Garnet & Black Summer 2015

THE BEST DESSERTS IN TOWN

HOW TO NOT GET A JOB SUMMER LOVE GONE WRONG

TRANSCAROLINA

Coming out as transgender on campus.

24

SUMMER LOVIN’?

Students share their most embarassing flings under the sun.

26

LEAVING GRAYSCALE

A personal essay about depression.

SPOTLIGHT

8

MAN IN THE MIRROR : JONATHAN PETERSON

His new app is about to make your life way easier.

9

WOMAN’S WORLD : BRITTANY CLARK

She sees dead people.

12FISH OUT OF WATER : ROBOTICS CLUB AND OVERREACTORS IMPROV

A non-techie girl plays with robots, while a guy with stage fright gets his close-up.

SCENE

14

SWEAT & TELL : (VERY) HOT YOGA

You want me to put my leg where?

15

THRIFT OR GIFT : SUMMER FASHION

An entire internship outfit for $7? Bananas.

16

FOOD FIGHT : SUMMER SWEETS

Are you ready for a sugar rush?

18

SUITE STYLE : MAXIMIZE YOUR (SMALL) SPACE Command™ strips = life.

STYLE 30

STRANDED Fashion in distress.

PERFORMANCE

36POP... : THE 10 BEST SUMMER HITS (FROM THE PAST 10 YEARS)

“California Gurls” really are unforgettable.

37

...ART : SHANIA MANUEL

Her sketches are criminally good.

38

HEY, MR. DJs! : CALEB FRANKLIN AND WILL PROSSER

The WUSC freshmen tell us about their love for video game music.

39THE THREE MUSKETEERS

The low-down on USC’s latest play. (It’s running now!)

40

SCENE & HEARD : H3RO

He’s changing Columbia’s rap scene one rhyme at a time.

ENCORE

42inVENT

Listen up, weather: I didn’t come to college to be a stripper.

43

HOW TO : NOT GET A JOB

Show up a little late to your interview. You don’t want to seem too eager.

45

QUIZ : WHAT ARBITRARY USC OBJECT ARE YOU? Afraid of commitment? You’re obviously Carolina Wi-Fi.

46

OVERHEARD AT... : ST. PAT’S

“I’m gonna take a power nap in Subway. I’ll text you in an hour.”

STUDENT MAGAZINE of the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANAGING EDITOR ARTICLES EDITOR

Christopher Rosa

Lisa Ashworth

Thom Bell

Kalyn Oyer

EDITORIAL

COPY CHIEF STAFF WRITER EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Amanda Coyne

Andrea Wurzburger

Caitlin Edahl, Grace Stewart

Caleb Coker, Emilie Dawson, Lia Grabowski, Connor Hazelton, Jacob

Margle, Sarah Martin, Kasey Meredith, Alexandra Miller, R. Kyle Norris, Alex Peeples, Emily Rhodes, Cathy Santos, Kathryn Sullivan, Cari Speed, James Stewart, Olivia Waller

ART DIRECTOR PHOTO EDITORS SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER VIDEOGRAPHER STAFF DESIGNERS CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS

WEB EDITOR WEB ASSISTANTS

PUBLIC RELATIONS & EVENTS DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE PUBLICIST PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANTS

Ashley Crompton

Hannah Cleaveland, Ida Garland

Morgan Epperson

Nicholas Johnston

Lina LeGare, Savannah Taylor

DeNarius Allen, Adam Collins, Ava Seidelson, Josh Thompson

Justin Carrier, Meghan McCloskey, Alex Miller

Erin Spencer

Katherine Finney, Taylor Halle, Lizzie Steimer

PUBLIC RELATIONS STYLE

STYLE EDITOR STYLE ASSISTANTS

Anna Mathias

Courtney Mras

Tyson Blanton, Angela Cooper, Devyn Doyle, Raven Ellis, Juliette LaFerlita, McKenzie Mack, Anna Marie Shull, Kelsey Spencer, Victoria Rae

Alana Fuscardo

Dominic Bellotti, Lindsay Riggins

INTERIM DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA CREATIVE MANAGER

PRODUCTION MANAGER

BUSINESS MANAGER FACULTY ADVISER

STUDENT ADVERTISING MANAGER

Sarah Scarborough

Edgar Santana

Degan Cheek

Krisitine Capps

Scott Farrand

Amber Grant

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Advertising: (803) 777-3018

David Cheetham, Josh Davison, Michele Dressler, Cole Haltom, Lowman Harley, Drew Hart, Holly Heaton, Erin O’Connell, Ian Peacock, Maryan Tehranie, Nick Vogt

CREATIVE SERVICES Ashley Crompton, Rannah Derrick, Lina LeGare, Kody Kratzer

To contact G&B, email sagandbe@mailbox.sc.edu or visit www.gandbmagazine.com.

Garnet & Black magazine is produced four times a year by students of the University of South Carolina and is distributed free to members of the university community. All editors and staff members can be contacted at (803) 777-1149. The office is located in Russell House room 339. Email letters to the editor to sagandbe@mailbox.sc.edu or to Garnet & Black magazine, Student Media, 1400 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29208. Letters should be 250-400 words and must include name, address, phone number and academic information (if applicable). Garnet & Black reserves the right to edit for libel, style and space. Anonymous letters will not be published.

MEGHAN MCCLOSKEY KATHERINE FINNEY

DE’NARIUS ALLEN KASEY MEREDITH

Senior graphic design major Meghan McCloskey might be designing for the first time for Garnet & Black, but she is no stranger to art and drawing. As a sophomore, she found her calling. Designing layouts and logos are typical work for McCloskey, but she also loves illustration. She hopes to be an illustrator or an employee of a firm in a big city in the future. For now, you can see McCloskey’s G&B debut designing Suite Style on page 18.

Senior visual communications major De’Narius Allen enjoys capturing the moments that can never be explained with words. Allen has wanted to work for Garnet & Black since his freshman year but didn’t take the plunge until his last semester. Allen’s dream job of owning his own photography and graphic design business is already being fulfilled with his start-up: 1,000 Words Photography. See Allen’s Fish Out of Water photos on page 13.

Junior finance and English double major Katherine Finney loves blogging and editing, especially for the Garnet & Black website. Her blog posts center around book and movie reviews, and her passions for books, writing and editing inspire her dream job: a fiction editor for a publishing house in NYC. Until then, she plans to continue writing and editing for the Garnet & Black site, where you can check out her work.

If there’s a chance, Kasey Meredith will take it. As a sophomore print journalism major, this means writing for Garnet & Black— especially if it is about her favorite topics: art and music. In the future, she hopes to write music reviews in publications or be a nail polish namer; until then, you can check out her Suite Style piece on page 18, which covers maximizing your small space.

BY OLIVIA WALLER // PHOTOS BY HANNAH CLEAVELAND

MAY 2

CRAWDADDY DASH 5K AND ROSEWOOD CRAWFISH FESTIVAL

Before indulging in Creole cuisine at the Rosewood Crawfish Festival, start your day with the Crawdaddy Dash 5K Run. Race registration is $30 until April 29, $35 from April 30 to May 1 or $40 on May 2, and includes free entrance into the festival and a T-shirt. The festival includes live music, craft sales and Cajun fare – featuring crawfish, of course – along with traditional treats like funnel cakes and fries. Admission to the festival is $9 in advance or $12 at the gate.

MAY 9

LEXINGTON WINE WALK

Wine aficionados, rejoice! Lexington’s 2015 Wine Walk is just a few weeks away. Located on the 100 block of East Main Street—remember that it’s Lexington, not Columbia—the event will feature local exhibitors and restaurants like Arko’s and Dupre Catering & Events. Come out for different flavors of delicious wine and yummy hors d’oeuvres. Plus, there’s live music ,and purchasing a ticket gets you a complimentary wine glass. Huzzah! $30

JUNE 26 - AUGUST 1

“DREAMGIRLS” AT TRUSTUS THEATRE

We’re your dreamgirls, boys! Head out to Trustus Theatre this summer to catch the spellbinding Tony Award-winning musical about three singers who achieve massive fame— and have to suffer the consequences. The musical was turned into a critically acclaimed 2006 film starring Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson. (Hudson took home the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role as Effie White.) $20 for students / $13.50 student rush

MAY 17

CRAFT & KVELL

Are you a scrapbook lover or craft connoisseur but haven’t had the time to get your art on? Look no further than Craft & Kvell. Located at 306 Flora Drive, this all-day event brings together crafters to work on their projects in a relaxed, organized environment. Table space will be provided in addition to light refreshments and a raffle to win a prize pack. $5

BY LIA GRABOWSKI & CHRISTOPHER ROSA

I’ve referenced Madonna—who I dubbed Supreme Queen of the Universe, as if that’s her official title—in every editor’s letter this year for two reasons. First, she’s my favorite singer, and I feel she’s not appreciated by today’s youths. And second, Madonna was the inspiration for almost everything we did with the magazine this year. Yup.

We reinvented Garnet & Black from top to bottom: a new look, editorial voice and staff structure. Lady M is known for her visual and sonic transformations—Sexpot! Earth mother! Cowgirl! Disco queen! I figured if she can make drastic changes but still maintain her image as Madonna, then we can do the same thing with G&B. I hope it worked.

The staff also channeled Madonna when we did more controversial projects, like our winter nude-inspired style shoot. She was our editor-at-large when we decided to start tackling social issues instead of the standard “What to Do in Five Points” fare. Our spring issue was dedicated to the new feminist movement and showcasing what girl power means in the Instagram generation. Somewhere, I hope Madge is snapping her fingers about this. (I know I certainly was.)

And now, we’re talking about the transgender experience on campus. Time magazine featured trans actress Laverne Cox on its June 9, 2014 cover with the tagline “The Transgender Tipping Point: America’s Next Civil Rights Frontier.” We 100 percent agree and felt it was imperative to give our trans peers a platform to tell their stories, start conversations and work toward making Carolina the most inclusive campus in the country. Check it out on page 19.

But let’s get back to Madonna. The first song that made me love her was “Jump” from “Confessions on a Dance Floor” (2005), my all-time favorite album. In the track, Madonna repeats a

rather problematic mantra: “I can make it alone.” This is a lie. Truthfully, no one can make it alone.

I certainly couldn’t this year as editor-in-chief. Without the amazing G&B masthead, this magazine wouldn’t exist. From Articles Editor Kalyn Oyer’s sharp eye for snappy copy to Creative Director Lisa Ashworth’s awe-inspiring ability to whip up pristine designs (sometimes at 3 a.m.), I’ve truly been in the presence of greatness this year. If you liked anything about our four issues, it’s because of the amazing work the staff did. I was just lucky enough to go along for the ride.

In the same song, she also asks her listeners, “Are you ready to jump?” Web Editor Erin Spencer—another superstar—shuddered at these lyrics because she thought they implied something morbid. But I think Madge is talking about taking risks in life and shaking things up. We certainly did that at G&B by quite literally changing the magazine. However, this applies to anyone. Whether you’re a freshman getting ready to move off campus, a sophomore accepting your first internship or a senior graduating into the unknown, I encourage you to trust your instincts. Turn fear into adrenaline, and always know that you’re going to be just fine.

So, tell me, are you ready to jump?

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

APP CREATOR MAN IN THE MIRROR JONATHAN PETERSON

BY R. KYLE NORRIS // PHOTO BY MORGAN EPPERSON

t’s surprising how the most unexpected moments can be the most life-changing, and no one knows this better than biomedical engineering senior Jonathan Peterson. Killing time between classes in a visitor’s center break room used by University Ambassadors, Peterson was speaking with his friend Stefano Montali about entering Proving Ground again like he had the previous year. Proving Ground is USC’s annual entrepreneurial competition that awards several monetary prizes for student business ideas. Fellow Student Ambassador Parker Moore overheard the conversation and approached the two with an idea of his own. His suggestion formed the basis of what would become their Utrack app, designed to streamline the university student experience.

The Utrack team is comprised of four USC students: Chief Operating Officer (in charge of the programming of the app) Jonathan Peterson; Chief Marketing Officer Stefano Montali; Chief Executive

Officer Parker Moore; and Chief Financial Officer Jon Rice. The group took their idea to Proving Ground and came away with the $3,000 Fan Favorite award. With the aid of their prize money, the four Gamecock students began the process of turning their hypothetical business into a reality. This is no simple task, especially for Peterson, who, in addition to his programming, works 20 hours a week at an internship and attends biomedical engineering classes.

The app aims to amass all the information important to student life into one convenient spot. The homepage will have a scrolling ticker that lists events around town and club meetings that interest each student. The calendar is central to the app, automatically adding a student’s class schedule along with club meeting times and alerting the student of any potential conflict. In addition, the app will help provide directions to buildings on campus, and in future plans, the app could include access to student ticketing ser-

vices, alerts for class cancellations and a schedule for the university shuttle service. The company is talking with the university and preparing to finish a beta version to show this semester with some provisional plans for a small rollout in the fall through University 101 classes.

Another big feature the app will include is a system designed to help students find clubs and organizations that line up specifically with their interests. “There are something like over 400 clubs at USC, and I think I know 10 of them,” says Peterson. “I want people to be able to use this app and put in their interests, like, say, ‘I like coffee, journalism, and baseball,’ and then the app would tell them when the next baseball club meeting is and when tryouts are.” Utrack is designed to make student life simpler by ensuring that the information necessary for classes and extracurricular activities is easily available, but it’s also about helping students create experiences and develop bonds that are integral to a four-year university.

WOMAN’S WORLD BRITTANY CLARK

CORONER’S INTERN

BY EMILY RHODES // PHOTO BY AVA SEIDELSON

hile some students are getting called in to waitress, Brittany Clark gets phone calls from the police, hospitals and hospices to drive to a crime scene and investigate dead bodies. A junior at USC, Clark is studying biology, chemistry, Spanish and criminal justice, as well as interning at the Lexington coroner’s office. I decided it was my turn to put on the gloves and examine how she became interested in this field.

TV shows are the first thing most people think of when it comes to forensics. Popular shows include “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and “Bones.” “I spent most of my childhood watching Court TV with my mom. By age 8, I was pretty set on a career in forensics,” Clark says. She is quick to say forensics is very different from how it is portrayed on screen. “TV shows tend to build up on the drama, but in real life, it’s very analytic,” she says. Clark will get a phone call from the police to check out the body at a

crime scene, but analysis usually requires a more in-depth look in the office.

Clark is able to look at bodies and compartmentalize, seeing purely the scientific side of things. “I’m a pretty analytical person,” she says. “I don’t usually get tied up in the emotional aspects of it.” Perhaps due in part to stereotypes of women as being too emotional, they are scarce in this career. Clark works with a few women in the coroner’s office; however, in most places, it is a challenge for a woman to get the job. “A counselor once told me that I might want to pursue a different field, since forensics is primarily a male-dominated profession. It hasn’t held me back one bit,” she says.

Another common idea associated with coroners is a fascination with death, but Clark simply notes, “Everyone has their quirks.” Clark’s quirk is that she loves comic books, especially the character Thor. She particularly relates to Thor’s younger brother, Loki. She, like him, is a bit mischievous. Clark says that not taking things too seriously is how she stays in this field.

On the other hand, there are some serious recurring problems in society that she sees regularly, such as physical and mental diseases. Clark says, “The media would rather broadcast the homicides, which makes it seem like a more pressing issue. In America, you have a higher chance of dying from cancer or obesity than you do of being murdered. The media will always downplay the effects of illness. The mentally ill in this country aren’t being treated with due respect and care. A lot of times, their illnesses often go mistreated, if even treated at all. Mental health can eventually deteriorate the body.”

Though she loves her internship with the coroner’s office, Clark hopes to become a forensic pathologist. She plans to move to New York City after graduation and attend NYU to continue her studies.

GARNET RIVER WALK

A SHY GUY ATTENDS OVERREACTORS IMPROV fishOUT OF WATER

BY CONNOR HAZELTON // PHOTO BY DE’NARIUS ALLEN

Although college is about furthering your education and determining what career field you want to dive into, a large part of it is going outside of your comfort zone, which I haven’t really done much. That is, until I decided to check out a club meeting that I didn’t think I’d ever attend.

The Overreactors is an improvisational group that meets every Tuesday and Thursday at the Booker T. Washington Theatre from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. Unlike USC’s other improv group, Toast, in which you must be selected to join the group, Overreactors’ meetings are all open practice, meaning everyone is allowed to participate.

The last time I did any type of acting was when I was in my fifth grade play for our rendition of “The Shoemaker and the Elves.” So, when I attended the meeting, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t really sure what to expect out of the group. There was also the process of trying something new, which I’ve struggled doing.

As the meeting was beginning, the members were extremely nice and welcoming, but little did I know what I was getting myself into. I learned very quickly that in improv, you have to be able to think fast on your feet.

The first exercise we did was get into a big group circle where the person in front of you gives you a topic, and you have to come up with the first five things that come to mind. After you said your five things, you were able to give a new topic to the person after you.

When it was my turn, I had to come up with five reasons why I like spaghetti, which is a lot harder than it seems when you’re trying to come up with the reasons as quickly as possible. I soon learned that there really weren’t any wrong answers, just as long as you were able to come up with something. The more creative and whacky the answer, the better.

The acting started with the next

Ever wanted to step outside your comfort zone and attend a random student organization meeting? These students did – and their experiences were hilarious.

activity. Participating members were given a word they were required to say during their skit with none of the words having anything to do with one another. The skits really didn’t have much of a plot to them because they were all over the place, but it allowed everyone to get innovative and act out the skit through their own point of view and creativity.

If you’re someone like me who doesn’t necessarily like to do things that aren’t a part of a daily routine but want to get out and meet some fun (and definitely creative) new people, I highly recommend attending an Overreactors meeting.

You can follow Overreactors Improv on Facebook.

A NON-TECHIE CHECKS OUT THE ROBOTICS CLUB

BY SARAH MARTIN // PHOTO BY DE’NARIUS ALLEN

The Sandstorm II is headed for competition, and I have no idea what it does.

I really tried to understand. After attending a meeting for the robotics club on a rainy Thursday night, I walked into the cramped workroom realizing I knew next to nothing about robotics.

Not that I ever knew anything about robotics in the first place. “Real Housewives” trivia? Sure. All the lyrics to every Katy Perry song? Obviously. The brand of shoes that Claire Underwood prefers? I shamefully do. But machines made of twisted metal and gears that move around plastic bins on a field? Nope, nada. I was going in blind.

As I walked into the space, I saw a handyman hoarder’s heaven: rusted seats, different-sized gears strewn over an old rowboat and shelves full of cans of oil and grease. Carefully stepping my way through, I found the group of guys for whom I was searching, and timidly sitting on a stool in the corner, I began taking notes.

The man who did most of the talking was Billfred Leverette, who graduated in 2008 and now oversees the organization with an immense passion.

“The purpose of this club is to get kids interested in science,” he said. “We make it a sport.”

Leverette doesn’t take the word “sport” lightly, as preparations for the annual competitions take place each night for weeks beforehand. He also isn’t referring to college students as “kids” – he means the middle and high school students who show up almost every night to help design and build Sandstorm II.

That’s part of what makes the robotics club so special. It isn’t about college students getting together to make their resumes more impressive; it’s about people

from all ages gathering in one place to build something they can be proud of. Bragging rights follow the trophies.

I kept getting more and more curious to see the Sandstorm II in action, and after some prodding, the club said they would unveil it to me. It was wrapped in sheets of plastic, and to unwrap it, they had to document the time of its unwrapping and the audience that was viewing it for official records. Needless to say, the competitions are intensely regulated.

Once it was unwrapped, I couldn’t help but ask if it could be turned on, sounding like a high school boy seeing a girl for the first time. After searching for the right computer and cord and realizing they were nowhere to be found, the members told me I could only admire its stoic and unmoving beauty. Fine.

But then I got an itch to do something with my own hands, so John Fogarty, a third year computer engineering student, took pity on me and began disassembling something that looked like pieces of metal bolted together. Snickering, Leverette took off his clear goggles and handed them to me, presumably for safety reasons I did not want to dwell on.

Fogarty showed me how to assemble the gears back together, and with the grace of a chimpanzee being introduced to a space station console, I managed to put the mechanism back together. I have no idea what I made, but damn, if I wasn’t proud of it.

These guys are going to literally build our future.

Check out what the robotics club is up to next at garnetsquadron.com or @GarnetSq.

(VERY) HOT YOGA

BY ANDREA WURZBURGER DESIGN BY ASHLEY CROMPTON

If you’ve done hot yoga before, you know that once the heaters come on, all bets are off..

You’re going to need to prepare yourself both mentally and physically. If you’re like me, you will become so paranoid about possibly fainting in class that you will drink approximately seven water bottles before you go to bed the night before. You might also find yourself saying things like “I AM SO EXCITED!” and “I REALLY LOVE YOGA,” because if you say it enough, the class won’t be as hard…right?

You show up to Strom just early enough to grab prime mat space but just late enough that all of the experienced yogis are in the front row. You immediately feel intimidated by said yogis. The heaters are running, but like the fool you are, you think, “This isn’t so bad.” Too bad you’re sweating before you even start moving.

It’s mind over matter, baby, and you’ve got to get it together. It’s all easy enough until the instructor starts leading you through “basic” poses. And, to authenticate the feeling of writhing in Hell, she starts asking you to hold all of these poses for what feels like an eternity. You’re sweating profusely, wishing you were anywhere but in that room. Isn’t yoga about relaxing? What is this? It was not this hot a minute ago.

Just when you think that it can’t get worse, your sweat starts getting into your eyes. It burns. People start peeling off layers of clothing. The girl next to you looks like some kind of yoga goddess emerging from a lotus flower as she flies through these difficult poses. Just pretend you look like her instead of a deformed rotisserie pretzel. Oh, maybe avoid looking at yourself in the mirror, too.

Your muscles start to fatigue, and you are wondering what new Hell your instructor is going to bring you. You want me to put my leg where? At this point, your body is screaming for water because you have officially sweated out all seven water bottles that you consumed before even starting this class. You take a drink break, which is really just a chance to realize that a drink is not going to save you now.

Then, the inevitable happens: you slip in your own sweat. Your uncoordinated yelp has officially disturbed your classmates. Whatever, you think as you try to wipe your hands on your shirt, only to have them come off more sweaty than before.

Finally, after a few more ridiculous moves that are fit for someone in a traveling carnival, you are told to lay down, relax and reflect. Perhaps you feel at ease as your instructor tells you to remember that, “You may be a part of the universe, but you also are the universe.” Or you laugh because your universe just consists of what you’re going to get for lunch.

When your instructor says “Namaste,” you may not know exactly what that means, but you feel like saying it to everyone. Finally, you’re actually relaxed, you feel great and you’ve had the workout of your life. Now hit the showers, because you smell.

Ah, the sweet smell of summer is upon us, or is that just the guy in your math class who insists on wearing sleeveless shirts when it’s 90 degrees outside? I digress. Our semester is drawing to a close. Our days grow long and our nights grow short, and our backs grow ever sweatier. But in the spirit of young professionalism, I’m not going to tell you which bars have the coolest air conditioning and the cheapest drinks. No, I’m here to prepare you for this summer and all of the fashion challenges it holds. Break out your sunscreen and take your head out of the freezer, because we’ve got a lot to cover.

GIFT: Your average music festival will consist of the following: hot weather, lots of movement, minimal showering. The idea here is something that will keep you cool and able to jump around in the massive crowds and numerous stage changes. American Apparel is known for its high-quality, reasonably priced basics: high-waisted cuff shorts, $58; tie-dye T-shirt, $10.

THRIFT: No frills, no fuss. Just simple, minimal clothing that keeps the sweating to a minimum and the budget laughably low. Jean shorts and shirt together? Try $4.50 at Goodwill on Decker Boulevard.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP

GIFT: The sought-after summer internship is a must amongst aspiring young professionals. It’s boiling hot outside, yet you need to look mature—but not too mature. But not too lackadaisical. But not too eager. But you need to be approachable. But not so friendly that you annoy people. But don’t show that you care too much—oh God, I can’t handle the pressure! Just give me a dress and a cardigan; I can’t choose anymore! Urban Outfitters: Oh My Love lace dress, $79; Pins and Needles cardigan, $69.

GIFT: Guys are infinitely harder to shop for. They either know what they want or they’re so indifferent that you could recommend camouflaged waders and most would nod in agreement. Let’s keep it simple for now. Vineyard Vines: linen shirt, $98; twill shorts, $75.

THRIFT: I did the best I could guys, I really did. The aisles of Goodwill serve you poorly. If variety is what you search for, you’ll find it in the stains on the countless dress shirts and shapeless slacks. Look hard enough, and there may be a few diamonds: shirt, shorts and Sperrys, $5.50.

GIFT: Whether it be a dress, shawl, sarong or other lacy, flowing get-up, you ladies need something to throw over your bathing suit when you arrive at the ocean. A cotton and linen dress from Free People could be the perfect solution, though for $128, you could get a lot more beer.

THRIFT: Oh how Goodwill mocks the established order—$3 for a lovely patterned dress. Yes, it bears a striking resemblance to your grandma’s favorite curtains, but it’s not lacking in the pizazz department now, is it? Add $4 for shoes.

ROAD TRIP

BY JACOB MARGLE

BY SIERRA ZANER DESIGN BY SAVANNAH TAYLOR

THRIFT: I’d argue that this outfit upstages the gift alternative. You have to hand it to our fellow senior citizens that they really know how to wear some prints. Shoes, dress and a groovy cardigan for a grand total of $7.

GIFT: Whether it’s a mere two-hour jaunt to Charleston or a two-week trek to the Midwest, few things can sum up a summer vacation like the open road. The name of the game is longevity: clothes that will stand up to abuse and whatever weather you can throw at them. Brandy Melville: flannel, $35; destroyed boyfriend jeans, $45.

THRIFT: Thanks be to Kanye for taking the flannel beyond its workman roots and making it into something to be worn in various forms all year ‘round. Oh, and thanks be to Goodwill and the trickle-down effect for making a flannel and jeans combo a mere $6.

PHOTO

FOOD FIGHT

Remember when you were learning to spell and would always mix up the words “desert” and “dessert?” To solve this mind f—k, my third grade teacher once said, “Dessert has two s’s because you always want two.” Ain’t that the truth?

My mission, which I begged to accept, was to seek out all of the best desserts around campus. And boy, did I ever.

BY ANDREA WURZBURGER PHOTOS BY IDA GARLAND DESIGN BY ASHLEY CROMPTON

NONNAH’S CHOCOLATE TEMPTATION

Marie Antoinette may not have actually said, “Let them eat cake,” but this reporter definitely did the moment I stepped into Nonnah’s. It’s no surprise that Nonnah’s has been voted Best of Carolina for dessert and consistently been awarded ‘Best Desserts’ in Columbia from 1998 to 2013. That is nearly a decade of serving the sweetest of sweet treats. With so many choices, I went for their best-seller: The Chocolate Temptation, which is a moist chocolate cake laced with Godiva liquor, layered with vanilla cream filling and finished with chocolate ganache. For a dessert that looks like it could knock you into a sugar coma with your first, delightful bite, it is surprisingly light and airy. Most chocolate desserts leave you feeling super guilty about indulging, but this treat is all about having your cake (and eating it, too).

CUPCAKE’S MANDARIN ORANGE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE

I will never understand people who hate cupcakes. A cupcake is nature’s answer to a bad day. They are little, personalized cakes with enough icing to make the world go ‘round. Cupcake Down South, therefore, is a mecca for cupcake lovers—which I will again assert should be everyone—and for good reason. If you’re not a huge fan, you can start out with a few classic flavors. But I went into Cupcake looking to try something new. The Mandarin Orange Chocolate Cupcake was the first to catch my eye. I’m not the biggest fan of citrus-y desserts, but it looked too pretty not to try! I have yet to find the perfect way to eat a cupcake, but after the first bite, it didn’t matter how messy I was about to get. The orange icing was not overwhelming and, consistent with the cupcake itself, was a twist on the classic cream cheese icing. If you like adventure, don’t shy away from new flavors. I promise it’s worth it.

CREPES & CROISSANTS’ TRIPLE TREAT CREPE

Bringing a little bit of French culture to Columbia, Crepes & Croissants has a ton of options from sweet to savory. Obviously, I chose the sweetest of the sweet for...creative purposes. (Let’s go with that.) Enter the Triple Treat, which definitely lives up to its name. This crepe is filled with bananas, strawberries and enough Nutella to feed a small army. To top it all off, it is covered in powdered sugar and accompanied by a large side of whipped cream. What makes this dessert so delicious is the way the flavors all come together in the perfect combination: the tanginess of the strawberries, the sweetness of the bananas and the chocolate-hazelnut perfection that is Nutella. The best part? You can eat it anytime you’d like—not that you need our permission.

CAFE STRUDEL’S CHERRY CHEESE STRUDEL

Three words: Dessert. For. Breakfast. (Or Breakfast. For. Dessert.) Whichever you prefer, this strudel is like a slice of heaven. Cafe Strudel is always bustling, but the fun, relaxed atmosphere (and the mimosas) make it worth the wait for some awesome food. The Cherry Cheese Strudel is served right off the grill, and every bite feels like a new discovery. You are Sacajawea and this is the new frontier. The crisp, warm crust tastes like a praline cookie, while the ooey, gooey center has the creamiest of cream cheese filling, complimented by sweet cherries. We all know the wonders German engineering has created, and this strudel is like a high-tech cinnamon bun—the Volkswagen of cinnamon buns, if you will.

MAXIMIZE YOUR SPACE

BY KASEY MEREDITH // PHOTO BY HANNAH CLEAVELAND // DESIGN BY MEGHAN MCCLOSKEY

HANG IN THERE:

Living in a dorm or a small apartment can often make you feel like the old woman who lives in a shoe, but a really small size-six Ugg that gives you blisters. Here are five storage tips to make your living space less shoe-sized and more palace-sized (okay, well at least actual room-sized).

YOU’RE IN COMMAND™:

Extreme home makeovers aren’t exactly encouraged, but who says you can’t make use of those walls?, Command™ strips (or hooks) will be that reliable friend you can always count on. Typically, they’re used for hanging up artwork or posters, but you can also hang your keys (for easy grab and go access) or even your jacket. While that utilitarian plastic might not be your cup of tea, these hooks come in many different colors, tints and shapes. Try the “stainless-steel” hooks for extra class.

THINK INSIDE THE BOX:

I know your room might feel like living in a box, so own it! Fabric boxes can be found almost everywhere and are perfect organization gadgets. The rectangular ones are great for putting in drawers to organize your socks and intimates so your dresser doesn’t turn into the Pandora’s box of fabrics. You can also get larger ones to use as assorted bins for all the debris coating your desk…or floor.

GET LOFTY:

You’re probably familiar with lofting your bed for more storage, but why not loft everything else too? Some people call this invention a ‘shelf.’ While it might seem like a simple answer, the shelf is often overlooked. You can store textbooks and various knick-knacks that seem to hold no purpose except to take up your precious shoebox—I mean bedroom—space.

While your prom dress might have seemed essential when you were packing your life away, now it’s only collecting dust in your closet while you wear T-shirts and norts on the daily. With the right choice of hanger, you can still have your cake and eat it too. Or in this case, hang the clothes that you use all the time alongside the high school favorites that haven’t seen the light in years. Let’s start with the basics: ditch those white plastic hangers, and trade them in for thin felt hangers. These take up half the space, and your clothes stick to them easier. However, pants/skirt hangers are the real winners, since these babies can hold up to five bottoms on one hanger! Honorable mentions include: scarf/belt hangers.

SECRET COMPARTMENT FURNITURE:

Cluttering your precious space with furniture might sound ridiculous, but it’s not. Ottomans are a particular piece that you should invest in, but only the ones with removable tops and inner room for storage. Who said wardrobes had the only portal to Narnia? It’s mind-blowing how much these can come in handy, like when guests are coming over and you need to stuff your miscellaneous junk out of sight.

“THINK INSIDE THE BOX”

BY CALEB COKER & CATHY SANTOS

PHOTOS BY IDA GARLAND

DESIGN

Across campus in Maxcy, freshman Bailey Enlow is responding to a loving morning text from her girlfriend. It’s their 5-year anniversary, and she’s calling to confirm their reservations at Saluda’s.

Meanwhile, junior Thomas Jones* is headed to Russell House for breakfast to study before his big chemistry exam. Sitting down at a booth, he opens his laptop and begins to religiously recite his notes, hoping that some of it sticks.

Brooks, Enlow and Jones are all doing quite average, everyday college things. However, they are each extraordinary— and not because they got out of bed to study. They are all transgender.

BY LISA ASHWORTH

Slapping the “snooze” button on her alarm, USC sophomore Rukia Brooks begs the machine for 10 more minutes of precious slumber. Like so many of her peers, she reluctantly climbs out of her warm nest of blankets and begins her morning routine.

ransgender is one of those words we hear in passing, on Facebook or in one of our sociology classes. It’s a word we often lose in our memories or misunderstand. Oftentimes, we hear it referred to as “a boy trapped in a girl’s body” or some other problematic definition, but transgender identities are much more complex and diverse.

People tend to get confused about the distinctions between sexuality, sex and gender. Sexuality is defined as one’s orientation in terms of their feelings, desires, and attractions. Sex is largely understood as the biological characteristics used to label people – chromosomes, hormones and anatomy.

Sex, like sexuality and gender, is a spectrum. Many bodies do not fit the binary that society has constructed. Some people are categorized as intersex due to biological characteristics that don’t fit the norm. Furthermore, hormones, anatomy and legal sex are modifiable, though still independent from gender.

There is nothing inherently male or female about human body parts. That’s usually a new idea for many people. We so often hear “boy parts” and “girl parts.” But if a woman has a penis, is that penis still “boy parts?” Trans activist Sophia Banks (@ sophiaphotos) tweeted in January, “I am cool being a woman with a dick. Waiting for society to catch up.” As a culture, we have taken away the right for people to have others refer to them and their bod-

ies as they see fit. If someone tells us that they identify as a woman, then her face is a woman’s face, her leg a woman’s leg and her clothing is a woman’s clothing.

For most people, gender identity is in accord with the sex they were assigned at birth; these individuals are known as cisgender. For transgender people, however,

a trans individual). Misgendering is dangerous. It means that people disregard the identity and the lived experiences of the transgender person. We often put them in boxes that make their lives more palatable to us. “Orange is the New Black” actress, trans woman of color and trailblazing goddess Laverne Cox even called misgendering “an act of violence.” That’s a bold statement. They’re just words; does it really matter that much?

Yes, it does. Nine trans women were murdered in the United States between January 1 and March 16. If we include trans people who have committed suicide, the number jumps to at least 14 that we know of. The vast majority of these are women of color.

gender identity may differ from assigned sex or corresponding social roles. Because gender identity is internal, others cannot assume it, regardless of the individual’s gender expression. Got all that?

Now, let’s talk media. Some well-meaning USC student may ask, “Well, surely the people reporting transgender topics know a lot about them…right?” Unfortunately, it’s usually the opposite. All too often, transgender individuals are misgendered (meaning that people don’t use the correct pronouns or names when referring to

According to “Injustice at Every Turn: A Report on the National Transgender Discrimination Survey” (2011), transgender and gender non-conforming people face a 41 percent rate of attempted suicide (compared to 1.6 percent in the general population); double the rate of unemployment; a 78 percent harassment rate in

IF SOMEONE TELLS US THAT THEY IDENTIFY AS A WOMAN, THEN HER FACE IS A WOMAN’S FACE, HER LEG A WOMAN’S LEG AND HER CLOTHING IS A WOMAN’S CLOTHING.

...TRANSGENDER IDENTITIES ARE MUCH MORE COMPLEX AND DIVERSE.

BAILEY ENLOW

CATHY SANTOS

RUKIA BROOKS

CALEB COKER

K-12 schools; 63 percent rate of a severe, life-altering instance of discrimination; 19 percent rate of complete medical care denial; and a largely increased rate of harassment, poverty, rape and murder. Words—which, yes, seem harmless at first—often lead to these acts of violence.

And these aren’t just statistics. This is Leehlah Alcorn, a 17-year-old trans girl who threw herself in front of a car because her family wouldn’t accept her. (They instead opted to send her to a type of therapy condemned by psychiatric groups nationwide.) This is Taja DeJesus, a 36-year-old trans woman of color who was found stabbed to death in a San Francisco stairwell. This is Bri Golec, a 22-year-old trans girl who was murdered by her father for attending a transgender support group. Ending violence against the transgender community begins with respect and education.

But what about our campus? We do have resources for transgender and gender non-conforming students at USC. Kayla Lisenby is the coordinator for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Programs in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

“We are working to grow the resources that are available to our trans and gender non-conforming students,” Lisenby says. “Much of our work is derived from best practices in the field and the work of our Trans Task Force, a group of faculty and staff who meet regularly to work to improve the campus culture for our trans students.”

In regards to the ever-changing cultural climate on campus, she assures us that USC has “…a strategic plan for increasing the inclusivity of our campus for trans and gender non-conforming stu-

dents over the next several years.”

Our student body offers resources as well. New to USC is the Trans Student Alliance, which serves as an almost peer-led Trans Task Force. Still in its infancy, the organization is a safe space for all trans-identifying students to come together and turn discussion into action. The group is planning on launching a Facebook page very soon.

The largest student organization that meets weekly is the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Straight Alliance (BGLSA). This group, headed by junior Devon Sherrell, offers a wide range of meeting topics and programming throughout the year. Sherrell tells us, “As an inclusive LGBTQ+ organization, BGLSA provides a social, service and advocacy network for the entire community, including trans and gender non-conforming students, faculty and staff. BGLSA will provide the committee with the resources they need to foster active dialogue and solutions for some of the problems trans and gender non-conforming students face on campus.”

As for the challenges that we’ve faced in past years with getting trans-inclusive policies and programming to Carolina, Sherrell says, “Unfortunately, USC has had instances of violence against students within the trans and gender non-conforming community. We also have had many pitfalls and roadblocks in pushing gen-

der-inclusive housing, and only this year has the university finally included gender in its non-discrimination clause.”

Even still, Enlow admits she found solace in coming to college. “I’ve always known [I was transgender],” she says. “But I didn’t know the word for it until I was around 15 or 16 and even then I was like, ‘No, this wouldn’t be good.’ My parents were really Christian and they wouldn’t have been happy, and it would have made life harder for me at home. I waited until the summer before I came to USC to really come out as trans.” Enlow says that she found a support group in BGLSA and has had a generally positive experience in residence halls, which can sometimes be challenging for transgender college students. Even better? Her girlfriend is her biggest supporter!

Brooks also talked to us about coming out. “[It] was a difficult process,” she says. “I have had trash thrown at me, been verbally harassed and threatened, but these are very minor compared to the overwhelming love and support I have gotten from friends.”

Brooks gives credit to progressive student organizations such as the Feminist Collective and the Secular Student Alliance for helping her feel more comfortable with herself and coming out at USC. “I, along with many others… hope to continue to better South Carolina through our efforts to make sure everyone finds a home here at USC.”

Jones speaks of the prevalence of his community. “Trans people are everywhere,” he says. “We’re at USC; we’re your neighbors. We went to your high school. We’re your classmates and your students. If you haven’t met a trans person, you will. And chances are you have met a trans person, but you didn’t know it – we don’t always look like you would expect us to look.”

Jones is proud of his identity and has a message for students on this campus. “[Transgender] lives are complex and interesting, challenging and beautiful. Our lives are also normal and less tragic than the media would have you believe. Most importantly, being transgender is a healthy variation of human existence… I love being transgender.”

*Name has been changed to protect the identity of the student.

Both writers of this piece openly identify within the transgender spectrum.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, BEING TRANSGENDER IS A HEALTHY VARIATION OF HUMAN EXISTENCE... I LOVE BEING TRANSGENDER. - THOMAS JONES*

HEADLINERS

SUMMER LOVIN’?

SIBLING// RIVALRY

“ When I was 15, my sister and I spent the summer working at a horseback riding barn. I helped with lessons, groomed the horses, cleaned stalls, etc. There were a lot of other people around my age who worked there and we had a lot of down time when we would just hang out while the instructors had lessons.

One of the guys I worked with was probably one of the most attractive men I’ve ever met in my life, even now. He was jacked, first of all — huge biceps, probably had a six-pack at the age of 16. He had these huge blue eyes and a perfect smile. My awkward, weird teenage self was obsessed. I spent all summer trying to figure out how to get him to like me. It was pathetic, really. I volunteered to work on all the same lessons, jumped to help find equipment he was looking for and always chatted him up during lunch. Apparently, my sister liked him too. I didn’t find this out until after I worked up the courage to ask him out, and he very unenthusiastically agreed.

My sister and I got home after work, and I immediately started getting ready to go out. My sister asked me what I was getting ready for, and I told her I was going to the movies with the guy. Suddenly, she makes this weird shriek, punches me in the boob and storms off to her room without saying anything. The best part? The guy texted me last minute to cancel and then never brought it up again for the rest of the summer.” Alexis*, 20, third-year nursing student

BY AMANDA COYNE // PHOTOS BY HANNAH CLEAVELAND // DESIGN BY SAVANNAH TAYLOR

IT’S ALMOST SUMMERTIME. SINGLE FOLKS, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS: time to look for that elusive, seemingly mythical summer love. Whether you eye your mermaid (or merman) emerging from the surf during your beach vacation, notice an old friend from high school has suddenly gotten attractive or feel the spark with a coworker at your summer internship, love (or at least lust) is in the air.

But most of these flings end up cooling with the weather. The bright summer sun can get in your eyes when the romantic heat starts to rise. These fast and furious affairs and attempts at love may not always work, but they sure do leave you with some good stories — which is just what happened with these Gamecocks. *Names have been changed to save these people from reliving that embarrassing summer love hangover.

PREVENTED ME FROM FLIRTING WITH HIM THE REST OF THE SUMMER.

MY DIGNITY AND THE LAW //

COUGAR// TOWN

(NOT)// OKCUPID

“Last summer, I had a great internship in a city far from home where I didn’t know anybody. My Craigslist roommates were bizarre — one liked to salsa dance in the living room and the other looked like a hunchback — and I was pretty much on my own. Without friends or cable to keep me busy, I fell into the dark world of online dating. I made an account on OkCupid because it was free and the infinite number of questions kept me busy when I couldn’t sleep.

After a few days, I found a guy who was an 89 percent match. He was 29 and average looking, but we seemed to have a lot in common, so I thought, ‘Why not?’ I gave him my number, because I hated messaging on the site, and that’s when things got weird. He texted me creepy things like, ‘Is it weird that I’m really into how young you are?’ I told myself he must just be an awkward texter or something. We make a date despite the early signs telling me to run.

The night of the date, I text him to ask whether I should meet him at the restaurant,

and apparently he’s forgotten completely and is out of state. He begs for my forgiveness and, idiot that I am, I let him make a new date for a week later. The next week, I meet him at a restaurant—a sketchy Mexican place that’s literally under a bridge. My chicken taco has a sharp bone shard in it, and there’s salt in my margarita. He’s awkward, but seems well-meaning. Against my better judgment, I agree to see him again later in the week.

When I go to his apartment, I know that the creep instincts I’ve been fighting were right. Everything is white or beige and dingy. He has barely any furniture. I get a distinct murdery vibe. Then, after a glass of wine, I go to the bathroom and there are earwigs crawling everywhere. I am fully convinced he has killed someone, and I am his next victim. I make up a random excuse and bolt, never to reply to any of his creepy texts again. Moral of the story: Don’t give anyone the benefit of the doubt; they are probably a murderer.”— Courtney*, fourth-year international studies student, 22

“Summer after freshman year, I went back home to work at my old high school job — McDonald’s. I spent almost 40 hours a week in that hot, smelly kitchen wearing my super attractive polyester polo. I left every day covered in sweat and smelling like French fries. Some of the people I had worked with in high school were still working there, but they always hire a lot of new people in the summers, mostly high school and college kids.

One of these new guys was named John, and he was beautiful. At least 6-foot-3, dark hair and green eyes, plus he was really goofy and friendly. He lived in the next town over, so we didn’t have any mutual friends … I don’t even think he had Facebook. So, I didn’t know too much about him other than what I learned from messing around at work, but I did know he was still in high school. It was early in the summer — high school was still in session — so I didn’t know if he was a senior, but he for sure had to be at least a junior (so at least, like, 17). I have a late birthday, so I was still 18, so it wasn’t going to be weird.

We had a flirty rapport at work, talking all the time and hanging out when the store was slow. I made my move in June. I was going to be hanging out with a few friends and a cheap bottle of vodka after work, and I gave him my number. He didn’t end up coming, but I got his number — I did the old ‘put my number in your phone and immediately text myself’ trick — and after a few drinks, I started texting him. He said something about school, so I used that as an excuse to ask how old he was. Apparently, he was 16. I was mortified. I asked him, ‘But you’ll be 17 soon, right?’ Nope. He had just turned 16 two months ago. He was a sophomore in high school. Suddenly, I felt like the world’s creepiest cougar. My dignity and the law prevented me from flirting with him the rest of the summer.”— Sarah*, second-year English student, 19

L E A V I N G G R A Y S C A L E

AN ESSAY ON HOPE

BY VALERIE DEAN*// PHOTOS BY IDA GARLAND // DESIGN BY ASHLEY CROMPTON

I haven’t seen the sun in three days. And for the 100th time this week, I think about ending it all. A slit to the wrist? No. Sharp objects scare me. But the pills upstairs… I could easily swallow 10 too many, fall asleep and never wake up. My eyes flit to an overhead light and focus dully on its brightness. None of it matters, I think. I am a dog, and someone should put me down.

My therapist tells me that half the population will suffer from depression or anxiety. I fall into that lucky percentage struggling with both— and believe me, more is not merrier. Still, I hide it well. Throw in a fake smile here, an “I’m fine” there. Depression is my burden. And yet I am not ashamed.

At first glance, I’m just a white girl from suburbia. Aside from the calories in my macchiato, my concerns are few. I have amazing friends. Loads of opportunity. And to the outside world, I have it all together. The reality is that I live in darkness.

One can easily understand why.

When the average Joe feels sick, he gets the sniffles and runs to CVS. I, on the other hand, endure an all-out mental assault. My mind goes rogue and shrieks that I’ll never get better. Instantly, my anxiety soars. For several days, the screams continue, reminding me of every possible escape. And as my world slowly fades to gray, so does the possibility of hope and any chance of healing. In this desperation, life becomes a daily hell and death a welcome escape.

This is a dangerous lie. I know because I’ve believed it.

It’s easy to write that suicide is never the answer. We’re reminded on posters and television commercials, told that someone cares and to call 1-800-GET-HELP. But in spite of all the logic, the severely depressed fails to bridge what he knows with what he feels. At first, he fights but scolds himself along the way. Why should I want death, he thinks, when I have X, Y, and Z to consider? Yet, by constantly rebuking himself, the depressed grows exhausted. Pain and fear begin to choke his sensibility. And as he gasps for hope, the depressed views suicide as a kinder mercy than slow suffocation. What he forgets is that others—family, friends, and doctors— can help break the chokehold.

I wish I could promise that his fight feels easy, but nothing strays farther from the truth. Rather, depression is a struggle of countless prayers. Tears. Exhaustion. Willpower. Pain. And true grit. But this battle, while uphill, is worth it.

I was diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving— a fact I’ve always

found ironic. While everyone else indulged in the upcoming holidays, I struggled just to be. My existence had become a prison, my mind its warden and I the inmate. Consequently, I viewed everything behind bars of grayscale. I grew desperate to escape. I nearly tried. Yet, within this abyss, love saved me. As the fibers of my body longed to die, I reflected on my life. My thoughts drifted through my trip to France, flitted through past Christmases and finally settled on

something a friend texted me that week. “It’s hard to encompass why you matter to me,” he wrote. “You’ve been someone I could count on when I didn’t think I had anyone…I couldn’t imagine being here without you.” And in that moment, I knew I couldn’t end it. I had to live for him. For all of them. Yet, the following month dragged on, and I disheartened. My mind continually posed the same question: what makes life beautiful? I searched in frustration for the answer, considering self-

harm multiple times in the interim. And then one December night, I found my response through an unsuspecting Google search. How to beat depression. I had suspected the usual advice: be active, socialize with friends or take medication if necessary. Instead, I discovered two unlikely figures. Their names shocked me.

Winston Churchill. Abraham Lincoln. Both suffered from severe depression that, at times, rendered them suicidal. Yet, in spite of their pain, these men became two of the strongest leaders the world has ever seen. Arguably, neither could have achieved their greatness without depression. Having experienced great emotional strife, Churchill and Lincoln could process and relate to the suffering around them. Darkness, therefore, would not deter them. And, as a result of their mental tenacity, both could do what others could not: inspire nations in periods of great sorrow.

The same applies to us. Without darkness, we fail to seek light.

For this reason, I believe God uses the most broken people to accomplish incredible feats. In fighting our obscurities, we improve ourselves. We use our pain for good. And we move forward. Admittedly, I can’t deny the anguish depression has caused me, nor ignore its mental scars. Yet, I am not weak, and my illness does not define me. Rather, I am empathetic. Driven.

Strong.

Because of my pain, I can help those around me.

Because of my pain, I understand true joy. I still struggle. Some days, the black clouds never lift. But if I have learned anything, it’s that hope exists even in the darkness. And because of this reason, life is beautiful.

If you’d like to speak to the writer of this piece about depression (or anything else), email AskVal@outlook.com.

*Name has been changed to protect the identity of the student.

Dedicated to Nana, the inspiration for this piece; Nicholas, whom without I would not be here; Clark, Alex and Coleman for always making me laugh; Matt and Hunter for believing in me; Nolan for all the hugs; Katharine for her moral support; and my parents for never giving up on me. I love you all.

But if I have learned anything, it’s that hope exists even in the darkness.

“ ”

STRANDED STRANDED

MODELS:

SEE

STYLE BY ALANA FURSCADO // DESIGN BY LISA ASHWORTH // PHOTOS BY MORGAN EPPERSON & IDA GARLAND // STYLE ASSISTANTS: DOMINIC BELLOTTI & LINDSAY RIGGINS //

CAROLINE GRIGG, MEREDITH RICHARDSON, TAYLOR BOHN , CANAAN CROPPER, TAYLOR WOLF, RICK BENNINGE

PAGE 34 FOR ALL STYLE CREDITS

FASHION IN DISTRESS

ALL BOYS: SALTY’S SURF SHOP

MEREDITH: STEEL GARDEN KIMONO, BOHEMIAN JEWELRY, DRESS, COAT & SHOES, VESTIQUE RINGS & BAG

CAROLINE: ALL STEEL GARDEN

CLOTHES, VESTIQUE RINGS & NECKLACE, BOHEMIAN NECKLACE

TAYLOR: BOHEMIAN COAT, SHIRT & SHOES, STEEL GARDEN BATHING

SUIT TOP & SHORTS, VESTIQUE RINGS & EARRINGS

THE 10 BEST SUMMER HITS (FROM THE PAST 10 YEARS)

Summer is different for everyone, but there’s one aspect of the season that every single American can recall with each passing year: the No. 1 song. It was on the radio constantly, you knew all the words (whether you wanted to or not) and 40 years from now, you’ll still chuckle when it plays on the oldies stations. The past 10 years have provided an excess of catchy, questionable and sometimes downright embarrassing summer hits.

1. “CALIFORNIA GURLS” BY KATY PERRY FEAT. SNOOP DOGG (2010)

The chorus that defined summertime in the social network era! Minus Snoop’s guest appearance (he rhymes “weenies” with “queenie”), “California Gurls” is the quintessential cheesy, infectious summer song—from the sun-tanned, disco-esque guitar lick to the unforgettable chant leading into the punchiest of choruses.

3. “WE BELONG TOGETHER” BY MARIAH CAREY (2005)

This isn’t your average smash hit. While most of these songs are up-tempo sing-a-longs, Mimi brings three-and-a-half minutes of hypnotic longing to the pantheon of summer smashes. It’s a breath of fresh air.

7. “CALL ME MAYBE” BY CARLY RAE

JEPSEN (2012)

This one’s like candy; it’s so sweet and devoid of substance that it’s painful to take in, but you still eat it, and you’re not going to forget it.

4. “UMBRELLA” BY RIHANNA FEAT.

JAY-Z (2007)

Jay-Z’s opening is boring, the verses are lazily written and (for the most part) the beat is drab, but Rihanna delivers the chorus with the swagger of a runway model, making for one of the most unforgettable hooks of the ‘00s.

2. “PROMISCUOUS” BY NELLY FURTADO FEAT. TIMBALAND (2006)

Remember 2006, when everyone had a Motorola Razr and Nelly Furtado and Timbaland were two of the biggest names in music? Besides the great ‘90s-inspired production and insanely catchy guitar riff, what makes “Promiscuous” are the two vocalists’ chemistry and that the song puts both genders on equal ground… unlike some of the songs on this list.

5.

This was… different. The Gary Glitter-style punch that Perry and the backing track bring, along with the pre-determined controversy, were what destined this for summer smash-dom.

6.

CHARLI XCX (2014)

Thank goodness for Charli XCX. Without her butt-kicking chorus/verse, this song is just the ramblings of a lady who sounds like a Lil’ Kim impostor with strep throat.

8. “BLURRED LINES” BY

ROBIN THICKE

FEAT. T.I. & PHARRELL WILLIAMS (2013)

Living proof that a song can get by solely on catchiness. Pharrell’s “woo” noise is great, and the Marvin Gaye “sample” is too, but it’s impossible to look past lyrics that are more sexist than “Gaston.”

9. “I GOTTA FEELING” BY THE BLACK

EYED PEAS (2009)

It makes sense that this was a huge hit. The Black Eyed Peas were popular, and it was a safe party song released at the end of the school year. That doesn’t mean it isn’t the musical equivalent of watching paint dry.

10. “PARTY ROCK ANTHEM” BY

LMFAO (2011)

As far as songs that resemble Bozo the Clown singing over AOL dial-up go, this is still beyond unbearable.

BY ALEX PEEPLES DESIGN BY SAVANNAH TAYLOR PHOTO IN FAIR USE FROM CAPITOL RECORDS

“I KISSED A GIRL” BY KATY PERRY (2008)

“FANCY” BY IGGY AZALEA FEAT.

It had always been my understanding that half of what was taught in art classes was the technique of seeming as despondent and enigmatic as possible. There was definitely no room for smiles and Nike shorts in my art mental set. Yet, standing in front of me, junior Shaina Manuel challenged everything I thought I knew about “artists.” Turns out, this wasn’t the first time Manuel’s broad grin and sporty attire didn’t quite compute with someone’s notion of an art major. Laughing, she told me that even her own roommates assumed they had the wrong room when the art major they’d heard they would be shacking up with didn’t have “green hair and [a] sense of style or something.”

When I heard there was a girl aspiring to be a sketch artist, I couldn’t help but test her skills. So, after we sat down and began talking, Manuel got to work sketching from a photo of my roommate and me. Then, she pulled a folder out of her bag and began removing completed

SHANIA MANUEL AND HER CRIMINAL SKETCHES

SHAINA MANUEL’S SKETCHES ARE LIKELY TO PUT BAD GUYS BEHIND BARS ONE DAY.

BY ERIN SPENCER // PHOTO BY JOSH THOMPSON

sketches, laying them out one by one on the table. After seeing Michael Fassbender, Robert Pattinson and Anderson Cooper look back at me in perfect graphite form, I forgot previous notions of troubled, green-haired artists. Manuel admitted she wasn’t sure how she got into the habit of sketching heartthrobs.

“I guess I just thought they were cute and stuck to it,” she giggled.

When I asked if she’d always planned to be an artist, Manuel shrugged. “I didn’t just grow up wanting to be a sketch artist. It was something that kind of developed over time,” she said. A self-described “awkward individual,” Manuel explained she always felt more relaxed with a pencil in her hand.

After a while, she developed an affinity for drawing portraits, mesmerized by the “stories and the emotions behind every face.”

As the daughter of two parents in the federal justice department, eventually the idea of doing police sketches just made sense. Manuel explained that it’s

a pretty behind-the-scenes jobbut one that can ultimately close cases.

Secretly, Manuel says she dreams of being the ultimate elusive artist and “doing some kind of Bansky thing.” So, basically, if graffiti of attractive male celebrities starts hitting major cities, we’ll know who to call.

When she’s not in class or sketching, Manuel likes to watch “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” and imagine her own drawings helping Olivia Benson catch the felon just in time for the next “In the criminal justice system…” At the end of the interview, she humbly handed over the sketch she had been multitasking, and I saw my own face (and roommate’s) looking back with startling accuracy. Manuel’s sketches are likely to put bad guys behind bars one day. Until then, if you want to test out a new look and put her skills to the test, she does drawings for commission using the Instagram account @Shainasart.

DO YOU THINK THAT THE EVOLUTION OF VIDEO GAMES HAS ALLOWED THE MUSIC TO TAKE ON NEW, MORE IMPORTANT ROLES?

Will: In some instances, yes, but I feel like in a lot of games today it’s more atmospheric.

Caleb: The purpose has definitely evolved…believe it or not, we end up going back to some of the same games for our music, just because they’re simply known for having better music than others. Because as Will said, a lot of games you’ll just get this dull atmosphere music that’s not radio-friendly or very fun to listen to. But on some of them, you have like these grand symphonies.

DO YOU LISTEN TO A SONG FROM WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE GAME, OR DO YOU TRY TO SEPARATE IT AND VIEW IT AS ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL PIECE OF MUSIC?

Will: For me, most of the time, I do try to separate it, just to see if it’s fun to listen to and see if people who’ve never heard it would enjoy listening to it too. ...There are a lot of good soundtracks to games that people just don’t know.

DO YOU PREFER TO SELECT THE MORE SYMBOLIC PIECES FROM GAMES, OR WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU TRY TO FIND THE ONES THAT ARE MORE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING?

Will: There’s definitely a balance there. We do pick music that’s just fun to listen to, but then we’ve got songs we want to play just to expose the listeners to them.

Caleb: I try to give some context on those pieces. What I’m hoping is that, even if they don’t like it, they’ll wonder why we’re playing it over the radio in the first place, look up the game, then revisit the song and have a greater appreciation for it.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU WERE COMPLETELY IMMERSED BY A VIDEO GAME’S MUSIC?

Caleb: “Sonic Adventure,” the opening scene with Sonic running through the field toward the city. You have Eggman in the back flying the ship, and you have Knuckles protecting the emerald and then you’ve got this giant monster, Chaos, forming out of water. I’m just like, ‘this is not Mario.’

Will: Mine comes from “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” from around the time I was 5 or 6, but I didn’t play it until after it came out. Something about it let me know that this isn’t all just fun and games anymore. There’s some sort of very deep darkness to this that’s almost artistic, you know?

Caleb Franklin and Will Prosser are freshmen and still fairly new to WUSC but have had no issues finding their element. The show they co-host focuses on pieces selected from various video games across a range of titles. Be sure to catch Mr. Nilknarf and The Lumberjack’s WUSC show, “Beep Booboo Bop Booboo Bop” Fridays from 8-10 p.m.

BY JAMES STEWART // PHOTO & DESIGN BY LISA ASHWORTH

BY GRACE STEWART // PHOTO BY ADAM COLLINS // DESIGN BY JUSTIN CARRIER

All for one, and one for all! There is something for every audience member in USC’s production of “The Three Musketeers,” out this month. This stage adaptation, retold by Ken Ludwig, stars a young man from Gascony named d’Artagnan, who sets off to Paris (joined by his younger, rebellious sister, Sabine) to become a musketeer. There, they meet the eponymous heroes of the play: Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Together, d’Artagnan, Sabine and the three musketeers fight to defend the queen and her supporters from Cardinal Richelieu and Milady, the villains of the tale.

Ask any of the cast members of the production what their favorite part of show is, and they’ll swear by the fighting. Nationally recognized fight choreographer Casey Kaleba took the actors through a grueling process to master rapier and dagger

fighting. Guest artist and USC alumnus William Vaughan, who plays d’Artagnan, joins Kaleba on the fun.

Robert Richmond, an associate professor and celebrated regional director, says that it’s not just a swashbuckling adventure, but has “five principle qualities: faith, hope, charity, chivalry and greed.” Not only is there a value that every viewer can identify with, Richmond says, but also Sabine “gives access to the story in a very smart, sassy, kickass kind of way” and allows the focus to be very empowering. “By looking at some of these great classics,” Richmond says, “[we can learn] what we were, what we should be and what we might become.”

“The Three Musketeers” runs until April 25 in Drayton Hall Theatre.

THE MUSKETEERS COME TO CAROLINA HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.

Justin Daniels, also known by his stage name H3RO, is bringing a certain flavor to the underground scene, one that will be further savored with his new album “Between the Panels,” which is set to drop this summer.

The journey began in one of the scariest places on earth…high school. “I liked messing around with loops and things like that back in high school, making beats,” says Daniels. “Well, I didn’t really make beats. I was just slapping loops together and trying to rap over them, and people would listen to the music and think, ‘Okay,

BY KALYN OYER // PHOTOS BY JOSH THOMPSON // DESIGN BY JUSTIN CARRIER

well the beat sounds really awesome but your

But he didn’t. Daniels took about a year hiatus from sharing his music and worked on his first mix-tape “Who Is Junior Blaze” in the meantime. This time around, the response was a lot different. Though there were the token haters, there were a lot more supporters—peers who told Daniels he needed to keep going because there was something special about what he was doing.

Daniels became serious about his craft. During study hall, he would research rappers and classic albums. He would read Rolling Stone album reviews, scour top

100 lists and listen to every track, then proceed to dissect each individual process and what made that style successful. “I think that’s how I was able to mold my own craft out of it,” says Daniels. “A lot of rap artists start off mimicking or copying somebody else, and I do feel like I used to adapt styles from certain people, but then I feel like I got to the point where I knew how to basically rap without having to take somebody’s style or sounding like another artist. You always get comparisons, but it’s different when you’re like a mirror image of somebody. I found a way to go my separate way from that and make my own path.”

bia hip-hop scene. USC alumnus

rapping, like…you should just stop.’”

Daniels’ parents heard about the mixtape from some coworkers, which sent him into a panic at the thought of them listening to all the profanity. During the recording process, anytime they would come into his bedroom, he would hide the evidence. His top-secret project was handed over to his parents during a car ride, however, and they played it right then and there to Daniels’ complete horror. Surprisingly, instead of pointing out every curse word, his parents ended up fighting over whom Daniels got his artistic ability from. From that point, they became his biggest supporters; they even purchased ProTools software to get him started.

In 2006, Nas dropped album “Hip-Hop is Dead.” In 2009, when Daniels graduated from high school, he felt that this statement was becoming true. “When I changed my name from Junior Blaze to Blaze to H3RO, my goal was to save hiphop. That was my whole thing. I knew something had to happen to save hip-hop, and I was like, ‘I’ll be the hero,’” says Daniels.

When Daniels came to USC, one of the first things he did was pass around a new mix-tape, which led to making friends that he still works with now, like rapper Mike Gray. Gray collaborated on the 2012 disc “Heroes Live in a Gray Area” and works at Elite Records.

Daniels also performed at USC’s Got Talent his freshman year, which ended in an intense case of stage fright. “My parents were out there. My girlfriend was out there. And I just bombed. It was horrible. I tried to invent a dance called The Gamecock. I will not tell you... I will not show you what The Gamecock is like,” Daniels says, cringing.

Daniels didn’t perform again until a year later when he built his confidence by performing on stage with a fellow artist at New Brookland Tavern. Now, the stage doesn’t faze him at all. He performs locally at different venues.

Though Daniels is an independent artist, he has an agreement with local executives at Elite Records where they pay for his studio time if he puts their logo on his projects. He’s currently using that studio time to finish up “Between the Panels.”

For inspiration, Daniels analyzed Lupe Fiasco’s first album “Food & Liquor” to see what elements he wanted to emulate for his own project. However, the album is also tied to a larger concept based on a continuing saga that has run through his last three discs. “The concept is that you have to read between the lines in a way. Like, you don’t get the whole gist of the story unless you have every scene, but it’s the parts that connect the scene that you have to understand,” explains Daniels.

“It’s like this is what happens in between scenes, in between tapes, in between saving the world. It’s like when you’re on your day off. That’s why a lot of the songs on this project are more real to me.”

“Be Something” is about how to steer people in the right direction in today’s society, something Daniels feels the rap industry lacks. “No Rules,” however, which is dropping in April, is “one of the most vulgar songs you will ever hear,” according to Daniels. “Love in a Speech Balloon” shows Daniels’ playful side with a love story focused around comic books and the gaming industry, while “City Under Siege” touches on political and racial issues that are reflected in Daniels’ upbringing. “The Last of Us” goes a step further and elaborates on the Treyvon Martin and Michael Brown cases.

Daniels’ friend and local artist Brian Means is creating 13 different album covers, one for every song. The front cover of the disc packaging will include all the covers stitched together. Promotional posters for the album will have each one individually presented to create a story piece by piece.

Check out H3RO’s music at YourH3RO. com.

inVENT

THESE STUDENTS HAVE SOME BONES TO PICK WITH EVERYTHING

BY CARI SPEED, KATY SULLIVAN & ERIN SPENCER // DESIGN BY LINA LEGARE

PARKING WARS

Anytime I try to park in the Coliseum parking lot, I experience the horror that is USC Parking Wars. I enter the warzone around 11:15 a.m. in my battle gear (leggings and an oversized T-shirt), thinking I have plenty of time to make it to my 11:40. Of course, there’s no parking. Other soldiers have already reached the front lines of combat and are in pursuit of the same territory I am: a coveted 9’ x 18’ chunk of pavement. “Hey! Can I follow you to your car?” serves as my battle cry before I stalk my victims to their parking spots. I’m just about to flip my turn signal to declare victory when the enemy, an entitled student driving a car that puts my 2006 Dodge to shame, captures what I thought was rightfully mine. I admit defeat. Screw it, I think, I’m just paying to park in Discovery.

WEATHER WOES

Shorts or sweater? Beanie or sunglasses? Sandals or boots? Oh, the constant debacle of deciding your outfit for the day. It’s not because you care about looking good; it’s because the weather in Columbia can’t make up its f—king mind. This is especially true during the spring semester. One day, it will be 80 degrees and sunny. Then, the next will be so cold and windy that you feel like you’re going to turn into a popsicle. Then, there’s the constant problem of the weather’s mood swings within a single day. I didn’t come to college to be a stripper, but when it’s 20 degrees at 8 a.m. and 70 by the time I get out of my last class, I have no choice. I start off my day looking like the Michelin Man and end the day lugging around 10 extra items of clothing. While Columbia’s spring weather has its ups and downs, we can look forward to not having to debate our wardrobe in the summer, because one thing is for sure: by then, Columbia’s weather is always just HOT.

BLUE BOOK B.S.

So, I recently had to buy a Blue Book for an exam. I don’t know about you, but there’s something about these that just aggravates me to my core. Granted they don’t cost much—86 cents last I checked—but why do I need to pay just to have paper that’s dyed blue and bound? It’s not any better than regular paper. Honestly, it’s kind of worse. It’s wide-ruled. We’re in college now, for goodness sake; haven’t we earned the right to use college-ruled? Exam day is already bad enough, and now we have to put down 86 cents toward that bad day. At least the bookstore employees feel your pain. When you walk in and ask for a Blue Book, they always say sorry. They know it’s all downhill from there. I think what really gets me is the tagline on the front of the book itself: “Use your imagination.” Because while taking an exam, that’s what really gets the creative juices flowing.

N O T

GET A JOB

BY CAITLIN EDAHL // DESIGN BY MEGHAN MCCLOSKEY

Somehow, that perfect internship or job fell into your lap. Or maybe you’ve been scouring job sites since the moment you stepped foot on campus, and your labors have finally paid off. Or maybe you’re like the other 95 percent of us and have no idea what you’re doing after you graduate. No matter what your situation, it’s never a bad time to review the basics of how to get a job or internship. We can’t guarantee that these tips will work, but they will definitely improve your chances. Trust us, we know exactly what we’re talking about.

Anything goes, but generally the best tactic is to list all the jobs you’ve ever had, including babysitting in junior high and busing tables for a summer. Even if it seems irrelevant to the job or internship you’re interested in, deep down you know that there are surprising similarities between international business and working in retail. Plus, it’ll fill up pages, and the longer your resume, the better. Just like your professors, employers actually love reading 4-5 pages of bulls#!t.

DRESS FOR THE BEACH

Flip-flops are the new Oxfords. Shorts are much more comfortable than slacks. And that Bud Light-stained, screen-printed T-shirt you bought two years ago at a boozed-out Kid Rock concert is a good way to communicate your fun side. Another option is something tight and a little too small, like your jeans from freshman year. There’s a good chance that showing off your physique will help you make a lasting impression. Besides, “business casual” is more of a suggestion than a requirement.

TREAT THE INTERVIEW LIKE A FIRST DATE BARGAIN

Show up a little late. It’s the same principle as dressing properly: you don’t want to seem too eager. Don’t bother to learn anything about the company you’ll be working for; let them surprise you! Definitely don’t prepare any questions; the right ones will come to you in the moment, so just let them flow. Finally, get out of there when you feel like the interview is going well. It’s crucial that you leave them wanting more. Oh, that’s not how you act on a first date? Stay tuned for our upcoming article “How To Date.”

Nothing is non-negotiable, including the parameters of your job or internship. Is your dream internship unpaid? Use persuasion and bargaining tactics to suggest a salary. Start high, say at $50 an hour, to demonstrate that your (admittedly limited) skills are valuable, and if all goes well, you may end up with a decent salary. Does the job require working year-round? Subtly imply that you would be willing to exchWWWwWange small favors for instance, pet-sitting for a few more vacation days. It’s all about supply and demand, and your employer will appreciate your free market savvy.

SPEND AS LITTLE TIME AS POSSIBLE ON YOUR RESUME

There’s a GOOD chance that showing off your physique will help you make a lasting impression.

“ ”

QUIZ

DESIGN & COPY BY ALEX MILLER

WHAT ARBITRARY USC OBJECT ARE YOU ?

CHOOSE THE PHRASE THAT BEST DESCRIBES YOU

1. OLD-SCHOOL

2. CENTER OF ATTENTION

3. EDGY

4. BLOCKING OUT THE HATERS

5. SLOW & (POSSIBLY UN-)STEADY

6. HIGH-WIRED GO-GETTER

7. INDECISIVE

3 LOOSE BRICK ON THE HORSESHOE

1

BATES HOUSE

Gloriously grimy, you aren’t worried about your appearance. You couldn’t care less that you aren’t on top of the social tier. You’ll eat whatever is in front of you but have the legs of a body builder. A majority of your clothes are vintage (Goodwill), and your friends are tired of hearing you rant about bringing back the ‘70s. Your motto is, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

You have an edgy personality and are not afraid of confrontation. Your mom always tells you that you’re one in a million. You tend to be a nonconformist in a sea of sameness. You cannot text and walk, but you’re a consistent person, maintaining good grades and relationships and only occasionally tripping up. You like to crash parties and surprise people.

6 STROM HAND SCANNER

You are the ultimate go-getter. A high-energy person, you say yes to plans with everyone. Every day in your calendar is filled, but you tend to stick to a main routine. When people first meet you they’re intimidated, but after a while they realize you are easy to get along with. You don’t like change and tend to put up walls in relationships. You are always contemplating life and what your purpose is.

2 USC

SMOKESTACK

Your day starts with a wake and bake, but your friends call you the try-hard of the group. You like being the center of attention and standing out. People can see you coming from a mile away. If you could have any super power, it would be flying with the birds. You have a positive attitude—always looking up.

4THE GREENE ST. GATES

You are the hot mess that needs to be taken care of. Always getting on others’ nerves, you are the problematic friend. You like change and trying new things. People never know if you are available or not. Originally, everyone just walked all over you, but you have found your niche. You are closed off from the haters.

7 USC WI-FI

You are afraid of commitment. You have a wishy-washy personality and can never seem to make up your mind. You have to warm up to people when making friends. In your last relationship, you were cheated on, and your thoughts tend to be a little all over the place. Even though you can be flaky, people still like you. Your friends definitely rely on you to be there.

5HUMANITIES ELEVATOR

When it comes to romance, you play hard to get. Everyone at the bar wants to talk to you. In your last serious relationship, you were insecure, and you have a moody personality, fluctuating up and down. You take your time with everything but tend to slack in school, working only half as much as you could. Your friends tell you events are an hour earlier than they actually are because you’re late to everything.

ST. PAT’S

BY EMILIE DAWSON // DESIGN BY LISA ASHWORTH

PHOTOS

“That’ll be $3.” “American money?”

“We had a class together; will you give me a free shot? No? Okay; it was good to see you.”

“Can you get my friend? He’s behind you in the green shirt…”

“What’s your name?...Wanna makeout?”

“Oh my God. I want a corndog.”

“No! It makes me think of Jake. Get the Oreos!”

“We got off on a bad start this morning; I overslept and only cracked my beer at 8.”

“Do you have my money?”

“S—t, we have to go back to the Porta Potty!”

“I’m not ‘gonna fall asleep on the fountain again this year!”

“Dude, you did last weekend.”

“I’m ‘gonna take a power nap in Subway. I’ll text you in an hour.”

//

COURTESY OF THE DAILY GAMECOCK THESE IRREVERENT QUOTES PERFECTLY SUM UP COLUMBIA’S CRAZIEST CELEBRATION.

General/Primary Care*

Women’s Care*

Lab testing*

X-rays*

Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy

Pharmacy* (Transfer refills here!)

Administer allergy shots

Immunizations

Travel consultations

First Responders (24/7 on-campus urgent care EMTs)

Mental Health Services:

Counseling*

Visits with a psychiatrist

Prevention & Advocacy Services:

Campus Wellness (Includes nutrition appointments, stress management programs, exercise consultations, tobacco treatment programs & more)

Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention (SAVIP) (Victim advocacy, prevention programs and more. If you experience sexual assault, relationship violence or harassment and need support services, call USC police at 803-777-4215 and let them know you need to reach an advocate. Advocates are on call 24/7.)

Healthy Carolina (Promotes health and wellness for a healthy campus environment through the collaborative development, promotion and assessment of policies, programs, services and initiatives)

Psychiatrists Ray Hodges & Nancy Hoevenaar

Physical therapist Misty Dix and patient Cobb Howell

Women’s Self Defense Class

X-rays