March 2023: The Athens All Around Issue

LIVIN’ IN LEATHER

OHIO’S WINDY 9 MAKES ATHENS A

PRIME SPOT FOR BIKER FASHION

PHOTOS BY CORRIN SWITZER

THE ATHENS ALL AROUND ISSUE

24 I Spy

62 From Punjab to Athens

PHOTO CREDIT: NICOLE BOWMAN LAYTON/ANEWS

HAUTE ONLINE

Looking for a new internet obsession? Whether you want to listen to podcasts or watch some videos, we’ve got you covered virtually.

GUSTAF WESTMAN

Gustaf Westman is a furniture designer who creates funky and colorful designs for wavy mirrors, lamps, tables, and chunky plates. His maximalist style shines through his art and furniture designs. His home resembles his style very well, containing a variety of bright mirrors that line his rooms, chunky shaped side tables, and painted flowers and squiggles that cover his living room. I love this style of filling rooms with colors, differently shaped frames and mirrors, and adding bold pieces that somehow bring the room together. Westman’s showrooms look straight out of a child’s dreams with puzzle-shaped wall

pieces and tables, squiggly lines, and big flowers. How could anyone be down in a bright and positive environment like this? The closest I will get to this style right now is decorating my wall with differently shaped frames and pictures. Recently, I have been collaging more and love to hang my differently themed artwork on the wall and shelves. Bringing any pop of color with furniture, blankets, or pictures can brighten a room and give a hint of that maximalist aesthetic.

- JULIA GREENWOOD

PHOTO CREDIT: DOMINO

“ABBOTT ELEMENTARY”

I am late to hop aboard the “Abbott Elementary” train, as the show was released late 2021. However, let me just say that I fully understand all of the praise that it has received. Quinta Brunson has created an absolutely brilliant and hilarious mockumentary-style show surrounding teachers, public school, and the overall education system. Maybe it is because I grew up with two public school teachers as parents, but the gags and punchlines are insanely accurate. I find the occurrence of these ridiculous events to be highly possible in a public school setting. The characters alone are enough to make me fall in love with the show. It is so easy to become attached to each teacher’s backstory, their relationships with their coworkers and their students, and just their overall humor. The principal of the school, Ava

Coleman, is by far my favorite character. She is an unqualified woman who blackmailed her way into landing a job as the principal, and she always has the funniest zingers. I swear I genuinely laugh out loud at all of her lines. Despite her “put me first” attitude, she has tender moments where she reveals how much she cares about her people and the students of the school. This show is an all around feel-good sitcom with a colorful cast of characters that you are bound to adore! The second season is currently ongoing with new episodes being released every Wednesday. If you are looking for a nice and easy show to binge, I highly recommend checking out “Abbott Elementary” on HBO Max or Hulu.

- GRACE AUBLE

PHOTO CREDIT: PAMELA LITTKY / ABC

ANNIE BONELLI, “SCAR GIRL”

If anyone has been on TikTok within the last couple of months, they might have seen this “scar girl” pop-up on their page. Scar girl, otherwise known as Annie Bonelli, has gone viral on TikTok for a noticeably large and odd-looking scar on her cheek. Although she has had posts with it for over a year, her popularity sky-rocketed due to her scar moving around on her face and getting larger and smaller at times. She had a much more realistic scar in her earlier videos compared to the current scar that is a deep brown color and looks almost drawn-on. This is not to say it is fake, because I do not know. However, the topic has

started a controversy because people think she drew on this scar. I am no professional, but it is hard to come to her defense when the scar has moved around on her face. This alleged scar has even been analyzed by dermatologists on TikTok. While Bonnelli has continued to defend her scar as real, the speculation continues as to whether or not she is drawing it on. She was so prominent that ENews and NBC have interviewed her because of the immense backlash she has gotten. I do not have an answer, but this phenomenon has taken over TikTok.

-

AMY SZMIK

PHOTO CREDIT: ANNIE BONELLI

SEASON 15 OF “RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE”

Racers, start your engines, and may the best Drag Queen win!

As an avid watcher of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, I was incredibly excited for the new season, which aired on Jan. 10. Two of the queens on this season, twins Sugar and Spice, may be familiar to fans. Without revealing any spoilers, I can safely say that this season feels different from seasons past. The social divide between the older queens and the new, young, and sometimes influencer queens seems to be a major talking point so far. I think every season of this show brings a new message of inclusivity, and I am excited for the possibilities of this season! While this is not “Top 5,” I couldn’t resist giving you my top five favorite queens of the season so far.

1) Marcia Marcia Marcia

2) Anetra

3) Malaysia Babyboll Foxx

4) Sasha Colby

5) Loosey LaDuca

And remember, if you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?

Check out Season 15 on MTV!

- JULIA GREENWOOD

PHOTO CREDIT: SANTIAGO FELIPE / GETTY IMAGES

PHOTO CREDIT: MTV

THE BIKE PATH

When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, walking or running on the bike path is an activity I can always look forward to.

The Hocking Adena Bikeway, better known colloquially as the bike path, is a wonderful inclusion to Athens’ wide array of hiking and biking trails. Lined with cherry blossom trees, one of my favorite sections of the trail guides pedestrians around areas of Ohio University’s campus and alongside the Hocking River.

Those familiar with this section of the bike path know how serene it can be, especially in the morning and evening hours. Those looking to wander further away from campus, however, can take the path all the way up to Nelsonville and The Plains where it intersects with local establishments like Eclipse Company Store.

The bike path is one of my favorite locations on campus because it is somewhere I can go to clear my head and take some time for myself away from the hustle and bustle of college life. The centralized location of the bike path makes it a great destination for students looking to take a break from a hectic, busy schedule.

As I look forward to graduation in May, I think of how much I will miss the luxury of having such a well-kept trail basically in my backyard. I hope the bike path will remain a valued fixture of the community and that students and residents alike will be able to appreciate it for generations to come.

Find out the top five things that our exec board is inspired by right now.

PHOTO CREDIT: NICK BROWN/OHIO UNIVERSITY

HIGH LOW WITH EMRATA

I have never been able to stay consistent with listening to podcasts. No show has been able to hold my engagement until I found High Low with EmRata. Hosted by model and actress Emily Ratajkowski, the podcast publishes two episodes weekly. One episode interviews a special guest, and there are no limits on what the conversation will bring. Ratajkowski discusses topics such as politics, feminism, and sex lives with a variety of celebrities. Guests range from actresses like Bella Thorne and Julia Fox to the Italian fashion mogul, Donatella Versace. The second episode, titled “EmRata Asks,” poses a thought-provoking question that is later explored during the episode. The show also explores taboo topics such as, “Can you be a feminist and get plastic surgery?” and “Why aren’t women allowed to wrinkle?” My favorite episode to date features an interview with comedian Ziwe on her late night talk show and her journey to internet fame. If you need a podcast for hot-girl walking, High Low with EmRata has something to offer everyone.

- HANNAH CAMPBELL

AIRPODS PRO (2ND GENERATION)

I may be a little bit late to the party here, but I can not rave enough about the newest addition to my collection of items that I use every day: the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen). My mom recently gifted them to me for my birthday, upgrading me from the 1st Generation AirPods that I had been using since they came out in 2016. Now, I use them whenever I get the chance because I am obsessed with how they make me feel like I am in another world. I get easily distracted while trying to study, so the noise-canceling feature in unison with my favorite song makes me feel like I am the only one in the room. Without hearing distractions like people talking or sneezing, studying has become much easier. In addition, when I wear them while walking to class, I feel like I am strutting down the runway. While I know that my obsession with them may be stemming from how much of an upgrade they are compared to my old AirPods, I will still get a lot of use from them in the future.

- CARMEN SZUKAITIS

PHOTO CREDIT: EMRATA/INSTAGRAM

PHOTO CREDIT: APPLE

Ever since I was a kid, I have found the most comfort in all forms of media. This comfort came from books, movies, TV shows, and music. When I was in middle school, I watched the show “Glee” and immediately became obsessed. This show combined all my favorite things including musical theater, pop music, and generic high school drama in such a charming way. I recently rewatched the show and fell in love all over again. I decided to rewatch the show when I learned that one of its stars, Lea Michele, earned the lead role in the Broadway show Funny Girl, which coincidentally is

the role she played in the 4th season of the show. It is crazy to me that her life came full-circle and that she may have manifested that role through “Glee” . I think it is important to do things to heal the inner-child within you and, for me, rewatching this show has brought a joy that I forgot I had. I now shamelessly listen to the Glee version of almost every song I can because my inner-child and I deserve it!

- HUNTER GIBSON

PHOTO CREDIT: FOX IMAGE COLLECTION/GETTY IMAGES

TRADER JOE’S COLD BREW COFFEE CONCENTRATE

As a college student, way too much of my money goes to a collegiate necessity: caffeine. As store-bought coffee now averages $5 or more, I told myself that this semester I needed to start making it at home. My new favorite coffee? Trader Joe’s Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate.

My friends make fun of me for how sugary my coffee is, but I drink for taste more than for energy. To start, I scoop a bit of vanilla ice cream into my glass, then add in my coffee. The cold brew is a concentrate, so I add one part concentrate with two parts water, as instructed. You can also do this with milk, but I prefer to just top it off with some milk to match my typical coffee order shade of light brown.

I also invested in some of the syrups used in coffee shops to make my coffee more authentic at home. Finally, I top it off with some whipped cream and caramel drizzle. Is it the healthiest? Of

course not; it is coffee and it is delicious.

The concentrate is only $9, so it is less expensive than buying two cups of coffee. The bottle says it makes eight to 12 cups of coffee, but I have found that it makes even more.

If I ever do purchase a coffee, I take the little plastic cup home with me if it is convenient and clean it. In doing so, I can convince my brain that I have rewarded myself with a little coffee order just like I would do last semester but in a much more cost-efficient sense. The concentrate would work well for anyone’s iced coffee order, and because it is a cold brew, it does not require ice for the order. I cannot wait to stock up again for spring break, and I certainly recommend others do the same.

- KATIE MILLARD

Editor’s Note

When I first came to Athens, I never expected to get attached. But, now being a senior and in my final months, the only thing I want is one more year. Athens never leaves you, it is more than a place—it is a feeling, an experience, and, for some, a true love. In order to understand the love for Athens, one must experience it.

To “experience” means to encounter or undergo something, and that is what we expect people to do with this issue of Thread. Welcome to “The People’s Issue,” an issue all about some of the people and places in Athens that make it the memorable place it is. A possessive “s” indicating the issue is for you—the person reading it.

Being in the environment we are in, Thread strives to use its surroundings to create art, so what better way to do that than to bring Athens to our pages. Together, Thread ’s executive board curated an issue that appreciates everything from the streetstyle students bring to Athens to student, self-started businesses.

This issue pushed us but in the best way possible. It made us think, adapt, and communicate. It grew us closer together—similar to the effect Athens has on many. We worked with some incredible people and dug deeper into this place we call home.

We brought a spotlight to a talented student who does nails (P. 28) and the Asian American Pacific Islander Student Union on Ohio University’s campus (P.36). Students on campus all have their own story and something that makes them stand out, so we found some students who were willing to share their experience on campus and their experience with Ohio U’s diversity efforts (P.154).

There were so many places we wanted to talk about in this issue. We wrote about Star of India and the goodness it brings to its customers (P.54), and then featured multiple student organizations, one being the Comparative Religion Club (P.156).

Our Middle of the Book shoots this issue are Athens wrapped into a perfect series of photos. We honored the Windy 9 in “Livin’ in Leather,” and shot all the photos in the Smiling Skull Saloon (P.72). There are so many beautiful people on this campus, so in “Love Your Hair” we brought students in to show how to love your hair (P.84). To add movement, we invited Ohio U’s dance team to show off their talent for a shoot (P.110) and had the Ojah dance team in the studio looking as amazing as ever (P.118). We, of course, could not get through

an issue about Athens without highlighting some of our favorite places in Athens, so we created our own “Athens Color Palette” and brought some notable places to life (P.98).

“The People’s Issue” was made for the people by some of the most dedicated people I know. I am so thankful for my executive board and the Thread staff. They are the reason Thread can be all that it is. The talent that runs through Thread’s veins never fails to amaze me.

We hope you learn something new about Athens, or that you fall in love with it a little bit more. Thank you for the continued support and encouragement to let everyone in Thread do what they are passionate about. Take a stroll on the bricks and enjoy “The People’s Issue.”

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kayla Bennett

MANAGING EDITOR Dori Gray

BUSINESS MANAGER Hunter Gibson

BUSINESS STAFF Karmia Gabriel

EDITORIAL

COPY CHIEF Erin Finan

SEAMS EDITOR Carmen Szukaitis

DIY, WWW, & CAMPUS CASUAL EDITOR Hannah Campbell

FEATURES & BOC EDITOR Katie Millard

EDITORIAL STAFF Olivia Rohling, Sabine Obermoller, Tate Raub, Isabella Coneglio, Morgan Mugwira, Maggie Hackworth, Katy Snodgrass, Kendall Bergeron, Maggie Valentine, Carlie Reese, Riley Peeden, Abbey Menza, Mimi Calhoun, Lucy Riley, Riley Clark, Abby Jenkins, Savannah Dawson, Megan Goss, Dori Gray, Sophie Neilsen, Gabrielle Cabanes, Fiona Slaymaker, Tanner Smith

DESIGN

DESIGN DIRECTOR Grace Sublett

DESIGN STAFF Avery Allison, Hadley Fain, Aliza Dutt, Zoe Cranfill, Julia Greenwood, Kim Langhirt, Zoe Geiss, Carly Hart, George Koloski, Lauren Salter, Maddie James, Lauren Adams, Emily Becker, Maris Cordial

ILLUSTRATION STAFF Avery Allison, Julia Greenwood, Zoe Geiss, Carly Hart, Marissa Giordano, Jocelyn Paxton, Maddie James

PHOTO

PHOTO CHIEF Meg Rees

PHOTO EDITOR Corrin Switzer

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ella Calhoun

PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF Aliza Dutt, Sophie Neilsen, Kat Frazier, Zoe Cranfill, Abbey Sucher, Kenta Kato, Amir Phillips, Tora Blamer, Mackenzie Daniels, Anna Parasson, Zennia Lam, Megan Goss, Ambriell Shannon, Sophia Parrillo, Hadley Fain, Kali Knudson, Josh Zielinski

MULTIMEDIA

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR AND WEB EDITOR Julia Greenwood

VIDEO EDITOR Kat Frazier

MULTIMEDIA STAFF Madeline Navratil, Kae Walther, Zoe Cranfill, Kenta Kato, Kim Langhirt, Bryce Auster, Carly Hart, Megan Goss, Audrianna Wilde, Anson Battoclette, Jayla Neal

FASHION

FASHION DIRECTOR Samantha Kruse

DIRECTOR OF FASHION COMMUNICATIONS Makenzie Price

HEAD STYLIST Grace Auble

MAKEUP DIRECTOR ALEXIS KY

FASHION STAFF Hadley Fain, Olivia Rohling, Lucy Walter, Sabine Obermoller, Serenity Powell, Tate Raub, Dani Bell, Sophie Neilsen, Lucy Curtin, Kandace Shepherd, Kae Walther, Katy Snodgrass, Kendall Bergeron, Emma Snyder-Lovera, Alexia Ashley, Olivia Trowbridge, Zoe Geiss, Bella Johnson, Mimi Calhoun, Ambriell Shannon, Melanie Geiger, Tanner Smith, Zennia Lam, Molly Florimonte, Megan Goss, Kennedy Hall, Fiona Mack, Julia Germer, Annabelle Sorge, Bella Bolin, Tyler Brooks, J Pressley Mcilwain, Maria Segui, Taylor Jones, Abby Joyner, Anson Battoclette, Harlee Taylor, Bailey Smith, Emily Royse

PUBLIC RELATIONS

PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF Amy Szmik

PUBLIC RELATIONS STAFF Fiona Mack, Sabine Obermoller, Emma Snyder-Lovera, Abby Jenkins, Dori Gray, Sara Wagner, Marissa Giordano, Sophie Neilsen, Molly Griffiths

EXECUTIVE BOARD 2022-2023

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kayla Bennett

BUSINESS MANAGER Hunter Gibson

SEAMS EDITOR Carmen Szukaitis

MANAGING EDITOR

Dori Gray

COPY EDITOR Erin Finan DIY, WWW, & CAMPUS CASUAL EDITOR Hannah Campbell

DIRECTOR OF FASHION COMMUNICATONS

Makenzie Price

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ella Calhoun

FEATURES & BOC EDITOR Katie Millard

MAKEUP DIRECTOR Alexis Ky

VIDEO EDITOR Kat Frazier

PHOTO CHIEF Meg Rees

HEAD STYLIST Grace Auble

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR & WEB EDITOR Julia Greenwood

DESIGN DIRECTOR Grace Sublett

PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF Amy Szmik

FASHION DIRECTOR Samantha Kruse

PHOTO EDITOR Corrin Switzer

SEAMS

From the runway to the streets, and everywhere in between, here are this seasons’s most soughtafter trends.

ATHENS & OHIO U’S ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER ORGANIZATIONS

Runway Realway: Christopher John Rodgers

BY DORI GRAY PHOTOS BY ZENNIA LAM

Founder and creative director Christopher John Rogers is 29 going on 30, and his signature designs are flirty and thriving. According to The Cut, he fittingly labels his dramatic-yet-practical aesthetic “pragmatic glamour.”

An alumnus of Savannah College of Art and Design, Rogers’s eponymous brand began with his senior thesis collection. The New York City-based label “exists to create emotional and sensitive clothing with a focus on effortful dressing, directed towards an individual with a strong sense of self,” according to its official website. The clothing has “an emphasis on quality manufacturing and timeless appeal,” and it encourages the customer to “take up space.”

Since graduating with a B.F.A. in fashion in 2016, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has amassed numerous accolades, including the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund top prize in 2019, Forbes 30 Under 30 and CFDA American Emerging Designer of the Year in 2020, and CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2021. Also in 2021, Rogers was a finalist for the LVMH Prize. He became a member of The BoF 500, a curation of “the people shaping the global fashion industry,” according to The Business of Fashion, in 2022.

Several stylish celebrities have donned noteworthy CJR looks, including Beyoncé, the Hadid sisters, Anne Hathaway, Dua Lipa, Michelle Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Zendaya. For the 2021 presidential inauguration, Rogers designed a custom coordinating coat and dress for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Rogers is not afraid of bright colors or striking patterns. In fact, those are two characteristics that his brand is known for.

“I don’t think that the way that you dress should make you sacrifice your personality, or your point of view, or necessarily say anything about your intelligence,” he told NPR

In 2021, Rogers released a limited edition collection as a part of Target’s 2021 Designer Dress Collection. Audrianna Wilde, a senior studying journalism, models the Christopher John Rogers for Target Long Sleeve Two-tone Shirtdress. Wilde has a strong sense of personal style themself.

“I kind of just pick and choose what I like from everything—as long as it has color in it,” Wilde said.

Christopher John Rogers’s Pre-Fall 2023 collection’s circus-inspired presentation proved clownery and class can coexist. Collection 011, titled “It’s My Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To,” premiered Jan. 6 as stylized images on Vogue Runway.

While the silhouettes were unmistakably Christopher John Rogers, the first six looks were surprisingly pallid for a brand known for its hues. Look 1 consisted of two shades of off-white, “Tortilla” and “Macadamia.” However, the collection had a clear color story, soon journeying through shades like “Algae,” a floral print, and even a hand-embellished black.

“What I’m after is autonomy, the ability to do what I want,” Rogers said, according to Vogue Runway. For him, “the idea of play is paramount.” As a result, models toyed with circusy poses, making use of a classic clown nose and a red latex balloon.

Though some looks purposefully differ from the brand’s norm, Collection 011 is a solid offering. One could attempt to recreate an outfit with smart pattern mixing. Specifically, one could wear a bright, coordinating oversized suit and tie a rainbow-striped sweater at the waist under the open blazer.

Now, it’s your party and you can cry if you want to.

Runway Realway: Nili Lotan

BY CARLIE REESE

PHOTOS BY ALIZA DUTT

Nili Lotan’s minimalist, finely-tailored pre-fall menswear collection is an intriguing look toward androgynous fashion. When thinking of androgynous fashion, one often thinks of tailored jackets and pants that leave the body with a shapeless form. Nili Lotan’s newest collection features exactly that. With a plain color palette that is flattering to all skin tones, and silhouettes that would fit well on anybody, this collection is great for buyers looking to explore androgynous luxury fashion.

The color story is rather simple with beiges, black, greens, grays, and denim. The collection includes a lot of tailored outerwear and baggy pants. The collection also features some baggy pieces as well as some tight-fitting tops. A cotton tank top and long sleeve top are two of the most fitted and versatile pieces in the collection. They

can be layered and paired with any number of other garments in the collection. The versatility in this collection really shines with each of these garments being pairable with one another. Clothing that can be versatile seems to be an upcoming trend with many because the looks are fashionable yet undemanding and leave the buyer with quality clothing that will last.

While this collection is not the most exciting runway from the past few months, it does have a strong selling point. With the androgynous silhouettes and simple color palettes, this collection is truly one that anyone would look great wearing.

Student Style:

Issy Martin-Dye

BY FIONA SLAYMAKER PHOTOS BY ZENNIA LAM

Issy Martin-Dye is a sophomore studying journalism who makes her own jewelry. Her work consists of earrings, necklaces, rosaries, bookmarks, and ring dishes. These projects mainly incorporate a resin base and contain pressed plants and flowers. Martin-Dye is very artistic and considers this her current creative outlet.

Martin-Dye first picked up this art form during the peak of COVID-19 during quarantine. Like many, she had been going on many nature hikes for the peace and contentment they offer. She had been collecting different kinds of flowers to press, which is a fairly simple process. The pressing process dries out and preserves the plant and is most commonly done by compressing a flower in a heavy book for a couple of weeks. Martin-Dye realized she could make them into earrings, “I just made them all the wrong ways until I figured it out,” she said.

Art comes naturally to Martin-Dye. She experimented with a trial-and-error process and

slowly expanded her skill. The process is relatively simple, making it accessible to anyone who would want to pick up the hobby. Martin-Dye describes the process as first pressing the flower for over a week, and then using resin liquid in molds while sticking in the dried plants to create a design. When the resin dries, it can be attached to a hook or chain. “It is something you can learn,” MartinDye said. “It’s just a matter of sticking it in the mold and then arranging it.”

Martin-Dye describes her jewelry-making experience as prayerful. It is an outlet for her, and she can dedicate that special time to her faith. “The thing I’m most proud of that I’ve made is a rosary. And that took forever,” Martin-Dye said. “I thought that was the most complex thing I’ve done.” MartinDye took bead molds and strung 59 of them onto a string, making a rosary.

Martin-Dye puts her all into her art, and this is reflected in the results. She posts all her new work on Instagram, where she sells her products.

Anyone interested in Martin-Dye’s work can find her on Instagram at @isbiz.earrings.

I Spy

BY CARMEN SZUKAITIS

PHOTOS BY HADLEY FAIN

Jewelry has a rich history and has been a part of human culture for thousands of years with the oldest discovered jewelry dating back 150,000 years ago. People have worn jewelry for millennia for adornment, protection, expression, religious symbolism, and as a class representative.

Since ancient China, pearls have had great value and represented wealth and power. Many believed that pearls had magical properties and associated the valuable treasure with the moon. Pearls are used in all types of jewelry and garments. To this day, pearls are considered treasures from the Earth’s water sources and

are one of the most valued stones symbolizing elegance, sophistication, and luxury.

Jade can also be traced back to ancient China, termed the “Gem Supreme” and “Jewel of Heaven.” This gem has had associations with nobility and wealth. This beautiful green mineral is highly valued with believed properties of gentleness, serenity, harmony, and balance. Jade has the meanings of strength, luck, and good health. Jade has a long tradition of being gifted to others because of the Maori people, the indigenous people of Aotearoa, New Zealand. This concept of gifting was a central part of the lives

of the Maori, and it helped maintain the social balance. Gifts were given as a response to a previous gift, with each gift being of greater and greater significance. Therefore, if you were gifted jade, the gem would have a much greater value than if one got it for themselves. Jade is still a symbol of cultural significance and will continue to be treasured for its beauty and unique properties.

The evil eye represents an ancient superstition and curse in many places, including ancient Greece and Rome, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu traditions, and other societies. The sentiment has persisted through modern times, and it was

believed that certain envious people could curse one with their gaze, causing misfortune, injury, or even death. A pendant of an evil eye is supposedly worn as protection from harmful eyes. This evil eye has been worn as bracelets, necklaces, and even earrings. However, it has been popularized by TikTok, and the message and meaning behind this sacred protection pendant has often been misconstrued.

As an essential part of cultural heritage, traditional jewelry holds value for many different people. It is a connection to the past, and people use it to express identity.

Perfectly

Polished BY OLIVIA ROHLING

PHOTOS BY MEG REES

Junior Amaya “Mickey” Serbia started doing her own nails after a poor experience at a nail salon back in Virginia, where she is from. “Last year, with a couple of friends, we started doing girl’s night, and we’d do our nails,” Serbia said. “That’s when Gel X became really popular on Tik Tok, and we [were] like, ‘Why don’t we try that?’” Gel X is considered a “soft extension” of the nail, made using a combination of acrylic and different monomers.

What started as a fun girl’s night activity with her friends had grown into something bigger. Now Serbia was doing not only her own nails but her friends’ nails as well. This led to her realizing that doing nails for other people was something she really enjoyed. So, her nail business, “Mickey Does Nails,” was born in January 2023. Serbia is self-taught and offers services like Gel X, Gel, and soak-offs.

Serbia said her favorite part of having her nail business is conversing with her clients. “People come in, and I’m like their therapist,” Serbia said. “They just open up to me a lot. I feel good knowing

that they feel comfortable enough to tell me about their lives and stuff like that.”

Serbia said she had done about ten peoples’ nails since the beginning of the semester, with her roommates and best friends being the most frequent customers.

Serbia offers Gel X starting at $35 with more intricate designs resulting in an increase in price. Prices for Gel begin at $20 and for soak-offs at $15. Some of Serbia’s past designs include smiley faces and hearts for Valentine’s Day. She said her favorite nail design is a classic french tip.

“I’m still practicing. I’m not a professional by any means,” Serbia said. Though not a professional, Serbia still has hopes and goals for her newly founded business. “I don’t really have a set goal, but I definitely want to grow and get better. I would love to expand my clientele in the next year,” Serbia said.

If one wants to have their nails done by Serbia or to see examples of her work, one can reach out to her on Instagram at @mickeydoesnails.

Hair by Jojo

BY SOPHIE NEILSEN PHOTOS BY ELLA CALHOUN

Jordyn Anderson, a freshman majoring in entrepreneurship, has been gaining attention recently for her 5-star hair braiding business. Her TikTok account, @hairby. jojo, has reached 20,000 followers, and her business Instagram, @hairby.jojo, has over 4,000 followers. Anderson commonly advertises her services on her social media platforms and on her YouTube channel, @jordynashleyeh.

Apart from braiding hair, Anderson’s most vital strength is interpersonal communication to ensure a positive hour-long experience for her clients. “I love talking to my clients and being the person they can vent to because it’s a long process; they sit for six to seven hours,” Anderson said.

Anderson stands out from other hair braiding businesses because of her affordability and professionalism. Anderson manages her time well because she does not see her business as a job; she enjoys doing it. She brought her skills to campus to continue her passion, which began six years ago.

Anderson began practicing hair when she was 12-years-old and her mom gifted her some mannequin heads. When Anderson was 14, she

practiced her skills on her friends’ hair, and her business really got started when a buzz began to grow around her talent at her grade school.

Because of Anderson’s young age, she touches base on how people envy her success. “In the industry I’m in, some people won’t respect you because of your age,” Anderson said. “You have to take it with a grain of salt.” Her advice to young entrepreneurs is never to be too hard on themselves. “Sometimes it’s going to be more critical than constructive,” Anderson said.

Anderson’s most common price for her styles is $160, and she provides the hair for the customer. Her favorite styles are designs and knotless braids because she can showcase her creativity. Knotless braids are second nature to Anderson because she can zone out while braiding. Anderson’s advice for hair care after her services is to wrap the hair in a satin scarf and use a satin pillowcase to keep the scalp moisturized. She also recommends using cashew oil to maintain a healthy scalp.

More advice, tips, and tricks can be found on Anderson’s YouTube channel, where she responds to commonly asked questions.

ATHENS & OHIO U’S ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER ORGANIZATIONS

FINDING CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY THROUGH ROOTS AND TRADITIONS

BY KITTY CRINO | PHOTOS BY ALIZA DUTT

Global diversity is extremely important to Ohio University and community members as it enhances learning, growth, and cultural understanding and provides unique experiences for students.

The Asian American Pacific Islander Student Union (AAPISU) is a student-run, identity-based organization that was created in May 2021 by former students of Ohio U, now alumni, Gracyn Kent and Megan Rose. The AAPISU strives to create an inclusive environment where Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) can feel a sense of community.

Sophie Neilsen is a Korean-American student at Ohio U and is the public relations assistant for the AAPISU, where she assists executive board members by posting on social media platforms like Instagram. She utilizes this platform to spread awareness on topics regarding AAPI. While she finds focusing primarily on good news important, she informs her followers of any tragedies that the media may have swept under the rug.

The AAPISU holds biweekly meetings and social events such as a Lunar New Year celebration potluck and a dumpling-making workshop. The AAPISU also collaborated with other student organizations on campus to give back to the community. For example, during the week of February 22, the AAPISU collaborated with the Black Student Union and the Student Alumni Board to make blankets for a charity that supports abuse victims.

Not many people know that the AAPISU is only two years old and was founded after the tragic incident that happened in Atlanta in March of 2021. Neilsen spoke at the ‘Stop Asian Hate’ rally held in

March 2021 outside the Athens County Municipal Court. She spoke about the need for gun control and how gun violence has personally affected her and her loved ones. She recalls that this was one of the most memorable and important instances she has had since being a part of the AAPISU, and it filled her with a great sense of bravery and leadership.

“It is really nice having this community and having people who are willing to listen and understand because racism is different for every single minority group,” Neilsen said. “(To have) people listen to you and getting to hear other people’s experiences and being able to get them

completely and having them get you.”

As for the future of the AAPISU, Neilsen acknowledges that although she does not want the hardships that the AAPI population may go through to be the focus of the organization, she wants the history of the organization to be preserved. Nielsen hopes members will remember the organization’s core values and that current members who will be here after her will pass on the story of how the AAPISU came to be.

In addition to the AAPISU, the Athens Asian American Alliance (AAAA) is a community organization with a mission to advocate for the needs of the AAPI community in Athens,

surrounding areas, and at Ohio U.

The Vice President of the AAAA, Yi-Ting Wang, is a previous advisor of the AAPISU. Wang is a firstgeneration Tiawanese-American who came to the United States to attend graduate school at Duke University. Her original plan was not to live in the states after her time in school, but after meeting her husband at Duke, she began her transition from international student to put the ‘American’ in Asian-American. She recalls that she did not truly feel like an Asian-American until she began getting involved in the community. Wang originally began working at Ohio U in the Academic Achievement Center, but in spring of

2019, she was asked to substitute for the Chinese instructor so that she could connect with students through the shared experience of learning a foreign language. This led to further involvement with other Asian-American faculty and eventually led to her involvement in the AAAA in May of 2021.

Wang is the vice president of the AAAA alongside current president, Fan-Jiang, and cofounder, Noriko Kantake. Wang states that the AAAA’s mission is to increase community belonging and build friendships through social events and cultural programming.

The current project they are working on is one Wang believes will be of the utmost importance.

The AAAA is curating a local history project to document, record, and preserve Asian presences in Athens, which have been overlooked since early 1900. Some of the Athens-raised individuals that will be highlighted in this project include the author of “Being Mortal,” Dr. Atul Guwande, who attended Athens High School, along with architect Maya Lin, who designed the Vietnam memorial in Washington, D.C. as well as the sculptures that can be found in Bicentennial park on Ohio U’s campus. Other Asian-American students and staff from Ohio U will be included, such as the Chinese-American professor who started a program in surrounding neighborhoods that welcomed girls between the 6th and 12th grades to visit and hopefully spark their interest in the

STEM programs at Ohio U.

Several local businesses here in Athens are Asian-American-owned and often overlooked, such as Bubbles Tea Company, Fusion Noodle Company, and Sky Nails Salon and Spa. This massive project may take some time to complete but will ultimately shed a long-awaited and welldeserved spotlight on the hidden backbone of the Athens community.

Wang recalls her duties as the previous advisor of the AAPISU. She was asked to be the advisor in the summer of 2021 before the organization’s founding in August. Her duty as an advisor was to listen to the students and provide them with any helpful resources they might need. She goes on to say that the AAPISU has provided students

with countless opportunities to fulfill leadership roles while allowing them to do specific things they desire ‘just for fun.’ Wang recalls that she did not know so many AAPI students attended Ohio U until the student union was formed. Meeting attendance grew rapidly in the first couple of months following the forming of the AAPISU. Now, the organization is a community consisting of first generations, second generations, and adoptees, each with their own experiences that others can learn from. For Wang, becoming involved in the community brought about an increased sense of belonging. She had a say in the decisionmaking processes in the community, and being a part of this organization came with a sense of responsibility to improve her surrounding

environment not only for others but for herself as well.

“We really treasure this university, community partnership,” Wang said. When asked what her hopes for the future of the AAAA and the AAPISU are, Wang noted that she hopes for more and more people to get involved and for their excellent work to continue so people can learn to better understand each other and their backgrounds. “Nowadays, people focus more on community engagement,” Wang said. “Because, honestly, you cannot do good research if you do not understand how people really live.”

FINDING FAMILY

GREEK LIFE CREATES A BOND THAT CAN LAST A LIFETIME.

BY GABRIELLE CABANES PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

Many college students want to be part of a community. Students who join Greek life are given the opportunity to build unbreakable bonds with people they consider to be family. Joining Greek life through the Women’s Panhellenic Association, or WGA, or the Interfraternity Council, or IFC, gives students a chance to find a community of other students from various backgrounds.

Amy Sippel, a sophomore studying management information systems, has been a

member of Alpha Delta Pi since last year.

Sippel said her favorite memories that she shares with her fellow sorority sisters have been getting ready before going out on the weekends.

“During socials or date parties, we all get ready, and there's music blasting out in the hallway,” Sippel said. “It’s always a good time when everyone is just getting ready inside the house beforehand.”

Sippel said that sisterhood means a lot to her and that creating connections is an important

PHOTO CREDIT: OHIOGREEKLIFE/INSTAGRAM

Sorority and fraternity members on international badge day, March 7, 2023.

part of Greek life and that building friendships and getting to know the people in her chapter has been very nice. She said that being able to live in the sorority house has been a great experience because she enjoys the home-like environment and living with all of her friends.

“I would recommend (Greek life) because it’s an experience, and I feel like you’re missing out on a lot if you don't join it,” Sippel said.

Olivia Commins, a freshman studying communication, has been a member of Alpha Xi Delta since the beginning of this year. Her favorite part of the Greek life experience has been meeting upperclassmen that can share their experiences with her.

“In a sorority, you meet people that are older in your major and that have already taken the classes you have taken or have switched their majors a bunch of times,” Commins said. “They can give you more advice on what classes to take.”

Commins also enjoys giving back to the community as members of her sorority spend a significant amount of time volunteering through philanthropy events. Commins was convinced to go through the recruitment process by her best friend, who rushed at The Ohio State University, who said although it was a frustrating process, she was happy that she had gone through with it.

“Sisterhood is our close bond with each other,” Commins said. “Even though we are not blood-related, we are like sorority sisters.”

Robby Greenleaf, a junior studying finance and business analytics, became a member of Beta Theta Pi during his freshman year. Greenleaf said being a part of his fraternity has helped him build connections and has shaped who he is today. He said that the bond he has created with his fraternity brothers has been incredibly important and that these connections will last him a lifetime.

“All those guys will be at my wedding,” Greenleaf said. “I'll be at all of theirs. That’s how it is.”

Greenleaf believes that anyone can find their place within the Greek life community. “I just want to emphasize that there’s a fraternity or sorority for everyone,” Greenleaf said. “Don’t be afraid to go rushing and if it's not for you, it's not for you.”

Olivia Commins and members of Alpha Xi Delta at their spring bid day.

Robby Greenleaf and the rest of Beta Theta Pi’s 2023 executive board.

PHOTO CREDIT: OLIVIA CUMMINS

PHOTO CREDIT: BETATHETAPIOHIOU/ INSTAGRAM

DIY

Crafting the most intricate of knick-knacks, working out the mind, body, and soul, and making the most delicious treats.

STAR OF INDIA P.54

Boss Up

BY ABBEY MENZA PHOTO BY PROVIDED

Many students create their own form of self-started media, which could include anything from blog articles to podcasts. The Center for Entrepreneurship offers funding for these types of self-started media called the Bobcat Seed Fund. Students looking to fund their own business ideas can earn up to $3,000. Rory Ball, a senior studying journalism, received funding from the Bobcat Seed Fund to help kickstart her own podcast called The BOSS UP Podcast.

Ball started her podcast roughly a year ago in a production class for broadcasting. Around this time, she got connected with Paul Benedict, the director of the Collaboration Center, and assistant director, Krystal Geyer. Ball was able to connect with other people who worked in the Collaboration Center and network with them in order to figure out what idea to pitch.

“In the [journalism] school, you pitch a story, you pitch an idea to write about, but pitching a type of media, or an idea for a type of media to get money for was really different,” Ball said.

The BOSS UP Podcast focuses on young entrepreneurs and their experiences with their businesses. Ball was inspired by the many young entrepreneurs on campus, with one of them being her friend who started his own coffee business. Ball described her friend as being very passionate about his small business, even though he was a

busy college student. She found his passion very interesting and inspirational because college students usually don’t have much time to run a business.

Ball thought the podcast would be a great opportunity for younger students to get advice from the podcast about how to run their own businesses. Ball was inspired by “understanding

what the young entrepreneurship mind looks like and where priorities lie.” From linguistics majors to business majors, Ball has a variety of people on The BOSS UP Podcast telling their own stories.

Ball said the future of The BOSS UP Podcast is still up in the air. She expressed her goal to create consistent weekly episodes. She wanted to use a part of the seed fund to pay students for their work in helping edit episodes as it will lessen her work load. Another goal of hers is to open up and be herself more in her podcast.

Just like many other students on campus with their self-started projects, the Bobcat Seed Fund gave Ball an opportunity to launch her own podcast and to have more freedom with her work.

“There (are) so many smart people out here.”

RORY BALL

“In the (journalism) school, you pitch a story, you pitch an idea to write about, but pitching a type of media, or an idea for a type of media to get money for was really different,”

RORY BALL

PHOTO CREDIT: RORY BALL

PHOTO CREDIT: OHIO_CE/INSTAGRAM

PHOTO CREDIT: RORY BALL

PHOTO CREDIT: SPOTIFY

Keep Calm and Carry-on

BY ALEX IMWALLE PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

After over three years of cultivating her hit candle-making business, Layla Renner has closed the door to her storefront and opened another to her future.

Renner, a 2021 graduate of Ohio University, is the owner of Calm and Sense, a business venture she began in the winter of 2019 from Athens but relocated to Powell, Ohio, this past summer.

The lucrative candle business has taken many forms, beginning as a student sidehustle and moving on to pique the interest of customers across the country. Calm and Sense’s conception began with Renner, then a junior, working part-time as a student yearning for any sense of a creative outlet.

“I realized, ‘I work at JOANN Fabrics right now for $8.35 an hour, and it’s not very fulfilling,’” Renner said. “‘I’m not making anything, I’m not doing anything unique,’ so I quit that job, and I bought a candle making kit right before I quit.”

Renner took the kit home, used her microwave to melt down the wax, and created what would one day be recognized as the first ever Calm and Sense candle. The candle quickly sold on Facebook Marketplace for $15.

“That $15 was like drugs,” Renner said. “I was so hooked after that.”

Each Friday night she would sit with her friends, joyously watching as her candles sold out before the end of the night. Every

candle sold only added weight to the trash bag full of candles she would have to walk across campus to ship by Monday.

Soon enough, Renner’s ambition would pay off in ways she never could have imagined.

In desperate need of a larger space, she sent out a Tweet to Marcus Lemonis, a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist offering a large grant to one woman-owned small business with a story to tell.

“I woke up to a message at 3 a.m. saying I got $25,000 from this guy,” Renner said. “That was one of the things that completely changed the course of my business.”

By April 2021, Renner had used the grant to rent out a 1,000-square-foot manufacturing space on Richland Avenue. She also hired six student interns to assist in the creation of a new business model, marketing materials, promotional photos, and the candles themselves.

Renner graduated that same spring, but decided to stay in Athens as the business prospered. After extending her stay on campus, Renner decided it was time for Calm and Sense to flee the Athens nest. She opened her first retail store last July in Powell. However, achieving her dream of opening an in-person business came with its fair share of challenges. The struggle to find employees quickly rose to the top of the list.

Working 12-hour days, seven days a week, Renner said she realized she could repurpose that time more effectively elsewhere.

So, after eight tireless months running her own business, Renner made the difficult decision to pack up her storefront and return to her online roots.

However, Renner said the time she spent with her business provided her with expertise on the industry and a passion for promotion. Consequently, she decided to

share her newfound talents with her fellow entreprenaurs under her new business venture she calls “The Small Biz Fairy.”

Currently, The Small Biz Fairy has accrued half a dozen clients, many of whom she met in the Powell small-business community. Renner said she assists the small businesses with social media posts, marketing design, and the formulation of different brand strategies.

With 90% of Calm and Sense’s orders coming from her online store, Renner said the recent shift has only benefited both businesses, as she is now able to focus her time and energy more efficiently.

“I’m kind of at a pivotal moment,” Renner said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I feel a lot of promise with the small business centers that I talk to, and that gives me a lot of hope that what I’m doing here is something that I can grow.”

Learning Out of the Limelight

BY MIMI CALHOUN ILLUSTRATED BY JOCELYN PAXTON

After finishing high school, students who decide to further their education are faced with the big question: “What are you majoring in?” For some, the question may come easy and roll off the tongue, but for others, picking what career path to follow for possibly the rest of their life may be daunting. Regardless, the expectation of one’s major is hard to shake off by family, friends, and peers alike.

With hundreds of majors to pick from, there is bound to be overlap when it comes to those who may have similar interests and passions. With so many options, however, some fields of study may be overlooked or underappreciated compared to others.

Sofia Davis, a sophomore, is a double major in astrophysics and applied mathematics. Davis grew up reading science fiction books and watching sci-fi movies. From then on she became fascinated with the concept of space and was interested in telescopes.

“(Using) my first telescope was life-changing, and it led me to be more interested in the actual science of astronomy, not just the observational side,” Davis said. “As soon as I learned that astronomy was something I could study full time, I knew it was what I would do. To me, it was the most important science being done and by far the most interesting.”

When it comes to physics, and astrophysics specifically, Davis wishes people knew that the subjects are for everyone despite the possible stigmas and stereotypes surrounding the fields.

“There are groups constantly popping up to help every type of person feel welcome within the field,” Davis said. “It can be hard to feel accepted, but there are people out there who are just like you and want to see you succeed.”

Davis is also the vice president of Ohio University’s astronomy club. She mentioned that the club is not limited to just astrophysics majors, but for anyone that is interested in astronomy, telescopes, planets, and galaxies.

Henry Mascall, a junior, studies social work. He decided to go into the field after enjoying working at several summer camps, and although it was exhausting, he said it was fulfilling.

“I chose social work because I want to make my

work helping people,” Msacall said. “My previous major would have me in an office all day and that would not work for me. A lot of the people I have worked with were social work majors and it sounded right for me.”

As of right now, Mascall’s plan after college is to continue working with children, possibly with Child Protective Services, or CPS. Mascall is sometimes the only man in his classes and encourages more men to go into the major as it is honorable work. He hopes that more people will recognize the benefits of helping others.

“I wish that people knew more about the importance of working together,” Mascall said. “Things like welfare get a bad rap because of people’s prejudices against people experiencing poverty. Some view them as lazy when, really, a lot of outside factors affect someone’s economic situation. If we can have more empathy, more people can be helped.”

STAR OF INDIA

BY TANNER SMITH

PHOTOS BY JULIA GREENWOOD

Star of India is a certified Athens classic. Located at 128 W. Union St., Star of India offers a wide range of authentic Indian cuisine that Athens students and residents have been enjoying for 25 years and counting.

Lovedeep Singh and Balwinder Kaur are the two faces behind the restaurant, a husband and wife duo who decided to call Athens home with the rest of their family. The duo work there all the time, so making their signature dishes is second nature.

Star of India is laid out in a square floor plan, with a cozy interior, tables scattered about, and at the back is the desk to grab your food or order.

When Star of India first opened to the public, Lovedeep said most of the Athens residents did not know about the establishment. Eventually, word got around about the establishment. Lovedeep explained that they wanted to start a business and believed that the students would love the food they both had to offer.

With delicious dishes ranging from Makhni Chicken to Sheekh Kabab, along with an entirely separate vegetarian menu, anyone can find a platter to eat.

Lovedeep said that Star of India was a place people come back to. Lovedeep said that Ohio U alumni that once dined at the restaurant in its infancy have stopped by after all these years to retry the meals they had in their college years. He loves seeing familiar, friendly faces.

Since Lovedeep and his wife had the restaurant passed down from his father-inlaw, he has been striving to keep the people of Athens happy with Star of India’s food. He has advice for people wanting to open a restaurant in Athens:

“Just think about what people want. Keep them happy.”

LEARN ABOUT ATHENS’ FAVORITE NUT

BY TATE RAUB

PHOTOS BY CORY TOWE

Tony’s Tavern, 7 W. State St., is home to the infamous hot nut shot. Spend enough time in Athens and someone will start talking about the special menu item. The name potentially causes some raised eyebrows because, as the name implies, the shot is served hot.

Though it is available year-round, if you have ever wondered what a hot nut is made with or had a desire to make it at home has ever crossed your mind, this recipe is for you. Additionally, we have got you covered with some fun twists and how to make a hot nut in the form of a full-sized drink. Bottoms up!

FOR ONE SHOT:

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• 0.5 oz. hot brewed coffee

• 0.5 oz. hazelnut liqueur (rumor has it bartenders at Tony’s use Dekuyper Hazelnut

Liquor)

• A shot glass

INSTRUCTIONS:

2.

3.

FOR ONE FULL-SIZED DRINK:

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• 0.5 oz. hot brewed coffee

• 3 oz. hazelnut liqueur

• A standard 8oz. to 12 oz. glass

INSTRUCTIONS:

Brew coffee of choice. Measure out enough for the amount of shots/drinks you plan to make. Save the rest for later.

Measure and add hazelnut liqueur first. Next add the coffee.

Give the shot an extra stir if desired.

FOR A SEASONAL HOT NUT:

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• 0.5 oz. hot brewed coffee

• 0.5 oz. peppermint or pumpkin spice liqueur

• Whipped cream

• A shot glass

• Optional: Chocolate syrup or nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS:

Brew coffee of choice. Measure enough for the amount of shots/ drinks you plan to make. Save the rest for later.

2.

3.

Measure and add peppermint or pumpkin spice liqueur first. Next, add coffee

Give the shot an extra stir if desired.

Top shot with whipped cream. Drizzle with chocolate or sprinkle with nutmeg.

1.

1.

4.

WHO, WHAT, WEAR

A glimpse into some of Athens’ most captivating people, places, and events.

CELEBRATING OUR GLOBAL HUMANITY P.66

From Punjab to Athens

BY MOLLY WILSON

PHOTOS BY SOPHIA PARRILLO

Developing sustainable solutions, increasing access to education, and reducing food insecurity are Parwinder Singh’s three main driving factors, and he is already making an impact at Ohio University.

“Those are the three things which drive me because those are the things I faced when I was growing up and I want to change that,” Singh said.

Born in northern India, Singh said he and his family moved to different states frequently as his dad was a member of the armed forces. Today, he is a sophomore at Ohio U studying entrepreneurship and is focused on developing himself outside of his academics.

in Athens, receiving class credit and possible payment for their work.

“Our current education system puts you into a pipe … and you normally can’t see the outside, you just have to walk through that pipe, learn what they’re teaching you to get out of that pipe,” Singh said. “After you get it out of that pipe, now you can see the world but you missed all that opportunity for four years to figure out what additional things you can add to yourself so you’re ready for once you’re out of the world.”

During the Fall Semester, Singh was part of the group that won Ohio U’s Eco Impact Challenge. The challenge aims for students to propose real-world solutions to sustainability issues in Athens or on the university’s campus. He and his teammates proposed a smartphone application that encourages Ohio U students to act sustainability by rewarding them for sustainable choices.

“We need to make a lot of systemic changes,” Singh said.

Singh’s dedication to finding solutions for tangible problems did not stop with the eco challenge. He, alongside the entrepreneurship club, developed a HackPalachia event that took place on March 4 and 5.

The 24-hour event allowed participants to work in teams and develop innovative solutions for pressing issues in one of six available tracks, according to the website. The tracks include sustainability, health care, energy, education, diversity and blockchain, and augmented or virtual reality.

While Singh is involved in various clubs and programs, he is most notably president of Ohio U’s entrepreneurship club and a Stanford Innovation Fellow, which teaches students how to make change on their respective college campuses.

Regardless of involvement, Singh looks to make an impact beyond the scope of many college students, working toward improving sustainability, access to education, and food insecurity in everything he does.

Through Stanford Innovation Fellows, Singh is working to bring a co-op program to Ohio U, which promotes access to education. The program is set up similarly to an internship where students shadow a business or company

The event featured speakers and was beginnerfriendly with hopes that students can learn and grow through the event. Open to Ohio U students and those from other institutions, Benedict said he was contacted by a student who was traveling to Ohio U from Santa Barbara, California, to attend the event.

Looking towards the future, Singh, like many college students, is unsure if he will stay in Ohio for a long-term career. However, he hopes to work as a project manager, leading and developing projects.

“I would never, and will never, bet against Parwinder,” Benedict said. “His drive will carry him very far.”

“I think if all students took advantage of their resources as much as he does … it would be pretty cool for what would get accomplished on campus,”

-PAUL BENEDICT, DIRECTOR OF OU’S CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

Celebrating Our Global Humanity

International Student Union Dinner brings students together for performances, speakers, and more.

BY TRE SPENCER PHOTOS AMIR PHILLIPS

Live jazz echoed throughout the ballroom as the International Student Union hosted its annual dinner in Baker University Center on Feb. 23.

The room was filled with smiling faces, brilliant textures, and floral accents that were staple pieces on each table. A night of celebration commenced as students were treated to displays of international diversity.

The event celebrated global humanity and international students from multiple countries including India, Japan, and Iran. The itinerary featured welcome remarks from ISU adviser Diane Cahill and a speech from Ohio University provost Elizabeth Sayrs.

Cahill said she wanted the night to be special, not only for students of ISU, but for attendees who have not been introduced to several different cultures or experiences from international students.

“This year, we really wanted to take the time to share with people real experiences that international students have,” she said. “What I

want to do is to set the stage (and) tell stories and take people on a journey”

Many international students were in attendance, including those from other international organizations at Ohio U.

As a member of the Indian Student Association, Avipsha Banerjee, a freshman studying mathematics and astrophysics, said she had been to several international events before and she had heard about the event through the ISA.

“So far, I’ve attended a lot of international events here,” she said. “They’re all always super awesome, so the expectation level is high.”

After opening remarks and powerful performances, students, guests, and their families were treated to a simmering buffet-style dinner in the lobby and a selection of fizzy drinks, juices, and teas.

In collaboration with the OU Culinary Staff, international students prepared a variety of flavorful dishes that paid homage to traditional

“What I want to do is to set the stage (and) tell stories and take people on a journey”

DIANE CAHILL

cuisines featured across the globe from East Asia to Africa. Some of the dishes that were prepared included chicken pulao from Pakistan, es buah from Indonesia, and jollof rice from Africa.

Several students and their families were in attendance as the night embraced tradition, heritage, and diversity. Traditional dances from Bangladesh and India were performed that garnered resounding applause from everyone in the crowd.

Another student, freshman Meghan Parks, was one of few attendees who arrived at the dinner early. She said she was excited for the event, especially the live music.

“I’m excited to learn about new things, new cultures, and I’m really excited for the music,” she said.

The event also featured live poetry from Ibi Max-Harry, a poet from Ohio U, and a fashion show where the audience was treated to a wide array of fashion styles from different international communities.

Cahill said she hopes that overtime people will begin to appreciate international students for who they are and will be welcoming to the cultural differences that they experience abroad.

“I hope that over time people appreciate international students just because they’re students, not because they wear pretty outfits or they eat interesting food,” she said. “I hope that we can, as a society, start moving towards just welcoming everyone where they are (and) for who they are.”

“I hope that over time people appreciate international students just because they’re students, not because they wear pretty outfits or they eat interesting food,”

DIANE CAHILL

MIDDLE OF THE BOOK

A look into Thread’s creative shoot concepts.

COLOR ME ATHENS P.98

PHOTOS BY CORRIN SWITZER

OHIO’S WINDY 9 MAKES ATHENS A PRIME SPOT FOR BIKER FASHION

LOVEHAIRYOUR

BUSINESSISINSESSION

PHOTOSBY PEYTONFARRELL

Color Me Athens

PHOTOS BY KALI KNUDSON

Pulling hues from Athens’ views

The Ridges

College Green

Hocking River

Athens' Bricks

Cherry Bloosoms

& STAND UP STAND UP

Ohio U’s Dance Team is Fiercer than Ever

BY ABBEY SUCHER

PAIGE SKRIPAC JULIA LINLEY SAVANNAH BAILEY

SYDNEY DADOSKY ELLIE NUSPL RYAN PALMER

Ojah DANCE TEAM

PHOTOS BY ABBEY SUCHER

“Ojah Dance Team creates a space to learn more about African Culture through expressive dance. It aims to create a fun, safe, and inclusive environment that explores modern Azonto, Zanku, Umlando, Gwara Gwara, and more exciting Afro dances throughout the various countries of Africa. The Ojah dance team continues to showcase dance through performances and videos that they post on Instagram @ojah.danceteam”

Take to the street — CourtStreet,ofcourse

Streetwear from around the world makes its way toAthens.

PHOTOS BY TATI ALSTON

New

Dubai, UAE

Mumbai, India

Tokyo, Japan

Accra, Ghana

Paris, France

CAMPUS CASUAL

Light-hearted reads for the quiztaking, listicle reading, horoscope believin’ spirit in all of us.

QUIZ: WHAT STUDENT ORG SHOULD YOU JOIN? P.140

PHOTO CREDIT: OHIO UNIVERSITY

HOROSCOPES

BY OLIVIA ROHLING ILLUSTRATIONS BY MADDIE JAMES

This month’s sign: Pisces and Aries

Pisces, Feb. 19 - March 20

March is a lucky month for you, Pisces. Pay close attention to the beginning half of the month as that is when your luck will peak. Do not get too excited as this luck will slow down as the month goes on. Pay close attention to your mood on the 13th, and make sure you are keeping your emotions in check as you might end up bleeding on someone who did not cut you.

Aries, March 21 - April 19

You may have been on edge recently and struggling with what others think of you. Take time this month to really do some deep self-reflection, especially at the beginning of this month. Do not forget to take time for yourself this month as this may help alleviate stressors.

Taurus, April 20 - May 20

Your ruling planet, Venus, is joint with Mars on the 16th this month. Even if something seems picture perfect, take extra precautions with saying “Yes” to new opportunities as this may backfire for you later. This is a month for you to try that new hobby you have been eyeing.

Gemini, May 21 - June 20

This month is going to bring great change for you, Gemini. Things might be scary at first, but take this as an opportunity to lean on your friends. After the 3rd, Mercury will be closer to the sun. This will heighten your positive energy and give you the motivation to keep on keepin’ on. This month, you should try to show extra kindness to those around you.

Cancer, June 21 - July 22

Rejection equals redirection, and that is the name of the game this month. You have recently been disappointed in some way. If a denied job opportunity or a poor grade on a test is causing you distress, try not to let these things get to you. These setbacks are preparing you for what you have been working for. Pay close attention to the opportunities that present to you on the 16th as they might be what you have been waiting for.

Leo, July 23 - Aug. 22

March is the time to think through those difficult decisions you have been pondering. A male figure will present options to you on the 12th and you will be faced with a great decision. Remember that there is no right or wrong answer. The universe will work with whichever option you choose. Remember to stay focused on the task at hand this month, and do not let your mind wonder and worry. Be extra mindful with this on the 16th.

Virgo, Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

This month will be a helpful time for solitude and self-reflection. You have recently had your heart broken, so take time this month to bask in the solitude and embody the traits you look for in others. This will make the healing easier and get you back on track to feeling and being your best self.

Libra, Sept. 23 - Oct. 22

March is your time to shine. You have been struggling a lot the past few months with various stressors, but fear not. The 23rd will be the day everything comes to fruition and the day you realize why it all had to happen. You have had your eye on someone special these past few months, so pay close attention to this on the 24th as it might go somewhere.

Scorpio, Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

New opportunities will arise this month, but take caution. Focus on your mental energy, stay grounded, and address any unfinished business. The 22nd will be your best day this month, so soak it up in its entirety. Remember to enjoy the moment instead of dreading its end.

Sagittarius, Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

This month is the time for transformation and expansion in every area of your life for the highest benefit. Pay close attention to your interactions with friends on the 23rd as these interactions may develop into something larger.

Capricorn, Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

You have recently been hurt, Capricorn. This month is the time for healing and growth from the hurt that past months have brought you. Remember that crying is OK, but do not let this distract from the goodness that you are. Everyone has hardships, and Capricorns have a hard time internalizing them. Let yourself breathe, and give yourself some grace!

Aquarius, Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

March will be a lucky month in the areas of work and creativity. You will be presented with many new opportunities, specifically in the realm of employment. Take these opportunities with full force, and things will all work out for the better. Take ease in the middle of the month, but remember to rest and not to quit.

WHAT STUDENT ORGANIZATION SHOULD YOU JOIN?

BY OLIVIA ROHLING PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

1. How would you describe yourself in one word?

A) Creative

B) Strong

C) Caring

D) Active

2. If you had a free hour, how would you spend your time?

A) Reading that new book you just bought

B) Studying for that huge up-coming test

C) Volunteering at a local animal shelter

D) Going on a quick three mile run

3. What is your preferred music genre?

A) I prefer podcasts

B) Soft study music

C) Indie/Alternative

D) Pop

4. What plant best matches your personality?

A) Cactus

B) Sunflower

C) Daisy

D) Marigold

5. You have $500 to donate to your favorite charity. Which charity do you choose?

A) The American Red Cross

B) Your favorite political candidate’s campaign

C) Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

D) The Ronald McDonald House

MOSTLY A’S: THREAD MAGAZINE

If you chose mostly A’s, you love to create and to learn along the way. You find great joy in sharing your creations with others, so having work published in a magazine makes perfect sense for you. Thread Magazine is a fashion-forward culture magazine with the tagline: “Athens culture, stylishly tailored.”

MOSTLY B’S: PHI ALPHA DELTA

If you chose mostly B’s, you love to stand up for what is right and argue your passions for justice. Phi Alpha Delta is Ohio University’s pre-law fraternity. If you prefer soft study music and stand tall just like a sunflower, you should join Phi Alpha Delta.

MOSTLY C’S: 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY

If you chose mostly C’s, you have an extreme passion for animals and should join Ohio University’s 4 Paws for Ability club. Being a part of 4 Paws for Ability means you are able to foster service dogs in training. This helps expose the future service dog to the public as well as educate people about service dogs.

MOSTLY D’S: BOBCAT’S SPIKEBALL CLUB

If you chose mostly D’s, you love to stay active and move around. Ohio University’s Spikeball club is the perfect club for students who love to stay active. Consider joining Bobcat’s Spikeball Club to play spikeball, make friends, and sweat it out!

ALL PHOTO CREDIT: BOBCAT CONNECT

BACK OF THE CLOSET

Misportrayal in Media Representation

How Athens’ LGBTQIA+ community feels about portrayal in local media

he role of a journalist is to cover stories that would otherwise go unnoticed, shining a light on communities that have otherwise been silenced. In Athens, LGBTQIA+ identities are alive and thriving, but their coverage in local media is up

At Ohio University, there are over 40 media organizations on campus for students to join. These organizations offer students the opportunity to have hands-on experiences and report on both the campus and the

By contrast, there are only eight student organizations related to the LGBTQIA+ community, according to Bobcat Connect when searching “LGBT.” While the number may seem small, the community plays a large role on campus and in the city’s media coverage.

Local media outlets reported on a recent protest against Artifacts Gallery owner Amy Mangano. Ohio U students and community members gathered outside of the Athens business, located at 2 W. State St., on Jan. 22 to protest Mangano’s use of anti-trans signage and business

Students chanted the phrase “Boycott Artifacts” as they marched outside of the business and later moved to the Athens County Courthouse. Local Athens journalists, in addition to student journalists, were there to capture it all.

Emily Moores, a junior studying film production, is the current vice president of Lavender Menace, an organization for LGBTQIA+ people who identify as sapphic and women-loving women. As a representative for the organization, Moores has had positive experience thus far with campus media, especially in regard to the protests.

Moores believed the media coverage of the protests against Mangano was handled well by local journalists and appreciated that media outlets did not try to empathize with Mangano.

“I think that she has a right to say what she wants, but she can’t complain or be upset with the reactions that she gets from other people who are also using their free speech to disagree with her,” Moores said.

As current vice president and former LGBTQIA+ affairs commissioner for the Ohio U Student Senate, Luvina Cooley has interacted with student media fairly often. As a senior studying anthropology, Cooley has had positive perceptions of how local media has covered the Ohio U and Athens LGBTQIA+ community up until recently.

A recent opinion column titled “J.K. Rowling isn’t worth your outrage” from The New Political, an independent publication at Ohio U, sparked debate between students on the subject of free speech in student media. The Harry Potter author has been widely criticized for being a “TERF,” or a Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist and invalidating the experiences of trans people on social media.

The column’s author argued that Rowling’s comments on transgender rights do not demonstrate bigotry and that “she makes a legitimate, though uncomfortable, argument that is focused and policy-based, rather than the blatant general disdain you would see from an actual transphobe.”

Cooley learned about the column from friends who formerly worked at The New Political. Cooley was initially hurt by the column because of recent

anti-trans legislation introduced this year as well as the recent coverage of community members protesting against Mangano.

“As a trans woman particularly, it was very concerning because words have a lot of power,” Cooley said. “These legislations that are coming up didn’t start out of nowhere. They have started exactly with this TERF nonsense that is rooted in transmisogyny and trans hatred and transphobia.”

Cooley decided to respond to the column and wrote a letter to the editor that appeared on The New Political’s website. Cooley detailed how the student journalist’s lack of awareness on transgender issues continues to spread hatred in an already marginalized community.

“I found this article deeply concerning, as it justifies the continued use of hateful rhetoric against transgender women that we witness right here in Athens and across the world,” Cooley wrote in the letter to the editor.

Cooley emphasized the belief that the column’s

author did not intend to harm people in the LGBTQIA+ community, but rather, has a lack of education and awareness on the subject. Cooley felt compelled to respond because of her lived experiences as a trans woman and her passion for LGBTQIA+ rights.

“I was hoping that, because my words hold a lot of merit and because my words mean a lot to different people in this community, that they would see this isn’t something that is OK,” Cooley said.

Although Cooley was happy with the positive attention the letter to the editor received on social media, it inadvertently shined a spotlight on the original column in support of Rowling. Because many people do not conduct further research on news articles, some coverage of antitrans people could further spread hatred, Cooley said.

Media coverage of the LGBTQIA+ community has become a pervasive issue across the nation. The New York Times’ coverage of transgender people has recently caused controversy. Critics object to the newspaper’s biased reporting of medical care and treatment for transgender youths. A recent petition has circulated with over a few hundred signatures, some of which belong to active Times’ journalists.

“I think the most recent articles from The New York Times regarding trans people has been an absolute disaster,” Moores said. “Most of them are insanely hateful and siding with conservatism, despite any sort of neutral language that they use.”

A lack of education on LGBTQIA+ communities and LGBTQIA+ issues continues to be a problem for many journalists, which results in a misportrayal in stories.

A recent study from the Pew Research Center showed only 43% of journalists say they have

enough employee diversity when it comes to sexual orientation. Sexual orientation only makes up a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, which means other areas likely to not be represented properly either.

“Most of the people that are doing a positive and good job covering the queer community are usually queer themselves, or know people who are queer or related to people who are queer,” Moores said. “So I think it’s nice to hear our voices on ourselves, but I think it would be a lot better to hear positive things from people who aren’t queer or have ties to the queer community.”

As for the topic of free speech, Cooley and Moores agree that everyone has a right to it, and it is essential for today’s society. However, everyone also has a right to human decency, Cooley said.

“Free speech is important,” Cooley said. “I love political debate. My rights, my ability to exist are not up for debate. My ability to feel comfortable in my body in public spaces is not up for debate.”

Cooley and Moores also agree that most journalists do not have intent to spread misinformation about LGBTQIA+ identities and simply do not take the time needed to educate themselves further on the matter.

Cooley’s advice to local journalists, including students, is to diversify media intake as well as furthering education on the LGBTQIA+ community in general.

“Sit down with LGBTQ+ people,” Cooley said. “Just getting to know people on a more individual level can help. Diversifying your media intake can also be really helpful to ensure you’re actually getting perspectives from trans people. So making sure that you’re bringing in those perspectives into your education is really, really helpful.”

POPULATION PALOOZA

THE EFFECTS OF OHIO U’S RISING STUDENT POPULATION ON ATHENS, OH.

BY KATY SNODGRASS

ILLUSTRATIONS BY MADDIE JAMES

In the 2022-23 school year, Ohio University admitted a record-breaking first-year class of 4,441 students, as reported by the university website. The addition of this large incoming class makes the grand total of students attending Ohio U’s Athens campus about 16,000, with half of these students being required to live on campus. Such a large influx of students in the area has created a host of problems for the university and the city of Athens.

Lack of proper housing for students has been a major issue for Ohio U as student housing already reached its maximum capacity. According to The Post , Ohio U’s maximum housing capacity for 2022 is only 7,230 beds for over 8,000 students.

To combat this overcrowding conundrum, the university got creative with its remedies. Ohio U’s housing has converted many of the remaining dorm rooms to fit more beds than originally intended, making rooms previously fitted to accommodate two people into rooms meant to accommodate three or four. However, even squeezing extra people in per room was not enough to supply all underclass students with on-campus housing.

As a solution, Ohio U has entered into contracts with River Park Apartments, which will allow second-year students to move into fully furnished apartments instead of a dormitory.

“In response to exceptionally high interest in Ohio (Univeristy) for the 2022-23 academic year, resulting in a larger than typical upcoming second year class, we are pleased

to offer expanded housing options to secondyear students,” the university website states. “These spaces will continue to be supported by Ohio University Housing and Residence Life staff.”

In addition to this, Ohio U demolished old dormitories to prepare for new ones set to be completed in 2026. This plan to rebuild started in 2016 with the creation and approval of the Comprehensive Master Plan for the new vision of the South Green campus.

The project began with tearing down several of the university’s older dormitories to make room for more modern dorms to be built and to save money on renovation costs. According to Ohio U’s page regarding Former Hall Namesakes, 11 dorm buildings have been demolished between 2016 and 2021, with future demolition of buildings in Back South already scheduled. However, before any more dorms are torn down, two new halls will be built by 2026, creating space for an additional 600 beds on campus with only a net loss of 18, according to the 2022 Housing Master Plan.

“The university is looking to move to phase two of the master plan after the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays,” Shawna Wolfe, the associate vice president for university planning, told The Post . “New dormitories will be available ... Once phase two is complete, the university will surpass its desired number of beds, allowing Ohio U to continue dorm renovations and finish demolishing the modstyle dorms of back south while still being at its desired programmatic capacity.”

Housing shortages are not the only issue

caused by the increase in student population. Ohio U students anonymously completed a survey regarding the population issues and three-fourths of those polled reported noticing a difference from overcrowding that has directly impacted them.

Some of the problems noted in the survey were an increased difficulty in finding parking spots around campus, an overcrowding of public spaces making campus harder to navigate, and large class sizes negatively affecting academic performance. These repetitive complaints are likely why 75% of

students who participated in a Thread poll think the increase in student population is either “somewhat” or “very” negative for Ohio U.

When asked the same question about Athens as a whole, student opinion was split more evenly, with a slight majority of 25%

believing an increase in student population was very positive for the city. However, longterm residents and locals have a differing perspective about the changes stemming from an increase of students in the area.

The permanent residents are the heart of the city, and Ohio U, its staff, and its students would not thrive the way they do now without them. They are the business owners, teachers, city officials that keep Athens alive, regardless

Athens,” she said.

Bob Prebe, longtime Athens resident, Ohio U alumnus, and broker for the Uptown Realty Group, also spoke excitedly about the large increase of students on campus.

“In my opinion, there is no such thing as overpopulation—the more the better,” he said. “And I’m sure most (or) all businesses here on Court Street would agree.”

Prebe said he feels a larger student

of the number of students in the area.

Some business owners, like Court Street Coffee owner, Debby Fulks, welcome the increased number of students to help their local establishments stay up and running. Fulks noted that the increased student population this year has brought increasingly more customers into the coffee shop.

Fulks is also an Ohio U alumna and has lived in Athens since 1976, witnessing all sorts of developments in the city over the decades.

“I believe that the increase of students is a positive for both the university and the city of

population is good for Athens’ economy, and something he recalled from the ’90s and early 2000s as well.

“Consequently, the more students that are here, the more businesses are flourishing, the more you can see Court Street vacancies have dried up,” Prebe added. “Mac Shack came in; Wendy’s is being revitalized [and] there is a new restaurant coming in … that’s a recent thing. A few years ago, there were vacancies all over Court Street and it didn’t seem like anyone wanted to fill them. So things are looking really healthy here again.”

Others, like Frank McDermott, owner of Blue Eagle music, have not noticed any changes whatsoever. Although he has resided in Athens for 28 years, McDermott said he has not personally or professionally observed any significant changes or differences from the recent increase of students. Nevertheless, when asked his thoughts if Athens or Ohio U benefited more from an increased student population, he stated they both did.

“Probably both—increased revenue for both,” he said.

While the growing student population has

caused mostly positive effects for business owners in Athens, not all residents feel the same. For a lot of the city’s population, the increase has caused much of the same negative effects that students also report observing.

Amy Howell is one of Athens’ 24,500 residents living alongside university students and has been for the last 35 years. Howell reports having difficulty finding decent housing in the Athens area as well. Unlike most college students, Howell also worries about supplying these same things for her family.

In addition to housing issues, Howell notes a decrease in everyday items in stores across Athens and an increase in people taking advantage of smaller establishments frequented by locals.

While the opinions between Athens’ residents and Ohio U students vary wildly regarding the rising student population, only time will tell what impacts these long-lasting issues will have on Athens and Ohio U alike. The current

President of Ohio U, Hugh Sherman, made statements to The New Political earlier this year promising to not expand student capacity and instead focus on student retention and graduation rates, something he said he hopes the next president of the university will continue.

Representing the 21.8%

BY MIMI CALHOUN ILLUSTRATIONS BY ZOE GEISS

Ohio University is known to be the home away from home for many of its students. With the beautiful nature of Appalachia and high-energy school spirit, Ohio U is well-known as a place that students and alumni hold near and dear to their heart. Ohio U strives for togetherness, but some question it when it comes to diversity.

The “Make Respect Visible” campaign is a collaboration with the university as a whole, specifically the Division for Diversity and Inclusion. The original goal of the marketing campaign was to encourage dialogue between people instead of drawing divisions. Now, the campaign aims to not check boxes for diversity and to expand into the Athens community.

When looking at the impacts of Ohio U’s 78.2% white campus population, it is important to acknowledge the other 21.8%. Although Ohio U is still considered to be a predominantly white institution, its variety of multicultural clubs and organizations have helped its students of color find a safe space for themselves.

Joi Foy, a sophomore studying journalism, is highly involved with groups on campus

such as the Black Student Communication Caucus, Ebony Minds, and the Association of Multicultural Sports Professionals. As an out-ofstate student from Birmingham, Alabama, Foy grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood and graduated from a predominantly Black high school. The difference in racial population between her home in Alabama and Ohio U showed Foy that community is essential.

“I believe that my experience as a person of color at OU has provided me with a unique experience

to learn about the importance of community and also finding people who are for you,” Foy wrote in an email. “The Black community here at OU is close-knit and mostly everyone knows everyone. It’s like a family, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Jared Otero, a senior studying studio art, said that his experience as a minority at Ohio U has overall been positive despite having a few issues regarding misunderstandings and making relationships.

“There is always some interest in my background by peers if the topic ever comes up, and any occasional misconception is clarified in an open and friendly manner,” Otero wrote in a text. “It is somewhat rare to meet people with a similar background, which can become a small obstacle when establishing connections with others.”

Makayla Moore, a sophomore studying

“I believe that my experience as a person of color at OU has provided me with a unique experience to learn about the importance of community and also finding people who are for you,”

- JOI FOY

PHOTO CREDIT: OHIO UNIVERSITY

dance, mentioned that her experience at Ohio U as a person of color has been both positive and negative. Her involvement with the Black community has made her time at the university enjoyable, but racist incidents on campus have made her wonder about if regulation and reform will come.

“I can currently say I haven’t seen much change from the institute itself, but many peers have come together to fight against the injustice that happens on and off campus which I’m glad to say makes me proud to be at OU,” Moore said.

One thing that most students of color seem to agree on is that while they appreciate Ohio U’s efforts to be more diverse and inclusive, there is still more work to be done.

Moore mentioned the university programs and centers like the Office of Multicultural Success and Retention, or OMSAR, the Women’s Center, and the LGBT Center were great programs and safe spaces. However, Moore believes that Ohio U could do more to give support to students of different backgrounds to ensure that they continue to succeed and thrive during their time at the university.

“They (the university) tend to mainly focus on the incoming students and freshmen to make sure they get acquainted with their new surroundings and feel as comfortable as possible,” Moore wrote in a text. “It feels when they reach sophomore status, that support tends to dim off and almost feels like you are fending for yourself at times without the guidance you have had once before.”

Foy also agreed that while the university seems to be heading in the right direction, there is still a

continuous need for help and assistance. “The only thing I would believe that needs to be worked on, especially in Multicultural spaces, is support outside of administration in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion,” wrote in an email.

As with all good things, flaws and imperfections are likely to arise. Although Ohio U is a beloved and cherished place, the university should continue with its efforts for diversity and inclusion and go beyond to give encouragement and aid to its students.

PHOTO CREDIT: OHIO UNIVERSITY

Comparative Religion

BY TATE RAUB ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALIZA DUTT VIA CRAIYON

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Comparative Religion Club at Ohio University had trouble remaining active but has recently been revived with the help of its members.

“The goal is just to have an academic club where everyone gets to talk about their interests in religions and exploring new, different things,” Makayla Walter, the president of Comparative Religion Club and a junior studying English prelaw at Ohio U, said. “One of the big things everyone always likes to do is talk about religions that they’ve never heard of or things that they might not be used to, especially being in South Ohio.”

Walter said that with there being a lot of Christian groups on campus, members of Comparative Religion Club can use this space to have conversations about what intrigues them about other religions that they are not necessarily familiar with. At the beginning of each semester, members of the club get together to discuss what they would like to learn about in the coming months. Once they have a general idea of what everyone is interested in, they can plan when to have professors and local religious figures come speak to the group.

Another perk to joining Comparative Religion Club are the trips the group goes on. Amalia Feliciano, a freshman studying world religions and psychology, said something that has stood out to her in her experience with Comparative Religion Club are the trips the group

takes. Their recent trip to West Virginia this past October has stuck with her as members of the club got to experience celebrating the Hindu deity, Krishna.

According to WorldHistory.org, Krishna is one of the most widely-revered Hindu deities and the eighth reincarnation of Vishnu, one of the holy trinity of Hindu gods. This past fall, the group attended New Vrindaban’s biannual 24-hour kirtan to celebrate Krishna. New Vrindaban is a Krishna temple in Moundsville, West Virginia.

“We got there (in the) early afternoon and immediately the environment was something I had never experienced before,” Feliciano said. “It’s one thing to just learn about it and hear about it but … to experience the culture of it I just thought was really incredible.”

Feliciano said the environment of the club is very laid back, which she appreciates because religion is often thought of as something that is difficult to talk about or even something to avoid talking about at all. Everyone is very open minded, supportive, and willing to speak their truths, so it is always a time at each meeting.

Emma Diehl, a junior studying English pre-law, joined Comparative Religion Club in early February. She said she was drawn to the club because she wanted to be a part of an environment where she could learn while also getting to know people who are cool and fun to talk to.

“I grew up in a small town, and it was very much a ‘everyone-was-Catholic’ environment, so I was kind of raised in an environment where … that’s how it’s always been and you can’t really do much to change that,” Diehl said. “Then, when I was 17, I took a college class on ancient humanities and that was the first time I got to learn about religion from a non-religious perspective. That was an eye opening experience for me, and ever since then, I just always wanted to learn more about it.”

Walter agrees and said the organization is open to anyone who is willing to come in with an open mind.

“It’s something that’s different compared to a lot of different academic disciplines (because) you don’t actually have to have a lot of knowledge to have an interest in it,” Walter said. “You just kind of have to sit down and be respectful to each other and listen to each other speak.”

Any Ohio U student interested in joining Comparative Religion Club can email Makayla Walter at mw940720@ohio.edu or go to Bobcat Connect to learn more about the organization.

PHOTOS BY DEIKA AHMED BY ABBEY MENZA

Craftymepp

Hannah Eppler is a creative Ohio Univeristy alumna and is currently taking a few years off before moving onto graduate school. She is the owner of Craftymepp, an Etsy shop that focuses on sustainable and upcycled art and clothing.

Eppler’s business began about three years ago when she started making masks for COVID-19 and selling them on Instagram. Eppler learned how to sew when she was younger but never did anything with the skill until the pandemic. Disappointed by the lack of fashion-forward face coverings, she took this as an opportunity to create her own masks and sell them to others looking for fashionable COVID-19 protection.

“All the ones I had were ugly,” Eppler said. “So I wasn’t impressed with the selection of masks that I was finding.”

She said she got her fabric supplies from places like JOANN Fabric and Craft Store and found fun, colorful fabrics to use as a base for her masks. Eventually, she moved her business to Etsy as a simpler and more organized way to sell her products. As time went on, the masks turned into clothes, jewelry, and whatever other creative idea she had at the moment.

Currently, Eppler works at Upcycle Ohio Thrift Store and is able to draw a lot of inspiration from the clothes she sees at the store. She is surrounded by a lot of vintage and early 2000s clothing, so it is easy to find fashion inspiration for her shop.

When coming up with ideas for what to sell, Eppler asks herself what she would wear. A lot of her own personal style is influenced by the clothes at the thrift store, and she tries to find things to sell that reflect her own personal taste. For example, over the summer she screen printed some shirts with the sayings, “I have nothing to wear” and “This is my favorite shirt.”

Eppler was inspired over the summer when she felt she had nothing to wear and thought solving that problem with a T-shirt printer could be funny. To keep the pieces simple, she tries to screen print

on blank shirts using only one or two colors of ink so they will be more versatile.

The business showcases a lot of Eppler’s own personal style and creative pieces, and she sees it as more of a side gig.

“I guess in my head I’m like, ‘If I’m spending money on this hobby, I might as well see if I can profit from it with what I’m making and having fun making,’” Eppler said.

Eppler said she hopes to attend more vendor shows with her work as she has been to some small ones before and hopes to expand. She also wants to eventually create a physical storefront instead of just the digital storefront she currently has. As her Etsy shop is more of a hobby than her main pursuit, those goals may take a few years, but she still finds it a fun way to express her interests.

“It’s just a culmination of all of my hobbies in one place, which is kind of fun,” Eppler said. “That’s not even my area of study or anything. It’s just something fun that I get to do.”

“I guess in my head I’m like, ‘If I’m spending money on this hobby, I might as well see if I can profit from it with what I’m making and having fun making,’”

-HANNAH EPPLER