The Scoop: Check out the top activities to do on LSU campus in March.
SO LONG, SENIORS
LSU gymnastics says goodbye to one of the most impactful senior classes in history.
OFF THE MAT
LSU gymnastics honors
BY ROSS ABBOUD Staff Writer
LSU gymnastics held senior night at its final home meet of the year on March 7 against No. 10 Georgia.
The ceremony occurred after the meet and consisted of each senior meeting family members on the floor for pictures. The seniors also had a tribute video that played before the ceremony.
The Tigers’ seniors include sixth-year senior Alyona Shchennikova; fifth-year seniors Chase Brock, Sierra Ballard, Olivia Dunne and Haleigh Bryant; and true seniors Kathryn Weilbacher, Tori Tatum, Alexis Jeffrey, KJ Johnson and Aleah Finnegan.
Let’s learn more about the impactful LSU seniors that were honored:
Alyona Shchennikova
The Tigers’ only sixth-year senior, Alyona Shchennikova, returned to LSU in 2025 after being sidelined in the 2024 championship season with a preseason injury.
Shchennikova has 10 career titles, including two on vault, four on bars, one on beam, one on floor and two all-around.
Her career high scores are 9.950 on vault, 9.950 on bars, 9.925 on beam, 9.975 on floor and 39.525 in the all-around.
Chase Brock
Chase Brock mainly competes on vault and floor for the Tigers but competed on bars her freshman year. She picked up a career-high of 9.975, which came on vault twice in the 2023 season.
She has career highs of 9.875 on bars and 9.925 on floor.
Brock regularly competed at a high level in the Tigers’ vault and floor rotation in 2025. However, an injury sustained in floor warmups before the matchup versus No. 1 Oklahoma sidelined her for the season.
Sierra Ballard
Sierra Ballard is an undeniable leader on and off the floor. The fifth-year senior is also the president of the LSU StudentAthlete Advisory Council.
Ballard competes on beam and floor and holds career highs of 9.950 on beam and 9.925 on floor. Ballard is also a 2024 NCAA All-American on beam.
Olivia Dunne
Olivia Dunne is one of the most well-known gymnasts in the world. Dunne’s social media presence has helped grow the sport, LSU brand and gym program.
Dunne’s impacts off the floor pair with impactful performances on the floor throughout her career. She competes on bars and the floor for the Tigers.
Her career highs are 9.925 on bars and 9.900 on floor.
Dunne announced earlier in
its
seniors
the week that she would miss the final home meet of her college career with an avulsion fracture in her kneecap.
But that didn’t stop her from cheering on her teammates all night.
Haleigh Bryant
Haleigh Bryant is one of the most decorated gymnasts in Tigers history. Her accolades include the 2024 Honda Sport Award Winner, 94 career titles, 18 career perfect 10s and 27 AllAmerican honors.
Bryant’s career highs are all 10s, and her all-around high is 39.925, a purple and gold program record. Bryant’s 18 10s and 27 All-American honors are the most in LSU history.
Kathryn Weilbacher
Kathryn Weilbacher is a firstyear transfer student at LSU from Bowling Green.
Weilbacher holds career highs of 9.950 on vault, 9.875 on bars, 9.850 on beam and 9.925 on floor.
Tori Tatum
Tori Tatum has competed for the Tigers on vault and bars throughout her two seasons. However, she didn’t compete in her freshman season because of an injury.
Tatum holds a career-high 9.950 on bars. She was named an Academic All-American in 2022 and was named to the SEC academic honor roll six times.
Alexis Jeffrey Alexis Jeffrey is a third-year transfer student for the Tigers. Jeffrey transferred from UCLA in 2022. She competes on bars, beam and floor.
Jeffrey has two career titles on bars while holding career highs of 9.950 on bars, 9.925 on beam and 9.750 on floor.
KJ Johnson
KJ Johnson has been LSU’s leadoff on vault year after year. She competes primarily on vault but also features on beam and floor.
Johnson has two vault titles and three floor titles in her career, with career highs of 9.950 on vault, 9.875 on beam and 9.975 on floor.
Aleah Finnegan
Aleah Finnegan is last on this list, but certainly not least. The true senior has had a highly decorated career with the Tigers.
Finnegan is a 2024 Paris Olympian for the Philippine national gymnastics team and the 2024 NCAA Floor Champion. She has seven All-American awards, eight career perfect 10s and 23 total titles.
What’s Next?
The seniors will keep the PMAC in their rearview as they travel to Auburn for their final regular season meet March 14. After that, they will compete in the SEC Championship meet on March 22.
following
win over No. 10 Georgia
ALEXIS PERSICKE / The Reveille
LSU gymnastics all around graduate student Haleigh Bryant salutes the judges before her routine March 7 during LSU’s 198.575-197.175 win over Georgia in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.
ALEXIS PERSICKE / The Reveille
LSU gymnastics all around senior Aleah Finnegan hugs her teammate March 7 during LSU’s 198.575-197.175 win over Georgia in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.
NEWS CLOSING THE GAP
How LSU’s School of Kinesiology is advancing young women in sports
BY LIV TEES Staff Writer
LSU is on track to become a leading institute in women’s health and wellness using cutting-edge research conducted by the Women’s Sport and Health Initiative.
Led by the School of Kinesiology’s Director John Nauright, the initiative formed last year to contribute pertinent research about women’s unique physiology and biology and advocate for new opportunities for women and girls to participate in movement-based activities. Under the College of Human Sciences and Education, Nauright hopes to make LSU the number one research institution for women’s health by combining science and social education.
The initiative is made up of five labs. It combines research in exercise science, behavioral and health analysis and work on policy and planning for better health, performance and success. It also examines the elite women’s sports industry, looking at NCAA sports, international professional soccer, basketball, rugby, Australian football and Olympic sports, according to its mission state -
ment.
“We’re kind of encompassing the whole ecosystem of sport, physical activity and health across the lifespan for girls and women because as many people will tell you these days, women are not small men,” Nauright said.
Nauright joined LSU in June and serves as the Karen Wax Schmitt and Family Endowed Professor. Shortly after starting at the university, he realized
that 15 faculty members were conducting individual research labs. Using his nearly 30 years of research experience in various issues surrounding women’s sports, Nauright brought the labs together to form one initiative.
“There is an absolute need to serve our population in Louisiana as well as creating models of excellence in research that can translate globally,” Nauright said.
The sports industry has his -
torically been structured around men, leaving women out of sport science research until recently. This exclusion left little knowledge on how best to support women athletes physically and mentally, Nauright created the initiative to fill this gap in research.
“It’s one of those situations where in my view, we have a responsibility as LSU to be the leading center for research, outreach and impact for the state of Louisiana,” Nauright said.
As of this month, eight LSU women’s sports teams are ranked in the top 25 in the nation in their respective polls, with six teams in the top 10. But despite LSU’s success in women’s sports and the stellar health of its athletes, the same is not reflected in the rest of the state’s population. Last year, studies ranked Louisiana as 50th in the country for health and 46th for women’s health and reproductive care outcomes.
“As a public institution, we have a responsibility to uphold the public trust and to be efficient in our use of resources,” Nauright said.
see KINESIOLOGY, page 4
Which amendments are on the March 29 ballot?
BY TORI BONIN Staff Writer
Louisiana will head to the polls March 29 to vote on four proposed amendments, in addition to any local races and propositions. Here’s what to know about the election.
Voting information Polls will open Election Day
at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Early voting will run March 1522 with the exception of March 16, and polls will open slightly later at 8:30 a.m. Information on polling locations, sample ballots and more can be found on the secretary of state’s website.
Amendment No. 1
Amendment No.1 would give the Louisiana Supreme Court
authority to discipline out-ofstate lawyers for legal work done in Louisiana. It would also allow the legislature to create specialized courts of limited or specialized jurisdiction.
The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, argues that the current constitution is too restrictive and lawmakers should be able to create more specialized courts where they see a need. Allowing the creation of such courts could also aid rural areas that might lack the resources to set up specialty courts.
A possible argument against the amendment is that Louisiana has more judges per capita than any other state, and giving the legislature the ability to easily create specialized courts will worsen the problem and drive up costs. Additionally, opponents argue this amendment is unnecessary because lawmakers already have the ability to create specialized courts on the district level.
Amendment No. 2
This wide-ranging amendment would seek to overhaul Louisiana’s revenue and tax systems by significantly modifying Article VII of the state constitution.
BR METRO
Possible library cuts disappoint residents
BY SARAH WALTON Staff Writer
Mayor-President Sid Edwards stirred controversy last month after releasing a proposal hoping to boost police salaries using funds from the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, with supporters of the library coming out in droves to oppose the change.
Over 100 people showed up to a Feb. 12 Metropolitan Council meeting to comment in support of the Library, leaving members unsure of whether to advance Edwards’ proposal.
As the Library’s budget remains in question, residents across Baton Rouge have something to say about it.
Lena Guttner, a senior at St. Joseph’s Academy, is one such resident and among the many high schoolers that visit the library to study.
“I promise you, around midterm and finals season, you know that every high school and college kid is in that library from dawn to dusk,” Guttner said.
The changes, as per the ballot text, would include a lower maximum income tax rate, an increase to income tax deductions for citizens over 65, provide a government growth limit, modify certain constitutional funds, provide tax exemptions retaining the homestead exemption and exemptions for religious organizations and provide a permanent teacher salary increase, among other changes.
Gov. Jeff Landry voiced his support for the amendment on social media, highlighting it as a way to lower income taxes.
Nonprofit organization Power Coalition for Equity and Justice is notably against the amendment, saying it would not guarantee any additional funds for teacher pay raises, remove the constitutional protection for the property tax exemptions used by nonprofits, create spending limits on essential services.
Additionally, the amendment would limit local control over sales taxes, delete a fund supporting infant mortality programs, change gendered pronouns in the constitution, potentially increase taxes on take-out
The library is one of her favorite places because it’s not only a place to study, but a community hub complete with botanical gardens, a theatre and park available most times of the year.
“I think that is why libraries are just so important for the community. Because without them, where are you going to go, and who is always going to be open?” Guttner said.
She said she loves having access to the thousands of books and archives in the library not just because she’s interested, but also because she thinks reading is critical to understanding the world.
“If you try to erase the past or try hard to hide parts of it, you’re going to keep making the same mistakes and you’ll end up hurting people,” Guttner said.
James Douet, a senior majoring in anthropology at LSU, said the library has been a place for him to engage with the community, gain access to resources and read an abundance of books. From his childhood into adulthood, Douet said the library has been a home for him.
“[The library] means so much to me I don’t even know how to properly formulate it into the right words,” Douet said. “It’s so important it feels like a part of me. It really feels like it is a part of my identity as a person.
LIV TEES / The Reveille
The Huey P. Long Field House sits on Field House Drive on March 7 in Baton Rouge, La.
KINESIOLOGY, from page 3
Nauright explained that many girls who start sports young often quit during puberty because of ill-fitting equipment, concerns about menstrual stains on uniforms and body shaming. The initiative has partnered with outside organizations like Power to Play, Period, a global nonprofit helping to create supportive, inclusive education on menstrual health in sport and physical education.
“Believe it or not, one of the big outcomes of this work has been to get more teams not to put girls in white shorts,” Nauright explained.
Girls who stay in sports are more likely to earn leadership positions, stay physically active and live healthier, more successful lives. Maggie Mac Neil, a three-time Olympic medalist and former LSU swimmer, said swimming was essential to shaping who she is today.
“I think it’s really important for young girls to get those experiences,” Mac Neil said. “It’s ultimately such a pivotal point in life if they get to participate. That will definitely impact them going forward as it has with me.”
Mac Neil recalled LSU as a supportive environment that focused on promoting women’s health and prioritizing athletes’ mental health. Since graduating
with her master’s in sports management in May last year, she’s worked closely with Nauright to bring an athlete’s perspective to the initiative.
“I think being able to use our platform to show all the great athletes we have, especially great female athletes, is really going to impact LSU sports going forward,” Mac Neil said. “And also how we can help to bring more awareness to and promote women’s sports outside of the college realm.”
Lizzy Ratcliff, a doctoral student on the initiative’s team, coaches high school basketball in Lafayette where she often sees male players taking over the court while the female players take a break. It’s during these interactions Ratcliff longs for a day of equality in sports.
“At halftime the boys will take over the court and refuse to get off once the girls return,” Ratcliff said. “But they’re obviously scared and don’t want to do that [kick the boys off] because they’re young and boys are stealing their balls and stuff.”
This situation explains why Nauright calls for men to stand up for women and their right to play their respective sport, leading to a cooperative fight for equality.
The directors plan to announce the global advisory board for the initiative in April.
LIBRARY, from page 3
What feels so important to me is that it’s not just me who has had that experience. I am one of thousands of people across this city who have had similar experiences.”
Douet explained the programs the Library offers enrich the lives of Baton Rouge residents. From free courses to job training, research databases to outreach, he called the Library’s value to residents “incalculable.” He said these resources are one way to improve the lives of chil-
ELECTION, from page 3
food and would remove constitutional authorization for farmers’ and fishermens’ programs.
Amendment No. 3
Amendment No. 3 would give the Louisiana Legislature the power to decide which felonies committed by people under the age of 17 can be tried for as an adult. The state constitution currently restricts trying minors as adults except in the case of certain 16 crimes such as murder, rape and kidnapping.
According to PAR Louisiana, proponents of the amendment believe that the specific crimes listed have not been adjusted in decades and crimes committed by juveniles have changed
dren in the parish because it can engage them in learning and provide them positive opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible.
“I beg the mayor to have a heart and realize just how important this is,” Douet said. “Not only to adults, but the kids. If kids are our future, and we want them to have the best opportunities possible, we want them to be interested in learning, we want them to go on and have great careers. The Library is one of the best ways for kids to get interested in a higher level of education.”
and worsened in severity. The amendment would allow lawmakers to respond to these crime trends to keep communities safer.
The nonprofit organization Council for a Better Louisiana opposes Amendment No. 3, arguing the constitutional limits were created because there was an understanding that youth have a better chance at rehabilitation. CABL believes that charging a child as an adult is a serious matter and not something that should be taken lightly and that citizens should decide who is tried as an adult, not just the legislature.
Amendment No.4
Amendment No. 4 would require the use of the earliest
Douet urged Edwards to reconsider the reallocation, saying the redistribution of money from the library to police salaries will hurt parish residents.
“If he truly cares about crime rates, if he cares about the safety and betterment of his constituents, Sid needs to keep the library. He needs to not mess around with its funding …” Douet said. “Cutting any of [the library’s] programs, it goes back on his promises of being a good leader to the community of Baton Rouge.”
election date to fill judicial vacancies.
PAR Louisiana says the argument for the amendment is that the technical fix is needed because it is better to change the constitution than to change the law, which would allow for a special election to occur outside of election times. This could cost the state more money than necessary.
On the other hand, opponents argue that a constitutional amendment is unnecessary because the circumstances requiring special election are rare enough. Instead, they suggest there should be a law adjustment giving the governor more flexibility to call special elections.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Sullivan Theater takes on its biggest production to date
BY LAURA ALLEN Staff Writer
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is a powerful story of love, acceptance and hope for a better tomorrow.
The Sullivan Theater’s upcoming musical adaptation of the animated Disney film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” by Alan Menken, is directed by LSU PhD candidate for sociology Heath McNeese. This classic tells the story of Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of
Notre Dame Cathedral and his longing to experience the outside world.
Though the stage adaptation shares the basic plot with the original Disney film, its content and overall retelling of the story is markedly darker, drawing on many thematic elements from the original novel by Victor Hugo. The musical production is also set apart by the impressive set design, lighting and music.
“‘Hunchback’ is a huge show, and people who have seen it usually see it in a theater with a huge stage and lots of audience seating, so the spectacle of the set is really big for ‘Notre Dame,’” McNeese said.
The Sullivan Theater was originally a karate studio and eventually turned into a theater, complete with professional lighting, sound systems and auditorium seating 125 people. Because the theater is relatively new, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is a big leap in production size and scale.
“It’s the biggest show we’ve ever done,” Freneaux said. “This is kind of our proof of concept of how big a show we can do in this space.”
This huge production is matched by the equally-large volunteer base behind it. Each sector of production, including set building, costuming and sound and lighting design, is run by its own team of volunteers. Freneaux estimates that
the number of volunteers who have contributed to this show, excluding actors, is about 50.
The costuming department has done in-depth research into the traditional apparel of the Romani people featured in the musical to maintain a level of respect for the culture and avoid creating a romanticized caricature. The director’s desire to pay homage to traditional Romani culture also extends to choreography, drawing heavily on traditional Romani dance, as well as casting itself.
“It was also really important to cast a woman of color as Esmeralda,” McNeese said. “That was a non-negotiable, because we did want to have that bit of respect paid towards a people and a culture that has received a lot of insensitive portrayals over time.”
Ashari Harper, a sophomore at LSU double majoring in theater and communication studies, has roots in theatre dating back to early childhood.
Harper has been a part of many productions since then, including the LSU Musical Theater Club’s 2024 spring musical “Little Shop of Horrors” and the School of Theatre lab show “The R and J Project.” However, Harper feels that the role of Esmeralda, a Romani woman whose path is irrevocably woven into those of the male leads, is very true to her, not only in their shared willfulness and independence, but also in her in-
trinsic identity.
“I can relate to her a lot,” Harper said. “Not only when it comes to being a minority as a woman, and just as a Black woman in general. I understand what it feels like to be, for the sake of the show, an outcast.”
Her ability to relate to Esmeralda helped Harper get into character easily; however, this is far from the only way the actors prepare for their roles.
Matthew Walker has been acting for less than a year, with his debut performance in Sullivan’s April 2024 production of “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Fallen Souffle.” Walker draws on something he is much more familiar with to get into the mindset of Phoebus, a soldier back from war.
“I’m huge into music, so I’ll curate a playlist that basically kind of surmises who Phoebus is as a person,” Walker said. “I really cope with music, so I’ve been using a lot of curated playlists to really hone in on who that is.”
There are bound to be challenges in any production. The scale of this show, with the massive amount of work going into the set, costumes and performance, lends itself to being particularly exhausting. IT professional Scott Mitchell, who plays the hunchback Quasimodo, acknowledges the hard work that is required of each and every cast and crew member.
Despite this, everyone involved in this musical feels that the production has been overwhelmingly rewarding.
“This is an amazingly talented group of actors and the production team,” Frenauex said. “It’s just been a big community effort. This feels as much like community theatre as anything we’ve ever done.”
“I guess the biggest challenge is just knowing that it is going to be exhausting at times, and to not let that make you feel like you’re not putting in that effort,” Mitchell said.
Rev Rank: “Anora” is undeserving of its best picture win
BY LEXIE WARE Staff Writer
Independent comedy-drama film “Anora” won big at the 2025 Academy Awards, but did the film deserve the acclaim?
“Anora” tells the story of a Brooklyn stripper, Anora “Ani” Mikheeva, played by Mikey Madison, who marries the spoiled son of a Russian oligarch, Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov, played by Mark Eydelshteyn. Anora’s fairytale life is then threatened once her husband’s parents discover the marriage and insist on an annulment.
Anora goes on a journey full of stressful and harrowing situations, including many scenes depicting sex and nudity, earning the film its “R” rating. The film won five Oscars, the most for any film at this year’s Academy Awards. Most notable is the prestigious best picture award, which was an unexpected win over blockbusters like “Wicked” and “Dune : Part Two.”
Madison also won best actress and thanked the sex worker community, declaring herself an ally. She stated that meeting women in the industry was a
personal highlight while filming. I was eager to see the film after it won best picture, especially as I knew Madison as one of two Ghostfaces in “Scream V.” I was excited to see her in what I believed to be a romance film; however, “Anora” is no romance. The film markets itself as a Cinderella story, but it’s far from one.
Anora spends most of the movie accompanied by three Russian men, played by Karren Karagulian, Yiriy Borisov and Vache Tovmasyan. These men are first introduced in a chaotic scene in which Anora is aggressively tied up, gagged and left in an indecent position as she feared for her safety.
As a woman, being alone with three strangers while pantsless is bad enough. I can’t imagine being restrained against my will and forced to sit on a man’s lap. This scene marked the moment I realized the type of film I was watching, and from then on, I felt unsettled.
The three men then bring Anora with them as they travel through Brighton Beach, a Russian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn. This plot takes
up roughly 60% of the movie’s runtime, so as a result, I found myself checking the time often, wondering when something interesting would happen.
Anora’s motivations throughout the film are somewhat confusing. Her personal journey as a sex worker is compelling in theory, but the film fails to address it correctly. Instead, it reeks of male gaze and borders on anti-feminist. Finding out that a man directed, wrote and produced the film only added to my discomfort.
Another big issue I had with the film is what went on behind the scenes. With the amount of nudity and sex scenes throughout the film, it’s astonishing to me that there was no intimacy coordinator on set.
Madison said in a December 2024 interview that she passed on having an intimacy coordinator, because she wanted to immerse herself in her character. This response received much backlash online, which I believe was justified. Intimacy coordinators are for everyone’s safety on set, not just the main actors.
It was shocking to see “Ano -
ra” win best picture after seeing the movie in theaters. The film itself is not something I will want to watch again, and I don’t agree with the lack of an intima-
cy coordinator on set. “Anora” is still in theatres currently and is also available through on-demand platforms such as Apple TV.
Photo Courtesy of the Sullivan Theater Scott Mitchell as Quasimodo in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at the Sullivan Theater in Baton Rouge, La.
Photo Courtesy of the Sullivan Theater Ashari Harper plays Esmeralda in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at the Sullivan Theater in Baton Rouge, La.
JORDAN STRAUSS / AP PHOTO
Mikey Madison, winner of best performance by an actress in a leading role for “Anora” in the press room at the Oscars on March 2.
Designed by Jayden Slaughter
Photos by Alexis Persicke
LSU gymnastics all-around senior Aleah Finnegan poses during her floor routine.
An LSU gymnast adjusts her hair and her crown after a routine.
LSU gymnastics all-around graduate student Haleigh Bryant split jumps on the beam.
LSU gymnastics all-around sophomore Kylie Coen poses during her floor routine.
LSU gymnastics all-around freshman Kailin Chio poses during her floor routine.
LSU students cheer for the gymnastics team under a soldout crowd of 13,476.
BY OLIVIA TOMLINSON
March
TUESDAY 11th
Research Ambassador
Energy, Coast & Environment Building
Interested in learning about undergraduate research opportunities? LSU Research Ambassadors encourage students to get involved. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. enjoy pizza and learn about volunteering at research-related events.
Faulk & Winkler
Business Education Complex
Business majors can meet representatives from Faulk & Winkler, a Baton Rouge CPA firm, to learn more about the organization and career opportunities. The table sit will go from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Networking Event
Student Union
March
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., all mass communications majors, specifically students in advertising, communications and related degrees, have the opportunity to network with companies hiring full-time, part-time and internship positions.
Broadway to Bayou
Music and Dramatic Arts Building
This free event will feature a recital of Broadway numbers from LSU alumni DeAundre’ Woods and Prentiss Mouton, followed by a Q&A session. Woods has starred in musicals such as “Hamilton” and “MJ: The Musical”, along with Mouton, who is currently featured in “Parade.” Their showcase will feature their journey from LSU to Broadway.
Author Lecture
LSU Museum of Art
Denise Gallagher, published author and illustrator, will give a tour and lecture on the Golden Books collection and exhibition currently at the museum. This free event is open to all and will run from
to 7:30 p.m.
Zapp’s Beer Fest
LSU Rural Life Museum
Experience the 20th edition of the Zapp’s International Beer Fest. Over 200 tastings of domestic and international beers and ales will be served, along with samples. Non-alcoholic beverages and food will also be available, must be 21+.
March
Course scheduling for the summer and fall begins at 5:00 p.m.
by Stella Zawistowski
SPORTS
CHAPTER TWO
Women’s basketball SEC Tournament run ends
BY TRE ALLEN Staff Writer
With a disgruntled face and lying on the floor, Aneesah Morrow was in pain, holding her left ankle.
LSU alumna Kiya Johnson flips from gymnastics to ESPN
LSU gymnastics graduate student all-around Kiya Johnson makes a “L” March 23, 2024, during LSU’s 198.075 victory in the 2024 SEC Gymnastics Championship in the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La.
BY AINSLEY FLOOD Staff Writer
Less than a year ago, Kiya Johnson was standing on top of the college gymnastics world. Today, away from the team, she is working to grow the sport in a different way.
In her final performance as a Tiger, Johnson wrote her name in the history books as a key member of the famed beam rotation that won LSU its first-ever national title last spring.
In the most critical minute and a half of her collegiate career, the entire country watched on as the fifth-year signed off with a high 9.950 and passed the torch to the last woman standing, Aleah Finnegan, to bring it home.
“The feeling is still hard to describe because it was the most storybook ending to my career, and a historical moment for LSU gym as a whole,” Johnson said.
Almost a year later, the alumna has made multiple returns to the gym floor, but this time it’s behind the camera.
Johnson began her job as a production assistant at ESPN over the summer, where she covers the sport she knows better than anyone.
For five years, she was under the spotlight, now she shines it on other gymnasts.
“It’s been very cool to kind of still be connected to the sport that I love, and also connected to LSU gymnastics, but just in a different capacity,” Johnson said.
Friday Night Heights looks a little different from the other side.
There, she’s assigned a meet every week and works with a graphics producer to come up with content highlighting gymnasts and stories that she brings to life through digital editing and composition.
“I was in that position once be -
fore, so I kind of know what the girls are thinking and what’s going on, and so I feel like that’s been helpful for me to be able to story tell in a different way,” Johnson said.
Before her new role, if Johnson were asked if she considered herself a creative individual, she would have said no. In fact, before February of 2024, she had few plans for life post-gymnastics.
In her early days at LSU, Johnson pursued a career in physical therapy but later made the switch to sports administration. Like many student-athletes, she hoped to sew her love for sports into a career path.
A season-ending Achilles injury in her senior year opened the door for a fifth and final year with the Tiger – a decision that changed everything for her.
“I don’t know if I would have stayed if I didn’t get hurt,” Johnson said. “What I was telling myself that whole time was everything happens for a reason, and for our team to have that storybook ending like we did, I for sure believe in that statement.”
Johnson had her most successful season yet, but in the midst of a championship run, she still needed to secure her future.
She was introduced to the ESPN program director, who was a speaker at an LSU female student-athlete event, inspiring Johnson to apply.
Several interviews and one national championship later, Johnson had the job.
“It’s been very fun, but very different to be on this side of it,” Johnson said. “It was a little weird at first, watching them on TV and not being in the PMAC on Friday nights.”
Nine meets down, she feels much more confident in her abili-
ties, but the jump from a schedule of training, coursework and competitions to a full-time job can be daunting. Many collegiate gymnasts were tumbling before they could walk, so to suddenly stop competing is a harsh lifestyle adjustment.
“Your whole life is surrounded by your sport in some way, shape or form,” Johnson said. “To win a national championship was amazing. But the next day, I wasn’t a gymnast anymore, which is crazy to think about. Everything flipped very quickly.”
Johnson is able to stay tightly connected to the sport she loves through her work and a newly grown fondness for coaching.
In addition to her full-time job, she’s taken on volunteer coaching at Southern Connecticut University, a Division II gymnastics program. For Johnson, it’s another way to stay connected to the sport and grow her gymnastics family.
She still gets to travel too, visiting her old teammates at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad in Oklahoma. There, ESPN aired its own story on Johnson announcing her role with the team.
Last April, she was interviewed by ESPN after winning the national championship. This April, she’ll most likely be there but working for the network.
“I’m excited to be a part of it again, just not in a [leotard],” Johnson said.
The past year has come full circle for Johnson, and she doesn’t plan on stopping here.
Johnson thinks that before long, college gymnastics is going to need more coverage, and the more eyes companies like ESPN can get on it, the better.
Through their efforts, Friday nights can reach new heights, and she wants to be a part of that.
LSU was already missing their leading scorer. It was another pivotal blow for the Tigers.
Early in the third quarter, Morrow went up for a layup and immediately collapsed to the floor, holding her ankle.
At first, it didn’t look like much as there was no real turn to her left ankle, but Morrow had been battling a left foot injury before this game and even wore a boot entering the arena.
Morrow entered this game coming off a dominating performance where she had 36 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 15-for-21 (71.4%) from the field.
Morrow stepped up for a team that was dealing with a lot on and off the court. As Flau’Jae Johnson continues to nurse her shin injury, head coach Kim Mulkey has been dealing with pain of her own as an unexpected death in her family took place before the game against Florida.
Morrow did not return to the game, and the Tigers were down their two leading scorers for the game against the Longhorns.
LSU would end up losing the semifinal game to Texas, 56-49, in an offensive standstill.
As for offense, there wasn’t much for the whole game. The two teams shot below 35% from the field, with Texas shooting 31.6% and LSU shooting 33.9%
Similar to the first half, the second half also provided a lackluster performance on offense, but things would take a turn for the worse for LSU.
Entering the SEC tournament, the Tigers would be without guard Johnson and were limited on the court.
Mikaylah Williams started to get going on offense in the third quarter, but she would soon pick up her fourth foul in the third quarter and have to sit for most of the second half.
Only trailing by six to start the fourth quarter, LSU needed someone else to step up for the injured Morrow and Williams, who dealt with foul trouble.
The Tigers battled all game, and despite missing key players, they were still in the game. LSU scored 15 points in the fourth quarter but couldn’t find ways to stop Texas down the stretch.
Neither team played their best basketball, but Madison Booker showed us why she deserved the SEC Player of the Year.
Booker nearly outscored LSU by herself in the first half, scoring 18 points, shooting 7-for-9 (77.8%) from the field and 3-for-5 (60%) from three.
Booker finished the game, leading both teams in scoring with 25 points and added six rebounds to the stat sheet.
She set the tone immediately by using her length along with her tremendous shot-making ability to shoot over the smaller defenders that LSU sent at her.
The last time these two played, Booker shot 3-for-17 (17.6%) from the field and only scored 16 points. In the game that took place three weeks ago, it was Johnson who got the assignment of guarding Booker.
The length of Johnson bothered and impacted Booker offensively, but with Johnson being out and LSU resorting to smaller players to guard Booker, she used her size as an advantage to easily score over whoever was guarding her.
The Tigers gave themselves a chance despite being undermanned by forcing 18 turnovers and holding Texas under 60 points.
Eight different players scored for LSU, but there wasn’t enough firepower.
Morrow and Williams were the only players for LSU to score at least 10 points, but Morrow scored all 10 in the first half and Williams shot 5-for-13 (38.5%) and led the team in turnovers.
Williams was one of the players who needed to step up for the Tigers with Johnson being out before this game, but as Morrow also went out to injury, she didn’t have the performance people were hoping for.
LSU lost by seven, but if the team had gone perfect from the charity stripe, the Tigers could’ve come out victorious.
There is no clock running and no one contesting a shot; it’s a free throw because it’s a free opportunity to put points on the board.
As a team, LSU shot 9-for-17 (52.9%) from the free-throw line, missing eight. Tigers rank sixth in the SEC for free throw shooting at 73.8% on the season, but tonight, the shots were not on its side.
LSU will await its seed, opponent and region on March 16, during Selection Sunday.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille LSU women’s basketball senior forward Aneesah Morrow (24) shoots the ball during LSU’s 117-37 exhibition win against LSU-Alexandria on Oct. 30, 2024.
FRANCIS DINH / The Reveille
RECORD BREAKING
LSU gymnastics sets program record with 198.575 win over Georgia
BY GABBY GRAY & AINSLEY FLOOD Staff Writers
In its home finale for the season, No. 2 LSU gymnastics made program history as it brought home a season high win of 198.575 alongside the first perfect ten of the season against No. 10 Georgia.
The nation-high 198.575 saw a nearly one-and-a-half point victory over Georgia’s final score of 197.175.
Despite such a high score, LSU head coach Jay Clark wants to make sure that fans focus on the overall performance.
“The quality of the performance from our team was a championship quality performance,” Clark said. “And that’s what’s important to all of us.”
The Bulldogs got off to a faulty start on the uneven bars as leadoff Naya Howard took a hard fall and earned a 8.625 for Georgia’s first score of the night.
Georgia finished the first rotation on bars with a 49.275, but the Tigers one-upped them on vault as
KJ Johnson and Aleah Finnegan got things started with scores of 9.850 and 9.950.
Sophomore Amari Drayton posted her career high on vault tonight with a 9.950.
Following Drayton, senior and 2024 SEC all-around champion Haleigh Bryant anchored in her usual style, sticking the landing on her front pike half and solidifying a 9.900 for the Tigers.
LSU wrapped up the first rotation with a statement 49.600.
Moving into the second rotation, Finnegan stayed at the top of her game and scored a 9.900 for her bars routine and sophomore Konnor McClain posted a score of 9.975.
Bryant finished the job with a 9.925 and LSU grew their lead to 99.225 to Georgia’s 98.475.
“I thought the first two events, we earned every penny of what we got in there tonight,” Clark said.
Sierra Ballard was the senior leadoff on beam and delivered a steady 9.850 to get the ball rolling.
The LSU all-arounders brought the temperature up as Chio
another solid 9.900.
At a university where nearly every athletic program is nationally relevant, there’s never a shortage of options. There are always electric playmakers to be found.
The Reveille Athlete of the Week is LSU gymnast Aleah Finnegan.
The 2024 floor champion put on a career highlight performance on Friday, getting the first perfect 10 of the season and her eighth overall.
Finnegan celebrated a storied career in the final home meet of the season and her last as a Tiger. Coming after a season with many ups and downs, she began with a phenomenal 39.725 but struggled with declining vault scores for much of the season. However, on Friday, Finnegan was dialed in.
In a night full of electrifying performances, Finnegan started strong with a 9.950 on vault, and LSU had taken the lead over Georgia by the end of the first rotation. In the second rotation, she put up
matched her season-high with another 9.950, which Bryant equaled in the fifth position with a clean Rudi dismount.
The Tigers truly came together as a team as they cheered on Finnegan to fill the sixth and final spot on the balance beam.
The PMAC vibrated with noise and fans jumped to their feet when both of the judges’ score cards were shown. For the first time this season, they both read 10.00.
The perfect score marked a memorable way for Finnegan to finish her final home competition after a long and successful collegiate career.
“I’m just so proud of not only everything she’s accomplished at LSU, but everything she’s accomplished in her life because this is only the beginning for her,” Bryant said about her teammate.
LSU kept the energy alive as it tackled the floor where Kylie Coen took over for Kaliya Lincoln as the event leadoff. She scored a 9.875 as Ballard went slightly higher for a 9.900.
BASEBALL
She truly shined on the balance beam. In a stunning and almost effortless looking routine, Finnegan attained a perfect 10 in a goodbye performance for the ages. She also performed the championshipclinching beam routine that won the Tigers a national championship in 2024.
Finnegan’s performance on Friday helped LSU to a score of 198.575. That’s the highest in program history, second-highest in SEC history and ninth-highest in NCAA history.
“I’m just so proud of not only everything she’s accomplished at LSU but everything she’s accomplished in her life because this is only the beginning for her,” teammate Haleigh Bryant said about Finnegan.
Finnegan’s consistent success and versatile ability has made her one of LSU gymnastics’ most reliable scorers, and the team hopes to continue their success as they take on Auburn this Friday to end the regular season.
The Tigers had a lot to prove on the floor, if they brought home a 49.600 floor score combined with the previous rotations, they would defeat the Bulldogs and top their highest meet score from 2024, 198.475 against Arkansas. And that they did.
Chio and Bryant earned massive 9.975s and Drayton followed with a 9.950, setting the Tigers at 49.675 on the floor.
LSU not only defeated Georgia 198.575-197.175, but made program
history and earned the highest meet score in the nation this season.
That total is second-highest in SEC history and ninth-highest in NCAA history.
Despite Finnegan’s perfect score on senior night, the all-around title went to freshman Chio with a composite score of 39.800.
“It’s exciting to see it all come together. It’s such a special night and just an amazing moment to be able to celebrate with your best friends,” Ballard said.
LSU baseball slams six home runs in mercy rule win over North Alabama
BY BRETT KEMPER Staff Writer
In LSU’s Friday night mercy rule victory over the North Alabama Lions, six different Tigers put one over the fence.
“I just think we’re getting better,” head coach Jay Johnson said.
Josh Pearson, John Pearson, Tanner Reaves, Steven Milam, Luis Hernandez and Daniel Dickinson all hit home runs on Friday. Kade Anderson also dominated on the mound, pitching six innings and earning 11 strikeouts while only giving up one run.
“I thought it was great outing, I thought he could have done it with a lower pitch count, there is a couple of small things I’ll go through with him,” Johnson said. “But to be honest, I thought it was sharp, and he did a really good job getting ahead in the count.”
Many fans were expecting the game to be a rubber match as the Tigers and Lions were both scoreless through the top of the third. Things quickly changed.
It was the Tigers’ second time through the order, as Josh Pearson came to the plate and launched a home run into the wind to get his first home run of the year and the first run on the board for the Tigers.
Following a Jake Brown double and a Hernandez single, Reaves launched another home run down the right field line for his first of the year, to make it 4-0 Tigers.
Dickinson got LSU started in the bottom of the fourth with a homer, which was then matched by Milam over the right centerfield wall. The score to end the fifth was 7-0 Tigers.
In the bottom of the fifth, Hernandez was the fifth Tiger that game to go yard and the third in the game to do it for the first time this season.
After the Lions walked in a run, and Cade Arrambide got a sacrifice RBI, Josh Pearsons younger brother John slapped it off the video board in left field. It was a three-run home run that set up the mercy rule.
Mavrick Rizy gave up just one run in his sole inning pitched. The game ended 13-2.
“I think he’s got all the ability in the world to be great, and
we’re gonna keep running him out there,” Johnson said of Rizy.
John Pearson’s home run was the sixth by a Tiger in the game, which is the first time in six years that LSU accomplished this. The last time was June 10, 2023, in an NCAA Super Regional win over Kentucky.
Four players finished the short game with multiple hits. Reaves went a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, a double and three RBI.
The Tigers hope to continue their dominating nine-win streak when they take on the Lions again this Saturday at noon.
“Within winning, I use this word difficulties or failures, to advance our team, and I think these guys have done a really good job learning to be present,” Johnson said.
GRAPHIC BY JACOB CHASTANT
BY GORDON CRAWFORD
Columnist
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
LSU baseball freshman catcher Cade Arrambide (0) pinch hits during LSU’s 13-3 mercy-rule win against North Dakota State on March 5, at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
If you want diversity on campus, seek out diverse groups
TANTAWI’S
TANTAWI’S
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMMAD
TANTAWI
TANTAWI
Colmnist
@mowinator
When it comes to student representation in universities, who has the right answer?
Nearly two weeks ago, a Reveille article tackled the subject of student representation by interviewing students about how well they feel represented on campus. A great idea, but an idea that delivers little to people underrepresented on campus.
There are endless concerns a person or an organization can have with LSU. Each case can find a resolution in a compromise and may even be a win for the plaintiff, but in the end, the problem is too abstract in nature.
There are two terms you should know: racial location and racial standpoint. Racial location refers to a person being a member of a certain race. Racial standpoint is understanding what being a member of a certain race means for your place in society.
I bring these terms up to remind you that every person views their place in society differently. Someone who is very race-conscious might feel underrepresented at LSU, but some minorities have all white friends and don’t second-guess it.
Feeling represented isn’t measurable because even in the face of the discrepancy occurring in the hiring field, not every employee will feel underrepresented in the workplace.
I can’t judge LSU students based on their feelings of inclusivity. There are over 500 clubs at the university, so I’m sure that you will have some organization to join and feel accepted. There are over 30,000 students at LSU, so people like you are bound to exist.
However, the problem doesn’t start with feelings; it starts and ends with a statistically grounded argument.
Looking at the faculty fall headcount, there’s a drastic lean toward hiring white faculty, so an argument against LSU’s hiring processes can be made.
This argument could pivot toward addressing feelings of
inclusivity, but the main idea can’t be feelings of inclusivity. Simultaneously, if you found statistics that showing a racial discrepancy in people who get accepted into LSU, a case addressing inclusivity could be argued.
It doesn’t matter to me that LSU’s president is a racial minority. In an ideal world, the
minority in power would be socially conscious enough to implement drastic changes. Still, for the sake of not being disappointed, we must assume that minimal steps will be taken. If you want inclusivity, look at your friend group and assess whether you’re reaching outside your bubble. Tell your white friends to mingle with non-
white people. Show minorities they can fit in with people they may not have grown up around. This isn’t an LSU problem. It’s a student issue, and it’s very possible to fix by doing some of the above.
Mohammad Tantawi is a 24-year-old mass communication senior from Smyrna, Tenn.
Americans need both gun regulations and also gun rights
Gun control is a controversial topic, with dissenters and supporters constantly bickering about the purchase and ownership of guns. As gun violence continues to skyrocket in this nation, more Americans are becoming vocal about their perspectives on the issue.
The reason gun control is controversial is because most people don’t know what gun control entails and perhaps believe that it’s an infringement on their 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.
This misunderstanding often leads to heated debates, where people assume that gun control means a complete ban on firearms rather than a nuanced approach to ensuring responsible gun ownership.
Education on the topic is crucial to bridging the gap be -
tween those who oppose gun regulations and those who support them.
I’m an adamant supporter of gun ownership. However, I also believe in gun control to an extent. Gun control refers to regulations that limit the purchase and ownership of guns.
To some, this definition may be alarming. It may seem unconstitutional, but through further research, I’m sure people would be more open to gun control.
After all, our nation is in dire need of a solution for our increasing rate of gun violence. When mass shootings and daily firearm-related crimes make headlines, it’s hard to ignore that something must be done.
Some examples of gun control regulations include age restrictions, license requirements and background checks; I support all three. Personally, I’d add gun training for safety as well since so many innocent people die from gun violence.
Owning a gun is a serious
responsibility, and just as one must pass a test to drive a car, gun owners should also be required to demonstrate knowledge of safely handling a firearm. Accidental discharges and mishandling of firearms contribute to unnecessary deaths, which could be prevented through mandatory training courses.
The most popular gun control law is the Gun Control Act of 1968, which ensures that people without a license can’t carry guns. This law was implemented after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Though the law is federal, each state has its own regulatory practices. For example, in Louisiana, you must be at least 21 years old, undergo a criminal background check, take a training course and submit a permit application.
While these steps help regulate gun ownership, they do not eliminate the potential dangers associated with irresponsible gun use. Stricter enforcement
of these regulations could help prevent firearms from ending in the wrong hands.
I support gun ownership because self-defense and protection are vital, especially as a woman. We don’t live in a fairytale; this world can be dangerous. So I’m all for people defending themselves from actual threats.
Women in particular face unique safety concerns, and having the ability to protect oneself can be empowering. However, the need for protection should not mean a disregard for necessary gun regulations.
We need both guns and gun control. It’s not about taking away rights; it’s about ensuring that those rights are exercised responsibly. It’s about finding a balance between the two to ensure the safety of all Americans.
Amyri Jones is a 23-year-old digital advertising and religious studies senior from Baton Rouge, La.
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 editor@lsu.edu 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. Editorial Policies and Procedures Quote of the Week “I find standing and posing for photos very awkward.”
AMYRI JONES Columnist
REI ZIMMERMAN / The Reveille
Students walk in the LSU Quad on Feb. 3.
AP PHOTO / BEBETO MATTHEWS, FILE
A handgun from a collection of illegal guns is reviewed during a gun buyback event in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 22, 2021.
Ruby Franke’s story should spark new protective legislation
BESKE’S BUZZ
KATE BESKE Columnist
Ruby Franke posted her family of six to YouTube to show off her Mormon lifestyle and parenting to the world, according to an article by Forbes. At its peak, her channel “8 Passengers” reached nearly three million subscribers.
Growing up as someone who dreamed of raising a family, I enjoyed consuming family vlogs and parenting channels. At the time, I never thought of any issues with this content being made, but as an adult, I can see how inappropriate many of these family channels are.
Regarding the Franke family, everything changed for them after August 2023, when Ruby’s youngest son, R, escaped through the window of her friend and accomplice Jodi Hildebrant’s house after Ruby moved in with her children.
Ruby met Jodi Hildebrant through a family friend, Page Hanna. Hanna is featured in the docuseries and discusses her realization that Hildebrant wasn’t who she believed.
On February 27, the first episode of the Hulu docuseries “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke,” was released. This was the first time the two oldest children, Shari and Chad Franke, and Ruby’s husband, Kevin, shared what happened on film.
The documentary included exclusive access to over 1,000 hours of unseen footage from the family channel. It showed numerous clips throughout the first three released episodes, showing Ruby snapping at her children and telling them things like “fake being happy.”
I was well aware of this fam -
ily before the horrific stories of abuse were revealed because clips from its YouTube videos were being shared on TikTok, pointing out Ruby’s abrasive parenting style that I always thought teetered on the line of abuse.
It was revealed in the docuseries that Hildebrant was a licensed professional counselor promoted by the Mormon church, and she became Chad Franke’s therapist but eventually became more involved.
While providing therapy to family members, Hildebrant moved in with Ruby Franke, as seen in the documentary. It is highly inappropriate to be this involved with someone who should have an outside perspective to therapize you.
Even with the signs, reading and hearing about the torture Ruby Franke put her two youngest children in, I remained in a constant state of shock. The documentary showed images of R emaciated with duct tape on his extremities.
I viewed more images too graphic for the documentary, which showed R’s wrists and ankles had deep wounds from being tied down with rope. Seeing something so horrible and knowing that a mother did it to her son because she believed he was possessed is difficult to watch.
I also read Ruby’s journal, which I found extremely disturbing in the rest of the context. She writes about R and E, the youngest Franke, being possessed and disobedient, but I think her writing shows how delusional Franke was and possibly still is.
Some seemingly cold and distant comments include the following quotes from the journal.
“It’s R’s birthday, and he doesn’t even know what month it is,” she wrote.
She documented shaving her daughter’s hair as a punishment, saying,
“I cut more off E’s head. We doused her with water in the dog wash. E said she wanted to run away. Jodi told E she has no idea what is waiting for her.”
This entry hurt me the most because no child should ever feel they aren’t loved. Ruby wrote, “E still tried to run. She screamed for another family, water, food, care, love.”
It’s hard to tell if Ruby has now realized that she’s been brainwashed and did horrific things in the name of religion or if she is just admitting defeat to getting caught while still being a monster.
This topic has recently garnished some well-deserved attention because of the alarming number of family channels that feature inappropriate or upsetting videos of minors.
Today, there is only legisla-
tion surrounding monetary safety for minors concerning family vlogging, but none to protect children from having their entire puberty documented and presented to the world.
After such a horrifyingly evil case of child abuse from a mother who provided parenting tips for years, I would think more legislation and awareness should be had. It’s necessary that the country looks into family vlogging and implements laws to protect minors from being forced to create content for their parents’ benefit.
Many parenting influencers have been called out on TikTok for inappropriate exposure of their children’s lives. The family vlog I’m most aware of that is using their children as actors in their videos is the Labrant family.
Their children, but also children in general, also need protection from online predators
who may only be watching these videos to see the minors, sometimes in vulnerable positions. They have made YouTube videos about their child having a seizure, with images of it happening and in the ambulance. I find it so disturbing that a parent would ever be thinking about making content or taking pictures when their child is in a lifeor-death situation.
I think, in general, the content consumed by our generation has made us more numb, and many of us do think about pulling out our phones in dangerous situations, which should not be our first response.
It also shouldn’t be considered a norm to have young children plastered over the Internet just so their parents can pay the bills.
Kate Beske is a 22-year-old journalism senior from Destrehan, La.
Don’t underestimate manifestation, it could change your life
BODACIOUS BLAIR
BLAIR BERNARD Columnist
I first learned about manifestation in middle school while watching viral wellness videos and Q&As via YouTube in 2016.
Suffice to say, I’ve been interested in manifestation, journaling and affirmations ever since. As the years, generations and trends move on from one to another, manifestation has remained a constant trend and way of life that has consistently become popular.
Over the past few years, I decided to take this philosophy seriously and do my own research. Manifestation is defined as the demonstration, revelation or display of the existence, presence, qualities or nature of some person or thing.
However, the idea of manifesting is up to interpretation,
meaning that the definition itself is all up to you. That’s the beauty of the practice. How you manifest, when you manifest and what you manifest for, you get to define. Different people and different belief systems above all manifestation can be manufactured in a way that benefits your wants and dreams.
The law of attraction is an extension of the manifestation practice. What you project physically, verbally and mentally all come to life.
If you think you haven’t been manifesting all your life, the good news is that you’re wrong. You manifest daily by thinking positively; therefore, your thoughts become your reality.
It’s difficult to just suggest that you change the way you think, but by being more aware of the negative critiques you give yourself and changing those into positives will help improve your attitude. If you’ve ever thought you were having
a bad day and smaller inconveniences keep recurring, it’s not a coincidence; it’s because you attract what you believe in.
People also use manifestation as a tool for actively pursuing dreams and careers. What comes to mind when I think about manifestation and celebrities is a story Jim Carrey speaks about frequently.
Carrey had an internationally successful career in comedic acting. But what most don’t know is that he is a very adamant advocate for manifestation and the law of attraction. Carrey often mentions that before getting his big break, he wrote himself a check for 10 million dollars.
I remember discovering this story while I furthered my research on manifestation, and I thought it was logical and inspiring. My own personal theory concludes that if you choose to pour positivity into others and yourself, you can expect to re -
ceive that back from others and experience a ten-fold.
Some of the ways in which I incorporate manifestation into my daily routine are by putting sticky notes with positive affirmations on my bathroom mirror. I also have a few different journals: one to vent, one to write affirmations and one for gratitude.
I find that as soon as I wake up, I write down in my gratitude journal everything I am looking forward to and grateful for, as if some events have already happened. For example, if I want to get a perfect score on an exam, I write as though it has already come true.
If you take anything helpful from this article, let it be that being intentional in your way of thinking can be seriously rewarded in the long run.
Blair Bernard is a 21-year-old theater performance major from Lafayette, La.
GRAPHIC BY TAYLOR HAMILTON
COURTESY OF AP PHOTO / LYNNE SLADKY, FILE