SPEAK Magazine Spring 2018

SPEAK MAGAZINE

MANY STYLES, ONE WARDROBE Find out how Mariah Lowe has brought the recycled fashions of LA to Ruston

UPTOWN QUALITY, DOWNTOWN FLAVOR GET A TASTE OF HOW ONE OF THE NEWEST BAKERIES IN RUSTON GOT ITS START

HONEY: IT’S THE BEE’S KNEES READ HOW HONEY IS FOR MORE THAN SWEETENING YOUR TEA

SPRING 2018 | LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY

CONTENTS 52

24

32

4

46 ARTS+CULTURE LIFESTYLES

FEATURES

4 | Take a Breather

32 | An Oceanic Wonderland

Feel the heat of a fire breather entertaining crowds in Houston.

12

8 | Ruston’s Music Scene Discover the unique culture of music found in Ruston’s coffee shops, restaurants and backyards.

FOOD+DRINK 12 | Uptown Quality, Downtown Flavor Get a taste of how one of the newest bakeries in Ruston got its start.

18 | Honey: It’s the Bee’s Knees Check out the many household uses of honey other than to sweeten your tea.

20 | Audiobooks Find out how keep up with all the best sellers when there’s not enough time to sit and read.

Dive into the vivid colors and exciting sights found in the only aquarium in North Louisiana.

22 | A Pop of Spring Color

38 | Made in New Orleans

Don’t let spring mean the farewell of putting on makeup.

Beat the humidity with this how-to in achieving long-lasting makeup looks.

Experience the journey of two Tech students who started their very own clothing brand.

FASHION

The buzz of notifications keep eyes glued to phones. Learn how accounts use different campaigns to keep users updated and informed.

24 | Dead Week Chic Browse through these college trends found seasonly during one of the most dreaded times of the quarter: the week before finals.

44 | Social Media

46 | Many Styles, One Wardrobe Find out how Mariah Lowe has brought the recycled fashions of LA to Ruston, La.

52 | For the Love of Fishing Read the tall tales told by one the youngest sea captains on the East Coast.

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From the Editor

I

SPEAK

f you are reading this, you most likely know me. If you know me, you know I am not a journalism major, and I did not initially want to attend Louisiana

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jenna Price

Tech. I am still here because I fell in

love with the people of Ruston, and I love writing about all the stories I encounter.

MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Maxwell

When I came into Tech 4 years ago, little did I know Ruston would find a place in my heart as I found a place in the community.

WRITERS Stormi Verret Cecile Jennings Jenna Carrier Kristyn Miller Kallie Crawford Victoria Houston Hannah Jones

If you are reading this but you don’t know me, this is the part of the magazine where I talk about the following stories and articles you are about to read. Here it goes. You will find stories that subtly highlight Ruston’s progression of gradual interestingness. It is the people of this charming city, tucked away

PHOTO EDITOR Brian Blakely

in the crook of I-20, that keeps many of us here.

It did for me.

If you are reading this, you should know I came to Tech wanting to be just another number.

I was determined to simply attend until graduation in order to move onto the next stage of life.

Yet, I leave this university with some of the best friends I have ever made, the best experiences I have ever endured and the best and most optimistic outlook on what lies ahead.

I hope to leave some sort of significant mark on this university other than another brick in

PHOTOGRAPHERS Kallie Crawford Victoria Houston Colin Fontenot Ashley Kober

the sidewalk. As a freshman, I fought with everything I had to keep Tech from leaving some sort of sentimental mark on me. But since you are reading this, it’s too late.

Thank you to the writers, photographers and designers who worked on this issue. There is not enough gratitude in the world to be offered to Rachel Maxwell or Brian Blakely for what they have given to the Journalism Department here. I am honored to have worked under them and, then, alongside of them on numerous publications. Of course, thank you to Mike LeBlanc who works thanklessly for his students, whether they are communications majors or not.

This is my last publication for Tech. With each previous publication, I have learned to love

DESIGNERS Kailyn Dollar Matte Pettit ADVISERS Michael LeBlanc Dr. Judith Roberts T. Scott Boatright

people even more with every interview and story told. I am a part of all that I have met, as Tennyson once wrote. I discovered this deeper love because of Tech’s education and the Lord’s grace to open my eyes. Because of this, I will faithfully, now and forever, ever loyal be.

PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael LeBlanc

@LATechSpeak speakmagazinemedia JENNA PRICE Editor-in-Chief

©SPEAK Magazine is published quarterly by students in the journalism concentration in the department of communication and media studies at Louisiana Tech University. Views expressed in the magazine do not necessarily express the views of Louisiana Tech University. SPEAK Magazine welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address, and classification or title. We will not print the telephone number or address. Direct all letters and inquires to mleblanc@latech.edu

speakmagazinemedia

Louisiana Tech University is committed to the principle of providing the opportunity for learning and development of all qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status for admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the University sponsors or operates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http:// www.latech.edu/administration/ policies-and-procedures/1445.shtm.

SPRING 2018 | 3

Arts+Culture

4 | SPEAK magazine

Takea

Breather An inside look into the life of a multi-talented performance artist WORDS JENNA CARRIER

PHOTOGRAPHY FRANK KOVALCHEK

SPRING 2018 | 5

A

s music begins to play in the dark room, every bit of sound from the crowd disappears. A figure on stage steps forward. With one swift breath, flames ferociously escape his mouth. Faces in the crowd illuminate while excitement, as well as warmth, can be felt throughout the room.

The kinetic energy that Jandro Herdocia brings to the stage quickly translates to the crowd. They feed off his energy just as much as he feeds off theirs.

Herdocia is a performance artist living in Houston. His performances range from shows at local night clubs to small festivals in Louisiana and larger ones in Texas and Ohio.

Herdocia said that he aims to provide an exciting experience and create a thrilling environment at every single one. He added that making the moment unique is his favorite part of performing.

“Variety fosters creativity,” he said.

“So do limitations.”

Herdocia said that due to his 6 | SPEAK magazine

“Variety fosters creativity. So do limitations.”

- Jandro Herdocia desire to provide variety, every performance is different. Depending on the performance, he may give off the appearance of a gypsy performer sporting a pair of Indian-inspired harem pants with a corresponding vest.

Usually he performs as a clown wearing something a bit more formal with a sports coat, bowler hat, eccentric socks, the occasional bowtie and a full face of white makeup.

He said that the idea of the clown came out of a need to perform for The Medrano Brothers’ Death Circus at Super Happy Fun Land several years ago.

Around the performance community, Herdocia is known as “Cilantro” – a name chosen as a result

of his love for the green herb.

“I really love cilantro. I put it on my notorious ‘Brick’s burgers’ and well, it sort of sounds like Jandro,” he said.

“Some people love it, and some people hate it – that’s life.”

Herdocia began working on his performance art a little more than six years ago. While seeing others perform, he made the decision to try his hand at it. He recalls grabbing a few tennis balls, throwing them in some socks, and spinning poi. From that day on, he was hooked.

“I saw it,” Herdocia said. “I wanted to do it. I became empowered.”Spinning poi, a performance art that originated in New Zealand, is the act of swinging and manipulating different types of objects through various movements and patterns. Herdocia adopted this trade and realized that he loved it and wanted try some other things as well - allowing himself to evolve as a performer. He dances, juggles, walks on stilts, creates and builds his own props, but he most enjoys working with fire.

“I enjoy sharing the moment with others. I find it therapeutic.”

- Jandro Herdocia

Herdocia said that he attributes his fascination with fire to the sound it makes, the beauty of the flames, and the feeling that he gets when he is able to hold it.

“I enjoy sharing the moment with others,” he said. “I find it therapeutic.”

Manipulating and breathing fire are more than just hobbies for performers like Herdocia. Like most artists, he said he pours all that he has into his craft – spending every spare chance that he can learning and improving.

“This is a lifestyle,” Herdocia said.

“I don’t own a television. I don’t own furniture. I have mirrors and a yard. I want an indoor place to practice with vaulted ceilings (one day).”

Because he is a man wearing many hats -- hats other than just the red one adorned with flowers that he wears on stage -- he remains very busy fulfilling various roles. He said he spends just as much time working on the “behind the scene” aspects as he does choreographing and performing his on-stage productions.

“I like to write stories and bring them to life,” he said. “I like to challenge myself and others to create.”

As much as he enjoys performing solo, Herdocia said he also likes performing with others. He explained that a single performer can create so many shapes, but they can create

even more with a partner.

Alongside fellow performers Alie Rose and Ms. Yet, Herdocia has created a performance troupe regional to Texas. As a team, they co-lead and curate performances and teach workshops. He said he was encouraged to create a fire and flow arts collective. He decided to name it MDSO which stands for Mental Dexterity Special Ops.

Herdocia stresses the importance of collaborating to other performers.

He said collaborating encourages strengths and stretches limitations.

Herdocia is still continuing to grow as a performer. As much as he loves learning and working on his art, he enjoys teaching others even more. He hopes, one day, to have the opportunity to perform and teach others all over the world.

Ruston’s Music

Scene

Despite its size, the music scene in Ruston is alive and growing WORDS HANNAH JONES PHOTOGRAPHY KALLIE CRAWFORD

T

he sound of music doesn’t just come from the hills. No, the sound of music flows from the tracks in Ruston.

From junior high students leading worship in church to college students branching out with their passions to the old-timers who just enjoy piddling on the weekends, a diverse community of people is bound together in one love: music.

The music scene in Ruston is one that includes multiple settings for different kinds of music. These places are often easily accessible and very accommodating to the performers as well as providing comfortable atmospheres for music lovers.

The local coffee shops of Ruston are the typical venues for hosting open mics. They create not only a relaxing atmosphere for light audiences but also a simpler avenue for local musicians to introduce their art.

The Depot, a coffee shop owned and operated by First Baptist Church of Ruston, host live performances of bands looking for exposure. These performances

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are in addition to their regular once a month open mic night, Depot After Dark.

“Open mic night is simply calling and reserving a spot,” said Braden Hilton, the organizer of performances at The Depot. “The set bands, however, are contacted by myself. It is normally a pretty laid back atmosphere with a nice stage and sound equipment. We typically alternate between an open mic night and bringing in a band that is looking to get more exposure. Other than that, there are random groups that rent our space to do music events from time to time.”

Railway, another local coffee shop of downtown Ruston, is seeking to increase their number of music performances in order to promote their business along with supporting local musicians.

“We try to have at least one a quarter,” said Mallory McClure, event coordinator at Railway. “We would like to get to the point where we have it maybe once a month or so. We just love the connections we get to make with people by bringing them in to play. When they come, they bring business that we normally don’t receive and they receive recognition. So it’s like a win-win.”

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D

aniel Allen recently became the new owner of Parish Press, a local favorite in coffee and beignets.

He said he loves the atmosphere created by the performers which brings an influx of customers and a serenade of relaxing music in the background.

“Typically the style of music is warmer and acoustic, matching our usual vibe,” Allen said. “Faster and stronger songs are a fun breath of fresh air. We can always tell just how much students who are studying and doing homework are into it because even though they don’t watch, you’ll still see the earbuds come out.”

Like The Depot, Parish Press hosts regular open mic nights as well as individual band performances.

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Acquiring a spot in the line-up is no daunting task.

“I put a call out over social media and through word of mouth to alert the community of upcoming open mic nights, so they can prepare,” said Allen. “Sometimes we use a ‘soft’ signup sheet to insure everyone gets a time slot, but usually it’s unnecessary, and the lineup is casual. For single band performances, they come to us, and we agree on a night.”

The small bands and single musicians enjoy the simple atmosphere of these local coffee shops where they receive the added benefit of further exposure into the musical community.

“As a local band, getting yourself out there is extremely important, so we like to play anywhere any chance we get,” said Haidyn Long, lead singer of Whys of the Wise. “Open mic nights at coffee shops like Parish Press are awesome exposure. Each one kind of

has its own vibe and usual audiences too. It helps expose you to different people of different ages and get your music out in general.”

Local coffee shops are not the only venues that cater to these up-andcoming musicians. Small restaurants downtown, such as Sundown, also host local as well as well-known bands and musicians for the pleasure of their dining patrons.

“Having bands and musicians perform is fun, and our customers love it,” said Ella Guy, the general manager of Sundown. “We have a lot of local musicians, and so, we try to intermix them with those from out of town.

We’ve actually had incredibly famous people play here, like Matthew Ryan, Pelander, Sara Tone, but then, we also have local artists, like Hank Dammit, play here.”

Alive By Sunrise, a band of Louisiana Tech students, has

showcased their musical talents at Sundown and Railway, as well as Tech’s campus.

“We’ve had really great experiences and shows at all the venues we’ve played in Ruston,” Theodos said.

“Each venue has its own cool factor, but playing at Tech has allowed us to play shows with some of our favorite bands like Colony house and Judah and the Lion.”

Even Ruston Farmer’s Market has entered the music scene, hiring local musicians to accompany the local produce of the community.

“We do our best to give up-andcoming or well-known local musicians an opportunity to showcase their talents in a casual, relaxed setting.” said Mallory Austin, assistant manager of the Farmer’s Market.

“We believe that local music is the perfect compliment to local food. It helps to create an environment that brings a sense of community and togetherness.”

Hank Dammit is one band that has played in multiple of these locations in Ruston. They have experienced performing indoors as well as outdoors, finding that even this small difference can affect the atmosphere of a performance.

“We’ve played a pretty good handful of the places here in Ruston, including Sundown Tavern, The Back Bar, Garden Baby, Railroad Park, Ruston Farmers Market, Makers Fair/ Railroad Fest, various house parties, The Peach 99.3, and even going as far as playing on the streets,” said Jackson Faulkner, the bass player for Hank Dammit. “Makers Fair was by far one of my favorite places that we’ve played. The setting is outside when the weather is nice, and you get to be close to your audience as they walk by.

It’s just very laid back and with all the makers there. The effect is electric on the music we make in that moment.

But I don’t think I really could choose one over another.”

Bethany Raybourn is a solo artist who agrees with Faulkner’s sentiment regarding venues. For her, rather than location, the enjoyment rests in the audience.

“My experiences as a performer depends on the crowd for sure,” said Raybourn. “I wouldn’t say I have a favorite venue. Instead, I’d say more of a favorite crowd. I like people who listen and are open to looking at music songwriting as an art form. Sometimes an audience just wants to hang and talk, but the best times of playing are when people are listening to and loving the music. Of course, I do turn on the entertainment factor for every

performance but just because that’s my personality.”

Of course, all of these venues and musicians are a mere taste of the larger symphony of music in Ruston.

There are other avenues such as backyard concerts, like Susan’s Place and The Farm, and newer restaurants, like Utility Brewing Co., that will be showcasing even more local musicians.

The accessibility and enthusiasm of these venues for performances by local musicians and artists are attribute to the Ruston community’s love of music. Follow the sound of music and take a step into any of these venues to experience the beat of Ruston’s heart of music.

SPRING 2018 | 11

Food+Drink

UPTOWN QUALITY, DOWNTOWN FLAVOR Morgan Garrison hopes to provide more than just tasty treats to the community of downtown Ruston WORDS JENNA CARRIER

PHOTOGRAPHY ASHLEY KOBER

14 | SPEAK magazine

n the corner of West Railroad Avenue and North Vienna Street sits a quaint building that Morgan Garrison has made home to one of the newest bakeries in town: Uptown Downtown.

It is painted a vibrant shade of blue that is sure to draw anyone in.

Walking in, a noticeably stocked counter filled with an assortment of pastries catches the eye. The rest of the room opens up and offers plenty of seating for anyone who wants a place to sit and relax or catch up with friends.

Garrison said that she wants to offer quality products that taste as great as they look, but she also hopes to provide a comfortable environment that welcomes everyone in.

- Morgan “I wanted it to be really homey and just very inviting,” she said. “I wanted to create somewhere that just feels like home.”

Uptown Downtown may be a name that has only been heard since its doors officially opened in June of 2017, but the establishment was formerly known as KaCee’s Sugar and Spice. It was owned and operated by Garrison’s mother. Garrison worked at her mother’s bakery throughout high school and managed it while she attended college at Louisiana Tech.

Growing up, Garrison traveled around the U.S. from Alaska to New

York, learning from instructors and well-known cake designers, like Marina Sousa and Colette Peters.

While she soon adopted baking as a hobby, Garrison was not always sure that she would be owning a bakery in downtown Ruston. With a degree in merchandising and consumer studies, she had dreams of working in sports marketing. After taking a break from the bakery business to explore other avenues, she soon realized baking was precisely what she wanted to be doing and Ruston was exactly where she wanted to be.

“Having a business in my hometown is special,” Garrison said.

“The older that I get the more I realize just how special it truly is.”

Garrison While Uptown Downtown is a bakery, Garrison said she wants everyone to know they have more to offer than just their beautiful wedding cakes and delectable sweet treats.

They offer a menu during the day with different lunch options that customers can choose from. They will soon be keeping oven-ready meals in their coolers. Pre-made cakes will accompany them. Both are perfect for the mom who is on the go or the student who needs to pick something up last minute.

In addition to providing the

“I wanted to create somewhere that just feels like home.”

community with quality food, Garrison said she is passionate about helping plan events and providing her customers with anything else that she can help with. Sometimes that includes connecting her bridal clients with vendors. Other times that might include hosting an event for about 40 guests inside the bakery.

She truly enjoys connecting with her customers and clients so much that she is even open to hearing their suggestions.

“Our carrot cake recipe is actually a family recipe that came from a client who wanted it for their groom’s cake,” Garrison said. “It was the best carrot cake I have ever had. We are always open to options and love for people to give us their two cents because you never know what could be the next best thing.”

SPRING 2018 | 15

“We are just looking forward to what the future holds. Who knows where we are heading, but we are glad to be on that path. This is definitely a journey, and it’s an exciting one.”

-Morgan Garrison

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Garrison feels that their cannolis and salted caramel brownie bites are two menu items that set them apart from other bakeries. She does, though, enjoy being a part of the baking community in Ruston because she feels that everyone can bring something different to the table.

“Everyone has their specialties,” she said. “Everybody is good, but they are all different, and I think that is what makes it so special – to have a town that has more than one bakery, yet each one has something specific to offer is amazing.”

For people like Garrison who have grown up in Ruston, seeing the community come together in an effort to make the town more of an exciting place is rewarding.

She is thrilled to be a part of the movement as Ruston continues to thrive and flourish.

“I love that they are bridging the community and the university,” she said. “That’s huge. Even when I was in school (in 2012), there was such a disconnect, and I love to see that they are working on that.”

With only having been open for less than a year, Garrison said that she is grateful that the town of Ruston has taken Uptown Downtown in and supported them the way that they have.

“We are just looking forward to what the future holds,” Garrison said. “Who knows where we are heading, but we are glad to be on that path. This is definitely a journey, and it’s an exciting one.”

IT’S THE BEE’S KNEES! Want something that can replace your antibiotic cream and the jelly on your morning toast? Try honey.

Read on for some ideas on how to use honey provided by an expert beekeeper.

WORDS STORMI VERRET

ILLUSTRATIONS MATTHEW PETTIT

M

ost people know honey can be used as a sweetener, but its other uses can be even sweeter than its taste.

Jack Lithgoe, the president of Capital Area Beekeepers in Baton Rouge, has been a part of the beekeeping community for nearly 15 years and has shared some insight into the extensive uses of honey.

Honey has a long history of uses from around the world and is still utilized in concocting a variety of

“Honey produced in your local area can inoculate you against plant based allergies.”

- Jack Lithgoe

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home remedies.

“Honey has been used as medicine for over 4,000 years,” said Lithgoe, “It was used in nearly every medicinal product by early Egyptians. It was also in nearly every formulation of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine.”

Some honey has even been found in ancient pyramids, and it was still in usable condition. Here, we have compiled a list of some lesser known ways to use honey:

1 2

HONEY AND GINGER

According to Lithgoe, “Honey and ginger are a cure for cough.” The mix tends to be soothing and antiinflammatory and might even help with digestion.

HONEY AND GREEN TEA

Consuming local honey can be beneficial in more ways than one. Aside from supporting the local economy, according to Lithgoe, “honey produced in your local area can inoculate you against plant based allergies,” and “pollen ingested is said to assist the immune system.” Pairing it with your favorite green tea can amp up the health benefit and prep you for allergy season.

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MANUKA HONEY

Aside from treating coughs and allergies, some types of honey are thought to have even more medicinal qualities. For example, Lithgoe claimed that “Manuka (tree) honey lives up to its hype of super healing. It is from the Melaleuca family, a well-known anti-bacterial ‘Tea Tree Oil.’” Manuka honey, found in Australia, is also being used in research on the treatment of cancer and HIV and has yielded positive, albeit currently inconclusive, results.

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TOPICAL OINTMENT

Egyptians often used honey to treat open wounds, and as it turns out, they were not entirely off-base. Per Lithgoe, “Honey inhibits nearly 60 species of bacteria, is antiinflammatory,” meaning it could help in fighting off infection in small cuts.

JACK OF ALL TRADES

Aside from small abrasions, honey is also “antifungal, useful for dandruff, athletes foot, and dermatitis,” and “it is a worldwide common treatment for eye diseases and conjunctivitis, keatitis, corneal injuries, chemical and thermal burns,” Lithgoe said. So, keeping some honey around the house could prove useful in a variety of situations.

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HONEY AND BISCUITS

No real health benefits, just a nice snack.

This may be especially true for those in Louisiana, as Lithgoe said, “Louisiana Wildflower Honey is one of the most flavorful honeys produced in this country due to the large and diverse assortment of nectar producing plants.”

I SPY

Keep an eye out for the distinctive deep amber color of Louisiana honey. While it does If honey crystallizes in not usually hang around large the pantry, fear not. grocery stores, it Simply warm the honey or use is often spotted it as is — the crystallization at local produce markets, farmers will not affect the taste or markets, fruit and decrease the benefits. vegetable stands and hardware stores. For those especially good at playing car games, the occasional “Local Honey for Sale” sign on a rural road might be worth a pitstop.

FUN FACT

So, if you are now looking for some local honey to fill out your pantry or medicine cabinet, it’s fairly easy to find. Most farmers’ markets have a booth dedicated to honey, and, for the readers in Ruston, it is also sold at Tech Farm.

BONUS ON BEESWAX Honey is not the only bee product with perks.

“Beeswax is used in fine furniture wax, bullet reloading, candle making, craft carving, cosmetics, deodorants, lip balm etc.,” said Lithgoe.

Jennings Apiaries in Ruston even uses the wax for their Beard Butter and Premium Tattoo Care.

SPRING 2018 | 19

Lifestyles

AUDIO BOOKS

THE KEY TO A LIFESTYLE OF READING THAT FITS YOUR ROUTINE WORDS CECILE JENNINGS

I

t can be hard to find time in a busy schedule to read. Looking beyond the traditional way of reading might be the answer you are looking for.

Having trouble finding an hour in your schedule to read a book that has been on your shelf for weeks? Are you are trying to force yourself to read more because you have been guilt tripped by Netflix asking you if you are “still watching” one too many times? There is good news: audiobooks are not only for kids.

The rise in popularity of services, like Audible from Amazon, demonstrate that audiobooks could be the key to a lifestyle of reading that fits into a busy schedule.

Audiobooks offer a chance to be a lifelong learner, make the most of mundane tasks, keep your brain active and rediscover stories.

The idea of being a lifelong learner or continuing an adult education might seem daunting, but the idea is quite attainable. Be curious. Adults have the opportunity to learn, not because of an impending assignment due, but out of a simple desire to be curious and knowledgeable. Audiobooks and podcasts offer an array of knowledge at hand (literally downloaded to your smartphone), to explore at your leisure.

The defining factor that sets audiobooks apart from traditional reading is their ability to be taken anywhere and listened to simultaneously while doing other tasks.

Grocery shopping, folding laundry, doing dishes, driving and more can be done while listening to an audiobook.

These everyday tasks soon become the backdrop to something you really enjoy.

Listening to an audiobook has been called the “cheater’s way of reading.” Although audiobooks and tradi-

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tional reading are different activities for the brain, as far as a mental processes involved, there is no difference in understanding language between reading and listening.

Daniel Willingham, a psychologist at the University of Georgia wrote that a, “1958 study found listening comprehension correlated strongly with reading comprehension, suggesting that those who read books well would listen to them well. In a 1977 study, college students who listened to a short story were able to summarize it with equal accuracy as those who read it.” Keeping your brain active and sharp by reading now applies to audiobooks as well.

Additionally, audiobooks help us to rediscover the power of a stories as adults. C. S. Lewis once said, “A children’s story which is only enjoyed by children is a bad children’s story.” Stories touch us in a way that does not depend on our age, but instead, it is common to every human. Audiobooks also strengthen attention span, reading comprehension, vocabulary and sentence structure and, of course, imagination.

Being read to out loud disciplines a child’s attention in a way that reading on their own does not. They are forced to listen and focus on someone else’s voice, lengthening their attention span little by little over time.

Andrew Pudewa, director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, suggests that once a child reaches an age where their vocabulary begins to develop and reading on their own is not a struggle anymore, listening to an audiobook above their reading level improves their comprehension of the material. Their vocabulary and knowledge of sentence structure additionally expands.

Words like, ‘audacious,’ ‘foul,’ and ‘satisfaction’ are hard for children to read. When heard in the context of a story and a narrator’s diction and inflection, the definitions and pronunciation can be more easily understood.

Whatever your age, audiobooks offer an entire world of entertainment and learning, just waiting to be explored.

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AUDIOBOOK SUGGESTIONS: FOR ADULTS

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1. Landline

by Rainbow Rowell and read by Rebecca Lowman 2. Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck and read by Gary Sinise 3. Alone in Berlin

by Hans Fallada and read by John Telfer

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4. The Testament of Mary

by Colm Toibin and read by Meryl Streep 5. The Art of Thinking Clearly

by Rolf Dobelli and read by Eric Conger

FOR CHILDREN

4

9

6. 100 Cupboards

by N. D. Wilson and read by Russel Horton 7. The Hobbit

by J. R. R. Tolkein and read by Rob Inglis 8. The Great Brain

by John Fitzgerald and read by Ron McLarty

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10

9. Matilda

by Roald Dahl and read by Kate Winslet 10. Call It Courage

by Armstrong Sperry and read by Lou Diamond Phillips

SPRING 2018 | 21

A pop of

SPRING COLOR Makeup products that promise to help your look last from early in the morning to late at night.

WORDS VICTORIA HOUSTON Springtime in Louisiana comes with many perks: rain, warmer weather and the blooming of beautiful flowers that make for excellent Instagram content.

However, with this beauty comes consequences: pollen, allergies and the good old fashioned Louisiana humidity slowly beginning to rise again.

Those who love to wear makeup (especially for said Instagram posts) may suffer from the longevity of their makeup running low due to these conditions.

These are some items to add to your makeup collection that will keep your spring makeup looking good all day even without a filter.

Eyeshadow: Anastasia Modern Renaissance Palette ($42) This eyeshadow palette comes in 14 shades, 11 matte and three metallic, that are all perfect for spring. This is Anastasia Beverly Hills’ first permanent palette. It can be used to create endless looks for daytime and evening while also containing a highly pigmented, easyto-blend formula.

Eye Primer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($22) Apply this long lasting eyeshadow primer all over the lid and set with a small amount of setting powder.

Mascara: Wet n’ Wild Max Volume Plus Waterproof Mascara ($4.99) Apply this mascara all over your upper lashes to darken and create a more voluminous look.

Eyeliner: Elf Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner ($2) Apply this liquid eyeliner above the eyelash line to possibly create a winged eyeliner look for an extra flare. Start your line wherever you feel comfortable—the midpoint of the eyelid and the inner corner are both popular options—and place the liner tip as close to your lash line as possible. Use small strokes to apply. Applying slightly more pressure will draw a thicker line. Your liner should start thin in the inner corner, and get thicker toward the outer corners. If any mess ups occur, dip a cotton swab in makeup remover and carefully wipe the imperfections away.

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Eyebrows: Makeup Revolution Brow Pomade ($9) Apply and blend a small amount of pomade with the eyebrow brush to outline, fill and texturize brows.

Lips: Tarte Tarteist quick dry matte lip paint ($20) This lip paint 26 different shades that could work as either day or night looks.

First, use the felt tip to contour lips by tracing along the upper and lower lip line.

Then, shade inside the lip line using the flat surface on the applicator. The quick dry formula will set in quickly and last all day.

VICTORIA HOUSTON

Primer (face): Elf Cosmetics Illuminating Face Primer (Small - $6, Large - $10) Investing in a good primer and spending just a few extra seconds applying it can save you later in the day.

This primer promises a naturally glowy finish.

Apply all over the face with either your fingertips or with a brush to keep your makeup in place all day.

Highlight: J.cat Beauty You Glow Girl Highlighter ($8.99) This highlight comes in 6 different shades.

Apply it to the top of your cheekbones and anywhere else the sun may naturally hit your face. Everyone loves a nice and natural glow, but there’s a big difference between a healthy radiance and an over-the-top shine.

Avoid cream highlighters or anything too luminous, as the humidity will make you extra shiny and sweatylooking if you have too much sparkle on your skin.

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape ($27) After foundation, apply this concealer under the eyes and on top of any imperfections and blend into the skin.

Contour: J.Cat Beauty Quad Spectrum Palette (Contour- $5.99) With a contouring or sculpting brush, apply your chosen bronzing shade to the sides of the nose, hollows of cheeks, jawline and hairline to slim your face.

Apply the highlighting shades over the nose, cheekbones, brow bone, forehead center and cupid’s bow to lift. Be sure to blend the two shades together using either a circular or swiping motion until no harsh lines are visible.

Setting Powder: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder ($7.99) Foundation alone always finds itself a way to slide around throughout the day, setting it with powder will keep it in place, make sure to blend it out to make sure your face doesn’t end up cakey.

Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation ($7.99) Apply all around the face with an applicator of your choice. If your skin is oily, pick up the bottle of this that dries on matte. If your skin is on the dryer side, pick up the hydrating bottle. This foundation comes in 40 different shades, so it should be easy to match many different skin tones.

Setting Spray: Urban Decay All-nighter Makeup Setting Spray ($32, Travel Size- $15) Urban Decay’s most popular Setting Spray lasts up to 18 hours. Adding the setting spray should be the last step. After spraying your face, be sure to grab something to use as a fan to dry and help it set.

SPRING 2018 | 23

Fashion

In the madness before exam week, the clothing people don is often indicative of their mental duress.

Whether it is chaotic cramming for chemistry or imitating eloquence for English, tensions are high, and fashion gets thrown to the wayside.

So here is who you might spot on your local college campus during this not-so-calm before the storm.

WORDS STORMI VERRET

PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN BLAKELY

SPRING 2018 | 25

Coffee Queen Seven cups of coffee later and it is only three o’clock ‌ in the morning.

That oversized sweater and go-to leggings combo has probably been on for the past 72 hours, and it is becoming unclear whether the shaking is from caffeine or stress.

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Sporty Spice The trusty combination of workout attire, from the leggings and running shoes to the sports bra and ponytail. She may look like she is hitting the gym, but she is really hitting the books.

Hot Mess She can be seen sporting the winning combination of pajamas and the remnants of an ill-timed night-out.

Heels in hand, her hair is disheveled, and clothes are a mess. But at least her makeup looks alright.

SPRING 2018 | 27

The Jelly Bean These people can no longer be bothered to put brain power into matching and have resorted to wearing various shades of the same color, making them resemble their equally monochromatic namesake.

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The Starving Artist Plagued by the same dilemma as the Jelly Bean, with entirely different results—maybe wearing EVERY color, pattern, and texture in the closet will cancel out the clashing?

WINTER 2018 | 29

80s Soccer Mom The normally stunning vintage style has tragically devolved into not-so-clean mom jeans, a shamefully awkward cardigan and sadly sensible white sneakers

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The Walking Dead It is honestly shocking this kid managed to roll out of bed this morning. Armored with his favorite pajama pants, he faces the upcoming week with a dwindling dream of a decent GPA.

“That Guy�

Gym shorts and a graphic T-shirt: this now describes an alarming percentage of the male population on campus as even those who do know how to dress themselves reach the dregs of their wardrobes.

SPRING 2018 | 31

Features

An Oceanic

Wonderland Experience North Louisiana’s first underwater attraction WORDS VICTORIA HOUSTON

PHOTOGRAPHY ASHLEY KOBER

B

efore Nov 1, 2017, there were no aquariums to serve North Louisiana, Mississippi, South Arkansas or East Texas quite like the underwater world that is the Shreveport Aquarium. Those who lived in North Louisiana would have to drive three to four hours to Dallas or New Orleans to find an aquarium.

Built by the riverfront, the aquarium is 21,000 square feet and has a lot in store for visitors of all ages. The aquarium showcases 270 different species of aquatic animals for visitors to gaze their eyes upon. This also includes three different touch exhibits where people are allowed to pet animals such as stingrays, jellyfish, starfish and other aquatic species. These exhibits were built to educate visitors on the different strange textures that are out there in the ocean, as according to Jake Wood, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at the Shreveport Aquarium. The fish are from all over the world, including a shipment of fish from Australia, which included two grey reef sharks. “A lot of people ask, ‘Why Shreveport?,’ and we like to ask back, ‘Why not Shreveport?’” Wood said.

“Shreveport was on a list of a lot of different cities that would be the potential location for our first aquarium.

Shreveport has positioned itself as a perfect location not only for the tourism aspect but with the infrastructure that is the Barnwell Center. We are very fortunate to have been able to use it, seeing that it has such a fantastic shell.”

The building was once the Barnwell Garden and Art

34 | SPEAK magazine

“A lot of people ask, ‘Why Shreveport?’ and we like to ask back, ‘Why not Shreveport?’”

- Jake Wood

Center, which is an iconic part of the skyline of downtown Shreveport. The dome of the Barnwell Center has been transformed into a swamp-like atmosphere, and it also houses a small pond with a few ducks which pays homage to the duck pond in Shreveport.

“The Barnwell Center was opened in 1970 as a place where people can come together, and in the design of the aquarium itself, we wanted to stay true to that,” Wood said.

Wood said the Shreveport Aquarium was designed to where it can double as an event space, which is why there are wedding packages offered to those who wish to get married by the riverfront or in the dome of the Barnwell Center. These wedding packages include a wide variety of offers such as photography, a DJ

and a wedding planner. The opening of the aquarium provided the ShreveportBossier area with many new job opportunities. During the hiring process, the aquarium had a wide variety of positions for people to fill, such as greeters, marine biologists, bartenders, wedding planners and more.

While visiting the aquarium, one can eat at their onsite riverfront restaurant, SALT, either inside or on the outdoor patio, which can seat up to about 100 people.

Tickets can be bought online for $12 for adults and $8 for children. They are available for different time slots. However, visitors can stay as long as they would like. According to Wood, the reason for this is to enhance one’s experience once they have entered inside and to avoid long lines at the door.

WINTER 2018 | 35

“The amount of people who have been interested in the aquarium has tremendously exceeded our expectations.”

- Jake Wood

“The amount of people who have been interested in the aquarium has tremendously exceeded our expectations,” said Wood. “So far, we have had almost 45,000 people ever since we opened and a good chunk of those are repeat customers. We couldn’t have been more pleasantly surprised by the amount of people that have shown up and that have continued to show up every single day.”

When bringing life to the Barnwell Center, they had to find a way to lower the building’s carbon footprint. The building itself has been transformed into an energy efficient facility, meaning it supports the message of conservation that the they try to voice out to visitors.

Along with all that the aquarium offers, it has proven itself to be more

36 | SPEAK magazine

than just any old aquarium. The staff at the aquarium want to educate their visitors on the environment and conservation. They do this by not only talking about it at the aquarium.

Through a new series on their YouTube channel called “Backyard Bayou,” they explore different areas in North Louisiana, such as Chimp Haven, Caddo Lake and more to educate viewers. So far, there are about five episodes on their YouTube channel now, but Wood said they plan on making more soon.

The addition of the Shreveport Aquarium has brought more to Shreveport besides just a place for people to go on the weekends. It is a place for people learn about not only aquatic life, but also about taking care of the environment. It serves as a place for people to come together.

SPRING 2018 | 37

“We are two people who had a vision, and then we went and did it.”

- Nick Clark

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Two Tech students have aspirations of creating an apparel empire WORDS JENNA PRICE

W

PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN BLAKELY

hen two young boys saw the impoverished state of their families, they took a step to change their present circumstance. This step created a movement behind their very own clothing brand.

“It took a long time to get here,” Nicholas Clark said, looking around the small office in the Ruston’s Enterprise Center. “There is just so much.”

Along the bare office walls, drawers filled with red, white and black hoodies, shirts and hats laid tucked away. The clothing stood as a testament to the last seven years. The unique logo of Clark and Marlon Watts’ original clothing brand, WRLDINVSN, proudly incorporated on each article.

Pronounced as “world in vision,” WRLDINVSN’s initial inspiration and hope

of production was to help support Clark and Watts’ families. The business venture has continued today as a part of movement to inspire others in similar circumstances.

“When we started, we were so young,” Watts said. “I was self-taught. We would talk to older people to help figure this clothing brand all out.”

Clark and Watts set up racks of the same hoodies and shirts on hangers for display.

The makeshift pop-up shop in the student center on Louisiana Tech’s campus caught the attention of students flowing in and out of the building during their lunch break.

Students bustled by the pop-up shop to grab a quick bite to eat before class while some browsed. Unknowingly, as students flip through the racks of clothing, they flip through a part of the story of Clark and Watts.

SPRING 2018 | 39

“WE ARE TWO PEOPLE WHO HAD A VISION, and then we went and did it,” Clark said.

The hallway continued to fill with the sound of hands clasping and laughing. Music began to pulse in the background. Watts, Clark or one of their interns eagerly greet students who approach the shop, ready to tell their story behind the clothing brand.

“It is like a social event,” Watts said.

“Doing a pop-up shop is about being able to convey our message of our brand with people, to talk about success and being great and bring positivity.”

In 2010, Clark and Watts were 14-yearold boys in the eighth grade. They knew

40 | SPEAK magazine

each other previously in the fifth grade and continued their friendship, despite going to separate schools in New Orleans.

Rarely idle in their childhood years, Watts and Clark found ways to stay active by transforming simple activities into their own adventures. They would skateboard together from Lakefront to Canal Street and create and post stunt videos to YouTube.

“We would wake up early in the mornings on the weekends and go to this art program,” Clark said. “I would make Marlon go with me.

We would have bus schedules, multiple bus schedules, and we would go everywhere on the bus.”

“We want to be leaders and role models.

I want to spark positivity.”

- Marlon Watts

In the eighth grade, Watts approached Clark with 12 T-shirts he designed off of a designing website called Uberprints, ready to sell.

“We would try to find a way to make money by selling candy before,” Watts said.

“We were underprivileged. Fashion is big in New Orleans, the way you look or the way you dress, so we went into selling shirts.”

Before either of the boys could hold part-time jobs, selling T-shirts was one of the limited options they could utilize to financially help their families.

The two friends quickly sold the shirts to their other friends and peers. Watts introduced the designing website to Clark, and Clark began to handle the graphic design side of their newfound business.

Their brand WRLDINVSN was born out of the necessity and artistry of two 14-year-old boys. It laid the foundation of a dream to one day sell in stores and inspire others.

“Back then, we were so young,” Watts said. “We did not know what we were doing.”

The boys entered high school the next year. They began to learn the ropes of designing, selling and marketing clothing to their friends and peers in their classes and extracurriculars.

Watts went to private schools and played basketball, football and baseball. He used the exposure of the multiple high school sports to show off the brand. Athletes commonly parade around in brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour. Instead, Watts wore WRLDINVSN. “Playing high school sports gave us the opportunities to present our brand,” Watts said.

Watts continued to use sports as a platform for their brand as he played collegiate football at Louisiana Tech. Many football players and other Tech athletes wear WRLDINVSN in support.

Clark would become the head designer after the success of the first shirt design.

Unlike Watts, he went to public school and was more interested in the arts and acting where he participated in plays and commercials.

Combined with Clark’s knack for visual art and Watts’ natural business mindset, the two were a perfect set of friends and business partners.

The brand quickly expanded to being sold online on its own website. Watts and Clark learned the downfall of selling clothing in stores too soon and chose a personal route of selling their clothing line.

SPRING 2018 | 41

“We made it dayto-day. We come from the inner-city.

We wanted more for ourselves. I went to college to show people that you can finish. Even if you don’t know anyone who has finished, you can.”

- Nick Clark

Nick Clark and Marlon Watts (left to right) outside of Ruston’s Enterprise Center.

“You have to build up a lot of inventory and merchandise to sell online, at pop-up shops and in stores,” Clark said. “We tried to sell in stores too early and lost money.”

The brand became a LLC in 2014, after both had graduated high school, with a shortened name to mirror companies like Gucci. The combined WI symbol began

42 || SPEAK 38 SPEAK magazine magazine

to circulate on their website and social medias as the official logo of WRLDINVSN. College, for Clark and Watts, was the obvious next step. The feat of creating an original brand mounted onto the challenge of being the first generation to go to college weighed heavily upon Clark and Watts.

“We made it day-today,” Clark said. “We come

from the inner-city. We wanted more for ourselves. I went to college to show people that you can finish. Even if you don’t know anyone who has finished, you can.”

Living together in college but spending their days in different spheres of campus, Watts and Clark never stopped collaborating and designing. Watts played four seasons as a receiver for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, while Clark spent long days in the art building learning to be a graphic designer.

Football helped Watts shape his leadership skills and gave him more influence on campus to reach a greater variety of the student body with their vision and brand.

“For my team, I am the leader of the group,” Watts said. “I look for ways to get better. When people wear this brand, I want people to think excellence.”

Watts manages the numbers, team management, paperwork and marketing for the brand so that Clark can handle the materials, website and designs. The balance of logistics and visuals allows the pair of

best friends, roommates and business partners to use their strengths to produce the quality of excellence they desire and strive to present to the community.

“We want to be leaders and role models,” Watts said. “I want to spark positivity.”

Watts and Clark were presented a unique outlet to use what they have learned with WRLDINVSN and further inspire younger students. They were able to enter a charter school in Shreveport for two hours every other week and work with six students.

“We designed a shirt together with the design ‘DREAM BIG,’” Clark said.

“We made the shirts, and, then, the students have to sell twenty-four of the shirts. We are new to this too, and we are trying to figure things out.”

Even while juggling athletics, school and the business, Watts

and Clark began to hit their stride within the community of Ruston and Louisiana Tech. In 2016, however, they reached a fork in the road of their success which caused them to question whether they should continue their brand or not.

“We just wanted to have a good day,” Watts said.

During a trip to Atlanta, the day began with a flat tire in downtown Atlanta and ended with a car robbery.

All of the WRLDINVSN merchandise and most of all, Clark’s laptop with his designs, were stolen that day.

“Everything was taken,” Watts said. “We asked, ‘Should we wrap it up? Should we do this anymore?’” The incident left Clark and Watts completely torn between two options: a possibly phased-out vision or following their own individual futures.

They discussed that night whether the

vision they bought into as 14-year-olds was worth risking everything for one more time.

“At the end of the day, the situation was not going to change,” Clark said.

“So at the beginning of the next year, we started fresh and bought a new laptop. We figured the brand could be special because of us, and that was going to make us different.”

Two years later, Watts and Clark plan to graduate from college in Spring 2018 and look forward to focusing on their brand full-time.

They plan to one day expanding their brand to women, children and activewear. With the expansion of clothing lines, they are able to share their story and vision with more people.

“If you are wearing our shirt, you believe in this movement,” Clark said.

“You support us, and we thank you.”

SPRING FALL 2016 2018 | 39 43

SOCIAL MEDIA

LOVE IT OR HATE IT, SOCIAL MEDIA IS A STAPLE FOR MANY PEOPLE IN THE MODERN AGE. THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO PEOPLE USE IT TO THEIR ADVANTAGE? WORDS JENNA PRICE he information overload is a beast fed by the notifications of too many mobile apps and news outlets. Social media campaigns are one of the tactics used to capture and hold our attention long enough to make us listen.

A ding sounds, and a banner pops up to notify that a direct message was sent over Twitter. A text message from Facebook says three friends have a birthday today. Another notification from Instagram announces that a follower posted his first story. A screenshot is taken through Snapchat and four new messages wait to be opened.

But it is not the last notification for the day. Not even close.

Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, among others, all compete for the same pool of users to take advantage of their social networking sites.

With the bombardment of notifications, social media campaigns are tac44 | SPEAK magazine

tics apt to effectively inform followers of certain organizations’ upcoming events or important information.

“Social media campaigns are designed to educate and convert behavior,” said Tonya Smith, the executive director of communications at Louisiana Tech. “You communicate different messages through the funnel. You want to do that in the audience’s own language.”

Language is one of the major selling points in social media campaigns, according to Smith. If the vocabulary used does not match the vocabulary of the audience, the audience cannot relate, and the message will not resonate.

Smith uses social media campaigns to brand and advertise Louisiana Tech to prospective students and their parents. Additionally, she wants to update alumni and donors of current and future projects, such as the construction of the new engineering and science building.

“There is a communication difference between someone who is in an university and someone who is not,” Smith said. “There is a language gap.

Someone who is not in an university does not know the word ‘comptroller’ or does not regularly use ‘baccalaureate.’ Registrar is a term you understand once you come to college but normally not before.”

A language gap can result in the delivery of a misunderstood message to those interacting with the account.

The followers might continue to scroll down without engaging a post because they do not believe the post applies to them. For Smith, that would mean less interest in Louisiana Tech from future students.

“We do not want to create the perception that college is not for you because of the language,” Smith said.

With an university account, the language must be applicable for a wide margin of followers. Madison Wooley is a student who contributes to the

content and photography for some of the Louisiana Tech social media accounts, including Ole Red and Blue and Tech XXII. “The challenge is appealing to a broad audience,” Wooley said. “Our audience consists of a lot of people, all wanting to see something different.”

One social media campaign implemented by Wooley was bred out of pure spontaneous creativity. Wooley created the campaign when she did not take any pictures for the account that day. She had previously purchased a white board an art project.

Her wheels began to turn when she told some friends to write on the board what they loved about Tech.

“Students love to be featured on the accounts,” Wooley said. “Features make students excited and boosts pride in Tech.”

She took their picture and continued to ask different students around campus to do the same. Students posed in the Union Board office, in front of the Lady of the Mist and in Centennial Plaza. The variety of students offered up various answers to why they loved Tech. The pictures Wooley took were later posted to the accounts with her hashtag #LoveMyLATech.

“With #LoveMyLATech, the social media campaign came about because I was in the right place at the right time with the right people around me,” Wooley said.

By using inclusive language and a collection of features, social media campaigns can be effective to a broad audience. Parents share posts of their children on the university’s social media. Students comment on pictures and videos of themselves or of their friends. Prospective students follow the accounts and imagine themselves as the students featured.

“You will see in the captions and comments like ‘My bestie is famous!’ when people are featured,” Wooley said. “It is essentially a social achievement among some groups.

The response for features is pride and subconscious recruiting for the university.”

Social media accounts with broad audiences are not able to target specific groups while also remaining inclusive. If engagement needs to increase with a particular demographic, Courtney Keim encourages tailoring

“The perception of social media is that it is fun all time. It is fun, but you are doing it for a reason. Know what goal you are trying to accomplish.”

home football games,” said Amanda Quimby, marketing director for the CVB. “Its secondary purpose is to better establish Ruston and Lincoln Parish as ‘Louisiana’s College Town.’”

This campaign produced a series – Tonya Smith of events in downtown Ruston that an event or campaign for that group. accommodate the broad audience of “We want our social media to apply college students, young families, alumto everybody,” said Keim, the City ni and donors. A Loyal Blue Weekend of Ruston Communications Director. typically includes activities for kids “But with some events we specifically such as face painting and a bounce targeted young parents with kids.” house, appearances of the Band of A challenge for the city of Ruston Pride, spirit groups and Champ and is to reach everyone in order to evenly performances of live music. distribute information. To combat this These events allow for more traffic challenge, Keim applauds the comon the Experience Ruston Facebook bined efforts of Tech’s campus, the page, run by the CVB. An effective Chamber of Commerce, the mayor’s social media campaign should have office and the Ruston-Lincoln Conlasting effects so that when it is over, vention and Visitors Bureau, who all the account is still utilized by its folproduce similar content and release lowers. information simultaneously.

“Loyal Blue Weekends has been “All of us partner and have meetone of our best received social media ings together so that we can utilize campaigns we’ve done,” Quimby said. each other,” Keim said. “We partner “Our audience engaged with posts together on efforts on huge projects and ads that highlighted the live music with many moving parts.” and themed food and drinks for the Because social media accounts events, as well as created excitement compete with each other to hold for coming together and celebrating followers’ attention, it is essential to the area’s culture and love of football.” produce quality content that is coheOn a broad scale, social media is sive across partnering organizations. used to update friends and family.

When all the city accounts of Ruston Businesses use it to promote deals and strategize together to produce the increase sales. Organizations use it same message with similar tactics, the to create a reputation and produce a audience is more likely to process the brand. Whatever it is used for, there information. is a rhyme and reason to why a post “Social media is a snapshot,” Keim comes across a timeline. said. “It is hard to portray everything “The perception of social media is that is going on at the city because it is only a snapshot. That is the struggle. that it is fun all time,” Smith said. “It is fun, but you are doing it for a reason.

But what we are doing in the city, it is important to tell everyone because the Know what goal you are trying to accomplish. You figure out strategically projects we do affect everyone.” where you are wanting to go. The Loyal Blue Weekends is one of the tactics come later.” collaborative campaigns between Social media campaigns are the the CVB and Tech. The events occur means to catch the attention of social during the weekends of Tech home media users in order to notify them football games and aim to bridge the of an event or information. Each gap between the community of Ruscampaign has an agenda, a target ton and the campus life of Tech. audience and a strategy to stand out “Loyal Blue Weekends inspire fans among the endless notifications that of Louisiana Tech football to take part in the weekend activities that surround ding phones every day.

SPRING 2018 | 45

44 | SPEAK magazine

Many Styles,

One Wardrobe.

Thrifting meets fashion in One Wardrobe’s store of recycled women’s clothing.

WORDS KRISTYN MILLER

PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN FONTENOT

SPRING 2018 | 47

“Each and every piece has a story behind it, whether it came from someone’s closet or whether we went out and thrifted it ourselves.”

- Mariah Lowe

I

f anyone can deliver fashion that stretches from L.A. to La., it’s Mariah Lowe. Lowe, a student at Grambling University, started working at One Wardrobe in 2014. Four years later, the Los Angeles native is now the proud owner of the recycled clothing store.

One Wardrobe, located in downtown Ruston, is a store where thrifting meets fashion. The store carries recycled women’s clothing from all over the country, with styles to satisfy a variety of fashion taste.

“Growing up in Los Angeles and

48 | SPEAK magazine

having a mother who is a shopaholic, fashion is just part of my lifestyle,” Lowe said. “It’s kind of like breathing. I hate to sound cliché, but it honestly is.”

One Wardrobe was established in Spring 2011 by Lauren Howard, a resident of Ruston. The ownership has since been given to Lowe, who is in the works of modifying and reworking the business.

“I am in the process of rebranding and growing the store to be more than just a store in Ruston, so it could be recognized globally,” Lowe said. “If it’s God’s Will, I would love for it to be a

chain store.”

The first step for rebranding and broadening the store’s reach is transitioning to an online shopping experience. The One Wardrobe team is curating a website so that customers can choose whether they want to shop in store or online.

“We want to also get more involved with people in other locations so that One Wardrobe could grow outside of just Louisiana,” Lowe said.

Lowe said everything within the One Wardrobe storefront, as well as the coming website and the brand’s image,

is all thanks to the work of the small, close-knit One Wardrobe family.

“Thankfully my friends are my team, and we’re building it together,” Lowe said. “There’s no outside hands touching our stuff. No one’s being paid to build it. Everything you see here is pretty much done by someone who is related to someone at the store.”

According to Lowe, the store gives off a very unique and do-it-yourself type of vibe, from the hand-tiled walls to the hand-painted ground right outside the storefront.

“Everything from the racks to the ugly yellow paint on the wall was all done by someone within the store,” Lowe said. “We keep it all in the family, pretty much.”

The clothes in the store come from all over the world. It starts locally: One Wardrobe allows its customers to bring clothing items in to receive store credit.

The style and diversity in the store then broadens. When Lowe or her coworkers travel, they will pick up clothes from all over the country to add to their unique One Wardrobe collection. The majority of the clothes within the store are found from other thrift stores and warehouses in major cities across the nation.

“Last year alone, I’ve gotten stuff from D.C., New York, California, Houston, Dallas and Memphis,” Lowe said.

However, not everything found in the One Wardrobe store is recycled. In fact, some of it is straight off the runway.

“The clothes that we got from D.C. last spring actually came from a Banana Republic fashion show,” Lowe said. “One of the girls working the fashion show pretty much donated the clothes to me. They were all brand new because the clothes for that day were made specifically for the models in the show, so they were just sample pieces of what was to be released in the store in the future.”

This makes for a wide variety of miscellaneous pieces found in the store, from hats and jewelry to outfits and shoes.

“Each and every piece has a story behind it, whether it came from someone’s closet or whether we went out and thrifted it ourselves,” Lowe said.

As is customary in the retail industry, Lowe sees a lot of trends come and go. Some local trends in particular that

“It’s a place for the community, it’s not just a place for customers.”

- Mariah Lowe

SPRING 2018 | 49

“Though I feel we have been so far, even more prominently I want to see the store used more as a place of refuge for women. A place where I can help girls with experiences I’ve been through or give them advice.”

- Mariah Lowe

50 | SPEAK magazine

Lowe has witnessed rise and fade were the dominance of Chacos shoes and the seasonal spike in velvet material clothing items. Other than a few common trends, Lowe said that Ruston in particular has a unique style.

“I notice that a lot of people don’t necessarily pay attention to trends around here, and that’s a thing that I actually enjoy,” Lowe said. “The weather around here is always up and down. It doesn’t matter if you wear leather in the summertime. I enjoy that because it makes it easier for us to push our merchandise since we do have so many random pieces.”

Because of the wide-ranging nature of the store, One Wardrobe’s overall style is nearly impossible to pin down. Lowe said she can see a lot of her own style reflected in the clothing, but she also makes it a point to include several other fashion trends and styles that make the racks of clothing accessible to everyone.

“It is all over the place,” Lowe said. “This is the store’s personality. It’s everyone’s wardrobe in one. It’s not just about my style, I’m learning that more and more each day.

One thing I’m very thankful for is that I have the ability to help people with their own styles and get some insight from them. If they would like me to add my personal touch and style to their wardrobe, then I’ll do it.”

However, Lowe wants to use the store for more than just selling merchandise, she also said she wants to use it for good in the community.

“Though I feel we have been so far, even more prominently I want to see the store used more as a place of refuge for women,” Lowe said. “A place where I can help girls with experiences I’ve been through or give them advice.”

The back inventory in the store that is not put to use is given to local girls in need through organizations like the Children’s Methodist Home. In addition, the store also has plenty of upcoming projects that they hope to surprise the community with in the future.

“It’s a place for the community, it’s not just a place for customers,” Lowe said.

Lowe is hopeful that One Wardrobe will soon become a staple in Ruston, both for locals and anyone passing through.

SPRING 2018 | 51

For the

Loveof

Fishing The thrills and dangers of professional sports fishing as told by one of the youngest in the field.

WORDS KRISTYN MILLER

M

eet one of the youngest professional sport fishermen on the Gulf of Mexico: Owen Belknap. At age 18, Belknap is already an experienced sports fisherman and has the stories (and bruises) to prove it.

Belknap is originally from Monroe, but has lived in Shreveport, Charleston, South Carolina and now Ruston. The Louisiana Tech student is a freshman business administration major. While outside of school, he carries the title of first mate on The Michi, a ship located out of Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Belknap, along with the rest of his crew, pursue pelagic (migrating) species of fish an average of 50 miles off the shore of the Gulf of Mexico.

Sports fishing is more than just reeling in fish for fun, though.

“The fish we catch are all tag and release,” Belknap said.

“We work in accords with The Billfish Foundation to tag and keep data which helps preserve that species of fish.”

The Michi chases fish that are considered to be some of the hardest sports fish to catch in the world. This includes white marlin, blue marlin, spearfish, bluefin and yellowfin tuna, Mahi-Mahi and several other large blue water fish.

“Most people spend their whole lives pursuing and chasing these fish, and we do it on a weekly basis,” Belknap said. “Sometimes the fish that we’re fighting could be up to 1,000 pounds or more.”

Belknap’s job on The Michi includes keeping the boat in order, fixing things when they are broken, tackling, rigging, keeping the boat clean and any other general maintenance aboard the ship.

“SOMETIMES I

On average, a fishing trip on The Michi can last for about 10-12 days, with 20hour days for Belknap and the crew.

“I usually start my day at 2 in the morning, tuna fish until daybreak, marlin fish until the sun goes down then take a two-hour night watch,” Belknap said. “By that time, it’s nearly midnight, so I go to bed, get a couple hours of sleep and do it all over again the next day.”

For sports fishermen, traveling often comes with the job. Common sports fishing ports include Florida, Mississippi, The Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, Costa Rica and Panama.

- OWEN BELKNAP Belknap himself has already conquered the majority of the Eastern seaboard as well as some of the major gulf ports. He was also offered a full-time job right out of high school to work on a boat that is currently on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica. However, he decided against it in order to attend a university. When Belknap is not attending college, he still dedicates the bulk of his time to the ship.

WISH I COULD

JUST BE A NORMAL

TEENAGER AND SAY ‘HEY, I WATCHED 20 EPISODES ON NETFLIX TODAY,’

BUT MY LIFE JUST DOESN’T OCCUR LIKE THAT.”

SPRING 2018 | 53

“Sometimes I wish I could just be a normal teenager and say ‘Hey, I watched 20 episodes on Netflix today,’ but my life just doesn’t occur that,” Belknap said. For as long as he wants to keep his job, not being on the boat is simply not an option for Belknap.

“It requires so much sacrifice,” Belknap said. “You are committed to the boat. I have a 2-year-old cousin that I have not met yet because I don’t take a week off. As soon as I’m done with school, I go straight to the boat and start working. When the boss calls and says ‘let’s go fishing,’ that’s the end-all, be-all answer.”

Not only does Belknap’s job require commitment and time, but it is also very dangerous. Though the job may pay well, that alone comes at a high price.

“It wears on your body,” Belknap said.

“It’s dangerous. I’ve fallen about 30 feet one day by myself, seen an engine room fire and seen a guy lose his life on that boat.

We’re responsible for people lives on that 54 | SPEAK magazine

“NO OTHER JOB I’M GOING TO HAVE IN MY LIFE IS GOING TO BE AS ADVENTUROUS, EXCITING, RISKTAKING AND AS DANG FREAKING COOL AS THIS JOB.” - OWEN BELKNAP

boat. The responsibility is so incredible, as well as how much you have to sacrifice physically.”

The danger that comes with the job is inevitable, but for Belknap, that adrenaline rush is part of what makes it all worth it.

“You’re playing tug-of-war with one of the ocean’s most powerful creatures,” he said. “It’s exciting.”

Since Belknap was first offered the job to work aboard The Michi three years ago, he has learned through experience the surprising amount of time, dedication, danger and hard work that is put into the job of a sports fisherman.

“You learn more about yourself and how much you have inside of you to put into not only working and making that boat the best that it can be, but how much you can challenge yourself by catching more fish, staying up longer and working harder,” Belknap said.

Being on board a ship for days and weeks at a time requires a tight ship ...

literally. Belknap described the crew as being his second family.

“We’re an outcast group of people,” he said. “These guys are rough and tough, but they do care about each other. We take care of each other, and we are willing to do things for fish and for other people’s safety way beyond any person should be expected to do.”

At only 16 years old, Belknap witnessed the death of a 72-year-old retired veteran while out at sea, someone who Belknap described as being friendly yet tough as nails.

The man lost his footing on a ladder right above Belknap’s sleeping quarters and fell unconscious after hitting his head.

Luckily, a doctor and an anesthesiologist were both on the boat and knew what to do in this situation.

“We prepare for this,” Belknap said. “We went right to work. We got him breathing again and then shaved the back of his head, did everything that needed to be done and sewed him up. We thought he was going to make it.”

Overnight, Belknap and his crew drove the boat back to Grand Isle in order to transfer the injured man to the hospital. However, the work done on the boat was not enough to save him.

“Later that night, he passed away from an intracranial bleed,” Belknap said. “Nothing that could have been done

about it in that situation.”

The death took a toll on Belknap. Dealing with such a traumatic experience at such a young age resulted in a disconnect from Belknap’s faith in God. It wasn’t until some time after stepping aside from God that Belknap finally reconnected with his faith and properly dealt with the loss he had experienced.

“It was destroying me,” he said. “But it wasn’t mine to hold. I wasn’t guilty.”

Now, Belknap is living his life differently and using what happened as a learning experience. As for his future, Belknap sees another few years in the industry. However, he understands it is not something he wants to do for the rest of his life because of the time and commitment it demands.

“No other job I’m going have in my life is going be as adventurous, exciting, risk-taking and as dang freaking cool as this job,” Belknap said.

Nevertheless, if something comes along that is more beneficial to his future career path, Belknap said he knows it will be time to give up the sports fishing lifestyle to pursue that instead.

Belknap said that for now, he is just enjoying the ride he is on in all of its craziness, thrill, danger and glory.

“It’s all for the love of fishing,” he said.

SPRING 2018 | 55

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