Vo lum e 130 · N o. 27
E s t. 18 87
T hu r s d ay, D e c e m b e r 5, 2 019
‘10
‘11
‘12
‘13
‘14
REVEILLE REWIND Read on
‘15 NEWS
‘16 p ag e 3
LSU fans ran to Alex Box Stadium on Monday for the chance to take home a piece of Tiger Stadium sod.
SPORTS
‘17 p ag e 5
No. 2 LSU and No. 4 Georgia will play in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta in a rematch of last season’s 36-16 victory.
page 2
‘18 ENTERTAINMENT
p ag e 9
Mass communication junior Walter Miller releases his debut album titled “Dark Clouds Over Suburbia.”
OPINION
p ag e 11
“With...an overall lack of convenient parking zones altogether, it is no surprise University parking gets such a bad wrap.”
L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le
page 2
Decade in review: a look at notable LSU events from the 2010s BY BAILEY CHAUVIN AND RACHEL MIPRO @BaileyChauvin and @remroc15 As the decade comes to a close, The Reveille’s news editors searched our archives to compile a list of notable events that happened at the University from 2010 to 2019. Here’s the highlights for a decade of reporting. 2010 Sesquicentennial celebration The University celebrated its 150th anniversary, or sesquicentennial, with festivities throughout the year. Students put reminders of the University’s history six feet under when they buried the campus’ fourth time capsule, which contains an LSU football ticket and editions of The Daily Reveille, among other contributions. StudentsFIRST candidates instated Student Government elections in the spring were fraught with controversy. J. Hudson and Dani Borel were elected president and vice president, but the SG Election Board disqualified all other StudentsFIRST candidates due to alleged election code breaches. Two cases brought against the candidates concerned spending errors, with six StudentsFIRST members disqualified. Once the cases were reviewed, the candidates were instated. A third case accused the candidates of being cross-listed on multiple tickets and operating on an unrecognized ticket. 2011 “Pitch Perfect” filming The University made an appearance in movie theaters in 2012 with the release of “Pitch Perfect,” starring Anna Kendrick, which filmed on campus in fall 2011. The film featured several areas of campus, including the Pentagon, Student Union, Quad and Swine Palace. Three of the University’s fine arts graduate students appeared in the movie. Game of the Century The LSU Tigers were victorious against the Alabama Crimson Tide in a 9-6 win described as “the Game of the Century,” especially notable for kicker Drew Alleman’s 25-yard game-winning field goal. The team remained undefeated throughout the regular season that year and faced off against the Crimson Tide in the 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game. Alabama beat LSU 21-0, marking the first ever shutout in a BCS bowl game. 2012 Allen Hall murals unveiled Allen Hall’s best kept secret was unveiled after being hidden behind layers of white paint for decades. Former University art student Cheryl Elise Grenier uncovered a portion of the murals
in 2002, but it took 10 years to gather the necessary funding to uncover them. The murals, which originally draped the walls of the former Arts and Sciences building, were the product of graduate art student Roy Henderson’s 1939 thesis, and represented the sciences and arts. Bomb threat Phones and computers across campus lit up with emergency text messages on Sept. 17 when a bomb was reported on campus. The campus resumed normal activities about 12 hours later. Many students were stuck in a campus-wide traffic jam. Students that lived on campus weren’t allowed to return to their on-campus housing until hours after the ordered evacuation. William Bouvay Jr. was charged later that day for calling in a fake bomb threat and sentenced to 23 years in prison in 2013. 2013 Tiger Stadium renovations Despite massive ongoing stadium renovations, fan continued to attend games in August and September of 2013. The giant video board on the south end of the stadium was removed, South Stadium Drive had reduced lanes for gameday flow and different stadium entrances were used, but fans were undeterred. F. King Alexander installed as LSU President On March 27, 2013, F. King Alexander was unanimously voted in as president of the University by the LSU Board of Supervisors in a special meeting. The meeting was held amid conflict over the withholding of records of the 34 other candidates considered for the LSU presidential position. Newly instated, Alexander was projected to be paid a salary of about $600,000 in a five-year contract. Alexander said he hoped to improve LSU and foster positive relations. 2014 Baton Rouge snow The University’s campus was a winter wonderland on Jan. 29, when rare freezing weather led to light snow and ice. Classes were cancelled for several days, and students made the most of their unexpected break. Students protest Studio Arts Building conditions University arts students and faculty marched from the Quad to the Student Union in a mock funeral for the School of Art on April 3, protesting the conditions of the 90-year-old Studio Arts Building. The organizers decided on a silent protest and black clothing to symbolize the potential downfall of their program without building renovations. Media Relations Director Ernie Ballard said the University requested funds for the building’s renovation mul-
tiple times, but funds were tied up until the state was able to find the money. 2015 Students protest LSUPD’s alleged racial profiling Students gathered in the Quad with dark hoodies and signs with their physical descriptions on Feb. 4 for a “Suspect: Vague” demonstration to protest racial profiling. Participants were protesting a Jan. 30 LSUPD emergency alert that informed the campus about an armed robbery in the Kirby Smith Hall parking lot and reported the suspect was a “black male wearing dark hoodie.” While LSUPD emergency text messages are limited to 160 characters, some students said the message potentially put all students matching that profile in danger. Plus/minus grading system implemented Despite opposition from Student Government, the plus/minus grading system was implemented in fall 2015. Many students opposed the policy, with almost 3,000 students signing a change.org petition in an attempt to prevent the decision. SG also passed a resolution against the policy, which stated SG received over 200 emails from students, of which only 2% were in favor of the policy. 2016 Reveille begins weekly publications Shifting to a new format for the first time since the publication’s foundation in 1887, the paper’s new production plan included publishing 32 pages of content, planning to upgrade software and equipment, increase circulation and hire more student journalists. Mike VI’s euthanization Mike VI was euthanized after his struggle with spindle cell sarcoma. While he received radiation treatment, he was later diagnosed with only months to live after his cancer spread. Students were encouraged to share their favorite memories, stories and photos using a specialized hashtag. Mike VI had been a beloved member of the community since his arrival on campus in October 2007. 2017 Max Gruver’s death East Baton Rouge Clerk of Court warrants showed that Phi Delta Theta pledge Max Gruver’s Sept. 14 death was a result of a drinking game called “Bible Study,” in which pledges were made to drink hard liquor. Gruver’s death led to the removal of Phi Delta Theta from the University’s campus and the creation of four anti-hazing pieces of legislation signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2018. UREC expansions A four-year, $85 million UREC
expansion project was completed in 2017. The renovations included three courts, an expanded track, a studio for boxing fitness classes and several pools, including a lazy river in the shape of “LSU.” The project was fully funded through student fees at a time when higher education budget cuts and the potential downfall of TOPS loomed over students’ heads. The lazy river especially drew criticism, especially because many buildings around campus remained in disarray. 2018 TOPS funding scare Gov. John Bel Edwards presented a doomsday budget on Jan. 22 for the 2018-2019 fiscal year that slashed higher education and put TOPS on the chopping block. The University was vocal in its support for the program, especially because it would face a $21 million reduction with the loss of the program. Student Government passed a resolution urging the Louisiana Legislature to fully fund the program, and many University students participated in the Rally for TOPS at the State Capitol in May. After three special legislative sessions, the House approved a sales tax renewal in June, narrowly avoiding cuts to higher education and TOPS. Stewart Lockett’s election Stewart Lockett was elected Student Government president in April 2018, making him the University’s third black president since the first black president, Kerry Pourciau, took office in 1972. Lockett, along with vice president Rachel Campbell, ran unopposed. 2019 Multiple student deaths Three University students died within a two-week time span in September, shocking many members of the LSU community. Graduate student Md FirozUl-Amin was killed during an armed robbery of a gas station on Sept. 7. Freshman Gilgamesh “Gil” Homan died on Sept. 17 after suffering critical injuries after a skateboarding accident. Freshman Marakah Dennis was found dead in Cypress Hall on Sept. 17; an autopsy later revealed her cause of death to be viral meningitis. Students organized a prayer circle for the deceased students on Sept. 17, and Student Government organized a vigil the following day. Gov. John Bel Edwards wins reelection Edwards was reelected to his second term as governor of Louisiana on Oct. 12, beating out republican opponent Eddie Rispone despite Rispone’s heavy backing by President Donald Trump. In his inauguration speech, Edwards said he would always put the people of Louisiana first.
B-16 Hodges Hall Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. 70803
NEWSROOM (225) 578-4811
Editor in Chief CALEB GREENE Managing Editor HAILEY AUGLAIR Digital Editor BRITTNEY FORBES News Editor BAILEY CHAUVIN Deputy News Editor RACHEL MIPRO Sports Editor BRANDON ADAM Entertainment Editor WHITNEY HICKS Opinion Editor ASHLON LUSK Production Editor LUKE JEANFREAU Multimedia Editor MITCHELL SCAGLIONE
ADVERTISING (225) 578-6090
Layout/Ad Design MATTHEW OAKMAN Layout/Ad Design EMILY POOLE Layout/Ad Design SARAH FRANCIONI Layout/Ad Design MALLORY LACOMBE
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS The Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or email editor@lsureveille.com.
ABOUT THE REVEILLE The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall. The Reveille is published biweekly during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, LA, 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
NEWS
page 3 STUDENT LIFE
GEAUX ACCESSIBLE
LSU departments created model of campus transportation’s future BY ANA BLOCK @anablock_4 University Facility and Property Oversight, in conjunction with LSU Planning, Design and Construction have created a model of what the future of transportation on and around campus will look like based on a series of over 3,300 responses and suggestions to a campus survey conducted last February. The plan was developed in conjunction with the 2017 Comprehensive and Strategic Campus Master Plan and the LSU Strategic Plan 2025. More than one third of the principles in the 2017 Master Plan relate directly to mobility on campus, according to Director of Campus Planning Greg Lacour. Lacour said this plan must be implemented to ensure the University is accommodating its growth by implementing appropriate and modern means of campus mobility. “We’re doing it to accommodate safe and equitable campus growth,” Lacour said. “With student enrollment and new buildings, we need a modern transportation system.” Transportation at the University will have a much different look in the future with biking, walking, parking, Tiger Trails and other mobility features, and will increase effective communication via a mobility app. Baton Rouge’s launch of the Gotcha Bikes bicycle rental program last summer has increased bicycle traf-
fic on campus and was an asset to the mobility implementation plan. The program allows students to rent a bicycle via various mobility hubs around campus. While biking has increased on campus, the implementation plan also aims to increase bicycle lanes. “On-street parking will start to go away as we increase bicycle lanes,” Lacour said. “Part of the plan is that Dalrymple from the circle to Tower Drive will be bike lanes next semester.” A major part of the mobility facet of the master plan is to create a safer walking core in the middle of campus. This will be implemented via the “Tiger Walk,” a major, well-lit walking and biking path that runs from south to north of campus. As bicycle lanes will be implemented alongside major roads leading into the core of campus, this will decrease the number of accidents happening from students crossing streets between parked cars, making it hard for drivers to see them before crossing the street. “The biggest thing here is a better and safer walking campus,” Lacour said. “We want to get rid of the parking on streets that people walk between. It’s a big issue, so safety is a big concern.” With more students comes more buildings, but more buildings mean less convenient parking. While it is quick to say that the University should build more parking garages, the price
tag that comes along with it is significant. As the total cost of a parking garage would be paid for by Parking and Transportation Services, it would cause a $5 million deficit if the University built more parking garages without increasing student fees and parking permit costs, which are Parking and Transportation Services’ main sources of revenue, Lacour said. Assistant Vice President of Planning, Design and Construction Roger Husser said money collected via Parking and Transportation Services is spent within the department, but it would be ridiculously costly to build multiple parking garages around campus. “Parking and Transportation Services is a business model that can only provide things they have the revenue to provide,” Husser said. “Every penny of parking
permits and student fees that are transit related gets spent within Parking and Transportation to provide something back.” Student fees and the cost of parking permits would likely increase if parking garages were to be built, which would then cause less students to buy permits, Lacour said. “A parking garage costs $25,000 per space. A parking lot costs $4,000,” Lacour said. “If you wanted to build more parking garages, everybody would be paying over $2,000 a year for parking.” As paying $2,000 a year for parking is absurd, Parking and Transportation Services have devised other solutions to accommodate student parking besides asking students to pay $2,000 for parking. With the implementation of new parking zones, students
see TRANSPORTATION, page 4
LONG LE / The Reveille
A Tiger Trails bus waits for students at Lockett Hall Wednesday, Sept. 4.
More nude models needed for art classes
BY RACHEL MIPRO @remrock15
Being naked in front of a classroom full of your peers sounds like a nightmare for most people. But for nude models in higherlevel figure drawing classes at the University, it is just a regular Monday. Elementary education junior Molly Aiken, who has been modeling since her freshman year, said the experience is very easy to get used to after the initial disrobing. “The first time, I was nervous because you’re showing everything to a bunch of strangers, but once you start doing it, you’re comfortable with it very quickly. Everyone is very mature and comfortable in class,” Aiken said. Aiken was excited to try nude modeling at the University, especially since a high school acquaintance who had been a nude model and encouraged her to go for it. Aiken currently models for one class, doing about one three-hour session per week. For her, the main difficulty is holding the pose. “If you’re standing for a long time, you get tired or lightheaded, but if it’s a reclining pose, then it’s pretty easy,” Aiken said. Aiken said the experience helped her become comfortable with her body, and she finds the final products rewarding, especially when looking at the artwork displays at the end of the year.
see MODELS, page 4
BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY
Piece of history: fans took free Tiger Stadium sod Monday BY JACOB MATTHEWS @Jacobbdm24
The 2019 football season for the LSU Tigers will be remembered as one of the greatest and most dominant seasons in University history. To remember that greatness, fans came from all over town on Monday and rushed to grab a slab of the sod that lay in Tiger Stadium during the historic run. The team have gone 12-0 in the regular season, marking the first time the Tigers went undefeated in the regular season since 2011. With the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, many fans who bleed purple and gold wanted something to plant in their homes to remember the occasion. The LSU Athletic Department
pried up 3500 square feet, amounting to more than 3,300 slabs of Tiger Stadium sod with grass on top, to invest in a months-long project to fix field drainage in Tiger Stadium. Right outside of Alex Box Stadium from 4-6 p.m., the slabs were given away. Fans went crazy over the opportunity to receive a piece of LSU history, and all the sod was gone within minutes of it being available. Petroleum engineering freshman Alex Ignative was one of the first people to get in on the giveaway. “When is this ever gonna happen again? I thought, ‘why not come get some grass?’” Ignative said. Ignative was not the only one running though. Many people were walking up to the sta-
dium excited when they were told all the sod had already been distributed. Construction management freshman Collin Craddock said he was just happy he was able to get some after running for it. “It’s a big deal, not many opportunities to be able to get this,” Craddock said. Craddock was not the only fan to feel this way, as many people waited around the stadium in their cars since 10 a.m. Monday for the chance to get a piece of sod. At first, visitors were told to only approach the area in vehicles, but traffic was moving fairly slow, and many people had already walked far just to turn around and possibly not get any. Once the first person walked up and grabbed a piece, it was a free
for all. The highlight of the scene was certainly seeing people get fired up when they secured theirs, including marketing senior Emily Mancusi.
“This is special sod. This is 12-0 sod,” Mancusi said. “This is legendary, this is iconic. Joe Burrow, our Heisman, our quarterback, walked on this.” LSU will not play any more
MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille
Construction takes place in Tiger Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 4.
Thursday, December 5, 2019
page 4 TRANSPORTATION, from page 3 will be able to park farther away for a lower cost. While students may assume that parking further away will mean a longer walking distance, the University proposed the plan to implement a micro-transit system, called “Park and Geaux.” Park and Geaux would work similarly to Uber or Lyft, as students would be able to request a ride from a student driving a golf cart-scale vehicle and would be dropped off in the core of campus. Although this service would have an additional cost, students would be paying less for parking and it would create more student jobs. The app in which the
MODELS, from page 3 “You get to see how everyone interprets your body, and you see the beautiful artwork they make,” Aiken said. “And help someone with their college education.” Biochemistry sophomore Quinn Blanchard, an alternate model, said she also enjoys modeling for art classes. Currently filling in for models for about three hours every other week, Blanchard said she feels confident in the classroom atmosphere. “When you get naked in front of that many people, they’re all awkward so you have all the power in that situation,” Blanchard said. “They have to look at you and
micro-transit will be requested would also provide a membership service similar to Gotcha, where students would pay a one-time fee for unlimited rides. Hubs for Park and Geaux will include locations by the new library, which is expected under LSU’s Strategic Plan, the Student Union, the Greenhouse district and the UREC, near Sorority Row. These hubs will include amenities such as restrooms, air conditioning for waiting and Wi-Fi, as well as ZipCar and Gotcha hubs. Because campus survey results showed 52% of people surveyed were unaware of ZipCars on campus, plans have also been established to better communicate these transportation
alternatives for those without cars on campus. More electric vehicle charging stations will also be seen around campus as this plan unfolds. According to the transportation survey, just 16% of students polled take the bus. Improvement to Tiger Trails is one of the largest parts of the mobility plan. Bus system operations will be completely reanalyzed and rerouted to best suit student needs, and new bus stops and buses will be available. These improvements also include bus routes to off-campus student housing to avoid those students having to drive to campus and park, saving them the cost of parking permits and less-
ening the number of cars on campus. Along with improving the routes and buses themselves, updated hubs with real-time digital boards with routes and arrival times are to be placed around campus. The University also has plans for transporting students off campus for special events and holidays. Through the third-party source Flix Bus, the University hopes to provide transportation to students who wish to travel out of town for a cheap price. Executive Director of Facility and Property Oversight Tammy Millican emphasized that a program like Flix Bus could avoid
students having to even bring a car to campus at all. “If you were from out of state or somewhere in Louisiana, you would have the ability to leave that car at home,” Millican said. “Not only do we have ways for you to travel around campus and to short distances, but you could even make that trip to home or a music festival, and you wouldn’t have to bring a car.” As some of these plans can already be seen around campus, the University hopes to continue to dramatically improve transportation methods for students both on and off campus. “The truth is that we’re trying to make a safe, equitable and accessible campus,” Lacour said.
they have to draw you, you can just zone out and pretend they’re not there.” For longer poses, she usually sits or stands. The longest Blanchard’s ever held a pose was 40 minutes, but Blanchard said most of the poses aren’t too physically demanding. One of the things Blanchard thinks is most noteworthy about nude modeling is how much it normalizes bodies, reducing sexualization in a way she finds refreshing. “Either way, you’re not there to be pretty or attractive,” Blanchard said. “You’re just there to be a human being, a realistic object that they can draw, and there’s
something really nice about that.” Administrative Coordinator for the LSU School of Art Jennifer Mayer said the program, which has been in place for about 15 or 20 years, is always looking for more models, both male and female. The program gets about two or three applicants a semester, and each figure drawing class uses a main model and a few alternate models. Mayer stressed that the candidates must have commitment and professionalism. “I really depend on students and sometimes you just get students who are not reliable,” Mayer said. “The professor needs someone who is going to be able to show up and be here.”
There are about 15 models and alternate models currently scheduled in the program, but with three additional figure drawing classes scheduled for the spring semester, more applicants are needed. Since the hiring process is very difficult for external candidates, Mayer usually relies on student applicants. Alumni are also welcomed back if they want to model. According to Mayer, figure drawing is extremely important for art students. “Studio sessions are great for learning how to visualize different scenarios and not getting so isolated on one certain figure,” Mayer said. “Sometimes you
have the same model the whole semester, and [new models] give them an opportunity to see another body type.” Possible future plans for the program include having two models for a classroom at the same time, expanding the program to get a larger variety of students and increasing the amount of dependable student models. Overall, Mayer said the program is extremely important for arts-oriented students. “Figure drawing is crucial if you’re going into the arts. It’s one of the things that is the hardest to learn, but once you learn that, you have a base to lead from and go from there,” Mayer said.
CONGRATS! Aurora Wallace for winning an Apple Watch. She received the watch for signing up for the Reveille twice weekly e-newsletter at the Fall Living Expo.
DOWNLOAD the app and subscribe to
the e-newsletter today
TODAY! www.lsureveille.com/newsletters
SPORTS RAINING CATS & DOGS LSU, Georgia to meet in SEC Championship game for fourth time BY BRANDON ADAM @badam___ Zach Von Rosenberg ran out on the football field to celebrate LSU’s 36-16 win last year over No. 2 Georgia and shake hands with some of his teammates and opposing players. Then the punter turned around and saw 20,000 fans streaming down bleachers, jumping over fences near the student section and onto the field by the north end zone. It was the first time Von Rosenberg had ever seen fans storm the field and been a part of a mob of crazed fans celebrating one of LSU’s biggest wins in recent years. “I saw a bunch of people fall,”
he said, remembering the sight of students struggling to make it over the waist-high fence separating the stands from the field. Eventually, a LSU official called for gates to the field to be opened to prevent any injuries. As the celebration ended, players went to the locker room and fans walked out the tunnel with items such as grass from the field, end zone pylons and even the down marker. Prior to the post-game festivities, Georgia entered as a 7.5-point favorite over LSU, who had just lost its first game of the season the week before to Florida. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter and the Tigers fell 27-19 in the Swamp.
LSU’s first drive against the Bulldogs was a three-and-out, but the Tigers scored first with a Cole Tracy field goal on their next possession to take a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Georgia responded. Running backs DeAndre Swift and Elijah Holyfield combined for nine carries and 67 yards on the ensuing drive. “Physical. Most physical game I’ve ever played in,” said senior defensive end Rashard Lawrence, who finished with five tackles and a sack. “Best offensive line, they don’t quit regardless of the scoreboard, well coached, and personally, I think they’re the best offensive line we’ll face this year.” Once in the red zone, LSU’s defense held and forced a field goal
page 5 FOOTBALL
LSU stays at No. 2 in CFP Rankings
BY JACOB BECK @Jacob_Beck25
which became the game’s turning point. Georgia ran a fake field goal that failed. Grant Delpit chased down Rodrigo Blankenship and forced a fumble which was recovered by Devin White. “They tried to run our fake against us, which is kind of a slap in the face,” said Von Rosenberg, who is LSU’s field goal holder. “It didn’t work, and then we scored and all it takes a little bit of confidence and a little bit of belief. “I don’t think we ever doubted our ability, but the huge momentum shift it was for them to have no points really changed the mentality of the game. We thought we could do something special, this could
The LSU Tigers (12-0, 8-0 Southeastern Conference) held the No. 2 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night, and the rest of the Top-four remained put in their positions from last week. Alabama was knocked out of playoff contention after losing to Auburn 48-45 in the Iron Bowl, marking the first time in CFP history the Crimson Tide will not be in the playoffs. Meanwhile, both Utah and Oklahoma won their games last week, moving them up one spot each to No. 5 and 6, respectively. The Committee will have a tough decision to make if LSU, Utah and Oklahoma win its conference titles, as the LSU win will knock Georgia out and create an open No. 4 spot in the final rankings. Baylor also came away a win, moving them up to No. 7. The Bears play Oklahoma in the Big XII Championship, and with a win over the Sooners could cause even more chaos with an LSU and Utah victory. Another game that could shake up the Top-four is the Big Ten Championship between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 8 Wisconsin. While Ohio State more than likely gets in even with a loss, where the committee decides to place them could be interesting. It’s possible they would drop to
see GEORGIA, page 6
see RANKINGS, page 6
AURIANNA CORDERO/ The Reveille
COLUMN
Column: LSU looks to gain multiple awards after historic season MYLES KUSS @KussMyles LSU finished 12-0 in the regular season for the first time since 2011 and are looking to end the season with 15 wins and a national championship. With monumental success comes the possibility of various hardware. Starting with the man on the outside, sophomore wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has shown he deserves to not simply be considered for the Biletnikoff Award for the country’s best receiver, he deserves to win. Going into the Southeastern Conference Championship game against Georgia, Chase has 70 receptions for 1,457 yards, which is
good for second in the nation, and a nation-leading 17 touchdowns. That is over 20 yards per catch, and he set the LSU record for receiving touchdowns in a single season. His biggest opponent will be Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb who is an exceptional receiver with 50 receptions for 1,050 yards and 14 touchdowns. He will be a high draft pick in this year’s draft, but those numbers simply do not outshine Chase as he has the Sooner beat in every category and has made clutch catches to keep the Tigers in the driver’s seat for the National Championship game. The most unlikely out of the group when the season started is junior running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but how can you argue with his success? He is a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award for the country’s most
versatile player, and he embodies everything the “Golden Boy” stood for. He has rushed for 1,233 yards and 16 touchdowns, while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. That is only on the ground. As a receiver, he has 338 yards and another touchdown to add to his breakout season. He faces other finalists from Kentucky, Virginia, and Nebraska, but he should have this award locked up and ready to add to the extensive trophy case in Baton Rouge. Another man that should easily take home some hardware is passing-game coordinator Joe Brady. He has been named a finalist for the Broyles Award for the best assistant coach in college football.
see AWARDS, page 6
LONG LE / The Reveille
LSU senior quarterback Joe Burrow (9) sprints with the ball during the Tiger’s game against the Razorbacks on Nov. 23 in Tiger Stadium.
page 6
Thursday, December 5, 2019
BASKETBALL
LSU overcomes slow start to top UNO 90-54; 5-0 in PMAC LSU defeated UNO 90-54 on Tuesday, and the Tigers remain undefeated in Baton Rouge this season, boasting a 5-0 home record. LSU (6-2) jumped out to an early 14-12 lead in the first half before allowing a 12-4 UNO run. LSU was not down for long, as it went on a 20-6 run to overcome a slow start and take a 38-30 lead at halftime. Sophomore forward Emmitt Williams exploded in the first half with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Sophomore forward Darius Days also made a nice contribution with four points, five rebounds, and two assists in the opening 20 minutes. The Tigers led 51-37 coming out of the break, and fresh-
man forward Trendon Watford, provided a spark off the bench LSU needed to pull away in the second half. He buried a threepointer to give the Tigers a 32-point lead with 5:31 left to play. “That’s just Trendon,� Days said. “Starting or coming off the bench doesn’t matter. He’s a good player. Everything is going to fall in place for him.� LSU continued to dominate the rest of the way, closing the game out 90-54. Watford and Williams led the way in scoring with 18 points apiece. Williams and Days also recorded doubledoubles in points and rebounds. “It was a slow start,� Williams said. “As you can see, basketball is a game of runs. We started off
kind of slow, but as you see we sped up.� Coach Will Wade believes sophomore guard Javonte Smart has solidified himself at the point guard position. Smart ran the offense for the Tigers and scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished eight assists. “I was really pleased with Javonte,� Wade said. “The last two games he’s had seventeen assists and three turnovers. We’ve always had confidence in him and he certainly played well tonight.� LSU will face another Southland Conference opponent this weekend when they host Northwestern State in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Sunday.
LSU sophomore forward Darius Days (0) dunks the ball during the Tigers’ 90-54 victory over the University of New Orleans on Dec. 3 in the PMAC.
RANKINGS, from page 5
AWARDS, from page 5
the No. 4 spot, and with an LSU win would force the Tigers to play the Buckeyes in a playoff semifinal. The ESPN Allstate Playoff Predictor projects LSU with a 92% chance to make the playoff. LSU faces Georgia in the SEC Championship on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Atlanta.
Brady has transformed LSU’s offense since he joined the staff in January. He has helped Joe Burrow from a good quarterback to one that holds the record for the yards in a season in SEC history and is tied for the most touchdowns in a season. Brady has been a main factor for the Tigers having scored the most points in their history, and they are the only team ever with three 1,000-yard revivers, a 4,000yard passer and a 1000-yard rusher. Not to mention that they are 12-0, and it is not because of the defense. LSU’s offense did not simply improve from last year. Brady completely converted this program
into the most explosive offense in the history of the SEC. Another coach that always needs more praise is coach Ed Orgeron, who is in the running for the AP Coach of the Year in College football. While Orgeron gets ridicule for not being the best coach for x’s and o’s, he makes up for it leaps and bounds by the care he shows for his players and the game. Graded as a low-quality hire, he has exceeded everything that LSU has set for him. Knowing plays or not, he has a knack for detail and fitness and is the coach of the best team in the country. He deserves all the attention he is getting for the award and may end up winning it.
Lastly, Burrow could bring home four major trophies by himself. He is nominated for the Maxwell award for College Football’s best player, Davey O’Brien award for the nation’s best quarterback and the Heisman Trophy for the nation’s most outstanding player. Burrow was announced as the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award on Wednesday. The award is given to the top senior or fourth-year junior quarterback in college football. Again, there is no reason that Burrow should not win every award that he is nominated for. He is second in the nation in yards with 4,366 and second in touchdowns with 44 and has done all this damage with a completion per-
centage of 78.3 percent. Justin Fields and Jalen Hurts deserve to get national attention, but they are the second and third best quarterbacks, respectively. The best aspect of all these players getting their due is that they primarily focused on two of these trophies—the SEC Championship trophy and the National Championship Trophy. Now the only thing left to do is capture the two most important trophies left on the slate which starts with Georgia in Atlanta and Tiger nation can be certain that Chase, Edwards-Helaire and Burrow will look to increase those record-breaking paces and end the hopes of the Bulldogs playing in New Orleans.
which led to Tracy field goals. Both Burrow and running back Nick Brossette added rushing touchdowns. Defensively, LSU held Swift and Holyfied to 13 carries and 61 yards after their earlier success. The win didn’t come without a loss though. Defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko tore his bicep late in the second quarter against Georgia and missed the following game against Mississippi State. He tried to play through his injury against Alabama, but he eventually decided to have surgery and miss the
rest of the season. Now Fehoko gets another shot at Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship game in Atlanta on Saturday. “I know we’re going to get a big boy matchup this week,� Fehoko said. “I’m looking forward to it in a different venue, I know Georgia fans come full throttle. They had the uppers [in Tiger Stadium] all red, I know this week in the Dome it’s kind of like a home game for them. I’m interested to see how we play this week.
Georgia returns four starters who played on the offensive line against LSU last season. The unit is led by left tackle Andrew Thomas, who is a projected top-10 pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Quarterback Jake Fromm and Swift return as well. “I think the reason we won that game last year is because offense, defense and special teams, we threw the first punch and we threw the last punch,� Fehoko said. “And that’s how it has to be this Saturday.�
BY ANTHONY MOCKLIN @Anthony_Mocklin
CFP Top 10 1. Ohio State (12-0) 2. LSU (12-0) 3. Clemson (12-0) 4. Georgia (11-1) 5. Utah (11-1) 6. Oklahoma (11-1) 7. Baylor (11-1) 8. Wisconsin (10-2) 9. Florida (10-2) 10. Penn State (10-2)
GEORGIA, from page 5 be a huge upset and honestly, we never looked back after that.� LSU drove the field after the stop, and Burrow scored a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-andgoal. LSU’s defense forced three consecutive three-and-outs and allowed one first down in the second quarter. The Tigers led 16-0 going into halftime. LSU continued to build on its lead in the second half, forcing two turnovers deep in Georgia territory
Holiday
BUFFET
MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
DECEMBER 16TH - 20TH THE CLUB AT UNION SQUARE
21.95 PER PERSON
the club at union square
LSU UNION SQUARE
FOR RESERVATIONS 225-578-2356 or CATERING@LSU.EDU
 � �
Thursday, December 5, 2019
page 7
REV R ANKS MOVIE
THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Monika Mitchell
Essentially, Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse), a knight cleverly named after a shape, travels through time to 2019. The whole reason Sir Cole time travelled is very vague, but by the end it’s understood that he needs to fall in love in order to be sent back, and he has to do this before Christmas Day. It’s like a weird medieval sci-fi Hallmark mash-up, and there is very little about it that is good from a critical standpoint. Despite this, it was deeply enjoyable. Masie O’Toole @masieotoole MOVIE
SANTA GIRL Blayne Weaver
This was a cheesy love story, which I typically don’t really go for, but during the holidays I’m a little more into corny romance stories. So, if you like corny Lifetime movies or anything of that nature, then this movie is for you. It’s a sweet holiday love story with just a pinch of magic. The themes of the movie showcase how kindness and a pure heart can still be found in the world today. Some people may think it will never last, but no matter how you tell the story love always wins. EnJanae’ Taylor @_queenet_
‘Frozen 2’ is entertaining, but not everyone’s cup of ice BY LIA SALIME @liasalime I think we can agree it will be virtually impossible to create a sequel that parallels the magical winter wonderland phenomenon which was Disney’s “Frozen,” but the second installment to the franchise didn’t completely suck. The movie begins with a flashback of Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna’s (Kristen Bell) childhood. Their father, King Agnarr (Alfred Molina), tells them the story of their grandfather, Runeard (Jeremy Sisto), building a dam in the Enchanted Forest of the Northuldra as a sign of peace. During a celebration of the peace treaty in the forest, a fight emerged, and Runeard was killed. The fight enraged the elemental spirits of air, earth, fire and water, who all disappeared as a wall of mist entrapped everyone in the forest. Agnarr survived due to the help of an unknown person. That same night, Queen Iduna (Evan Rachel Wood) tells them of Ahtohallan, the mythical river believed to hold all truth of the past.
In the present, Arendelle celebrates fall with Elsa as regent for three years. Elsa begins hearing a mysterious voice calling out to her. After breaking into song, “Into the Unknown,” Elsa awakens the elemental spirits who force everyone out of Arendelle. Grand Pabbie (Ciarán Hinds) reveals Elsa must set things right by discovering the truth about the past or all will be lost. The storyline was interesting enough because of the mysteries that were set to be resolved. The film gave answers to the truth of the past as well as the origin of Elsa’s power. However, Elsa’s quest came out of left field. It was revealed that she was unhappy living in Arendelle and longed for more, but it didn’t feel like that until half way through the film. Anna, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and Olaf (Josh Gad) are pure of soul, thus, they provide much of the comic relief in the film. I didn’t find Kristoff’s struggle to propose to Anna funny, but it was necessary so she’d leave him behind in the forest. I didn’t think Olaf could make me cry again after “some people are worth
melting for,” but that “I love you” to Anna hit differently. The music was very Disneyesque. Menzel, Bell, Groff and Gad have some serious pipes in them, making that aspect of any film starring them very hard to botch. However, none of the songs were nearly as much of a bop as “Let It Go.” The only song that came relatively close was “Into the Unknown.” Shortly after the film was released, news outlets reported that Disney signed a contract with the Sámi people of Scandinavia to not misrepresent indigenous people. The Northuldra are based on them. People praised Disney for the efforts and setting this precedent. Disney’s efforts are noteworthy because cultural misrepresentation can carry negative repercussions. It’s a cute film. It’s progressive but still very Disney. Ultimately, it’s a family film geared toward children. It has good animation, and it’s uplifting. Elsa in her white dress riding Nokk, the water spirit guarding the sea to Ahtohallan in horse form is a cosplayer’s dream. But if you’re a Tarantino or Kubrick fan, maybe skip this one.
MOVIE
LET IT SNOW Luke Snellin
Starting this movie it seemed like a typical teen movie, and it was but even weirder than expected. Between an odd tin foil woman that never really is explained, to the wanna be hip dialogue, so many things are off with this film. Not to spoil anything but again, it was pretty predictable. Sometimes corny can be good, especially in a Christmas movie, but I feel like they missed out on opportunities to bring the key points and message to life.
EnJanae’ Taylor @_queenet_ Read the full reviews online at lsunow.com/entertainment
Courtesy of Wikipedia
Classifieds
Thursday, December 5, 2019
page 8
Now twice a week. To place your ad, visit www.lsureveille.com/classifieds and click Submit an Ad Costs: $0.34 per word per day. Minimum $3.75 per day. Deadline: 12 p.m., three school days prior to the print publication date
Help Wanted Country Club of Louisiana Outside Operations Manage Golf Carts, Range, Bagroom Need Excellent customer service Skills $9.50 an hour plus tips. https:// www.ccofla.com/Contact_Us/ Employment_Opportunities
make a
splash
For Rent
with YOUR business!
$TUDENT $PECIAL!! WALK TO LSU! LARGE 1 BR APT. $650/ MONTH 225 769-7757
Boil Up
Some Interest! place a classified at
LsuReveille.com! our classifieds are
Let Your TEA-RIFFIC! Business Bloom Place a classified at LSUReveille.com
Place your
Place a Classified today! LSUReveille.com
classified
{ { HE RE
Place a classified at LSUReveille.com
coolest ads in Baton rouge ! The
Place a Classified
LSUReveille.com
Place a classified at LSUReveille.com
FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 5, 2019
THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Twosome 5 Indian social class 10 Puncture 14 __ beans; flat legumes 15 Choir members 16 __ or false test 17 Acting award 18 Leading the way 20 As fit __ fiddle 21 Make a cup of tea 22 Very funny people 23 Huck Finn’s creator 25 11th of 12: abbr. 26 Martin and Charlie 28 Tightwads 31 Removed an apple’s center 32 Prayer before meals 34 “Please Don’t __ the Daisies” 36 Ardent 37 Pet __; sore point 38 Epiphany visitors 39 __ culpa 40 Sunflower __; healthy snack 41 Actor Romero 42 Andean pack animals 44 Select 45 Hitchcock or Scorsese: abbr. 46 __ away; flabbergasted 47 Move over a bit 50 Boom of thunder 51 Author Doyle’s monogram 54 Atrocious 57 Ending for flex or convert 58 Heating chamber 59 First, second, third & home 60 Run-down urban area 61 Cribbage board inserts 62 Jittery 63 Pegs for Tiger DOWN 1 __-bargain; avoid a trial 2 Shoots carefully 3 Of no importance 4 Sunbeam 5 Women’s pants 6 E.T., for one
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews
7 __ away; put into storage 8 “Well, that went over like a __ of bricks!” 9 Suffix for Bengal or Japan 10 __ for; work to obtain 11 Musketeers or Stooges 12 Mother’s sister 13 Asks for an alms 19 Like a serrated surface 21 Group of musicians 24 Uninvited plant 25 Friendly 26 Con artist’s plot 27 Shanty 28 Dallas team, familiarly 29 Not extreme 30 Long stories 32 The Bee __; Gibb brothers 33 Blushing 35 Become fatigued 37 Bosc or Bartlett 38 Cat’s cry 40 Whack
12/5/19
Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
©2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
41 Use an ax 43 Gussies up 44 Tasteful; dignified 46 Bessie Smith’s music 47 __ around; bargain-hunt 48 Small bay 49 Neighbor of Idaho: abbr.
12/5/19
50 Price to acquire 52 Crossword definition 53 Clinton & Obama: abbr. 55 Org. for Spurs and Suns 56 Quayle or Rather 57 Suffix for violin or tour
ENTERTAINMENT TALENTED TIGERS
page 9
LSU student releases debut album ‘Dark Clouds Over Suburbia’
BY WHITNEY HICKS @whitchicks Mass communication junior Walter Miller’s debut album “Dark Clouds Over Suburbia” is a collection of over a decade and a half’s worth of training, hard work and tribulations. Miller’s musical career began at his kindergarten talent show. While the other children were jumping rope and performing dance routines, Miller knew he would be singing. After his rendition of “God Bless America,” his parents sought to help Miller further his musical talents. He performed in musical theatre from fourth grade until his senior year in highschool. He pursue music by taking vocal, piano and guitar lessons. In elementary school, Miller was bullied by other children for his passion for singing and his higher singing voice. “At no point did I ever think, ‘I just need to stop singing,’” Miller said. “I was just like, ‘Okay, they don’t get it, that’s okay. Maybe one day they will, maybe one day they won’t. I’m going to get back to practicing,’” Miller said. Later in high school, Miller’s mother encouraged him to begin listening to popular radio music and perform for crowds. Britney
Spears and Mariah Carey were among his favorites, but he grew tired of singing other people’s words. Miller noticed that when he performed, people stopped, and they listened. He had a platform to share whatever message he wanted. Miller began writing songs for “Dark Clouds Over Suburbia” over five years ago as a way to combat his experiences and struggles in high school. “It became a means of survival and I was writing it for me, but also I realized in the process that other people are going through stuff as bad as me. I felt like I was all alone, but I wasn’t. I turned it into an album to help people like [other artists’] music has helped me.” He perform his original music for the first time when he was acting as the host for his high school talent show. He performed “Same Mistakes,” a song that later appeared on his debut album. The lead single for the album, “Downfall,” was released in the spring, but years of preparation went into releasing this single. Originally written in 2015, “Downfall” is one of three songs on the album that were written spontaneously in the heat of an emotional time when Miller felt like he has
no one else to turn to. “The song came out of the idea of ‘If I had a breakdown right now, what would that be like?’” Miller said. “Rather than letting that happen, I’m going to take those emotions that would go into that and create this other world where that does happen where I can get the breakdown out of my system, but through the song.” Miller knew the summer after his high school graduation in 2017 that “Downfall” would be the lead single for the album. He performed the song at as many shows and venues as he could to begin promoting the song and his upcoming album. Performing “Downfall” was scary for Miller. It was the first time he truly put himself out there to perform songs based on his personal struggles. Miller was blown away by the positive feedback from his performances and the official release of the single in April. “I get so excited when people compliment me because that’s hours I’ve put into recording it, getting the music done and all that,” Miller said. “It’s a really big payoff.” With the positive feedback following the release of “Downfall,” Miller focused on the release of
COURTESY OF WALTER MILLER
Walter Miller debuts his album, “Dark Clouds Over Suburbia.” his album, “Dark Clouds Over Suburbia,” which features 14 original songs and was released Nov. 22. All of the songs on the album were written during Miller’s time in high school. Songwriting gave Miller a way to express the intense emotions and challenges he was facing when he felt like there was no one else to turn to. Now, Miller hopes his album will serve as a message to others going through the same problems. People advised Miller to take some songs off the album because they were too personal, but he knew that putting his experiences out in
to the world would help others. “I went through some really traumatic stuff that went in to writing this album,” Miller said. “Not only did it validate my hard work and the hours I put into it, it validated that those experiences weren’t just for nothing.” “Dark Clouds over Suburbia” is available for streaming on all digital platforms. Follow Walter Miller on Instagram @waltermiller, Twitter @whmiller99 and Facebook for more information about the upcoming launch of physical copies of the album that will be available on waltermillerofficial.com.
TAILGATING
PR students organize campaign for local seasoning company BY LIA SALIME @liasalime The students behind Red Stick Public Relations put learning to practice with a public relations campaign for Lake Charles-based seasoning company, Cajun Redhead. Red Stick Public Relations is made entirely of University public relations seniors. Bobby Crane serves as director with Mary Robinson as his assistant director. Chynna Paris and Olivia Roy are account executives tasked with writing all promotional materials and communications. Madison Anderson is the head of social media. The students founded the company as a project for MC4005, or public relations campaigns. MC4005 is the capstone that all PR students have to take in order to graduate. The class requires students to create their own agency while providing a rationale for the name, logo, brand and attitude. Crane, Robinson, Paris, Roy and Anderson were paired at random by the professor. “We’re Red Stick PR,” Crane said. “It’s kind of multi-faceted. We obviously live in Baton Rouge, and
that’s the literal translation of Baton Rouge. We really like the name, but we also thought that it communicated our southern and Louisiania focus. We really wanted people to know that we’re all from Louisiana, we’re all southern, we take pride in that.” While Red Stick Public Relations won’t live past MC4005, it gave students the opportunity to get handson experience working as executives with a real, profitable and local business – Cajun Redhead. Crane shared that most students chose to work with a non-profit, but they wanted to work with a local brand that embodied the essence of Louisiana. “We had to pick a client to do some PR services for, to do a campaign for, and we are doing some work with a seasoning company called Cajun Redhead. It’s local, based in Lake Charles, Louisiana born-and-bred seasoning company,” Crane said. “Throughout this whole semester, we’ve kind of been doing social media work for them and just general awareness and engagement kind of stuff.” Michigan native and Lake Charles resident Russell Pawlowski founded Cajun Redhead in 2013 af-
ter the idea emerged during a conversation with his wife, Michelle Pawlowski. Russell loved seasoning and Michelle wanted a healthier alternative, so she suggested creating his own with a special secret recipe. “I said to him, ‘Blonde women on logos are so overdone; you should call it Red Head because they are so rare,’” Michelle Pawlowski said. Pawlowski’s culinary journey began at an early age. He grew up eating traditional Polish and British food, which pushed him to learn about seasonings. After graduating from Eastern Michigan University with an Associate’s degree in accounting, Pawlowski’s worked in the kitchen of a North Carolinia country club. His boss introduced him to a recruiter for Johnson & Wales University where he attended culinary school. Pawlowski held different jobs from sous chef to management at hotels and restaurants. After traveling the country, he met wife, Michelle, who lived in Lake Charles. Pawlowski settled down and moved to Louisiana in 2002 so he wouldn’t uproot his wife and stepdaughter. “I made the company because my wife pushed me to,” Russell
Pawlowski said. “She knew I gave up my life back home for her but always continued to harbor a huge passion for the culinary arts, so she pushed me to do it. And I did.” The premise behind Cajun Redhead is it’s low-sodium seasonings that still have the Cajun taste, making it a healthier alternative to its competitors. The seasonings are available at Rouses and other small, local grocery stores all over Louisiana and Texas. Pawlowski said Cajun Redhead allowed him to fulfill his culinary dream and gave him opportunities like appearing on the Food Network’s “Cooks vs. Cons” in 2016. “It’s so classically Louisiana, and it’s also low sodium, which is a really big draw for people because Tony’s and Slap Ya Mama, all those have such high sodium content,” Crane said. “So, that Cajun Redhead, they were really proud of it because I think it’s, like, an eighth of the sodium that’s in all of the other main competitors. You don’t have to compromise. You don’t have to eat really unhealthy if you want that Cajun flavor. You can just use our Cajun Redhead.” Red Stick PR and Cajun Redhead Seasoning hosted a tailgate for the
LSU - Arkansas football game near the Memorial Tower on Nov. 23. The tailgate featured free specialty drinks and food cooked with Cajun Redhead Seasoning – traditional gumbo that just the right amount of spicy, rice, potato salad and pastalaya. Moreover, there were raffles, giveaways and prizes. “Spicy, just like Louisiana,” kinesiology freshman Allie Demarest said about the food. “Good just like them Tigers. I went to College Station last week, and I had some of their food, and it’s nothing like we do here. They don’t use the right spices. They don’t make the roux right.” The tailgate was crowded with Tiger fans enjoying free food, drinks and themselves. Russell Pawlowski and his staff happily answered questions of attendees eager to learn about the brand. The tailgate also featured celebrity guest Gyth Rigdon, “The Voice” Season 16 runner-up, who was available for photos and autographs. “It’s fantastic,” Rigdon said. “I like it. I think it’s a great seasoning. One of my favorite things about it is it’s local, and I know a lot of the t-shirts and labeling are local. I love that about it.”
Thursday, December 5, 2019
page 10 ART
Local artist turns ethically sourced insects into artwork BY MASIE O’TOOLE @masieotoole Local artist Shantell Gomez is working to put bug haters in a new frame of mind. When she isn’t busy at her main job as a veternarian technician, Gomez is the owner and artist behind Framed Findings, a Baton Rouge business that specializes in preserving ethically sourced insects for display, as well as collecting and selling other curated vintage pieces. Gomez said she began framing her own insects after she found a butterfly in her mother’s greenhouse in Mississippi. She preserved displayed it herself, and once her friends saw the result, they encouraged her to sell her work. Gomez obliged, and in 2017 she began framing more insects and selling them to friends. Eventually other clients found her through her Instagram. Despite her growing business, she’s devoted to keeping her insects ethically sourced. She only uses insects that died naturally, often still collecting them on her own from her mother’s greenhouse. Gomez didn’t have any background in framing insects before she decided to preserve her own, but she found the schooling she needed through tutorials online.
“It was a lot of YouTube,” Gomez said. The process consists of three basic parts: dehumidifying, spreading and drying. Insects go into a humidifier overnight and when they come out, they are able to be spread and positioned for display. From there, they lay out for about two weeks to fully dry. After this, they’re ready for whatever project is coming. Gomez said Framed Findings began specifically as a way to sell her creations, but she decided to incorporate her passion for vintage items into the mix as well. “I’m a big thrifter,” Gomez said. “I go thrifting so much it’s ridiculous. I have a problem.” Gomez said she thrifts all around Baton Rouge and New Orleans whenever she gets the chance, and her common stores include anything from the classic Goodwill to the more curated Aladdin’s Lamp. She looks for pieces that speak to her— anything with religious imagery or the dark and colorful typically stand out. Gomez has transformed her own personal style into a business, but she also does commissions to make others’ ideas come to life. She has preserved and framed everything from butterflies to tarantulas, but her favorite project so far
COURTESY OF SHANTELL GOMEZ
Local artist Shantell Gomez frames her insects as art. is something much less common in the United States. “My favorite one would probably be the rhino beetle,” Gomez said. “I just like them when they’re spread. They look really cool and
wicked.” To see Gomez’s creations in person, stop by one of the many Baton Rouge small business events. In the past, Gomez has hosted her own art shows and appeared at Body
Images Tattoo Clinic for pop-up events like White Light Night. To see more of her work and purchase some for your own, check out @framedfindings on Instagram or Facebook.
OPINION
page 11
Lack of campus parking only benefits University’s finances GABBING WITH GABBY GABRIELLE MARTINEZ
@gobbymatinez
The University’s parking has gained a reputation among students as an inside joke. With murky regulations, puzzling time stipulations and a lack of convenient parking zones, it is no surprise the parking gets such a bad wrap. Most concerning to students is that parking spots on campus during operating hours are anything but guaranteed. If students don’t arrive on campus as early as 6 to 7 a.m, they must allot time anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to park and walk to make it to class. With the cost of expensive parking passes, not included in the University’s already highpriced tuition, it comes as a shock when representatives of the parking department offer students the solution of just “leaving earlier” or using the Tiger Trails shuttle service. Commuters coming from places like Ascension Parish or Denham Springs can’t magically
account for surprise 2-hour delays on the interstate because of a morning crash or Baton Rouge road construction. Therefore, finding a parking spot when already arriving late only offers even more unreasonable time consumption. Something even more unreliable than the interstate is the Tiger Trails busses themselves. With multiple complaints from students, the buses carry a bad wrap for being inconsistent in arrival times and overall reliability. Forget leaving campus to run a quick errand or grab something from home because the second your parking spot is left, you’ll probably never see it again as a battle of spot-hungry, road-raged cars is guaranteed. This trouble results in students running late and getting frustrated, leaving last-minute parking to end in prohibited lots, therefore creating tickets and towing that only benefits the University’s funds. This begs the question: is the lack of parking intentional for financial gain? With the development of new dorms and buildings, the University should first worry about
the satisfaction of their current students before creating infrastructure that pose problems instead of solutions. In addition to the lack of suitable spots is the’ general lack of safety. With little to no lighting in campus parking lots and a lack of emergency blue lightboxes, the only security offered to students is an app that has come with negative reviews amongst students. According to the University’s parking website, weekends and the hours between 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. each weekday are not hours of required individual zone parking. However, parking permits are still required at all hours on weekdays to avoid receiving an unregistered ticket. Instead of focusing on the bigger issue of late-night crimes on campus or monitoring the safety of students, especially female students, the attention is shifted to ticketing unpermitted cars. Once again, a focus is put on money instead of ensuring a student’s ability to walk somewhere quickly and efficiently to avoid sketchy people or situations. Further, far distance lots of-
MITCHELL SCAGLIONE/ The Reveille
The Indian Mounds Lot operates during regular business hours on LSU’s campus on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2019. fer no kind of security in events of severe weather. Have somewhere important to be? Your choices are to arrive late or run to your car for 10 minutes in Louisiana whipping winds and rains. The University’s parking circumstances benefit no one but themselves. If the students’
satisfaction were truly the first priority, change would have already been implemented and action would’ve been taken years ago. Gabrielle Martinez is an 18-year-old mass communication freshman from Gonzales, Louisiana.
Why all the hate for Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg? SAUCE BOSS CECILE CECILE GIRARD @ _cegi_ She wants environmental legislation to ensure a safe planet for future generations. People online want her dead. At only 16 years old, Greta Thunberg is the biggest climate change activist in the world, having managed to rally millions to strike against their governments’ harmful environmental actions. Why, then, do so many conservatives hate the young Swedish activist? As with all online criticism, there is a spectrum of hate against Thunberg. Her most extreme haters link her blonde braids to Nazi propaganda and threaten to assassinate her. Most critics are less violent and conspiratory, resorting instead to dismissive mocking. President Donald Trump has taken to making fun of Thunberg, recently retweeting a post with Thunberg’s address to the UN,
in which she spoke about the dangers of a future with no environmental awareness, with the sarcastic “She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!” Trump’s tweet mirrored comments made every day by countless TV personalities, politicians and regular Americans. It demonstrates the resounding sentiment against Thunberg. People see her as pompous and whiny for speaking bluntly about the perils of unsustainable consumption and global warming. They see a healthy-looking young person and fail to grasp why she could possibly be complaining about a bleak future. Thunberg is not just mindlessly complaining, however; she is pleading for inactive global leaders to listen to science and take steps against irreversible climate change. Her dystopian descriptions may edge on hyperbolic at times, but nothing she says is malicious or false. Thunberg is not claiming to
be a climate expert or an adept policymaker. When critics lash at her for being a pompous know-it-all, they need to realize that everything she is saying about climate change is not new. Scientists have been saying the same facts for decades. As an activist, her role is simply to encourage everyone, from other teenagers to the most powerful leaders in the world, to listen to the facts and take action. Beyond the whining, critics see Thunberg as insincere. The activist takes sailboats across the Atlantic to avoid flying, yet her critics still superciliously dissect her each and every action. In a now-deleted Twitter post, a user captioned a photo of Thunberg eating a meal on a train, “Oh she looks so frightened about the immediate climate catastrophe. As she sits there on a train, surrounded by plastic containers and processed foods.” Traveling by train is 80% cleaner than traveling by car, and, as anyone who has ever been in a grocery store can at-
test, it is nearly impossible to buy food without some kind of plastic around it. Greta is just a teenage girl whose preoccupation with the desperate state of our environmental future has led her to do something few others have done: demand change. Her dedicated strikings and impas-
Caleb Greene Hailey Auglair Baily Chauvin Rachel Mipro Ashlon Lusk
Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor
Cecile Girard is a 19-year-old biology and psychology sophomore from Lake Charles, Louisiana.
PEDRO ROCHA/ ASSOCIATED PRESS
Climate activist Greta Thunberg waves as she arrives in Lisbon.
Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD
sioned speeches have gained her many critics, but they are a small number compared to the millions of young people she has inspired.
The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
Quote of the Week “NOTHING WILL WORK UNLESS YOU DO.”
MAYA ANGELOU WRITER 1951 — 2014
WIN TICKETS TO THE
COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP LIONS EYE FOUNDATION’S 35th ANNUAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL RAFFLE
Grand Prize:
2 CFP Championship tickets AND 2 Allstate Sugar Bowl tickets AND a 7 Night hotel stay in the historic French Quarter Runner-up Prize:
2 Allstate Sugar Bowl Tickets Buy online at
www.LionsRaffle.org or call (504)525-7235
Drawing December 18th, 2019 Winner need not be present, must be 21 or older to enter.
$20 per ticket