The Red & Black | February 29, 2024

Guinevere Grant

During the pandemic, University of Georgia student organizations took drastic measures to adapt to a constantly changing reality of social distancing. Many clubs saw decreased engagement and struggled to connect with students. Four years later, some still haven’t recovered.

Kristian Ivey, former UGA Union president, said the group had meetings in person during the pandemic but less frequently. Before COVID-19, the club had meetings every Tuesday. When the pandemic hit, it changed to once a month — and sometimes to once a semester.

In a 2021 survey study by W2O Center for Social Commerce at Syracuse University, research found that out of 200 student participants, 85% agreed it was challenging to feel engaged in extracurricular activities during the pandemic.

While UGA Union tried to adjust to host virtual events, like bingo and trivia, it also couldn’t have many of their signature events, like the Homecoming Carnival. Ivey said it was stressful coming up with creative ways to have events.

“Students weren’t as motivated to interact with the organization or attend general-body meetings,” Ivey said.

Many freshmen who started during the pandemic struggled to get involved in clubs. Yasmine Sabere, president of Young Democrats, joined the club in 2020 as a freshman and said she didn’t feel that she had a community.

“Trying to see where I fit on campus and go to clubs, but without having that in-person social aspect was really difficult,” Sabere said.

She also said the cancellation of the engagement fair in 2020 only made matters worse. Organizations benefit from the fair, and she didn’t know many clubs existed because it didn’t happen that year.

make friends, to meet each other, to find new relationships

When Sabere joined Young Democrats, they had meetings on Zoom, which usually had less than 20 people in attendance. It made social interactions and forming friendships difficult, especially talking to upperclassmen in the club. Most of their discussions revolved around preCOVID-19 events — ones that they couldn’t have anymore and that she had missed out on.

Erika Rosenzweig, a board member of Hillel at UGA, said she looked forward to making connections on campus with the Jewish community, but online meetings meant she wasn’t able to as easily.

Instead of having Shabbat dinners in person, UGA Hillel

created drop-off and pick-up boxes with packaged meals. UGA Hillel tried to engage members by having events online, such as game nights, but Rosenzweig said they weren’t very popular.

“Trying to build that for myself, while also feeling the pressure of trying to help everyone else by having these events, was really stressful,” Rosenzweig said.

Ashlyn Earnest, president of the Demosthenian Literary Society, a debate club on campus, said while she was not a member in 2020, she knew that they had to move their meetings online, which caused membership to tank. She said that for some Zoom meetings, there would only be around 10 people, around 30 less than before COVID-19.

During the pandemic, Earnest said that the club tried to have a Zoom version of one of their signature events, their all-night meeting where they debate from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. But due to lack of attendance, it didn’t last the usual amount of time.

“Everyone’s spirits were down,” Earnest said.

A new reality Student organizations felt the effect of the pandemic even when in-person events returned.

When Earnest joined in 2021, she said that numbers were still low. Without people, she said that meetings got awkward and boring. Sometimes, no one would stand up when the floor opened for debate.

Earnest almost quit. She said that she had to fight through the awkward meetings and just hope.

“I remember sitting there, and there was no one there, and it was so weird,” Earnest said.

Rosenzweig said that even returning to in-person meetings, UGA Hillel couldn’t do some of their events, which was frustrating. The organization did not host their usual full welcome back week, and had to cancel a social they had planned because someone caught COVID-19.

Rosenzweig also deals with recognizing what her first year experience could have been.

“[To know] how good of a program Hillel is for people to

— and to know that I didn’t have that experience because of COVID-19 was a lot for me to watch,” Rosenzweig said.

Sabere said that the prime time to get involved in an organization and develop relationships is freshman or sophomore year. Not having the in-person experience of a club really set many students back from forming relationships.

“Once you become a junior, there almost feels like there’s no place for you in the organization,” Sabere said.

Sabere said it was difficult to revitalize the Young Democrats club post-COVID-19. They put more effort into recruitment, but mandatory attendance at club meetings is common now due to lack of attendance.

“It’s very difficult to get college students, especially postCOVID, to care about coming to your meetings,” Sabere said. Hope isn’t lost Despite obstacles, it’s not all bleak for clubs on campus.

Earnest said that the Demosthenian Literary Society is slowly returning to pre-COVID-19 numbers thanks to promotion through flyers on campus and social media posts.

“It’s fairly easy to get people to come to a meeting, but the [difficult] thing is making them stay,” Earnest said. Ivey also said that UGA Union is slowly seeing more attendance.

Sabere said that since fall 2022, attendance has gone up. The club still hasn’t fully recovered, but they are trying to get engagement through social media and fun events, such as movie nights.

“I think it’s always a win if I see a new face at our meetings, even if it’s just one person,” Sabere said.

UGA Hillel has also slowly regained community involvement. Rosenzweig said they worked hard to make freshmen feel welcome at their Shabbat dinners, and attendance has been steady. For clubs still struggling, Rosenzweig said that wherever there’s a pause in engagement, there’s a chance to be more creative and try something new.

“There is always hope,” Rosenzweig said.

‘Not

one more Dawg’

UGA community comes together to remember Laken Riley and Wyatt Banks

Staff report

In a sea of hundreds of people, not one person in the University of Georgia community was alone in their grief.

Students and the campus community gathered in mourning on Monday, Feb. 26, at Tate Plaza to honor Wyatt Banks’ and Laken Riley’s lives. The vigil was jointly hosted by UGA’s Kappa Sigma fraternity and Alpha Chi Omega sorority chapters — brothers and sisters to Banks and Riley.

“They were both students here — they were basically family to us, regardless of how much we got to interact with them or got to know them,” Lauren Summerall, a freshman psychology major, said.

In the span of 24 hours, the two students died on campus — Banks on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and Riley on Thursday, Feb. 22.

In the wake of their deaths, which were unrelated incidents, campus emptied and fell quiet after administration canceled class and the community grieved insurmountable losses.

Students and community members have poured out support for Banks’ and Riley’s loved ones in the days following their deaths.

“Not one more Dawg,” Dabney Duncan, president of UGA’s Panhellenic Council, said at the Feb. 26 vigil.

Remembering two lives

Banks, a freshman, was a student in the Morehead Honors College and was majoring in political science and economics. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma chapter at UGA.

“[He was] definitely a person you would want to get to know because no matter who you are, he was always willing to help,” Nicholas Nichols, a member of Banks’ pledge class, said. “It was always fun with him. Hanging out in our dorm and watching movies … hanging out in the Brumby study rooms for hours.”

Friends remember Banks as someone who was always kind, fun to be around and looking out for others. He was loved by everyone and an integral part of Kappa Sigma, chapter member Joe Rishwain wrote in a text to The Red & Black.

“When he walked into the room, you could feel his presence there — always smiling,” Jonathan Tassani, freshman finance major and Banks’ friend, said. Banks was elected to be one of the chapter rush chairs for the upcoming year and was a great fit for the position, according to Tassani, who was a member of the same pledge class as Banks. Tassani said Banks was already making connections to potential chapter members, such as Tassani’s roommate.

Tassani said he hopes people remember Banks by being aware of how mental health issues impact men. Mental Health America reported that nearly one in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, but less than half will receive treatment.

“I think that part of his legacy should be an emphasis on men’s mental health. There’s a stigma around it that a lot of men are afraid to really open up and show their feelings to people,” Tassani said. “And I feel like Wyatt was a prime example of that because through all of his smiling and laughter that he brought us, he was really hurting inside and it’s just a travesty to see.”

The Kappa Sigma Beta Lambda chapter organized a fundraiser for Banks’ memorial.

The GoFundMe surpassed its $100,000 goal to support his family and raise awareness toward mental health.

According to the GoFundMe, Kappa Sigma plans to present the money to Banks’ family to cover funeral expenses, donate to mental health organizations, establish a scholarship fund or for other ideas Banks’ family feels will memorialize him.

Riley, age 22, was killed on campus on Thursday, Feb. 22. A friend reported her missing after not returning from a run that morning.

Riley was a nursing student at the Ath-

ens campus of Augusta University’s College of Nursing. She attended UGA until the spring of 2023 before transferring to the nursing college. In the fall of 2023, she made the dean’s list at Augusta University, and she was set to graduate in 2025.

She received her honorary white coat in August 2023, symbolizing “humanism, compassion and the start of her nurse’s journey,” according to an Instagram post made by the school in Riley’s memory.

In addition to pursuing nursing, Riley’s passion to care for others led her to work as a nanny, according to her obituary.

“Laken was an amazing daughter, sister, friend and overall person in general. Her love for the Lord was exemplified in every aspect of her life,” the obituary states.

Riley graduated from River Ridge High School in 2020 and was from Woodstock, Georgia. She was a member of the UGA Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

“She was still active in her sorority here,” university spokesman Greg Trevor told The Red & Black. “She was active in the community and well known and from all accounts very well liked.”

A GoFundMe in Riley’s honor has received more than $125,000 in donations, surpassing the fundraiser’s $35,000 goal by almost $100,000 at the time of publication.

The fundraiser, according to the organizer’s post, was created to assist the family with funeral expenses or go toward other expenses for Riley’s family.

The GoFundMe will also work to start the Laken Hope Riley foundation to raise homicide awareness and increase safety for women, according to the obituary.

“No words can express the pain and heartache that Laken’s family and friends are experiencing,” the GoFundMe post read. “She was a wonderful friend, sister, daughter, etc. who touched the lives of everyone around her. Her infectious smile and contagious laugh lit up every room she entered.”

Community groups respond

In addition to the Monday afternoon vigil, multiple Greek life organizations hosted mourning events, including a prayer walk held by Beta Upsilon Chi and a Greek Circle prayer service by Phi Delta Theta following the deaths.

“I feel like with everything that happened, it’s a good time to tell everyone you love them and make sure everyone else is handling it OK and making sure you’re open to your friends,” Cannon Harman, a junior who helped organize the Greek Circle prayer service, said.

Other community groups released statements in response to the deaths.

“Please don’t stop running,” wrote the Slow Girl Run Club in an Instagram post Friday regarding Riley’s death. “As women we are always on guard and aware of our safety anywhere we go, it is not fair. This is a horrific event and something that we unfortunately have seen in national news time and time again. Don’t let that take away your power.”

Counselors and support services were at the Athens campus of the Augusta University College of Nursing the day after Riley’s death, along with the interim dean and other administrators. While classes were

canceled on Friday, the college’s campus remained open as a gathering place for students, faculty and staff.

“The College of Nursing will miss Laken’s spirit on campus,” the college wrote in a post on Instagram. “We know that she would have been a wonderful nurse, and her passing is a loss for the profession and the communities she would have graciously served.”

Concerns for safety and well-being

UGA canceled classes on the Friday following the two deaths. Multiple events across campus were also canceled or rescheduled. Many students chose to go home for the weekend because of safety concerns.

“I usually don’t feel unsafe on campus,” Alexis Sotilleo, a senior biology major, said. “But knowing what happened and how [Riley] died in the middle of the day is kind of concerning. Now, generally I don’t feel as safe as I did before.”

UGA Housing announced that access doors would operate on an alternate schedule through the weekend following Riley’s death as a safety measure. Students were reminded to carry their UGACard to enter UGA Housing facilities.

“[Riley’s death] was a reminder that you can feel safe, but you’re never actually one hundred percent safe,” Sotilleo said. “I’ll generally be more aware of my surroundings [now].” Parents also took to social media to express concerns for student safety at UGA.

“It just made me sick and heartbroken because that could have been my daughter,” Veronica Bennett, whose daughter is a UGA student, said. “I think we need to do better. I think we can do better … It could be your roommate next. It could be my daughter.”

As a further call for campus safety, an anonymous female student started a petition following Riley’s death to reinstall emergency blue lights on UGA’s campus. The blue call boxes connect callers directly with emergency services. At the time of publication, the petition had more than 25,000 signatures.

UGA administration recommends students, faculty and staff download the UGA Safe App, travel in groups when possible and be aware of surroundings.

The app has features designed to increase student safety, including a chat function and the ability to share their location with police or with a friend. It also provides emergency resources and guidance for reporting tips to the police, viewing maps of campus and accessing information in the UGAAlert system.

“It is a really effective app, and we’re trying to encourage every member of the community — students, faculty, staff, visitors — to sign up for it,” Trevor said.

The campus community also expressed concerns for the mental well-being of students, particularly of men. Men are less likely to seek help for mental health, according to a study in the American Journal of Men’s Health. Women in the U.S. are 1.6 times more likely to receive any form of mental health treatment compared to men across a 12-month period, according to the study.

“Wyatt hid the pain he was in and the fact that he was the one truly in need of help,” Nichols said at the vigil. “I and many others will forever wish that we had noticed his pain or he had said something. If you’re quietly suffering, there’s always someone you can find to listen and help.”

Students were also encouraged to contact Counseling and Psychiatric Services or Student Care and Outreach for support following the deaths on campus. At the Monday vigil held on campus, counselors were at Tate Plaza to offer support to people in attendance.

As the vigil came to an end, UGA’s campus emptied once again. United in grief, the UGA community celebrated the lives of Riley and Banks — lives that were inspiring, remarkable and beautiful.

There was space for whispers of hope among the hushed murmurs and sobs at the vigil — hope that healing will come soon with

A statement from First Gen Dawgs

First Gen Dawgs is a student organization at the University of Georgia that seeks to uplift and create a community within the first-generation population on campus. The organization published this open letter on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.

First and foremost, we stand united in grief over the profound loss of Laken Riley. We are utterly heartbroken to have lost a student, friend and beacon of light. Our love extends to Laken’s friends, family and all who were touched by her kindness. In this time of profound sorrow, may we find solace in the memories we shared and in the everlasting presence of Laken’s spirit within our hearts and throughout the halls of the University of Georgia.

Recent developments in this case have unveiled a tragedy that demands our sincere attention. It deeply troubles us to witness this heartbreaking incident exploited as a platform for racism and xenophobia within our campus community. While we unequivocally condemn the heinous crime committed against a fellow peer, we are equally appalled and outraged by the unjust targeting and harassment endured by the entire Latino community in its aftermath. Within a mere 24 hours, we have witnessed despicable instances of racist rhetoric directed toward Latinos, which is wholly unacceptable. It is infuriating to witness Laken’s untimely death be politicized to further a racist and xenophobic agenda against Latinos.

Our hearts ache knowing that our members face threats and fear simply due to their ethnicity, making them hesitant to set foot on campus. This must cease immediately. We call for unity, empathy and respect in this challenging time. Many of us come from families that worked tirelessly to build better lives in this country, and we understand the gravity of these impacts. Please continue to spread kindness and love in these devastating times. We condemn those who have exploited this crime to harass an entire ethnicity of people and call on UGA to eradicate the hateful sentiment that has befallen our Latino students following the revelations related to this case.

We’d like to reaffirm that our organization remains a safe space for everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity. We understand that individuals process current events differently based on their personal histories. Our hope is that you extend kindness and grace to yourselves and each other during this challenging time. There’s no correct way to feel or grieve, but please know that we stand ready to support you in any way we can. Remember, each of us deeply cares about you and is here to lend a listening ear and open arms. You are all in our thoughts, and your resilience inspires us to strengthen our community further. We are committed to uplifting you in every possible way.

United we are stronger. Let us stand together as a community, rejecting bigotry and embracing diversity. For only through solidarity can we heal and move forward.

With love and care,

Una declaración de First Gen Dawgs

First Gen Dawgs es una organización estudiantil de la Universidad de Georgia que busca elevar y crear una comunidad dentro de la población de primera generación en el campus. La organización publicó esta carta abierta el sábado 24 de febrero de 2024.

En primer lugar, nos mantenemos unidos en el dolor por la profunda pérdida de Laken Riley. Estamos completamente desconsolados por haber perdido a una estudiante, amiga y energía carismática. Nuestro amor se extiende a los amigos, familiares y a todos los que fueron testigos de su amabilidad. En este tiempo de profundo pesar, que encontremos consuelo en los recuerdos compartidos y en la presencia eterna del espíritu de Laken en nuestros corazones y por los pasillos de la Universidad de Georgia. Los recientes acontecimientos en este caso han revelado una tragedia que exige nuestra sincera atención. Nos preocupa profundamente presenciar cómo este desgarrador incidente se ha utilizado como plataforma para el racismo y la xenofobia dentro de nuestra comunidad universitaria. Aunque condenamos inequívocamente el atroz crimen cometido contra una compañera, estamos igualmente consternados y enfurecidos por el injusto señalamiento y acoso sufrido por toda la comunidad Latina en sus secuelas. En tan solo 24 horas, hemos sido testigos de despreciables instancias de retórica racista dirigida hacia los Latinos, lo cual es totalmente inaceptable. Es indignante ver cómo la muerte prematura de Laken está siendo politizada para impulsar una agenda racista y xenófoba contra los latinos.

Nuestros corazones duelen al saber que nuestros miembros enfrentan amenazas y miedo simplemente por su etnicidad, haciéndolos dudar en poner un pie en el campus. Esto debe parar inmediatamente. Hacemos un llamado a la unidad, empatía y respeto en este tiempo difícil. Muchos de nosotros somos de familias que trabajaron incansablemente para construir vidas mejores en este país, y comprendemos la gravedad de estos impactos. Por favor, continúen difundiendo cariño y amor en estos tiempos devastadores. Condenamos a aquellos que han explotado este crimen para acosar a todo un grupo de personas y hacemos un llamado a la Universidad de Georgia para erradicar el sentimiento de odio que ha afectado a nuestros estudiantes Latinos tras las revelaciones relacionadas con este caso.

Queremos reafirmar que nuestras organizaciones siguen siendo un espacio seguro para todos, independientemente de su raza o etnicidad. Entendemos que las personas procesan los eventos actuales de manera diferente dependiendo de sus historias personales. Nuestra esperanza es que extiendan bondad y gracia a ustedes mismos y a los demás durante estos tiempos difíciles. No hay una manera correcta de sentir o lamentar, pero por favor, sepan que estamos listos para apoyarlos de cualquier manera posible. Recuerden, cada uno de nosotros se preocupa profundamente por ustedes y estamos aquí para escuchar y darles apoyo. Están en nuestros pensamientos y su resistencia nos inspira a fortalecer nuestra comunidad aún más. Nos comprometemos a elevarlos de todas las maneras posibles.

Unidos somos más fuertes. Permanezcamos juntos como comunidad, rechazando la intolerancia y celebrando la diversidad, porque solo a través de la solidaridad podemos curarnos y avanzar.

Con mucho amor y cariño,

Alexis Derickson

MANAGER

MARKETING ASSISTANT Katherine White

COMMUNICATIONS INTERN Emma Akang

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PROFESSIONAL STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Charlotte Varnum 706-433-3009 | cvarnum@randb.com

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Casa de Amistad

Una organización sin fines de lucro promueve su comunidad

Lizzie Rice, Traducido por Andrea Aramburo

“Casa de Amistad” atiende a la desfavorecida comunidad hispana y latina en Athens, dándoles conexiones y proporcionando recursos, tales como clases de idiomas y distribución de alimentos.

La amistad es la clave para proporcionar ese sentido de “comunidad,” según Susan Carreño, directora ejecutiva de Casa de Amistad. Muchos inmigrantes vienen a Georgia, y posteriormente a Athens, cada año. Casi el 10% de la población de Athens está compuesta por inmigrantes, según datos del Censo de Estados Unidos.

Casa de Amistad ha estado trabajando en Athens desde 2004 y como una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) desde 2009.

Carreño se convirtió en la directora ejecutiva de Casa de Amistad en septiembre de 2022. Le apasiona servir a la comunidad latina y cree en las enormes contribuciones que la cultura aporta al área de Athens.

“Tener un recurso como Casa que no solo te conecta con diferentes recursos… que te ayuda a darle ese empuje para querer mejorar y proveer más para su familia, y además de eso crea esta comunidad,” dijo Carreño. “Creo que habría un gran vacío si esto no existiera.”

Casa de Amistad proporciona asistencia para el alquiler, distribución de alimentos, vacunas, asistencia relacionada con la pandemia y más. Una de las iniciativas más importantes de Casa de Amistad es la educación.

La organización lleva a cabo clases gratuitas de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL, por sus siglas en inglés) y clases de desarrollo educativo general (GED, por sus siglas en inglés) en español.

Casa de Amistad ha ido creciendo tanto en voluntarios como en estudiantes desde el año 2020. Participan más de 100 voluntarios y 185 estudiantes.

Casa de Amistad tiene eventos familiares durante todo el año para días festivos como Día de los Muertos o concursos de comidas con platos culturales.

“Nuestra misión es básicamente conocer a los latinos donde están y conectarlos con diferentes recursos en el área de Athens para ayudarlos a tener éxito,” dijo Carreño.

Una exalumna dijo que el inglés que aprendió en el programa la ayudó a conseguir un trabajo.

“Cuando [vine] aquí, [no sabía] hablar nada en inglés, ni familia, ni amigos, fue muy difícil,” dijo el ex estudiante. “En Casa de Amistad, aprecio todo lo que han hecho por mí… entiendo [inglés] un poco más cada día.”

Nota del editor: El nombre de la exalumna ha sido eliminado para proteger su identidad como inmigrante en Athens. Lean más artículos en español en www.redandblack.com/en-espanol

House of Friendship

de Amistad fosters community

Lizzie Rice

“Casa de Amistad,” meaning “House of Friendship,” provides for the underserved Hispanic and Latino community in Athens by fostering connections and providing resources, such as language classes and food distribution.

Friendship is key to providing that sense of “community,” according to Susan Carreño, Casa de Amistad’s executive director. Many immigrants come to Georgia, and subsequently to Athens, every year. Nearly 10% of the Athens population is made up of immigrants, according to data from the U.S. Census.

Casa de Amistad has been working in Athens since 2004 and as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 2009.

Carreño became the executive director for Casa de Amistad in September 2022. She is passionate about serving the Latino community and believes in the huge contributions that the culture brings to the Athens area.

“Having a resource like Casa that not only connects you with different resources … that helps give you that push to want to better yourself and provide more for your family, and on top of that creates this community,” Carreño said. “I think there would be a huge void if this didn’t exist.”

Casa de Amistad provides rental assistance, food distribution, vaccines, pandemic-related assistance and more. One of Casa de Amistad’s biggest initiatives is education.

The organization conducts free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and General Educational Development (GED) classes in Spanish.

Casa de Amistad has been growing in both volunteers and students since 2020. More than 100 volunteers and 185 students are involved.

Casa de Amistad has family events throughout the year for holidays like Dia de los Muertos or cook-offs with cultural dishes.

“Our mission is to basically meet Latinos where they are and connect them with different resources in the Athens area to help them be successful,” Carreño said.

A former student said the English she learned from the program helped her get a job.

“When I [came] here, I [didn’t] know how to speak nothing in English, no family, no friends, it was very difficult,” the former student said. “In Casa de Amistad, I appreciate all [they’ve done] for me … I understand [English] a little bit more every day.”

Editor’s Note: The former student’s name has been removed to protect her identity as an immigrant in Athens. Read more articles in Spanish at www.redandblack.com/en-espanol

Owen McDaniel

When the buzzer sounded at the end of the Savannah Hockey Classic championship, signaling a victory for the Ice Dawgs, an oversized, purple Georgia hockey jersey could be seen among a sea of celebrating Bulldog fans.

That jersey, signed by each of the UGA hockey players, was gifted to 9-year-old Alaina Rushing in Georgia’s locker room before the championship game.

The Ice Dawgs met Rushing, who is battling osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, during their annual trip to the Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital in Savannah, Georgia.

Rushing became an avid Georgia hockey fan over the past couple of years because her family attends the annual Savannah Hockey Classic games. Naturally, she was elated to see the players in the hallway of the hospital.

“All of a sudden, the door at the end of the hallway opened, and there was this lovely little girl that was just screaming down the hall, like, ‘Hey, guys! Go Dawgs!’” team captain Robby Witwer said. “She had a whole group of the team around, just cracking up everybody, making smiles.”

Her family has been ecstatic to see Rushing’s interactions and joy toward the Ice Dawgs.

“Alaina is unstoppable. She’s on her walker, but she’s unstoppable,” Mary Powell, Alaina’s mom, said. “She took off down the hallway towards them, and as soon as she came up to them, they were just [running] toward her and it was a full-on experience for her, and it was very exciting to watch.”

Rushing and the Georgia players only talked for about 15 minutes at the hospital, but the players were moved by her positivity during such difficult circumstances.

“We’re blessed every day to play the game that we love, to go to school with our friends, to have our health,” Witwer

said. “So to see her struggling with certain things, but to stay so positive, she’s a great example for all of us to follow in terms of what resiliency and toughness mean.”

Rushing and the Georgia players quickly became friends. The Ice Dawgs extended an invite to Rushing and her family to watch them play that night against Georgia Tech and the championship game against Florida the following night.

“She was just such a special young lady, she just grabbed our hearts,” head coach John Camp said. “We were able to get her into the arena, [get] seats for her parents and we had her read the starting lineup both games.”

[Alaina Rushing] is a great example for all of us to follow in terms of what resiliency and toughness mean.

ROBBY WITWER | ICE DAWGS TEAM CAPTAIN

The Ice Dawgs rallied around Rushing’s presence at both games, as they beat Georgia Tech 7-1, and secured their 10th Savannah Hockey Classic championship in a dramatic 4-3 victory over Florida.

When the clock hit zero in the championship game, the Bulldog players stormed the ice, gathered together and celebrated behind their goal. Junior goalie Ryan Testino turned around and realized that they were celebrating right in front of where their biggest fan was sitting.

“Usually when we win some type of hardware, every -

Ansley Gavlak

Forty-four seasons. Eighteen SEC Coach of the Year titles. Twelve SEC team titles. Seven NCAA titles — all achieved by one person.

Jack Bauerle is a name that will go down in history at the University of Georgia. A man who took on the task of coaching both the men’s and women’s team’s, a job now once again split between his former swimmers Neil Versfeld and Stefanie Williams Moreno.

On Jan. 13, a year and a half after Bauerle announced his retirement as head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming teams, the competition pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium was dedicated to him and his accomplishments within the swim and dive program.

“It was the most deserving thing and the best that could have happened to this school,” former Georgia swimmer Callie Dickinson said. “He’s been here and had so many great athletes, he swam and just left such a great legacy.”

Bauerle first came to Georgia in 1971 as a wide-eyed freshman, eager to begin his collegiate swimming career. He walked away as a four-year letter winner and a two-time team captain, holding program records in the 200-yard butterfly and 1,650-yard freestyle after the 1974-1975 season. Bauerle was offered a coaching position at Georgia im-

mediately following his graduation in 1975. At just 22 years old, he began his coaching career and never looked back.

Although Bauerle had a lot to learn on the other side of the pool, he quickly picked up his own coaching techniques and turned Georgia into one of the best teams in the nation. From Nov. 8, 1995, through Jan. 5, 2017, the Georgia’s women’s team did not lose a home meet at Gabrielsen Natatorium. The team’s 103 straight dual-meet victories are an NCAA record.

“Winning a national championship is hard, I understand that because we’ve done it and I know what it’s like,” Bauerle said. “But for me… we are just as proud of just being very, very elite for a long time.”

In 2008, Bauerle had the honor of being selected as the United States’ women’s team coach for the Olympics in Beijing. He led the women’s team to 14 medals that year, more than any other country. Prior to his head coaching tenure, Bauerle served as the assistant coach for the women’s team in Sydney in 2000. He served this same role for the men’s team in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021, and was a personal coach in both 2004 and 2012.

When Bauerle was the men’s assistant coach in Tokyo, Georgia sent seven swimmers to the games, the most among any NCAA program. In the lead-off event for the 2021 Olympics, Chase Kalisz and Jay Litherland, two of

body does a dogpile down at the goal,” Camp said. “Ryan Testino, our goalie, high-fived a couple guys real quick, but then he immediately went behind the net to the glass where Rushing was, and he celebrated with Rushing.”

Several of the players followed suit, high-fiving Rushing through the glass. Right after the trophy presentation, the Georgia players took it down to the boards in front of her, and took a team picture with Rushing front and center. Witwer then carried the trophy out of the rink and let Rushing hold it and take pictures.

“Her smile was like, I can’t even describe it, it was from ear to ear and from the top of her head to the bottom of her head,” Powell said. “You could feel the emotion that she had, she felt, I don’t wanna say important, but she felt like she was the center of attention for sure.”

Rushing is approaching the finish line of her osteosarcoma treatments, but the most difficult treatments come at the end.

Powell acknowledged that the treatments have been demanding for Rushing, but it was good for her to get out and have fun outside of the hospital after having been stuck there for two months.

Rushing is now on track to go into remission at the end of February, and is in the process of getting fitted for a new prosthetic foot, a very expensive operation.

However, Georgia hockey and its fans have come together in support of Rushing through donations to her GoFundMe page. Before the hockey team brought attention to the page, the fundraiser had raised around $3,000 of its $10,000 goal. But since the championship game on Jan. 13, the page has received more than 50 donations and raised more than $7,600. The additional fundraising helped them surpass the total donation goal of $10,000.

“Now we’re rooting for her,” Camp said. “It was great winning that cup down there, but I can tell you, any of the time we spent with Alaina superseded winning the cup.”

Bauerle’s swimmers, picked up gold and silver in the men’s 400-yard individual medley. Two swimmers from the same team had not won gold and silver in the same event in over 30 years.

“For about six hours after that, I don’t remember a thing,” Bauerle said. “It was almost like a blackout. The level of elation was off the mat.”

Bauerle meant more than just his accomplishments as head coach. He was a role model and a mentor to all of his swimmers. Decorated former Georgia swimmer Dickinson was recruited by Bauerle in 2018 and swam under him throughout his final years of coaching. She only swam one season without Bauerle during the 2022-2023 season.

“You can go anywhere in the [swimming] world and say Jack’s name and everyone will know who you’re talking about,” Dickinson said. “He’s just one of those people where he knows everyone and is so well-liked by everyone.”

Dickinson qualified for the NCAA Championships in all five of her years swimming for Georgia and is a six-time CSCAA All-American. She finished her college career with four top-ten times in program history and won four medals at the SEC Championships.

“He knew how to manage and treat every swimmer because everyone is different,” Dickinson said. “And he didn’t just group us all together. He knew exactly what you needed to hear before and after your races and I think that’s pretty unique because some coaches, they don’t take the time to get to know you.”

After 50 years of dominance at Georgia, Bauerle officially announced his retirement on June 8, 2022. He was the longest-tenured coach in Georgia athletics and of any sport in the SEC. Although a difficult decision, Bauerle knew it was time to spend the next stage of his life with his wife and three children.

“The hardest part is just knowing that you’re not going to be around the kids anymore,” Bauerle said. “Other than that, it was just time.”

The pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium will now read Bauerle’s name. Bauerle Pool represents more than just his accomplishments as a coach, but the everlasting impact that he has made on the university. Bauerle is grateful that his own children will be able to look up at the pool and remember him long after he is gone.

“To me, looking at it means I did my job,” Bauerle said. “Nothing more, nothing less, I just did my job, what I should have done.”

Highlights from Georgia softball’s 11-0 victory against Murray State at Jack Turner Stadium on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024

MAY GRADS! Committed to a full-time job, graduate program or internship after graduation? Complete the Career Outcomes Survey. You may win a prize!

A

Local laughs at open mic night

Coffeehouse hosts cozy night of music and comedy

If you’re in search of a night of laughs and music, @local is the perfect spot. The coffeehouse hosts an open mic night every Thursday from 9 p.m. to midnight.

The show is free and open to everyone, both to watch from the audience or to take the stage. Musicians, comedians, poets and other talent are all welcome to show up and get on to the schedule for the night.

The ‘stage’ is only feet away from those watching, creating an intimate experience. Many performers spoke directly to the audience during their sets which made for an engaging environment.

The night started with mostly musicians taking the stage, but around 10 p.m. the mood switched and comedy began. Jacob Snipes, a sophomore advertising major at the University of Georgia, warmed up the crowd with clever comedic poems and jokes about downtown Athens. By the end of his set, the whole room was smiling.

Snipes was followed by more comedians that kept the audience giggling. A duo of ukulele players closed out the night.

This is a prime opportunity for those looking to practice performing in public, gain exposure or just share a passion. Meanwhile, the audience gets to enjoy a night of wholesome and cozy vibes. Filled with couches and deep-set chairs, @local curates a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. The coffeehouse also offers a variety of treats and drinks, including a selection of breakfast cereal.

All in all, a Thursday night at @local is a Thursday night well spent. —

Jill Ward

Reviews

FOOD

Classic City curry special

Thai Spoon’s dinner special doesn’t disappoint

Thai Spoon has brought quality Thai classics like curries, Pad Thai, basil fried rice and noodles to Athens since 2006. I wanted to try as many dishes as possible, so I ordered the dinner special.

The special comes with a choice of tom yum mushroom or coconut mushroom soup, a spring roll, an entree, rice and a drink. I chose the tom yum mushroom soup and the Masaman curry for my entree, as well as an order of Thai dumplings.

The Thai dumplings were tender, smooth and doughy, with a center of seasoned ground pork. The sweet and sour soy sauce elevated the flavor of the dumplings.

The tom yum mushroom soup was tangy and citrusy, with earthy mushrooms and herbal lemongrass. It was warm, hearty and full of flavor.

The spring roll was very traditional, with a crispy, deep-fried outer shell contrasting with the soft core of vegetables and glass noodles. The accompanying sweet carrot and pineapple sauce complemented the flavor of the spring roll well.

The Masaman curry arrived in a large plate of chicken, vegetables, avocado and cashews covered in sauce made with Masaman curry paste and coconut milk sauce. The flavor was rich, creamy and slightly spicy, while the chicken was tender. My only complaints are that the curry could’ve used more flavor, and the rice was a bit soggy and clumpy. Overall, this meal was delicious, and for the amount of food included in the special, it was a steal for $18.

— Claire Mulkey

ART

Taking a ‘Trust Fall’

The Lamar Dodd School of Art’s 2024 Faculty Exhibition

“Trust Fall” is an exhibit highlighting work by the Lamar Dodd School of Art’s faculty. The gallery is open between Feb. 8 and March 20 in the art school. I would not classify myself as an avid art fan, but I was curious to see this collection.

Mary Hallam Pearse’s “Possession” immediately caught my eye. A beaded necklace sits on a pedestal, clasped together with a big pink bow. The beads are made of melted lead, according to the description.

Then, the art came to life — I was looking at a depiction of strength in female beauty. Powerful beads held together by a frilly bow represented a woman’s tendency to hide her masculine traits for delicacy. Society puts women on pedestals for our beauty — all we can do is fall.

As I moved further into the exhibition, I also noticed more movement in the art. There was a spinning disc labeled “democracy,” which swung from left to right like a pendulum. Moon Jung Jang titled the piece “Democracy is Backsliding.”

I was quite moved by this piece because of my work in journalism. I am worried about the workplace I’m entering with all of the distrust and misinformation and how it will affect our democracy. It surprised me that this fear extended beyond those in my field of study — being large enough to inspire artful creation.

Still, most other pieces I didn’t understand or just felt pretty to look at. I guess we’re not always going to feel something from every piece we look at. But, I also wonder — what’s the point if not to feel?

— Libby Hobbs

DRINK ‘Get Shucked’ at Seabear

Athentic and Seabear

collaborate on oyster stout

“Get Shucked” is Athentic Brewing Company’s new oyster stout, made in collaboration with Seabear Oyster Bar. It is the first-ever oyster stout made in Georgia with Georgia oysters. Its mineral-driven, slightly sweet and bitter flavor is meant to pair well with oysters.

I ordered the beer at Seabear along with two of its oyster selections: “Bijou,” described as “small and perfectly salty,” and “Fin de la Baie,” described as “strong salt and crisp.” I visited during Seabear’s happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., so each oyster cost $2 to my pleasant surprise.

The stout’s color resembled black coffee. The initial taste of each sip was minorly sweet and had the typical bready flavor of beer. After a moment though, the beverage fizzed in my mouth, releasing a burst of bitter flavor similar to the taste of extremely dark chocolate. It is not a super heavy or rich beer, but I could only take small sips of it due to its sharp, acerbic and idiosyncratic taste.

I didn’t notice a huge difference between the two oyster variations, but both were fresh, briny and smooth. A small squeeze of lemon gave them an appreciated kick of acidity. Eating an oyster after taking a sip of beer helped slightly mute the beer’s bitter aftertaste and highlight its mineral-driven composition. I can see why someone would order this stout alongside oysters, however, I wouldn’t order it again. But in all fairness to the stout, beer is never my drink of choice.

— Jayden Henson

The “Trust Fall” faculty exhibit pictured at the Lamar Dodd School of Art.

PHOTO/LIBBY HOBBS

The Masaman curry dinner special pictured at Thai Spoon.

PHOTO/LANEY MARTIN

“Get Shucked,” an oyster stout, pictured at Seabear Oyster Bar.

PHOTO/JAYDEN HENSON

Who runs the world?

Avni Trivedi

Melissa Link decided to make her campaign yard signs hot pink.

The District 2 Commissioner made these signs when she ran during the Athens-Clarke County special elections in 2023.

“Part of what it was because I needed something really eye-catching because it was a special election and nobody knew it was going on,” Link said. “Then part of it was I really embraced pink in the Trump years as a symbol of resistance.”

Link didn’t know that the young girls in her neighborhood would react to her signs and point them out to their parents, who would explain who Commissioner Link is and what she does for their community. As Link rides her scooter around the neighborhood, she said the girls yell her name and wave at her.

“If I can inspire these little girls to pursue elected office, just because they like my yard signs or they learn more about politics because they like those pink yard signs, then I think I’m doing something,” Link said.

Athens-Clarke County has a larger proportion of women serving in government positions compared to neighboring counties. Five out of the 10 commissioners on the Athens-Clarke County Commission are women, unlike the nearby counties of Oconee, Madison, Oglethorpe and Jackson, who have commissions made up of entirely men, and Barrow, which has two women on their seven-person commission.

As of June 2022, 25% of 1,465 cities are represented by women in municipal offices. Meanwhile, 33% of the five largest county governments in each state are either led or co-led by women, according to a report from Represent Women, an organization advocating for greater representation of women in government.

Allison Wright, who represents District 4, is currently the longest-serving female commissioner. She has served three terms and was sworn into office in 2013. District 9 Commissioner Ovita Thornton is the longest-serving elected official in the county outside the judicial system. Thornton has served 21 years in office, including 16 years on the school board.

“I would not doubt that the fact that we have five [women] now allows us to speak stronger because we have a woman sitting right next to us,” Wright said.

Link grew up outside of Washington D.C. and then moved to the South to earn her undergraduate degree from East Carolina University. She noted how traditionally in the South, women are expected to “clutch their pearls and cross their legs” and are expected to be submissive and demure in the public eye.

“I definitely got crap about being an outspoken woman who isn’t afraid to cuss,” Link said.

Before her election to the ACC Commission, Link was known for her activism, particularly in planning, zoning and land use. She described herself as a “firebrand” back then and said she was always speaking out about injustice.

Link said she felt like she presented herself that way to get the respect she was due, but after being on the commission for a few years, she said she doesn’t have to work as hard to be heard anymore.

Wright and others on the board believe the group of women commissioners is much more than just “one angry woman,” as some have said they perceive women in politics to be.

“It’s not just one angry woman,” Wright said. “You just made all five of these women angry with the way you said that.”

Wright, who has been on the commission 10 years longer than Link, said that it wasn’t always easy to speak her mind during the mayor and commission meetings. Link’s predecessor George Maxwell sat next to Wright and pushed her to use her voice.

“I can remember whispering to him something about such and such, and he goes ‘Speak up, girl!’,” Wright said.

Now, Wright sits next to the newest woman on the commission, Tiffany Taylor, who represents District 3. Link said she encourages Taylor in the same way.

The commission’s diversity represents not only gender and race, but also experience and age, which Thornton sees as a positive place for people like Taylor to grow.

“She is so passionate and she brings the passion to things that are really hitting home to her,” Thornton said.

Taylor, who was born and raised in Athens-Clarke County and is a graduate of Cedar Shoals High School, felt “embraced” by Link, Wright, Thornton and Carol Myers, who share their experiences with her and support her when she feels like her male counterparts aren’t hearing her.

“All of this knowledge that they bring to the commission and this being able to pour into me … I just take it all in,” Taylor said. For each of these commissioners, their background, personal lives and lived experiences influence their role as representatives of their districts. The group includes moms, wives, artists, teachers and community leaders. These identities are often a pivotal part of their roles.

Thornton and Wright started their roles in government on the Clarke County Board of Education. Both were motivated to join the school board because they saw issues

I would not doubt that the fact that we have five [women] now allows us to speak stronger because we have a woman sitting right next to us. ALLISON

they felt needed to be resolved directly, as both of their children attended school in Clarke County.

Family is a big reason Thornton became a commissioner. She said she owes a lot of her journey in local government to her children, especially her oldest son, Cory Thornton, who would go door-to-door letting neighbors know about Thornton’s campaign.

“If it hadn’t been for Cory Thornton there would not be no Commissioner [Thornton],” Thornton said. “He worked so hard because people knew me — but they didn’t know me.”

With five children of her own, Taylor feels that women have a greater perspective when it comes to participating in local politics because of the “lived experience of being nurturers as well as leaders,” in their own households.

“As a woman, you’re just kind of imbued with this expectation to care about people, to care for people,” Link said. “And I think that we are bringing a little bit of that to politics.”

Both Myers, who represents District 8, and Link are involved with universities in Athens, and view their professional experience as a major influence on their positions as commissioners.

Link is the managing editor of Ethics & the Environment for the University of Georgia Department of Philosophy and formerly worked for the UGA College of Education as the managing editor of Reading Research Quarterly. She has also worked for Flagpole and the Athens-Banner Herald. Her involvement with the arts and culture community led her to her first government position as a member of the Athens Cultural Affairs Commission in 2011.

Myers was the former Athens Technical College Dean of General Education from 2011 to 2015. She credits the skills she learned from her time as an educator to the way she approaches her role as commissioner.

“Teaching and always thinking about how to communicate effectively and also building a more civically-minded community [has influenced me],” Myers said.

All of these backgrounds, identities and experiences are directly related to how these women move through their communities and how they choose to represent themselves. In some cases, the commissioners said working as a woman in politics is tough. Link said she has “rhino skin” when it comes to handling people who don’t view her as fit for office. Thornton noted the assumptions people make about women in politics who speak their minds.

“Sometimes it sounds like I’m the ‘angry Black woman’ on the commission,” Thornton said. “One commissioner, one time, said that I did not have the capabilities to be a Mayor Pro Tempe.”

Although the women sometimes have opposing opinions, they put aside their differences for the betterment of the community by supporting new commissioners, such as Taylor, and helping one another connect with their constituents.

“If [Commissioner Link] would not have helped me the first year I ran, I would not have won,” Thornton said. “She walked me through [my district], she introduced me to everybody… I give her all the credit for that.” The women have found strength in numbers which has helped them feel confident leading and representing their district.

“Who better to run a government than a woman because we run households and we run businesses,” Taylor said. “There is nothing that a woman can’t do.”

In July, Vickie’s brother, Al McKnight, started a GoFundMe with the goal of raising $25,000. At the time of publication, the fundraiser has had 331 donations, with about $22,970 raised. Faithful customers, Athenians and even out-of-staters have banded together to support the Shells. Family, friends and some of Vickie’s sorority sisters chipped in and donated to the family.

The easiest thing for someone to do is, when adversity comes up, run the other way. But I wasn’t raised that way.

VINCENT SHELL | BEAU SHELL’S FATHER

“The support definitely helps … give me motivation, in the way that I definitely would lack some if it wasn’t for the people who stop by everyday and every week, and people who show up and give us a conversation,” Beau said.

In December, Vickie underwent surgery to remove her tumor. Although she is recovering, she has been dealing with aphasia, a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate.

However, Vickie has kept her usual spirit.

Katie Hughes

Growing up, Beau Shell was an ice cream fanatic. He recalled that when he was in grade school, he’d ask his parents to get him ice cream when they picked him up from school. However, Beau’s parents, Vincent and Vickie Shell, alternated pick-up days, so they never knew that Beau was asking them both for ice cream and eating it almost everyday.

Beau would finish his ice cream in the car before he’d get home, so as not to blow his cover.

But one day, Beau got caught, and the jig was up.

“Shortly after that my mom called me ‘the lil’ ice cream dude,’” Beau said. The name stuck, and gave him the name for his biggest idea — an ice cream shop.

The business started as an ice cream cart that Beau got for his eighth birthday, which he eventually traded for a customized trailer called the “Popsicle,” used for catering

and serving ice cream on the go.

Beau is now a University of Georgia student and the proud 19-year-old owner of The Lil’ Ice Cream Dude Cool World Ice Cream Shop, located along Gaines School Road in the Ansonborough community of Athens. The shop opened on June 9, Beau’s birthday, in 2019.

Together, Beau, Vickie and Vincent have served as the “nucleus” of the ice cream shop, with Beau as the visionary, Vickie as the creator and Vincent as the logistics. For years, their close-knit and hard-working family dynamic aided them to guide Beau’s business to success.

However, over the past year, that family dynamic changed.

In February of 2023, Vickie began experiencing poor vision, memory loss and speech issues, which contrasted drastically from her usual controlled and capable demeanor.

As a UGA and Georgia State graduate and a former teacher, Vickie has always had a sharp mind. Both Beau and Vincent em-

phasized her intelligence and indispensable role in bringing Beau’s endearing business concept to life.

“If I have a vision, she can … create it. She can make it come to life,” Beau said.

In May, the Shell family learned that Vickie had brain cancer. She began a long series of treatments, starting with “proton therapy,” a type of radiation treatment that uses energy from protons, in August 2023. Then she began a stint of chemotherapy in November.

During the initial months of Vickie’s illness, Beau’s shop suffered as a vital part of their unbreakable unit fought for something far greater than work — life.

The shop — which had become the family’s primary source of income — was closed for weeks at a time, and Beau’s mobile business suffered as he had to miss many seasonal events. He took a gap semester in the fall, and the family business mainly fell onto his shoulders as he ran the shop almost entirely on his own.

“My mom, she has been … the same person she’s always been, and she has been very calm.” Beau said. “She has gone on a rollercoaster, and she has been able to stay steady in her faith and just be confident and always smile.”

Despite the adversity they’ve faced, the Shell family holds on to hope, leaning on their insurmountable family unit.

“The easiest thing for someone to do is when adversity comes up, run the other way,” Vincent said. “But I wasn’t raised that way, and I don’t believe in that way and God won’t allow me to be that way anyways.”

The ice cream shop is currently operating on its normal schedule. It is open Monday to Saturday from noon till 8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m. Beau is taking another gap semester, working at and managing the shop daily, while Vincent helps with Vickie’s recovery. Although life looks different for the Shells right now, one thing remains the same — they’re together, as they’ve always been, and they find strength in that.

“For what we have, you can’t make the situation any better, because these people are who they are,” Beau said.

Q&A

Jayden Henson

Puma Yu’s owners discuss James Beard nomination :

On Jan. 24, the James Beard Foundation announced the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists. Pete Amadhanirundr, the head chef of local Thai restaurant Puma Yu’s, was nominated under “Best Chef: Southeast.”

The nominees include 20 other chefs from restaurants across Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit that celebrates the people behind America’s food culture, upholding a standard of quality food rooted in “talent, equity and sustainability.” The only other Athens-based chef that has been nominated for a James Beard Award was Hugh Acheson of Five and Ten, who won for the same category in 2012.

Finalists in the James Beard 2024 restaurant and chef categories will be announced on April 3. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Chicago on June 10. The Red & Black sat down with Amadhanirundr and co-owner and bar manager Ally Smith to discuss how the restaurant has evolved since opening as well as this exciting nomination.

The Red & Black : In March 2023, you all listed some goals you had for the year, such as pushing Puma Yu’s culinary boundaries. What changes did 2023 bring for

Pete Amadhanirundr:

… I think we’re expanding flavor profiles … Push [custom ers] a little bit on the edge of ‘What is this? Let’s try some thing new.’ But we found out that, and I always thought this, but having more on the menu doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. So we’re kind of do ing that with the cocktail and the food menu, where we’re pairing it down, but the things you’re getting are really, really, real ly thought of. And really tried by both of us … Everything is kind of more fine-tuned. It’s a little more calculated … a little more intentional.

PA: When we first opened … it took a solid year to literally even think about anything other than keeping this place afloat … There are so many things we didn’t realize, and we had to push the creativity a little to the back. Now, it’s a lot more well-planned.

R&B: What challenges did you have to overcome as you were growing Puma Yu’s?

PA: Sundays didn’t work, opening on Sundays in general … We needed a rest day, for all of us. It’s the kitchen staff especially, and the bar staff, is really, really small.

AS: The wine program was a huge thing that we realized wasn’t working, and so we pivoted. We used to have a really big bottle list … We paired that down a ton, and so people are way more receptive to that, too.

R&B: How did it feel when you figured out that you were a James Beard Award semi-finalist?

PA: It was a personal goal of mine, I just didn’t think that it would come this soon. Not saying that we aren’t deserving of it by any means, but it’s just like, you always think about it, but then when it actually happens, you really can’t believe that it’s happening. It’s incredible. It’s also a testament to the team that we have ... What our core values and our goals are, it’s just nice that it’s all shared with our whole staff, and we all made it happen.

R&B: In what ways are you “intentional” with Puma Yu’s?

Ally Smith: I think one of the biggest things that I’ve realized in owning a space in the South is that I want to make sure that I’m representing the South in a way that is thoughtful. And that includes carrying products that are made anywhere in the Southeast, whether that’s alcohol or food … We use Hunter Cattle, which is out of Statesboro, Georgia, so whenever we have beef, chicken, pork and all that, it’s from the South. All of our seafood, it’s really important for us to, whenever possible, have it all come in from the South.

AS: It feels really crazy and surreal, but at the same time, we’ve been working our ass off to get it. It feels rewarding to me. Because that’s always kind of been in the back of our heads like, ‘Okay, well, we’ll get the staff to this point, and then we’ll apply for James Beard.’ We’ve always kind of thought about that anyway, and so this is a pleasant sur-

Do you know when the James Beard judges are coming to visit Puma Yu’s? Has this kept you on your toes?

It’s always business as usual, but it’s also the best that we can do, always … Now, to even be in [the ‘Best Chef: Southeast’ category], to even be nominated, people expect so much of you. And the only way for us to show our recognition is to give our best every single service … every single day.

What are your plans and hopes for the rest of the year?

AS: A hope is to be in Chicago in June [for the awards], for sure.

PA: That’s the biggest hope right there, to make it to finalists. Just buckling down and really really [concentrating] this year to really become our own … This is our first year and a half … We’re finally being able to be like, ‘Okay, this is us.’ We are just going to keep doing us. Hopefully [we will] get to take a few vacations, [and] gain some inspiration from elsewhere.

This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

HENSON

GRAPHIC/BLAKE CAMPBELL

The Secret Session drink is made with Sotol, fino sherry, Salers, black cherry and worm salt. PHOTO/NATHALEE SIMONEAU

The Sapelo Clams are steamed with red curry butter, sake and Thai basil. PHOTO/NATHALEE SIMONEAU

ARIES: MARCH 21-APRIL 19

Your emotions will run high in the coming weeks. Don’t let your thoughts and feelings overwhelm you. Take some time to relax and put yourself first. You’ll be a magnet to a lot of your friends and family. Let them in and cherish those moments. Use that to your advantage.

LEO: JULY 23-AUG. 22

Success is in your future. You will tackle all the challenges with enthusiasm and excel at most of what you do. Your communication skills will flourish and you will stand out among your friends. Make sure you don’t burn yourself out with too many social events.

SAGITTARIUS: NOV. 22-DEC. 21

Your self-confidence will radiate in the coming weeks. Positive energy will exude from you and it will attract your friends and close ones. You’ll spend a lot of time with people this month in larger group social settings. Don’t let this exhaust you and balance your time with yourself.

HOROSCOPES

TAURUS: APRIL 20-MAY 20

Your courage will shine through this month. All the obstacles that have been in your way will be easy to overcome. Trust yourself and don’t hold back. You’ll be sociable, so meet new people and start new relationships. You might find someone interesting.

VIRGO: AUG. 23-SEPT. 22

You will learn a lot of new things this month. Your memory will be very good and you’ll be open to new information and activities. Experiment with things you’ve always wanted to try, whether that be a new sport or a new food.

CAPRICORN: DEC. 22-JAN. 19

Some disappointment with your relationships might be prominent in the next few weeks. You might be plagued with uneasy thoughts. Don’t let these thoughts overwhelm you. Try and focus on the positive things in your life and take breaks when necessary.

GEMINI: MAY 21-JUNE 21

This month will bring strength and energy to you. You’ll be motivated to work on things you’ve been procrastinating on and your work will come easy to you. Get outside your comfort zone, you might find your new hobby.

LIBRA: SEPT. 23-OCT. 22

Get ready for some big changes in your personal life. If you feel like you’ve been stuck in one place for a long time, it’s time to change that. Do the things you’ve been scared to do. Keep yourself mentally well by meditating, practicing self-care and showing love to yourself.

AQUARIUS: JAN. 20-FEB. 18

Your mind will be active throughout the next few weeks. You’ll be able to gain new knowledge and use your brain more. Dive into learning something new that has been a challenge for you, as your retention will be at its high.

CANCER: JUNE 22-JULY 22

The next few weeks will bring peace to Cancers. Your mental well-being will flourish and those who surround you will notice. Take this time to get ahead and do things that will benefit you in the future.

SCORPIO: OCT. 23-NOV. 21

In the coming weeks, Scorpios will feel the need for comfort and security. Lean on your people and share the feelings you’ve been bottling up. Find some activities where you can express yourself like dancing or drawing. Your emotions will run high, so be careful not to overwhelm yourself.

LEO: FEB. 19-MARCH 20

Your feelings about the future will come up in the coming weeks. Don’t run away from them, it will be beneficial to work through your thoughts. Confide in your friends and be open-minded. Don’t close yourself off to the possibilities.

GRAPHIC/BLAKE CAMPBELL —Avni Trivedi

For 24 hours, celebrate everything that makes it great to be a Georgia Bulldog ... ... and build the future of UGA while you’re at it. ON MARCH

we’re challenging Dawgs everywhere to donate any amount to any area at UGA and show

world nobody supports their school like us. With

Bulldog Nation on our side, we can hit our 10,000 gift goal