcast offers an interesting male perspective of femalecentric programming. “Tiny Desk Concerts” (Audio) This podcast is perfect for music lovers. Ripped from NPR’s successful “Tiny Desk Concert” video series, the podcast rendition of intimate, pared-back sessions by top artists provides twists on songs’ original versions that might be overplayed on the radio. “Inflection Point” Another NPR entry, “Inflection Point,” hosted by Lauren Schiller, is all about “how women rise up.” Each week, Schiller sits down with world-changing women to talk about the challenges and lessons that shaped their lives, occasionally moderating energetic panels between multiple public figures. “Pod Save America” For listeners interested in politics, activism and journalism, this podcast is the full package and more. Hosted by four former Obama aides and featuring expert and celebrity guests, this program offers discussion about America under Trump, covering
issues from the White House to Hollywood. “Dr. Death” True crime enthusiasts should make an appointment with this podcast, which explores the real-life story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon-turned-serialkiller who specialized in botched back surgeries. This one isn’t for the faint of heart (or stomach), as Rolling Stone said it “resoundingly wins the award for most disturbing podcast of 2018.” “Accused: The Unsolved Murder of Elizabeth Andes” This is a gripping tale brought to the mic by investigative journalists at the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Accused” takes listeners on a rollercoaster ride over the course of two seasons, cracking open an Ohio woman’s case that was closed too quickly. Podcasts like these offer a range of topics for every type of listener, livening up any rainy day or traffic jam with the push of a button. Every podcast on this list is free on Spotify, NPR, iHeartRadio or Wondery.
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Q&A: Nine questions with Trevor Moore of UC men’s basketball MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR
but I was mostly getting looks for receiver.
Six-foot-5 sophomore Trevor Moore has embraced his bench role for the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team throughout this season. A three-point specialist from Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas, Moore is averaging 2.5 points and 1.4 rebounds 11.9 minutes of action.
TNR: I saw that Cane Broome posted a video of you guys dancing in the locker room the other day. Who’s the best dancer on this team? TM: I thought it was me, but it might be Mamoudou [Diarra]. He’s probably got me. He steals all my moves and remixes. He’s definitely become the best dancer when we’re messing around after practice and games.
The News Record: How comfortable are you with having a limited role off the bench this season? Trevor Moore: I’m all about winning. So, whether I come in for 30 seconds or 25 minutes, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to play my hardest regardless. I’m always comfortable with whatever role they need me to be in. FC Cincinnati’s Corben Bone (19) looks to make a pass Saturday against the Seattle Sounders. PROVIDED BY FC CINCINNATI
FC Cincinnati falls to Seattle Sounders in first MLS game ALEX MARTIN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
In its debut campaign as the newest Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team, FC Cincinnati lost its road game Saturday against the Seattle Sounders, falling 4-1 in front of 39,011 fans at CenturyLink Field. The game began in FCC’s favor, as newcomer Leonardo Bertone from the Swiss club BSC Young Boys scored the organization’s first MLS goal in the 13th minute with a rocketing volley. “I think the first 20 minutes was OK,” Bertone said. “We scored 1-0, we keep ball, we play with confidence. After 1-1 it was a little bit tougher, and I think we have to learn from the first 20 minutes and keep going like that.” After the opening goal, Seattle did all the scoring for the rest of the game. The Sounders responded three times before the half and added the fourth point in the second half. Seattle also dominated on the stat sheet, leading
possession with 64 percent and tripling FCC with shots on goal, 9-3. FCC also committed 13 fouls on the night, while Seattle committed only six. While FCC’s first game may not have had the outcome supporters hoped for, head coach Alan Koch does not believe the team’s debut performance is cause for concern. “I think the game was as difficult as we knew it would be,” Koch said. “I don’t think Seattle were higher or lower than any level we thought they would be at. We thought they would be at a high level, and they were at a high level. We knew it would be a tough place to come and play, and it was a tough place to come and play. I was pleased to see the positives.” While newcomer goalie Przemyslaw Tyton allowed four goals on the night, he also stopped another five on net attempts, tying Colorado Rapids goalie Tim Howard for the league record. Starting FCC midfielder
Corben Bone became the only player to start for the club in both the United Soccer League and MLS. “Yeah, it’s great,” Bone said. “I am proud of it for sure — a milestone in my career, and hopefully many more.” “He has been fantastic for our club as this club has grown,” Koch said. “He was very good in preseason. I think he went out and player the way we know Corben’s capable of doing. He is very calm and composed. He is an avenue for us to be able to possess. I think he was part of that group that did a good job at possessing the ball at times.” FC Cincinnati will be back in action Sunday, March 10, when the team goes up against the reigning MLS Cup Champions Atlanta United in Atlanta, Georgia. The game starts at 5 p.m. and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and can be listened to on WDJO stations 99.5 FM, 107.9 FM and 1480 AM.
TNR: What’s the best part about going back home when UC plays Houston on the road? TM: The University of Houston is like 10 minutes from my house. Having all my family get a chance to come out and see me play at home is always fun. I miss Houston’s weather. It don’t get cold down south.
TNR: Go-to dance move? TM: It all depends on the song. I’m a vibe person. If I can vibe with the beat, I can put a little dance move to almost anything. TNR: Favorite song at the moment? TM: “Close Friends” by Lil Baby. Moore and the UC men’s basketball team return to Fifth Third Arena Saturday to take on the University of Memphis Tigers. Tip-off is 8 p.m. on ESPNU and 700 WLW.
TNR: Skyline or Gold Star Chili? TM: Neither. I had Skyline one time, and I’ve never gone back. TNR: What’s the best food you’ve had here in Cincinnati? TM: Probably Cheesecake Factory, honestly. I don’t eat out a whole lot. When I do, I usually head to Cheesecake [Factory]. TNR: Houston food versus Cincinnati food? TM: Houston wins — easy. Barbecue, seafood, everything. All food is better down in Houston. TNR: You and Trevon Scott both played a lot of high school football. If you only focused on football in high school, do you think you would’ve made it to the Division I level? TM: Yeah, for sure. I was getting recruited in football, mainly for University of Cincinnati guard Trevor Moore after beating Tulsa 88 - 64 at receiver. A couple schools Fifth Third Arena on January 24th, 2019. JUSTIN HILES | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER wanted me for quarterback,
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Iimar’I Thomas: Breaking age barriers SPENCER SCHULTZ | SENIOR REPORTER
University of Cincinnati forward IImar’I Thomas shoots the ball during the game against Houston at Fifth Third Arena on January 23rd, 2019. JUSTIN HILES | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Since picking up a basketball at 4 years old, University of Cincinnati women’s basketball sophomore Iimar’I Thomas has fallen in love with a game that has taken her further than she ever could have imagined. The 5-foot-10 forward had a standout senior season at Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep in San Francisco, California, in 2016 — averaging 25 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. Thomas was a varsity team starter in all four years of her high school career, where she scored more than 1,000 points and helped lead Sacred Heart to a California Division III State Championship. Former UC head coach Jamelle Elliot first saw Thomas when she was competing in an Amateur Athletic Union Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia. It was then, Thomas said, that Elliot and other schools began recruiting her. “We played against a super good AAU team that had some good, high recruits, so that’s how I started getting recruited,”Thomas said. “A lot of east coast schools were recruiting me, and
the assistant coaches saw me, and from there on, Cincinnati recruited me.” Elliot and her assistant coaches won the battle, as Thomas committed to play at Cincinnati over the University of Providence. “I wanted to go to a school that was secluded and was an actual college campus,” Thomas said. “I like where everything is. You can see everything – the environment, the support we have, the coaches.” While committing to spend the next four years more than 2,300 miles from her Oakland, California, hometown, Thomas knew it would be a challenge — especially considering she was just 16 years old at the start of her freshman year. “It was crazy,”Thomas said. “I would always tell myself this is what I signed up for, and I was ready for this moment. I thought I
University of Cincinnati forward IImar’I Thomas talks to the women’s basketball head coach Michelle Clark-Heard during UC’s game against University of South Florida on Saturday, Mar. 2, 2019. ALEX MARTIN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
might get homesick every once and a while, but in my mind, I was out here to do a job. My mother was there with me every step of the
way, and as long as I had basketball, I knew I was going to be OK.” Thomas ended up being just fine, averaging 9.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 32 games. She was named AAC Freshman of the Year and was a unanimous All-Freshman Team selection as well. “[AAC Freshman of the Year] meant a lot,”Thomas said. “It was something I said I wanted coming into the school. I was the first person to do it in a lot of years here, so it felt good to bring that back to this program.” Thomas hasn’t missed a beat and is having another solid season for the Bearcats, leading the team in both points per game at 13.1 and rebounds per game at 7.1. With an 80-65 win over Tulane University Monday, the team reached 20 wins in a season for the first time since 2002-03. “We need Iimar’I to show up and play every day for us, especially with this team,” Clark-Heard said. “That’s something new for her and her teammates. I think it’s been a challenge, but she’s really stepped up to the plate with that. Just trying to get her to understand that it’s everything she brings to this team, and not just her scoring and rebounding.
She can do so many other things because she draws so much attention.” Despite having better success in her second go-around, Thomas was blindsided by the coaching change in the offseason when Elliott was fired and ClarkHeard was hired. “I’ve grown a lot since the change,” Thomas said. “It was something I was not expecting, but it made me stronger as a person and as a player. Off the court, I’ve changed my mentality with looking at stuff and just being able to deal with adversity, [and] on the court, I’ve changed my game to adapt with having a new coach.” Thomas’ growth has helped not only herself, but her teammates as well. “We’ve grown closer in the past year,” senior guard Nikira Goings said. “She’s really helped me with my confidence because I struggled a little bit. She’s just positive and tries to help me out during those times. She’s really important. She’s a big part of where we are and what our record is.” As for her future at Cincinnati, Thomas emphasized winning as a top priority. “I’m looking forward to continuing to be a winning program and making it to the NCAA Tournament,” Thomas said. “When you go to college, your goal is the tournament.” Thomas and the UC women’s basketball team will travel to Uncasville, Connecticut, for the AAC Championship March 8-11. As the No. 3 seed, the Bearcats will face the winner of the No. 11 versus No. 6 matchup Saturday, March 9, at 8 p.m.
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Stop the stigma on mental health COREY FOISTER | CONTRIBUTOR Religious beliefs, death, income and sex are just a few of the taboo subjects Americans tend to avoid in daily conversation. There is, however, one “taboo” subject that Americans shouldn’t treat as such: mental health. We never skirt around mindlessly discussing the Kardashians, but we fail countless people when we neglect to address mental health issues. It’s admittedly a tough discussion to have — to examine mental illness, one must first reflect upon societal flaws and inner demons. There are plenty of ways to address the problem, but the question remains: As individuals, what can we do to work toward solutions together? It starts with compassion. It starts when we attempt to understand people who are experiencing turmoil they cannot explain or quantify. We must work together to tear down the mental health stigma in this country that is keeping millions of people in the dark. It’s hard to find anyone on campus or online who will mock or question someone with a physical illness like cancer, arthritis, diabetes or heart disease. People are generally supportive of physical illnesses, as they are much easier to identify. People with mental illnesses do not receive the same kind of widespread support, and the lack of support perpetuates the suffering of those who struggle with mental illness. Anyone who has ever experienced depression, PTSD, OCD or anxiety attacks likely knows the pain of being dismissed and misunderstood. Some might argue that the problem will go away if we ignore
it — or worse, they might suggest that we’re simply faking it for attention and need to snap out of it. We need to drown out these people and be vocal in our compassion and understanding for those on the edge of society. Instead of spending so much time on social media tearing people down, we should dedicate more time to building each other up. We should share more uplifting content on social media that highlights the good in society instead of the bad. Always make sure your criticism of someone is constructive and good-natured, rather than cruel and unnecessary. Little acts of kindness will improve everyone’s mental health and make the world a much brighter place to live in. Kindness doesn’t cost anything. We’re all on a different journey in life, and sometimes, the simple gesture of smiling or holding a door can mean everything to someone who is enduring an internal nightmare. Long-held stigmas make it extremely difficult for most to talk openly and honestly with others about mental health, and not everyone has access to a therapist. So, be there for your friends, partners and family members. Don’t be too quick to dismiss behavior that seems unnatural. Sometimes, identifying the warning signs of mental illness can be the difference between life and death. The conversations may be extremely difficult and emotionally draining, but in the end, you’ll be glad you had them. Sometimes, a deep conversation can save a person from self-harm or suicide. Be understanding. Be compassionate. Be there.
Mental illnesses should be given the same weight and importance as physical illnesses and injuries. PEXELS
Documentaries you stream may be told from a biased lens and the subjects may have been paid or promised to be portrayed in a good light. STOCK CATALOG | FLICKR
Ethical media consumption SAMI STEWART | MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER Flipping on Netflix has become second nature — it’s almost a reflex to most of us. We turn it on to mitigate boredom, awkward pauses and distract ourselves from reality. By mindlessly streaming shows to fill the void of the day, it’s hard to recognize the ethical compass that is inherently tied to everything we watch. We discuss the ethics of eating animals, buying diamonds and listening to music written by rappers who double as rapists — but we rarely consider the ethics of consuming visual media. There are several documentaries and series floating around that focus on something or someone diabolical: the Fyre Festival scam, Ted Bundy, white nationalism — you name it, a streaming service has created a documentary about it. And it’s hard not to be intrigued by evil. As humans, we’re fascinated by things we know are inherently wrong. That’s why we love true crime and reading about scandals that we’re completely detached
from. There’s no blood on our hands — we carry no guilt, and we have no evil intent. But is chronicling the in-depth play-by-play of someone else’s wrongdoing inherently unethical? The crux of this argument boils down to a common dilemma: is light an illuminator or a disinfectant? If light is an illuminator, then consuming media that documents unscrupulous behavior is unethical by design. Though you may not have taken part in the acts in question, streaming media that offers a platform for evil makes you compliant with illuminating the topic. By this standard, simply watching a documentary on white nationalism fuels that fire. But if light is a disinfectant, diving deep into an unethical issue to better understand it helps to expose its wrongness. In this case, it would be more harmful not to expose the evil man behind the curtain, and at the end of the day, watching a documentary is simply a way to gather information. Being informed about the intricacies of white nationalism allows us
to realize the motive behind the madness, and it helps us recognize similar patterns in our social interactions going forward. Yet it must be considered that in order to make a documentary or series about something heinous, the people involved in said heinous acts must be interviewed. Otherwise, there’s just speculation and countering sources — all fluff, no substance. And to convince a source to be documented, you must offer them something in return. Be it a reasonable payoff or 15 minutes of fame, they expect to benefit from your work in some way — otherwise, they wouldn’t even consider putting themselves in the hot seat. While being informed helps us understand the difference between right and wrong, it’s not a bad practice to understand the factors involved in producing visual entertainment in a moneydriven business. If we neglect to pay attention to what we’re consuming, we run the risk of letting our ethics slip and turning a blind eye to Hollywood’s shady standards.
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Academy Awards: Great show, despite no host
KESHAV VINOD | STAFF REPORTER The 91st Academy Awards took place last week at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. All the Hollywood A-listers gathered under one roof to recognize excellence in cinema, and the show did not disappoint, even though the proceedings did not have a host for the first time since Allan Carr’s train wreck show in 1989. Comedian and actor Kevin Hart decided not to host the Oscars in December after he received major backlash over tweets that he posted 10 years ago. I honestly couldn’t believe that he dropped out of the show, especially over some tweets. I personally do not find Kevin Hart all that funny, but he is a comedian, and I don’t think he takes himself very seriously. Why other people do, I’ll never know. Knowing that this was going to be a host-less event, my expectations weren’t all that
high. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised that the show turned out the way it did — I thoroughly enjoyed the Oscars this year. I was particularly glad that the political symbolism, usually overwhelming at events like these, was kept to a minimum. The performances this year were outstanding. When they opened the show with arguably one of the greatest rock bands to ever exist, I thought the night was only going to go downhill from there. How do you top a performance from Queen? I was glad to be proven wrong. It was incredible to see Mahershala Ali win his second Oscar for his portrayal of of Don Shirley in “Green Book.” Ali harnessed the character beautifully, and if it were up to me, I wouldn’t have given the award to anyone else. When “Green Book” went on to win Best Picture, I cheered so loud, you’d think my favorite soccer teams just scored a goal.
I watched the movie when it came out in late November, and I have been certain that it would win Best Picture ever since I stepped out of the theater. I also loved the Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s rendition of “Shallow,” which previously won an award for Best Song. Cooper and Gaga were synchronized the whole time, and the performance gave me goosebumps. I knew all the words, so I tried to sing along, but I was shamed into silence by a few other friends who preferred to hear Gaga’s voice instead. Overall, the show was a welcome and unexpected surprise. I had a great time seeing my favorite stars on the red carpet, and my night was made even better when my favorite actors, directors and musicians ended up taking home awards. I hope next year’s event meets the same standard — and if there’s no host, I’m sure it will.
The 91st Academy Awards was held at Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. DISNEY | FLICKR
Yes, this country can be united. Here’s how. SAMUEL SCHELL-OLSEN | SENIOR REPORTER
Senior reporter Samuel Schell-Olsen gives his opinions on how the United States can come together to be a more united country. (TOP: WIKIMEDIA, BOTTOM: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE)
It’s no secret that America is more divided now than it has been since the Vietnam War. In an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll from October 2018, 80 percent of respondents believed that the country is “mainly” or “totally” divided. The rise of populist and socialist ideology in our political parties has only increased this division. Pastimes that brought Americans together — like YouTube, professional football and video games — have been all but trampled by politics. Whether you like it or not, people like Markiplier (a UC alum), Colin Kaepernick and Anita Sarkeesian have injected politics into largely non-political hobbies to create further division. So, what can we do to unite America? A Pew Research Center poll from the 2015 textbook “We the People” might give us some clues. In the survey, there were three
fundamental values that Americans agreed upon: liberty, democracy and equality of opportunity. A whopping 95 percent believed in the value of liberty — the right to remain free from government oppression. Eighty-six percent completely or mostly agree in equality of opportunity — the necessity of ensuring that everyone has the same chance to succeed. Lastly, 69 percent believe in the value of democracy, which aims to ensure that anyone — or any group — should be allowed to participate in the voting process. Whether you’re a progressive, conservative, centrist, libertarian or socialist, we can all agree that the government should be held accountable for its actions, or lack thereof. For example, everyone was horrified to discover the magnitude of overreach that the National Security Administration (NSA) embarked upon, including the recording of phone calls without warrants. Everyone, for the most part, agrees that it is
wrong to spy on your own citizens without due process. This value and understanding of liberty applied then, and it applies now. From the day Thomas Jefferson wrote “All men are created equal” to the day civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I have a dream” speech, Americans have embraced equality of opportunity. Nobody in this country should be discriminated against. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that 73 percent of adults believe colleges should not consider race or ethnicity when making decisions about admissions. It’s a major argument — one made by a vast majority of Americans — for equal opportunity. People use terms like “federal republic” or “democracy” loosely in describing the U.S. electoral system, but people generally agree that everyone should be able to participate in the voting process. If you are represented by someone, you should able to voice your support or opposition to their policies. Voting gives Americans the power to shape their government and choose their elected officials, and it’s a critical value of democracy. There are far more values upon which we agree than disagree. We should do our best to recognize our shared values of liberty, democracy and equality of opportunity to better unify this country.
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SUDOKU By The Mepham Group Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square. Does it sound complicated? Each Sudoku grid comes with a few spaces already filled in; the more spaces filled in, the easier the game – the more difficult Sudoku puzzles have very few spaces that are already filled in.
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WE’LL TELL YOUR PARENTS NO, SERIOUSLY.