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“Click It or Ticket” infringing on freedoms
MaKayla Waldner
Make-do Costumes
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132nd YEAR ISSUE 17
FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Laura Dunn gives back to MSU SEAN MCCARTHY
earning her masters in student affairs. As part of the student affairs masters, students are required to complete a 300-hour internship. Dunn chose to intern with Rodney Pearson, director of the newly-established Center for Student Success. As part of her internship, Dunn created an inventory of all the resources available to students on campus. She said her internship was a “beefing-up” of her institutional knowledge. At the end of her semester, Pearson requested Dunn stay on as assistant director of the center. The center was established as a support service for MSU students as they transition into campus and college life. One large component of the center is the freshman navigators, a group of students dedicated to mentoring and guiding freshman as they settle into MSU’s campus life. Dunn supervises the freshman navigators and conducts her own communication with freshman, frequently checking in to make sure they are adjusting well both inside and outside the classroom. Dunn firmly believes in the value the navigator
STAFF WRITER
DYLAN BUFKIN STAFF WRITER
On Tuesday night, the Mississippi State University Student Association Senate passed two resolutions and tabled another discussion for the next assembly. The first resolution on the docket was Resolution 26, which shows student support for upcoming city legislation over the renewal of the 2 percent tax on prepared food and beverages. The 2 percent tax, 20 percent of which goes to MSU, was originally legislated to stay in place from 2004 until June 28, 2016. On March 16, 2016, the Board of Aldermen renewed the food and beverage tax until June 28 of 2018. The percentage of the tax given to MSU helps fund the SA. They use the funds for events like Bulldog Bash and the Old Main Music Festival. SA, 2
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Dunn was highly involved as a student at MSU. She was a member of a sorority, Roadrunners and the Montgomery Leadership Program and worked each summer as an orientation leader. Her first job out of college was as a sales and catering representative for
the Royal Sonesta hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. However, she and her husband were drawn back to Starkville after they realized how much they missed the atmosphere of the campus and the town. “I saw that I could be successful while at Mississippi State,” Dunn
said. “This university had given me so many great opportunities. People invested their time and energy in me, and I knew I could give back.” In 2011, Dunn and her husband returned to live and work in Starkville. Dunn first worked as an admissions counselor while
New vaping amendment clouds 2008 smoking ban Two public hearings will be held in November to debate the proposed amendment to allow a loophole in the 2008 no smoking ordinance. TORI BOATNER AND JOSH BECK STAFF WRITER AND NEWS EDITOR
A unanimous vote from the Starkville Board of Aldermen earlier this month amended the ban on smoking to include the use of electronic cigarettes. This decision worries business owners. To placate the owners of various tobacco and vape shops throughout Starkville, a secondary amendment is being reviewed. This amendment to the 2008 smoking ban would allow patrons in free-standing tobacco and vape stores to smoke inside of their establishment. However, this amendment does not account for tobacco and vape stores located within shopping centers. Wael Salem, manager of Tobacco 101 on Highway 12, said he does not understand why this ban excludes multiunit buildings. “It doesn’t make sense to me because my store is a closed-in area,” Salem said. Salem believes many of his customers will start to purchase e-liquid online, which will subsequently decrease his sales. Under normal circumstances, Salem allows his customers
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to smell and taste products before making purchases. He also allows them to smoke indoors if they want to try out a product immediately after a purchase. “If the exemption excludes my store, consumers will go elsewhere to smoke,” Salem said. Tobacco 101 sells both tobacco and vaping products. Salem said there is a distinct difference between the two and they should not be treated the same. “It is unfair that they are putting vapes in the same category as cigarettes,” Salem said. The new ban also raises uncertainty for some on the Mississippi State University campus. One skeptic is Taylor Garner, an instructor in the Department of English. He said he applauds the city’s effort to consider allowing vaping in stand-alone locations but is concerned for stores that may not get the exemption. Garner believes this ban could be economically harmful to certain businesses. As a vaper, Garner understands there is an difference between cigarettes and vaping
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SA Senate supports city legislation, instate advising program
Linsay Pace | The Reflector
Laura Dunn, a Mississippi State University alumna, is the assistant director of the MSU Center for Student Success. Dunn said MSU invested a lot into her and it is time for her to give back to the school she loves. Dunn supervises the freshman navigators at MSU.
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Every morning Laura Dunn walks briskly into her office, preparing for another day to impact the Mississippi State University community. Dunn, the assistant director of the MSU Center for Student Success, has befriended numerous students and faculty, who are familiar with her energetic spirit and optimistic attitude. She has had a long and impactful history with MSU, having established herself as a campus leader and mentor. Dunn was born in Central Pennsylvania, and moved to Hattiesburg when she was in junior high. Dunn credits Hattiesburg High School for helping her develop an understanding of various student backgrounds. Dunn said she attributes her personal growth to surrounding herself with a diverse set of friends and mentors. Dunn graduated MSU in 2008, with a degree in public relations. She said she majored in public relations because she enjoys talking to people and writing. She said her role in student affairs certainly benefits from her public relations background.
program brings to MSU. “Students need navigators because so many students feel like nobody has their back,” Dunn said. “We had a lot of students that were falling through the gaps and every freshman should know that they have someone that is there for them.” Darby Rich, a first-year graduate student assigned to the center, said she sees Dunn as a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. She also said Dunn is incredibly adaptable to all types of situations she might experience professionally. Dunn said her favorite part of working at MSU is the people. As someone who works extensively with the campus community, Dunn cannot cross the Drill Field without running into someone she recognizes. “I feel like we have a very genuine university filled with amazing faculty and staff,” Dunn said. “I love the community.” Cat Balsam, a senior business administration major from Memphis, Tennessee, is in her second year of “navigating.” Balsam worked closely with Dunn in selecting new navigators for this academic year and came to realize a lot about Dunn’s commitment to the university. DUNN, 2
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products because there is no combustion or tobacco involved with vaping. “Treating vaping the same as smoking is to treat it as guilty by association since cigarettes are a source
Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector
buildings may cause consumers to vape less and smoke more, because they may not be comfortable enough with the products to purchase them online. “I wish law[makers]
“Treating vaping the same as smoking is to treat it as guilty by association since cigarettes are a source of nicotine.” -Taylor Garner, MSU Department of English instructor of nicotine,” Garner said. Garner said the change to the law could inadvertently encourage people to remain smokers or use less effective smokingcessation methods. He said a ban on vaping in stores in multiunit
FORECAST: A cold front moves through Starkville tonight into Saturday morning, bringing an increase in cloud cover as well as showers and a few thunderstorms overnight. Some spots may accumulate up to an inch of rain. Clouds clear Saturday, bringing cooler temperatures and sunny skies for the rest of the weekend. -~Christana Landress, Campus Connect Meteorologist
and policymakers would be more knowledgeable about the things they produce policy and law about,” Garner said. As one of the strongest voices against the amendment, Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins said it is in
the city’s best interest not to allow an amendment of any kind to water down the 2008 smoking ban. “I do not see any positives in the amendment. It needs to be defeated,” Perkins said. “Starkville does not need to allow any form of smoking in any public place within the city limits.” In his third term as vice mayor, Perkins said he values consistency over the popular opinion. Perkins said he is probusiness and pro-growth, but said an amendment added to the non-smoking ordinance would lessen the city’s ability to enforce the original law. In addition, Perkins said this amendment could create a slippery slope. VAPING, 2
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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017
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VAPING
“As sure as you allow one amendment then another one will come,” Perkins said. “It’s like a child saying, ‘You did this for one child, now I want my share.’” There will be two public hearings regarding the amendment to the 2008 smoking ban on Nov. 7 and Nov. 21. The Starkville Board of Aldermen will vote on the amendment after the second public hearing.
BAD DAWGS Tuesday, October 24 6:33 a.m. Employeeʼs offi ce in McCarthy Gymnasium was burglarized. 1:15 p.m. Student reported her vehicle was damaged in three car collision on Sept. 20 on Stone Blvd. 11:21 p.m. Student reported money stolen from his wallet at the Sanderson Center. Wednesday, October 25 12:10 a.m. Employee in Bost Extension reported receiving harassing phone calls from her estranged husband. 4:20 p.m. Student reported his vehicle was damaged while parked in Zacharias Village. 10:47 p.m. Student reported his keys and wallet stolen from the Sanderson Center.
SA The funds also go toward different cultural and academic endeavors like the Lyceum Series and the Global Lecture Series. A Starkville Board of Aldermen vote on Oct. 31 will decide whether the tax continues. The Senate also quickly passed a resolution encouraging MSU to instate training programs for academic advisors. The SA hopes the resolution will improve the quality of advising and diminish student frustration with advising sessions. The senate floor heated up over legislation Bill 21. The proposed bill pertains to senator office hours attendance and the subsequent punishment. Currently, the SA
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constitution states a senator must have one office hour each week, but the rule is not enforced by any other legislation. Bill 21 would impose expulsion from the Senate if a senator failed to attend three office hours without excuses during their term. Debate arose over whether expulsion was too harsh a punishment for a small offense. An amendment was proposed which would qualify three missed office hours as a missed senate meeting, of which a senator can only miss three per term, but it failed to pass. After the failed vote, the motion was tabled. The bill will be seen next Tuesday, along with many of the committees’ new bills.
Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector
Starkville bars respond to minors in possession, fake ID citations JORDAN DARENSBOURG STAFF WRITER
Three Starkville bars, including two in the Cotton District, are currently in hot water for selling alcohol to minors. The Mississippi Attorney General’s Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Division completed a compliance check on Oct. 19. According to a press release provided by the Office of the Mississippi Attorney General, a total of 12 minor in possession citations were issued at three Starkville bars. Seven were given at Casa Bravo, located on MS-12, four were given at Drifters and one was given at Gringo’s. Joseph Campbell, the manager of Gringo’s, said he witnessed the incident that resulted in the minor in possession citation at his bar. “At first, I was wondering if he had been ID’d at all,” Campbell said. “Then I asked the workers if they had, they said they had. He had an ID that said he was 21, so I’m assuming that was a fake and they just didn’t realize it.” In addition to the MIP
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citations, Drifters also had two patrons caught with fake identification. However, four Starkville establishments did not receive any citations during the compliance check: STAGgerIn and the Klassroom, both located in the Cotton District, Buffalo Wild Wings on MS-12 and La Terraza, located on Eckford Drive. Bin 612, a popular bar and late-night eatery in the Cotton District, was neither cited on Oct. 19 nor mentioned in the press release. The manager of Bin 612, Zach Smith, said the reason his bar was not cited in the roundup was due to the extra precautions they put into place. “I’m not sure what they (Drifters and Gringo’s) do differently,” Smith said. “We train our security staff to check IDs. We don’t allow underage kids in here. We turn away fakes, and work with the Starkville police.” While the Starkville Police Department did not carry out the compliance check on Oct. 19, Public Information Officer G. Brandon Lovelady said the SPD uses proactive measures to combat underage
drinking around the city. “Not only can our uniform officers write citations on the spot if they observe something that needs to be cited, but we do periodic plain clothes enforcement operations,” Lovelady said. In addition, officer Lovelady said the SPD works closely with the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control, which provides local businesses with training on how to recognize fake ID’s and the proper protocols for serving alcohol. Katie Dugger, a 19-yearold sophomore business administration major from Carrolton, said she personally does not have a fake ID. “If I come (to the Cotton District), I come before they start IDing,” Dugger said. “I don’t drink in these bars at all, because I wouldn’t want to get anybody else in trouble.” According to the Mississippi Attorney General Office, individuals who receive a citation and are convicted for minor in possession and fake ID face a fine between $200 and $500 and must complete up to 30 days of community service.
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“Laura is basically superwoman,” Balsam said. “She does so much for her family and the community outside of Mississippi State and I honestly don’t know how she does it all. If you’ve ever seen her calendar, you know that there’s not a free time in her day, but she makes it work.” When Dunn is not at the center, she spends time with her husband and three children. She admires Starkville for its walkability and special events hosted throughout the year. Her family’s personal favorite event is the Pumpkin Palooza festival held every October in downtown Starkville. Dunn is also actively involved with her children’s school PTAs, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and her church. Some of Dunn’s favorite Starkville establishments include City Bagel, Restaurant Tyler and Aunt Marti’s bakery. Dunn said she sees herself staying at MSU and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree at the university. She said she loves the college and cannot see herself anywhere else.
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An In-Class Distraction
SUDOKU
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY... ...in 1962, the United States and Soviet Union stepped back from brink of nuclear war. Complicated and tension-filled negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union finally resulted in a plan to end the two-week-old Cuban Missile Crisis. A frightening period in which nuclear holocaust seemed imminent began to come to an end. Since President John F. Kennedy’s Oct. 22 address warning the Soviets to cease their reckless program to put nuclear weapons in Cuba and announcing a naval “quarantine” against additional weapons shipments into Cuba, the world held its breath waiting to see whether the two superpowers would come to blows.
October 24 puzzle solutions
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Starkville Weekend Preview WILL WELLS LIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Although Mississippi State’s football team is on the road this weekend, MSU athletics will still be in action on campus, with MSU’s volleyball team taking on the University of Alabama and the University of Florida. Academics from a variety of fields will be giving free lectures on campus this weekend. Those hoping to embrace the Halloween spirit can visit MSU’s Residents Hall Association’s annual Haunted Horse Park, while music fans can take in the Vienna Boys Choir on campus on Friday. AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS SEMINAR What: Guest speaker Charles Sims, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, will be giving a lecture entitled “Hurry Up or Wait: The Effects of Climate Change and Variability on the Timing of Private Adaptation.” When: 1 p.m. Friday
in Lloyd-Ricks-Watson Building, room 310.
TEA AND TEXT
What: Kimberly Kelly, an associate professor of sociology and the gender studies program director, will lead a discussion on Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique.” Refreshments will be served. When: 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Shackouls Honors College conference room. PHILOSOPHY LECTURE What: A lecture entitled “On the Argument from Physics and General Relativity” will be given by Christopher Weaver from the University of Illinois. The lecture is being hosted by Mississippi State University’s Department of Philosophy and Religion. When: 2 p.m. Friday in McCain Hall room 175. VIENNA BOYS CHOIR CONCERT What: The Vienna Boys Choir from Austria will be in concert on MSU’s campus this weekend. General Admission
tickets are $35, while tickets for students age 6 to 21 are $15. Premier seating is available for $50. The Columbus Arts Council has organized the event. When: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Bettersworth Auditorium in Lee Hall. THE HAUNTED HORSE PARK What: The MSU Residents Hall Association will be hosting its annual Haunted Horse Park all weekend. Admission will be $5 and will benefit Starkville area charities. When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Mississippi Horse Park. MSU VOLLEYBALL VS. SEC COMPETITION What: MSU (9-15, 0-9 SEC) volleyball comes home and will be in action this weekend against the University of Alabama (15-8, 3-6 SEC) and the No. 3 University of Florida (16-1, 8-1 SEC). When: Friday at 8 p.m. against Alabama and noon Sunday against Florida.
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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017
OPINION
Click it or ticket is an attack on liberty
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Mississippi school changes name in honor of Obama
MITCHELL STRIDER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
This past summer a new law went into effect strengthening Mississippi’s seat belt regulations. It is now a primary offense for anyone in a motor vehicle not to wear a seatbelt, meaning a law officer does not need any reason to pull someone over other than not wearing a seatbelt. I would argue the existence and enforcement of this law is a disgusting infringement on our personal liberty. I was recently pulled over and given a seatbelt citation here in Starkville. Not wearing a seatbelt was the only reason I was pulled over and cited. I was not driving recklessly, and as the officer who issued me the ticket later admitted under oath, my actions posed no threat to public safety. The basis of any free society is freedom of choice. The enforcement of this law is nothing less than statesanctioned extortion. One might think this position is melodramatic, but think about it: the government is effectively telling citizens we do not have the ability to make sound judgments regarding our own safety, so they will, in turn, force their own standards of safety on us. If you decide to continue to embrace your freedom to choose, you will be detained by armed men and issued a fine. If you refuse to pay the fine, then a warrant is issued for your arrest. If you refuse to go to jail for a victimless act? Well let us not kid ourselves, you will find yourself staring down the barrel of a gun, and, at this point, your options are to surrender your freedom and pay for your “crime,” or potentially be beaten or killed in your attempts to resist. This infringement is extortion by the threat of force.
ZACHERY ABUNEMEH
is a sophomore majoring in political science. Contact him at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.
Ever since the violent demonstrations in Charlottesville, Virginia, the national debate over Confederate heritage exploded into a political firestorm. According to the Hill, President Donald Trump said of the removal of Confederate monuments, “It is sad to see the history of our great country being ripped apart.” Not surprisingly, Trump received plenty of criticism for his remarks. Recently, the nation learned of a new Trump opponent, Davis International Baccalaureate Elementary School located in Jackson. The school was originally named for Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States. On Oct. 17, Davis Elementary School voted to rename their school to honor former President Barack Obama, according to The Clarion-Ledger. It is no coincidence the grassroots movement was founded by the students at the school, which is 98 percent African American, according to The New York Times. Despite more and more decades separating us from the mistakes of past generations, young people simply cannot ignore the horrors of the Confederacy. Due to this generational divide on the issue of race, there are still plenty of
supporters of Confederate heritage and plenty of opponents to the renaming of Davis Elementary.
and racial injustice in the South. “Many of the communities...have gone
“The symbols, names and monuments honoring the Confederacy were not created to instill pride or unity in the South. These symbols were erected as constant reminders of oppression.” Despite what these individuals might believe, the symbols, names and monuments honoring the Confederacy were not created to instill pride or unity in the South. These symbols were erected as constant reminders of oppression. The Equal Justice Initiative filed a report in 2017 about lynchings
to great lengths to erect markers and monuments that memorialize the Civil War, the Confederacy, and historical events,” the report said. “These communities celebrate and honor the architects of racial subordination and political leaders known for their belief in white supremacy.” The fact a predominantly
Trivia Time!
black school in the heart of the Deep South was named after an infamous white supremacist was not a coincidence or an issue of Southern pride. The name was intended to remind African Americans, at the time, of their place in society. The many who support Confederate heritage need to be reminded of what honoring the Confederacy includes. For every ounce of pride someone might feel about their forefathers when they glance at a Confederate monument or drive through Forest County, the same amount of disdain is felt when an African American encounters the same symbolism. According to CNN, there are over 1,500 confederate symbols
across America, with the large majority in the South. Every single one of those “beautiful” Confederate symbols carries a message of hate, bigotry and fear. With a simple vote, Davis Elementary School showed how far the South has come. Young, black children changed a name given to oppress their ancestors into a name created to inspire them. They should be applauded. Even if it is a small step, the students and faculty of Davis Elementary School showed we can learn from and address the mistakes of our past generations. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Davis Elementary for setting the example America should follow.
REFLECTIONS
1. What is the proper term for a group of parrots? 2. Released in 1992, what is the best selling soundtrack album of all time? 3. How many castaways were on the show “Gilligan’s Island?”
Cassandra Peterson
“If ever there was a holiday that deserves to be commercialized, it’s Halloween. We haven’t taken it away from kids. We’ve just expanded it so that the kid in adults can enjoy it, too.”
Source: triviaq.fyi
Answer: 1. Pandemonium, 2. “The Bodyguard,” 3. Seven
Bethesda’s paid mods are killing the gaming culture CHRIS LOWE
is a junior majoring in business information systems. Contact him at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.
You do not have to be a gamer to be familiar with the video game developer, Bethesda. The name itself might not ring a bell, but their two most popular franchises, Fallout and Elder Scrolls, of which Skyrim is a part, most definitely should. For over a decade, these two series have dominated the market for open-world roleplaying games. Both games essentially allow you to do whatever you want in either a post-apocalyptic or medieval environment, respectively. Bethesda has also
historically given gamers an option no other developer has: the means to create and download your own custom content, or “mods,” within the games using a free developer-made program. This year, however, they have implemented a system to monetize these mods. Under the guise of a cool sounding name, the Creation Club, certain Bethesda made or approved “high-quality” mods can be sold for “credits,” which are purchased with real-life money. This takes the greatest aspect of Bethesda games away and has spawned a massive community of independent creators who make gaming about milking fans dry. The paid mods are a dressed-up version of the microtransaction pandemic that has destroyed mobile gaming before it even got off the ground. They are beginning to water down
the mainstream gaming industry as well. Yes, there are still free mods which will not be monetized. However, even “better quality” mods should not cost money if others do not. Bethesda has, of course, denied the Creation Club’s being centered around paid mods at all. “We’ve looked at many ways to do ‘paid mods,’ and the problems outweigh the benefits. We’ve encountered many of those issues before,” Bethesda’s website said. “But, there’s a constant demand from our fans to add more official high quality content to our games, and while we are able to create a lot of it, we think many in our community have the talent to work directly with us and create some amazing new things.” This kind of thinking would make sense if we were talking about massive
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for all mods. Bethesda attempted a similar move back in 2015 but axed the idea after tremendous blowback from consumers. Now that they have made the idea prettier with this “developerguaranteed” quality, they are trying again. If we take away the fancy wording, the Creation Club is the seed of an in-game system which will divide the creative community and potentially kill the idea of free mods altogether. The very fact consumers overwhelmingly hate this idea should be enough reason for a company to stop pushing it. The Creation Club trailer has a like-todislike ratio of 3,000 to 67,000. Steam forums and Bethesda forums alike are abuzz with users trashing the developer and calling them sell-outs. User KristyBanalia, a
mod maker on Reddit, said, “If I wanted to get paid, I’d be trying to find a job in the industry. Getting paid adds a certain pressure and responsibility that I really don’t want to take on, but I’m perfectly happy to pick and choose projects I’m passionate about to contribute my skills and work to.” Besides a few mod makers who would obviously have a conflict of interest, no one wants to have to pay for mods. No one has interest in paying for content that has been free since its inception. I will never buy any titles adhering to this money-grabbing scheme until it is rectified. The gaming industry is succumbing to greed, and if one of the final bastions of customer empowerment is falling in line, it might spell death for the very quality Bethesda claims it is trying to protect.
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expansions including new in-game models, areas or quests, but this is not the case at all. Official expansions could add the kind of content to their games independent mod makers do not have the means to create. However, the first items in the Fallout 4 Creation Club were armor and clothing. The managing editor for Destructoid, Brett Makedonski, in response to Bethesda’s claim that higher quality warrants a price tag, said this logic does not negate the issues paid mods create. “It doesn’t change the fact that these really are just paid mods,” Makedonski said. “$5 seems about 10 times too expensive for a set of power armor.” These items are, at best, on par with free mods. This leads me to believe this move of Creation Clubs is to ease gamers into paying
Circulation/Erin Blake circulation@reflector.msstate.edu
Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector.msstate.edu. Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.
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LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
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Chew on This: Palline di Limone and Chicken Marsala COURTNEY O’BRIEN STAFF WRITER
At Mississippi State University, students have the opportunity to get to know diverse people and cultures from around the world. Although college is a time where we can learn more about other cultures, our food choices often become more isolated than ever. While you might have eaten a variety of foods on your parents’ dime growing up, the desire to avoid spending money means most students probably are not making many attempts to cook the foods of other cultures. However, let us embrace a culture today and learn something beyond just how a recipe is made. Let us learn acceptance and respect for a place we do not know much about. The way food is made and consumed influences a country’s culture. Here in the U.S., our culture is fast and so is the food we eat. Meanwhile, in the country of Italy, the star of today’s article, food is not eaten simply for sustenance. It is eaten to spend time with family and as a celebration of life. If you take nothing else
away from today’s article, know eating should be a grateful celebration. Now, I know I usually give you recipes that taste good and can be made for cheap. This is different. These recipes take us back to a much simpler time. Palline di Limone is a cookie famous in Sicily. They are not for a special occasion, they just taste great. If you keep them covered, they stay soft. If you leave them out, they become hard like scones. Either way, it makes for a lovely afternoon snack when served with milk. The next recipe, Chicken Marsala, is an ItalianAmerican dish you have probably seen it on menus in Italian restaurants. The dish became popular with Italian immigrants when they came to the U.S. In the 1900’s, meat was not cheap and Italian immigrants could not afford thick slices or a multitude. They instead made do with as little as possible. Therefore, the scaloppine, a dish with thinly sliced, scalloped meat, immigrated to our country as well. This is one of my favorite recipes and you probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
Chicken Marsala INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup flour 4 Tablespoons butter 4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 cup chopped mushrooms 1/4 cup cooking sherry 1/2 cup Marsala wine 4 breasts of chicken Salt, pepper and oregano to taste
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Mix the flour, salt, pepper and oregano together in a bowl. 2. Coat chicken pieces in flour mixture. 3. Melt butter in oil over medium heat in a pan. 4. Place the chicken in the pan and lightly brown. 5. Turn over the chicken pieces and add mushrooms. 6. Pour in wine and sherry. 7. Cover skillet. Simmer chicken for about 10 minutes. or until the chicken is done. 8. Serve with pasta and a nice salad with Italian dressing.
Palline di Limone Glazed Lemon Cookies
4 cup flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/5 teaspoon salt 8 tablespoons soft butter 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar 3 large eggs 3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon extract 1 lemon zested 1/3 cup milk
Icing
Instructions 1. Combine flour, baking powder and milk. 2. In a separate bowl, combine the butter and sugar until you get it light and fluffy. 3. Once nice and fluffy, add eggs one at a time, stirring between each egg. 4. Once blended, add lemon zest and extract. 5. Add the flour and milk mixture into the other bowl. 6. Cover and set in the fridge overnight. 7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 8. Make dough into 1inch balls. 9. Set balls on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart from each other. 10. Bake 15-18 minutes. ........................... 1. Combine sugar and lemon juice. 2. Stir in enough water to make the icing easy to spread. 3. Brush onto cooled cookies.
Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector
Last minute costumes for a college budget EMMA MOFFETT STAFF WRITER
Halloween is only a few days away and you might have a brilliant idea for the perfect costume. However, you might also realize what you need is not a perfect costume, but a costume you can make as soon as possible. Using basic items from your wardrobe and a few things from the store, here are last minute Halloween costume ideas that do not cost a fortune. An oldie but a goodie is an animal costume. While dressing as a cat may be considered basic, it is still a look that can easily be worn by anyone at the last minute. But why be a cat when your options are endless? Whether you want to be a dog, bunny, mouse or any other furry creature, all it takes is a pair of ears from the dollar store. Then, draw on a nose and whiskers with a black eyeliner stick or face paint. If you do not have clothes that perfectly tie in with your animal, wearing a solid brown, black or white outfit helps create the perfect aesthetic for this look. If you have a furry coat or shawl, you can add this to your outfit as well.
Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector
If you choose to be a house pet like a cat or a dog, you can add your favorite choker to look like a collar. Another easy costume is a character in a black and white movie. Wear black, white and grey clothes and paint your face, neck and arms with grey body paint. Black dresses, pearls, suits
and white button-ups are a few options when putting together this ensemble. If you want to go the silent movie effect, you could create a dialogue box on a piece of poster board to go with your costume. Another option with a similar aesthetic is to dress as a mime. All you need
Mississippi State University chemistry professors took the plunge in a dunk tank as part of the Student Members of the American Chemical Society’s celebration of national chemistry week. The celebration also included a bake sale on the Drill Field and will conclude with demonstrations of chemistry experiments from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday on the Drill Field. - Olivia Zeringue, Photography Editor
is white face paint, black eyeliner, black pants and a black and white striped shirt. Black and white striped shirts can easily be found at Walmart and are relatively inexpensive. Additions like a bowler hat, a rose, suspenders or red lipstick can make you stand out even more with
this ensemble. People will instantly recognize what that you are, and, as a bonus, it will give you an excuse to ignore strangers at parties. One easy way to create an effortlessly suave costume is to wear a suit. With a black suit, you could be a spy, a butler, a body guard, a groom, a groomsman or even an agent from “Men in Black.” With a black suit, the possibilities are truly endless. If you have a navy suit, consider adding a pair of aviators and calling yourself a pilot. If you have a white suit, you could pretend to be Gatsby from “The Great Gatsby,” Forest Gump, Michael Jackson or even Scarface. Suits provide a classy, stylish look with minimal effort. If you do not own a suit, you can go to a local thrift store and pick up a cheap suit you can use for more than just your costume. Another easy costume option is to go as an iconic movie character. Wear all black, a leather jacket, tease your hair and go as Sandy from “Grease.” Dress like Aubrey Hepburn from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” All you need is a black dress, heels and pearls. If Hollywood glamour is not your style, dress as
Tom Cruise from “Risky Business” by wearing a loose white button up with socks and shades. You could wear all pink and say you are a part of the “Mean Girls” squad. You could also copy Regina George’s iconic white tank top, purple bra and black skirt outfit. With a little creativity and a search in your closet, you can create a costume that says, “Yes, I waited until the last minute, but I make procrastination look good.”
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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017 @SPORTSREFLECTOR
SPORTS
Gay’s improvements on the field pay off for MSU TAYLOR RAYBURN SPORTS EDITOR
Up 10 to seven over the University of Kentucky right before halftime, Mississippi State University’s defense needed to stop the Wildcat offense on third and one— not only to protect their lead but to give the Bulldog offense time to score. On that third down, the Wildcats (5-2, 2-2 SEC) took a shot with a deep pass down the home sideline, a play that burned the Bulldog (52, 2-2 SEC) defense before. However, this go around, true freshman linebacker Willie Gay Jr. stayed with the receiver step for step and broke up the pass with his hand. Head coach Dan Mullen commented on the importance of the play after the game. It gave the MSU offense time to score before the end of the half, giving MSU back-to-back possessions because MSU also started the second half with the ball. It gave the offense time to score and gave MSU backto-back possessions as MSU started the second half with the ball. “That really changes the game and gives us momentum to go down and score,” Mullen said. “Knowing we get the ball back at the start of the second half was big.” As Gay broke up the pass, excitement surrounded the MSU sideline, as it would for any big play. However,
this was not a play made by a veteran safety or a corner in coverage. It was made by a true freshman linebacker who said pass coverage was one aspect of his game he wanted to improve. “Get a hand in there when the receiver is going to catch a ball, don’t look back and just play the ball,” Gay said. “We work that drill every single day. It paid off.” Gay, from Starkville, was rated as 4-star linebacker by the 247sports.com composite rating and was ranked in the top 100 high school players in the country. True freshmen who make big plays are rare at MSU. Mullen has developed a system where players redshirt their first season allowing them to develop over time. The reason most freshmen need a year to develop is that football is faster at college level, especially in a league like the SEC. College football is made up of all the best high school players. Athletes can no longer rely on being one of the fastest guys on the field because everyone on the field was the fastest guy at his high school. This is a jump for a lot of players, but Gay has adjusted well. Freshmen usually do not get serious playing time until they have had a couple years in the program. However, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said he knew Gay was a guy with the talent to play early. “When we recruited him,
Olivia Zeringue | The Reflector
Willie Gay Jr., of Starkville, is in his pre-snap stance in MSUʼs season opener against Charleston Southern University. The freshman linebacker plays in a backup role this season.
we talked to him about having the ability to contribute for us early and he has,” Grantham said. “He plays on special
things up things a faster than they did as freshmen. The biggest improvement they have seen in Gay over the
“He has developed into a guy that is comfortable in our system and we will continue to play him.” -Todd Grantham, defensive coordinator teams and we work to get him in there early in the first and second halves.” The veteran linebackers said the first thing they noticed about Gay is he picks
course of the season is the way he slows the game down in his mind. “Willie is a pretty athletic guy, but the speed of the game is fast too, so I think
that part of it has slowed down for him,” Grantham said. “He has developed into a guy that is comfortable in our system, and we will continue to play him.” Gay attributes his advances to nothing more than hard work and caring about his craft. “To succeed, you just have to put effort into it what you’re doing,” Gay said. “You want to do something, you can do it.” This week, MSU travels to College Station, Texas, to take on Texas A&M University (52, 3-1 SEC). Kickoff is set for 6:15 p.m. and ESPN will
broadcast the game. The game starts the back half of the season for MSU. After A&M, they will get one more non-conference opponent against the University of Massachusetts and then play three SEC games to close the season. Gay said he plans to finish out the season by working on the little things. “I have to keep doing what I am doing, but I have to get better at the things I am trying to improve on,” Gay said. “Every little detail of the game, I can’t get complacent. I have to keep getting better every day.”
Waldner excels on the field and in the classroom MELISSA WEITZEL STAFF WRITER
It was never easy for Mississippi State University sophomore MaKayla Waldner to become a forward in college soccer. Her journey started with long drives multiple times a week to practice the sport she loves. There are not any school soccer teams in Waldner’s hometown of Dexter, Missouri. She played in local city leagues when she was small, but by the time she was in high school, she was driving three hours both ways to St. Louis three times a week. However, her talent was apparent far before those drives. Her childhood coach, Brad Hahn, said he recognized her potential immediately. “I knew right off the bat,” Hahn said. “She was that athletic, she stood out big time over the boys. She was an incredible athlete, but I knew right off that her sport was soccer.” Waldner, on the other hand, did not aspire to play collegiate soccer until she was a sophomore in high school. “I always thought I was going to go run track,” Waldner said. Once Waldner set her sights set on soccer, though,
Brooklyn Prewett | MSU Communications
MaKayla Waldner, a sophomore from Dexter, Missouri, majors in mechanical engineering and is one of the leaders of MSUʼs soccer team.
she embarked on a college search like every other high school student across the country. Certain she did not want to stay in-state, MaKayla looked at schools in Kentucky and Alabama, but the moment she stepped onto MSU’s campus, she knew she was home. “I’m from a small town in Missouri and it is very people oriented,” Waldner said. “When I came here on my visit, people were very loving. That really sealed the deal for me. It was just the fact that I felt like I was at home.” Hahn wanted her to
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MSU, she was so dedicated,” Hahn said. “I said, ‘That’s where you need to be.’” At MSU, Waldner did
“When I came here on my visit, people were very loving. Th at really sealed the deal for me. It was just the fact that I felt like I was at home.” -MaKayla Waldner, MSU forward seeing the way she reacted coming back from Starkville. “I wanted her to go to a really big school, like Notre Dame, but once she visited
not pick an easy academic path as an athlete. She is majoring in mechanical engineering. While she is considering
too. This summer, Waldner was named to the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll. Even with her achievements on and off the field, her old coach said, without a shadow of a doubt, what stands out about Waldner is her humility. “She’s incredibly smart, but the humblest person I’ve ever met,” Hahn said. The fans at MSU are just getting to know the young forward, but she has already endeared herself to them as both a student and an athlete.
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go to a school with more national prominence and a bigger program. He said he changed his views after
playing professional soccer, mechanical engineering is an option if she decides against playing. Waldner is quick to point out the benefits of her course of study. “Mechanical engineering is time-consuming, but it makes me a better person,” Waldner said. “I can overcome any obstacle and have grown as a person because of how independent I have to be.” Originally, Waldner wanted to design prosthetics, but now she wants to become a sports engineer. She wants to design equipment to either lowers risk for concussions or helps athletes recover faster. “The dream would be to work for the NFL at some point,” Waldner said. If she decides to pursue engineering, she will stay in Starkville. “If I go to grad school, I’ll end up staying here,” Waldner said. Student-athlete is a term used to describe the sports stars on campuses around the country, but for Waldner, it truly encompasses her priorities at MSU. “‘School and soccer’ is the definition of my life,” Waldner said. “Anytime I’m not on the field, I’m in class or hitting the books.” Her dedication shows
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