CAMPUS LIFE

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 | NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 119, ISSUE 22 Tales of the Bulgarian Rose

AUBREY SCHAFBUCH

Staff Writer

On the second level of Rod Library on the art wall hang 15 freshly printed photographs taken by journalistic professors Rick Traux and Anelia Dimitrova, P.h.D., who also serves as an advisor for the Northern Iowan. The photo story “Tales of the Bulgarian Rose” includes a total of 33 photos and serves as a memory snapshot of their 1997 trip to Bulgaria after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Their purpose was to document the rose industry after the rise of democracy in the country. The images will be showcased in ROD Library until January when they will be moved to the Hurst Center For the Arts. They knew they would be covering the story of the rose before they even boarded the plane. “It’s one of the treasured, iconic products of Bulgaria. The oil of the rose is more expensive than gold. It’s one of the things Bulgaria has for centuries prided itself on,” Dimitrova says. Having grown up in Bulgaria herself, she was familiar with the rose industry and wanted to share where she grew up with Traux, her husband.

Harvesting rose oil is a very intense and laborious process. The picking season is short, lasting for only the month of June. Workers have to wake up in the early hours to pick roses before the morning dew evaporates, filling their bags to the brim with these flowers only to produce a thimble of oil. The oil harvested from the roses is used in the finest perfumes in the world.

“It was a very tumultuous year in time. The Berlin wall had just fallen eight years earlier. Eight years is nothing for history,” Dimitrova says. Everything in these people’s lives had tumbled down. Prior to the fall of communism, agriculture was collectivized in Bulgaria and owned by the state. When they began their journey of telling the story of the rose in ‘97, farms were abandoned and ownership was unclear. “There were a lot of people, especially older people, harkening after communist times,” she said. “Everything was orderly, they didn’t have any ownership or property, but the state took care of everything. And now they could see that democracy can be disheveled.”

In fact, after all these years Traux learned that ‘97 was when the rose industry in Bulgaria had “literally hit its worst point.” Fortunately, the country has rebounded and is currently as strong as it’s ever been. 25 years later, this story comes to life for the first time. Traux can’t remember when the inspiration struck to make it an exhibit, but assumes it started when his favorite picture fell off the wall of their home and broke. The image is of four young women in traditional dress

COURTESY/Anelia Dimitrova

This picture was take in the Rose Valley, Kazanlak, Bulgaria.

COURTESY/Anelia Dimitrova

Pictured is Anelia Dimnitrova and Rick Traux of their display in Rod Library. at the rose festival. Seeing the broken picture sitting in their basement Traux says, “I was so ashamed that I hadn’t fixed it up and put it back on the wall.” About a year and a half ago, Traux took the picture and got it reframed, thus inspiring a motion to print about 15 pictures and show them somewhere. What surprised him was that at the end of the summer, he had 33 stunningly important images.

Dimitrova says, “working on this project had a life sustaining role during the pandemic, with how we were all isolated. The timing was perfect…working on this reconnected us with our younger selves 25 years ago. It also helped keep up that interest and sustain interest in our work.” Dimitrova highlights that although she feels pride now that the photo story is published, most of all she feels a great sense of nostalgia. Traux and Dimitrov had only been married for a year before flying out to Bulgaria. In fact, Traux’s uncle gave a large cash gift for their wedding present that they saved and helped fund the trip with. UNI also gave Dimitrova a small summer grant towards the project. She says, “It was very important that at the time we didn’t have any money and it was a nice little gift and a vote of confidence that we should do something that is meaningful.” When looking back on the time spent in Bulgaria those 25 years ago, Dimitrova says, “The most important thing is being a witness to something…It’s almost like you are a time capsule, because you capture a moment in time. Every single one of these images is immeasurably valuable because it cannot be repeated.”

OPTICS

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The UC Berkeley-based Greater Good Science Center lists “Eight Ways to Stand Up to Hate. Recommendations include educating yourself, understanding all viewpoints, speaking up when you encounter racism, resisting social pressure and heeding your conscience. The Center also suggests finding a role model, connecting with people different than you, and pressing the mental pause button so as not to act on impulse.

If you do any of the above, you won’t be indifferent to the plights of others and may boost your self-esteem, enhance your values and deepen your relationships.

Michael Bugeja, distinguished professor of liberal arts and sciences at Iowa State University, teaches media ethics and technology and social change. These views are his own.

VOTES

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A study done by Dr. Melvin Livingston found that, “More severe shootings were associated with shooters who were older and therefore unlikely to be students, whereas the presence of a school resource officer was unassociated with any reduction in school shooting severity.”

Beyond teachers having firearms in schools, even the presence of student resource officers show no effect on the rates of gun violence. In fact, in reflection of past major school shootings, resource officers have proven to be unhelpful in times of need. The Marjory-Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, which resulted in 17 injured and 17 murdered, the resource officer on duty ran and hid when fire was opened on the school. Former Deputy Scot Peterson has since been charged with criminal negligence. A similar situation occurred at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary, in a shooting that killed 19. The police force that was armed and protected waited over an hour to enter the building and confront the shooter. It has been proven time and time again that students and teachers can’t even trust resource officers or police officers to do their job why force said job onto teachers? Why shift the responsibility of a police officer who refuses to do their job onto the shoulders of educators? The ballot measure dismisses these kinds of questions.

There’s one simple fact about the ballot measure: it ensures that gun violence will continue to plague Iowa. In Iowa, we’ve cultivated a culture where this is okay, where it’s accepted as the price we pay for the right to keep and bear arms. As Iowans, we continue to vote for people and policies that don’t have our best interests in mind. All for what, because this has worked in the past? Because as Iowans, it’s what we know? Instead, we’d rather continue to uphold the policies that infringe our rights and vote for people who don’t represent Iowa’s best interest because we fear change? Voting for who you know or what you’ve always known is lazy. It isn’t a performance of civic duty, it’s a disservice to Iowans. Iowa can do better. It must do better.

FOOTBALL

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 | NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 119, ISSUE 22

Late flag dooms Panthers vs No. 1 SDSU

BEN LAHART

Sports Writer

UNI suffered a heartbreaking loss to No. 1 South Dakota State last weekend after a last second field goal was made as time expired, settling the score at 31-28.

The first quarter served to be less exciting than the rest of the game resulting in only three combined points. The Panthers started with a quick three-and-out leading to a 23-yard field goal for the Jackrabbits on their ensuing drive. UNI’s next drive showed a little more promise before a Theo Day pass was tipped and intercepted by SDSU at their own 27-yard line.

A UNI defensive stop got the ball back for the offense leading to the Panthers first points of the game. The five-play, 86-yard drive was capped off by a 34-yard touchdown run by Vance McShane. This gave UNI their first lead of the game, 7-3. The Jackrabbits followed with a 75-yard touchdown drive of their own, scored by running back Isaiah Davis from one yard out. Another three-and-out totalling in -10 yards resulted in another punt by the Panthers. A good return by SDSU led to a two-play touchdown drive including a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mark Gronowski. SDSU led 17-7. Penalties spoiled the next two drives with two straight punts. As the first half began to wind down UNI went on an eight-play, 77-yard drive resulting in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Day to Desmond Hutson. With under two minutes left in the half, SDSU completed an 11-play, 52-yard drive ending in a 45-yard field goal as time expired. The halftime score sat at 20-14 in favor of the Jackrabbits.

SDSU started the second half with a nine-play, 72-yard drive resulting in a 16-yard touchdown run. After a successful twopoint conversion, SDSU led 28-14. UNI’s first drive of the second half started off with a dropped deep pass to Sergio Morancy that would have resulted in a 35-yard gain. Morancy made up for it on the next play, catching a 53-yard pass to move the chains. A 21-yard touchdown pass to Logan Wolf put the UNI deficit at just seven points with 8:33 remaining in the third quarter.

Both offenses took a step back as the next three drives resulted in punts, leading to the second tipped ball interception thrown by Day. Two more drives ending in punts, sent the contest into the fourth quarter with the score still sitting at 28-21. The following SDSU drive turned the tides for the game with an interception by Benny Sapp III on the first play. This gave the Panthers the ball on their own 48-yard line.

During this nine play drive, UNI found themselves in a hard spot. Facing fourth down, Day completed his third straight pass for 14 yards to Deion McShane resulting in a first down at the SDSU 10-yard line. Day kept the ball on a 2-yard touchdown scramble to tie the game at 28-28.

Two more drives ending in punts led to the Jackrabbits and the game’s final drive. The drive started with good field position after an excellent return. With two seconds left in regulation, SDSU lined up for the game winning kick before the kick was missed to send the game to overtime. However, a controversial leaping penalty was called giving the Jackrabbits another final shot at the win. On first and goal, from the UNI nine yard line, and with zeros on the clock, SDSU drilled the 26-yard field goal to win the game 31-28.

Day finished with 270 passing yards and three total touchdowns in the loss. Sam Schnee led the team in both receptions and yards, catching four passes for 69 yards. The two touchdown passes went to Hutson and Wolf. Vance McShane led the team in rushing yards with 62 while adding on a touchdown run.

The UNI defense saw three players with double digit tackles including Korby Sanders’ career-high 14. Spencer Cuvelier finished with 13 and Bryce Flater had 11. Sapp’s fourth quarter interception accounted for his fourth of the season. Matthew Cook’s four PATs tie him for second in MVFC history for consecutive PATs made in a career. Penalties were a huge part of the story in this game. Together, the two teams totalled 18 penalties for 120 yards, with three penalties resulting in first downs.

UNI’s final game of the season will be played two weekends from now. The Panthers will travel to Vermillion, SD to play the University of South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 19. It will also be available to stream on ESPN+.

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS

Korby Sander (5) finished with career-high 14 tackles in UNI’s 31-28 loss to No. 1 South Dakota State on Saturday.

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS

Theo Day (12) passed for 270 yards on Saturday with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Day also ran for a touchdown in the 31-28 loss.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

UNI knocks off St. Thomas to open season

ADAM JOHNSON

Sports Writer

The UNI women’s basketball team opened up the season on Monday, Nov. 7 at home against St. Thomas. The Panthers were able to come away with the victory 58-46.

The game started out with plenty of back and forth action, as the score was tied 9-9 with just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Panthers were able to make the most of these two minutes, as they went on a 6-0 run to close out the quarter. This gave them a 15-9 lead going into the second.

The Panthers extended their lead to as many as eight points several times in the second quarter, but St. Thomas was able to shrink the deficit to just two points going into the half. Through the first half of play, the score was 30-28 in favor of UNI.

To start the second half, St. Thomas took their first lead since they were up 5-2 when Maggie Negaard made a three point shot to put St. Thomas up 33-30. Their lead would be short lived however, as the Panthers went on a quick 8-0 run to go ahead 38-33. The rest of the quarter was tightly contested, and the game would go into the fourth with the Panthers narrowly in the lead, 43-40.

The fourth quarter was all UNI, as the defense stepped up big time, only giving up six points in the final quarter. On top of that, the Panthers were able to score 15 points of their own, outscoring St. Thomas by nine points and coming away with the victory, 58-46.

For the Panthers it was Grace Boffeli and Kam Finley who led the way. Together they combined for 37 of the teams 58 points on the day, Boffeli scoring 19 and Finley scoring 18. Boffeli added 10 rebounds to her performance, putting up a double-double. Finley also did more than just score, as she put in good work on the defensive end, having an impressive five steals. For St. Thomas, Jade Hill led the way in scoring with 14 points, but Jordyn Lamker was not too far behind with nine points. Hill had two steals and four assists to go along with her scoring, and Lamker had nine rebounds, making her one point and one rebound short of a double-double.

This was not always the prettiest game for the Panthers, but they were able to come away with a victory regardless. They will get a chance to play on the home court again for their next three games, the first of which will be against Saint Louis on Sunday, Nov. 13.