LEGACY Magazine - Fall 2013 | Issue 2 by Reveille

LEGACY LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

WINTER IS COMINg Men’s fashion gets a new look this season. pg. 10

+ I swear it’s me:

FAKE IDS

IN BATON ROUGE GREEK LIFE’S

driving force Meet Angela Guillory.

BORN This way?

Transgender at LSU jamaican athletes take the leap

FALL 2013 | ISSUE 2

TA B LE OF C ON TE NT S

MUSIC + CULTURE

FEATURES

06 Making a Racquet: Noel Scott 16 08 OTR: Sugarbear and the Monkey Tangs 10 Fashion: Man, Oh Man 20

FOOD 14 15

How Healthy is Your Salad? Feed Them and They Will Come

HEALTH + LIVING 38 Work it Out 40 Pet Peeves

Fakin’ It

Minors skirt the drinking age to access bars and booze.

Long Jump from Home

Student-athletes venture far from home.

24 Beyond Your Bachelor’s

Graduates sort their options.

Students transition into themselves and transform their community. Music majors strive for success.

42 Saving Leftovers

35 Being Angela

Angela Guillory rules with an iron sense of humor.

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lsulegacymag.com LSULEGACY LSULEGACYMAG Like us on Facebook

28 Transition

32 Hitting the High Notes

OPINION

ENJOY THE LEGACY EXPERIENCE ONLINE

MISSION STATEMENT: LEGACY is a quarterly student-produced magazine that explores the diverse community of Louisiana State University through in-depth features, profiles and photography. LEGACY focuses on student entertainment, leisure and academics, and it strives to be informative, provocative and dynamic.

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

omething magical occurs when the temperature dips, cutting through the sticky heat of Louisiana humidity. Cool air shocks our senses, recharging something deep inside. It’s the tail end of the calendar year, but everything feels new and full of possibilities. This issue of LEGACY explores new beginnings. For some, it’s the decision to push onward through graduate school, despite the cost (pg. 24). Others embrace physical changes, like Jamaican athletes who took a leap across countries for new opportunities (pg. 20) or students who defy gender stereotypes and transition into their true selves (pg. 28). In addition, this issue marks LEGACY’s first men’s fashion spread (pg. 10). As you make your way through the issue and our online content at our website, lsulegacymag.com, we hope you recognize the potential to begin something new in your own life and embrace the possibilities.

STAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF Katie Macdonald MANAGING EDITOR Sydney Blanchard PHOTO EDITOR Jesse Guillory ART DIRECTOR Christina Li MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR De’Andra Roberts DESIGNERS Claire Cassreino Kelly Kral Ellie Platt Roland Parker WRITERS Victor Cano Lauren Duhon Austen Krantz Raina LaCaze Gabrielle Schick Shakeyra Taylor PHOTOGRAPHERS Jordan Hefler Sarah Kershaw Rebecca Ratliff Lainey Reed SALES MANAGER Katelyn Sonnier TECHNOLOGY ADVISER Alex Cook ADVISER Tim Schreiner

Katie Macdonald EDITOR IN CHIEF

PUBLISHER Office of Student Media

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MAKING A RACQUET:

N EL SCOTT

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STORY AUSTEN KRANTZ PHOTOS LAINEY REED DESIGN CLAIRE CASSREINO Noel Scott is not your typical All-Star athlete. Aside from being a member of the LSU tennis team, she pursues her passion for music by writing and creating her own songs.

t’s normal for athletes to use music to hype themselves up for training or for a competition, but Noel Scott uses it as a form of expression, too. LSU is the West Coast native’s latest stop after transferring from the University of Texas in Austin and joining an elite lineup of tennis players. “A lot of places I’ve moved have been for training,” she said. “I’m always trying to find the best fit for me.” Her parents played tennis for fun when she was a child, but with a fashion designer for a mother and a professional photographer for a father, Scott picked up creativity as well as athleticism. The film-media arts junior writes songs when she’s not training with the LSU tennis team. “I’ve been playing tennis since I was 4,” Scott said. “But I’ve been making music and stuff since I was about 14.” At age 12, her first computer, an old-school desktop Mac, along with her love for No Doubt, kickstarted her interest in recording music. The Mac arrived with the audio-sequencing program Garageband pre-installed, which she still uses to produce songs today, along with a keyboard she got at age 14. “I was crazy about No Doubt at that time — like crazy,” she remembered. “I was messing around. I wasn’t serious about it, but I still felt like it would be so cool to be an actual musician. I didn’t get good at it though for a long time — a few years.” She also picked up more musical influences and interests while living on the West Coast and moving around for college. “They play stuff on the radio [in Los Angeles] that you would never hear in other parts of the country,” she said. “When I was in Austin, they had such a huge indie-alternative scene. It’s pretty awesome.” During her time moving around, Scott started listening to bands who use newer technology in their recordings, specifically MGMT, Grouplove, Foster the People and Crystal Castles. “They all implement electronic sounds and keyboards into their music, so that influences me too,” she said. “I’ve wanted to be a professional tennis player since I was six, but I really would like to do something with music. That’s like a huge goal of mine — to get signed.”

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MUSI C + C ULT URE

ON THE RECORD WITH

SUGARBEAR & THE MONKEY TANGS STORY LAUREN DUHON PHOTOS LAINEY REED DESIGN ELLIE PLATT

LEGACY magazine had the opportunity to sit down and talk music with Sugarbear and the Monkey Tangs, a band of friends from Lafayette, La. The group consists of LSU business sophomore Christopher Torian (bass), and non-LSU students Lynden Segura (vocals), Michael Aucoin (guitar) and Ethan Davidson (drums).

SO, THE NAME. WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

LYNDEN: It came from Black Dynamite. You know, ‘60s soul power. It was this afro-ninja guy who had a real aggressive stern voice. MICHAEL: He was talking about his dog and said it with a certain tone. Then, monkey tangs came out of nowhere. Chris hated it, but everyone else liked it. I was right. That’s the moral of the story.

MICHAEL: We use pretty much anything except country. LYNDEN: Country listeners can burn in hell. We play the devil’s music. Led Zeppelin is an inspiration, for sure, Gandhi, (om noise), Pink Floyd and others. CHRIS: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, many others. MICHAEL: We could go on forever. CHRIS: When you break it down, we are a Creed cover band. Basically. But, not really.

YOUR EP WAS RELEASED ON iTUNES IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR. WHAT’S BEEN THE RECEPTION OF YOUR MUSIC?

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND?

CHRIS: We are very talented musicians that make up for the vocalist. LYNDEN: Funny. We pull from Southern roots. CHRIS: Particularly because of Lynden’s voice.

CHRIS: It has sold in the U.S., Germany, the U.K., Russia and Brazil. There has been radio play in 13 states across the U.S., the U.K., France, Ireland and Greece. Fifty stations are playing the EP, as well. LYNDEN: John Stamos is a supporter of our music. CHRIS: It is not completely confirmed, but Andre 3000 has been given one of our CDs. Not sure if he was a big fan, but he has it. There is a photo of him holding one of our press kits. LYNDEN: My mom is a pretty big supporter.

WHAT ARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS?

WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP? AN ALBUM?

CHRIS: We draw influences from jazz and try not to stick to blues.

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CHRIS: We are working on a full-length album right now. It is in the writing process. We hope to record in June and

(From left to right) Bassist Christopher Torian, vocalist Lynden Segura, and lead guitarist Michael Aucoin

release it in late summer. We are hoping to record at Dockside Records in Maurice.

WHERE DO YOU PLAY MUSIC?

CHRIS: We have played all over Louisiana. There are a couple of shows coming up in Baton Rouge. We are excited about the LSU Battle of the Bands. Our biggest gig will be Nov. 15 at Mud and Water with Stone Rabbits, Trailer Hounds and We Are Wombat. So, basically, all of the animals will be there.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE GOING TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND LIVING IN DIFFERENT CITIES?

LYNDEN: If you like it, put a ring on their finger. CHRIS: I have driven back and forth quite a few times. MICHAEL: It’s a commitment. CHRIS: We make it work. My back-up goal is NASCAR, because I can make it to Lafayette in 30 minutes.

WHERE DO YOU HOPE THE BAND GOES FROM HERE?

step at a time.

ON A FUNNIER NOTE, MOST LIKELY TO HAVE A GROUPIE? CHRIS: That’s a tough call. Prior to his relationship, I would say Lynden.

ANY INSTRUMENT NICKNAMES?

CHRIS: Not instrument nicknames, but we all have nicknames. Lynden is the sugar bear, I’m crunch and Ethan [drummer not pictured] is Dr. Time. LYNDEN: Michael is Michelle, but only I can call him that. Anyone else will get a smack in the ass and not a good one.

ANY FUNNY BAND STORIES?

LYNDEN: Every day is a funny story. We are kind of stupid, but we try to look organized. CHRIS: One time, we represented America in pool and beat some people from the Netherlands.

LYNDEN: Up, in one direction. I hope we get a record deal or at least recognition. I hope the spirit of Barry White indulges our spirit. MICHAEL: I dig it. CHRIS: Regional touring would be a big accomplishment, and the record is the next step in the right direction. One

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oh man

Man,

PHOTOS JESSE GUILLORY DESIGN CHRISTINA LI

LEGACY features ‘40s-inspired menswear for those cold winter months.

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MUSI C + C ULT URE

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F OOD F OOD

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR SALAD? STORY RAINA LACAZE

PHOTOS JORDAN HEFLER

DESIGN CLAIRE CASSREINO

3 4

rowing up, you were always told to eat your greens. However, for those who think ordering a chef salad with iceberg lettuce, mountains of cheddar cheese and gobs of ranch dressing makes a healthy meal, they should have just zipped through McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and called it a day. A meager salad can evolve into a tasty, nutrient-rich meal with just a few smart swaps.

1. Replacing iceberg lettuce with a dark, leafy green like spin-

ach will provide more protein and iron, which provides the foundation of a hearty salad. Plus, who really likes the white pieces of iceberg, anyway?

2. Trading buttery croutons for heart-healthy nuts, such as

almonds, cashews or walnuts, cuts out the glycemic-load that stores sugar and adds flavor and crunch.

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3. Switching from a high-calorie ranch dressing to a low-fat

vinaigrette could potentially boost your bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to burn fat with your daily dose of vinegar. Hello waist, we missed you!

4. Tossing in a lean protein such as salmon or grilled chicken breast can transform a side salad into a main course.

5. Not a meat fan? Chickpeas are a guiltless source of protein. These legumes are also low in fat and have been linked to lowering cholesterol.

Extra: Cheese lovers are often stubborn, but substituting

cheddar for the equally satisfying and creamy texture of avocado can add necessary monounsaturated fat that can reduce the risk of heart disease.

FEED THEM AND THEY WILL COME STORY VICTOR CANO PHOTOS SARAH KERSHAW DESIGN ELLIE PLATT

ollege is draining — emotionally, physically and financially. With the help of the churches on campus, students can grab a quick bite to eat without spending a dime. University Presbyterian Church, University United Methodist Church, The Refuge, Christ the King Catholic Church and St. Alban’s Episcopal Chapel all offer free meals to students at varying times in the week. Some organizations offer standard lunch, like Christ the King at noon on Thursdays, while others offer lunch with a twist, like St. Alban’s “Lunch with C.S. Lewis” on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. The church lunches can resemble a cafeteria lineup. Upon arriving at both of the churches, students wait in a line where church members encourage discussion. At St. Alban’s, students are provided name tags so everyone can get to know each other. The lunch volunteers welcome visitors as they enter the church. Students are greeted with a plethora of homecooked dishes such as red beans and rice with a side salad and a dinner roll before migrating to various open tables. To feed the masses, churches rely on a variety of support. When preparing to feed the multifarious students on Thursdays, Christ the King acquires help from fellow Catholic organizations, like The Knights of Columbus. Rev. Bob Stine, Christ the King’s priest who has been a part of the lunches for three years, said that the Knights of Columbus are always looking to give back to the Catholic church. “They cook and pay for everything at the lunches,” Stine said. “By them doing this, we don’t lose a penny.” Free food and friendly faces keep accounting senior Caroline Alley coming back to Christ the King throughout her four years at LSU. “The food is amazing,” Alley said. “I’ve been coming to Christ the King for a while and I enjoy the company of everyone here. It’s refreshing talking to older people when you’re always surrounded by students.” Though Christ the King breaks even, St. Alban’s loses money with every lunch served. Rev. Andrew Rollins said

that while the church tries to raise money through different organizations, they still do not always raise enough money for the food that they provide students. “We are committed to give back to the students,” Rollins said. “We may lose money every week, but we enjoy giving back.” Communication studies junior Derby Willis has attended “Lunch with C.S. Lewis” at St. Alban’s for two years. She said she loves the home environment and the people who attend. Along with this lunch, she also attends a dinner on Sunday nights. “This lunch used to be a small gathering of about 20 people,” Willis said. “We used to sit around and we would read one of C.S. Lewis’s books while we ate. I like how word got out, and now it’s a big thing that many students participate in.” Even if students only come for the free food, the churches want to make sure that the students feel like they can come back anytime they want. “Students leave here and come back at a later time for counseling,” Stine said. “Because of these lunches, the students know that we are here for them and that’s what matters most.”

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Love it or hate it, underage drinking is an established culture in parts of South Louisiana.

STORY AUSTEN KRANTZ PHOTOS REBECCA RATLIFF DESIGN ROLAND PARKER

ure, some older siblings, relatives and 21-year-old friends are always ready to have an underage drinking buddy, but sometimes that’s not enough— there are just too many parties between teenage years and 21 to pass on the convenience of being able to buy alcohol yourself. So, for some, counterfeit identification seems more practical and sometimes safer.

Putting in the Effort

Following the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, Louisiana teens still managed to get their booze on through a legal loophole that allowed anyone 18 or older to buy alcohol. And following a 1996 Louisiana Supreme Court ruling that officially raised the age to 21, young drinkers have snaked around the current laws to uphold a longstanding tradition. Mechanical engineering freshman, Erik Wientjes bought his first fake ID at 17 years old, and it’s served him well through college. Like many gunning for professionally crafted counterfeit IDs, he ordered his off the Internet. He filled out a sheet with his personal identification information, snapped a photo

with a professional-grade camera and signed his signature to send in to the now defunct IDBuddy.com, along with $70. The Tennessee identity he received hasn’t let him down since. “It’s easier to get alcohol [with a fake ID] than trying to ask some guy at a gas station to buy it for you,” Wientjes said. “I feel like that’s more illegal than trying to buy it yourself with a fake ID.” A bouncer seized his ID at Tigerland once, but it was sold back to him by the end of the night. Professionally crafted IDs like Wientjes’ are made with machines that produce cards indistinguishable from real IDs. That is, they’re made from the same material as a legal ID, scan through card readers and light up in black light. Mechanical engineering freshman Walter Johnson explained how it’s a more practical investment than making your own. He and his friends made basic IDs with Photoshop. “We put it on a sticker and then pasted it to IDs we had from high school,” he said. “It was enough for visual proof, and it was good, but it didn’t have scanning capabilities. It didn’t have black light capabilities.” The only problem with his Internet ID came when doormen didn’t believe his age. “I don’t think it’s that it looks fake.

It’s more that you don’t look the age you say you are,” Johnson said. Like Wientjes, Johnson thinks it’s a matter of practicality for someone underage to buy a fake if he or she plans on buying alcohol regularly; it’s a way to buy alcohol for yourself, but also a way to get into bars, or visit 21 and older music venues for concerts. With sites like ID Buddy offering to cut prices for larger orders, it’s also more appealing for a wider range of people to jump on the opportunity. Wientjes ordered his with 20 others to knock the price down to $70 a person. For others, it’s just easier to pick up the old ID of a lookalike friend. Human resources and education senior Chelsea Black ended up with one of these hand-me-downs at Mardi Gras in New Orleans two years ago. She was hanging out with older friends, one of whom offered Chelsea her expired ID. “After that she just let me keep it,” she said. “Since then I’ve used it a ton. We’re both white girls with brown hair, and I feel like that’s as far as they [anyone checking can] go.” Besides, people who are perfectly legal can get hassled just as much, she said. “I feel like it’s not fair to judge someone based on what they looked like at 16. A lot of people I’ve seen, their actual IDs look less like them than my fake one did, so it works,” she said. l su l egacy mag.c om

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She did run into an issue with the expiration date, but she got by. “I can totally tell this is you, it isn’t fake, but it’s expired,” she recalled a bouncer saying. “I just meandered my way in.”asdfasdjfasdfa

The Other Cost

Technically, presenting a fraudulent identification in Louisiana is punishable with up to a $200 fine, up to 30 hours of community service and a possible 90-day suspension of your driver’s license. Most bouncers around Baton Rouge simply take fake IDs they catch or tell the owner to scram. However, it’s not impossible to get charged for having one. One student, who wished to remain anonymous, fled from local police when they pulled him over for a traffic violation and booked him for an MIP, fleeing the police, and manufacturing and intent to distribute fake documentation.

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“I spent 20 hours in jail,” he said. “I’ve seen people get charged with possession of a fake, but I’ve never seen someone get charged with the felony I got charged with.” Like the previous students, the student bought his ID off of a website along with a group of people to cut the price down. It served him well from high school through his freshman year of college — until his arrest. “They assumed that I had manufactured it myself,” he said. “I didn’t even realize what [the charge] was. I talked to a lawyer and he asked me to repeat what it was because he had never heard of it.” Like Weintjes, the student joined a large group of people in ordering IDs from a China-based website, ID Chief, and touted the popularity of the site. “It was a lucrative enterprise. Everyone had them,” he said. It was popular enough to catch the eye of four U.S. senators in 2012 and urge them to contact the Chinese Federal Police and push them to take

action. The website shut down in a matter of months. Following the bust in August 2012, Brian Zimmer of the Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License told a DC news station that this website was making between $20 to $40 million. “This is a big, big business,” he reiterated. ID Buddy quickly filled the space that ID Chief left behind, but Weintjes hypothesizes it’s the same individuals running the companies. Other similar websites exist to meet the demands of minors in the U.S. as well. Authorities chasing a few of the many manufacturers leave less room for liability on the receiving end. And if the fakes get caught in customs, the companies he’s familiar with just resend another package. “I’ve never heard of anyone getting in trouble for ordering a fake ID,” Weintjes said. “It’s definitely worth the investment, I guess.”

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LONG JUMP FROM HOME STORY SHAKEYRA TAYLOR PHOTOS JORDAN HEFLER DESIGN ELLIE PLATT

Jamaican members of the LSU Track and Field team combine culture and athletics to form a unique community that’s a home away from home.

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OPPORTUNITIES TAKEN Insomnia, daytime fatigue and muscle soreness aren’t symptoms of excitement for college. They’re symptoms of jet lag. Two Jamaican athletes gave a new meaning to leaving for college when they packed up and headed over 1,000 miles to become members of LSU’s nationally ranked Track and Field team. Fitzroy Dunkley, a sophomore jumper from Trelawny, and Shanice Hall, freshman jumper from Portmore, St. Catherine, explained it’s because of the opportunities afforded to them by LSU. “You have to ask yourself, ‘where is the best opportunity,’” Dunkley explained. For both students, the University’s training facilities and education program presented the best option. Hall explained, “In Jamaica there are no tracks. We train on grass,” she said. “If we needed a facility we’d have to go to the boy’s school.” Hall’s high school also lacked sports medicine trainers. Only careerending injuries called for a physical therapist. There wasn’t a place for her

to go after a long day at practice to ice a sore knee or have a trainer massage out a cramp. “If you’re injured you might as well stay injured,” Dunkley added. “They [facilities in Jamaica] don’t have the proper equipment to heal you.” LSU offers athletes access to sports psychologists, which according to Hall, isn’t available to the athletes in Jamaica. There is someone there to talk to if an athlete is feeling uneasy about themselves. “Now I have someone to talk to who is just for me if I’m not feeling confident in myself or my abilities,” Hall said.

USING THE OPPORTUNITIES

According to Hall, the knowledge of being a student athlete motivates her and Dunkley every morning. “We’re student athletes, students first,” she said. Hall knows she must push herself both physically and academically to stay at LSU. That means going to classes and tutoring every day and

attending what she calls “voluntary mandatory practice.” The team has practices that aren’t led by the coaches and participation is on a voluntary basis due to NCAA practice hour limitations. The athletes are permitted to go out on their own and train. According to Hall, the voluntary practices are a time to better her performance without pressure from the coaches.

BUILDING A FAMILY Hall has been at LSU since August 2012 and said she is still adjusting to living in a new country. She credits the family she has built with her teammates for helping with the adaptation. Dunkley, who arrived in January, agreed. Coming in the middle of the school year and picking up track and school at the same time yielded him no time at all to adjust. He said his teammates helped him adapt quickly. The teammates are not alone. Other members of the track and field team from Jamaica smoothed the transition for Dunkley and Hall.

[Left] Shanice Hall resting after throwing the shotput in practice. [Bottom] Fitzroy Dunkley and Shanice Hall resting on the bleachers after a strenuous afternoon practice. l su l egacy mag.c om

Fitzroy Dunkley is the self-appointed DJ for all of the weight room practices.

“Of course it’s easier to get along with people who are just like you,” Dunkley said. Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, another member of the track and field team, arrived in the fall of 2012 from the same high school as Dunkley. Dunkley said the distance from home brought the two closer together and helped to form a brother-like bond. Hall said having other Jamaican teammates made the transition to LSU easier. “You can talk in your own dialect and there are certain jokes you can say that they will get,” Hall said. “Sometimes we let them in on the jokes, but it’s funnier not to.” Hall ended one of the team’s weekly inspirational speeches with a Jamaican idiom, “you can’t plant corn and reap the peas,” and received blank stares from her teammates. Teammate Nataliyah Friar laughed while explaining the team knew what Hall meant, but it was funny because it wasn’t a metaphor they were used to hearing. Dunkley and Hall speak in their native dialect at practice so much that their teammates have caught on, often

Fitzroy Dunkley and Shanice Hall are always play-fighting and bringing up their Jamaican high school rivalry.

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telling one another to “bill” instead of chill, or take it easy. Hall mocked a few of her teammates at a Wednesday practice and they retaliated by picking her up and swinging her in the air. Getting to know the team outside of the classroom has also helped Hall in her transition at LSU. She began going to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an on-campus organization that combines Christian values with the experiences athletes often face to help them become better athletes and better people. Hall was able to interact with teammates in a different environment and helped build a stronger bond with them.

BUILDING A FAMILY

Dunkley and Hall stay motivated by reminding themselves of their futures whenever they get homesick. If she could have, Hall would have taken the opportunity to go to school and jump at home while Dunkley disagreed. He doesn’t think being over 1,000 miles from friends and family is as bad as it sounds. “It’s like being from New Orleans and coming to school in Baton Rouge, your family didn’t come with you and mine didn’t either,” Dunkley said. “We have Skype, so it’s okay.” Dunkley described the move from Jamaica to America as a normal part of moving forward in life and in one’s career. Moving forward doesn’t mean home is left behind. “I miss curry chicken and turkey necks and, oh my goodness, ackee and salt fish,” Hall said. Dunkley quickly agreed. The two don’t have plans to go back home any time soon, but that’s okay because Hall loves it at LSU. And as for Dunkley, “It’s everything I expected.”

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BEYOND YOUR S ’ R O L E H C BA IS IT WORTH IT? For many, four years seems like enough. But other students discover extra education has a higher payoff.

STORY RAINA LACAZE DESIGN KELLY KRAL

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or students unwilling to put time and money in their education, graduate school may not be the next life step. For the unsure, fellow students and faculty reveal that a higher education may be more of an investment than you thought.

THE DECIDER

Physics senior Hannah Gardiner knows the struggle of applying to graduate school. She has spent $855 applying to nine schools over the past several months. Most schools require a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) at the price of $185 per try. Additionally, Gardiner must take a physics GRE, a subject test that costs $150 per exam. Depending on the school, Gardiner said that each application can cost anywhere from $40 to $80. Gardiner said applying to universities for her undergraduate degree was significantly less involved. Unlike undergraduate applications, graduate schools require three letters of recommendation and internship experience. Other common factors like GPA and an essay also carry significant weight. When choosing a graduate school, Gardiner said that reputation is not as important as cost and proximity to her family in Baton Rouge. Gardiner also weighs the cost of graduate school with starting a family. After being accepted, it will take about eight years for Gardiner to graduate. She fears that when she is ready to start a family she will still be a student and won’t be able to financially support them.

$80,000+ ON SALARY PER YEAR

However, Gardiner said that it is all worth it to her because, in the end, a Ph.D. could mean an additional $80,000 per year.

THE CANDIDATE

Hascal Bossier graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology in May and chose to attend LSU Health Science Center at Shreveport because it is a renowned physician assistant program. She also cited cost as a motivator. Out-of-state programs are expensive and most PA programs only accept one out-ofstate student per year. While landing a job with only a master’s degree is possible, Bossier said completing the two-year program could mean an additional $70,000 per year. The multi-step application process was tedious and expensive, Bossier said. The application fees totaled $275 for the eight-month process. Some of the requirements for entry were no less than 80 hours of patient contact, minimum 2.5 GPA and at least a 300 on the GRE. Bossier also said that without an exceptional essay, letter of recommendation, standardized test score and transcript, she would not have reached the interview part of the process. She said that those with the highest test scores and GPAs are interviewed before the other applicants are even considered. “You have to be willing to give up a lot of time with the people that you love,” Bossier said. Already she has sacrificed all free time to studying and community PA work. She will also miss many l su l egacy mag.c om

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“WHERE CAN YOU GET THE BEST EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING AMONG THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS?” JASON HICKS

of her brother’s wedding festivities in Antigua because attendance is a vital ingredient to excellent grades. “This graduate program is considered to be one of the most difficult in the shortest amount of time in the medical field,” Bossier said.

THE POSTGRADUATE

Rapides Parish special education worker Callie Martin recently earned her master’s degree in social work at LSU. Unlike Gardiner, Martin only applied to one graduate program: LSU. She said that the application process was different because there were more requirements, such as an interview with the dean. When researching graduate schools, Martin said the top two factors were location and the program’s licensing exam passing rate. Martin’s coursework strictly focused on social work, with emphasis on grief counseling, crisis interventions and school social work. She enjoyed the classes at LSU graduate school dealing with adolescents and children with mental illness. There were more research papers, and Martin said she was required to hold an internship three days a week. Instead of producing a dissertation, she was given the option to take a generalized test on all of the subjects that she learned throughout her studies. The median salary is $42,327 with a bachelor’s degree and $57,118 with a master’s degree. However, Martin said she chose to go to graduate school for the ability to provide more services such as counseling individuals and groups. The degree also gives her the opportunity to work toward a License for Clinical Social Work, allowing her to diagnose individuals with mental illness. As a teenager, her interest sparked when she started working at an afterschool program with mentally ill children. “I loved being able to allow children with mental illness the opportunity to achieve the same social interaction that other peers had,” Martin said.

THE FACULTY

Jason Hicks advises graduate students on a daily basis. He is a professor and Graduate Studies Director for the LSU Graduate School psychology department. In order to be admitted into most programs, students must score a minimum combined verbal and quantitative GRE of 297 and earn an overall prior GPA of 3.0 or greater. The minimum combined verbal and quantitative GRE score is around 297 for admission. An overall prior GPA

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of 3.0 or greater is required, but meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily make one competitive for admission. The admissions process takes into account the student funding availability through Graduate Assistantships (GA) or other sources. “I truly wish I had taken the time to do more undergraduate research when I was in college,” Hicks said. The most important thing, he said, is for students to become familiar with research activities within their home department before applying. It not only helps understand the research process, but also builds relationships with professors who can write recommendation letters. Securing significant letters of recommendation from at least three sources enhances the applicant’s chances of being accepted. Ultimately, however, the weight of each requirement depends on each member of the admission committee, he said. The psychology department has an independent admissions process. Advisers pick applicants with similar research interests. Despite common assumption, Hicks said the psychology department does admit LSU undergraduates. “This is the bottom line: where can you get the best experience and training among the available options? If this turns out to be in your backyard, then so be it,” he said. Students funded by a Graduate Assistantship or similar University funds are generally prohibited from working other jobs, Hicks said. In addition, the school’s seven-year time limit on the pursuit of a Ph.D. makes time precious. Holding other jobs can be difficult. Hicks said that his time at graduate school was more than a full-time job with 60 or more hours a week while sacrificing weeknights and weekends. He also said each challenge was usually paired with a reward. “After a couple of years in my Ph.D. program, seeing my first article as an author go into print in a peer-reviewed journal was a wonderful feeling,” Hicks said. “This just fueled my desire to keep that momentum going.” He said that going to graduate school is not always the right next step for psychology undergraduates. On one hand, he said if a student knows that he or she wants to be a college professor or work as a senior research scientist, then a graduate degree is necessary. On the other hand, the range of job opportunities that qualify with undergraduate degree in psychology is very broad and many specialties do not require a Ph.D. “Because graduate school is both rigorous and timeconsuming,” Hicks said, “we don’t generally encourage students to apply if they don’t have a strong motivation to succeed.”

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FEAT URE

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TransITION Transgender students share their stories and explain the evolving inclusive Baton Rouge and LSU communities.

STORY LAUREN DUHON PHOTOS SARAH KERSHAW DESIGN CHRISTINA LI

“I didn’t want to be transgender.” T

he words resonated through Highland Coffees one Thursday afternoon as nursing alumnus Logan Mumphrey, 24, discussed the struggles he faced with accepting his gender identity. “It took so many years for me to accept myself,” he said. “But I’m coming to terms with my life and moving forward with what makes me happy.” Mumphrey, along with an estimated two to five percent of the population, identifies as transgender, or a person whose gender identity or expression is different from that traditionally associated with an assigned sex at birth, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality. It is important to disassociate gender and sex in order to understand, because they are two separate entities. Mumphrey always knew that he was male. He joked about how his mother always recorded Oprah specials on gender and that she would say, “You haven’t been a girl a day in your life.” Without a way to express his gender identity in high school, he labeled himself as a lesbian, even though he

knew the label didn’t fit. However, as a freshman in college, Mumphrey befriended someone in the process of transitioning from male to female who helped him understand what it meant to be transgender. “Being friends with him opened that door for me,” Mumphrey said. Mumphrey started binding, the process of flattening breasts with constrictive materials under clothes. It took him years to become comfortable with being male in public, a struggle that he still deals with today, but he began living his life openly as a man for the last two years. Although he hasn’t physically transitioned, Mumphrey legally changed his name. While he expressed interest in hormone treatments and top surgery to remove his breasts, the process is costly and time consuming. Additionally, most insurance policies do not cover these “elective” procedures. The traditional method takes three months of counseling, followed by an official diagnosis of gender identity disorder and a written letter stating the patient has taken steps to socially transition themselves into their gender identity. Many

places in the country shy away from this method and use a more informed consent model, which allows for gender identity to no longer be designated and for patients to have more freedom in their decision to transition, according to Mumphrey. Lastly, there are treatments with an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in the endocrine system and hormones, and surgical procedures. Recently, Mumphrey made an appointment with an endocrinologist to begin the process. Even though he is excited to move forward, Mumphrey, who works in the medical field, fears that the transition could negatively affect his work atmosphere, since he isn’t openly a man in his work environment yet. “I don’t want to make my life harder,” he said. “I don’t think they would terminate me, but I do think there would be a level of harassment and misunderstanding.” This fear is all too common in parts of the country without discrimination laws. Micah Caswell, LGBT project and Safe Space Campaign graduate l su l egacy mag.c om

FEAT URE

“All LGBT people are discriminated against, but transgender people are even more susceptible to it.” Micah caswell

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coordinator, said Louisiana doesn’t have a non-discrimination policy, nor does the city of Baton Rouge protect the LGBT community against harassment. “All LGBT people are discriminated against, but transgender people are even more susceptible to it,” Caswell added. The proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill designed by the federal government to provide basic protections against discrimination, would ensure fair practices regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity if adopted by Louisiana. Even with the prevalent harassment, Caswell believes things have improved, especially on campus. LSU has an inclusive policy that protects against discrimination based on gender identity and sexuality. Caswell also noted that organizations on campus, such as Spectrum and the Student Equality Project, are completely inclusive. “No one shies away from including everyone. I think it is a testament to the changes that have occurred because I don’t think it would have been like that even eight years ago,” Caswell said. Likewise, LSU has taken strides to be inclusive by creating some gender-neutral bathrooms in certain buildings on campus and starting safe-space campaigns. With that said, Caswell believes there is room for the University to improve. When it comes to changing names of transgender

students on diplomas, myLSU accounts, etc., the process is complicated. He said it is a difficult process for students to choose their preferred name, and it can be emotionally damaging for some students. For Baton Rouge Community College transfer student Dylan Waguespack, 21, the climate in the Red Stick has been a supportive one. There is a tight-knit community of openminded people working together for the same thing, he said. Waguespack believes that this environment was instrumental in his transition into living openly as a man. “I found comfort in everyone. It made me realize that I could do it, too. I could face these issues, and it is safe for me to do so,” he said. Waguespack, a New Orleans native, struggled with his gender identity since he was 12. “I always thought of myself as a tomboy. I was the one who always played soccer with the boys at school. I knew there was more to it, but it was a confusing time for me,” he said. “I couldn’t handle conforming to my assigned gender role, but it wasn’t until I came to college that I conceptualized the idea of being transgender.” The people he met in Baton Rouge bridged the gap for him to start identifying himself as Dylan. Waguespack realizes that the South stigmatizes certain lifestyles, but he stressed he has never felt unsafe. Despite the improving environment for the LGBT

community, he said there are things that need to change. “There is a lack of understanding and education,” he said. “People need to have a conversation amongst each other so we can better understand.” Waguespack said he would like to see changes in the realm of housing, education and employment discrimination, partner benefits and adoption. An end to the “crimes against nature law” would be another victory, he added. Although the law is unconstitutional, an East Baton Rouge sheriff arrested a homosexual man for sodomy on July 18 in Baton Rouge. There is a fear attached to being openly transgender, Mumphrey said. “The visibility of being transgender scares me, especially receiving backlash and repercussions from it. I’m afraid to be read as male or female, and how that will affect my life,” Mumphrey added. “In some ways, I am still living a double life. I just need to come to terms with it and move forward. Acceptance is important.” All things considered, Mumphrey agrees that Louisiana is changing for the better. “The culture is changing, people are becoming more understanding,” Mumphrey said with a reassuring smile, “and I am glad to be on the forefront of that change.”

l su l egacy mag.c om

FEAT URE

Hitting the High Notes

Students sing their way into one of the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious programs.

STORY VICTOR CANO PHOTOS LAINEY REED DESIGN ROLAND PARKER

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Junior Rachel Lorando believes her passion for musical theater is worth pursuing.

oining the vocal program at LSU requires more than just GPAs and essays. Students wanting to enter the music program must go through a nerve-wracking audition in high school. As high school seniors, applicants must prepare a piece as well as sight read a song in front of music faculty. If accepted, students are automatically admitted into the opera program, the only vocal form of music the University offers. Many applicants are unaware of LSU’s heavy opera emphasis. Music education junior Maddie Miller said she was completely blindsided when she learned singing auditions were opera. “I wanted to come to LSU,” Miller said. “When I figured out that I was going to be singing opera for my audition I realized that I had to sign up for lessons. Opera is not my top choice of music.” The opera component of LSU’s music program also surprised junior Rachel Lorando and senior Richard Coleman. Both students wanted to perform, but neither knew about the prestigious reputation of the LSU opera program. Meanwhile, sophomore Madeleine Brosech knew exactly what it took to make it into the program. The vocal performance major didn’t always listen to opera music, but she was ready to try anything to sing on stage. The curriculum is somewhat different from that of a non-music major. The students in the program schedule almost all music classes for their first three years and save general education courses for their senior year. Doing so allows them to get the practice time that they need. While taking music classes, students dedicate the majority of their time to practice. In addition to students spending more hours in class than the number of credit hours they receive, associate professor of voice Loraine Sims said students who perform in any production can spend up to five hours a day, five days a week practicing.

{ Born this Way } Brosech, Lorando and Coleman all claim to be performers at heart. They agree that their dream is to perform for thousands of people in huge theaters, gaining critical praise for their performances. “I’ve never wanted to do anything else,” Brosech said. “Performing on that stage is what I was meant to do.” For Lorando, she said performing is about doing what you love and chasing your dreams. “Musical theater is where my heart is,” Lorando said. “I have this drive, and I can’t not go after something that I am so passionate about.” Coleman said his passion for music began in high school, where he performed with his school in All-State choir festivals. “We had just finished a performance at All-State,” Coleman said. “We were about to leave and one of the judges came and hunted me down to tell me that she thought that I would be really good at opera. She believed in me.”

{ No Place for Stage Fright } Performing might be some students’ dreams, but even the most confident students face tough competition. Undergraduate students must audition against the graduate and doctoral performers. “We have some students who have already been out in the field and come here for their doctorate,” Sims said. “Those people are also sometimes auditioning for our shows, which shows you the level of competition for the roles.” Because of the extreme competition for large roles, most of the parts go to the graduate and doctoral students. Sometimes there are exceptions. Coleman earned a role in “La Boheme“ during his sophomore year. “That never happens,” Coleman said. “It was weird, because some of my teachers were in there with me, but just being on stage was one of the best moments performing.” l su l egacy mag.c om

{ Different Strokes }

DEP A R T M E N T

While some students pursue performance, this was not the case for Miller, a music education major with a concentration in voice. Instead of performing in front of people, she wants to teach music at an elementary school. “Performing really isn’t my thing,” Miller said. “I’d rather use my voice to teach younger kids in school about music.” Miller said she is not a fan of opera music and was surprised to learn the program only taught opera. To make matters worse, she said, voice majors are required to attend all performances. “These things can go on for, like, four hours,” Miller said. “They make us sign in when we go to the performances. If I’m lucky, they’ll let us sign in when we get there, and I can sometimes sneak out around intermission.”

{ Role Models } The opera program produces exceptional singers who have performed on world stages like the Metropolitan Opera and the New York city Opera. LSU alumna Penelope Shumate holds a near-celebrity status amongst the students in the opera program because of her success in New York City. In 2012, she starred in “The Messiah” and received critical acclaim for her performance. Many of the students aim to be like Shumate, hoping to gain success after they leave the program. “She’s amazing,” said Lorando. “I hope that one day I can be as successful as she’s been. She’s living the dream.” Shumate tells students that the program takes a strict daily regimen of techniques to improve their artistry and mental strength. Even with the nerve-wracking auditions, and the countless hours of practicing, Shumate said that the hard work is worth it in the end. “When you go to New York, you see all the marquees with the famous opera singers behind the glass,” said Shumate. “It was when I saw my face behind that glass that I knew I came full circle and that the hard work had paid off.”

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Senior Richard Coleman has been performing in productions since his sophomore year.

BEING ANGELA LSU’s Director of Greek Life shares her passion for leadership. STORY Shakeyra Taylor PHOTOS JORDAN HEFLER DESIGN CLAIRE CASSREINO

ore than 200 of the newest members of Alpha Phi chattered away while waiting for their guest speaker of the night. The women filled the room with excitement and laughter as they got to know new sisters. That’s when Alpha Phi representatives introduced Angela Guillory, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Greek Life, and the laughter stopped as Dodson Auditorium filled with clapping. “How awesome does it feel to be an Alpha Phi? Whoo!” The laughter erupted once more. “Well, alcohol is one of my favorite topics,” she began discussing LSU’s policy on alcohol usage and Greek Life in the community. “LSU is like Disney World for alcoholics.”

LEADERSHIP

Guillory’s stage presence reflects her office life. She isn’t Ms. Guillory in the Greek Life office. She’s Angela. Guillory oversees 21 percent of the l su l egacy mag.c om

FEAT URE

When Angela Guillory isn’t working, her favorite place to go on campus is Mike the Tiger’s Habitat.

student body, including members of the Pan-Hellenic, Infraternity and National Pan-Hellenic Greek communities. She also directly advises the Greek Board of Directors and the Pan-Hellenic Council on campus. “A person makes the position,” she said as she explained the importance of leadership in any field. “By virtue of a position you’re given a lot of responsibility. It’s how you handle the responsibility that makes you a great leader.” Guillory said she maintains her leadership roles by rarely compromising and sticking to her morals and values. She feels all leaders posses an internal compass that allows them to do so. Guillory explained the need to walk with, not in front of, followers, whether at church or school. The former shows a leader’s willingness to cooperate and earns more respect than the latter. She prides herself on this self-described servant-leadership style, making her accessible to each member of LSU’s Greek community. More than 5,000 students depend on Guillory to resolve

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conflict within the Greek chapters. Guillory leadership role didn’t come naturally. Her first leadership position was in high school where she addressed a 500-person crowd. Although she experienced normal pre-speech nausea, she appreciated the experience and hasn’t looked back. She felt like having the ability to deliver a message she was so passionate about to so many people was cool. She uses that same passion to create each new speech and engage in each new opportunity.

OFFICE LIFE “I like to be an informative and entertaining speaker. I like for them to be clever, funny and entertaining.” The newest member of the Greek Life department, Assistant Director of Greek Life for the Pan-Hellenic Council Beth Newell said Guillory is the reason she immediately felt at ease with her new job.

“By virtue of a position you’re given a lot of responsibility. It’s how you handle the responsibility that makes you a great leader.” ANGELA GUILLORY

“I started working at LSU and Greek Life July 1, and she has made me feel like I’ve been here for years,” she said. Newell described the humble nature of Guillory’s leadership, whether she’s giving a speech or refereeing a disagreement. Guillory motivates the office staff around her, Newell said. Teresia Greer, Assistant Director of Greek Life for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, knew Guillory prior to becoming a co-worker. She was Guillory’s graduate assistant. Greer described her experience working with Angela as humbling and gratifying. Greer often sees others interacting with Guillory and laughs to herself. Others treat Guillory like she’s the director of Greek life and not the modest leader Greer knows. Both women shared Guillory’s secret talent, singing and playing the guitar. “She loves to sing and dance, and she can play the guitar,” Greer said. “When no one is watching she’ll have a little party to herself, something she doesn’t highlight in front of students.” Newell said Guillory comes out of her office playing the guitar when she’s in a really good mood. Guillory drove up and down sorority row during fall 2013 formal recruitment blaring and singing along to one of her favorite artists, Whitney Houston.

HOME LIFE

Guillory devotes a significant amount of time to LSU, spending only four to five afternoons a month with family. She described the difficulty of budgeting her time. “The majority of my time is spent on campus. I travel a lot to give speeches [and to go to] leadership workshops. It takes up a lot of time. Where the time is disproportionate during the semester, we make up for time during the holidays,” she said. Guillory spends rare free time with family. She’s “Aunt Angie” to her 11 nieces and nephews, a term she finds endearing because they couldn’t pronounce Angela at a young age. “No one else can call me Angie,” she said. Guillory spends three to four days every summer with her nieces and

nephews doing activities around Baton Rouge. Each summer the activities change with the ages of her nieces and nephews. This summer she and her nieces and nephews spent hours riding go-carts and playing putt-putt at Celebration Station. Guillory later bought pizza dough, cheese and toppings of each child’s choice and taught them how to make homemade personalized pizzas. While the pizzas cooked, Guillory and her family filmed an interpretive dance to Sarah Bareilles’ “Gravity.” Guillory’s nephew, Matthew

Guillory, described Camp Angie as a feeling of anticipation. His cousin Bethany Guillory describes it as a scary, fun feeling. They never know what’s going to happen. One year Camp Angie turned into driving school. “It’s really just quality time. They teach me things and I appreciate them,” Guillory said. Whether it’s her home life, work life or Greek life, Guillory strives for excellence and accepts nothing less.

l su l egacy mag.c om

HEA LTH + LI VI N G

WORK IT OUT STORY GABRIELLE SCHICK

P90X PROS • Variations in workouts • Cardio + weight lifting • Only 3 months long • Provides a full meal plan participants can follow • Don’t have to leave the house because the program is all video based CONS • Have to understand difficult fast pace movements without hands-on assistance from an instructor • Strict dietary schedule • Has a lot of rest time worked into the videos which makes it difficult to stay motivated EXPERIENCE “I love that p90x uses cardio and weight lifting interchangeably. I experienced long term results in increased muscle mass and significant weight loss.” -Katie Schoenagle, petroleum engineering sophomore

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PHOTOS REBECCA RATLIFF

DESIGN KELLY KRAL

INSANITY PROS • Hardcore cardio is great for burning fat and weight • Easy-to-follow 45-minute videos • Don’t have to leave home CONS • Focus is on cardio rather than gaining muscle • Not good for knee injuries • No weight training • Requires self motivation EXPERIENCE “It’s more about what you put into it. You have to decide what you’re going to get out of it because with at home videos it’s all about self motivation.” -Elizabeth Knowles, biology sophomore

LEGACY EXPLORES EXTREME EXERCISE TRENDS Everyone looking to get in shape can be tempted into exercise trends that promise self-improvement, fast. Exercise diehards today experiment with extreme fitness trends, including p90x, Insanity, hot yogalates and CrossFit. These generally pricier fitness programs unleash the

CROSSFIT PROS • Workouts change daily • Full body workout- no muscle is ever at rest • Gym employees push participants to the max • Sense of group/team effort by participants • Helps build endurance & muscle mass CONS • Can cause injury without proper training • High price tag compared to other gym memberships • May seem dirty because the CrossFit gym is filled with ropes, sandbags, basic dumbbells, Olympic bars, etc. • Have to set your own personal limits • Required training course (for most gyms) • Associated with rhabdomyolysis (skeletal muscle damage) EXPERIENCE “It really is a mental game. There are times that I don’t necessarily want to go workout, but once I’m at the [CrossFit] gym, the instructors and other people working out are constantly motivating me to push through.” -Bryce Bourgeois, information systems and decision sciences junior

inner workout monster in many. They require participants’ total dedication, personal motivation and coordination level. LEGACY analyzes the pros and cons of several popular workout routines and students’ first hand experiences with each.

YOGALATES PROS • Combination of three workouts into one (yoga, hot yoga and Pilates) • Instructors give one-on-one advice to prevent injury • Mainly focuses on using your own body weight and doesn’t use difficult machinery • Increased heat elevates and benefits heart rate • Heat also helps muscles become less likely to pull or become injured • Total body workout in just 60 minutes- resistance training + cardiovascular training + stretching CONS • Use heaters to create a 95+ degree studio • A lot of sweating EXPERIENCE “Even though I’ve been going steadily for about seven years, my body hasn’t become immune. The workouts in the studio are constantly changing every week.” -Mauriel Brien, communication studies senior

l su l egacy mag.c om

HEA LTH + LI VI N G

History major Kallie Credeur knows the importance of playing with her pet, Charlie.

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peT

Just in case you missed a few plays

PEeves

STORY VICTOR CANO PHOTOS LAINEY REED DESIGN CHRISTINA LI

Nothing can turn your day around like a furry friend. The temptation to adopt a pet in college can be strong, especially when away from home and family. But owning a pet isn’t always so pleasant; many students do not recognize the cost and time that it takes to be a pet owner. Taking care of a pet can cost anywhere from $200 to almost $2,000, including everything from food to grooming to vet care. Pets also require a significant time commitment. According to the ASPCA, dogs thrive on several hours of companionship, while cats also like to be treated to playful sessions with their owners. Hectic college schedules can make this task nearly impossible. For communication studies junior Carley Nelson, her first dog was too much for her to handle. Though her first puppy was cute, Nelson had to make the decision to give her up two weeks after getting her. “She would wake up every hour on the hour,” Nelson said about the six-week-old puppy. “I also worked almost full time at a restaurant, and my roommates weren’t too happy that the puppy would wake [them] up every hour.” Nelson said she did not think of the repercussions, and that the cost and responsibility of being a pet owner can be overwhelming. “Pet bills are out of this world,” Nelson said. “You have to be able to just pay out of pocket for anything that the dog needs.” Before jumping into pet ownership, several organizations offer resources to help students make the best decision for their needs. Project Purr and Cat Haven are two non-profit organizations that save cats from abused homes. Students who want feline companionship can interact with cats for free. They are able to volunteer for positions such as adoption counselors or pet transporters where they are able to spend one-on-one time with the cats. Students who enjoy other species can volunteer at the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society, or CAAWS. CAWWS volunteers choose between dog and cat shifts, where they can feed, groom or play with the animals. While having a pet may sound like a good idea at first, the obligations of pet ownership can be staggering. Before hastily making a decision, students should inform themselves of the cost and needs of the pet. They should also make sure that their personal schedule will accommodate an animal.

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WAKEUP WITH

THE DAILY REVEILLE

SAVING LEFTOVERS Lack of awareness stands between a nourished community and a food desert.

STORY GABRIELLE SCHICK

In 2013, the nation has seen a significant rise in government assistance, technological breakthroughs and medical advancement. With these resources in modern-day America, it’s hard to fathom the idea that residents are still going hungry. Men, women, families, students and even children struggle to feed themselves every day. Hunger persists around the globe because of ignorance. Many people perceive hunger as a “third world” problem — not something in their own backyard. However, in south Louisiana, thousands of residents struggle to put dinner on the table. The fight against hunger is still an open chapter in the U.S., especially in Louisiana. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 75,000 East Baton Rouge residents live in “food deserts,” or areas defined by poverty and poor access to supermarkets and large grocery stores. In addition, 39 percent of these residents live in poverty. Unfortunately, University students aren’t an exception to the worldwide fight against hunger. For many, facing hunger is a harsh reality. Between tuition, books and rent, some students must skimp on food to make ends meet. To combat student hunger, many on-campus organizations provide support. Higher education graduate student and graduate assistant Mike Mosley Jr. organized a food pantry on campus this fall. Mosley said the food pantry provides students in need of assistance with food as long as they are currently enrolled at LSU and have a valid LSU student ID. The LSU Food Pantry fuels a relaxing environment where students in need of food can come in at anytime and simply ask for food, no questions asked. The pantry is restocked weekly by donations from around the area. “The [LSU] food pantry is a necessity for the University,” Mosley said. “If students’ main focus isn’t on school

PHOTOS JESSE GUILLORY

DESIGN KELLY KRAL

and rather on how they will find a way to eat everyday, then that’s a problem.” This resource offers students access to food close to home. LSU’s surrounding areas are also affected by food inaccessibility. Scott Burke, mechanical engineering major, noticed the effects of hunger in his community at a young age. Some classmates at Burke’s Baton Rouge elementary school did not have access to running water or adequate food outside of the school’s free breakfast and lunch program. His classmates’ experiences prompted Burke to establish Kitchens on the Geaux. The volunteer based organization saves leftover food from local restaurants and donates it to 11 different Baton Rouge parish food shelters. Burke said he believes hunger in Baton Rouge revolves around “relative scarcity” because there is food supply in the area, but more often than not excess food is wasted. Many efforts implemented in East Baton Rouge parish assist residents living in food deserts. East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden’s office and Together Baton Rouge, a broad-based coalition of institutions in the Greater Baton Rouge area, launched a “Food Access Policy Commission” to address the ongoing food desert issue. The commission focuses on the causes behind food deserts in East Baton Rouge Parish, it analyzes what the best practices for attracting retail and other high-quality food providers to food desert communities and develops concrete policies and practice recommendations for the food desert communities. Spreading awareness of the hunger issue is the only answer. “There are several volunteering initiatives for LSU students to fight hunger on and off campus,” Burke said. “Anyone can take part in the solution and actively spread awareness.” l su l egacy mag.c om

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2014

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