The Reporter: Issue II Fall 2021

THE

EPORTER FALL 2021 ISSUE II

14 The Groovy Music Scene of DeLand

DeLand is bustling with musical entertainment. Let’s look into its culture.

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DeLand Ice Cream Crawl

The inside scoop of what places are worth the splurge and which you’re better off skipping.

Counseling Through Crisis: COVID-19 and Mental Health Can colleges combat the mental health crisis among college students?

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VOL. CXXIX

from the editors To say that this semester has been a tough one would be putting it lightly. The times we’re living in seem to be more draining than ever, yet despite that, our staff here at The Reporter have been putting their heart and soul into not only this issue of the magazine, but the whole of the semester as well.

During these trying times, I treasure their hard work more than anything, and we’re closing the semester out with a bang.

In this issue, we highlight so many everimportant and inspirational stories, and we hope they can offer you even a bit of solace during the stress of finals approaching. Be ready to dive into DeLand’s ice cream scene, explore a bit about our own School of Music during these times, and read about the growing concerns of mental health during COVID, which although we’ve only covered the tip of the iceberg, it is becoming more and more urgent nevertheless.

The next time I’ll be writing to you, dear readers, will be at the beginning of my final semester, which feels incredibly surreal, stressful, and also bittersweet.

But I’m trying not to think too much about that yet, so in the meantime, good luck with finals and enjoy your break. You deserve it. Until next semester, happy reading!

Executive editor, calista headrick

Few things are as apropos as the gloomy weather in DeLand and the collective dread that seems to sit on the shoulders of so many at Stetson. I don’t know a single person who has had an easy time this semester, and there are few words that can express the sorrow I feel when I think about those who have felt drained by every aspect of college life and those who have lost someone in the face of that.

Mental health is the subject of our cover story and it is an absolute understatement to say that its coverage is important. Yet there is no way to fully cover the gravity of the situation at Stetson and at universities throughout the country, where COVID’s impact has taken a toll on students from every walk of life. I struggle to put these sentences together to try to reflect a sense of level-headedness that I don’t have; this is an incredibly difficult time.

I am writing this right before Thanksgiving and picturing nothing when I finalize my assignments but the taste of stuffing in my mouth. But when you receive this, it’ll be beyond that, so this is me telling you from The Past to enjoy your winter break, and to give yourself all the rest that you certainly deserve.

Editor-In-Chief, Ruby Rosenthal This issue of The Reporter has been so much fun to create because being a part of staff feels like it did two years ago, with having meetings in person and more photos of campus life in the magazine. Now, new staff members will never have to know what it was like to brainstorm pitch ideas virtually. Trying to communicate through all of the millions of platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Group Me has been confusing and exhausting. As successful as we have been at navigating creating a magazine virtually, it’s not something I want to go back to. I am so grateful to the entire Reporter team for all of the time and energy that has been put into this issue. Each issue is better than the last, so I’m so excited for you to read this one!

Managing Editor of The Reporter, Emily Derrenbacker 2

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Ruby Rosenthal

Calista Headrick

Emily Derrenbacker

executive editor

managing editor

Jillian Semmel

Isabel Solorzano creative director

Bella Steiert

social media director

A Wilson

Ihsaan Fanusie

Jay Stearman

editor-in-chief

photo editor

arts & culture editor

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sports editor

news editor

r e t r o p e r the

name a song on the ... fe li r u o y f o k c a tr d n u so

staff

Ruby Rosenthal, Editor-in-Chief Calista Headrick, Executive Editor Isabel Solorzano, Creative Director Emily Derrenbacker, Managing Editor Vivianne Skavlem, Copy Editor Jillian Semmel, Photo Editor Freestyle - Rod Wave Jay Stearman, News Editor A Wilson, Arts & Culture Editor Bill Nye the Science Ihsaan Fanusie, Sports Editor Guy Theme Song Jackie Maze, Multimedia Editor Nkosi Watts, Webmaster Bella Steiert, Social Media Director, Designer, and Arts & Culture Writer Cassandra Bradley, Designer Phoria- Emanate Zoe Boykin, Designer Chase Berger, News Writer Carmen Cruz, News Writer Smiling When I Die Julian Navarro, News Writer - Web - Sasha Alex Sloan Erica Lucio, Arts & Culture Writer Alexis Diamond, Arts & Culture Writer All Too Well (Taylor’s Anuket Goins, Arts & Culture Writer – Web Version) - Taylor Swift Luke McClatchy, Sports Writer

contributors

Alessandra Rubello, Arts & Culture Writer - Web

JOINING US

When it comes to joining The

Reporter, we’re not picky.

Whether you’re interested in writing an article, designing a page, taking photos or creating some graphics for us, we want to hear what you have to say. The Reporter is an extracurricular, volunteer operation made for students, by students, and we aim to cover the full spectrum of student life here at Stetson. If you’re interested in getting involved or have any questions, comments or concerns, email our editor-in-chief, Ruby Rosenthal, at rrosenthal@stetson.edu or apply on Engage.

CORRECTIONS

As an official media outlet for students on campus, we push ourselves to be constantly improving our standards and correcting our mistakes. We care about accuracy and providing you with the most accurate information we can give. If there are mistakes, let us know by emailing us at hatternetwork@gmail.com.

ABOUT US

The Reporter is the oldest collegiate

publication in the state of Florida.

The magazine is produced six times per year, three a semester. Florida Sun Printing prints 300 copies per issue on 8.5 x 11inch, 80#Gloss Text. Most body text is 11 point Adobe Garamond Pro with 13 point leading set with a combination of regular, italic, and bold.

All pages were designed using Adobe Creative Suite CC software InDesign with photographs and artwork handled in Photoshop and Illustrator. For additional information, please visit hatternetwork.com. Questions and comments can be mailed to 421 N Woodland Blvd., Unit 8416 DeLand, Florida 32723 or emailed to hatternetwork@gmail.com. We plan to forge a media group that meets our own high standards of excellence and integrity through expression in print and online. Ultimately, student media at Stetson University will be a representation of just that: the students. And because we are serving our peers, we will be honest in the stories we tell. Because if we don’t tell them, who will?

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Model: Venus Turnbull (‘24)

table of 08

Counseling Through Crisis: COVID-19 and Mental Health Can colleges combat the mental health crisis among college students?

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The Groovy Music Scene of DeLand DeLand is bustling with musical entertainment. Let’s look into its culture.

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Back in the Swing of Things, With Restrictions Stetson School of Music navigating safety while maintaining quality music-making.

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The Comeback Kind Finding hope through tragedy in the pandemic’s wake.

DeLand Ice Cream Crawl The inside scoop of what places are worth the splurge and which you’re better off skipping.

Unpacked: With Jacklyn Lavoie ‘22 Ampersand: With Hayden Collins

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COUNSELING THROUGH

Can colleges combat the mental health crisis among college students?

Story by Chase Berger Photos by Jillian Semmel Design by Isabel Solorzano

AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EVOLVED INTO A GLOBAL CRISIS, another crisis evolved with it. Statistics provided by the American College Health Association reveal clear evidence that mental health issues were already prevalent on college campuses and are one of the leading obstacles to students’ academic success. Add a global pandemic to the equation, and universities became not only epicenters of positive COVID-19 cases, but of deteriorating mental health conditions as well.

While Amherst College established the first general student health service program in 1861, it would be another 50 years before the first student mental health service program was created. Stewart Paton, MD, established the first student dedicated mental health service program in 1910 at Princeton University which focused on personality development for students. According to an article written by David P. Kraft, MD, for the “Journal of American College Health,” the establishment of such a program was created “in response to an observation that many well-qualified Princeton students were leaving school without completing their courses of study because of emotional and personality issues.”

Despite this major milestone and greater attention being drawn to the importance of mental health, it took several more decades for college counseling services to become a widespread service. It wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that such services were implemented in larger numbers and considered standard services for colleges to provide.

During the same time period, to distinguish between their mental health services and other services, some colleges—Stetson included—began to use the acronym CAPS, which means Counseling and Psychological Services. Rob Danzman, a professionally licensed counselor, defines CAPS as a “blanket term used by colleges and universities to describe short term mental and behavioral health services,” which often includes a variety of workshops, counseling, and psychiatric support.

: S I S I CR

COVID-19 and Mental Health

As health education has evolved, so too has the college mental health field, both academically and jobwise. While not all colleges have an accredited CAPS program, many still provide some type of counseling service. But despite the increase in college mental health programs over the last few decades, it appears that there is still a considerable shortage of quality services and access to said services.

A simple Google search will reveal that this shortage has amassed attention from students, national media, and politicians alike. With an Oct. 2018 American Psychological Association report labeling Generation Z as the group “most likely to report poor mental health and seek help,” it is no surprise that there has been a visible trend of increased demand for both more counseling resources and greater access to such resources on college campuses. If it was considered critical for colleges to address students’ mental health needs before, then it might be more crucial than ever with a global pandemic as a compounding factor.

Research has shown the persistent existence of mental health issues among college students. For example, a 2011 American College Health Association report revealed that students reported anxiety and depression as two major impediments to their academic performance. During a 2012 report conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, survey respondents were asked if they had experienced a mental health related crisis during their college experience.

A soaring 73% responded that they had. Respondents explained that their crises had been triggered for a variety of school related reasons, from “extreme feelings of anxiety, panic, depression about school and life; feelings of homesickness, loneliness, and isolation” to feeling “stressed or overwhelmed about course load,” or experiencing a “posttraumatic stress disorder episode triggered by class content.” When asked how their colleges handled their crisis, 35% answered that their colleges were not aware that such a crisis ever happened.

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With the surprise introduction of a global pandemic, such mental crises were only exacerbated.

With the closing of universities nationwide and potential loss of income due to pandemic related reasons, the Kaiser Family Foundation—a nonprofit organization focused on national health issues— discovered that “a larger than average share of young adults (ages 18-24) report symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder (56 percent),” and that “compared to all adults, young adults are more likely to report substance use (25 percent vs. 13 percent) and suicidal thoughts (26 percent vs. 11 percent).”

Additionally, public health researchers have found that there are links between social isolation (which was prevalent and mandatory during the beginning of the pandemic) and loneliness, to poor mental health. In summary, the conditions cultivated during pandemic have only increased national concerns about mental health.

As the crushing weight of a global pandemic constantly lingers, the collective mental health of the nation has taken a beating. As reported by The Harvard Gazette, according to Shekhar Saxena, a professor of global mental health and the former director of the World Health Organization’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, “COVID is impacting the older age group more, but anxiety and depression are being faced by the young adults much more, which is exactly the opposite of what we’ve seen in some of the earlier crises.”

Alarmingly, he said, “it’s the young adults and the children who are being impacted and the effects are going to be long-lasting.”

To understand the reality of the pandemic’s effect on young adults’ mental health, look no further than our own Stetson University. Kieth Sims, the director of Stetson University’s Student Counseling Services provided insight: “Prior to the pandemic…we started recognizing an increase in need, an increase in suicidal ideation—not always active—and it was matching the national norm,” he said.

In recalling the early days of the pandemic, Sims reflects the state of the number of students looking to pursue help from Counseling Services: “I observed that exponentially our numbers were growing. We had our crises prior to COVID, no doubt, but our hospitalizations were spaced out…I started noticing [during] the pandemic that our [number of hospitalizations and students seeking counseling services] were growing. I could look at the schedule

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and see two weeks out that we were getting filled very quickly. It was just pure demand,” said Sims. It was clear that the need for Counseling Services was increasing rapidly as the pandemic and quarantine set in.

The increasing need among students for Counseling Services as highlighted by Sims did not come without strain on the existing counselors.

Luckily, according to Sims, “We have increased our consultation outreach with faculty and/or staff who may have questions regarding mental healthcare for our students,” he said. “As a result of our recent campus crisis, the university has assisted us with bringing in two temporary counselors to help us shoulder the load. This has allowed us to get students in considerably faster,” he added.

As the crushing weight of a global pandemic constantly lingers, the collective mental health of the nation has taken a BEATING. Due to the trend of an increasing number of students seeking counseling prior to the pandemic, Stetson’s Counseling Services had already been implementing strategies in an attempt to accommodate the growing number of students and crisis situations. They adjusted their scheduling in various ways, such as adding walk-in crisis appointment slots. These designated time slots allowed students to obtain an appointment more quickly if needed, so the counselors meet with someone in as little as 24 hours during times of need.

Despite the counseling department having their aforementioned strategies, according to Sims, there were complications to transitioning to virtual services. To begin, it was difficult to find a video software that allowed counselors to meet virtually with students without breaking HIPAA laws.

Stetson’s Risk Management Team ultimately helped Counseling Services settle on using Microsoft Teams as their platform of choice. The team of counselors, now working primarily from home, had to make sure they were able to access anything from anywhere while still upholding the highest standards of security.

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“To me, there were some positives that came from [this transition],” Sims explained. “During my time in grad school, the idea of telehealth was the equivalent of saying Voldemort. Even at that time, being a physically disabled individual, I saw great validity in this. There’s potential in this.”

Sims is not alone in his thinking. According to global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, provider and consumer attitudes toward telehealth have improved since the onset of the pandemic. The company’s research shows that their consumers continue to see telehealth as an important modality for special care needs, especially when visiting a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Not only does Sims have a positive attitude towards the implementation of telehealth, but university students do as well: “I think [the transition to virtual sessions] was initially a challenge because our students like coming to see us… but as time went on, it became normal,” Sims explained.

“We always do a student satisfaction survey every semester and we got some great feedback. One of the questions that I deliberately put on there was ‘did you find the telehealth experience as effective, less effective, or more effective than in person’ and we had an overwhelming [number of students] that found it, at minimum, as effective.” Overall, the transition to virtual counseling was difficult, but the Stetson student body quickly adapted and the department received positive feedback.

Students suffering from depression have also found benefits in the transition to telehealth. “We’ve had some anecdotal experiences that our clients share with us, and one just stands out as one of the most brilliant statements anybody could make,” Sims explained. He related how this student said that they would likely have skipped an in-person appointment in this case, but the virtual telehealth option allowed them to get the help they need without having to leave their bedroom.

Despite some positives for the mental health field emerging during the pandemic, the mental health of the Stetson student body is still suffering: “We saw during the first full school year of the pandemic, it seemed like numbers-wise [we] were the same.

The amount of crises did increase, but we noticed the severity of the crises were not all that different from what we had seen before the pandemic,” Sims

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said. “We rolled into August of this semester and it’s fair to say we have not just broken the number of hospitalizations we’ve done in a semester, we’ve shattered that. To me, it’s like a neon sign flashing, saying that everybody did a good job for about a year… but it seems that as we rolled into this semester, our collective tolerance has been hit.”

While the number of crises has increased this semester, so too has their severity. According to Sims, the sheer mass amounts of students seeking help, and the severity of each case alone has overwhelmed the staff. The numbers were so inundating that a tiered system had to be created to address the crises of each student.

When a student calls, the person who answers the phone will ask them a series of diagnostic questions to decide where each student stands. Students typically give honest answers, but Nicole Currie, the administrative specialist for Counseling Services, has picked up a sort of talent for noticing when students are holding back. Once a student has been assigned a tier, they will be sent a link to fill out the “request for immediate service” form. The questions on the form are kept up to date with the current social and cultural events (such as racially biased incidents), allowing counselors to get a full scope of the students’ situation.

Examples of questions are “Have you experienced a biased incident? Are you considering harming yourself or others? Is your safety in jeopardy?” Then, based on the tier system and the information given to counselors by the student, the counselors will schedule an appointment for the student as soon as possible.

Sims noted that the definition of a crisis is subjective: “What may not be a crisis to you may be to someone else. It’s not for us to determine if that’s right or wrong. It’s for us to validate from their perspective,” Sims added. Counselors create individual plans with each student to make sure the student is safe and to avoid hospitalization if possible. “It’s a very peaceful process,” Sims explained. “Our students will come back and say ‘It was kind of cool to unplug. It was cool to be able to just focus on me.’ Most hospitalizations on campus are voluntary, and involuntary hospitalizations are used as the absolute last measure.”

alone, access to mental health resources is more important than ever. “There is no vaccine for mental illness,” Michelle Williams, the Dean of Harvard Chan School said during an online discussion about the pandemic’s lesser-known effects. According to Williams, “It will be months, if not years before we are fully able to grasp the scope of the mental health issues born out of this pandemic. Long after we’ve gained control of the virus, the mental health repercussions will likely continue to reverberate.”

Sims drew attention to the efforts that are being made to implement more training on campus: “We have brought additional QPR training (Question; Persuade; Refer: Suicide Prevention Training) to campus, with most recent occurring on November 1st,” he said. “This training had historically been an in-between semesters thing But, we recognized a need for it to be offered during the semester. We had a great turnout of faculty and staff for this recent training.

We look to offer more of these trainings in the spring, including some for students.”

As the repercussions continue to persevere, so will the fundamental changes of mental health services.

Fortunately for many students, according to Sims, “Beginning in January 2022 (barring any unforeseen COVID circumstances), we will officially move to our multifaceted service model offering both in-person and virtual counseling options, in addition to our groups.

With us nearing exam time for our current semester, as COVID cases have dropped and university vaccination percentages have increased, we are accommodating in-person requests with precautions; though a large number of students are still preferring virtual sessions.”

In light of recent events, a spotlight has been shone on the prevalence of mental health crises, especially on college campuses. With an increase in demand for counseling and related services, Stetson University’s counseling center has changed quite a bit, and may change even more in the future. *If you or someone you know would like to schedule an appointment with Student Counseling Services, you can call (386-822-8900) or email (counseling@ stetson.edu) during regular office hours. For more information about the process and available resources, visit the Student Counseling Services website.

As evident from numerous amounts of data across the country and from experiences on Stetson’s campus

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the

music scene of DeLand

DeLand is bustling with musical entertainment. Let’s look into its culture.

Story by Alexis Diamond Photos by Jillian Semmel Design by Cas Bradley

Every town has its groove. Fictional towns such as Bomont, from the popular film “Footloose,” have portrayed towns with exceptional charisma, but where are the real-life Bomonts? Some might say out on the West Coast, others may say to head east or to any town in between, but one thing is for sure: those searching for lively listening will have no trouble dancing it out in DeLand. Restaurants line the downtown streets where live entertainment plays overhead, bars burst with loud music, and festivals are held annually with a multitude of independent acts lined up to share their tunes. One such event occurred on Halloween weekend this year. But before we dive into the Halloweekend hits, let’s check out the local businesses that promote artists and their music.

The downtown scene of DeLand is reminiscent of a southern small town you’d see in an older classic film.

Step into the past and soak up the history by visiting vintage boutiques, family-owned diners, coffee shops, and record stores. The two record stores that call DeLand home are Groovy Records and Steve’s Downtown Music.

The former emits retro vibes, has classic selections, and some insane music tech ranging from turntables to speakers. They offer music on 8-tracks, vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes. Stop by when it’s open and take in the music that plays inside the store all-day everyday.

Posters from a variety of bands are on display inside the shop, and banners hang from the ceiling. Groovy Records asks us to reflect on an essential question: “When was the last time you relaxed and read an album cover inside and out while listening to your favorite artists?” This store encourages music consumption in its rawest form by promoting the other types of art that are so often overlooked: album covers and inner sleeves.

Various musicians performed at the DeLand Original Music Festival on Oct. 18 throughout Downtown DeLand.

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Steve’s Downtown Music is another prime example of this type of musical appreciation and promotion. This hodgepodge of music selections is only a couple blocks away from Groovy Records, but each store holds its own.

Steve’s Downtown Music promotes music, but does not utilize e-business, so all purchases are made in the store.

This promotes the shop’s purpose—physical music listening.

Albums and music memorabilia come in many different forms such as CDs, records, posters, t-shirts, and magazines.

This emphasis on music consumption in its most pure form is a common theme throughout DeLand, so much so that on Oct. 31, a local music festival was held that showcased over 100 acts on 18 different stages across downtown.

Acts from around the area had signed up to play for music lovers across DeLand. Stages ranged from inside bars to outside restaurants. Audiences from around the state of Florida traveled to watch these local musicians perform, and the festival had no shortage of events. Acts spanned from death metal to Christian rock to country. Inspiration rang fresh in the air as each act played with intense passion.

The environment was free and open to everyone, and all spectators seemed to enjoy themselves. After sets, audience members would even come up to the musicians to chat.

One particular set that I happened to watch and enjoy was Fyre Insyde. Their music and overall style was very reminiscent of ’70s Aerosmith with a Steven Tyler aesthetic.

They played with fury and every note took me back to my childhood, when I would listen to Aerosmith on the radio. It was a nostalgia trip seeing all of these musicians come together and play classics. Every person was up and dancing at some point, and spectators of all ages came to listen to the beautiful music bouncing through the streets of DeLand. Each act brought its own flair, and the DeLand area felt more united than it had before.

Music unites its listeners; no matter the genre. Listeners of all ages can enjoy the classic vibes DeLand brings with its groove. Bomont is no longer a fictional place, but rather a real-life town in the form of DeLand, Florida’s southern music hotspot. The beauty and art of making music and playing it for onlookers is common in DeLand, and very few would disagree with the sentiment that music is taken very seriously. You want a new record? Visit Groovy Records or Steve’s Downtown Music and purchase a couple. No genre is left forgotten here, and shelves in both stores are lined with all types of hits. Explore DeLand and breathe in the magic, because music will always be a staple of our little Bomont.

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Downtown DeLand record store, Groovy Records.

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BERRYVILLE

DELAND

Story by Carmen Cruz Design by Isabel Solorzano & Bella Steiert Photos by Carmen Cruz

l w a r C m ice crea The inside scoop of what places are worth the splurge and which you’re better off skipping.

Adulting is exhausting. I don’t know about you, but every now and then, after weeks of working several jobs to pay the bills and completing an endless list of errands, I get a hankering to rebel against the construct of adulthood. I yearn for the blissful nostalgia of my youth, and nothing encapsulates those wistful moments quite like America’s favorite dessert: ice cream. The perfect ice cream is, in my opinion, affordable, texturally dynamic, not sickeningly sweet, and possesses that nostalgia factor. So, being the benevolent and self-sacrificing reviewer that I am, I went on an ice cream crawl and tried the five top-rated parlors in the area on Google to show you which ones are worth the splurge and which ones you’re better off skipping.

FIRST STOP - SWEET SPOT

Student Discount: 5% (ID Required) Distance From Campus: 1 mile Overall Rating: 10/10 One bite of their banana pudding ice cream triggered an out-of-body experience reminiscent of the scene in Ratatouille when Anton Ego had a flashback to the comfort of his mother’s cooking. I stopped in my tracks, my eyes went wide, and both my pen and my jaw dropped. Suddenly, I found myself in my grandmother’s kitchen as she served a heaping bowl of ‘nanner puddin’ for us to share. While Sweet Spot is certainly a long walk from campus, it’s a short drive, and either way, the trek is worth it.

They serve what is, in my opinion, nothing short of the best ice cream you’ll ever have. All their flavors are balanced and texturally interesting, with bits of crust, cookies, or fruit in every bite. Everything is made in-house by Gina (the proprietor), and she’s been at it for quite some time. She spent nine years at their previous location downtown, and has been working at this current location for another three.

A single scoop on a waffle cone costs $4.29, which is cheaper than the average cost for the same order at the other four other establishments I visited. They have a seasonally rotating menu that reflects those warm winter feelings that we all know and love. The Apple Caramel Crisp flavor was decadent and satisfying, but

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the Pumpkin Cheesecake flavor was out of this world. Sweet Spot boasts an extensive menu and a drive-through for your convenience. The indoor seating area was clean and inviting, and the staff was absolutely lovely. If you’re looking for the best quality ice cream you can get your hands on, then this is the place for you.

SECOND STOP - PAT & TONI’S

Student Discount: 10% (ID Required) Distance From Campus: 0.4 miles Overall Rating: 8.5/10

I found Pat & Toni’s conflicting for several reasons. Firstly, their ice creams lacked the balance that my sophisticated adult palate has evolved to crave. The flavors were just sweet enough that I couldn’t finish a whole serving, but not so sweet that I wouldn’t come again. Secondly, their selection of ice cream flavors was significantly smaller than the other establishments. Thirdly, unlike other entries in my research, Pat & Toni’s offers everything from homemade fudge, to free chocolate-covered strawberries for students with a valid ID, and anything else your heart desires.

Their indoor seating, while adorable, is insubstantial and much too cramped for my taste. However, these qualms are completely outweighed by the atmosphere and vast array of various confections. In the pursuit of fairness on my quest for the best ice cream, not sweets at large, I refrained from indulging in such temptations. However, all the self-control in the world couldn’t keep the wave of chocolate and fall fragrance from permeating my senses.

Although known for being notoriously pricey, their double scoop on a waffle cone came out to be $4.80, which falls below the average cost for the same item. This was also the only establishment that made their waffle cones daily, as evidenced by both the enticing smell and elevated flavor. Just over a year ago, they switched owners, which means expanded weekend hours and more interesting specialty items like açai bowls and extreme milkshakes. If you want good homemade ice cream served in an eclectic vintage parlor within walking distance of campus, then Pat & Toni’s has you covered.

THIRD STOP - RODEO WHIP

Student Discount: Yes, But Unspecified Percentage (ID Required) Distance From Campus: 2 Miles Overall Rating: 4/10 I tried this joint on a buddy’s recommendation. I thought it wise to trust the taste of a friend and the 4.6 star rating out of 1,251 reviews on Google. I was mistaken. The building, shabby in appearance cast in an inky midnight cloud, read as sketchy to say the least. I decided to take advantage of their “convenient” drive-through due to the perilous-feeling environment. I queued my car into the makeshift line designated with dirty orange cones and sat for a grand total of 45 minutes.

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WHIT’S FROZEN CUSTARD

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SWEET SPOT

As I used my phone’s flashlight in an attempt to read their unlit and borderline illegible menu, I realized that not even my Olivia Rodrigo playlist could salvage this excursion. By the time I was finally able to order, I asked the staff about their menu since I had no earthly clue what they served. They were sweet but largely unhelpful, so I just ordered whatever sounded pleasant enough.

Their garbage pail flavor, which sounded like a slam dunk in terms of nostalgia, was chock full of a variety of chocolate bars and was altogether sickeningly sweet. Two bites were too much and so I turned my attention to Rodeo Whip’s last hope—chocolate chip on a cake cone. While this flavor was similarly sweetened, it was less of an affront to the senses. The texture was thick and smooth, and its flavor reminded me of a classic Blizzard at Dairy Queen. I was able to finish half of it before the lactose and sugar hit me in the pit of my stomach. Because their prices aren’t posted anywhere on their drive-through menu, which is decidedly unconventional compared to the other entries, I have no idea what the cone came to cost me.

What I do know is that I snagged a single scoop on a cake cone and a kiddie cup—which is the same size as a single scoop in a cup only cheaper—for a total of $6.04. This combined cost is lower than the average total at the other parlors that I visited, which to be fair, is a plus. If all you want is a cheap treat that can satisfy an overactive sweet tooth, and you don’t mind the wait, then Rodeo Whip might be the move for you.

FOURTH STOP - WHIT’S FROZEN CUSTARD:

Student Discount: 10% (ID Required) Distance From Campus: 0.2 Miles Overall Rating: 9 /10

As Sweet Lics loyalists would know, Whit’s Frozen Custard replaced the aforementioned fan-favorite ice cream store downtown in Jan. 2021. By serving custard as opposed to traditional hard ice cream, they offer a fresh take on a classic. Their flavors are numerous and customizable, but best of all, they are balanced. I struggled to pry myself away from their classic vanilla on a cone, whose greatest strength is its simplicity.

Each visit evokes an uncanny sentiment within me that harkens back to my most cherished childhood memories. Perhaps it’s the texture of the custard that resembles soft-serve ice cream, or perhaps it is the seasonal decor, but whatever the root of this sensation may be, I find that this hit of nostalgia is just as addictive as the custard itself. Whit’s has specialty flavors and toppings which rotate both weekly and monthly, so one could never fully exhaust their options.

I tried their caramel apple flavor in a cup and it blew my mind. Containing

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a generous portion of caramelized apple chunks, this seasonal treat tasted like someone dropped an apple pie in their vanilla mix by mistake. Be warned though, custard melts quickly.

This isn’t a “sit around and chat” type of treat—you’ve gotta get it while the gettin’s good. A double scoop on a waffle cone ran me $5.54, which was the most expensive entry on the list.

But with the slightly heftier price tag, you’ll gain both quality and convenience.

Whit’s is the closest parlor to the main campus, and they always have friendly and efficient service. They offer chic and ample seating set in a warm atmosphere. In addition to the madeto-order options, they also sell pints of their greatest hits for future feasts. And, as a bonus, they sell swag in every size and color. If you want a place that offers quality homemade custard served in a nostalgic little package, then Whit’s is your best bet.

FIFTH STOP - BERRYVILLE

Student Discount: 10% (ID Required) Distance From Campus: 0.4 Miles Overall Rating: 8 /10 Berryville’s greatest strength is the vibes that it fosters. It’s this amorphous and intangible thing that arises from itss ambience, variety of menu options, and overall uniformity of their products. What sets Berryville apart from its competitors is the atmosphere. Brightly colored chairs fill a generous seating area surrounded by neon lights and photo-ops. As I sat to consume my frozen feast, the sounds of laughter from the table opposite me and throwbacks playing from the radio filled me with effervescence.

While they serve hard ice cream here, it’s not anything mind-blowing or necessarily cheap.

Don’t get me wrong though, it’s still very satisfying. Their butter pecan on a waffle cone was rich and creamy, albeit a bit too sweet. But at $5.52 for a single scoop, you’d hope that it’d be more than just good. The standout option for me was undoubtedly their self-serve section, which boasted a lineup of sorbets, custards, and frozen yogurts, and where the final price is determined by weight. The array of toppings were rather impressive, as they included everything from popping boba to Tajín seasoning and even a variety of cereals.

My go-to from this section is the classic vanilla which acts as a neutral base for the wild assortment of toppings that I enjoy. Aside from these choices, they also offer an impressive amount of interesting items including boba tea, Dippin Dots, milkshakes, and more. For those so inclined, they sell colorful swag as well as ice cream for dogs. And, as a fun perk for the frugal or environmentally conscious, you get a free reusable spoon with every order of frozen yogurt. If you’re looking for a place to hang out with friends that offers something for even the pickiest of confidants, then Berryville is the top contender.

DeLand is rich with options for those looking for a cold remedy to satisfy their sweet tooth. This lineup of candidates, all of which are within two miles of campus, offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for the best of the best; a menu extensive enough to cover all your bases; or something to take you back to the simpler days of your youth, we’ve got you covered.

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WHIT’S FROZEN CUSTARD

PAT & TONI’S

RODEO WHIP BERRYVILLE

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26 issue II

back in the of things, with restrictions A tempo: back to a new normal, maintaining exemplary music-making while navigating safety.

Story by Erica Lucio Design by Isabel Solorzano Photos by Jillian Semmel

LEFT: Trombone member of the U.S.B. rehearsing with required bell cover and condensation pad. MIDDLE: Director of Bands, Dr. Phillips, rehearsing with the University Symphonic Band. RIGHT: Flautist member of the U.S.B. rehearsing with required flute shield and a mask.

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AFTER TWO YEARS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO COLLABORATE AND MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER, the Stetson School of Music is finally back

into the groove of things.

Prior to Fall 2021, ensembles (band, choir, orchestra, jazz, etc.) have held classes, rehearsals, and virtual performances in the Lynn Business Center parking lot under white tents.

As a student of the School of Music, this was far from ideal as there were distractions all around us, but we made it work and pushed forward.

One of the highlights of playing outside was during Spring 2021 when I was in University Symphonic Band rehearsal. We were working on “Irish Tune from County Derry” by Percy Grainger, and I remember we played it all the way through and each member in the ensemble was connected and present. As I was playing my part I was filled with nostalgia; I remember playing Percy Grainger pieces in my high school band. I also felt such a warm sense of hope, that even though we’re all dealing with the unthinkable, everything will be okay. The only place we can go from here is up. It was a surreal, out-of-body experience.

Looking back on rehearsing in the peak of COVID-19, Director of Bands Douglas Phillips, D.MA, recounts that, “Last year we had to navigate things in a completely different way than we’ve ever done before. At that point, nobody knew 100% of things. We had what we had in the fall and then we have the different way we did things in the spring, it kept us moving forward and growing. Not the way I would have liked and not to the degree that we normally did but, amazingly, we came through it and everybody grew still a ton during that time. The situations and circumstances we all had to work through taught us different things and hope to enjoy and appreciate what we have.”

To bring ensembles back to rehearsal rooms and concert halls took careful thought, strategic planning, and several meetings by the School of Music faculty. Towards the end of Spring 2021, the projection of COVID seemed to trend towards a positive direction until the Delta variant developed.

“At the end of the last spring and through summer, it looked like we were going to be, quote-unquote, even more back to normal than we had been. In July, myself and a couple other colleagues had meetings. We were talking about how events were going to run for the fall. Literally a week later, right as we approached August, we had another meeting and it completely changed our tone because everything had changed because while we had been aware of the Delta variant and all that,” said Phillips. “Its impact on our ability to have large events, to have all the different things that we

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were thinking, even if there was still going to be restrictions, we were moving in a positive direction. So that immediately turned the ship the other way a little bit.”

Not only did the School of Music faculty discuss plans for ensembles, but they had to go through different people for approval on decisions being made for rehearsals, performances, audience capacity, and so on: “I don’t make the decisions. I push, but I push to say ‘hey, when can we do this? Is this feasible?’ Then it goes up the chain and through Stetson’s Safer Campus Task Force to say ‘Yes, we can make this happen now’,” he said.

Phillips spoke to his colleagues about being “tired of making decisions or being asked to make decisions on things I’m not qualified to make decisions about because I am not a Public Health Expert, I’m a Band Director.”

Entering Fall 2021, Stetson University was in Tier 2.5, which, for the School of Music, meant getting PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) materials to abide by COVID-19 regulations so we could finally rehearse indoors again, while social distancing.The required PPE materials differ from instrument to instrument. Strings, percussionists, vocalists, pianists, and organists only need masks. Woodwinds and brass players were required to have a mask with a hole that allowed easy access to the mouthpiece but covered the nose. Bells required covers for the ends of instruments were also require, and, primarily for brass players, condensation pads were needed to be on the ground directly so that the condensation was captured on the PPE mat and not the floor.

Being a clarinet student in the School of Music, the bell covers are almost entirely useless although the bell cover does capture the condensation that falls out. If anyone has seen a clarinet, perhaps in middle school band or from SpongeBob SquarePants, there are multiple keyholes all over the clarinet where air releases from. Containing the air coming out of the clarinet would restrict the sound. The bell covers, unfortunately, do this to a few of our notes. This is almost entirely the same situation for flute players.

Senior flautist, Rachel Nolasco ‘22, shared her insight on using PPE for her instrument: “I definitely feel that it is somewhat effective and somewhat for show. I think that when people see something in front it makes them feel better, but we haven’t had to wear the flute sock now for a couple of weeks. We still have to wear the face shield.”

As for the impacts the PPE brings to Nolasco’s musicianship and playing ability, “I definitely think it’s negatively affected my flute playing. Especially during

rehearsals. I feel that I’m not putting out my best work.

That kind of feels like it’s not fair just because you want to be doing your best. The flute shield really interferes with the air stream when I’m trying to play the flute if some of the high-notes don’t come out or it just feels like I have to change different embouchures,” she said.

An embouchure is the formation of the mouth fitting to the instrument and for Nolasco, “That part has annoyed me the most because embouchure is very important to the instrument and having a specific one that you’re comfortable with is good, but with the flute shield it just goes out the window.”

Although vocalists only need a mask for their PPE gear, it covers their instrument—their mouth— which inherently presents challenges. Senior choral music education major, Carlos Castro ‘21 shared what choral students have had to do to make their music come to life.

“We have to really over-enunciate consonants, we have to open our mouths more. Most of the time with the mask you can’t see our face. So we would get away with shallow breathing and opening our mouths not too wide, but because we have this and people have to still understand what we’re saying, we have to open our mouths very wide and like I said, over enunciate consonants so that way people can understand what the music is,” said Castro.

Not only does enunciating go a long way to aid the audience’s understanding of the music, but body language helps as well: “Last year, prepping for senior recital and going to rehearsals I had to make sure I was much more bombastic to get people to understand not only what I was saying but with my body language, showing people what I was trying to say or what I was trying to convey,” Castro said.

On Oct. 11, Stetson transitioned to Tier 3. For the School of Music, PPE lightened up. The majority of the PPE required during Tier 2.5 was still needed with the exception of the mask. Instead of wind players having to have a mask with a hole, we were able to use a regular mask and pull it down to play, except for long periods of rest in our music. I think it’s much more comfortable because you don’t have the mask on your face at all times and for those with glasses, like me, your glasses don’t fog up which is a bonus.

Not long after Tier 3 was enforced, the Stetson community entered Tier 4 on Nov. 4, but went into effect on Nov. 8 for the School of Music. To maintain the safety of School of Music students, faculty members,

and custodians, our PPE requirements remain relatively the same (flautists don’t need a flute sock unless they have a condensation pad on the ground directly under their instrument). Tier 4 allows for School of Music ensembles to not need a bell cover or flute shield during the dress rehearsal and performance of a concert, while any and all rehearsals require continued use of all necessary PPE. The directors and ensemble conductors, however, continue to wear masks in rehearsals and during performances.

Conducting is a physically taxing activity, and as music students, we see when the mask takes a bit of a toll on our directors and/or conductors: “I don’t mean this to sound holier than thou or something like that but, oftentimes in this process, my stuff came last,” shared Phillips. In the University Symphonic Band’s first concert of the semester, Phillips stated that after the performance of “Judges of the Secret Court Overture” by Hector Berlioz and arranged by Thomas Knox, he needed to go off stage to catch his breath.

“In the moment I was fine. It was just like anything. Just like when you stop running a race. If you stop running all of a sudden it’s harder to breathe because suddenly you’ve changed the rhythm,” he said. Not only does the mask affect the aftermath of conducting, but we also lose facial cues which are crucial for ensembles. Facial cues are used to show entrances, dynamics, emotions, and so on to aid ensembles in performing their music to the best of their abilities. Since masks restrict facial cues, ensembles have had to work even harder to bring their music to the highest caliber possible given all the PPE. On Nov. 19, the University Symphonic Band performed in our second concert of the semester. In our soundcheck before the concert, Dr. Phillips informed us that he was allowed to take off his mask during the performance only when conducting. We were all cheering for him. I for one was glad because we finally were able to see facial cues.

This concert was one for the books and a full-circle moment. It was the first time we performed without bellcovers and flute shields. We also world-premiered a piece entitled “Assembly at The Great Gates,” by one of our University Symphonic Band percussionists, Colby Savary, and recognized a group of seniors.

In retrospect, all the challenges the School of Music has faced due to the pandemic have not been easy, but together as a community, we have tackled them with fervor and zeal, coming out on the other side stronger and triumphant. I dearly commend the diligence, dedication, and strength of the faculty, students, and staff of the School of Music: the “Pride of Stetson.”

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Offensive Lineman and Psychology major Avery Samuels ‘23.

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the

COMEBACK

Finding hope through tragedy in the pandemic’s wake.

Story by Jay Stearman Design by Isabel Solorzano Photos by Jillian Semmel

EIGHTEEN MONTHS ON FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC and we’re all still feeling its effects on the daily.

We have all been impacted by the lockdowns and sudden yet prolonged changes to the way we work, study, and socialize. But there are some of us who have experienced more devastating losses than the rest of us could ever imagine. One Stetson student in particular has a heartbreaking story that redefines the meaning of tragedy. Even so, his story is one of hope, camaraderie, and tenacity.

20-year-old Avery Samuels ‘23 is a selfdescribed “lowkey guy” who grew up in Philadelphia and is studying psychology in his junior year here at Stetson. He’s an only child and started playing football in middle school.

“I wasn’t really that interested at first,” he said, “but once I started playing, it all started to click and I fell in love with the game.”

Before he graduated high school, he had an offer to play Division I football at a liberal arts school in DeLand. He was drawn to Stetson mainly by being able to continue his sport at such a high level as well as the academic opportunities provided by the university. He has not only enjoyed the warmer weather, which takes him away from the memories of shovelling snow-covered sidewalks again and again, but also the community and team he has become a part

kind

of as a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman for the football team.

Samuels’ life changed when he tragically lost seven family members to the COVID-19 virus in the early months of the pandemic. Of all the losses he experienced, Avery’s uncle’s passing in April 2020 hit the hardest. The grief sent shockwaves through his family and derailed his budding ambitions as a college athlete, but he was thankful for the time he was able to spend with his family when he returned home: “I got to spend extra time with them I wouldn’t have been able to,” Samuels said.

He had the chance to grieve with his loved ones and found time to reconnect with his high school football coach to keep him in good shape while being away. But the nature of the pandemic left him feeling isolated from the other close people who supported him.

“Being in quarantine meant that life was so different than what I was used to,” he said. “I didn’t have my friends and teammates there to distract me.”

Despite being apart, Samuels felt the compassion and support from his teammates and coaches as they reached out to him often, either to reflect on his pain or just to have simple conversation. The way he coped with loss was “just to have regular conversations and not dwell on it,” he added.

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“My teammates and coaches were really understanding,” he said. “They tried to keep me as included as possible.”

The move to online meetings as the pandemic set in made him feel less separated from the team as well and allowed him to stay active even when he was almost a thousand miles away: “Everything being on zoom and virtual made me feel like I was still there even though I wasn’t physically,” said Samuels.

Avery Samuels declared his major in psychology before the pandemic, but losing his uncle and feeling the effect on his mental health solidified him in his decision to pursue the degree.

“It’s definitely an important field,” he said. “It’s become more relevant and people are starting to address it more.” He added that being an athlete gave him that extra motivation to go into sports psychology because “you don’t often hear about how mental health affects them.”

Samuels also drew attention to first-year Head Coach Brian Young’s ability to make the team culture stronger, despite being so new in his position, when it was falling apart due to the difficult pandemic-related circumstances. The team is “a lot closer than before and Coach Young has made all of us more effective in our work,” he added.

He also mentioned how understanding Coach Young and the staff are of the mental health needs of the players, realizing that they are also students and young men trying to thrive in college: “Being an athlete on top of college life can be really overwhelming,” Samuels said. “So it’s important to take a step back from it from time to time, either literally or figuratively.”

Samuels spoke highly of both the football program and its staff: “All of us on the team feel that the coaching staff is welcoming and understanding,”

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he said. “We know we can come talk to them about anything.”

Given the tragedy Samuels experienced, his praise of the football program’s attention to player wellbeing was all the more impactful.

“Recently there’s been an emphasis on mental health, especially with athletes,” he said. “They’ve definitely brought in more resources to help with mental health,” he added, showing appreciation for the Hilinski’s Hope College Football Mental Health Week held in October of this year. During their game against Marist in Poughkeepsie on Oct. 9th, both teams held up the number 3 in the beginning of the 3rd quarter in honor of Tyler Hilinski, former quarterback of Washington State University, who wore the number and took his own life in 2018.

“It’s important to be aware of what you and your friends and teammates are going through,” he said, relaying that mental health is a key part of overall fitness. “You’re only going to function at your best if everything is feeling well, both physically and mentally.”

Samuels was one of 30 college athletes nominated for the 2021 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year award which recognizes “inspiring studentathletes from all levels of college football who have overcome injury, illness, or other challenges.” Despite being away from the team and the practice field for a year while grieving for the loved ones he lost during the pandemic, Avery returned to Stetson and made his way back to the offensive line for the Hatters.

In December of this year, three of the nominees will be chosen as winners of the 2021 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award and recognized at a special ceremony on New Year’s day in Arizona.

When asked how it felt to be nominated for this award, he spoke about his feelings when he first heard the news from a friend after practice.

“In my head, I felt honored to receive it, but I felt like other players deserved it more,” he said. The other nominees are largely students who suffered serious injuries last year and came back to perform strongly on and off the field. Humble and reserved, Samuels was quick to minimize the attention he had been receiving since the announcement of his nomination.

“It was nice,” he said, “but my focus has been on school and keeping on with the season.”

“In the past year, I’ve had time to heal and grow closer with my family,” Samuels said, adding that he was really looking forward to things getting back to normal, whether that’s football practice in the pouring rain or staying up late in the night after doing homework to watch horror movies with friends. Reflecting on the loss he experienced from the pandemic and returning back to Stetson, “It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad to be back with my friends and my team,” he said.

As the pandemic continues, Avery Samuels is glad to have had the time to heal and still be a major part of not only the football team, but the Stetson community as a whole. “I feel like we have a good culture here,” he said. “It’s a pretty inclusive community.” He’s grateful to be in these environments at Stetson which make him feel welcomed and supported especially when he needed support the most.

“I think the football program and the coaching staff represents a good amount of what the whole Stetson community is,” Samuels concluded. “A lot of people are comfortable being here and just being comfortable in who they are.”

When Avery needed his friends and team to step up and have his back in his toughest moments, they were there. The support he received and the determination he embodied throughout this pandemic should be a testament to all of us. Care for yourself and for others; be kind and don’t wait to ask for help. But above all, never give up hope.

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34 issue II

unpacked.

1. Inhaler

Jacklyn Lavoie ‘22, captain of Stetson’s women’s lacrosse team, is always busy. Between practices, games, and classes, Lavoie needs to carry a lot around to accommodate her schedule. This is what’s in her practice backpack.

“I’ve got an inhaler because I have asthma.”

Story by Calista Headrick Design by Isabel Solorzano Photos by Jillian Semmel

2. Protein bar

“I always have a protein bar in here. I’m definitely going to eat this.”

3. Sunscreen

“Sunscreen: I put it on every single day, even if it’s cloudy.”

4. Ibuprofen

“The ibuprofen, for if I’m feeling sore.”

5. Stretch band

“My stretch band because we always do stretching after practice.”

6. Goggles and mouth guard

“I’ve got my goggles and my mouth guard because we play with these everyday too.”

7. Practice pinnie

“My practice pinnie, we have to wear them every single day, so I always have that with me.”

8. Backpack

“This is our backpack. We get it... at the very beginning of the fall [when] we have fall ball games, so we get it when we travel, and then in the spring we have it the whole semester because we do a lot of travelling. So they give us a backpack and they give us a team duffel bag.”

Jacklyn Lavoie ‘22, captain of the women’s lacrosse team.

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8 3 1

4

5

6

7

unpacked.

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TOUCHSTONE 2022 SUBMIT YOUR

prose photography visual art poetry audio the reporter

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AMPERSAND

Hayden Collins ‘25, artist of “YiKeS”

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I (virtually) sat down with Hayden Collins, a first-year digital arts major with a studio art minor. We talked about two iterations of her painting, YiKeS that really caught my eye (pun intended).

Story by Vivianne Skavlem Design by Isabel Solorzano & Bella Steiert Photos by Jillian Semmel

Q: So how long have you been doing art, digital art, painting, etc?

A: I want to say I’ve been doing traditional art for as long as I can remember, since I was really, really little, but taking it seriously, maybe around fifth grade-ish, when people were like “Hey, that’s pretty cool,” and then I just kept doing it.

But digital art is very recent. I only started picking it up, maybe junior year of high school, when I realized that I wanted to do something artistic for a career, and I was told digital art might be the best vein for that, and I really enjoy it. So I do a lot of digital illustration now, because of that.

Q: What would you say is the biggest difference between traditional art and digital art?

A: So when people say traditional, they normally mean like studio or, not on a screen basically. Traditional is more painting and using a pencil and charcoals and physical things like that. Both are equally valid. I hear a lot of stuff about digital art versus traditional art and the validity of what makes art, art and they’re both equally valid. They both take a lot of time and effort and practice, practice, practice.

Q: How has your process for creating a piece evolved? If so, how has it changed over time?

A: It used to be more of a, “I make art because people seem to like it. And I seem to be good at it. And that seems to make some sort of impact on the people and how I feel, so I keep making art.” Now it’s more of a “I know that I really enjoy it.” I take a lot of influence from different creators, people like, I don’t know, this is more of like a mixed media visual arts for digital art. But Jack Sabra is a really big influence of mine, and his art is very wacky and weird. I just kind of love that. So I guess my creative process leans more toward what can I do to make people kind of confused?

And concerned? Maybe, but I don’t know, just to have fun.

“YiKeS” by Hayden Collins

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Q: So I love the pieces we have for Ampersand.

Could you talk me through both of them?

Because they’re similar, but are they different iterations?

A: Yeah, for sure. So the first one I did was the smaller one. I basically had a time where I played around with mediums. I did that in watercolor and ink at home. I was just bored and felt like painting something kind of strange. I really started enjoying painting weird stuff like that. Then I went back to school and finished the larger piece my senior year and it’s in Prisma color. So I just wanted to try a new medium with a piece that I already had. So that’s all there is to there being two pieces really.

Q: So earlier you were talking about your style and what you like to draw and create. How did you start and where are you now? That sounds like a very interesting evolution.

A: I started really enjoying drawing animals, the first thing I got into, like the vein of cartoons and stuff, as a kid. Every artist goes through a little phase of loving cartoons. And so after that, I ended up going through a phase of looking up other artists online, and then I started experimenting. I ended up really gravitating toward art pieces that made me really confused or had some sort of other narrative that was missing from the art piece. I was like, I want to do that. So that led into just a bunch of weird random art like the eyeball one, that’s just a product of that.

Q: What do you want people to get out of these specific eyeball paintings? Was there something specific you either wanted to convey to the viewer or what inspired you to make this specific thing?

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A: At the time that I finished the second piece in high school, I went to a very small Christian High School.

A lot of the other artists in my class that I made this in were all [making] very, not tame stuff, but like, normal stuff. I think part of me just wanted to be confusing, and I wanted to provoke a narrative of like, “I want you to fill in the blank for why on earth this is the way it is, like this doesn’t make any sense.” I want you to try and make sense of it. But I don’t know, something like that.

Q: What advice, or words of wisdom would you want to impart on people who are thinking about wanting to get into art or just starting to enter into it?

A: Don’t care what other people think. Practice. If you find something you enjoy, and you want to develop a style, which I haven’t even done yet, it’s very difficult.

Just practice with something you’re comfortable with.

And yet, stick with it. Because the biggest thing with a lot of the arts is a lot of people start and then don’t commit and they’re like, “Well, that was that.”

Q: I have heard that you sell some merch. What do you sell and where can I find it?

A: Yes, I sell art. I sell stickers and prints, and I’m thinking about putting some more pieces up on the shop. I sell on Etsy at HaydenDoesArt. That’s a new thing. I only started this year. Oh, yeah. I also do commissions, but that’s a little different.

Q: Do you have any last big thing you want to say to the world?

A: Be cool. Stay cool. Stay cool out there. Stay cool.

Okay. That’s all.

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WHAT

are you listening to?

Stream Stetson’s best (and only) radio station live on hatternetwork.com Or download Radio.Co to tune in

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@hatternetwork

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