The Lumberjack -- March 25, 2021 by The Lumberjack

STICKING TO SUSTAINABILITY THE LUMBER JACK MAR. 25, 2021 – MAR. 31, 2021

PAGES 10-11

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

he spring equinox marks the start of the season in the Northern Hemisphere and falls on either March 19, 20 or 21 — depending on the day the sun crosses the equator. Following the equinox, the Northern Hemisphere begins tilting closer toward the sun, which increases temperatures and provides us with more sunlight during the day. The first day of spring lands right around my birthday, so I view the spring equinox as a fresh start. Although spring is not my favorite season, it holds a lot of significance to me for this reason. Spring 2021 will be especially memorable as I graduate this April. This upcoming milestone, along with the birthday I celebrated March 21 and the global chaos that overshadowed the year I spent as a 21-year-old, left me excited for the restart I associate with this season. I think we should all look to spring 2021 as a transition away from the cold and gloom — both literal and symbolic — that has been looming over our heads for far too long now. As the snow melts and temperatures begin to rise, I plan to prioritize TRINITY optimism. This is something I think we have all strayed away from. ARCHIE Of course, this is easier said than done. Neglecting to acknowledge ongoing problems in the name of optimism is not an ethical approach nor the approach I OP-ED EDITOR choose to take. I do not want to ignore what is going on in the world. However, I will try to view things through a new perspective. Spring is the perfect opportunity to take on this alternate perspective. From now on, I want to focus on what I can do to alleviate suffering rather than wallow in it. I believe this is more likely to motivate us in a positive direction. I also plan to take a step back and appreciate things I normally take for granted. I have much to look forward to and these things have honestly gone overlooked by me. I tend to downplay accomplishments because I set high expectations for myself. For example, I recall spending my entire high school graduation ceremony stressing about the future rather than living in the moment acknowledging my accomplishment. My graduation from NAU will be spent looking back on everything I achieved over the past four years and the opportunities I now have as a college graduate.

Continuous local and campus covid-19 coverage available at jackcentral.org

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Thank you for reading. Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 Lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 111 ISSUE 11 Editor-in-Chief Scout Ehrler

Managing Editor Nathan Manni

Copy Chief Nayomi Garcia

Faculty Adviser David Harpster

Print Chief Jacob Meyer

Director of Digital Content Ash Lohmann

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board Director of Social Media Maddie Cohen

Op-Ed Editor Trinity Archie

Culture Editor Katelyn Rodriguez

Sports Adviser Rory Faust

News Editor Camille Sipple

Asst. Op-Ed Editor Kylie Soto

Asst. Culture Editor Kyler Edsitty

Director of Illustration Aleah Green

Asst. News Editor Mark Fabery

Features Editor Olivia Charlson

Sports Editor Brenden Martin

Asst. Dir. of Illustration Maddie Cohen

Online News Editor Kylie Soto

Asst. Features Editor Emily Gerdes

Asst. Sports Editor Will Hopkins

Senior Photographer Michael Patacsil

Senior Reporter Molly Brown

Director of Photography & Multimedia Shawn Patti

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Senior Photographer Brian Burke

On the cover Andrew Nettles, student and NAU Green Fund treasurer, has been placing stickers as a part of the project “These Come from Trees,” which encourages students to reduce amount of paper towels used in bathrooms on campus. Photo courtesy of Andrew Nettles| The Lumberjack

Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Scout Ehrler at see86@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat

March 15 a report for a private property At 8:57 a.m., a Cline accident for information only. Library employee reported suspicious activity. NAUPD At 6:16 p.m., a student responded. reported a suspicious person entering Gabaldon Hall. At 12:01 p.m., Flagstaff NAUPD responded, but the Police Department requested subject was gone upon arrival. assistance with traffic control for a funeral procession. At 11:14 p.m., a student NAUPD responded and reported a subject who assistance was provided. appeared to be tampering with a vehicle in San Francisco At 4:08 p.m., a nonstudent Parking Garage. NAUPD requested information on a responded, and the student 30-day impound. Information was found to be the owner of was provided. the vehicle. March 16 At 10:03 a.m., a Cowden Hall RHD requested assistance with a lockout. NAUPD responded and assistance was provided. At 10:40 a.m., a Babbitt Academic Building faculty member requested information on fraudulent schemes. NAUPD responded and information was provided. At 2:59 p.m., a student reported an unlawful distribution of images in Wilson Hall. NAUPD responded and took a report. At 3:42 p.m., a hotel and restaurant management faculty member requested information about online issues and information was provided.

Compiled by Mark Fabery reported an unknown subject knocking on their door. NAUPD responded and the subject left the area. No criminal activity was witnessed and a report is for information only. At 5:46 a.m., a Mountain View Hall resident reported experiencing alcohol withdrawal. NAUPD, Flagstaff Fire Department and Guardian Medical Transport responded, but the student refused medical transport.

At 1:34 p.m., Skyview March 18 reported a student requesting At 12:14 a.m., NAUPD assistance with a shipping reported a traffic stop off dispute. NAUPD responded campus. One nonstudent was and information was provided. booked into jail for two counts of aggravated DUI. At 8:33 p.m., a Reilly Hall RA reported damage to At 5:28 a.m., a performing multiple placards. NAUPD and fine arts employee reported responded and took a report. a possible transient sleeping in a restroom. NAUPD March 21 responded, and the nonstudent At 3:40 a.m., NAUPD was warned of trespass and left reported receiving a call from the area. two blue light phones near McKay Village. NAUPD March 19 responded and the area was At 9:35 a.m., University searched, but no criminal Union staff reported two activity was witnessed. suspicious subjects. NAUPD responded and the two At 11:37 a.m., a nonstudents were contacted Mountain View Hall staff and identified, but no criminal member reported a couple activity was witnessed. possibly fighting. NAUPD responded and determined no At 2:27 p.m., Raymond criminal activity had occurred. Hall staff reported two suspicious subjects. NAUPD At 6:03 p.m., a Gabaldon responded and the two Hall RA reported two vehicles nonstudents were contacted parked in the fire lane. NAUPD and identified, but no criminal responded and contacted the activity was witnessed. vehicle owners.

March 17 At 8:39 a.m., an employee reported the late theft of Starship company property. NAUPD responded, the property was recovered and one nonstudent was booked March 20 into jail for theft. The property At 12:09 a.m., Gabaldon was later returned to the Hall staff reported two Starship company employee. vehicles parked in the fire lane. NAUPD responded and the At 4:08 p.m., a student vehicles were not in the fire reported a noninjury collision lane. in Knoles Parking Garage. At 2:22 a.m., a South NAUPD responded and took Village Apartments resident

Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard data

Community transmission Case rate Positivity percentage Cumulative cases

Moderate 43.2 per 100,000 pop. 3.2% 16,826

Flagstaff Medical Center COVID-19 Resources

In-house COVID-19 patients Hospital capacity Critical care capacity

Positive: 9 | Pending: 1 197/300 32/55

NAU Student Cases

Total on- and off-campus cases

County opens COVID-19 vaccination for all residents Mark Fabery

oconino County residents 18 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination. The announcement comes after the county opened vaccination appointments for adults over 35 as the county moved to Phase 1C March 16. There are more than 2,870 vaccine appointments available across numerous vaccination sites across the county. This includes 1,300 appointments at Fort Tuthill County Park and Flagstaff Medical Center has 1,570 available at its Elks Lodge vaccination site. Scheduled appointments will receive the vaccine that is available for the appointment and location scheduled, according to a press release. Moreover, county officials announced the creation of an End-of-Day Extra Dose call-down list for residents willing to be called if there is extra availability at the Fort Tuthill vaccination site. Those on an End-of-Day Extra Dose list must be able to report to Fort Tuthill’s vaccination site within 30 minutes of confirmation of an appointment At this time, Campus Health Services is currently offering only second-dose vaccinations. President Rita Cheng, in an email to the campus community, has encouraged all students to sign up for a vaccination as soon as possible. Read more online at jackcentral.org

MARCH 25, 2021 – MARCH 31, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

NEWS

Biden’s American Rescue Plan: What it means for the US Camille Sipple

resident Joe Biden announced his COVID-19 relief package, commonly known as the American Rescue Plan, on Jan. 20. By March 10, Congress approved the $1.9 trillion stimulus plan after a 220-211 vote within the House of Representatives, as reported by The Washington Post. The American Rescue Plan included widespread funding, with an aim to get the United States back on its feet, according to the White House Briefing Room. A brief overview of Biden’s plan requires a national vaccine program, safely reopening K-12 public schools, providing support to struggling small businesses and sending $1,400 stimulus checks to eligible citizens in certain income brackets. Other aspects of the plan include increased funding for COVID-19 testing and pandemic supplies. However, Dennis Foster, an economist and senior economics lecturer at NAU, explained the funding for this plan may be problematic in the long run. “The total now is up to $6 trillion of stimulus over the past year and that is a significant increase in money floating around,” Foster said. “The big question is: Where is that money going to go?” Foster said the presumption is the funding will land in the pockets of everyday people and businesses in order to help with necessity spending. While this may be helpful in the short term for those struggling due to the pandemic, Foster explained it may also be a precursor to an immense amount of inflation the U.S. has yet to see. To finance the nearly $2 trillion worth of spending that Biden’s plan entails, Foster said there are several directions the government can take. Raising taxes is one option, but as Foster explained, while it would have no effect on inflation, it would harm the majority of people even more because of an overall increased tax burden. Secondly, Foster said the government could choose to borrow money in the form of government bonds, and then use the money however they see fit. Nevertheless, eventually that money would also have to be paid off in the form of taxes as it would simply add to the base of debt the U.S. already has. Both of these options avoid any inflation effects on the economy, but instead add to the country’s debt in the long run, Foster said. Currently, the Federal Reserve has been following a process that essentially prints more money without taking it from anywhere else,

Foster said. “The Federal Reserve, for the last year, has printed up a couple of trillion dollars worth of additional money that didn’t exist before,” Foster said. A prime example of this extra money circulating within the national economy is Flagstaff’s own housing market. Foster said he believes the jump in housing prices over the past year or so is a direct consequence of this new money circulation within the economy. According to Flagstaff Business News, Flagstaff real estate prices increased nearly 21% from 2020-2021. Foster also said he believes that government officials often fail to look at the future and how their decisions will affect the nation economically in the coming years. “They’re OK with saying ‘Hey, I’m helping out today,’ and if three or four years from now it turns out to be an inflationary nightmare, they don’t really get blamed for it,” Foster said. For Flagstaff residents and business owners, however, Biden’s newly approved act provides much needed help, Vice Mayor Becky Daggett explained. Many small businesses within the local economy have had to close their doors or struggle to remain open over the course of the pandemic. “I applaud all the businesses that were able to keep people employed through the pandemic because I know it wasn’t easy, and I know that business owners did everything they could to keep their employees paid during this,” Daggett said. Daggett also said she understands the difficulties and stress that most individuals have faced over the past year, but urges Flagstaff residents to continue following safety precautions and get vaccinated to ensure the city does not move backward. According to the Coconino County website, the county is currently in Phase 1c of its vaccination process. As of March 19, the county announced COVID-19 vaccinations are available to everyone 18 years old and older.

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While in coming years, Biden’s American Rescue Plan may, as Foster said, cause several macroeconomic issues, the city of Flagstaff is grateful for the aid it will provide the local economy and business community. “The city is very grateful to have this funding,” Daggett said. “And to have it come directly to the cities, rather than to the state and then handed out by the state hopefully means we can get it faster and put it to work … it’s just going to be a huge help to Flagstaff to keep us financially strong and rebuild quicker.”

“The Federal Reserve, for the last year, has printed up a couple of trillion dollars worth of additional money that didn’t exist before.” – NAU Professor and Economist Dennis Foster

Illustration By Christian Ayala

NEWS

Flagstaff welcomes Electric Auto Tech Company Tess Spinker

leading electric automotive part manufacturer is opening a new facility in Flagstaff. The facility is expected to start hiring employees and launching operations in April. The expansion of the company UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries plans to bring 120 high-paying jobs to the facility over the next year and 350 jobs within five years, according to the Economic Collaboration of Northern Arizona (ECoNA).

“The jobs will be a huge boom to our economy,” Mayor Paul Deasy said. “I am grateful for our city staff and city partners that made this a reality, most notably the ECoNA, Kinney Construction and Coconino County.” Whitehall Industries, based in Michigan, first began copying and editing auto parts in 1974. From there, it began creating aluminum intrusion parts for cars in 2001. Since being acquired by Japanese manufacturer UACJ Corporation in 2016, the company plans to be a leading automotive supplier, according to its website.

A Tesla Supercharger is a 480-volt direct current fast-charging technology that charges electric vehicles, March 18. Jonah Graham | The Lumberjack

According to the Aluminum Transportation Group, auto parts made out of aluminum have a 22% smaller carbon footprint than steel, while also leaving 90% of the vehicle recyclable. UACJ supplies for a wide global clientele of automotive companies, including Tesla’s Model 3 and beginning production for Model S, according to a report by Electrek, a news analysis platform dedicated to the electric vehicle market research and sustainability. President and CEO of ECoNA Gail Jackson expects this expansion to provide quality economic growth for the state, especially northern Arizona. “Flagstaff is known as the city of innovation and UACJ-Whitehall Industries is joining the ranks of top Flagstaff innovative companies,” Jackson said. “The automotive industry is trending toward electrification of vehicles.” Currently, the company is taking over the former Walgreens distribution center off East Huntington Drive that was abandoned in 2014, while investing over $60 million into the new operation, Jackson said. “Right now, electric vehicles are a very small portion of the overall car sales globally,” Jackson said. “That number is expected to explode by the year 2030.” Despite market setbacks produced by the pandemic, electric vehicle demand is expected to rise dramatically, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The study predicts sales of electric vehicles will rise 28% by 2030 and 58% by 2040. The production of electric vehicles has become a popular trend as climate change and the planet’s natural resources develop an increasing issue topic. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the United States has relied on petroleum for transportation, leaving people exposed to increased prices and supply shortages. The U.S. Department of Energy stated use of electric vehicles would decrease carbon emissions in the atmosphere contributing to climate change and overall health of the public. President Joe Biden has made efforts in reducing carbon emissions in light of climate change, making it one of his main arguments during the presidential election. “We’re going to invest in 50,000 charging stations on our highways so we can own the electric car market in the future,” Biden said last October during the final presidential debate. “Our health and our jobs are at stake.”

“Flagstaff is known as the city of innovation and UACJ-Whitehall Industries is joining the ranks of top Flagstaff innovative companies ... The automotive industry is trending toward electrification of vehicles.” – President and CEO of ECoNA Gail Jackson

On Jan. 27, Biden signed an executive order on climate change policy. According to global law firm Gibson Dunn, these policies rejoined international agreements, canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline and executed his $2 trillion “whole-of-government” climate plan. NAU may partner with UACJ in the near future to help support the highly automated and technical processes that come with the expansion, David Cooper, the company president and COO of UACJ Whitehall Industries, said. The university has numerous programs that aim to combat for climate change and other issues that harm the environment. The NAU Green Fund is among these programs, and is supported by students that contribute money to various on-campus sustainability programs. Andrew Lacona, interim manager of the NAU Office of Sustainability, said he is very interested in a partnership with UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries. “I have not heard of anything yet, but we’d be very interested,” Lacona said. “Our goals are to take opportunities and partnerships to get involved with groups in Flagstaff.” By connecting with the city of Flagstaff, UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries plans to bring more jobs, as well as support the global environment and contribute to sustainability projects.

MARCH 25, 2021 – MARCH 31, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

NEWS

Left & Right: Signs at Coconino High School aim to boost morale as FUSD returned to in-person learning, March 21. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

FUSD returns to in-person learning Lauren Beckel

early a year after Arizona schools shut down, Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) prepares for the return to in-person learning in large part because of Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order, issued March 3, requiring all schools to return to a traditional learning format. FUSD announced students and staff returned to the classroom March 22. FUSD chief health administrator McKenzie Bevirt spoke on the return to in-person learning in a recorded interview that can be found on the FUSD website. Bevirt discussed the health and safety plans for the return of students and teachers. Bevirt explained that a lot of research has been done to gather information on what has and has not worked for schools that have already opened, as well as following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. Safety precautions outside school are just as important as those inside school. Bevirt discussed what students and parents should consider before going to school each day. “So [it is] really important to know that COVID can have very different symptoms in different individuals,” Bevirt said. “So if your student has any symptoms, that could include mild symptoms, runny nose, maybe just feeling a little fatigued, headache. If your student has any symptoms whatsoever and seems to not be themselves not feeling great, we ask that you keep

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your student home.” There are mixed feelings among students and staff regarding the return to in-person learning. With the pandemic still not over, some are hesitant about the idea of returning to school. Flagstaff High School teacher Susan Merkli said she does not agree with the decision to return to in-person learning, due to transmission rates still not being safe. “My classroom has no windows, and it is impossible to socially distance,” Merkli said. “Many teachers and older students have not yet been able to be vaccinated and will be at risk. I spent a significant amount of time setting up my classroom with measuring tape, setting up hand sanitizing stations and trying my best to create an environment that is as safe as I can make it, but I worry about the health of my older students and colleagues.” Some individuals like Merkli worry about the health of students and staff returning to school, especially with some classrooms not being ideal for social distancing. The in-person learning section of the FUSD website states that when possible, class sizes will be decreased to allow more room for social distancing. However, Coconino High School senior Leah Richards said she supports the return to in-person learning. Richards explained that with cases in Flagstaff on the decline, as well as people getting vaccinated, returning to school is a good step in returning to the way things were before the pandemic. Richards also explained that the toughest part of online learning was the Internet going out and the lack of communication and quick responses between

students and teachers. “I am really looking forward to seeing my friends and having at least a couple months of a somewhat normal senior year,” Richards said. “It’ll feel good to just walk through the halls again.” Coconino High School juniors Aubrey Swatzell and Maddie Lorenzo also agreed that returning to in-person learning is a good idea. Swatzell’s reasoning was that students have been lacking social interaction, which she said is vital, as well as looking forward to being back in a classroom setting. Lorenzo said she missed the social interaction and feels that it is necessary to grow and learn. She also touched on the topic of learning better in-person due to the distractions that come with virtual learning and doing classes and coursework from home. “I personally think it is a good idea for students to go back to school,” Lorenzo said. “We need to have our social life back. Our mental health has been low since being online. We also haven’t met our teachers in person [and] they don’t even know who their students are. I [am] most looking forward to meeting my teachers and having the feeling of in-person learning.” As FUSD returns to in-person learning, the district has requested parents to provide information in regard to their decision to have their children return to in-person learning or continue remote learning for the remainder of the school year. Moreover, FUSD has encouraged students to follow all recommendations as it pertains to public health practices, as the district is set to welcome students back into the classroom.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC TUITION HEARING ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021 3:00 – 5:00 P.M. THIS IS A VIRTUAL HEARING The Arizona Board of Regents will conduct a virtual public hearing for testimony and comments from the public, students and other interested parties regarding the level of tuition and academic fees to be charged for resident and nonresident students at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona for academic year 2021-2022. This notice is provided pursuant to A.R.S. §15-1626.

PLEASE CHECK THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS WEBSITE FOR THE LINK TO THE VIRTUAL HEARING AND SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THE TUITION HEARING. WWW.AZREGENTS.EDU Links to the presidents’ tuition and mandatory fee proposals will be available after Friday, March 26, 2021 at: www.azregents.edu. For more information, call (602) 229-2500.

COMMENTS MAY ALSO BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO: TUITION@AZREGENTS.EDU The April 6, 2021 public hearing is an opportunity for the public to make comments concerning the issue of tuition and academic fees. MARCH 25, 2021 – MARCH 31, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

OPINION-EDITORIAL

The US empire is not long for this world Afghanistan is still under the influence of al-Qaeda, and Iraq has gone through nonstop turmoil since our arrival. In fact, the U.S. ulius Caesar once said: “If you must break the law, do it to hasn’t decisively won a war since World War II. At home, wage stagnation, increasing inflation and seize power: in all other cases observe it.” At the sight of the word empire, many tend to think fluctuation in unemployment rates that look like seismographic of a distant past. Perhaps one of the most famous historical readouts led to concerns of an increasing sense of anomie among the U.S. populace. examples conjured to mind is the Roman Empire. Anomie is a term coined by French sociologist Emile The Roman Empire lasted three centuries before collapsing into military dictatorship and general disarray. The first two Durkheim and it refers to a society’s “breakdown of standards centuries are often referred to as Pax Romana — The Roman and values or ... a lack of purpose or ideals.” Suicide rates are up a staggering 35% since 1999. Nearly Peace — suggesting it was a time of peace and prosperity. While the era of the Roman Empire could be argued to 50,000 people took their own lives in the U.S. in 2018. In 2019, another 50,000 overdosed on opioids, while some have been a very prosperous time for certain people, it was by no imagination peaceful. It was built on rape, pillage, slavery and 20 million people are reported to have a substance abuse disorder as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. brutalization just like all empires. The average number of mass shootings in the U.S. in the last Imperialism is a filthy business undertaken by only the largest, most powerful and most egomaniacal entities. It is 20 years is 2.6 times higher than the 20 years before. Additionally, the U.S. has seen a surge in white supremacist fitting that after World War II, it was the United States and the violence, most recently manifested by the killing of six Asian Soviet Union that stepped into the profession. Since the U.S. deposed the Soviet Union in the 1980s via women in Atlanta. This is the face of anomie, and it is the self-destruction of 30 years of horrendous proxy wars fought in the Middle East, Asia and South America, the U.S. has been the unipolar power a society. Running parallel to this anomie is anger at the state, which has manifested itself in social unrest across the country and of the world. As Naomi Klein wrote so brilliantly in “The Shock political spectrum. While protesters have been taking to the streets to protest Doctrine,” we have spent this time imposing our economic system — and thereby our entire way of life — on the unjust, state-sanctioned murders and fascism in general, others world through institutions such as the World Bank, have stormed political buildings, plotted kidnappings of governors and planted bombs outside the Capitol. International Monetary Fund and World Both represent a legitimate sense of anger — though not Trade Organization; not to mention the always pointed in the right direction nor for the right aforementioned proxy wars. reasons — with an increasingly corporatocratic As hard as it may be to imagine, government failing to address the basic needs of surrounded by a seemingly infinite amount the governed. of consumer luxury, the U.S. empire is In Texas this past February, residents’ utilities fizzling away. Telltale signs are omnipresent. completely shut down, leading people to freeze The overreach of our military, the selfto death, die of carbon monoxide poisoning and destructive citizenry, the deadlock experience the flooding of their homes after pipes of the government, the collapse of burst. the electoral system; these are all Democrats in Congress passed a signposts on the road to ruin. stimulus package that included oneMilitary overreach is cited time $1,400 relief checks, while other by multiple historians, including countries have been getting monthly Chalmers Johnson, as one of the checks of this size since the start of the predominant causes for an empire’s pandemic. decline. Particularly since the wars in Iraq Toward the end of the Roman Empire, the and Afghanistan, political analysts have been aristocratic class was known for its hedonism concerned that the U.S. is overextending its and absolute obliviousness and indifference to military reach. the suffering that surrounded it. The U.S. is U.S. military expenditures have risen shaping up to be no different. enormously since 1998, from $291 billion During the last year of the pandemic, to $731.75 billion in 2019. Military 664 monstrous billionaires have expenditure has only fallen in four of the last increased their cumulative wealth by 20 years, despite the drastic deescalations Illustration By diana ortega $1.3 trillion. In the early weeks of in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Involvement in two wars for the entire lives of most of 2021, 24 million people reported not having enough food. This place is going to go up like a powder keg. NAU’s student body has cost trillions of dollars and resulted in over 500,000 deaths, around half of which have been civilians. We have accomplished next to nothing in either country.

Collin Vanderwerf

Biden’s vaccine proposals are less than promising

s we increase the number of United States citizens who are vaccinated, President Joe Biden has set a goal of having all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1, as reported by CBS News. This is a goal that would push the U.S. toward a more normal life and allow many places to reopen. This bold goal gave people hope of resuming normal life by the summer. Although Biden’s goals sound very positive and exciting, it is important this is met with the action required to execute HAYLEY this plan. BOSTIAN Concerns stem from Biden’s previous WRITER claims to have a stricter mask mandate, only for many states to not enforce them. Arizona, for example, leaves the decision to individual counties but does not enforce a statewide mandate, as stated in a CNN article. As a result, many U.S. citizens feel that Biden is coming up with plans to help our country fight the pandemic, but some of his statements may be unrealistic. These goals sound great, but how will they be executed by the anticipated deadlines? Biden’s hope to have all adults vaccinated by May 1 is only practical if his administration follows through. Despite these concerns, it was said in an article by healthfocused news website Stat News that with the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services, the vaccine order will require the compliance of every state. Biden said, “Because of all the work we’ve done, we will have enough vaccines for all adults in America by the end of May.” He appears to be very confident in this prediction. In the event that all adults are eligible for the vaccine by May 1, Biden said he will allow all citizens to gather normally by July 4, as stated on the White House website. This being said, we are all hopeful that we will be able to return to normal life soon and this does give us all a glimpse of the end of the pandemic. But there is a hesitation to get too excited considering the way Biden has executed similar promises in the past. Hopefully by May 1 all adults will be able to receive the vaccine and see that our president has taken the steps necessary to follow through with these plans. It would truly be a shame to be told we’re getting close to normal only to find the pandemic will go on longer.

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

What we learned from Harry and Meghan’s interview Marley Green

he British royal family has always attracted profound intrigue — from the moment Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s widely televised, elaborate wedding. Rumors of infidelity and feuds have run rampant for years. The public has always loved a royal scandal, and Oprah Winfrey’s recent interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, has proven no different. The duke and duchess, who announced plans to step back as senior royals in 2020, revealed revelation after revelation about their time in “the institution,” each as shocking as the last. Among these were Meghan’s struggles with mental health, concerns from someone in the institution about the color of their baby’s skin and drama within the family. Rumors of an argument between Kate and Meghan came up during the interview, as well as the revelation that Prince Charles was not taking Harry’s calls while he was in Canada in early 2020. However, our main takeaways from the interview shouldn’t be about who made who cry before Harry and Meghan’s wedding or who isn’t speaking to who. We should be concerned that the public and media reaction to the interview is yet another example of a pathology of issues troubling the world today, including poor treatment of women by the media and the enduring stigmatization of mental health. In one of the most damning bombshells from the interview, the couple revealed someone within the royal family approached Harry with concerns about how dark their baby would be when he was born. Meghan also revealed she struggled with mental health during her time at the palace. When asked whether she was thinking of harming herself and having suicidal thoughts, she answered with a resounding yes. “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said. “And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.” She said she wanted to seek help, but was told she couldn’t “because it wouldn’t be good for the institution.” These two revelations have led to a very heated public reaction. Comments on snippets of the interview posted on YouTube are nearly all critical of Meghan, calling her a liar. English broadcaster Piers Morgan has

arguably been the loudest voice of criticism of Meghan since before the interview, though they were once friendly. In January 2020, Morgan called her a “selfish social climber.” Since the interview aired in the United States, he has continued to be vocal with his criticism of Meghan. He has repeatedly asserted that she is lying about everything in the Winfrey interview, tweeting, “I wouldn’t believe Meghan if she gave me a weather report.” After being called out by a colleague for dragging her only because she hurt his feelings, Morgan walked off the set of Good Morning Britain. An important distinction needs to be made here: The media and the public are characterizing Meghan as a liar and a flake, not Harry. There has been much discussion about how Meghan is the problem. There is no better reflection of how men and women are treated differently by media outlets than the response to the interview. It is disappointing, but not surprising. In some cases, Harry is being portrayed as the victim of Meghan’s manipulation, but what many are conveniently choosing to ignore is that Harry is making the exact same allegations as Meghan. Harry confirmed that someone pulled him aside to discuss the color of their baby’s skin and expressed his concern for Meghan’s mental health. According to a USA Today article, there has also been doubt that Meghan was truly suicidal, and speculation that she used mental health to manipulate Harry into leaving the royal family. The British tabloids dubbed Harry and Meghan’s decision to step down from royal duties as “Megxit,” again promoting this idea. I find these accusations incredibly tone deaf. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in the U.S. someone commits suicide every 13 minutes. It’s a widespread issue, and for someone to assume Meghan did not really experience it simply because she lives a comfortable life — and, going further, that she fabricated the story to manipulate Harry or gain favorable public opinion — is incredibly disrespectful and ignorant. This hostile reaction is the exact reason why those who are contemplating suicide don’t speak up. To put it another way, the Duchess of Sussex won’t see your posts and comments doubting that she really experienced suicidal thoughts, but your friends who have experienced them will and they will never come to you for help.

Illustration By dominic davies

Some U.S. citizens are wondering why we should spend so much time talking about this interview in the first place. I’m writing to assure those who are doubtful that we should care, and here is why: The reaction to this interview reflected many issues that, while going on across the pond, are still extremely pertinent to us universally. We are seeing a biracial woman who has dealt with mental illness speak up about her

experiences. And while her position as the Duchess of Sussex is special, racism, mental illness and the stigma surrounding both of those is not. Falling victim to a smear campaign by a ruthless, relentless media outlet isn’t either. If we continue to walk on the path of true equality, we must not turn a blind eye to the issues happening in front of us, or overseas.

MARCH 25, 2021 – MARCH 31, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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These Come From Trees: A Michael McClure

Junior Andrew Nettels, NAU Green Fund treasurer and founder of the campaign, has been placing stickers as a part of the project, These Come from Trees, which encourages individuals to reduce amounts of paper towels used in bathrooms on campus. Photo courtesy of Andrew Nettels

Left & Right: The These Come From Trees stickers posted in NAU public restrooms. Photos courtesy of Andrew Nettels

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n an age of activism and community engagement, NAU has been active in environmental sustainability efforts. The Green Fund at NAU provides funding for student-led projects, which aim to reduce the university’s environmental footprint. These Come From Trees is the newest initiative to be given the green light and is already making a large impact on campus. These Come From Trees is a sticker campaign in the United States that aims to try to convince paper towel users to conserve single-use paper towel products in the bathroom, per a blog post by Pete Kazanjy. He started the project and has maintained a blog to keep people informed. The blog states its field research found that when a sticker is posted in a public place it can reduce paper usage by 26%, saving about one tree a year. These stickers are laminated for durability and placed in extremely visible locations throughout bathrooms on campus to convince the user to reduce the amount of paper while using the restroom. Junior Andrew Nettels, founder of the campaign at NAU, has been hard at work distributing the stickers in locations across campus. For Nettels, this project began as a smaller grassroots movement and has quickly gained traction among environmentally conscious students throughout campus. “The project’s initial goal was to gain volunteers for 50 buildings,” Nettels said in an email interview. “The project is now making over 90 buildings more sustainable [and as of midMarch], over 60 students have signed up to volunteer. A goal of the project is to save the university thousands of dollars per fiscal year, and to inspire more students involved with sustainable initiatives on campus.” Nettels said the project has an institutional data sharing component and results are being sent to other universities. The These Come From Trees blog mentioned hundreds of K-12 public school facilities have implemented the sticker

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A Green sticker initiative initiative in their bathrooms. Along with K-12, universities across the country have also been participating to cut institutional costs and save thousands of dollars in paper waste. These stickers are priced at $175 for a roll of 1,000 and stagger downward in price, depending on the quantity of stickers desired. Nettels said these stickers are a net zero cost to the school, bettering the environmental footprint of the university while saving the school money at the same time. Sophomore Holly Hansen joined the project in order to try to make a difference on campus. Hansen said it has not been difficult to find purpose in the mission, and she said she hopes more people will want to take part as the movement grows. “To me, this initiative means taking what might be a small idea and turning it into something that has the potential to create a longstanding impact or change,” Hansen said via email. “The These Come From Trees project took my interest because I have a passion for sustainability and want to become more involved in establishing an eco-friendly campus. The city of Flagstaff in itself is already extremely environmentally conscious, and I hope to bring that awareness to campus as well because us college students are the future, and we have the ability to make changes right now in our daily lives to reduce the effects of climate change.” Hansen said even if this movement is not booming right now, it is her hope people will catch on and at least be mindful of the impact they are making. “I anticipate that this project will at least make students and faculty more mindful of their paper towel usage and maybe even consider making other small changes to their daily lives to live more sustainably,” Hansen said. “I do believe that if we are able to [continue to] spread the word about this initiative to other college campuses, it could enable a greater decrease in the usage of a product that we use every day.” According to the World Wildlife Fund, deforestation is one of the greatest existential threats humankind is facing in the coming

decades. In 2019 alone, the tropics in South America lost close to 30 soccer fields worth of timber every minute due to illegal logging operations. In the last 50 years, the Amazon rainforest has been reduced by roughly 17% due to humans wanting to create farmland. Sophomore Carolyn Miller said she is happy to partake in a worthwhile cause such as this project. “This initiative helps encourage the implementation of sustainability on college campuses,” Miller said during an email interview. “For me, it is a way to promote something I am passionate about, sustainability, while also having a positive volunteer experience that helps me better interact with my college community. It is very important that campuses take action toward sustainability because they are such a big factor in society that these actions could generate more sustainability initiatives. Being a part of a campus-wide project means that I am actively involved in positive actions that further sustainability, and this initiative allows me to know that it is possible to do so on a large-scale basis.” Universities are a starting point to begin conservation efforts. However, commercial businesses dominate paper use. The live statistics website The World Counts estimates that paper production and waste will double from 2010 to 2060. This website also states that 93% of paper comes from trees and 50% of waste from businesses is composed of paper. This is just one example of the detriments a university can cause environmentally. Miller said she chose to take part in this project because

“This initiative is important to me because sustainability is a multilateral effort” – Sophomore Volunteer Brendan Trachsel

it is a way for her to take action to promote sustainability on campus. She said she believes that it is an easy way to make a fundamental change toward a cleaner environment, and this action is a stepping stone into what the university can and should do to further promote sustainability. Sophomore Brendan Trachsel is one more foot soldier in the campaign. Trachsel said he is happy to be involved with a movement aimed at creating a lasting change, which will make the world more livable for generations going forward, not just the ones currently on the planet. “This initiative is important to me because sustainability is a multilateral effort,” Trachsel said during an email interview. “While we fight for the big-ticket items through systematic and institutional change, it is important to not forget the importance of social efforts. Even something as simple as these stickers has a conscious or subconscious effect on paper use that will add up significantly over time.” NAU’s Climate Action Plan lists goals for the facilities and its users on campus to meet. Action plans for water, recycling and waste minimization, transportation and procurement are a few items on the extensive list. These Come From Trees aims to align with the university’s goals and be ahead of the minimum effort. “I decided to take part in the These Come From Trees project because I believed it would have a positive effect on campus,” Trachsel said. “Small-scale campaigns and efforts require individuals to take charge, and I knew I had the time and ability to do so.” The These Come From Trees initiative has made its presence clear on the NAU campus. As environmental sustainability awareness increases, initiatives like this one will continue to grow. Small changes, even those made by students in colleges create momentum and public discourse allowing bigger more concerning issues to be addressed and eventually fixed.

“The These Come From Trees project took my interest because I have a passion for sustainability and want to become more involved in establishing an eco-friendly campus.” – Sophomore Volunteer Holly Hansen

MARCH 25, 2021 – MARCH 31, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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Recently, the NAU Jacks are Back website released information regarding the fal coming fall, leaving students to wonder if returning to the classroom is too soon for the upcoming semester. They are hoping it will help their mental health, wh conflicting with the virtual r

Stories Compiled by Sonia Leyva, Pho

Junior FINANCE MAJOR MASON SUAREZ “No, it’s not too early to be back in person with school in the fall semester,” Suarez said. “The reason being is that there is proof that COVID cases have been decreasing rather sharply over the past couple months. Along with new cases, the second wave of COVID-19 is not projecting numbers as the first wave of COVID-19. There is data showing that COVID-19 cases are decreasing or remaining stagnant. “Coming from experience, going in person should be a great way to move forward and progress for the future at NAU. This will not affect me as much. Transitioning to online school has been a challenge, especially when taking upper-division classes. Though, transitioning to online has given me more flexibility to have more time to myself and focus on other matters.”

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Junior MARKETING MAJOR EDITH MICU “Going back in person would be great since a lot of people are starting to get vaccinated but it benefits me as a student,” Micu said. “Being physically present in class would be better for my mental health because I would get that human interaction, but I would also enjoy my final year at NAU. “However, now if NAU goes back to being in person it would affect my daily routine because now I don’t allocate time to travel to and from campus, but it would be for the best.”

Senior CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PSY

“I still think it’s too early for NAU people out in public can’t follow the wearing it consistently,” Kieffer said. “ NAU going back to in person classes would impact me personally. I hope t person, people will follow CDC guide do not comply that they will be mand

“The positive impact that it wou would better my mental health. I wou and I believe that is something a lot of now.”

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all 2021 semester. NAU announced classes will resume in person starting this upor long overdue. Some NAU students have a positive outlook on being in person hile others are worried about individuals not following health guidelines and it routine they have adjusted to.

otos Courtesy of Featured Students

YCHOLOGY MAJOR MADISON KIEFFER

U to move to in person lectures because e simple rule of putting on a mask or “I am uncertain about how I feel about s because there are pros and cons that that if NAU does go back to being in elines and wear masks, and even if some dated to wear them on campus.

uld have on my life would be that it uld be getting more human interaction f students other than myself need right

Senior CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR SIERRA LOYA Senior COMMUNICATION STUDIES ASHLEY REISER “My experiences at NAU changed my life,” Reiser said. “I met a few lifelong friends and was able to have interactive experiences that shaped my life for the better. It’s not the same online. “[Switching from virtual learning] would change my life for the better. It would give me an excuse to be a student again, a student fully engaged in the curriculum.”

“COVID-19 has been around for over a year now and I think if we continue to isolate ourselves, the amount of mental health and physical issues will increase,” Loya said. “COVID-19 is extremely prevalent and intertwined in our society, so I don’t think schools being back in person will affect much. As long as students and faculty practice good hygiene and continue to wear masks, NAU should resume in-person classes.” “Personally, in-person classes would make a positive impact on my life. Attending school online is agonizing and I did not learn much virtually. It affected my mental health significantly because I did not have a routine and I was extremely isolated, so I’m very hoping NAU will stick to its decision on moving to in-person classes.”

MARCH 25, 2021 – MARCH 31, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

CULTURE

NAU Thrift Jacks turn Jacob Rimmer

Lana Del Rey’s new folk era

fter months of delays, singer Lana Del Rey’s seventh studio album “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” is finally here, serving us a new heartbreaking period of folk and country music. In collaboration with producer Jack Antonoff, the pair set the scene for a peaceful, yet lonesome summer. Opening track “White Dress” is a great introduction to frame Del Rey’s next chapter. Here we see her reminiscing about her life as a waitress in Orlando, Florida before finding fame. I love it when artists talk about their past because it makes their music that much more vulnerable, and this song is no exception. KYLER Although the accompanying music video is fairly EDSITTY simple and doesn’t have much production, I think it complements the song very well. Del Rey and other ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR women are seen roller skating on an empty road while the beautiful lyrics play. The viewer can truly see how free she felt back then, but feels heavy considering how much time has passed and how much has changed. In the title track, Del Rey sings about the picturesque life she wants in the suburbs. The sweet lyrics make me crave the calm summer evenings she describes. However, the music video tells a much darker story. The flawless housewives shown gallivanting around the country club are revealed to be werewolves at the end of the video. With stunning imagery and nods to Lana’s early life, this work of art reminds us that this lifestyle isn’t always perfect. As a longtime Del Rey fan, the track “Yosemite” started to feel like an urban legend. In a 2017 Beats 1 interview, Del Rey said this track was cut from her fifth album “Lust For Life” because, “it was too happy. We’re not there yet.” After four years of listening to snippets, we finally have our hands on this beautiful song. It was worth the wait because this is my favorite track on the album. Del Rey opens up about a relationship she thinks will stand the test of time. Although the lyrics are very bright, her low voice and the slow guitar strumming makes the listener feel lonely. Although these contradict, it creates a mix of emotions that is hard to find in other artists. In the closing track “For Free,” singers Zella Day and Weyes Blood join the singer to deliver an almost heavenly conclusion. Del Rey is such a great standalone artist that it is very distracting when others appear in the music. So much so this divine song feels clouded by the different voices. Part of me feels like this album isn’t exactly complete. With only 11 tracks, I feel like there is a larger narrative to explore. Although each track is brilliant on its own, the album feels a little disjointed compared to the masterpiece that was her previous album, “Norman F*****g Rockwell!” However, this album still has Del Rey’s signature poetic lyrics and cinematic production. I will always consider Del Rey to be one of the best songwriters of our time whose releases will always excite me.

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ommitted to the prospect of a sustainable school environment, NAU Thrift Jacks is an on-campus organization that advocates for environmentally friendly fashion choices, including the “reuse, upcycling and recycling of clothing.” The group largely operates on donations, which are distributed to NAU students in need. According to the Thrift Jacks page on True Blue Connects, its “pop-up thrift exchanges in residence halls and other locations around campus create excitement for thrifting and recognition of sustainable practices regarding clothing.” Thrift Jacks President and sophomore Elaina Van Duyne plans and facilitates these events. “We have Thrift Jacks club meetings every two weeks,” Van Duyne said. “At these meetings, we discuss how to make changes in our lives in order to be more sustainable with fashion and clothing choices. We’ve gone over where to acquire second-hand clothing in Flagstaff, as well as the impact that fast fashion has both on the environment and on factory workers.”

Amid pertinent conversations involving humaninduced climate change and irreversible damage to Earth’s ecosystem, it is difficult to avoid trends that serve as responses to these issues. Despite the increasing popularity of upcycling, many still remain in the dark regarding its method and potential. So, what is upcycling? According to Upcycle That, a website dedicated to the trend, upcycling is the process of taking unwanted materials and repurposing them into something useful. Upcycling differs from recycling in that waste is visualized as a resource, and actually serves as a potential creative outlet instead of merely being broken down and recast. A variety of projects can be inspired by upcycling: dish racks into file folders, old shirts into handbags and TVs into aquariums are just a few examples of common goods transformed into something spectacular. Truly, the creative possibilities are endless. Van Duyne is also sustainability coordinator for ASNAU and has jurisdiction over sustainability week, an event that takes place on campus each year, and is responsible for initiating events to commemorate the occasion. This year, on March 16, Van Duyne combined

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used clothes from trash into treasure this effort with Thrift Jacks, and held a virtual seminar that delved into sustainable fashion, with a specific focus on upcycling. A panel of guest speakers provided a glimpse into some of the methodology behind sustainable fashion practices and offered quality discussion regarding the benefits of those procedures. Claire Procter-Murphy, junior and student worker at NAU’s costume shop, provided a presentation on “rescuing” clothes, and illuminated a variety of mending techniques that can be utilized to stitch up old garments. One such technique is sashiko: a traditional Japanese mending style, in which the entire targeted area of fabric is stitched over with lines, crosses or more intricate patterns. Other approaches, such as invisible mending, where repairs are made with little visual effect on the garment, were also thoroughly explored and encouraged. While some of the procedures may appear overwhelming,

“These topics are upsetting ... it’s hard to face the fact that this is our reality. However, one of my main goals in this position is to encourage students to be kind to themselves on their journey to a more sustainable life. any change, no matter how small it seems in the moment, may add up to a huge difference in the long run.” – thrift jacks president Elaina Van duyne

Procter-Murphy said, new enthusiasts may surprise themselves through steady practice. Natalie Pierson, community outreach specialist for NAU’s Green Fund, discussed a variety of DIY upcycling projects, including garment alterations and scratch-made scrunchies and quilts. Some of the projects don’t require any sewing. Tutorials on converting bandanas or socks into face masks and T-shirts into bags provide some creative alternatives. Upcycling isn’t simply a way for people to express themselves, Pierson said, but it is also a strategy to combat conventional “fast fashion” trends, which are a detriment to sustainability and the image of the fashion industry as a whole. “In the modern world, the majority of clothes are made purely with the intent of being disposable,” Pierson said. “There’s a lot of clothing waste coming from the fast fashion industry.” Fast fashion refers to a profitable business model in which companies mass produce replications of trendy, high-fashion design, often leading to an excess of goods. The lack of quality control in the manufacturing of these goods is evident in the product itself. The materials utilized in production, containing a slew of unwanted chemicals, break down quickly and often lead to the garment getting tossed out within a few uses, as stated by lifestyle website The Good Trade.

The environmental impact of fast fashion is far greater than many may think. According to a Business Insider article from October 2019, 10% of global carbon emissions can be attributed to the industry, which is greater than the emissions of international flight and maritime shipping combined. The subsistence of fast fashion relies on consumership, so it is ultimately up to potential buyers to make a change. Van Duyne said she holds this sentiment of change close to heart. She has been devoted to making campus a more sustainable environment ever since being appointed to these positions, and has been involved in multiple projects involving sustainability. Van Duyne and the Office of Sustainability even provided ecofriendly care packages for students in need during the pandemic. “These topics are upsetting ... it’s hard to face the fact that this is our reality,” Van Duyne said. “However, one of my main goals in this position is to encourage students to be kind to themselves on their journey to a more sustainable life. Any change, no matter how small it seems in the moment, may add up to a huge difference in the long run.” The seminar provided numerous recommendations to begin the journey to a sustainable fashion lifestyle, included innumerable potential creative projects and encouraged attendees to say no to fast fashion and begin to develop a foundation for real change. Left & Right: The NAU Thrift Jacks hosted a virtual event that focused on upcycling used clothing and turning it into other items, such as a T-shirt bag, March 16. Cole Stewart | The Lumberjack

MARCH 25, 2021 – MARCH 31, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

CULTURE

March 15 to 21: Oscar nominees and a four-hour movie katelyn rodriguez

his week in Hollywood brings news of film productions, theme park reopenings and new music, film and TV releases. Here’s the latest out of the entertainment industry.

Monday, March 15 Nominations for the 93rd annual Academy Awards were announced Monday by singer and actor Nick Jonas and his wife, actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The nominees include the late Chadwick Boseman of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Andra Day of “The United States Vs. Billie Holiday” and Daniel Kaluuya of “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The nominations were also full of historic milestones for the awards ceremony. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, “For the first time in the Academy Awards’ nearly century-old history, more than one female director has been nominated in the best director category.” The full list of nominees can be found on the Oscars website. _________ Singer and actor Demi Lovato announced her new album “Dancing with the Devil … The Art of Starting Over” on her Instagram and Twitter accounts Monday. The album is set to be released April 2. _________ “The Gray Man,” the newest film from directors Joe and Anthony Russo, began production in Los Angeles on Monday. The directors confirmed the news via their Instagram and Twitter accounts by posting a photo of the film’s clapperboard. The film, which is being adapted for Netflix and is based on Mark Greaney’s

2009 novel of the same name, stars actors Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Ryan Gosling. Tuesday, March 16 AMC Networks announced in a Tuesday statement that the fourth season of its acclaimed series “Killing Eve,” which stars Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, will be its last. The statement also said that potential spinoffs of the show are being considered. _________ Variety reported actor Tom Hiddleston is joining the cast of Apple TV’s adaptation of Sarah Perry’s 2016 novel “The Essex Serpent.” The show, which will have the same title as the novel, also stars Claire Danes. _________ The New York Times’ feature story about Demi Lovato confirmed her new album “Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over,” will include a collaboration with singer Ariana Grande. Wednesday, March 17 According to Variety, Sony Pictures has moved the release date for “Venom: Let there be Carnage” back yet again, this time to Sept. 17 from its originally slated release date of June 25. _________ Demi Lovato announced her new single “Dancing with the Devil” will be released March 26. The announcement comes after Lovato announced her seventh studio album Monday. _________

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Disneyland CEO Bob Chapek announced both Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks will reopen April 30 on CNBC’s “Squawk Alley.” The theme parks will only be open to California residents at this time and will have limited capacity. _________ Thursday, March 18 Warner Brothers adaptation of “In the Heights” has moved its release date up from June 18 to June 11. According to Variety, the film will be available to stream on HBO Max in addition to being released in theaters. _________ The highly anticipated “Zach Snyder’s Justice League,” was released on HBO Max. The Snyder cut is approximately four hours long and, according to entertainment website Vulture, is “what director Zack Snyder’s original vision for Justice League would have become had he not left the film after a family tragedy.” Friday, March 19 Marvel released its second TV series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” on Disney+ Friday. The series follows Sam Wilson (Falcon) and Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier) through their lives six months after “Avengers: Endgame” and will consist of six episodes released weekly. _________ Singer Lana Del Rey released her highly anticipated seventh album “Chemtrails Over the Country Club.” The album has 11 songs and features singers Zella Day and Weyes Blood.

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MARCH 25, 2021 – MARCH 31, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

SPORTS

Drew Brees is a top-five all-time quarterback

n Sunday, March 14, which happened to be the 15year anniversary of him signing with the New Orleans Saints, legendary quarterback Drew Brees officially announced on Instagram his retirement from football. The 42-year-old quarterback decided it was time to call it quits after a masterful career. Brees was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft out of Purdue. In 2006, Brees joined the New Orleans Saints. It was that first year which really set the tone for Brees and the Saints. The team finished 10-6 and won the NFC South. The team went on to the NFC Championship, where the Saints lost to BRENDEN the Chicago Bears, 39-14. Brees would MARTIN reach his first Pro Bowl and be selected as First Team All-Pro. SPORTS EDITOR Fast forward to 2009, when the Saints started the season 13-0 and secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The team advanced to Super Bowl XLVI where the Saints defeated quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17. The win allowed Brees to secure his only ring in addition to being named Super Bowl MVP. Brees is the all-time leader in pass completions with 7,142, on top of him holding the top three spots for single-season completions that he set in 2011, 2014 and 2016. He also holds the record for career passing yards with 80,358. He comes in a close second in passing touchdowns with 571, just 10 behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. He holds the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass at 54, a streak that took place over three years. He is the only player to have consecutive 40 touchdown seasons, which he achieved in 2011 and 2012. Brees will forever be known for his accuracy. In his 20 years, Brees had a career completion percentage of 67.7%. He holds four of the five top single-season completion percentages, including the top three seasons which he earned near the end of his career in 2017-2019. The stat that really brings Brees’ status home is that he had five seasons of over 5,000 passing yards. That has only been done seven other times throughout the history of the NFL. Drew Brees will easily be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and he has set himself to be a great broadcaster for NBC Sports. Ranking quarterbacks is no easy task. There are strong arguments for other quarterbacks ahead of Brees. But in my eyes, there are not five other quarterbacks that have played the game that are

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The NAU diving team captured the 2021 Western Athletic Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship, Feb. 27. Photo courtesy of NAU Athletics

NAU swimming and diving continues to thrive Stephanie Svob

ight after NAU swimming and diving won its seventh conference title on Feb. 29, 2020, COVID-19 hit, which caused a shocking end to NAU’s 2020 season. Senior Jenny Cheetham placed first in the one-meter diving competition at the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Swimming & Diving Championships, qualifying her for a spot at NCAA Zone Diving Championships. Just as the team was getting ready to travel, the NCAA canceled all future championships for the season. The 2021 season took some time to build, as it started later in the year. The team participated in full-time training with a normal practice schedule. While training, the team had to get back into performing shape after the long layoff. A significant impact from the pandemic was the lack of competitions, which was partly due to budget cuts, travel restrictions and every school dealing with different health guidelines. Also, any time an athlete got sick they had to sit out, even if they tested negative for COVID-19. “We’re trying to bring our team together, but also stay away from each other,” head diving coach Nikki Huffman said.

This was extremely difficult for the team, because despite staying away from one another physically, they had to get connected as a team. As far as what was achieved throughout practices, it’s hard to measure progress at the moment due to the unavailability of true statistics, when in comparison to other teams or previous years. There’s an absence of data to objectively analyze. Freshmen athletes hadn’t had many intersquad meets to measure where their skill was. Everybody on the team pushed each other to be better. However, the lack of competition was starting to affect the team. “We really need to race another team wearing a different suit and cap than we are,” head swim coach Andy Johns said about only being able to compete against each other. In regard to what athletes had notable seasons, both Huffman and Johns are proud of how the whole team performed. In the freshman class, Victoria Knapp was a consistent diver who won the three-meter event in their intrasquad meet and was one to watch out for this season. It was a tough year filled with numerous uncertainties, but all the athletes did about as good of a job as they could have with their attitudes and efforts.

SPORTS Moments like a swimmer hitting the wall, looking up at the scoreboard and smiling because they’re happy with their results, or a diver being excited about a great performance, are what the team misses most dearly. Johns also explained why he’s fortunate to be a coach. He said it’s special to see athletes as freshmen mature and leave as graduates. Being able to watch them grow up, graduate and witness their success not only in the pool but also outside of the pool is a rewarding part of coaching. “We really get to see these young girls kind of find out who they are and become who they want to be, and I think with some of the things you put them through with sport and being a student-athlete helps them find that,” Johns said. All the adversity and grit paid off in the end, as the team won its eighth WAC title in a row and also received four conference honors. Huffman won WAC Diving Coach of the Year, freshman Knapp won WAC Diver of the Year, Francesca Criscione won WAC Freshman of the Year and Johns won WAC Swimming Coach of the Year. Diver Alyssa Jones, junior, finished 23rd in the quarterfinal, while freshman Maegan Jensen finished 22nd and Knapp was 21st. They also secured their spots at NCAA championships. Huffman and Johns have been coaching together for 25 years, and have built champion teams. They’ve created a model for other universities, and have established the foundation for swimming and diving at NAU. This is a legacy that will be defined by a dynasty that has been going on for eight years and is not going anywhere soon. “We don’t take a lot of breaks even after the season, but with COVID we got shut down for quite some time during quarantine,” Huffman said. “Even though we could still come to the office we weren’t truly coaching. I really missed it, coaching the college team, coaching kids from camps. I was glad to know that I still felt that way.”

Freshman diver Victoria Knapp prepares to attempt a dive on day three of the 2021 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships, Feb. 27. Photo courtesy of NAU Athletics

This week in NAU Athletics NAU Men’s Tennis vs Idaho State: Friday, March 26, 10 a.m. NAU Soccer vs Idaho State: Friday, March 26, 1 p.m. NAU Women’s Tennis vs Idaho State: Friday, March 26, 2 p.m. NAU Men’s Tennis vs Weber State: Saturday, March 27, 10 a.m. NAU Football @ Weber State: Saturday, March 27, 12 p.m. Pluto TV (Channel 1054) NAU Soccer vs Idaho State: Sunday, March 28, 12 p.m.

MARCH 25, 2021 – MARCH 31, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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