Haley Salvador / THE DAILY GAMECOCK
Gamecocks drop regular season finale to Lady Vols page 8 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018
VOL. 110, NO. 13 l SINCE 1908
CAST YOUR VOTE
Designed by Jayson Jeffers
Choose USC’s next student body president
Courtesy of Tommy DiBona
Courtesy of Kathryn Stoudemire
Courtesy of West Russell
Courtesy of Taylor Wright
TOMMY DIBONA
WEST RUSSELL
KATHRYN STOUDEMIRE
TAYLOR WRIGHT
“Get people out, get people excited, get people involved.”
“When we work for each other, we become our greatest.”
“What we need to do is stop talking and start acting.”
“We have to take student government to people.”
W h ile DiBona has been involved in Student Government as deputy of alumni relations on Student Body President Ross Lordo’s executive cabinet and in the elections commission last year, he’s looking to move up to the highest position within SG. DiBona is campaig n ing on i nc re a s i n g ac c e s s ibi l it y and unity of the student body t h rough c reat i ng a Boa rd of St udents, modeled on t he Board of Trustees, and Student G ameday. “I want people to be inspired,” DiBona said. In addit ion to his involvement, D i B o n a s e r v e s a s t he v ic e president of the Sigma A lpha Epsilon fraternity.
The only presidential candidate not running on a ticket, Russell is unconventional in more ways than one. Most candidates create expansive staffs numbering 100 and beyond, yet Russell lists just four. He hasn’t created a website or campaign social media accounts. He has no ex per ience w it h i n St udent Government and said that Student Government hasn’t benefited him in any way. The purpose of the campaign, he says, is to “reclaim the unity we lost during this last national election.” W it h i nvolvement i n st udent organizations like Quidditch and SGTV, Russell hopes to bring an outside perspective to the role of president.
A fifth-generation Gamecock, Stoudemire ser ves as St udent Body President Ross Lordo’s chief of staff. While she was involved in Greek life early on as Delta Zeta’s creative media chair and PR chair, Student Government entered her life sophomore year when she joined the communications staff and t hen ran t he Moment um campaign. Work ing alongside Ross, she said, has showed her the position of president in a unique way. “I would make sure to use the relationships I’ve built with the administration,” Stoudemire said. Stoudemire is campaigning on pedestrian bridges and “fireside chats.”
Wright was involved with Student Government before even stepping foot onto USC’s campus. After attending Pillars for Carolina and working on Freshman Council, Wright serves currently as Secretary of Campus Outreach on Student Body President Ross Lordo’s executive cabinet. He’s been executive director for UofSC Flood Relief, chief of staff for Lead the Way and is an ambassador for the university and University President Harris Pastides. With platform points like Smart Parking and Midnight Madness, at the debate Wright said, “I want people to know that I’m not just talking about making things happen, but that we actually make them happen.”
Learn more: uofscignite.com
Learn more: surgeusc.com
Learn more: rallyunitecarolina.com
HOW TO VOTE IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS: Polls are open 9 a.m. Tuesday to 5 p.m. Wednesday
1. Log on to sc.edu/elections
SEE VIOLATION TRACKER PAGE 2 3.Select a candidate for each position
2. Read a short 4. Submit your vote bio for each candidate
SEE ENDORSEMENT PAGE 6
2
Monday, February 26, 2018
About The Daily Gamecock About The Daily Gamecock
Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief KAMILA MELKO KAMILA MELKO BEN CRAWFORD Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor Editors DEBBIE CLARK KAMILA MELKO MADELEINE VATH MADELEINE VATH EMILY READY Managing Editors Managing Editor Design Directors RANADirectors SOBEIH MARY Design RAMSEY, LOGAN MADELEINE VATHZAHNER RACHAEL MCGAHEE RACHAEL MCGAHEE OnlineDirector Editor Design Design Directors LOGAN ZAHNER LOGAN ZAHNER GREY KLEIN MAGGIE NEAL RACHAEL MCGAHEE Special Sections Director Special Sections Director Design Director Copy Desk Chief LOGAN ZAHNER JESSICA BLAHUT JESSICA BLAHUT RACHAEL MCGAHEE ERIN METCALF Special Sections Director Copy Desk Copy Desk Chief Chief Special Sections Director Social Media Editor JESSICA BLAHUT CAROLYN CAROLYN CULBERTSON KELLYCULBERTSON VILLWOCK GILLIAN MUNOZ Copy Desk Chief Social Media Editor Social Media Editor Copy Desk Chiefs Photo Editors CAROLYN CULBERTSON GABBI FRASCO GABBI FRASCO DREW MUELLER VICTORIA RICHMAN, SARA YANG Social Media Editor Photo Editors Photo Editors MADELEINE VATH News FRASCO Editors GABBI CODY SCOGGINS CODY SCOGGINS Social Media Editor T. MICHAEL BODDIE, LARISSA JOHNSON Photo Editors ABBY WEBB ABBYNews WEBBEditor GABBI FRASCO Assistant CODY SCOGGINS ADAM COLLINS ADAM COLLINS Photo Editor MEGHAN CRUM ABBYEditors WEBB News News Editors KAMILA MELKO Senior News Writer ADAM COLLINS PATRICK INGRAHAM PATRICK INGRAHAM News Editor HANNAH DEAR News Editors EMILY BARBER EMILY BARBER PATRICK INGRAHAM Arts & Culture Editor PATRICK INGRAHAM MARY RAMSEY MARY RAMSEY Features Editor MATTIE HIBBS EMILY BARBER Arts & Culture Editors Arts & Culture Editors OLASOV AssistantBELVIN Arts & Culture Editors MARY RAMSEY KYLIE TOKAR KYLIE TOKAR Arts & Culture Editors EMILY BARBER, DARBY HALLMAN Arts &KYLIE Culture Editors LAUREN GALIDA LAUREN GALIDA TOKAR Opinion Editors KYLIE TOKAR SAM BREAZEALE SAM BREAZEALE LAUREN LINDENLAUREN ATELSEK,GALIDA DAN NELSON Opinion Editors Opinion Editors OpinionGALIDA Editor Sports Editor SAM BREAZEALE GRIFFIN HOBSON GRIFFIN HOBSON BEN CHAKAMIAN TURNER CLAUDIA Opinion Editors LINDEN ATELSEK LINDEN ATELSEK Sports Editor Assistant Sports Editors GRIFFIN HOBSON Sports Editors Sports Editors WILL HELMS SHELBY LINDEN BECKLER, ETHAN LOMAS ATELSEK JOSEPH CREVIER JOSEPH CREVIER Senior Designer Editors Assistant News EditorsSports WILL OUTLAW ADAM ERIN ORFINGER SLOWEY JOSEPH CREVIERAssistant Photo Editors EMILY BARBER BOBBY BALBONI MARYDesigners RAMSEY CODY SCOGGINS Senior Assistant ArtsSCHNEIDER & Culture Editor ABBY WEBB Faculty Advisor GREER Senior Designers Creative Director SAM BREAZEALE Faculty Advisor DOUG FISHER ANNIE PARK Faculty Advisor Designers GREER SCHNEIDER EDGAR SANTANA Assistant Opinion Editor DOUG FISHER Student Media Director Designers Senior Designers DOUG FISHER CONNER GREENBERG, ANNIE PARKMADELINE Production Manager GRIFFIN HOBSON Interim Student Media Director SARAH SCARBOROUGH ANNIE PARK, ASHLYN JACKSON, Faculty Advisor GREER SCHNEIDER Student Media Director FARRIS, TAYLOR SHARKEY Designers DEGAN CHEEK SARAH SCARBOROUGH Assistant Sports Editors Social Media Manager MARIELA RODRIGUEZ, RACHEL DOUG FISHER ANNIE PARK SARAH SCARBOROUGH Assistant Copy Desk Chief ANNIE PARK, ASHLYN JACKSON, Creative Services KELLI CALDWELL Business Manager SYDNEY PATTERSON MINETTI, WANDA FELSENHARDT Student Media Director Designers Social Media Manager CAITLIN BURNHAM LINA LEGARE, CHARLOTTE PRICE, MARIELA RODRIGUEZ, RACHEL JOSEPH CREVIER KRISTINE CAPPS Creative Director Assistant Copy Desk Chief SARAH SCARBOROUGH ANNIE PARK, ASHLYN JACKSON, SYDNEY PATTERSON Senior Copy Editor RANNAH DERRICK, KODY KRATZER, MINETTI, WANDA FELSENHARDT Assistant Design Director Creative Director EDGAR SANTANA DEBBIE CLARKRACHEL Social Media Manager MARIELA RODRIGUEZ, Creative Director MARIA JUTTON BRANDON BRAZELL, Assistant Copy Desk Chief LOGAN ZAHNER EDGAR SANTANA Creative Services Senior Copy Editors SYDNEY PATTERSON MINETTI, WANDA FELSENHARDT EDGAR SANTANA Copy Editors WANDA FELSENHARDT DEBBIE CLARK Senior Designer Production Manager ASHLYN MURPHY LARISSA JOHNSON Creative Director Assistant Copy Desk Chief Creative Services CAREY BURGESS, CLAUDIA CROWE, Student Marketing Manager Senior Copy Editors DEGAN CHEEK JESSICA BLAHUT Student Advertising Manager WENDELL EDGAR SANTANA DEBBIERITA CLARK WANDA FELSENHARDT, ASHLYN KAYLEN MICAELA TOMLIN, NAIDU, ELLIE HOLLY HEATON LARISSA JOHNSON Creative Services Designers DREW Services THIEL Copy Editors Creative Senior Copy Editors MURPHY, MEAGAN SIGMON, GRACE LORD, MIKE WOODEL, SARAH SNARE, Student Advertising Manager MICAELA WENDELL BRANDON BRAZELL, RANNAH ANNIE PARK, ASHLYN JACKSON, Advertising Representatives ERIN METCALF ASHLYN MURPHY LARISSA JOHNSON STEPTOE JOE MCLEAN NICK VOGT Copy Editors DERRICK, KODY KRATZER, LINA GREER ROSE SCHNEIDER, MARIELA CAITLINAdvertising DINGLER, ERIN LEE, STEPTOE Student Advertising Manager MICAELA WENDELL Student Manager Advertising Representatives METCALF LEGARE RODRIGUEZ,ERIN RACHEL MINETTI, WANDA DREW THIEL THIEL CopySTEPTOE Editors DREW JOSHUA DAVISON , COLE HALTOM, ROSE Student Advertising Manager FELSENHARDT Advertising Representatives ERIN METCALF Advertising Representatives Faculty Advisor LOWMAN HARLEY, ALEX BATEMAN, NICK VOGT Assistant Copy Desk Chief CAITLIN DINGLER,WHITE, ERIN LEE, ROSE STEPTOE ERIN LEE, TEHRANIE, CAMERON TOREY DOUG FISHER MARYAM PERRY WEST, Advertising Representatives CAROLYN CULBERTSON POWERS, JOLIEJUSTIN KATIE Student Director ANDREW SNIGHT, JOHNSON JOSHUA DAVISON ,DELIA, COLE HALTOM, SeniorMedia Copy Editor O’BOYLE, SPENCER LEE SARAH SCARBOROUGH CANON BLACKWELL The Daily Gamecock student newspaper LOMAN HARLEY, MARYAM DEBBIE CLARKis the editorially independent Business Manager TEHRANIE, AMANDA GRANT, CANON Copy Editors of the University of South Carolina. It is published in print two KRISTINE CAPPS BLACKWELL, LAUREN YOUNG ERIN METCALF, LARISSA JOHNSON, times per week in the fall and spring semesters and weekly during MICAELA WENDELL, ROSE STEPTOE,
the summer The Daily Gamecock with theis the exception editorially of university independentholidays student and newspaper exam The Daily Gamecock is the editorially independent student newspaper of the the University University ofSouth SouthCarolina. It It is Gamecock published is published daily during print two the periods. Opinions of expressed inCarolina. The Daily areinthe author’s of theDaily University of South Carolina. It is publishedstudent daily during the The Gamecock is the editorially independent newspaper fall and times spring week in the falland and nine spring times semesters and the weekly summer during with and areper not the semesters university’s. The Board of during Student Publications and fallthe and spring semesters nine times during the summer of University of South and Carolina. It is published daily duringwith the the exception summer with of university holidays university and exam holidays periods.The and Opinions exam Communications is the the exception publisher ofofThe Daily Gamecock. Offi ce the exception university and during exam periods. Opinions fall and springofsemesters andholidays nine times the summer with of expressed periods. Student Opinions inMedia The Daily expressed is the newspaper’s Gamecock in The are Daily parent theGamecock author’s organization. and are the are The author’s not Daily the expressed in The Daily Gamecock areand the exam author’s and are not the the exception of university holidays periods. Opinions Gamecock university’s. and are notis the The supported university’s. Board in of part Student The by Board student Publications ofactivity Student andfees. Communications Publications One free copy and university’s. Student Publications and Communications expressed in The TheBoard DailyofGamecock are the author’s and are not the per is thereader. Communications publisher Additional of isThe theDaily publisher copiesGamecock. may of The be purchased Daily The Department Gamecock. for $1 The each of Student Offi from ce is the publisher The Daily Gamecock. The Department of Student university’s. TheofBoard of Student Publications and Communications Student of Media Student isMedia. theMedia newspaper’s is the newspaper’s parent organization. parent organization. The Daily The Gamecock Daily Media is the newspaper’s parent organization. The Daily of Gamecock is the publisher of The Daily Gamecock. The Department Student Gamecock is supportedis in supported part by student in part activity by student fees.activity One free fees.copy One perfree reader. copy is supported part by student activity fees. OneThe freeDaily copy per reader. Media is theinnewspaper’s parent organization. Gamecock per Additional reader.copies Additional may dailygamecock.com be copies purchased mayforbe$1 purchased each fromfor Student $1 each Media. from is supported in part by student activity fees. One free copy per reader. Student Media. EDITOR editor@dailygamecock.com NEWS EDITOR news@dailygamecock.com EDITOR editor@dailygamecock.com OPINION editor@dailygamecock.com NEWS opinion@dailygamecock.com NEWS news@dailygamecock.com news@dailygamecock.com OPINION OPINION opinion@dailygamecock.com opinion@dailygamecock.com ARTS & CULTURE
ARTS & CULTURE dailygamecock.com arts@dailygamecock.com SPORTS dailygamecock.com SPORTS sports@dailygamecock.com
arts@dailygamecock.com Newsroom: 777-7726
Courtesy of Tribune News Service
“You have shown how sport brings people together in our very fragile world. You have shown how sport builds bridges.” — Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee president, on cooperation between North and South Korea at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Columbia shooting injures sends one to hospital Richland County deputies responded to a shooting at the 1500 block of St. Andrews Road on Sunday morning. The shooting resulted in one person being sent to the hospital, WIS TV 10 reports. The victim’s condition is unknown. Deputies are continuing to investigate the incident.
ARTS & CULTURE sports@dailygamecock.com PHOTO arts@dailygamecock.com PHOTO photo@dailygamecock.com SPORTS photo@dailygamecock.com sports@dailygamecock.com Newsroom: PHOTO 777-7726 photo@dailygamecock.com Editor’s office: Editor’s office: 777-3914 777-3914
— Compiled by T. Michael Boddie, news editor
VIOLATIONS TRACKER: There have been nine accusations of campaign violations as of Feb. 25. Find updated information on new violations and hearing verdicts as soon as it becomes available. VIOLATION: Holding a rally or special event CANDIDATE(S): Presidential candidate Tommy DiBona, vice presidential candidate Madi Carzon DATE OF ALLEGED VIOLATION: Feb. 13 VERDICT: Violation occurred, five points given
VIOLATION: Posting fliers in unpermitted location CANDIDATE(S): Treasurer candidate Wilfredo Anderson DATE OF ALLEGED VIOLATION: Feb. 14 VERDICT: Violation occurred, no points given
ALLEGED VIOLATION: Using university materials in a campaign video CANDIDATE(S): Speaker of the senate candidate Patrick Ellis DATE OF ALLEGED VIOLATION: Feb. 13 VERDICT: No violation occurred
ALLEGED VIOL ATION: Banner in wrong location CANDIDATE(S): Vice presidential candidate Mills Hayes DATE OF ALLEGED VIOLATION: Feb. 23 VERDICT: Hearing to be held Feb. 26 ALLEGED VIOLATION: Solicitation in Honors Residence Hall CANDIDATE(S): Presidential candidate Taylor Wright, vice presidential candidate Mills Hayes, speaker of the senate candidate Patrick Ellis DATE OF ALLEGED VIOLATION: Feb. 21 VERDICT: Hearing to be held Feb. 26 VIOLATION: Posting fliers in unpermitted location CANDIDATE(S): Vice presidential candidate Nick Hooks DATE OF ALLEGED VIOLATION: Feb. 14 VERDICT: Violation occurred, no points given
@thegamecock
Monday, February 26, 2018
3
Kids play, experience applications of engineering Hannah Dear
@THEGAMECOCK
Children learned about science and engineering at the Swearingen School of Engineering this Saturday at an Engineering Week Open House. “ We a r e r e ac h i n g out t o t he communit y,” said Stefanie Perrell, the outreach and recruitment director for Swearingen. “The whole purpose is to get younger kids interested in engineering and computer science and to actually bring them here and show them things they could be doing some day.” The National Guard brought a UH60 Black Hawk helicopter in honor of the event, and attendees were able to climb inside the helicopter to get a better understanding of what the U.S. military uses. “ I t h i n k it ’s i mpor t a nt so t he community gets to see us and see what we do, how we operate. It’s cool to have a face to face with us and be able to kind of explain what we do,” Chief Warrant Officer Antonio Montgomery said. The engineering program has access to various military aircraft for research and experimentation across all of the engineering degrees. “I think it’s really cool because kids can come out and see what the whole Apache is about and what we do,” said Evan Barnett, a third-year biomedical
Hannah Dear / THE DAILY GAMECOCK
Black Hawk helicopters are used for transportation, moving equipment and combat operations by the U.S. military.
engineering student. Dif ferent act iv it ies including a cornstarch pool, an airgun, segways a n d p u t t y w e r e s e t u p o u t s id e Swearingen. “ We s h o w t h e m k i nd of on a le vel t hey u nderstand, like basic st uff like marsh mallow a nd toothpick structures could some day turn into civil eng i ne er i n g,” s a id Perrell. “We want to expose them to these ideas of engineering and computer science as young as possible Hannah Dear / THE DAILY GAMECOCK with the hopes that
TDG
@thegamecock
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL NEWSLETTER
Get our headlines in your inbox daily! Go to dailygamecock.com and click on subscribe to sign up!
they continue on and come to college and do something like that.” Engineers Without Borders, an organization currently working on a clean water pipeline in Ecuador, set up a model water line to give kids a visual representation of the real work engineers do as well as raise awareness for those who do not have access to clean water. “As we go, kids are adding on little pieces of the toilet paper rolls so that we can complete the circuit all the way to our village down there,” William R ivers, a third-year biochemistr y student, said. Students of all ages came out to explore t he different act ivit ies at Swearingen and Blatt P.E. f ields. Children as young as 8 years old were
eager to learn more about science and engineering. “I’m looking around because last year we saw a bunch of cool stuff here and I want to check out the stuff here this year too,” fifth grader Peyton Sizemor said. “I like that we get to experiment with stuff.” Many young girls attended t he Eng ineering Week Open House, exemplifying the recent push for girls in STEM fields. “I think it’s so important because it gets them out of the room full of dolls, and they can see there’s so much out there,” Ashley Thomas-Bosch, Sizemor’s mother, said. “They can achieve anything, especially now.”
Monday, February 26, 2018
4
‘A Piece of My Heart’ explores Vietnam War from servicewomen’s perspectives Taylor Washington @TDG_ARTS
Although revisiting one of the most turbulent times in American history might seem like a daunting undertaking, director David Britt hopes to approach the task with ho ne s t y a nd hu m i l it y. I n h i s upcoming production of Shirley Lauro’s “A Piece of My Heart,” Britt pays tribute to the American ser v icewomen who ser ved i n Viet nam t h rough g ripping stor y tel l i ng a nd t he help of a dedicated cast. “ It ’s ab out t he wo me n w ho contributed and what they meant to the soldiers that were there, and what the soldiers meant to them,” Britt said. “A Piece of My Heart”, which premieres on March 1 at the Lab Theatre, was originally written by Lauro in the ‘90s and follows the lives of six different women who volunteer to serve in the Vietnam War. The group includes multiple nu rses, a st rateg ic intelligence of f icer and a t raveling count r y singer who has been commissioned to entertain the troops. Despite t heir various backg rou nds, t he women are united by their duties to the men on the front lines and their struggles to cope with the horrors of war. W hile the first act focuses on their time in Vietnam, the second act tackles the subsequent years as the women return to America and attempt to pick up the pieces the war has left behind. Britt, who has been involved with theatre since he was 14 years old, is currently on his 10th year as a senior instructor in the theatre and dance program at USC. His familiarity with Lauro’s work led Zach McKinley / THE DAILY GAMECOCK him to seize the perfect opportunity Some of the actors struggle with the heaviness of the show, but they fi nd relief and levity in rehearsing with each other. to share the particular message he had in mind. “ I t h i n k i t ’s v e r y Robinson, a second-year political science student “I wanted a play that interesting, the things takes on four roles in the show, but it isn’t the was about women that she kind of has volume of lines that poses the greatest challenge. serving the country, “It’s strange because for the majority of the play to go t h rough a and t heir sur v ival, little bit differently we stay onstage, but we’re not having lines, so and their strength than some of the we’re still there performing and staying present in and how important o t he r nu r s e s ... the show while not talking ... so that’s a challenge that is,” Britt said. whet her t hat be to be able to react the right amount and not react The cast includes d i s c r i m i n a t i o n when we need to,” Robinson said. 13 u nd e r g r a d u at e Although the male characters serve to anchor as a woman, or st udent s: si x lead discrim i nat ion as, the female cast, Long still hopes he and his peers ac t re s s e s a nd s e ven part icularly a black can “make them memorable and interesting in supporting actors who w o m a n ,” C r u m b l e y their own right.” pl ay a my r i ad of role s Like their onstage counterparts, the female cast said. r a ng i ng f rom sold ier s to A l t h o u g h s h e i s n ’t a members have created a strong bond and have civilians. Traditionally, Lauro’s t radit ional t heater actor by enjoyed coming to every rehearsal — especially text calls for one man to portray trade, Crumbley hopes she can the ones where the male cast members bring them all of the roles of the various male reflect Steele’s internal struggles and cookies beforehand and wish them luck. characters. However, Britt’s decision to “It’s been a really heavy show, especially in act has left it unto herself to fill in the cast multiple actors is to allow for a more missing blanks of her character to make two, and then having this bond, especially with “scenic” viewing experience. In addition to the ladies ... it’s still been really fun and really Steele as fleshed out as possible. the casting change, Britt’s version of the play Rosa Ramirez, a second-year anthropology engaging,” Crumbley said. “I look forward to incorporates live music as well. Still, Britt fi nds student plays Leanne, a nursing student who seeing how it is going to come through in the end his biggest challenge is moving so many people decides to volunteer despite her personal feelings and hopefully we can tell this story really, really around on a such a small stage, particularly a cast well and it’s as emotional and energized as it feels toward the war. of students, the majority of whom are 19 years “She’s this very strong, resilient woman, and for us.” old. After about six weeks of rehearsal, both the cast she’s completely against the war before having the “They’re a big group, and they’re a loud one,” thought of volunteering for Vietnam. But when and crew are in the process of polishing the project Britt said. she goes over there ... it breaks a barrier down to and are excited to share the finished product. During their first night of rehearsal, Britt why she was against the war because of all that’s For much of the cast, the process of putting recalls playing the song “19” by Paul Hardcastle together the show has been eye-opening and they going on,” Ramirez said. and learning that much of his cast was the same The male cast members are in virtually every wish that audiences leave with compassion and age as the average U.S. soldier in Vietnam. This scene but mostly are indirectly involved with the understanding. newly discovered common ground between the “I think I’d like everyone to take away that these servicewomen while onstage. cast and their characters ultimately helped push For example, Alex Long, a first-year physics women ... went through so much and everything their work even further. student, plays several soldiers in the fi rst act and that you think affects the typical Vietnam soldier Kayla Crumbley, a second-year theater student, returns “as a jerk in a bar who’s very rude to one ... it affected all the women too,” Long said. “I plays B.J. Steele, an African-American strategic of the nurses whilst trying to pick her up” in the think it’s really important for people to take away intelligence officer who, regardless her high rank, that they were just as a big of part of this as all the second act. still receives unfair treatment from her superiors. A not her ma le c a st member is A lex a nder soldiers were.”
“I wanted a play that was about women serving the country, and their surivval and their strength.” - David Britt
The Nickelodeon Theatre “Call Me By Your Name,” showing Feb. 19 - March 1 “Phantom Thread,” showing Feb. 19 - March 1 “The Insult,” showing Feb. 23 March 1
“Flag Wars,” showing Feb. 26 “Turkey Shoot,” showing March 2 Red Carpet Awards Party, March 4 Lab Theatre “A Piece of My Heart,” showing March 1 - 4
Russell House Theater “Daddy’s Home 2,” showing March 2-4 “Thor: Ragnarok,” showing March 2-4
Monday, February 26, 2018
Indie Grits independence allows focus on community programs Caroline Stringfellow @SILLY_STRING
Until recently, Indie Grits Labs ran art projects in the same space as the Nickelodeon Theatre, but the lack of physical distinction — in tandem with the fact that the Nick is growing rapidly — made it difficult for Indie Grits to focus on what they do best: organizing community-driven, educational programs for youth and local artists. This drove Indie Grits Labs to branch out and to become independent of the Nickelodeon. Both are now operating at different locations, but work together to show local fi lms to the community. As its own entity, Indie Grits Labs facilitates severa l d if ferent prog ra m s, work shops, a r t p r oje c t s a nd f e s t i v a l s . A c c ord i n g t o S e t h Gadsden, the Nick’s previous managing director, the organization is tight-knit, with a focus on community interaction. They aim to work very closely with artists and locals. “I’ve always said that if I could just fi nd a job where I worked with kids and artists, I’d be happy,” Gadsden said, “and that’s what Indie Grits Labs does.” The separat ion has allowed I ndie Grits to focus more of their energy on outreach efforts including various workshops for kids. The threehour programs range from fi lm to documentary, commercial, social media and various other types of labs. They have production labs available for the youth like Take Break Make, which is designed for LGBTQ youth, and Come Around My Way, which teaches small groups of kids to make documentary f ilms about t heir own neighborhoods. These labs have activities, lectures and lessons in media literacy, and happen after school so that they fit the schedules of kids. “We believe that it’s as important to teach screen media literacy as it is to teach reading and writing literacy because nobody’s teaching people what it means to consume on the screen,” Gadsden said. In this era immersed in screen culture, society doesn’t always realize how much information and media they are consuming digitally. Indie Grits strives to educate on how to interpret, process and create this media. Local schools take field trips to the lab so the students can learn about various forms of fi lm and the opportunities that are available to them. Indie Grits has summer camps where kids learn to write, script, shoot and edit their own fi lms. They learn to create a piece from start to finish, complete with their own music. Gadsden said the students tend to enjoy it so much that many of them will return every year. “We also want to serve our community, so we don’t force the moving image on people,” Gadsden said.
Indie Grits works on projects with various types of artists, including chefs, painters, fi lmmakers, gardeners and riverkeepers. Their current project, Two Cities, looks into how race and differences in socioeconomic backgrounds influences locals’ perspectives of the city. The project focuses on the north Columbia community, and it was working on this project that led them to their new studio location. The organization is also working on expanding their music festival. It will be held from April 12 to 15, and they’ve booked over thirty bands. The Columbia community comes together every year for these three nights of music, fun and parties.
They show about 12 features and 60 to 70 shorts that revolve around certain themes. The festival will also feature discounts for students. “We have a crazy fleshed out musical festival this year,” said Pedro Lopez De Victoria, a former USC student who has served multiple roles for the Nick and Indie Grits including production manager. Gadsden says that he and his coworkers were completely ingrained in the culture and workings of the Nick, and that the work that they did there is what allows them to do what they are doing today. “Now we’re focused on what really makes us who we are,” Gadsden said.
Sean Rayford / THE DAILY GAMECOCK
Seth Gadson of Indie Grits Labs loves to help kids and community members develop personal art projects.
What I talk about when I talk about ... body positivity Emily Barber
@EMRBARBER
“My thighs are thick, gapless, covered in bumps like soft sandpaper.” That’s the first line to a poem I wrote about learning (or more accurately, trying to learn) to accept and love my legs. It’s not the most original subject matter, particularly in our society that has taken some great strides to support self-love and body positivity. But just as with so many other societal challenges, the fight must continue even when it seems like we’re winning — and the battleground is almost always inside us. As a runner, I rely on my legs to carry me when they’re aching and burning, when my mind has all but given up and I’m just trying to get through the next half-mile. My legs have never failed me, and yet I still find myself envious of my friends, runners or not, who have legs that are longer, leaner, smoother, sexier and/or more athletic than mine. Sometimes I’ll see another woman my age who has longer legs, a flatter stomach and more toned arms than I do, and despite years of running, the comparison makes me doubt myself. My generation has seen a strong push for body positivity and self-acceptance. In January 2016, Mattel announced three new body types for their iconic Barbie dolls: tall, petite and curvy. In May 2017, France passed a law that requires fashion models to get a doctor’s approval for a healthy body mass index. Plenty of celebrities have spoken publicly in favor of body positivity. In June 2017, writer Roxane Gay published “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body,” which the New York Times called “at it’s simplest ... a memoir about being fat — Gay’s preferred term — in a hostile, fat-phobic world.” People are sharing their stories of insecurity, and a lot of us are listening. But the truth of the world is in my own head. I still worry that my legs are too meaty and look stumpy sometimes. I still get uncomfortable with the little pouch of tummy that literally exists as part of my female anatomy. I still take care to not have a double-chin in pictures. In the interest of total transparency, I’m
5-foot-2 and about 130 pounds. I’ve been lucky to get very little negative talk and a good bit of positive feedback about my body from others. Based on my personal interactions with people, I have no reason to think anything bad about my body. But I do. And I can’t really imagine what it feels like for people whose bodies do get talked about in a bad way. What I can do (I hope) is reassure you that your body is valuable. Not for how it looks, not even for what it can do. It is lovable and worthy simply because it is. Society is working towards better selfacceptance, but the process is slow. It requires a cultural shift in priorities and values, which starts with individuals. With us, with you. External messages can only change so much, so we have to internalize them. But what’s been missing in a lot of the body positivity message is how to really buy into it.
Here are a few tips that have helped me as I work towards body positivity:
1. Just say thank you. W hen someone compliments you on anything — your body, your clothes, your talents or achievements — just say thank you and smile. We’re taught to be self-deprecating, and sometimes a lighthearted joke at your own expense might really be harmless. But even if you feel awkward receiving compliments, respect the other person’s positive opinion of you. You earned it. 2 . Wear things that you don’t think you can pull off. For years, I’ve believed that higher socks look awful on my calves. The cuff is tight and I think my muscle looks bulgy in comparison. So I decided to start wearing all my crew cut socks with ankle boots until it didn’t bother me anymore. They’re adorable socks — cats and sushi, y’all — and it’s fun to show them off. And it’s starting to work. So wear that shirt you love but think the pattern is too bold or too boring. Put on the red or bubble gum pink or black lipstick that will catch people’s attention. Buy the tight jeans
5
even if you have to shimmy to get them on.
3. Post pictures even if you don’t like how you look in them. We’ve all probably become f a m i l i a r e nou gh w it h t he falseness of social media. Almost every time I put a picture on Instagram, I up the contrast and saturation because I think it looks better. I think I look better. It’s okay to put up pictures that make you feel attractive, but it’s also important to think about what else pictures are for. Post pictures in which you look happy. Post pictures of moments that were important to you. In June 2016, I posted a picture in which I distinctly remember t h ink ing my legs looked too big. But it was a wonder f u l day; t he s u n wa s brilliant and my then-boyfriend had drawn a cute turtle on my thigh. So I posted it even though it made me insecure. 4. If you exercise, do something you love. Th is is no orig inal recommendation, but it’s so very true. There are so many physical activities, you’re guaranteed to find something. Don’t take it too seriously, and be honest with yourself about if you enjoy it. The day that I stop finding emotional and spiritual value in running will be the day I quit. 5. Pay attention to how your body feels when you’re happy. After getting some great news, pay attention to the energy that rushes across your skin. When you’ve just spent 20 minutes belly-laughing with your friends, take a moment to feel that good ache in your abs and the tears starting in your eyes. Be grateful for the body you have that lets you feel happiness all the way in your bones.
Monday, February 26, 2018
6
EDITORIAL BOARD DEBBIE CLARK Editor-in-chief
MAGGIE NEAL Design director
ERIN METCALF Copy desk chief
GILLIAN MUNOZ Social media editor
VICTORIA RICHMAN Photo editor
MATTIE HIBBS Arts & Culture editor
EMILY BARBER Asst. Arts & Culture editor
LINDEN ATELSEK Opinion editor
DAN NELSON Opinion editor
MARIA JUTTON Senior copy editor
Wright, Carzon, Anderson, GOP must Ellis best candidates for SG accept that T h i s i s t h e f i r s t S t u d e nt G o v e r n m e nt e le c t io n c y c le — and 2018-2019 w ill be t he first term — to include a new speaker of t he st udent senate position, as well as the transition t ow a r d s a ne w r ole f o r t he st udent v ice president. It has also seen a dramatic increase in solid, competent and qualified candidates for positions at all l e v e l s . H o w e v e r, t h e r e a r e st ill factors t hat different iate t he c a nd idate s, s uch a s pa st experience, leadership and vision.
Speaker of the student senate
Based primarily on the first and last of these considerations, The Daily Gamecock endorses Patrick Ellis for speaker of the s t ude nt s e n at e . W h i le b ot h candidates are qualified for the position based on the positions they have held in the senate, Ellis is significantly more so in both the high volume of legislation he has been responsible for and in the fact that he was one of the senators responsible for writing the codes for the position he is now campaigning to hold. Furthermore, his concept of the role of speaker seems more fully-formed than his opponent’s. While Greenburg sees himself as a vehicle to help senators work towards their passions without executive inf luence, Ellis truly s e e s it f o r w h at it i s — a n executive position, which will necessarily have some role in pushing an executive agenda.
Treasurer
For the position of treasurer, faced again with three essentially qualified candidates, we endorse W i l f r e d o A nd e r s o n . W h i le he lack s t he more t radit ional e x p e r ie n c e w it h t he s e n at e f i na nce com m it tee t hat is spor ted by h is opponent , Emerson Odag is, we bel ieve h is ot her opponent , Eugene Suydam, said it best: “It’s going to be important to work with the finance committee, but I don’t think that’s where the real job lies.” A nderson appears to u nder st a nd t he relat ion sh ip bet ween the treasurer’s office and st udent organizat ions on a p a s s ion at e , p er s o n a l le vel unmatched by his opponents. We believe his learning curve in the fi nance committee would b e m o r e t h a n c o m p e n s at e d for by his genuine concern for fa ir, i nclusive a nd accessible funding, as well as his apparent
com m it ment to lear n ing and performing t he dut ies of t his position.
President
Si nce t he plat for ms of t he presidential candidates were so similar, it was difficult to exclude candidates from consideration solely based on polic y issues. Taylor Wr ight a nd K at h r y n Stoudem ire are bot h d r iven, con nec ted a nd e x p er ienced, which made the choice between them difficult, but we endorse Wr i g ht o v e r St o u d e m i r e based on his involvement and enthusiasm. He has a realistic concept ion of t he President’s position and has not proposed unlikely projects, like pedestrian bridges over railroad crossings, but has nonetheless made himself appea l i ng simply by bei ng charismatic and personable. Leadership requires approachability and communication, which Wright has exemplified by the connections he has made with organizat ions such as St igma Free USC and his leadership in organizations like Lead the Way. We believe he will be the best face of the student body and will be successf ul in represent ing our interests with the board of trustees, should the president become a voting member of the board. I n t he interest of f ull disclosure, Wright is a member of t he board of publicat ions, which is the body responsible for a s se s si ng t he appl ic a nt s for the position of The Daily G a mecock ’s ed itor-i n- ch ief, among other responsibilities to our organization. However, no members of the editorial staff who participated in this editorial boa rd a re i ntere sted i n t hat position in the future, and we are an editorially independent publicat ion. The r ules of our org a n i z at ion a nd t he b o a rd of publicat ions prevent t heir i n f lue nc e f r om m a k i n g ou r decisions for us, but nonetheless, we have taken steps to remove any bias from this endorsement by excluding members of our editorial staff who might have a confl ict of interest.
Vice president
We were out spoken i n ou r endorsements last year about our feelings about the implications of a system of tickets for Student G over n ment. Those feelings h ave not c h a nged , a lt hough t hey are somewhat mol l if ied by the fact that tickets did not include rank-and-fi le senatorial
candidates this year or result in an overall shortage of qualified executive candidates. However, we continue to have reservations about tickets — this year those reservations mostly regard unequal wort hiness in tickets, which may result in a candidate who is less qualified w in ning out over one who is more qualified based on his or her running mate. Endorsing bot h member s of a ny of t he three tickets this year would be willfully ignoring one candidate’s drawbacks in favor of their ticket partner’s merits. For t h i s r e a s o n , a lt hou g h we s upp or t Taylor Wr ight ’s candidacy for t he presidency, we endorse Madi Carzon for the vice presidency. We do not endorse Hayes or DiBona along with their running mates because neither an outgoing personality nor f lashy campaign materials a re a subst it ute for basic preparedness for the position. Carzon lacks St udent G o v e r n m e nt e x p e r i e n c e i n comparison to one of her opponent s, Nick Hook s, but u n l i k e t he ne w s p e a k er position, the new role of the vice president does not necessarily include work ing closely w it h the senate, which makes senate experience far less crucial than leadership and vision. We believe that Carzon has filled enough leadersh ip roles out side of St udent Government to more t h a n prove t h at she h a s t he management skills to perform the duties of the vice president. She is a lso pa s sionate about some very achievable goals, like fixing campus emergency call boxes, and has a background in public relations, which may help her in the shared goal of all the ca nd idates: keepi ng st udent s i n f or me d a nd i nt e r e s t e d i n Student Government. Overall, the majorit y of the c a nd idate s who a re r u n n i ng t his year are at least baseline qualif ied to do t he jobs t hey a r e c a mp a ig n i n g f or. M a ny even go beyond t he basel i ne and have experience that would b e rele v a nt i n a n e xe c ut i ve position. However, even among a n u nu s u a l ly st rong c rop of ca nd idates, Wr ight , Ca rzon, Anderson and Ellis still stick out as being t he most passionate, genuine and prepared candidates for their various positions.
Christianity aligns with gun control
If there is one overarching theme apparent in the GOP, it is reliance on Christian values. Whether or not Republican politicians follow or believe what they teach, they often talk about preserving Christian morals, ethics and family values in the American political system. After Laurryn the controversy of the Parkland Thomas school shooting and heightened First-year gun control debate, one question journalism student remains: What is the Christian belief behind gun control? There is one clear answer to me that can be supported with the Bible — Christians affirm that around 2,000 years ago, Jesus came as a savior to all humans and went around teaching the Gospel. The Gospel is the good news of salvation and the guidelines for being a Christian. Those guidelines include acts of love, faith, patience and meekness that are repeated and emphasized throughout the New Testament. Another highly emphasized Biblical value is peace. The word “peace” is mentioned in the King James version of the Bible 470 times. Jesus exemplified peace so much so that while being persecuted and arrested by the Romans who eventually crucified him, he scolded one of his followers who tried to fight off the persecutors. This exchange is detailed in Matthew chapter 26, verses 47-51. The counterargument to the focal principal of peace in this passage is that Jesus only reprimanded his follower for pulling his sword because Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy of crucifixion. However, we know that Jesus truly cared about pacification in Matthew 5:38-42. The passage famously says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” With all of this evidence abundantly available in the Bible, the justification for guns by the GOP is not only hypocritical but also baseless. The argument of increasing the prevalence of guns for protection against crazy shooters is so illogical by Christian standards and even more so by common sense. The recent statements made by President Trump that teachers should be trained and armed is probably the most thoughtless argument. The NRA backed this with a wild speech from its leader, Wayne LaPierre, who said we should “harden” schools with guns and that the Parkland students are pawns of the media. Conservatives are placing their faith in a solution that calls for more guns right when we thought the solution was clear. When both sides are armed, the only outcome is conflict and additional casualties. The true solution to gun violence is erasure of the weapon. From a Biblical standpoint, one could see how Jesus would look down on the tactic of fighting against gun violence with more guns.
Don’t let professors neglect online resources We have all had a techaverse professor who, for one reason or another, makes a point to avoid the online resources available to them. Those professors tell their classes straight away “I don’t post grades” Jared a nd t he y le a v e t he i r Bailey class Blackboard pages Second-year English and blank — without even a political science syllabus. While the use student or avoidance of online resources has generally been regarded as an issue best left to professor preference, it is my contention t hat t he u n iversit y needs to hold them accountable to a more hardline standard. A l low i ng i nd iv idua l profe ssor s the ability to reject online resources arbitrarily can confuse and needlessly i nconven ience st udent s. You a re probably familiar with the following
scenario: It is 3 a.m., you have just made all the final edits to that essay due in your 8:05, and you are fi nally ready to get some shut-eye. You hop into bed and get comfortable, but right before you drift off to sleep you make a realization: Your professor does not accept digital submissions and you are going to have to walk across campus to print at the library. This causes a job that could have been done in one click to become an ordeal. Furthermore, professors who choose to avoid online resources can directly disadvantage their students. Perhaps this situation will also ring a bell: You are over your head in a class that makes zero sense to you. Your professor’s office hours conf lict with your class schedule, so you are not able to talk to them before the midterm. You have flooded their email inbox with questions but get no reply. After a disappointing performance on the test, you confront
them, asking why they never responded to your messages. “Oh, I don’t check my email.” Where can you go from there? Lastly, rejecting online resources can make tasks impossible for students to complete. Consider this: You have carved out a night to catch up on class readings in preparation for a quiz. Since all of the required essays are listed on the syllabus, you assume they will be easily accessible online. But to your frustration, not only has the professor not posted the essays to Blackboard, the only other versions online are locked behind paywalls. As a broke student, you are forced to take your chances on the quiz without having studied any of the necessary material. There are a million little things that make college unnecessarily stressful, but this does not have to be one of them. A lack of professor involvement in basic online resources is an obvious problem with a simple solution. The resources
are already in place, they just need to be used. That is why it would be beneficial for the university to draft basic rules requiring professors to do simple things like post items (e.g. grades, syllabuses, readings, etc.) to their Blackboard page, respond to student emails and accept online assignment submissions. All of these are vital methods of bridging the gap between students and professors. Do not misunderstand me and think I am writing this without sympathy for professors; I know that learning to navigate online resources can be tedious and seem pointless. I am, however, asking that professors understand the limitations of students; for some, these online resources are the only method by which students are able to engage with a course. So what professors should consider is that when they neglect online resources, they risk neglecting students too.
Monday, February 26, 2018
EMPLOYMENT
TRAVEL
Nanny I have two 14 year old boys that need to be picked up at school at 2:50. Brought home and supervised while they do their homework. I also need the nanny to make them a light supper while they are doing their homework. They are by all accounts very easy boys that are pleasant to be around. Email billnettles@gmail.com
BAHAMAS SPRING BREAK $189 for 5-Days. All prices include: Round-trip luxury party cruise. Accommodations on the island at your choice of ten resorts. Appalachia Travel. www.BahamaSun.com 800867-5018
HOROSCOPES
Aries
Fu n and love take priorit y. Don’t worr y about long-term object ives; enjoy t he present moment. Wait to ma ke i mpor t a nt decisions. Rela x, and savor simple sweetness.
Taurus
H a nd le s hor t-t er m prac t ica l mat ters at home. Adapt to a change or surprise. Household issues have your attention today a nd tomor row. Provide what your family needs.
Gemini
Creat iv it y surges for a few days. Ex press and commu nicate. Sift through data, and reser ve judg ment for now. Research and sort the options. Consider possibilities.
Cancer
Insights about finances and income reveal new options. Conf irm intuition with hard data. Research upcoming purchases for the best value. Reconcile accounts.
PHD • JORGE CHAM
Leo
Fo c u s o n p e r s o n a l matters. Take care of yourself before others, for now. Upgrade your st yle. Recha rge by fol low i ng you r ow n enthusiasms.
Virgo
Changes cause a disrupt ion. Calm a n o t h e r ’s a n x i e t i e s with your solid roots. Look back for insight on t he road a head. Prepa re you r ac t ion plan.
Libra
Develop you r team strateg y over the next few days. Group actions surge forward after the groundwork has been carefully done. Focus on immediate concerns.
Scorpio
P r o f e s s i o n a l responsibilit ies have your focus today and tomorrow. Challenges require your response. Don’t let anyone push you around. Show up and perform.
Sagittarius
For a new perspective, change your vantage point. You don’t need to go far. Find what you’ve been seek i ng in your own backyard.
Capricorn
Make inroads quietly. Advance on f inancial goals one step at a time. Get terms in writing. Challenge the generallyheld opinion. Look for hidden opportunities.
Aquarius
Keep a n open m i nd. D o n ’t w o r r y a b o u t money, but don’t spend much either. Avoid risky business. Listen to the underlying commitment in another’s concern.
@thegamecock
Pisces
Slow dow n, a nd take ext ra care around sharp objects. There’s a commu nicat ions breakdown. Stick to ba sic ac t ion s a nd routines. Consume in moderation.
2/26/18
1 2 3 4
Solutions to today’s puzzle
© 2018 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
ACROSS 1 Perp chaser 4 “E pluribus unum” language 9 Agreement to stop fighting 14 Tycoon Onassis, familiarly 15 Enticing smell 16 Steam, e.g. 17 School group excursion 19 Santa __ racetrack 20 Absolute 21 Ad infinitum 2DNODQG·V county 26 WWII craft 27 Prime rib au __ &RVWQHU·V ´7KH Untouchables” role 31 First single by a rapper to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 34 Feudal drudge 35 In the altogether 36 Somewhat conservative, politically ... and where the first word of 17-, 31-, 43- and 60-Across can literally be found 41 Pink cocktail, for short 42 Greek “i” 43 Economize 46 __ Linda, Calif. 50 Vintage auto 51 Earl Grey, for one 2SWRPHWULVW·V test 54 Infant in a crèche 56 Railroad in Monopoly 57 Continuous humming sound $FWRU·V pseudonym 63 Reeves of “Bill & Ted” films 64 More than ready 65 Civil War soldier 66 Winning 67 Operative 68 Evidence on “CSI”
DOWN 1 Lounging robe 2 Baltimore bird 3 Michelangelo sculptures 4 Soup scoop 5 Singer Garfunkel 6 Canadian A.L. East team 7 “You can count on me!” 8 Seaport in Italia 9 “Rabbit ears” on an RCA cabinet, back in the day 10 Mapmaker __ McNally 11 News org. since 1958 &DPSHU·V snoozing spot 3LWFKHU·V VWDW 18 Hightails it 22 Upper-left PC key 24 Lose weight 25 Prefix for phobia meaning “height” 27 One of the Blues Brothers 28 Ride for hire 29 Pink Floyd guitarist Barrett 32 Jennifer +XGVRQ·V “Dreamgirls” role 6OXJJHU·V FOXE
34 Typical Western 36 Don Juan 37 Analogy words 38 Yukon automaker 39 Apple throwaway 40 Craftsy website ´/RRNLQ· 2XW My Back Door” band, initially 44 High-__ graphics 45 Queasy feeling 46 Like unfatty meat 47 Ventura &RXQW\·V ODUJHVW city 48 Lunatics
2/26/2018
49 Single-celled organism 53 Film critic Roger -XSLWHU·V ZLIH 55 Guys-only 57 Boxing outcome, for short 58 Farm clucker 59 Stool pigeon 61 Cake candle count 62 Mil. bigwig
7
Monday, February 26, 2018
8
A’ja Wilson: Legacy of a hometown hero
Maggie Neal / THE DAILY GAMECOCK
A’ja Wilson wears her pearls in memory of her grandmother. Thursday night, her family and the Gamecock nation at large wore pearls in honor of her senior night.
Claudia Chakamian @C_CHAKAMIAN
Thursday night at Colonial Life Arena was a special one — and not just because it was the final home game of the regular season. Before the game against LSU, the women’s basketball team honored its two outgoing seniors, including one of the most iconic players in program history. Four years ago, Hopk ins, South Carolina, native A’ja Wilson made the decision to stay home and play for Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks. The five-star recruit and No. 1 overall player in the country had the opportunity to play for some of the top programs, but knew she wanted to stay home. “Just to know, you know, that the decision that I made four years ago was a good decision,” Wilson said. “It was a good decision. A lot of people were in my ear during that time: ‘Why South
Carolina? Why go there?’ And just to come here and to prove the things that we’ve proved and to believe in Coach Staley and her staff and to have played with such great teammates, it was great.” Since t hen, Wilson has grow n immensely as both a player and a leader for t he Gamecock s. She’s led South Carolina in some of its most successf ul years, including a National Championship run in 2017. She also helped the Gamecocks c l i n c h t h r e e c o n s e c ut i v e S E C reg u la r sea son t it le s a nd t h ree straight SEC Tournament titles. She’s become one of t he most decorated players in Gamecock history, and currently stands as the second alltime scorer in program history. She’s been a finalist for numerous national honors and been picked All-American First Team for multiple polls the past two years. The impact she’s had on the court is hard to match, but Staley
knows that it’s more important that she’s become a strong leader. “With A’ja, because she saw so many leaders prior to her becoming a captain and a leader on our basketball team, she knows exactly what to do,” Staley said. “And her leadership style is a little bit different ‘cause I think she relates to the younger ones and the older ones.” The impact that Wilson has made here in Columbia hasn’t gone unnoticed. During the senior ceremony, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin gave Wilson a key to the city and declared Feb. 22 “A’ja Wilson Day.” She also got huge cheers from the crowd during the ceremony and the game, when she subbed out for the final time and as time expired. Wilson could tell that she’s left her mark on the fans at South Carolina. “The tweets, the Instagram posts, the Snapchats, people hitting me up, everything was just amazing,” Wilson said of her senior night festivities. “It was just a lot of fun ... I really just want
to say thank you to everyone honestly so, it was a big day.” Wilson still has the opportunity to leave one final legacy before she leaves South Carolina. The Gamecocks have clinched the No. 2 seed at the SEC Tournament, and Friday will play the winner of Thursday’s TennesseeAuburn matchup. They’ll look to repeat being SEC Tournament champions, and then put up a fight in the NCAA Tournament. Although time is winding down, Staley knows she still has time left with her star. “I k now we have a lot more basketball to play with A’ja,” Staley said. “And probably that moment when it’s her last game, I’ll probably get pretty emotional, because I just think that when a player has had that kind of impact on you personally and on this program, you get a little emotional because you may not get another player like that ever. And I don’t know if we’ll ever get one that complete.”
USC baseball team wins Women’s basketball series behind key hitting drops final game of regular season
new career-high, and it set a new Founders Park record. He was at 100 pitches through @C_CHAKAMIAN seven, which is why Kingston decided to pull Hill, despite still having the no-hitter The South Carolina baseball team intact. played two complete games to get the South Carolina hit seven home runs over series win over Charleston Southern on the course of the weekend, bringing its Friday and Saturday, but slowly fizzled out total to 16 on the season. The Gamecocks on Sunday to miss getting the series sweep. also had three triples and two doubles over Trailing 4-1 in the top of the sixth the weekend, having 31 extra base hits total on Sunday, the Gamecocks entered a early this season. 73-minute rain delay hoping to regroup Despite hav i ng a n overa l l st rong and get the key hitting they found all weekend, Kingston was more focused on weekend. After the delay, the Gamecocks the Sunday loss. He said he was more had bases loaded in the eighth and got one disappointed with how they played Sunday run back via a walk, but left them loaded and couldn’t continue the production they and the two runs were all the team could had started the rest of the series. muster. “This is the H e a d most fresh coach Mark i n my m i nd Kingston was r i g h t n o w,” disappointed Kingston said. with the “Hard for me perfor mance to look back he saw f rom at y e s t e r d a y h is h it ters o r Fr i d a y. o n S u n d a y, Disappointed especially after with our the offensive product ion he saw all tod ay, so weekend. m a y b e “I just think, t o m o r r o w, with the way maybe later we’ve been Claire Albrecht / THE DAILY GAMECOCK t o n i g h t , swinging the I’ll take an bat s, we’ve overview, but right now, just disappointed been averaging nine runs a game, so you in the way we played today.” would think that you go into a Sunday and The Gamecocks are back at Founders you gave up four, your chances of winning Park on Tuesday at 4 p.m. to host Furman. should be very good,” Kingston said. “So With it being their ninth game in almost I didn’t expect us to only have four hits two weeks, the Gamecocks have a good today. There’s no question about it.” chance to rebound, but Kingston said this Although the Gamecocks scored 23 runs busy schedule is something they should get over the weekend, the biggest performance used to. was Adam Hill on Friday night. The junior “This is a pretty typical schedule for had what he said was the best pitching anybody in the country right now. You’re performance of his career, tossing seven playing weekends, early in the season you no-hit innings in the win. Hill did not give have some double mid-week games, so very up a walk, making it the fi rst time since typical,” he said. 2016 where he did not walk a batter, and also struck out 14. The 14 strikeouts are a
Claudia Chakamian
Brandon Alter
@BRANDON__ALTER
The No. 7 South Carolina women’s basketball team faced a tough test on Sunday in the top-25 matchup against No. 15 Tennessee. The compet it ion proved to be even tougher as the Gamecocks announced t heir already short bench would be even shorter, as A’ja Wilson would not be playing. The lack of extra players proved to be a challenge as the Gamecocks started to look fatigued and the Lady Vols went on to win 65-46. Wilson did not make the trip to Tennessee due to vertigo. The Gamecocks said this was not the first time she has experienced these symptoms, and she did not make the trip for precautionary reasons. Head coach Dawn Staley said Wilson is day-to-day. The Gamecocks looked to be in control and ended the first half with a 26-21 lead, holding the Lady Vols to their lowest point total in a first quarter for the season. However, the Gamecocks did not make a basket in the final 2:30 of the half. Those late struggles would continue into the second half. With 2:13 left in the third quarter, they had the same amount of turnovers as points, which was only four. By the end of the third quarter, Tennessee had outscored the Gamecocks 29-9 and that five point halftime lead became a 15 point deficit. The Gamecocks would never get the deficit down to single digits, as the closest they came was 11.
Ty a s h a H a r r i s s a i d t h a t Tennessee came ready to play in the second half, something that they weren’t fully ready for, and the difference was that the Lady Vols were able to continue to make their shots. “[Tennessee] came out ready to attack, and they kind of put us on our heels,” Harris said. The Gamecocks fi nished with a season-high 21 turnovers and a season-low 46 points. South Carolina was also out rebounded 46-31. Staley thought turnovers and rebounding were what caused the swing in the third. “They just out-hustled us,” S t a l e y s a i d . “ W h e n w e ’r e undermanned like that, we have to win the hustle plays. We have to box out. It doesn’t matter if we score a whole lot of points, we just can’t allow them to have multiple opportunities at the basket.” Despite t he loss, t here were some bright spots as the Gamecocks look ahead to the postseason. Mik iah HerbertHarrigan led the team with 17 points, followed by Doniyah Cliney with 14. Tyasha Harris had seven assists, all of which are positive signs as the Gamecocks start to picture a team without Wilson. Despite this being a big game, t he Gamecocks did not have much at stake since they had locked down the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament due to Georgia winning earlier in the day. South Carolina (23-6, 12-4 SEC) will start its SEC Tournament run on Friday against the winner of Auburn and Tennessee.