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134th YEAR ISSUE 41
TUESDAY MARCH 26, 2019
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
How Sweet it is
MSU women’s basketball on its way to the Sweet 16
MSU finance student named Orrin Swayze award winner DREW GARDNER
This year’s winner was Jimmie Webb, a senior finance and economics student at MSU. With the Orrin Swayze Scholastic Awards, the scholarships given are split into two categories, the MYB Scholars and the Swayze Scholar. Out of the five students selected, only one is selected as the Swayze Scholar, with an award of $5,000 and the MYB Scholars being awarded $1,500 each.
STAFF WRITER
The Orrin Swayze Scholastic Awards Program is a very selective scholarship program for finance students in the state of Mississippi. Throughout the years and under the direction of Finance Professor Michael Highfield, Mississippi State University has several recipients under its belt.
AWARD, 2
Read more on Page 6
Mary Georgia Hamilton, Rosalind Hutton
Jimmie Webb | Courtesy Photo
Senior finance and economics major Jimmie Webb is this year’s Orrin Swayze finalist.
Geocaching galore: Phi Beta Kappa to host first Starkville residents MSU induction ceremony participate in local treasure hunts
SAVANNAH MUNN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the oldest, and arguably most prestigious honor society in the nation as over 140 Nobel Prize winners, 40 U.S. Supreme Court members and 17 U.S. presidents have been members. Now, 40 years after its first application in 1979, Mississippi State University houses its very own chapter, and will soon host its first induction ceremony. According to a press release from MSU, this is an honor only 10 percent of U.S. universities and colleges can boast. Creating MSU’s own chapter has been a long and grueling process, and happens in a three-year cycle, contributing to the time the university spent attempting to install a chapter. The effort was started by Bill Collins in 1979, and was continued by many other devoted faculty
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members throughout the years, according to the press release. English professor Robert West spearheaded the successful campaign. “This has been a longterm goal for the university for about 40 years, a goal that’s involved whole generations of faculty and many directors, deans, provosts and presidents,” West said. “We stuck with it because we thought our best students in the liberal arts and sciences deserved the chance to be inducted into the nation’s oldest, and probably most widely recognized academic honor society. When we finally won the last vote of approval in Boston last August, at PBK’s Triennial Council, that was a wonderful feeling.” The society is not only a scholastic achievement, but something students can carry for life. According to West, the honor not only gives students a certain distinction, but it also prepares students for “life in general.”
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GRACIE BYRNE
Geocaching, a type of scavenger hunt conducted using an app on one’s phone, is a popular pastime in Starkville. For Starkville, geocaching
Mark Keenum President of Mississippi State University Rosalind Hutton
PBK, 2
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gained popularity in 2005. Shortly after picking up in the area, the Starkville Mafia was started. The Starkville Mafia is a group of individuals who go out together and geocache. The group has 3040 members, with 20-25 active members. GEOCACHING, 2
STAFF WRITER
FORECAST: This week is off to a sunny start and will continue into Thursday. However, the low for Tuesday is in the upper 30s, but by Thursday temperatures will hit the 70s.
Courtesy of Accuweather
Gracie Byrne | The Reflector
This medicine bottle container holds a tiny treasure, which it is part of the activity geocaching.
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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019
BAD DAWGS Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Employee reported a disturbance with coworker in Freeman Hall. Thursday, March 21, 2019 Non-resident issued a post-arrest citation on Blackjack Road for possession of marijuana. Aramark employee in Starbucks reported their computer being hacked by an unknown person. Resident of city/ county transported from Longest Student Health to Columbus Hospital. Student transported to OCH from Hand Chemical Laboratory. Friday, March 22, 2019 Student arrested at Gate H of Davis Wade Stadium for public drunkenness. Student arrested in Oak Hall on warrant from Oktibbeha County Sheriff Office for auto burglary. Non-resident/visitor transported to OCH from the Humphrey Coliseum for medical assistance. Saturday, March 23, 2019 Student transported to OCH from outside Humphrey Coliseum for medical assistance. Student was issued a post-arrest citation
and referral on Stone Boulevard for disregard of traffic device and for being a minor in possession of alcohol. Student was issued a post-arrest citation and referral on Fraternity Row for being a minor in possession of alcohol. Student was issued a post-arrest citation and referral on Fraternity Row for littering and being a minor in possession of alcohol. Student was issued a post-arrest citation and referral on Fraternity Row for being a minor in possession of alcohol. Non-resident/ visitor issued a postarrest citation on Stone Boulevard for possession of marijuana. Sunday, March 24, 2019 Officer responded to Fresh Foods for a welfare check/ concern of a student. Officer took possession of a fake ID from a student at Oak Hall. Non-resident/ visitor arrested in Humphrey Coliseum for disorderly conduct. For notable traffic citations, visit reflector-online. com
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GEOCACHING The group not only covers Starkville and the Golden Triangle area, but the entirety of Mississippi as well. As for the reason for starting the group, it was simply for camaraderie. Geocaching is not just finding Tupperware in the woods, it is going on adventure in one’s hometown and making friends with people in the community. While it is following the coordinates given and signing a log book, in the end, it is so much more. In a literal sense, geocaching is an outdoor activity. It involves the participants using global positioning system (GPS) technology to find ‘caches,’ which are the containers ranging from the size of medicine bottles to shoeboxes. Not all caches are created equal; some are easy to find, while others are more difficult. Terrain is also an issue; since many caches are out in the open, some can be hidden off the beaten path. Once the participants find the cache, they must sign the log book located inside of the cache to prove they found it. If big enough, some caches have ‘swag,’ or ‘stuff we all get.’ Swag are items left in a cache by other geocachers to trade. After signing the log book and grabbing any available swag items, the cache must be placed back into its designated hiding spot to be found later by the next geocacher. The Starkville Mafia sets out to hide caches
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all over Starkville and the surrounding area, hoping to draw in geocachers from out of town. By doing this, the local economy can be stimulated. The group also holds Cache In Trash Out (CITO) events. These events involve the group visiting an area of Starkville and cleaning it up, such as parks and other outdoor areas. As for Glenn Walker and his wife Frances Walker, members of the Starkville Mafia, they love geocaching. The couple has been searching for caches since 2008, and they have more than 8,000 finds and 322 hides. “I have met all of these people because of geocaching, they’re all now very good friends,” Glenn Walker said of the group. “The people you meet, the places you go, all of it is just sharing the experience. I hope it continues to grow.” Every geocacher is different, and as such, the reason for geocaching varies from person to person, even within the Starkville Mafia. “I geocache just to get out and spend time with friends. My husband and I go on the weekends,” Frances Walker said. “Even when we travel for vacation, we geocache. It’s just fun.” Sterling McCool said he geocaches to get outdoors and to do something with his family. Francine Vickers said she geocaches because it takes her places where she can meet new people. Her husband
The event is held by the Mississippi Young Bankers, a division of the Mississippi Bankers Association. Each year, any university in Mississippi with a finance program can nominate up to five students for these awards. To be eligible for the event, the students must register, and send in transcripts and a recommendation letter. Then, the MBA selects five students statewide to participate in several rounds of interviews. Webb’s win is the first Swayze Scholar win for MSU in five years. Since 2008, Highfield has coordinated the MSU branch, with seven winners to his credit. Highfield’s involvement in the program has been beneficial to the school and aspiring bankers alike. “Mr. Webb is not only a good student, he is a relationship builder,” said Highfield “To be a good banker, one has to care about meeting the needs of people
prestigious honor society in the United States,’’ said Travis. “And the ability of our best students to list they were a member of Phi Betta Kappa will matter to them downstream, applying to graduate schools and professional schools.” The installation of the chapter will be fully complete at the end of
So...I just found out I’m pregnant
to the cache, the application will alert them. Some caches have hints which made the finding process easier. Once a geocacher is in the immediate area of the cache, all they can do is look for it. Finding a geocache after a search gives a feeling of excitement and fulfillment. Not only this, but when a cache is found, it shows the participant they have used critical thinking skills and deductive reasoning. Geocaching has a worldwide presence and has existed since 2000. All in all, geocaching is not just an activity, it is an ongoing experience that changes the perception of the participant. After geocaching, participants never look at a light pole or a stop sign the same way again.
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(and) customers.” Webb has proven himself a promising student and future banker, and he said he plans to stay in Mississippi after his college career. With a focus on the local side of banking, he wants to work his way up to eventually be a lender at one of these banks. “It’s an ongoing interview process being held for the four days that you’re there,” Webb said regarding the process. With the rest of the Mississippi contestants, Webb traveled down to Point Clear, Alabama to participate in several rounds of interviews. Through evaluations, making connections and learning about the industry in the process, the event really made it clear to him that banking was Webb’s calling. “Going down there, getting to interact with these bankers and hearing stories about what they do really solidified that career path I CONTINUED FROM 1
semester level of a second language, and, as both the official PBK website and West put it, students must be of “good moral character.’’ Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Rick Travis said the honor will benefit the members down the road. “PBK is the most
James does not geocache, but he acts as the driver for the Starkville Mafia whenever the group travels. Mark Guyton and Mike Hughes said they both geocache for the newfound places and fellowship. Many people wonder why time is spent looking for medicine bottles or shoeboxes, only to find something like a pen or a whistle. Geocaching is not just about finding swag, or even finding the caches. Geocaching is about the adventure. When a geocacher starts this activity by pulling up the application on their phone and selecting a cache to search out, the adventure begins. All it takes is following the compass and watching the amount of feet decrease. Once the participant is close enough
AWARD
PBK Students typically receive their invitation during their senior year, after having shown a dedication and academic achievement within the liberal arts and sciences. Usually, inductees are in the top 10 percent of a college’s class. Students must also take at least one college-level mathematic course, and the fourth
Glenn Walker | Courtesy Photo
Glenn and Frances Walker have been geocaching together for more than 10 years.
the semester, when MSU’s very first members are inducted, a grand total of 77 students. The ceremony will be held April 2 at The Mill. Two speakers, Fredrick Lawrence, CEO and secretary of the nationwide society, as well as Lynn Pasquerella, PBK’s president, will introduce the society’s future members. West summed up his PBK experience by saying perseverance in this application over four decades made MSU a better university. “To someone with a sense of institutional history—and when you work on something like this, you develop that—it was the feeling of success after 40 years of trying. That’s a long time,” West said. “That said, I think there’s little doubt that aiming at that goal for 40 years made Mississippi State a better university.”
want to go in,” Webb said. One of Webb’s classmates, Quinten Reiser, said Webb is a diligent student. “Jim is a great, hardworking classmate,” said Reiser. “I’ve gotten to work with him on several group projects in some finance classes at Mississippi State, and he always puts forth the utmost effort and is always willing to contribute any way he can.” Webb and Reiser are also currently competing together in a national competition in their Advanced Bank Management class. Highfield had nothing but praise for Webb and said he really believes Webb
will become a great banker. Highfield said the way Webb interacts with others really makes him stand out from the crowd. The Orrin Swayze award itself is based on a Mississippi banker of the same name. Swayze was a senior officer for Trustmark in the 1960’s and wanted to carry on the tradition of banking throughout the state, with the Scholastic Awards being established in 1979. This year’s finalists for the award came from across the state, with two being from the University of Mississippi, two from Mississippi State University and one from Southern Mississippi.
Students are urged to give blood at campus blood drives STAFF REPORT
A new generation of blood donors is needed, and students are the perfect donors to pick up the call. With an aging blood donor base, statistics show nearly 60 percent of blood donations come from people over the age of 40, and nearly 45 percent come from people older than 50. The nation is in need of a younger generation to start donating blood. By starting now, students at Mississippi State University can start a new trend with themselves and their friends. Blood donation saves 12,000 lives each day, and is one of the easiest ways people can make a positive impact on the world. MSU students have the chance to #SaveTheHumans when they donate at the following blood drives on campus and receive a
Starkville Pregnancy Care Center If facing an unplanned pregnancy, please text: (662) 418-7288 NEW MANAGEMENT NEW OWNERSHIP NEW LOOK NEW PACKAGES
COME SEE US AT THE OLD SUNSATIONS LOCATION ON HWY 12 (662-324-9191)
special “I Bleed Maroon” T-shirt: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 1 by the Colvard Student Union 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 2 at Barnes & Noble 9:30a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 4 by the Colvard Student Union Schedule your appointment to donate at vitalant.org or call 877-25VITAL (258-4825). Blood donation takes about an hour from checkin to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Fast Track Health History the day they donate. It’s available at vitalant.org. Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height and weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 and 17 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.
BULLETIN BOARD 3 Brain-teaser gaming central THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019 @REFLECTORONLINE
An In-Class Distraction
... in 1804, former President Thomas Jefferson was presented with what would be dubbed a “mammoth loaf” of bread. The mammoth loaf was baked by Naval bakers, and presented at a public party at the Senate—it was accompanied by an enormous block of cheese. The cheese played a role in the loaf’s name, which has its own backstory—so stay with me here, we’re going to take a quick historical trip and tie it all back together in the end. In 1801, a giant woolly mammoth’s skeleton was found in New York. Jefferson, a member of the American Philosophical Society, and a bit of a natural science nerd, helped fund the archaeological project. Naturally, Jefferson’s Federalist opponents really lost their minds over this. They said Jefferson’s side projects were frivolous and absurd. They propagated the term “mammoth” to poke fun at the president’s expense. Now, how does this tie into the “mammoth cheese?” Well, in 1802, Baptist women in Massachusetts sent Jefferson a 1,200 pound wheel of cheese as a sign of appreciation for his religious tolerance. The group also ensured slaves were not used in the making of the cheese. In fact, some sources touted the cheese was made from over 900 Republican cows. Now back to those outraged Federalists, they rolled their eyes to the point of dubbing it the “mammoth cheese.” Switching back to the mammoth loaf, it was served with the leftover mammoth cheese, and accompanied by an equally enormous side of roast beef and copious amounts of alcohol. Jefferson stepped up to the mammoth loaf, whipped out his pocketknife and cut the first slice of bread. According to written observations, the party quickly degenerated into a noisy, drunken affair.
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 managing@ 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.
March 22 puzzle solutions
... in 1920, “This Side of Paradise” was published, and immediately launched the 23-year-old F. Scott Fitzgerald into fame and fortune. history.com
So, you think you know it all?
usefultrivia.com
1. Who did the vocals for Pink Floyd’s “Great Gig in the Sky?” 2. Who is Cinderella’s wicked stepmother in Disney’s addaption of the story? 3. What year boasted the first woman in space? 4. In 1998, a warehouse worker in the UK was sentence to five years in prison for stealing more than 300 tons of a particular candy bar. What was the candy bar? 5. What is the oldest soft drink in America? 6. What TV celebrity began show business as a teen runaway, working with the circus as a fire eater? 1.Clare Torry, 2. Lady Tremaine, 3. 1963, 4. Mars bar, 5. Dr. Pepper, 6. Pierce Brosnan
SUDOKU
CLASSIFIEDS 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.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY...
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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019 @REFLECTORONLINE
OPINION
The southern border does not present an emergency presidency on the back of anti-immigration policy points, they are expected to provide a solution to this supposed problem. I do not envy Trump’s position. Having made promise after promise to build a southern border wall, Trump has a constituency wanting results; but a border wall is neither desirable nor politically feasible. According to Pew Research, 76 percent of immigrants are here legally, but a 2018 Pew Research study found only 45 percent of Americans were correct in saying legal immigrants comprised the majority of total immigration. These two statistics provide an important insight regarding the current immigration debate, as most Americans believe illegal immigration is a larger problem than it is. It is clear there is the rhetorical reality created by politicians—unchecked mass immigration creates chaos. However, the statistical reality created by facts is the opposite—the reality of fluctuating movements of overwhelmingly innocent migrants. The border wall is symbolic of this dichotomy. It would be a symbol of the efficiency of this rhetorical reality, combating a nonexistent issue. This is not to say illegal immigration should not be addressed. It should. However, the border wall
DYLAN BUFKIN
is a sophomore majoring in English. Contact him at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.
The United States’ southern border has been the subject of political contention for the entirety of President Donald Trump’s time in office. With Trump’s recent declaration of a national emergency to fund a border wall, the topic has reached a fever pitch. Illegal immigration was, and is, a central part of Trump’s platform, and it has fueled his rhetoric since the 2016 presidential campaign. Going as far back as Trump’s presidential campaign announcement speech in June 2015, he has specifically called Mexican immigrants problematic. “They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people,” Trump said, as reported by Michelle Ye Hee Lee of The Washington Post. It was only a matter of time before this vitriol came back to bite Trump, for when one wins the
“This is an emergency!”
Rosalind Hutton
is predicated on hateful lies, which only serve to galvanize voters, and its construction would be a monument to this hatred. Research and statistics
contradict the president’s immigrant generalizations. Alan Gomez of USA Today reports Customs and Border Protection statistics reveal the vast majority of
illicit drugs are seized at legal-entry points on the southern border, not at some nondescript point in the desert. So, a longer border wall would not
address the issue of drug trafficking. Furthermore, the Cato Institute’s Alex Nowrasteh reports, “For all criminal convictions in Texas in 2015, illegal immigrants had a criminal conviction rate 50 percent below that of native-born Americans. Legal immigrants had a criminal conviction rate 66 percent below that of native-born Americans.” Immigrants are not more criminally inclined than native-born Americans, and they are not invaders seeking to destroy American values. If not the border wall, then what should America do about illegal immigration? Rather than create a destructive and disparaging stereotype of immigrants, it would be far more productive to create easier access to legal methods of immigration. The difficulty associated with immigrating to the U.S. incentivizes illegal entry, and for those in dire economic need or fleeing danger, the wait for receiving legality presents a greater threat than the possibility of arrest. If immigrants are willing to make themselves a better life and work toward a better America, it is not fruitful for America to deny them this opportunity. Instead, it would serve America well to live up to the ideals of opportunity its politicians so often espouse.
Trivia Time! 1. What European country has the longest coastline?
REFLECTIONS
2. An Astronomical Unit is the average distance between which two
Winston Churchill
objects in our solar system?
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
3. The first atomic bomb was successfully tested in which U.S. state? 4. Victorian writers Charlotte, Emily and Anne were sisters sharing what last name? Source: trivia.fyi
Answer: 1. Norway 2. The Earth and Sun 3. New Mexico 4. Brontë
The media has failed those in Flint, Michigan CRISSHARIA HARRIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Many people rely on the media to bring important local and national issues to the forefront. If the mainstream media does not report on an issue, then it is often overlooked. I believe this may be the case of the Flint, Michigan, water crisis, as its coverage has significantly declined. How often do we count the uses of water throughout our day? There are too many times to list, right? We often take water for granted because we are accustomed to having access to it. Imagine not having clean water for daily usage. It would be horrible considering the countless times and ways we use water on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately, the people of Flint, Michigan, are experiencing that exact nightmare. According to Leonard N. Fleming of The Detroit News, Flint’s lines were
Rosalind Hutton
weakened by untreated river water lacking the necessary anti-corrosion chemicals following Flint’s water source switch in 2014, while city government was under state oversight. Ever since then, Flint has been left with harmful, contaminated water. According to Monique
Judge of The Root, the people of Flint, Michigan, have been without clean water in their pipes for 1,462 days. The Flint water crisis began on April 25, 2014, and since this report was in 2018, the days without clean water have increased. However, the media has not done a great job covering this crisis.
CONTACT INFORMATION Editor in Chief/Emmalyne Kwasny 325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu
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more talk and controversy about the latest Kardashian drama and other issues of that nature. Even the president has an emergency declaration for the building of the border wall, which is not nearly as important as having clean water. Have the people of Flint who are suffering
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Life Editor/Emma Moffett
Managing Editor/Kristina Domitrovich News Editor/Katie Poe
In the beginning, it was a headliner and talked about almost everywhere. Over time, as each year passed, there has been less and less discussion on the topic. The media have stopped reporting about the crisis as much as they once did. Instead, there has been
from lead-contaminated water been completely disregarded? They have not had clean water in nearly five years. There are countless families who are impacted and exposed to this water. Why has nothing been done about the water? According to Trevor Bach of US News, residents still line up by the hundreds outside churches for early morning water deliveries and families maintain militarylike shower rituals. I cannot visualize what those people may be experiencing now. Because of the media’s lack of coverage, many people may have even forgotten about Flint’s need for clean water. Some may not even be up to date on how Flint is doing. The entire purpose of the media is to inform and educate the general public. It has failed in doing this task for the Flint water crisis. I only hope that someday soon, Flint will receive the coverage it deserves and the clean water it so desperately needs.
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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.
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5LIFE -Life& ENTERTAINMENT 5 THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019 @REFLECTORONLINE
Mason Ramsey yodels MSU hosts a range of events his way into Rick’s Café leading into Starkville Pride GRACIE BYRNE
BRANDON GRISHAM
Rick’s Café was lined wall to wall with eager fans waiting to see Mason Ramsey Saturday night. As I walked into Rick’s Café, I smelled three things: food, alcohol and vape smoke. I was here for one reason and one reason only—to see Mason Ramsey. Ramsey, who is considered a living meme, has taken the world by storm. At only 12-years-old, he is a musician from Golconda, Illinois. He became famous by appearing in a 2018 viral video, in which he yodeled Hank William’s “Lovesick Blues” in a Walmart in Harrisburg, Illinois. Before gaining fame, Ramsey performed at local venues, small events and nursing homes. He also performed at the Kentucky Opry. Ramsey performed with country stars before hitting it big. Notable names include Josh Turner, Gene Watson and Kenny Rogers. His musical style was heavily influenced by his grandfather’s vinyl collection. Ramsey listened to musicians such as Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and Buddy Holly, as a young boy. After his yodeling video spread around the internet, Ramsey was dubbed the “Walmart Yodeling Boy,” and appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show, Coachella and the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Only weeks after breaking the web, Ramsey signed with Atlantic Records and released his first single “Famous” in April of 2018. His hit single “Famous” was written by Florida Georgia
An exciting week of events is planned to lead Mississippi State University into Starkville Pride 2019. Primarily hosted by the LGBTQ+ Union, these various activities are open to everyone at MSU. Running from Monday to Thursday across campus, these events offer plenty of ways to show support for sexual preferences and gender identity. Co-hosted by other campus organizations, the level of inclusion matches the themes of this yearly celebration. LGBTQ+ Union’s mission is to promote diversity and inclusion to marginalized communities. They strive to provide students with an environment in which they can feel comfortable. Their typical bi-weekly meetings and Brown Bag sessions are not the focus of this week’s events. Instead, they are dedicated to support this year’s Starkville Pride Weekend. Months of difficult volunteer work have gone into this plan. LGBTQ+ Union hopes all attendees enjoy themselves and show their support. “Starkville Pride fosters a real sense of community between people in the Starkville area and MSU students,” said Brianna Brown, LGBTQ+ Union council member and MSU architecture senior. “It can be incredibly isolating being an LGBTQ+ student. These events really help them build community ties and celebrate their identity.” This Monday featured Pups for Pride with Small
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
Gracie Byrne| The Reflector
Mason Ramsey performs at Rick’s Cafe’s main stage for MSU students and the Starkville community on March 23.
Line’s Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder, Sarah Buxton and Canaan Smith. The song was produced by Joey Moi and Corey Crowder. Now on tour, the musician plays at venues all across the country. The tour is titled “How’s Your Girl & How’s Your Family,” and has 11 southern and heartland cities as tour dates. Fans showed up to Rick’s in western attire, donning flannel shirts, cowboy boots and cowboy hats. The concert began at 9 p.m., with Avenue Beat opening up the concert. The group gave off a light vibe because of their choice of fun outfits. While the crowd seemed to enjoy the all-girl group, they were ready for the main act. The crowd erupted when Ramsey took the stage. Dressed in a sequenced
black jacket and pants, with matching white boots and hat, he was the picture of classic country music with a modern twist. The rhinestones on his outfit caught the stage lights as he donned his acoustic guitar and began playing. He performed songs such as “Lovesick Blues,” “The Way I See It” and “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” among others. Ramsey also sang covers of other artists’ songs, such as Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” and Hank Williams’ “I Saw the Light.” Sometimes in leu of lighters or cell phone flashlights, the occasional audience member removed their cowboy boots to wave back and forth during the concert. To show his excitement for being in Starkville, Ramsey rang a cowbell. Read more at reflector-online.com
Ragtime Jazz Festival returns
TALLY DUKE
STAFF WRITER
The 13th annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival along with the Gatsby Fashion Gala is coming to Mississippi State University this Thursday through Saturday. The weekend-long event will take place in the Mitchell Memorial Library in the Templeton Museum. Lynda Graham, the events coordinator for the Mitchell Memorial Library, said the event is based on the Templeton Museum Collection. “The collection is made up of 200 instruments, 13,000 pieces of playable art and 22,000 pieces of sheet music,” Graham said. The weekend-long event will have live performances from various jazz music talent, seminars, question and answer discussions, and the famous silent movie showing. There
will be live performances by Larisa Migachyov, Martin Spitznagel, Jeff Barnhart, Dave Bennett, Hal Smith and others. The weekend’s festivities kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday night with the Gatsby Fashion Gala. There will be a reception open to the public with food after the fashion show, and performers will showcase their talent on a piano. “The Mississippi State University fashion student models will be showcasing their fashion pieces from the Gatsby Era at the Gala,” Graham said. “The models will be modeling the pieces, so attendees can see the designs.” Justin Truss, an MSU senior business administration major, is most excited for the concerts and silent movie showing. “I enjoy going to events that expose students to different musical genres and cultures, so I was excited to hear about this opportunity,
and it is free, so why would anyone not want to go?” Truss said. “The silent movie is also interesting to me because it transports viewers to a different time period, which is a fun opportunity for students and attendees in general.” The Ragtime Jazz Festival begins at 9 a.m. Friday and continues all day with multiple events and performances for the public to attend. The concerts are Friday and Saturday night, located in McComas Hall. There will also be afterhour parties after the concerts on Friday and Saturday night with hors d’oeuvres. “The after party is free and open to concert attendees, and will be located at the Courtyard Marriott in Starkville,” Graham said. “We have rented a piano for the performers to sit back, relax and play without the stress of a concert.” Read more at reflector-online.com
In honor of Women’s History Month,
GENDER STUDIES presents
SEX OBJECT: THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF MISOGYNY AND A FEMINIST RESPONSE
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
JESSICA VALENTI MARCH 27, 2019 • 4:00 P.M. KEYNOTE ADDRESS IN BETTERSWORTH AUDITORIUM AT LEE HALL RECEPTION TO FOLLOW IN OLD MAIN LOUNGE, 5:30-7:00 P.M.
Mercies Animal Rescue at 10 a.m. on the Drill Field. Drag Queen Bingo was also hosted at 7 p.m. in the Union Dawghouse. Tuesday offers a flower sale by the Horticulture Club at 10 a.m. on the Drill Field. In partnership with the Residence Hall Association, “Love Simon,” the 2018 film will be screened at 7 p.m. in the Taylor Auditorium.
“Starkville Pride fosters a real sense of community between people in the Starkville area and MSU students.” -Brianna Brown, architecture student MSU Spectrum will host Big Gay Field Day Wednesday. Starting at 10 a.m., they will offer various activities and games until 4 p.m. Wednesday evening, Safe Zone Advisory Board will host a queer religion panel at 5 p.m. in Fowlkes Auditorium. Thursday is the final day of campus events, but holds significant support from other organizations. A multicultural bake sale will begin at 10 a.m. on the Drill Field. The International Student Advisory Board, Latino Student Association
and Black Student Association will attend. Finally, an open mic night will be start at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall. It will feature performances from The Streetcar, Lab Rats Comedy and MSU’s Writing Center. Following this week’s campus events will be Starkville Pride 2019. This annual event will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community of Mississippi all weekend. It begins 8 p.m. Friday with a kickoff concert at Rick’s Cafe. Saturday will be packed with the queer art market, the pride parade, a special viewing of the film “Call Me By Your Name” and a Drag Show at Rick’s Cafe. Starkville Pride is an LGBTQIA+ pride organization serving the Golden Triangle area. Run by volunteers, the group features members from the Starkville community and MSU students. In addition to the annual Pride Weekend, the group provides endless support to all interested parties. Their mission is to help celebrate, educate and empower LGBTQ+ people and their allies. “Starkville Pride was founded by students for the community,” the Starkville Pride board said. “By working with the LGBTQ+ Union and numerous other student organizations, we hope to demonstrate our immense appreciation for the students. We admire their ability to enact impactful change on the world around them.” Expect to see several activities around campus this week. To learn about this year’s Starkville Pride weekend, feel free to check out starkvillepride.com.
66-Sports SPORTS
THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019 @SPORTSREFLECTOR
Bulldogs move past Clemson toward sweet sixteen
BRIANNA WALKER STAFF WRITER
How sweet it is. No. 1 Mississippi State University (32-2, 15-1 SEC), defeated the No. 9 seed, Clemson University (20-13, 9-7 ACC), 85-61 punching their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen in Portland, Oregon. In Portland, MSU will play against No. 5 Arizona State. This will be MSU’s fourth-straight year appearing in the Sweet Sixteen, which made the senior sendoff even better. Head coach Vic Schaefer talked about how he wanted more aggression from his team after the win against Southern University Friday night. The Bulldogs responded to his request by dominating defensively throughout the entire game
and diving for loose balls. MSU finished with 23 forced turnovers, accompanied by 42 rebounds and 52 points in the paint. The Bulldogs also held the Tigers to only 22 points after two quarters of play, and had four steals in the first half of the first quarter. “We watched film and showed some film from when we have been aggressive,” Schaefer said. “Our practices are pretty aggressive, we try to get after it. Defensively for us, we like to take people out of what they want to do.” Teaira McCowan, a senior guard from Brenham, Texas, led MSU in scoring with 30 points accompanied by 11 rebounds and 6 blocks. McCowan also became the first SEC player since Kentucky’s Victoria Dunlap to score 30 points and 10
rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game. McCowan was 14-17 from the field, and made 2-6 from the free throw line. Sunday night was the last home game for the guard, and it ended in a perfect fashion by her serving a one-of-a-kind McCowan block on a Clemson defender. “It was pretty special getting to play my last home (game) here at the Hump,” McCowan said. “It was a great way to seal the deal. I got the block and then my substitute came, and the rest was history.” Another Bulldog who had a fantastic night was Anriel Howard, a graduate student from Atlanta, who finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds and three assists. Howard showed the grit Schaefer requested by driving to the goal and contending against
Clemson defenders. Howard finished the night going 6-12 from the field and 9-9 from the free-throw line. “I just try to find the open spot,” Howard said. “I knew I wanted to attack them.” Senior guard from Conway, Arkansas, Jordan Danberry had an explosive performance, closing out her final home game by scoring 18 points, five rebounds and three steals. Danberry went 8-14 from the field and 2-4 from the free-throw line. After Sunday night’s win against Clemson, seniors Jazzmun Holmes and McCowan tied the school record for career games played, 148, which was set by former players Morgan William and Victoria Vivians last season. With two games down and four more to go, Schaefer
HUNTER CLOUD
Peters said he felt the weight of the game, as it was potentially his last with Quindarry Weatherspoon and Aric Holman, who are both seniors. It ended in the final minute of play, as the game clock hit zero on the MSU season and his collegiate career. “At that moment, I was just thinking about the season ending like be my last time playing Q and Aric,” Peters said. “So it was like a lot going through my mind processing a lot at that time. It all hurt, it is a hard pill to swallow because we put in so much work coming into this moment.” It was the first NCAA Tournament MSU’s men’s team had made in a decade, and it ended what Quindarry Weatherspoon had said was their ultimate goal at the beginning of the season: winning the National
Lanny Wallace | The Reflector
Mississippi State University ended their basketball season in disappointment, losing to Liberty on Friday night by a score of 80-76. It was a season of relative success that ended in defeat during the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Ben Howland said it was a tough loss for the program in a press release sent out by the MSU athletic department. “It’s just a tough, tough pill, tough one to swallow,” Howland said. “Especially the way we had the lead late in the game.” The game was potentially the last game for Lamar Peters, a junior point guard from New Orleans who is expected to try for the NBA draft after this season.
Diamond Dawgs get rowdy with series win HUNTER CLOUD SPORTS EDITOR
Mississippi State University’s (22-3, 4-2 SEC) fans chanted “Rowdey, Rowdey” as Rowdey Jordan, a sophomore infielder from Auburn, Alabama, stood on second base. Jordan provided one of the many sparks that gave MSU the 20-15 win to secure the series’ victory. “That was really cool, just awesome,” Jordan said. “The atmosphere here, the stadium, the fans. It was just awesome. It was just a good time. We just stayed the course and kept going.” The game was pretty rowdy, too, as there were three lead changes, 35 runs and 42 hits. Auburn had a five-run lead after scoring seven in the fourth inning, but MSU would retake the lead in the eighth inning that saw five runs come across the plate. MSU head coach Chris Lemonis said his team never wavered as they rallied to come back from a five-run deficit. “They played for each other and they just stayed engaged,” Lemonis said. “A lot of times, you will see a team back off and put their heads down. This team does not have that about us.” Every MSU player who batted in the game got a hit, and every single one had an RBI as well. They also scored at least one run in every inning of the ball game. Jordan said the atmosphere in the dugout was both crazy and positive, as the players battled to get back into the game culminating in a five-run eighth inning to take the lead and finish off the game. “It was positive even when we went down, it was just keep chipping away, a lot of baseball left,” Jordan said. “It was just a positive vibe.” During the eighth inning, a double by Jordan Westburg, a sophomore infielder from New Braunfels, Texas, scored
mentioned how the team must continue to do their best and what they have done thus far in the season. “The journey has been really special,” Schaefer said. “I’m going to try and get
them there. I believe in them.” MSU is set to play No. 5 Arizona State University March 29 Portland Regional at the Moda Center. Tip-off time and broadcast information will be announced.
Championship. In his four-year career at MSU, Quindarry Weatherspoon was the anchor of the Bulldogs, as he was calm, cool and collected, fulfilling a leadership role on the team. Quindarry Weatherspoon said he was content with his career at MSU. “I love these guys,” Weatherspoon said. “And I’d do the same thing over again with them.” Quindarry Weatherspoon, Peters and Holman will also leave a long lasting impact on the younger players like Robert Woodard II, a freshman guard from Columbus. Woodard said they led the team well. “They motivated us well, as well as teaching the young guys, freshmen, on how to control ourselves,” Woodard said. “To stay consistent throughout the season. So just going through the season
with them, we have learned a lot and we are just going to use these games as teaching lessons to move forward.” The three veteran players all placed MSU basketball back on the path to success, as they made a deep run in the NIT last year, losing in the semi finals to Penn State, and then a return to the NCAA Tournament. While part of the seniors’ legacy is still to be written, as the players they helped lead this year return to the hardwood next year with the expectations of improvement, there is no doubt they meant a lot to Howland, who said he was proud of Quindarry Weatherspoon and Aric Holman. “I will always be very thankful and really, really appreciative of their efforts and what they have done for Mississippi State basketball,” Howland said.
Successful season ends in disappointment SPORTS EDITOR
MSU’s head coach Ben Howland watches his team in a 81-62 win against Alabama on Feb. 12.
Lanny Wallace | The Reflector
Jordan Danberry drives to the basket in MSU’s 85-61 victory over Clemson on Sunday.
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Lanny Wallace | The Reflector
Rowdey Jordan gets one of his three hits in MSU’s 20-15 win over Auburn on Sunday.
Huntsville, Alabama, who scored Westburg to make it a MSU 17-15 lead with men at the corners and two outs. Dustin Skelton, a junior catcher from Olive Branch, stepped up to the plate, swung and crushed a ball to the left center wall. The centerfielder made a desperate attempt, leaping to catch the ball, but could not grab it as Skelton delivered a three-run homer to give MSU a 20-15 lead. Skelton said he had only played in one game like this last year when the Bulldogs won the first game of a super regional against Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs won that game by a score of 10-8 as Elijah MacNamee hit a walk-off home run to win the game. “Last year at a super
regional, we were at Vanderbilt, that was just unreal,” Skelton said. “I told coaches that, ‘I don’t know (if) I will ever be in a game like that again,’ and here we are.” The win gave MSU its second series victory as the Bulldogs continue to steam ahead into a short week, playing Mississippi Valley State University on Tuesday and then Louisiana State University on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Lemonis said the only thing that surprised him about his team in the game was their struggles with pitching, The team is going into their third SEC series and they continue to do the same thing. “They just keep going out and playing,” Lemonis said.
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