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TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2016

OPINION: Thanksgiving and Christmas should be

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131st YEAR ISSUE 19

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Program feeds hungry students

Expectations high for basketball season

by Taylor Rayburn Staff Writer

Mississippi State University men’s and women’s basketball teams kicked off the season with some madness Friday night.

While the primary focus was basketball, Maroon Madness also featured the National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) Stroll Off and performances by rapper Ace Hood. The NPHC Stroll Off was a stepshow competition between the MSU chapters of the “Divine 9,” which are the nine historically black Greek letter organizations. Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity won the competition.

MSU’s homecoming court was also introduced, including homecoming queen Shawanda Brooks. Brooks, who is the first African-American homecoming queen in 15 years. Brooks said after the event she enjoyed every part of Maroon Madness.

“I absolutely loved Maroon

by Alex Keebler Contributing Writer

The Mississippi State University Food Security Network has partnered with the Student Association to help MSU students who lack food resources through The Block by Block meal program.

De Schmidt, MSU Food Security Network coordinator, said students often choose to buy books and supplies before food.

“MSU Food Security Network is designed to help students who may face food insecurity,” Schmidt said.

“You get to college and you realize that your financial aid package is not what you thought it was and instead of buying food, you buy your books and other supplies instead.”

This is where the partnership with SA comes in. During the designated campaign week, students can donate a block meal.

When the campaign is over, MSU Dining Services will match the number of block meals donated. Generally, one block meal is afforded, which is 20 meals and can be used at the Marketplace at Perry and the Fresh Food Company.

Whereas the Network will connect students, faculty, and staff to a local food pantry, Block by Block is specifically for students in need.

Jaime Beazley, resident district manager, wants students to know they can also contact the Maroon Volunteer Center, the Dean of Students Office, or the Center for Student Activities when facing food insecurity.

“MSU Dining is contacted by MSU Food Security Network and block meals are loaded onto the student’s MSU ID card,” Beazley said.

“Once activated, the block meals may immediately be redeemed in our all-youcare-to eat residential dining halls.”

Beazley said this virtual foodbank campaign allows the MSU SA, Food Security Network, and Dining Services to provide resources for students with food security needs.

Last year, over 1,544 meals were given away thanks to the 77 block meals donated to help students succeed against food insecurity.

“MSU Dining Services is excited in continuing partnership with the MSU Student Association and the MSU Food Security Network in the Block by Block campaign,” Beazley said.

Students who feel they are in need of food assistance can contact Schmidt, at 662325-1820 or by email at msufoodsecuritynetwork@ msstate.edu.

Weather

Reflections

Amy Lovely, Campus Connect Forecast (Department of Geosciences)

Olivia Zeringue | The Reflector

Madness,” Brooks said.

“From the NHCP Stroll Off to the introduction of the homecoming court, it has been phenomenal.”

After a one-song performance from Ace Hood, MSU fans were introduced to their 2016-17 men’s and women’s basketball teams for the first time. The players were announced alternating between the men’s and women’s teams.

A shootout was the first of three competitions. There were four teams with each team composed of a women’s player, a men’s player and a fan.

The winning team was Victoria Vivians and Tyson Carter.

Carter sunk the half-court shot just seconds before the team of Morgan William and Mario Kegler sunk theirs.

Carter, a freshman from Starkville, Mississippi, talked about the shootout finish.

“When I shot it, I saw he was shooting at the same time I was shooting, I was just hoping mine went in before his,” Carter said. “It felt good to come out in front of the fans and was exciting.”

MAROON MADNESS, 2

Olympic gold medalist to give keynote speech

by Vanessa Gillon Staff Writer

Student Association and Special Events at Mississippi State University will be continuing their Annual Fall Speakers event by hosting Shawn Johnson on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Johnson, Gold Medalist of the 2008 Olympics, will speak on her triumphs and success in order to inspire students.

Jay Curtis, director of the event, said he wanted Johnson to come to MSU from the very beginning of planning. Curtis said he was excited when Johnson agreed to come and speak.

“This will be a great

opportunity for students all over campus who might have an interest in taking their love for sports to the next level hearing from an Olympic Gold Medalist,” Curtis said.

At 24, Johnson is an entrepreneur who has not only shined bright in the Olympics, but is also a New York Times Bestselling author and winner of the eighth season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

Johnson won Dancing with the Stars with her partner professional dancer Mark Ballas. Making a lasting impression with the audience, Johnson was invited back four years later to compete in the All Stars portion of Dancing with the Stars making it to the final round.

Shade Global, Inc. | Courtesy Photo

Shawn Johnson won gold in the 2008 Olympic games for balance beam and silver medals for team all-around and the floor exercise.

Before winning gold at the Olympics, Johnson received awards for being the two-time National Champion and a World AA Champion in gymnastics.

Johnson retired from gymnastics in 2012.

Johnson wrote “Shawn Johnson, Olympic Champion: Stories Behind the Smile” in 2008,

“Winning Balance: What I’ve Learned So Far about Love, Faith, and Living Your Dreams” in 2013 and “The Flip Side” in 2016.

JOHNSON, 2

Mock debate compares parties

by Kristina Norman Staff Writer

Jenn Mcfadden, The Reflector

Students who enjoyed watching this year’s presidential debates can now enjoy the same feeling live on the Mississippi State University campus with a mock presidential debate.

The mock presidential debate, presented by the Student Association and MSU Speech and Debate Council, will take place Wednesday night at Lee

Hall in Bettersworth Auditorium. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the debate beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Unlike the presidential debates seen on television, the debate will feature students who belong to three of the university’s political student organizations: the College Democrats, College Republicans and Young Americans for Liberty (Libertarian).

The debate will also feature a moderator as in the real presidential

debates. Jeffrey Rupp from the College of Business, will serve as moderator and will ask questions drafted by the Speech and Debate Council as well as questions from the audience.

Parker Wiseman, the mayor of Starkville, will serve as a guest speaker for the event.

The three groups participating in the debate will not know the specific questions asked prior to the debate. The only thing they will know before going into the debate are the topics.

DEBATE, 2

TUESDAY

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FORECAST: Happy first day of November! Temps feel like it is still summer.

For Tues. and Wed. it will be unseasonably warm and sunny, and Thurs. is our next rain chance.

Enjoy the sunshine!

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Policy: Any person may pick up a single copy of The Reflector for free. Additional copies may be obtained from the Henry Meyer Student Media Center for 25 cents per copy.

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MAROON MADNESS CONTINUED FROM 1

The biggest surprise of the night was the winner of the dunk contest, Xavian Stapleton. Stapleton, a sophomore from Flora, Mississippi, is currently sidelined recovering from an ACL tear. Stapleton tore it last March and, according to Ben Howland, is expected back on the court sometime around the end of December.

However, Stapleton said he expects to be 100 percent sometime in the middle of November, but that Howland would not let him back until after Dec. 27. Stapleton said winning the dunk contest helped rebuild his confidence.

“It let me know that I am getting back to myself,” Stapleton said. “Being able to do the things I was able to do before I got hurt, it meant a whole lot.”

A note from Maroon Madness is that Abdul Ado did participate. Ado, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, is currently ineligible to play or practice with the basketball team due to a paperwork issue with the NCAA. While he did participate, his status remains unchanged and he remains ineligible.

MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams will both play exhibitions games this week in the Hump. The women’s team will play on Thursday against University of Arkansas–Fort Smith.

The men’s team plays Friday against Delta State University. They will both officially start their seasons on Nov. 11.

The men’s team take on Norfolk State University here in the Hump and the women’s team takes on Villanova University in the Maine Tipoff tournament.

DEBATE

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NEWS CONTINUED FROM 1

The debate format with other universities. in the debate. will feature three rounds: Andrew Word, Colton Robison, education, economics and president of Young president of the College a wild card. Each round Americans for Liberty, Republicans, said he wants will feature a different said he is glad students the debate to serve as an student debating for their will get to see a side educational opportunity respective organizations. missing from this year’s for students voting in The final round, the wild presidential debates: third next Tuesday’s presidential card, will feature all three party candidates. election. student organization Word said many “When they go to the presidents with the students identify with the box on November the questions drawn from Libertarian party’s message 8,” Robison said, “they audience submissions. of fiscal responsibility as can make a very educated Those wishing decision and to submit questions feel confident for consideration in making their “We’re excited to educate can do so at tables decision on who outside Bettersworth they want to vote people on our party platform Auditorium before for the president the debate starts. of the United and make them [students] Re presentatives States.” more educated before the for SA and the Joining Robison MSU Speech and on the College election on Tuesday.”

Debate Council Republicans debate will then select panel will be -Kennedy Moehrs, president from the pool of Nikki Reeder and of the College of Democrats audience submitted Nolen Hood. questions. As in Robison said the previous two he does not want rounds, controversial well as its stance on social the debate to turn into topics will not make the issues. Libertarians, Word a fight like the televised cut. said, differ from other debates have been. The Cheryl Chambers, political parties because mock debate will focus faculty advisor and head they do not care about more on where the party coach for MSU’s Speech imposing their will on stands, not the candidate’s and Debate Council, said social issues. individual stance. everyone on the Speech “We [libertarians] want Kennedy Moehrs, and Debate Council is freedom on both sides,” president of the College excited because an event Word said.

Democrats, said she is of this magnitude will not The mock debate’s looking forward to the come around for another format, Word said, will debate on Wednesday four years. focus more on issues night, and has her team “We are a very new pertinent to students practicing in pre-mock organization,” Chambers than in the presidential debate beforehand with said. “This is going to be debates. Education will all possible question our first time hosting an cover things like college scenarios. event like this.” affordability and student “We’re ready to go,” Chambers said she loan forgiveness while Moehrs said.

“We’re hopes the debate will economics will focus on excited to educate people attract many students infrastructure. on our party platform and people within the Word said he and his and make them [students] community. All ages are fellow debaters’ (Sam more educated before the encouraged to attend.

Miller and Trey Goff) election on Tuesday.”

Starting in 2015, the preparation leading up to Moehrs said she can MSU Speech and Debate the debate has involved not wait to see her fellow Council, Chambers said, is their members asking debaters go up against the still a young organization them questions, which other teams. on campus with around are prepared in advance William Bonduris and 30 members. However, of meetings for about 30 Kathleen Poole will join only 10 of the 30 students minutes.

Moehrs on the College regularly travel with the As a result, Word said Democrats panels. team for competitions he feels ready for the Until Election Day arrives debate on Wednesday on Nov. 8 and the polls night. Word and Goff both open in Mississippi, students have previous experience should come out to the mock on debate teams before debate and celebrate the coming to MSU which freedoms they have in the Word hopes will help them political decision making.

Saturday October 22, 2016 2:33 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for speeding, DUI, improper equipment, and hit and run.

Monday October 24, 2016 11:51 p.m. A student was arrested at her residence for disturbing the peace.

Tuesday October 25, 2016 8:09 p.m. A student reported that her roommate put bleach in her shampoo bottle after an argument in Deavenport Hall. A student referral was issued.

Wednesday October 26, 2016 12:42 p.m. A student reported that her vehicle was keyed while parked at Sessums Hall.

1:38 p.m. Employee reported recieving a fraudulent check at Mississippi Technology Building.

6:10 p.m. A student reported her purse missing from Dorman Hall.

Friday October 28, 2016 10:45 p.m. Student reported taking 15 pills to cause harm to herself in Hathorn Hall. Subject was transported to Oktibbeha County Hospital via ambulance.

Saturday October 29, 2016 9:25 a.m. Non-resident/Visitor reported a window busted out at the previous Alpha Tau Omega house.

5:31 p.m. Student was arrested in the Junction for public intoxication.

8:02 p.m. Non-resident/Visitor was arrested in Barnes and Noble parking lot for public intoxication.

Sunday October 30, 2016 2:49 a.m. Student was arrested outside of Oak Hall for possession of marijuana and minor in possession of alcohol.

Justice Court citation and Student Referral were issued.

3:08 p.m. Student was issued a referral for smoking marijuani in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity House after setting of the alarm.

JOHNSON

CONTINUED FROM 1

At such a young age, Johnson is a successful business owner and will join MSU to shed more light on who she is and what she has accomplished in a way to better students.

Vanessa Velasquez, codirector of SA, said having someone like Johnson, to come and speak about what she believes in and promotes, such as a healthy body image, will benefit the whole student body.

“We thought students would relate well with Johnson,” Velasquez said, “hearing her perspective on being motivated and working hard, especially as final exams approach.”

Velasquez said this

event is unique because it gives students an opportunity to get firsthand accounts and encouragement from someone they normally see on television or in the media.

“We want to bring students really awesome people who have been successful,” Velasquez said, “to spark something in students, just to see how they have been hardworking and tenacious on their journeys.”

The event is free and open to students, faculty, and the general public.

Tickets may be picked up at the SA office on the third floor of the Colvard Student.

The Best of Bulldog Living Be a part of Starkville’s best housing community located within walking distance to campus, the district and downtown.

All units feature hardwood floors, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, private balconies, 24 hour fitness center, private pool and reserved parking

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BULLETIN BOARD

CLASSIFIEDS POLICY The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m.

Thursday; the deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost.

FOR RENT 3 bedroom/1 bath house in Crawford available for $500 a month.

Located 20 minutes from MSU campus. Call 662-386-3086 for more information.

CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

MSU student organizations may place free announcements in

Club Info. Information may be submitted by email to club_info@ reflector.msstate.edu with the subject heading “CLUB INFO,” or a form may be completed at The Reflector office in the Student Media Center. A contact name, phone number and requested run dates must be included for club info to appear in The Reflector. All submissions are subject to exemption according to space availability.

MSU ART DEPARTMENT GALLERIES

Join us for Starkville’s first Art Crawl & Parent’s Night Out! Evening begins at 6 p.m. on November 4th at 808 University Drive in Starkville.

RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY ORGANIZATION

SUDOKU

Celebrate being #BetterTogether with open-minded students The Reflector 11/1/16 Crossword having education discussions on various religious and cultural current events.

Meetings will be held Across 1 2 in Union 330.

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2016

An In-Class Distraction

MENS CLUB SOCCER Celebrate being #BetterTogether with open-minded students having educational discussion on various religious and cultural events in the Union, room 330, on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.

FREETHINEKRS, ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS OF MSU

FAAMSU invites all free thinkers to come join our weekly discussions on life without religion.

Meetings will be held every Thursday at 6 p.m. in Union room 330.

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15 16 Meat loaf serving 14 Tender spots 18 19 17 Antares, for one 22 20 21 Big copper exporter 23 24 25 26 Corpulent plus Subdued 27 28 29 30 31 32 Say for sure 34 35 33 Shellfish trap Letter 37 38 39 36 Levels Ginger ___ 41 42 43 40 Sick and tired 45 46 44 Songbird Embrocated 47 48 Apprehend Dead-end jobs 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Cooling-off 60 56 57 58 59 period Corrida cry 62 63 61 Be in a cast Compass dir.

65 66 64 Dance step Copyright ©2016 PuzzleJunction.com Coal holder Routing word 12 Roman love god 64 “Holy ___!”

37 Speech at the bier But 13 Soaks, as flax 65 Haggard 42 Printer’s widths Tickled 19 Musical 66 Gush forth 43 Hera or Nike, e.g.

Mr. Potato Head compositions 46 Hit the jackpot piece 21 Family Down 47 Kind of knife Sierra ___ 24 Giant syllable 48 Prolific Austrian Afflictions 1 Junk E-mail 25 Slip by composer Harbors 26 Cézanne 2 First name in 49 Fake Mason’s burden contemporary jeans 50 Vagabond Shoulders 3 Aphrodite’s lover 27 Caribbean island, 51 Cambodian gesture Saint ___ 4 Ships’ officers currency Flip-flops 28 ___ of roses 5 Figure out 52 Potpourri Pretentious 6 Cousin of a 29 Spotted wildcat 53 Crowning School on the 30 Majestic bassoon 54 Misplace Thames 31 Assumed name 7 Yank’s foe 55 Winter forecast Support, in a 8 Hook shape 32 Road turn 57 Poet Hughes way 33 Talk wildly 9 Congeal 58 Bobby of the Miscalculated 34 Baltimore’s ___ 10 Bacon bit Bruins Mediocre 11 Package wrapper Harbor 59 Lyrical Gershwin

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OPINION

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2016

The War on Drugs cannot be won wellness over punishment and imprisonment.

When discussing the war on drugs, one of the most important aspects to observe is which individuals and communities are hurt the most by unrealistic policies.

I am sure most people would assume the black and Latino populations are disproportionately affected by these policies. Well, reader, you would be 100 percent correct. The imprisonment rates among the white population are drastically lower than the two groups previously mentioned, even though drug usage and distribution among all three groups are relatively similar.

According to the Setencing Project, the US population is 60 percent white, around 18 percent Latino, and 15 percent black.

Even though the white population is so much larger than the rest, they still have the least number of people in prison due to drug related crimes.

In state prisons, white people account for 38 percent and black people account for 40 percent of those imprisoned. The disparity is even larger in federal prisons, where blacks account for 40 percent, Latinos for 39 percent and whites for 25 percent.

Even though there are

by Jonathan Bain Staff Writer

According to Stanford University, the war on drugs started under President Richard Nixon in 1971, when he declared drugs America’s public enemy number one. The goals that drug war advocates aim to achieve are the prohibition of drug use and the end of the illegal drug trade.

The drugs targeted by this war range from marijuana to crack cocaine, and everything in between.

Every president from Nixon through George Bush has been an advocate for the war on drugs, except for Jimmy Carter and most recently Barack Obama.

The policies enacted under the direction of these presidents are the primary reason why the United States only accounts for 5 percent of the world population, but accounts for over 25 percent of the world’s prison population.

The war on drugs has been a failure; drug usage has not ceased despite the billions of dollars spent every year to prevent it. The simple fact is this: people are always going to use drugs, just as sure as the Earth is spinning.

It is past time to promote sensible drug policies that aim to promote health and

millions upon millions more white people living and using drugs in this country, more minorities face prison time for it, proving these laws hurt minority populations the most, even though they do not necessarily use drugs at a higher rate.

According to the Bureau of Justice, 2.7 million children grow up without a parent in the household due to the fact that the parent has

Some would argue for the decriminalization of drugs, but realistically that does not solve any problems. Why? The drugs are still illegal; you just face fines instead of jail time.

Instead, I would argue for the full legalization of drugs.

Now, I know to most people that sounds insane, but just hear me out before committing me to a psyche ward: Should the govern-

“People will always use drugs, so what is the point in throwing them in a cage for it? Why not offer help instead of hostility?” been arrested for drugs.

One out of every nine black children, one out of every 28 Latino children and one out of every 57 white children are affected by this issue.

These numbers show, yet again, how discriminatory the repercussions of these laws are. The laws themselves are unbiased, but the enforcement and profiling that occurs in regards to enacting them hurts minority communities.

If the war on drugs has been a failure, then what should we do about it?

ment be in the business of protecting us from ourselves? Is it the responsibility of the government to make us better people, and to decide what is moral and acceptable for each individual life?

Many would say, no, the government should not concern itself with the private affairs of its citizens, so long as what they are doing does not hurt anyone.

Well, drug usage does not hurt anyone other than the person using the drugs.

The argument can be made that it also affects the family

of the person using drugs, but if you get right down to it, nearly every decision we make has some effect on the people around us.

If Joe wanted to eat a pound of bacon, no one would say that the government should stop him because of the negative health effects that would have on him, or that Joe’s health risks would impact his family.

However, if Joe wanted to snort cocaine, then everyone would proceed to assert their moral opinions, and condemn Joe because of how his usage might affect his health and his familial relations.

We cannot have it both ways in society. We cannot declare that we wish to have freedom in certain areas of life and then submit to arbitrary boundaries in other areas of life for the sake of the perceived public good.

Every action individuals make is going to somehow, some way, affect those around them, whether it be positively or negatively. It is not the duty of society or government to decide what actions should or should not be permitted based on effects that could result from the actions.

Individuals should be free to pursue what they so choose, so long as what they

are doing does not interfere with the pursuit of happiness for those around him/her.

The last point I wish to make is this: by creating laws and punishments for drug usage, we are essentially turning millions of people into criminals. As previously stated, drug usage does not decrease under strict drug laws.

People will always use drugs, so what is the point in throwing them in a cage for it? Why not offer help instead of hostility? Instead of focusing on creating a culture that condemns certain activities and applies forced rehabilitation, we should focus on creating an environment where individuals have the knowledge that they can openly seek help if they so choose.

The people that the drug war tries to eliminate will never cease to exist. The only effective application the drug war has is forcing these people to live in the shadows, in unsanitary and unsafe conditions, where disease and death are more likely to occur.

The war on drugs does not seek to improve the standard of life for the individual that chooses to do drugs; it seeks to eliminate the individual by force and locking them away. There is something fundamentally wrong with that.

On this day in history...

REFLECTIONS Buddha

...in 1952, the United States detonated the world’s first thermonuclear

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

weapon, the hydrogen bomb, on Eniwetok atoll in the Pacific. The test gave the United States a short-lived advantage in the nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union. history.com

We as a society should skip Thanksgiving

by Ben Christmas and Sam Gibson Staff Writers

After an entire Sunday spent being nauseous, I finally found the perfect cure to my Halloweekend hangover: the Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” movie marathon, which starts every year on Oct. 29.

Unexpectedly, watching white people from 90’s shows finding holiday romance got me thinking— it was not even November yet, but I was already getting the Christmas spirit thrust upon me, and I was super into it.

Most people do not like how commercialized Christmas often starts before we are even through with Halloween, but that’s the thing: the joy of Christmas is so overwhelming it is difficult not to think of the happiness it brings us as early as possible.

I mean, yeah, we all love Thanksgiving and the 10 pounds we are going to gain from our grandmas force feeding us every dish known to man, but Thanksgiving

just does not have the power to grasp you like Christmas.

Let me get to the point—I want Christmas now.

I know, it sounds pretty crazy just to overlook Thanksgiving, but hear me out. Thanksgiving may seem like a family-oriented holiday, but at base, Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrating the pilgrims’ wipe-out of the Native Americans.

Americans love their history, I know, but as we have seen in recent years, not every historical event is as romantic as we make it out to be.

Thanksgiving, according to the Manataka American Indian Council was when, “the Pequot Tribe had gathered for their annual Green Corn Festival. In the predawn hours, the sleeping Indians were surrounded by English and Dutch mercenaries, and were then shot or clubbed to death.”

Treating Thanksgiving as a fun, family holiday glosses over the atrocities committed against Native Americans. We should just scrap it and go straight to the Christmas season.

Christmas embodies all

the same familial values as modern, commercialized Thanksgiving. We all enjoy each other’s company, appreciate the things we have, and try to do better for others during both holidays.

Thus, we should just put it all under the Christmas banner. It would even come with the bonus of earlier Christmas specials.

Speaking of Christmas

“Treating Thanksgiving as a fun, family holiday glosses over the atrocities committed against Native Americans. We should just scrap it and go straight to the Christmas season.” specials, it would also be more beneficial to have just one holiday from a financial standpoint. Think about it: Thanksgiving is just another reason for businesses to get excited because they know that all these beautiful people are going to want to cook for their families, decorate their homes for fall, and make sure everything is perfect

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for when the overly critical aunt comes to town.

This is music to their ears, because they know this will enable them to take your money. We do not need to have two feasts, two sets of decorations, and two family events. Instead, we should just have one big celebration for Christmas.

It is the better holiday anyway, your family would

appreciate it more, and you would save money in the process.

“But what about Thanksgiving Break?” cry all the college students reading this paper. Well, young people, it’s going to be fine. Schools have to give a certain amount of days off for holiday every year, so you are not going to lose your break.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 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.

The

Schools will either extend Christmas break or fall break, to compensate for the loss of Thanksgiving days off.

Plus, this will give your parents more time to focus on Christmas shopping.

That means better gifts for you and less stressed out moms and dads, which is honestly another benefit to you in itself.

To the full-time working, childbearing adults reading this, how would you like to have less to worry about in your life? If I know anything, it is that adults are constantly trying to find ways to get stress out of their lives, and that goes double for people who are divorced with children.

Psych Central has compiled an entire special report of articles under the headline “Coping with Thanksgiving.” The articles featured include titles like “Thankful, but not Happy,” and “Overcoming Emotional Overeating.”

Obviously, Thanksgiving is a traumatic time for many. If we as a culture just skipped Thanksgiving, it would be one less family event to stress about.

Plus, let’s be honest.

Family events are SO boring, and get old faster when there are more in the course of a few months.

Do not get me wrong— family is the most precious thing we have in this world and we should cherish it.

However, I advocate that we just cherish it once. That sounds mean, but I think it would lead to us truly appreciating our family’s company more.

Everyone with annoying family members would for sure.

Those with family members they adore, on the other hand, would just be that much more excited to see them. Less is totally more in terms of family gatherings. By extending the Christmas holidays, people will have more time to situate everything they need for the holidays.

Less stress makes happier families, which in turn makes a more fruitful Christmas season. Plus, skipping Thanksgiving would further justify Hallmark airing Christmas movies before Halloween, which affects my personal life for the better.

Reflector

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The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University.

Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff. The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

CORRECTIONS

The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1,2016

‘Tis the Season

Sarah Dutton| The Reflector

The theatre is in the midst of its 39th season with “Urinetown: The Musical” a play centered around a 20 year drought.

‘Urinetown: The Musical’ to make a splash in Starkville

by Will Wells Staff Writer

The Starkville Community Theatre’s 39th season will continue with nine productions of “Urinetown: The Musical.”

The play is set in a city where, following a 20-year drought, the government has banned the use of private toilets, leading to all city toilets being owned by a single company and admission being charged to anyone who uses one of the toilets. These events cause one hero to lead a revolution in “Urinetown: The Musical,” a satire of politics and musical theatre and winner of three Tony Awards.

Lily Hudson, an administrative assistant for the Mississippi State Department of Aerospace will play Soupy Sue in the play, one of the poor characters said she is excited to participate in her fi rst production with Starkville Community Theatre.

“I wanted to be a part of a group of all ages that loved singing, acting, and dancing just as much as I did,” Hudson said. “We see each other pretty much every day and have all

become good friends.”

Hudson has not had much acting experience, however, she believes her prior musical experience has prepared her to contribute to “Urinetown: The Musical.”

“I have experience in choir and band, but very little acting,” Hudson said.

“I knew the production was going to be a musical and since I had never really acted I felt I could contribute through singing.”

Petra Banks, a Mississippi State University graduate student studying forensic anthropology, will play Josephine Strong, the mother of the leader of the revolution in the play, Bobby Strong.

Unlike Hudson, Banks has extensive theatre experience.

“I have been involved in theatre since I went to a summer camp at thirteen and have been hooked ever since,” Banks said. “People involved in theatre are supportive and goofy and being involved in theatre is very cathartic.”

Although Banks has extensive theatre experience, “Urinetown: The Musical” will be Petra Banks fi rst production with Starkville Community Theatre and still requires an adjustment period.

“Every theatre company

is different and it has been really fun to learn the way Starkville Community Theatre runs differently than my home theatre company in Alaska,” said Banks.

Both Hudson and Banks encourage everyone who can attend one of the showings of “Urinetown: The Musical” at Starkville Community Theatre to do so.

“Urinetown is, among other things, a satire of Broadway musicals, especially “Les Miserables,” and politics and I think everyone will fi nd it very cathartic after a long election season” said Banks.

Hudson said she thinks the show has many facets of entertainment for the audience.

“Starkville Community Theatre and “Urinetown: The Musical” have something for everyone,” Hudson said. The show has big dance numbers, jazz songs, and sarcastic jokes.

You will be laughing a lot!”

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m from Nov. 10-12 and Nov. 15-19 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 13 at 108 East Main St.. Tickets can be purchased beginning Nov. 4 by calling the box office at 662-323-6855 for a cost of $15 for an adult ticket or $10 for a student ticket.

*Cookies and pictures with Santa will be held Nov. 6 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership. *The event is $10 and tickets can be purchased at the door. *Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Central Mississippi. *The Christmas Parade on Main Street will be 6 p.m. on Nov. 8. *The Holiday Bazaar will be Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex *Shoppers can purchase hand-made items from over 90 different merchants. *For more information visit the Greater Starkville Development Partnership Facebook page or at www.starkville.org/visit

Shelby Poindexter and Bek Yake, The Reflector

Band of Brothers

A WWII vet will visit MSU to speak about his experiences in the war

by Courtney O’Brien Staff Writer

The History Club at Mississippi State University will have a member of the Easy Company speak at an event on Nov. 17.

The Easy Company, known as the Band of Brothers were part of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of 101st Airborne Division, who experienced World War II from the beginning to the end.

At 7 p.m. in the Taylor Auditorium of McCool Hall, the History Club will be hosting Brad Freeman.

Freeman, a member of the Band of Brothers, will be speaking to the History Club and anyone else wishing to listen about his time in the war, as well as signing copies of his book.

The History Club is opening the event to any MSU student, as well as members of the community.

Freeman’s book will be available for purchase, after the event.

Will Wells, programming director of the History Club, will be attending the event.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to host Mr. Freeman for the History Club’s fi rst event

and are hoping for a big turn out,” said Wells.

Freeman and the other men in the Easy Company were part of a dramatized account of the war in called, “Band of Brothers,” a miniseries produced by Tom Hanks in 2001 and based on the non-fiction book

by Stephen Ambrose of the same title.

The History Club at MSU is open to all people who enjoy discussing different types of history. The club provides its members with the opportunity to meet others with similar interests, as well as being beneficial for history majors. The club meets at 7 p.m. on Thursday nights.

Abbie Dupont, The History Club’s social media and T-Shirt chairwoman is also excited about the club’s fi rst event.

“I have a love for history but being able to share that interest and make new friends has really been the best experience for me,” said Dupont. “I look forward to the upcoming trips we are planning, as well as future meetings.”

The History Club at MSU started this fall and is quickly growing. Joseph Metz, the president of the History Club at MSU, is available for questions from perspective history club members at jm1902@ msstate.edu.

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SPORTS

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2016

Bulldogs manage expectations for season

by Taylor Rayburn Staff Writer

Vic Schaefer and the Mississippi State women’s basketball team have built expectations going into this season.

Going into his fifth year, Schaefer will be coaching his final season with his first batch of recruits. His first class, which was headlined by senior Dominique Dillingham, has been the building block of his program over the past couple seasons.

This senior class is 77-29 over the last three years and coach Schaefer said he wants to get that number to 100, which would take an extremely impressive 33-win season.

“I can’t believe they are seniors,” Schaefer said.

“They believed in us, they trusted us and believed in the vision we talked about in recruiting.”

That class and the classes after it have changed expectations for MSU. A prime example of this is the lack of non-conference home games on their schedule.

MSU only plays three of their 15 non-conference games in the Hump. According to Coach Schaefer, they have struggled to get people to agree to play in the Hump where as he puts it, 7,000 sounds like 70,000.

“Four years ago, everybody and their dog wanted to come in here and play,” Schaefer said. “If there is ever a team that I have had, this team ought to be able to go on the road and play some good people. They have had their fi ll of three name directional schools and winning by 50, they want to play somebody.”

It is not only other teams that think MSU will be great. MSU is ranked high once again to start off the season in the polls. They are ranked 11th in the USA Today Coaches Poll and will not be sneaking up on anyone. Normally for athletics at a school like MSU, they are seen as an underdog.

However, this year for women’s basketball, that won’t be the case. Dillingham, who is from Spring, Texas, said the expectations are not new because they have high ones for themselves.

“We have always had expectations for ourselves,”

Dillingham said. “It is hard to tune out but our coaches keep us grounded and remind us every day that we could do better. It’s all about winning a national championship.”

Individually, one player has always stuck out for MSU: junior guard Victoria Vivians. Vivians, who is from Carthage, Mississippi, was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school. In her first two years she has accumulated a number of awards.

Multiple awards span her first two seasons here, including All-American honorable mentions, AllSEC first team honors, SEC All-Freshman team and freshman All-American honors. She is also the backto-back CSpire Gillom Trophy Winner, which is awarded to the best female college basketball player in Mississippi.

She has been awarded numerous others, but if you asked Vivians, she could not name anything she has won.

At MSU media day, Vivians sounded a lot like former Bulldog Football player Dak Prescott when he was asked about accolades.

“I cannot tell you any award I have gotten,”

Junior Mallory Eubanks was named to the All-SEC second team. She led the Bulldog’s soccer team in goals (3), assists (3) and total points (9). She started in all 17 games this season.

Olivia Zeringue | The Reflector

Dominique Dillingham drives agianst I.J. Ready during the annual Maroon Madness event. The Bulldogs look to go back to the NCAA tournament.

Vivians said. “It doesn’t really matter until after I retire from basketball.”

The women’s team will

have their opening exhibition match against The University of ArkansasFort Smith Friday in the

Hump. They will face Villanova and officially start their season on Friday, Nov. 11.

Bulldogs’ offense shines in Homecoming game

IMAGINE

THE FUTURE O F A E R O S PA C E .

WE ARE .

Noah Siano | The Reflector

Nick Fitzgerald rolls out for a pass against the Samford Bulldogs. He finished 20-35 with 417 yards and 5 passing touchdowns. MSU won 56-41.

by Taylor Rayburn Staff Writer

When you’re a leader, people watch to see what you’ll do next. Nobody knows that better than Mississippi State University. For years we’ve been leaders in the world of aerospace engineering. MSU now serves as the national lead university for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Center of Excellence of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, putting us on the cutting edge of this new era of research, development and integration into the nation’s airspace. We’re driven to lead the way. Keep watching as we soar to new heights. M S S TAT E . E D U

On homecoming weekend, Mississippi State football got their third win of the season after defeating the Samford Bulldogs 56-41.

Even though MSU was facing an FCS opponent, the game was anything but a blowout. MSU struggled with Samford for a large portion of the game and the fear of another South Alabama crept into fan’s minds. However, the Bulldogs were able to outscore Samford and pull out a win thanks in large part to quarterback Nick Fitzgerald and receiver Donald Gray.

Head coach Dan Mullen said the team was fired up after losing the last three games on the final play then finally pulling out a win last Saturday.

“I don’t know any team in the country that’s appreciating a win more than our guys and what we’ve been through, to lose three games on the final play of the game,” Mullen said. “Our guys

were juiced up, fired up and loving it.”

Mullen has his quarterback’s effort to thank for pulling MSU through and getting the win.

Fitzgerald, a sophomore from Richmond Hill, Georgia, had a record-setting game. He had 122 rushing yards on 19 rushes for two touchdowns.

He passed the ball 35 times, completing 20 passes for 417 yards and five touchdowns. He had a ridiculous stat line which put him in some lofty company.

Fitzgerald is the third player in SEC history to throw for 400 yards and rush for 100. The other two are Ole Miss’ Archie Manning, and Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel.

He also tied two of Dak Prescott’s school records, one for passing touchdowns with five and the other for total touchdowns with seven. Fitzgerald said it was awesome to do things Prescott did.

“He is obviously a phenomenal player now in the NFL,” Fitzgerald said.

“So it is always big when you can do something as close as he did it.”

Fitzgerald has Donald Gray to thank for a lot of those yards. Gray, a junior from Memphis, Tennessee, bounced back from a rough last game with a four catch, 207 yard and three touchdown performance. The three touchdowns tie a school record set by Sammy Milner and Chad Bumphis.

Gray stood out on three plays. In the first quarter he scored on a 71-yard touchdown reception, then he went for a 74-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. He also scored on a 51-yard pass in the third quarter.

His fourth reception went for a measly 11 yards.

With the help of Gray and Fitzgerald, MSU put up 669 total yards, the most in school history.

When Gray heard of this record breaking performance by the offense he could not help but grin.

“It feels great to be a part of that, I can’t stop smiling,” Gray said. “I’m just happy we were able to do something like that and at least we got we got the win.”