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VALANTINES FACEOFF
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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2018
133rd YEAR ISSUE 33
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
MSUPD responds to harassment claims
MEGAN TERRY STAFF WRITER
Mississippi State University campus was cautious this past week after several posts on various social media platforms depicted instances of young women being approached by strangers while walking alone. The MSU police department commented on at least one of these incidents, asking people to report incidents they experienced. Sergeant Michael Simmons, an MSU officer of 13 years from Newport,
Mississippi, suggests students be alert and aware when walking to help reduce the risk of being approached in some cases. “One very important point that I try to make, if you are walking, don’t walk with both headphones in because you can’t hear if someone sneaks up behind you,” Simmons said. “Be cognitive of your surroundings, and look people in the eye. Keep your head up, keep it on a swivel and notice who’s around you. Travel in packs, there’s safety in numbers.” Simmons explained
MSUPD takes interest in students’ safety by sending officers to specialized training, so they, in turn, can train the student body to use defensive skills in case students run into these kinds of situation. “When we offer a safety course, take a few minutes and go,” Simmons said. These courses are offered several times a year, and they are free to students. Simmons also explained reporting incidents is of the utmost importance. “[Reporting incidents] is very important because if we don’t know that a
crime has been committed we can’t respond or put the resources in place to try to solve it or get to the bottom of it,” Simmons said. “Keep yourself safe, and report anything. Even if it seems small, come and talk to us about it and let us help you to make a determination on if it’s significant or not. What may seem insignificant for you, may be significant to us. We can’t give out the proper information if we don’t know. If something happens, please report it.” To report an incident to MSU police, call dispatch or go to the station. MSUPD
officers are all over campus, and can easily be identified by their uniforms; however, if students are unsure, they can ask for identification. “If you’re unsure, just ask. Everyone from the police department has an official MSU ID card from Mississippi State,” Sergeant Simmons said. “Just ask to see their ID, we have to have these on us at all times. Take a look at the uniforms, they have an official patch, usually, there are rankings on there, they’ll have a badge and a gun.” Freshman biomedical science major Lany
Wallace from Chippewa Lake, Ohio, said MSU has many programs to protect students. “I think it’s in the schools best interest to make the university community feel safe,” Wallace said. “People should take advantage of the university’s resources like the campus escort service.” MSUPD offers students 24/7 campus escorts for anyone who does not feel safe walking alone on campus. This service is listed on their website where the phone number can also be found. MSUPD, 2
KATIE POE
was reportedly going 100 mph in a 45 mph zone when designated driver Noel Collier pulled into the highway. At the time, Lee did not have any flashing lights turned on. Kaelin Kersh’s mother, Toni Kersh, claims the lights would have made a difference in the death of her daughter. “If the light’s would have been on that night, then surely I don’t think we’d be having this conversation,” Toni Kersh said. “[The Act’s purpose is] to save other lives. Just let us know you’re coming, that’s all we’re asking.” According to Mississippi’s current law, emergency vehicles are not required to have any lights flashing as they respond to emergencies. The Kaelin Kersh Act aims
to amend that section “to require that any operator of an emergency vehicle authorized to be marked with blinking, rotating or oscillating lights shall use blinking, rotating or oscillating lights when operating the emergency vehicle at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.” Rep. Gary Chism, who represents Lowndes, Clay and Oktibbeha Counties, is the primary author of the bill and called Kaelin Kersh’s accident a “tragic death.” Both Chism and Toni said the bill’s purpose is to enforce something that, to them, is common sense. “[Toni] doesn’t have an ax to grind; she is just asking for something I think is reasonable,” Chism said.
Kaelin Kersh Act passes in the House STAFF WRITER
Courtesy Photo | MSU Track and Field
The late Kaelin Kersh sprints down the track, baton in hand. The bill, called the Kaelin Kersh Act, was inspired by the tragic death of a Mississippi State University track star. Kersh was killed last year on May 7, when a speeding state trooper crashed into the car she was riding in. This bill will force emergency vehicles to use flashing lights when going more than 30 mph above the speed limit.
A bill forcing emergency vehicles to use flashing lights when going more than 30 mph above the speed limit passed unanimously in the Mississippi House of Representatives Thursday. The bill, called the Kaelin Kersh Act, was inspired by the tragic death of a Mississippi State University track star. Kersh was killed last year on May 7, when a speeding state trooper crashed into the car she was riding in. The accident occurred after Kersh and her friends went to Cowbells Sports Grill to celebrate their recent graduation. Only one night earlier, Kersh received a degree in kinesiology. State trooper Kyle Lee
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SA Recap
Cannizaro, players preview ‘18 season LUCAS BARRETT
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Mississippi State University bought into first-year head coach Andy Cannizaro, and it paid off with a gritty win in the Hattiesburg Regional. After losing to LSU in the Super Regional to end 2017, MSU has one goal in mind heading into 2018: Omaha. This is true for center fielder Jake Mangum, who decided to return for his junior season after the New York Yankees drafted him in the 30th round of the MLB draft last season. “(After going) 0-4 in the super regional, no way I’m going leave after that,” Mangum said. “I want to go to Omaha.” Jake Mangum, a junior from Pearl, is coming off a monster 2017 campaign, where he slashed a line of .324/.380/.385 and drove in 26 RBIs. At MSU baseball media day last Tuesday, Cannizaro expressed his excitement about baseball season getting into the swing of things. “It’s extremely exciting
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when you get to this part of the year, it is college baseball season,” Cannizaro said. “We are excited to get everything started next weekend against an outstanding Southern Miss team. We have been busy and hard at work these past few weeks since we’ve been able to get back as a team.” The Bulldogs have a tall task to fill the void after the departures of Ryan Gridley, Cody Brown and Brent Rooker. Rooker was the second MSU player to win the SEC Triple Crown, joining fellow former Diamond Dawg Rafael Palmeiro who did it back in 1984. Rooker, the Minnesota Twins’ firstrounder led the league in batting average (.387), home runs (23) and RBIs (82). Cannizaro and his coaching staff will look for juniors Jake Mangum, Hunter Stovall, Luke Alexander, Elijah MacNamee and Hunter Vansau to continue to lead the squad from the hitting side. “Those guys are a core that played each and every day last year, and went through the battles of the SEC to win 40 games and get to a Super
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THURSDAY
HI: 62 LO: 54 SKY: Partly Cloudy
HI: 65 LO: 61 SKY: Rainy
HI: 75 LO: 55 SKY: Rainy
POP: 10%
POP: 80%
POP: 50%
DYLAN BUFKIN STAFF WRITER
The Mississippi State University Student Association Senate met again this week to decide on the upcoming elections packet and continue addressing both new and old business. The MSU Election Committee presented this year’s election packets for the Senate’s approval, so prospective candidates can begin preparing. The packets outline the procedures and dates the elections will follow, and this year, the Speech and Debate Club will host an SA Executive Debate a week prior to elections. Last semester, Bill 26, which allowed proxy voting for absentee Senators on previously discussed issues was passed by the Senate, but vetoed by President Tyler McMurray. McMurray argued proxy voting was against the best interest of the Senate, due to an absentee senator being able to miss important discussions yet still voting.
Noah Saino | The Reflector
Left-handed pitcher Konnor Pilkington, a 6’3’, junior from Hurley, will start Friday nights for MSU baseball, head coach Andy Cannizaro said.
Regional,” Cannizaro said. “Having them back have been able to allow us to have some veteran presence and veteran leadership out on the practice field.” Junior left-hander Konnor Pilkington will start Friday nights, followed by red-shirt sophomore Ethan Small. Cannizaro said there is still competition for the Sunday
spot. Red-shirt senior Jacob Billingsley, who had 10 career innings before last season, will compete for the Sunday spot. According to Cannizaro, Billingsley has gained velocity and improved his secondary pitches. Billingsley is in the mix for Sunday’s spot, along with transfers JP France from Tulane, and Zach Neff, Austin Peay, and returning junior
FORECAST: Get your beads out, Mardi Gras Tuesday is looking sunny, warming up to the low 60s. Showers will return Tuesday night into Wednesday for your Valentine’s Day, with rain likely most of the day. Rain will continue into Thursday morning, but will dry out with highs in the mid 70s. Beth Finello, Campus Connect Forecaster
Cole Gordon. Closer Spencer Price will miss the 2018 season due to Tommy John surgery, and Riley Self is an option to take over that role. Self said he believes there is no pressure on him or other pitchers because he knows everyone is going to be able to step up and play their game.
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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018
@REFLECTORONLINE
Businesses, couples prepare for Valentine’s Day JORDAN DARENSBOURG STAFF WRITER
BAD DAWGS Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 9:44 a.m. Employee reported a camera missing from Agriculture and Economics Department. 2:05 p.m. Employee reported damages to her vehicle while parked in the Old Main parking garage. Student was arrested in Starkville for speeding and no insurance. Student was arrested in Starkville for possession of marijuana and for a minor in possession of alcohol. Student was arrested in Starkville for false information and for a minor in possession of alcohol. 3:13 p.m. Student reported his vehicle was burglarized while parked in parking lot G10. Friday, Feb. 9, 2018 Student was arrested in Starkville for false information and public drunkenness. Student was arrest in Starkville for minor in possession of alcohol, false information and disorderly conduct. 8:59 a.m. Employee reported a missing printer from Roberts Building. Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 1:07 p.m. Student reported money missing from his wallet.
Valentine’s Day is taking the city of Starkville and the Mississippi State University community by storm, with a flurry of pink and red gifts and flowers. Valentine’s Day is a tradition consisting of couples going out on very special dates. It also involves many gifts given by people to their significant others in their lives, whether it be husbands, boyfriends/girlfriends or fiancées. Some gifts range from floral arrangements and cards to chocolates, teddy bears and even engagement rings. It is a day people take time to show love for the special someone in their lives. With Valentine’s Day approaching on Wednesday, there are many businesses throughout Starkville offering specials to promote their brands ahead of the holiday. There is expected to be a mass-influx of customers who want to go all-out for their dates. One of those businesses is Montgomery Jewelry, located on Main Street in downtown Starkville. Michelle Sharp, one of the store’s employees said the past week was busy for them because a lot of male customers come in looking for ideas. “[We have sold] a lot of engravable items and hearts have been pretty good because it symbolizes the holiday, you know,” Sharp said. “Bar stones also are a good piece that we sell.”
Additionally, Sharp said there are some specials customers should know about. “We’ll give you a 20 to 30 percent discount on any purchase that’s already in stock,” Sharp said. “If we can help
Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector
anybody with that, we’ll be glad to give them some ideas.” A popular gift given on Valentine’s Day is floral arrangements. With this, there are several florists in the area preparing for the big rush. One of them is the florist located inside the
Kroger on Highway 12 in Starkville. Elsie Short, the lead floral clerk, said she is 50 to 60 percent busier than normal, ensuring everything is ready for Wednesday. “We do a superb job here at Kroger to make sure that all our customers are satisfied and happy with what they walk out of the door with,” Short said. “We have a great selection of balloons, cards, gift cards, arrangements, just whatever you need.” As for how some students plan to spend the day with their significant other, the popular choice is going out to eat at a fancy restaurant or cook a fancy dinner. One of the students who has a plan for his date is Chase Gibson, a senior civil engineering major from Biloxi. “I’m planning on taking her to a nice dinner,” Gibson said. “I’m also planning on getting her some chocolate and some flowers.” While the guys plan the elaborate Valentine’s Day date for their girlfriends/wives, their girlfriends are usually the ones kept guessing. However, there are students like Hannah Harris, a senior communication and Spanish double major from Columbus, Georgia, said she knows what she wants from her boyfriend on Valentine’s Day. “I asked for a rose and chocolate,” Harris said. “And I think we’re going to cook dinner and maybe (drink) some wine, because I love red wine.” Should one not wish to leave campus to purchase floral arrangements, the University Florist is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
BASEBALL Keegan James and Blake Smith are back from seasonending injuries. Cannizaro praised Mangum and Pilkington. “Jake (Mangum) obviously leads this group for us, he had a terrific fall and is really going after it these past couple weeks,” Cannizaro said. “He has done a tremendous job in terms of leading our team so far, and trying to help some of these younger guys ready to play.” Pilkington, a preseason all-American, posted a 3.08 ERA and an 8-5 record with
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111 strikeouts and 47 walks. “Leaning on Konnor heavily this year like we did a year ago every Friday night,” Cannizaro said. “He gets deep into ball games, and gives us a chance to win on Friday nights in the most competitive league in amateur baseball conference in the world.” In the middle-infield, Hunter Stovall will start as the second baseman and Luke Alexander will start as shortstop for MSU. Alexander will slide over from third and has improved
on his range and defending. Marshall Gilbert and Dustin Skelton will compete for the starting catching position, and Cannizaro does not know who will play third. Several options include freshman Tanner Allen, who has been working exclusively at third base this past month. Freshman Justin Foscue is a strong, physical kid who could get some games at the corner. Freshman Rowdey Jordan will certainly get some innings at third as well but could start the season in left field because of his speed and
athleticism, and ability to run balls down in the line/gap. “I love the fact he can run, take hits away in the outfield and be a switch hitter. He can do some things offensively and create some runs and help us score,” Cannizaro said. Cannizaro said if MSU was to play today, he would put Allen in that spot and feel comfortable enough about him there, and fell comfortable in the batter’s box to do some damage at the plate. On the other corner,
Elijah MacNamee and freshman Josh Hatcher will be options for first. If Hatcher does start there, MacNamee will move to right field. While this is up for consideration, Cannizaro does know Elijah will hit in the middle of the order. Mangum said what he likes about Hatcher. “Mentally, as a freshman, the hardest thing to do is being able to handle failure, and Hatcher has the mindset that I know if he has a bad night on opening night at Southern Miss for example,
KAELIN KERSH Even though it is not a state law, MSU Police Chief Vance Rice said his department’s policy is for officers to have both lights and a siren on whenever they are exceeding the speed limit. Rice said he is “fine” with the bill, but he does not take a stance on either side of the situation. “Our job is to enforce and follow,” Vance said. When the bill passed
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unanimously in the House, Toni said that no one opposed the bill was important to her. She said her family felt joyous when they heard the news. Even Chism said the bill holds a particularly special place in his heart. “I’ve had bills pass with my name as a co-author many, many times, but this one was special,” Chism said. “I know I’m not as excited
MSUPD “I feel that bringing awareness to the campus resources and current situations is important so that people can have the correct information to be aware and take precaution,” Wallace said. Although many students feel safe on a daily basis at MSU, this recent alertness has caused uneasy and uncomfortable feelings among students, especially the women on campus. The university’s police
I know he will come back Saturday and flush it and he will have good at-bats,” Mangum, a junior from Pearl, said. With a newly renovated Dudy Noble Field set to be unleashed and fully finished next year, fans can expect an exciting brand of baseball in year two under Cannizaro. MSU opens up play against Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg in a three-game series next weekend. The Bulldogs will play a home game March 6, where they host New Mexico State.
about a bill as the mother and dad of Kaelin, but I just am glad that we might be able—if the Senate passes it and the governor signs it— to remember her in a special way.” Now the bill awaits its future in the Mississippi Senate, and if passed, will go to the governor to be signed. Chism said it will be about three weeks until it is reviewed by the Senate. CONTINUED FROM 1
department has tips listed on their website stating students should walk in groups, take self-defense classes and utilize the campus escort system in place. If anyone experiences anything or is in a situation where safety is compromised, reach out to MSUPD and report it immediately. Tabor Mullen, associate dean of students said campus safety is a top
priority for MSU “Campus safety is of the utmost importance to us, we are not without crime but, I’d argue we are one of the safest campuses in the nation for our size,” Mullen said. Mullen also explained the best way to stay safe and informed on campus is to sign up for Maroon Alert. “The university is going to communicate threats or major issues will be through maroon alert,” Mullen said.
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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018 @REFLECTORONLINE
BULLETIN BOARD
An In-Class Distraction
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ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY...
... in 1998, Hermann Maier, Austrian downhill skier nicknamed the “Herminator,” lost control in the seventh and eighth turns of the men’s downhill skiing event in the 1998 Winter Olympics hosted by Nagano, Japan. Though he was favored to win this event, after he lost control, Maier was catapulted 30 feet in the air, landing on his head and ramming through two safety fences, going an estimated 80 mph. Surprisingly, Maier walked away from the crash with only minor injuries. A few days later, Maier took home two gold medals in the super-G and giant slalom events. Later that season, he would go on to win the overall World Cup championship, too. In August 2001, Maier was in a life-threatening motorcycle accident, when doctors almost had to amputate his leg. However, he underwent major reconstructive surgery, causing him to miss the next two seasons and the 2002 Olympics. He made a spectacular comeback in his returning season, and would go on to win a silver medal in the super-G, and a bronze in the giant slalom at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. He retired at 36.
history.com
Trivia Time! 1. What U.S. city was the first to host the Olympic Games? 2. What Olympic sport was featured in the movie “Cool Runnings”? 3. How much money is a U.S. Olympic gold medalist awarded? 4. What was the first ever series to air on the Disney Channel? 5. In which U.S. city was Walt Disney born? trivia.fyi
1.St. Louis, Missouri in 1904, 2. Bobsled, 3.$25,000, 4. “Good Morning, Mickey,” 5. Chicago, Illanois
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CLASSIFIEDS P R I V A T E COLLECTIONS SALE: Thousands of WWII military items. No guns. Pez Candy dispensers, political button collection, Elvis Presley collectibles, Slits Beer Can Bank and much more. Cash only. By appointment only. Call 901-626-2763. Sardis, MS. Well worth the drive! Are you an artist or an aspiring business person? Are you interested in selling your designs and work? If so, you should check out the Starkvegas Flea Market to rent a booth. Email starkvegasfleamarket@ gmail.com or call Julie at 662-769-6180. The Mississippi State University’s Collegiate FFA chapter is selling Mississippi Ag T-shirts! They are $15. Any orders over an XL size shirt is $2 extra, making them $17. Make sure
to order by February 16th, and if you have any questions, please contact Carla Jagger at cbj170@msstate.edu or contact Matthew Lee at 601-270-6102. 4 BEDROOMS AVAILABLE FOR RENT IN A LARGE HOUSE. sunroom, dining room and a laundry room. 2 Full baths, large living area with fireplace. hardwood and ceramic tile flooring, garage, fenced in yard, Pet friendly environment for a fee. Only seven minutes from campus. Affordable room prices range from $325.00 per month to $425.00 per month. If interested call 662-312-5630. For MSU students only. The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday. The deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are listed at $5 per issue. Student and staff ads
are listed at $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found items: Found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed at standard ad cost. CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday. The 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 The Reflector at 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.
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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018 @REFLECTORONLINE
OPINION
Valentine’s Day: a day of love or consumerism?
Valentine’s Day buys American consumers’ affections Valentine’s Day is the scapegoat of all holiday hatred MIA RODRIGUEZ
is a passionate Latina who enjoys authentic Mexican cuisine, such as Taco Bell. She loves to receive romantic texts composed only of emojis.
According to Bob Merrill’s 1961 hit song, “Love makes the world go ‘round.” However, if the American consumer adheres to Valentine’s Day trends, the real force which drives the world is currency and the ignorance to the origin of the national holiday. Companies who reap the benefits of Valentine’s Day spending claim the holiday is all about love, but it seems to me this “love” is measured by the amount spent on the intended individual. According to the National Retail Federation, the U.S. is predicted to spend a total of $19.6 billion on Valentine’s Day. If this holiday truly is about love, should it not be a day celebrating the truest acts of love which require no monetary expenses? I truly believe something handmade and coming directly from someone’s own creative ideas is more valuable than giving someone a pre-written card, of which there are near 145 million purchased according to Belle Reynoso with CNN. In addition, the sheer number of articles telling readers exactly what to get for their loved ones, or even articles providing tips for the bedroom is astounding. Articles like these take the originality and intimacy out of the holiday, which people claim is a day about giving from the heart. To make matters worse, Valentine’s Day comes from troubling origins. Elizabeth Mucha and Whitney Young of the Chicago Tribune express their extreme dislike of the holiday due to the fact many do not even know what exactly they are celebrating. Mucha and Young explain how the namesake of the holiday, Saint Valentine, was a priest martyred for performing outlawed marriages of youths in love. This seems like a humble, yet morbid origin for a holiday which is seemingly all about love, but the way the holiday was celebrated in ancient Rome was quite misogynistic and not at all romantic. “Each boy would draw the name of a young woman, and be paired with that woman for the rest of the year. The women were obligated to do so under Roman law, and most of these relationships led to marriage,” Mucha and Young explain. Thankfully, women have rights combatting patriarchal domination such as this. If such a practice was conducted
today, it would be deemed barbaric and cause quite an uproar in these modern times. So why do we celebrate traditions advocating for the subordination of women? The fact we celebrate a holiday like this is no shock to me, as the trend of celebrating holidays romanticizing a tragic and disgraceful history, such as the leader of the genocide of Native Americans, Christopher Columbus, is so popular. It was not until much later Valentine’s Day mirrored the mushy and sentimental holiday we have today. According to Arnie Seipel of NPR, romanticism was not an element of Valentine’s Day until Shakespearean times, and it was not until 1913 Hallmark started their massproduction of Valentine’s Day cards. With the holiday’s questionable beginning, it is a wonder Valentine’s Day is still celebrated or was even fashioned. Although I enjoy receiving flowers and chocolates just as much as the next person, it does not mean I feel any more or less loved because of it, nor do I want to celebrate a holiday which was formed off of female subservience and the murder of an innocent man.
JOSH BECK
is a modern day Renaissance man who enjoys long walks on the beach. He is a lover of all things New England, as well as large dogs.
The renowned German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, once said, “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” Valentine’s Day is madness, there is no denying this. However, those who argue Valentine’s Day is just a holiday to celebrate consumerism should also view other holidays such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter through the same lens. In 2016, Forbes released an article stating the total holiday spending would exceed $1 trillion, a 4 percent increase from the prior year. In addition, in 2016, Halloween spending topped off around $9 million for a holiday where you dress up and eat candy. My personal favorite for those who bash Valentines Day is Easter. For the individuals who claim Valentine’s Day is a made-up holiday, news flash, so is the main driver for all Easter spending, the Easter Bunny. According to Time, the Easter Bunny
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Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector
finds its origins in the pagan tradition of Eostre. People celebrated the goddess of fertility and her animal symbol, the bunny during this holiday because rabbits are known for their energetic breeding. The hatred for Valentine’s Day is rooted in something far more personal than America’s systemic consumer-centric culture: people no longer want to celebrate love the same way their grandparents showed affection. As a generation, we have shattered all preexisting notions of love. No longer is it defined by the attitude of putting people before yourself and serving from the heart, but it is defined by equality. Equality is incorrectly equated to respect and in many people’s minds. If you are not considered equal in every way, you are not being respected, and therefore, are not being loved. In addition, Valentine’s Day celebrates love, which is a vulnerable emotion. Millennials are often referred to as the most anxious generation in recorded history, so it is no surprise as a generation we would shove away things which would make us even more anxious. I distinctly remember in third grade having a special Valentine for a girl and being absolutely petrified to give it to her because of how she or my fellow classmates may respond. Valentine’s Day is the fall guy of all holidays. Yes, it is surrounded by consumerism; yes, it is outdated and cheesy. However, there are still many positives from Valentine’s Day. It is one day you can show people how much you care for them. Your affections for a person do not need to be limited to only a day in February, but it allows those who are not typically affectionate a way to express themselves in an almost a fool-proof way. Valentine’s Day also does not have to be just between significant others. Parents can express their love for their children, especially fathers to daughters; or friends can come together and celebrate their friendship. If nothing else, Valentine’s Day can be healthy for people, according to WebMD. People are more likely to eat chocolate and drink red wine on Valentine’s Day, both containing antioxidants. In addition, sex, often a “side effect” of Valentine’s Day, is shown to stimulate blood flow, balance hormones and help your heart. Ultimately, Valentine’s Day has turned into the Nickelback of holidays. People just enjoy hating on the day of love. For most, it is too much of everything to be enough of something, but I recommend making it not about yourself, and experience the joy of loving someone else.
STEVEN WEIRICH
is a senior majoring in economics. Contact him at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.
Since the beginning of 2017, market nerds everywhere have watched in awe as the Dow Jones Industrial Average continued to rise, month after month. According to Fred Impert from CNBC, the Dow rose by over 5,000 points during the past calendar year. Thanks to President Donald Trump’s Twitter usage, this info was shared with tons of people who might not normally pay attention to the day-to-day market movements. Trump was adamant about touting the rise of the stock market this past year, as he has pointed to it being a key indicator of his successful economic policies. Unfortunately, Trump is going to find this to be a short-sighted
strategy for highlighting his success in office. Former President Barack Obama’s experience with discussing the stock market should serve as a good example of why it is a mistake for a president to lean on the market as a barometer of economic success. According to a Politico article by Jason Furman, in March of 2009, Obama commented on how buying stock could be beneficial for people, as long as they had a “long-term perspective on it.” He was almost immediately lambasted for seeming to step outside of his role as president, acting like some type of venerated stockbroker. From then on, Obama and his economic advisors decided to stay away from commenting too much on the state of the stock market. Furman noted how this is usually the smarter path, because of the many ways this can backfire, both economically and politically. From the economic side, it is somewhat disingenuous to point to the stock market as a reflection of true economic success. This is because there are plenty of people who do not hold
any equity investments, and even when the values of equities increase for those invested in the market, it is not directly related to other economic indicators. Those other factors, such as wages and jobs, often have a more direct effect on the lives of the average American. In fact, as Furman also pointed out, the slide in the markets over the past week and a half came after the U.S. jobs report on Feb. 2 indicated significant 12-month wage growth. Politically, it is better for presidents to avoid claiming credit for the rising stock market because, invariably, the market will fall again. They then find themselves with egg on their faces, even though the president can only have a limited, if any, effect on the direction of the market. Of course, I would also caution critics of Trump to be careful here. It is just as foolish to ascribe blame for a falling stock market to the president, as it is to allow him to take full credit for its rise. There is also a third and final reason I recommend both the president and the
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stock market prices
novice market-watcher avoid paying too much attention to the Dow Jones: contrary to what some people think, the Dow Jones is not the index most accurately measuring the U.S. stock market. According to a piece on Investopedia by David Floyd, the Dow is a collection of a mere 30 companies. Unlike the S&P, all of the companies in the Dow are weighted. For
Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector
instance, if one of the stocks in the Dow goes up by $1, the index itself increases by 6.89 points. Thus, even small increases in the price levels of companies in the Dow can have a large effect on the point increase. So, if the president were to somehow come across this column, I would urge him to be careful going forward on taking credit for the movements in the
stock market. It is far from the best way to tout the strength of the economy, and he will likely pay political consequences for continuing to focus on the Dow. But really, who am I kidding? I probably have several more years of seeing Trump tweet about the great and powerful Dow Jones, to which I can look forward.
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president’s popularity
Presidential success should never be tied to the stock market
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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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Local business raises the ‘barre’ in Starkville EMMA MOFFETT STAFF WRITER
Two Mississippi State University students and one Starkville resident put their dreams into action last July and created The Studio Barre and Wellness. Located right off campus, The Studio Barre and Wellness teaches balletinspired workouts called “barre.” These workouts are lowimpact on joints and have elements similar to Pilates and yoga. The title “barre” comes from the incorporation of ballet bars into each exercise. Barre has gained popularity in recent years as it is able to strengthen your muscles in a way that creates a ballerina-physic, rather than a body-builder shape. Co-Owner Belle Hester is an MSU senior majoring in kinesiology. She previously worked at Athena Fit before its closure last spring. Hester said she missed having barre exercises as part of her daily routine and felt inspired to bring the joy of
Emma Moffett | The Reflector
Belle Hester, a senior majoring in kinesiology at Mississippi State University, is a co-owner of The Studio Barre and Wellness in Starkville.
those workouts back to her community. With two friends, Anna Frazier and Kayla Love, she began to plan for her own barre studio to take the place of Athena Fit. In just a few months, the three were able to complete their paperwork, and are now all co-owners
of The Studio Barre and Wellness. In the future, Hester plans to become a physical therapist and open her own health and fitness studio. She said she know this experience will be very beneficial as she goes down her future career path. “It is so worth it,” Hester
absolutely amazing. It’s such a privilege to work with such a talented and hardworking group of people who are just as invested in the story and their characters as I am. It’s also so much fun working with this cast because not only are they my cast mates, but they are my friends, as well.” Matheny said he loves every production for the interaction he has with the students in the show. “Theatre is an amazing art form that brings people together for a common task,” Matheny said. “The hours working along-side of the students to develop the performance, deepening our understanding of these characters, and bringing the text to life is such a joy. The play also takes place in Mississippi in the mid 1970’s. We have had so much fun with the set and costumes of this production.” Accardy said a lot of work has gone into preparing for her role, but it has been very rewarding. “Of course, there is the work of line memorization, but there is also the work character development and script analysis,” Accardy said. “There is a lot of work that goes into figuring out what my character truly wants and desires. Babe is so relatable and real. She has things about her that are likable and charming, and yet, she has things about her that are disturbing and sad, just like any human on
this planet.” Matheny said this play brings something special and charming to the stage. “The play is the story of a family broken by tragedy, and yet, the show is filled with such warmth, humor and wonderful southern charm,” Matheny said. “The story really does take you on an emotional and fun journey, as we see these three sisters bicker with, protect and cherish each other in the hardest of times.” Tickets for “Crimes of the Heart” are $13 and can be purchased online at the MSU events page.
said. “In just six months, this has helped me mature beyond my years with everything I have learned.” Since the new year, the studio has seen a spike in attendance. The owners hope this trend continues as people get ready for the summer. The Studio Barre and
Wellness offers daily classes at different times, all of which are taught by the owners. Those interested in attending a class can buy on a class-by-class basis or can purchase one of the package deals available. The owners said they encourage people interested in attending to follow them on social media to stay updated on any specials they are running since they frequently have discounts available. Hester said they have around seven to 10 people in each class and encourage new people to come and attend at least one class before they make up their mind. “Once someone tries it, they love it,” Hester said. “Most people who come always come back. It is just a matter of getting people in the door.” Despite having gone into the business with the expectation they may not be able to turn a profit immediately, the business has been turning a profit since the fall. The owners do not pay themselves and put any profit towards an emergency fund
for their business. They are currently on a one-year lease for their studio and will make a decision soon as to whether or not they will resign the lease. Current client and Starkville resident Jonette Shurden said she was a previous client at Athena Fit but has enjoyed her experiences with The Studio Barre and Wellness much more. “I am happier with The Studio Barre than I ever was with Athena Fit. The classes I go to now are more creative,” Shurden said. “I always feel welcome there, even if I am the only one to show up for a class. I am definitely more comfortable and more pleased with everything at The Studio Barre.” Shurden said she encourages anyone interested to try it out because they will not regret taking the chance on The Studio Barre and Wellness. “It is a loving and noncompetitive environment,” Shurden said. “Anyone who enjoys working out and staying fit will enjoy coming.”
Theatre MSU brings ‘Crimes of the Heart’ to life
SHELBY POINDEXTER STAFF WRITER
Theatre MSU will present its first production of the semester, “Crimes of the Heart,” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 through Feb. 17 at the McComas Hall Theatre. This story is set in 1970s Hazlehurst, and follows the Magrath sisters as they reunite and try to forget their varying pasts and work toward the future. It is a comedy about serious matters, with tension, nosy relatives and a dysfunctional family. Tim Matheny, the play’s director, said a lot of work has gone into bringing this story to life. “There are six in the cast,” Matheny said. “We have five in the production crew, and a team of builders, and backstage crew. There will be approximately 25 to 30 people involved with this show. It takes a surprising number of people working in chorus together to effectively put on a show. The cast has done an amazing job learning their lines, and almost the entire cast was off book for the first rehearsal.” Beth Accardy, who will play Babe Botrelle, said she loves being a part of this cast and show. “I am excited to work with such a hard-working group of people to tell such a realistic, and relevant family drama,” Accardy said. “This cast has been
Couple Spotlight
Emma Moffett | The Reflector
Adam Mowdy is a junior majoring in accounting from Meridian. Madison Drummond is a junior majoring in criminology from Southhaven. For Valentine’s Day, to save money, they will be having a romantic, homemade, candle-lit dinner at home.
Crimes of the Heart
Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector
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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018 @SPORTSREFLECTOR
SPORTS
Perfect game, not so perfect weather in Bulldog Kickoff Classic
BRIANNA WALKER
STAFF WRITER
Despite rain canceling a day of games, Mississippi State University’s softball started off their weekend 4-0, starting their season with the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. The Bulldogs were set to compete in a total of five games over the span of three days, but weather prevented any games on Saturday. The opening day of the 2018 softball season consisted of a perfect game. The Bulldogs competed in a doubleheader where they put up back-toback shutouts against the Mississippi Valley State University Devilettes, grabbing a 10-0 victory, beating the Omaha Mavericks 8-0 victory, despite a 2-hour rain delay. Holly Ward threw a perfect game against the Devilettes, the second perfect game in program history. The first player to throw a perfect game was Jenny Hehnke in 1997 against Alabama State University. “We were pumped to be back on the field again
Alayna Stevens | The Reflector
Morgan Bell, a senior of Braselton, Georgia, claps on second base after hitting a double.
Blake Williams| MSU Communications
Holly Ward pitched the second perfect game in school history on Friday to open MSU’s season.
at Nusz Park,” Ward said. “Calyn Adams and Mia Davidson behind the plate were really working for me. Mia was getting calls left and right and blocking balls up. Calyn closed the game with me. She did a great job. Sarai Niu, she took a beating. She told me
afterward that that was for my perfect game. It shows that they’ve got my back, and I’ve got theirs.” The Bulldogs came out aggressively and dominated on the defense as well as the offense against MVSU and Omaha. “I feel pretty good about
the day,” head coach Vann Stuedeman said. “We had productive hitting against both opponents. Timely hitting was very well today. Pitching, obviously, was very well today. We had 24 strikeouts on the day. I’m excited about Holly Ward’s perfect game, second one in program history. We really put the bat on the ball well. We played great defense. We didn’t have any errors on the day. For opening day, that’s
a good way to dust off the cobwebs.” The final day of the Classic was no different from opening day, MSU shutout Missouri State University with a score of 5-0, and Mississippi Valley State University 8-0. The Bulldogs started off slow against Missouri State but eventually adapted to Missouri State’s defense to clinch the Bulldog Kickoff Classic title. “Another good day, especially being patient to sit out the rain all day yesterday,” Stuedeman said. “I think it took us a little bit this morning to get started against Missouri State. Offensively, we have to make some adjustments a little quicker. Pitcher-wise, I feel like we need to throw a few more strikes. We had way too many walks in the first game.” In the final game of the Classic, freshman Emily Williams recorded her first career start against Mississippi Valley State. The Devilettes combated the Bulldog’s offense and held them scoreless until the bottom of the second inning, where freshman O’Neil Roberson recorded her first
collegiate hit as a one-out single to the right field. MSU’s offense soon emerged to score back-toback singles, and Kat Moore shortly added to the score with a leadoff home run. Morgan Bell then increased MSU’s lead with a three-run hit to increase the score to 7-0. Mia Davidson capitalized off a single to the left side to bring the final score to 8-0.
“We were pumped to be back on the field again at Nusz Park.” -Holly Ward, MSU pitcher
Davidson was named SEC Freshman of the Week for her efforts over the weekend. She is the first SEC Freshman of the Week since former MSU pitcher Alexis Silkwood in 2014. The Hillsborough, North Carolina, native hit for a .667 average and had a slugging percentage of 1.333. MSU will be back in action on Thursday, as they take on UT Martin at 4:00 p.m. in Starkville.
Change in line-up leads to victory Offense propels MSU as they end 11
game losing streak to the Wildcats
HUNTER CLOUD
STAFF WRITER
Friday was the first time since Sep. 23, 2017 that Giovanni Ordini and Niclas Braun have played a match together, and the change led to Mississippi State University (5-1) winning the doubles point in their match with San Diego State University (0-5). “When you play with someone for so long, you can sometimes lose your communication, you can lose your energy, and your problem solving,” head coach Matt Roberts said. “At number one, Nic and Trevor got into a bit of a rut, with how they were going to communicate and get through some of these matches.” The change in doubles was also supposed to help Gio and Florian when they are struggling by matching them with Nic and Trevor, two guys who have experience and are leaders. “What you imagine is when things are getting hard, or just the day-to-day stress of our hard practices we do. That guy is going to be able to uplift that guy that is being negative,” Roberts said. “It is one of those things that we are not scared to do that, it is all part of development, and after today, it looks great.” MSU won the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead going into singles, court one; however, suspended play as
MELISSA WEITZEL STAFF WRITER
Micheal Penn| The Reflector
Niclas Braun (left) and partner Giovanni Ordini (right) talk in between points on Friday.
Strahinja Rakic, a junior from Belgrade, Serbia, felt he and Nuno played well, despite being unable to finish. “I think we all started pretty sharp in both doubles and singles,” Rakic said. “I think me and Nuno did pretty well today, I did not think we returned good in the beginning, but as soon as we cleaned up our returns we broke the guys and we had everything in our hands.” In singles, MSU won five straight courts and nearly swept SDSU 6-1. For Rakic, it was a day to see how his elbow would hold up. Rakic felt he reacted well after not being able to serve for 10 days. “I’ve been struggling with my elbow for a while, it has been 10 days since Oklahoma, this was the first
day for me with serving and we did not know what to expect,” Rakic said. “I started hitting forehands two days ago, it was kind of weird because everyone was looking at me, waiting to see how I’m going to react to everything.” In MSU’s blowout victory, freshman Hunter Harrison got some playing time in singles as he has worked very hard, earning respect from the players and coaches. “It was a good moment for him, and the guys enjoy seeing him out there,” Roberts said. “He has a huge impact on our team in the things that people do not see, so we are constantly trying to support him and let him know he is impacting and helping our team.” MSU’s game against Pepperdine College on Sunday was canceled due to rain. Their next match is at Tulane on Feb. 23 before they open up SEC play against Auburn on March 4.
The last time Mississippi State University’s women’s basketball (26-0, 11-0 SEC) beat the University of Kentucky (12-14, 4-8 SEC) was in 2009, losing 11 times since. On Sunday, this losing streak finally came to an end as MSU beat Kentucky 74-55. MSU outscored Kentucky 22 to eight in the first quarter, but Kentucky made a strong push in the second quarter, scoring 14 points. MSU’s overall defense carried them in the first half, allowing them to score 14 points off of 13 Kentucky turnovers. Senior guard Roshunda Johnson also played a large part in the 40-22 lead at halftime, contributing 15 points and going 5-6 from 3-point range. After the game, head coach Vic Schaefer praised her offense in the first half. “(Roshunda) was very special tonight, in first half especially. She made some really big shots for us and got us where we were at half time. We’re obviously not there if she’s not knocking down shots,” Schafer said. “It just changes us when you’ve got her and Blair (Schaefer) out there. We really fed off of her.” In the third quarter, Kentucky came out strong and continued to attack MSU’s defense. They scored 21 points to MSU’s 16, cutting MSU’s lead to 9 with 1:30 left in the quarter. Kentucky’s leading player was junior guard Maci
Alyana Stevens | The Reflector
Morgan William drives down the lane in MSU’s 74-55 victory over the University of Kentucky.
Morris, who scored 17 points in the second half. “I knew I needed to be more aggressive,” Morris said. This strategy led her to 21 points, but she also fouled out of the game with 1:41 left in the game. Vic Schaefer acknowledged her play. “That third quarter was her time,” Schaefer said. “I knew she was going to come out and try to assert herself.” MSU maintained their offense, as Johnson finished the game 6-12 with 17 points. Senior guard Victoria Vivians scored 23 points, and junior center Teaira McCowan dropped 21 points. On their performance, Schaefer said, “In the second half, when Ro started struggling on offense, Victoria and Teaira really bailed us out.” After scoring 15 points against Florida last Thursday, senior point guard Morgan William’s six points seemed
less than ideal. Schaefer was quick to point out her role is not to have the most points, but to facilitate scoring by other players. He highlighted another statistic, which he felt was more important. “She has eight assists and no turnovers,” Schaefer said. “That’s an amazing stat. She’s doing what the point guard position demands of her. She knows that I want her to continue to do that, and play hard on defense.” MSU will meet Kentucky again for the last game of the regular season in Lexington, hoping to begin their own win streak with two in a row. MSU looks to extend their perfect season to 27-0 when they play Vanderbilt (6-19, 2-9 SEC) at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in Nashville. SECNetwork will broadcast the game and WatchESPN will stream it. The Bulldogs’ next home game is at 4 p.m. Feb. 18 against Texas A&M.
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