Discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin is illegal and morally reprehensible • These institutions’ embrace of pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences and other forms of racial discrimination have emanated throughout every facet of academia • Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon “systemic and structural racism” and advanced discriminatory policies and practices • DEI programs, for example, frequently preference certain racial groups and teach students that certain racial groups bear unique moral burdens that others do not • The Department will no longer tolerate the overt and covert racial discrimination that has
D.E.I.
LSU makes sweeping changes to comply with federal order to eliminate DEI programs and content.
SCRUBBED
Scholarships, student orgs and policies affected by federal mandate
BY JASON WILLIS Managing Editor
LSU delivered a report to its Board of Supervisors Friday detailing the university’s efforts to eliminate DEI programming in response to federal orders. Included were the specifics of the university’s changes to financial aid, student organizations and its webpages, among other things.
The Board requested this report in October, and a “dear colleague” letter sent from the U.S. Department of Education in February that threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that maintained DEI programs quickened LSU’s process to comply.
The DOE letter directed schools to eliminate all programs that discriminated “on the basis of race, color, or national origin,” calling such programs “illegal and morally reprehensible.”
LSU said that the report was its best “good faith effort” to comply with the Board and DOE’s requirements. The university said DEI should now only remain on campus “in archival fashion.”
According to the report, LSU has removed all identity-based requirements for its institutional financial aid. For relevant scholarships provided by outside sponsors, LSU has suspended them while it asks donors if they’d prefer to alter their scholarship’s criteria or pull it altogether, the report said.
Minority student organizations at LSU have also been asked to change their advertising to indicate that their clubs are “open to all” to avoid being discriminatory, student leaders told the Reveille.
Sharonda Angelle, the president of the LSU Society of Women Engineers, said the changes go against the purpose of these student organizations to provide a safe space for minority groups on campus.
“I don’t think our clubs are safe, and to be safe we must mask our core values,” Angelle said. “Student orgs shouldn’t be attacked when all we do is service the LSU community.”
LSU’s comprehensive DEI report to the Board of Supervisors included more mention of student organizations having to revise their membership eligibility, such as the LSU Black Student Athlete Association and LSU Women in Business.
Going forward, student fees that go toward student organizations can’t be used for DEI initiatives, the report said.
There’s no indication that minority student organizations are at risk of disbandment. Several student organizations also said their funding wasn’t at risk because it came from outside sources like national organizations or fundraisers.
Another large part of LSU’s compliance efforts was editing or removing webpages with references to DEI. The university instructed senior colleges to review their pages for DEI content, which resulted in the alteration of mission statements and staff bios, among other things.
Though different senior colleges went about the compliance process differently, many faculty and staff said that they weren’t informed of changes to their personal bio pages or other webpages that concerned them.
Geography professor Andrew Sluyter posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Feb. 28 saying LSU deleted a 2022 press release announcing his selection for a Carnegie Fellowship based on his research into racial inequity in higher education.
Though Sluyter told the Reveille he understood that the LSU administration may feel that it has little choice, he was still upset by the decision.
“It’s extremely disturbing and ultimately hurts LSU as a whole rather than me personally,” Sluyter said.
Many other professors around the university agree.
“Censorship does not make our university stronger,” theater professor John Fletcher said. “It does not make education better or more affordable. It weakens our reputation.”
Another webpage affected by the changes was that of the LSU Confidential Supporters under the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX, who serve as a confidential resource for those who’ve experienced sexual or power-based violence. All of the confidential
supporters’ bios were deleted, as some contained references to involvement with diverse campus groups or support of certain causes.
One confidential supporter said the bios were important for victims to find someone they might identify with or with whom they might feel more comfortable sharing.
Todd Manuel, vice president of the Division of Engagement, Civil Rights & Title IX, said the bios were deleted because the office in general is “moving away from bios on our websites unless necessary to the job function.”
Research and curriculum that may cover DEI topics won’t be changed by LSU, according to the report, so long as they aren’t “about the promotion of DEI and fell within the scope of the faculty’s area of expertise.”
Political science professor and Faculty Senate President Daniel Tirone said preserving the independence of research and curriculum was particularly important as it’s “directly related to academic freedom, a core tenet of the university.”
The report didn’t say if any changes had been made at the university’s Women’s Center, LGBTQ+ Center and African American Cultural Center. When reached for comment, the Office of Engagement, Civil Rights & Title IX, which oversees the centers, didn’t say how they’d be affected by the DEI rollbacks.
“The centers will continue to support students through programs, events, and initiatives that focus on leadership development, career readiness and workforce development, first year ex-
perience/college readiness, and health, safety and wellness,” Manuel said.
LSU also ended separate graduation ceremonies for various minority groups. The annual Lavender Graduation for LGBTQ+ students will continue, put on by student organization Spectrum rather than by the university, Spectrum President Inari Owens said.
Several senior college programs identified as DEI have been altered to now be open to all, like the College of Engineering’s Diversity Initiatives Scholars Workshop Series, which will now be the Professional Development Scholarship Workshop. Another example is the College of Human Sciences and Education’s Call Me MISTER program, which was previously meant to attract male and minority teachers and is now “open to all aspiring teachers.”
The Reveille reached out to dozens of professors and administrators who were connected to programs or webpages that could be affected by LSU’s compliance. The majority declined to comment, with several citing concerns about the current political climate.
Though LSU has been focusing on compliance, some in higher education have defied the orders in the “dear colleague” letter. The American Council on Education announced on Feb. 27 that it was joining forces with 60 other higher education associations to call for the letter to be rescinded.
Text from the front cover was pulled from a letter sent by the U.S. Department of Education.
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CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS
The Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or email editor@lsu.edu.
ABOUT THE REVEILLE
The Reveille is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Reveille is free from multiple sites on campus and about 25 sites off campus. To obtain additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall or email studentmedia@ lsu.edu. The Reveille is published biweekly during the fall, spring and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. The Reveille is funded through LSU students’ payments of the Student Media fee.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW PERSCHALL / Louisiiana Illuminator
A sign reading “Louisiana State University” frames the entrance to LSU’s campus Oct. 28, 2022, on Dalrymple Drive.
NEWS
La. seeks to end federal disability protections
BY SHELBY VARGA Staff Writer
Last September, 17 states including Louisiana joined the lawsuit Texas v. Becerra against a new rule added to Section 504 by the Biden administration, asking the court to not only disregard the rule but to eliminate the 504 statute and its regulations completely, claiming the entire law is unconstitutional.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that prevents discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs. The law is why schools have created accommodation plans, referred to as 504 plans, for children with disabilities.
However, Section 504’s regulations cover much more than just schools. Alison Barkoff, health law and policy associate professor and program director at The George Washington University, said that 504 regulations cover all health and human services, ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to healthcare, including services offered to the blind and deaf as well as child welfare systems.
“For more than 40 years, these statues and these regulations have been really critical to fighting discrimination in health care and human services,” Barkoff said.
The new rule was the Biden administration’s attempt to expand discrimination prevention in medical treatment. The rule ensures medical treatment is never biased, especially regarding life-sustaining decisions made by professionals such as organ transplants, blood transfusions and assumptions about a patient’s quality of life.
New regulations would require most doctors’ offices to have an exam table and a weight scale be accessible to those with disabilities within two years. The law also calls for better community integration and web accessibility services for disabled individuals.
Steven Schwartz, senior counsel at the Center for Public Representa-
tion, said that most states are concerned with the cost of compliance with the new rule, particularly for Medicaid or Medicare health services. The lawsuit claims the entire section is arbitrary and invalid because it interferes with states’ discretion in providing disability services.
However, Schwartz said that the preamble of the new rule contains a sentence suggesting gender dysphoria could be considered a disability, potentially increasing access to services like gender-affirming care in the future.
Schwartz clarified the rule itself had no mention of gender dysphoria. Yet, it triggered the initiative to file the lawsuit, and he worries this might cause other civil rights statutes based on race, sex, religion and more to also be overturned.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill supports the state’s participation in the lawsuit, comparing it to those that came up in response to the Title IX expansion under the Biden administration which sought to provide transgender people with additional protections in sports and education.
Howard Rosenblum, chief executive officer of the National Association of the Deaf, defended Section 504, saying it also gives people the right to fight for equal communication. In August 2020, the NAD filed a lawsuit over the White House’s failure to include sign language interpreters during COVID-19 press briefings. The NAD won the case as the Trump Administration had violated Section 504.
Without the statute, cases like the NAD’s, as well as those against FEMA, USDA and transportation services that don’t provide equal access to disabled individuals, will be treated much differently.
One such case that could have been impacted by the elimination of Section 504 is that of Theo Braddy.
Braddy is a quadriplegic who
see 504, page 3
PAY UP
Tuitions and fees will increase in the fall
grams into two tiers.
LSU’s Office of Communications announced upcoming changes to students’ fee bills for the 2025-2026 academic year, including tiered tuition and increased fees.
All students will see an increase of $11.90 per a max of 15 credit hours to their student excellence fee, with a portion of the amount dedicated to the construction of a new learning commons according to an email sent Wednesday evening.
Additionally, the university will now charge undergraduate and graduate students dependent on their major, dividing degree pro -
PHILANTHROPY
“Tier 2” programs, called “highcost” programs, will experience an increase of $8 per credit hour, the email reads. These programs include majors like accounting, computer science and theatre. “Tier 1” programs such as political science, English and mass communication, will not see a tuition increase.
For example, a student enrolled in a Tier 2 program taking 15 credit hours would see a $298.50 increase in their fee bill this fall.
Students in the Center for Freshman Year will not experience tiered tuition increases until they are admitted into their senior colleges. However, UCFY students
will pay an additional $8 per credit hour for “enhanced academic advising services.”
Program-specific increases were made possible by the passage of Act 790, which took effect on Aug. 1.
“These are not actions we take lightly, which is why we have not made changes for the last seven years,” the email reads. “The change to tuition and fees outlined above will ensure you have continued access to world-class faculty mentors, cutting-edge facilities and technology, hands-on learning experiences and internships with top companies, and student success support.”
LSU sponsors week of volunteer work
BY LIV TEES Staff Writer
LSU’s biggest volunteer event of the year, Geaux Big Baton Rouge, is back in full swing this week from Monday to Saturday. For the first time, event organizer Volunteer LSU extended the previous day-long event to an entire week, giving more students opportunities
MARDI GRAS
to serve.
For the past 13 years, Geaux Big was a full day of service opportunities for students to volunteer with local organizations off-campus. However, transportation to and from the event and time availability limited those who could attend.
“We started thinking of ways
we could make it more accessible to the student body,” said staff director of Geaux Big Bri McManus. “We needed to expand on the reach of Geaux Big to hopefully engage more students in ways that can meet their needs.”
McManus, also LSU’s assistant
How New Orleans cleaned up after last week’s Carnival celebrations
BY SHELBY VARGA Staff Writer
As the Mardi Gras season ended and tourists returned home, New Orleans was again tasked with combating the waste the beloved tradition brings.
This Carnival season, the city of New Orleans contracted waste management company IV Waste to clean the streets along the parade route. As the partying died off each day, waste management crews began cleaning up by 5 a.m. Sidney Torres, IV Waste’s president, told the AP that by 10 a.m., the city would be cleaned and ready for another day.
First, waste management teams sprayed the streets down and power washed the trash out of people’s way. Next, the roads were scrubbed, and the waste was bulldozed and removed. Finally, Torres said the streets were covered in a citrusscented spray to reduce the smell.
Leander Nunez, a supervisor for IV Waste, told the AP the amount of waste produced was less than in previous years. He attributed this to the attack on Bourbon on New Year’s Day which sparked safety concerns amongst both tourists and
locals, as well as the storms that prevented parades on Mardi Gras Day.
Still, an estimated 2.5 million pounds of waste are produced from the festivities every year. Over a million visitors, more than three times the city’s population, leave behind anything from plastic beads to beverage containers to even recyclables.
“Every year, Mardi Gras leaves behind more than just memories – it strains Louisiana’s aging infrastructure, clogs storm drains with
sands of pounds of plastic waste and exacerbates wear and tear on streets already battered by time and weather,” said Reid Bruce, a program manager at H2Bravo, a disaster response and recovery organization.
The celebration’s most significant environmental problem continues to be the plastic beads that litter the streets. Many of the beads find their way into storm drains, which can clog drains and result in flood-
thou-
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
The Office of Disability Services sits in Johnston Hall Feb. 27 on Field House Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
see VOLUNTEER, page 4
ALEXIS PERSICKE / The Reveille
Float riders throw March 1 on Spanishtown Street in Baton Rouge, La.
VOLUNTEER, from page 3
director for leadership and civic engagement, joined the university last May and immediately sought a way to connect her background in nonprofit work to the student community.
“Coming into LSU after leaving the nonprofit space gave me a new vision for how we could do service and volunteerism on campus,” McManus said.
Students play a leading role in organizing the event, from the planning period that began in August to connecting with outside nonprofits in need of volunteer help. Jordyn Wilson, a senior broadcast journalism student, is the head of the student board. The board comprises 10 enthusiastic students, most of whom had prior leadership positions.
“Having people passionate about [service] serve on your board makes such a difference and the impact it makes because it allows everyone to have that drive and dedication to make the week what it’s been,” Wilson said.
Volunteer opportunities include food pantry planning, park cleanups and McManus’ personal favorite, writing letters of gratitude to faculty members.
“Faculty and staff are typically seen as the people who serve students, but we also want to express our gratitude as well,” McManus said.
Geaux Big also partnered with student organizations like Bengals in the Wild, the Black Women’s Leadership Association and many more, opening the door to even more students to serve.
“From the student’s point of view there’s a new excitement about being able to have a voice in the service they’re doing actively,” McManus said.
Wilson could not participate in Geaux Big 2024 because she had no transportation to the off-campus organizations. She was an active voice in bringing more service opportunities back to campus.
Service events and volunteering in college can be seen as a chore, with hours required for class grades or Greek life requirements.
The goal of Geaux Big is to be catalysts of community and impactful change, according to McManus.
“If a student is serving and they don’t feel connected to their institution or community, it’s not a win,” McManus said. “It’s less about getting your hours and more about feeling connected.”
LSU offers an overwhelming number of activities many freshmen may find challenging in continuing the hobbies they had in high school. Ma’Ciah Mitchell, a freshman statistics major, completed over 100 hours of service before coming to LSU.
“I had so much fun volunteering for the food pantry and it felt bigger and better than high
504, from page 3
broke his neck playing football, paralyzing him from the neck down since he was 15. Twelve years ago, Braddy had cancer in his leg and was told he was going to have to amputate it.
ing.
In 2018, the mayor of New Orleans ordered the drains be cleaned due to excessive flooding. City workers soon found 93,000 pounds of plastic beads sitting in the city’s storm drains.
However, the problems extend far beyond clogged drains, as the beads pollute waterways and increase exposure to dangerous chemicals. A 2020 report from the Ecology Center found that Mardi Gras beads are made from toxic plastics that have high levels of lead, chlorine and arsenic. The report also provides evidence that these beads are composed of recycled electronic waste that contains flame-retardant chemicals.
Yet, according to the New Orleans Mayor’s Office, Mardi Gras
school,” Mitchell said. “I was doing it all on my own and got to meet some awesome people.”
Mitchell is just one of the 752 students participating in the week-
The doctors told Braddy the surgery shouldn’t be significant since he was already paralyzed, but Braddy said he was so upset with how he was treated and delayed the surgery, only to learn he never needed the amputation and almost lost his leg due to a doctor’s discrimination.
generates $891 million for the city, amounting to over 3% of the city’s annual revenue. And the party doesn’t seem to be slowing down, as hotel and restaurant owners claim this year’s celebration was even bigger than last year.
“Mardi Gras is an incredible economic driver for Louisiana, but we should be ensuring that tax dollars and investment are mitigating the impact that large crowds have on the state so that we can ensure that Mardi Gras continues to attract millions of guests,” Bruce said.
Some strides have been made to reduce the waste Mardi Gras produces. This was the first year the Krewe of Freret stopped using plastic beads entirely. The Krewe used glass beads to prevent throwing what they said could have been 250,000 strands of plastic beads.
Researchers at LSU have also de -
long service event.
Wilson hopes the event will only grow bigger after she graduates.
“Just get excited about volun-
Braddy tells his story as an exemplification for why he believes 504 provisions are necessary and must continue to be enforced.
“The 17 states cannot have the last word on this; we must have the last word, and our stories must be the last word,” Braddy said.
veloped biodegradable Mardi Gras beads that contain flower seeds. Lauren Rodgers, a biology senior on the research team, hopes to have their beads thrown in next year’s parades.
The city’s Office of Resilience & Sustainability has partnered with New Orleans & Company and Grounds Krewe to continue the Recycle Dat! initiative for the third year in a row. The initiative encourages the recycling of aluminum cans, beads and more on parade routes.
Anna Nguyen, the external affairs manager at the Office of Resilience & Sustainability, said the city obtained $50,000 to enhance recycling efforts during this past festival season, and that by next year, the budget would significantly increase as the city plans to keep the good times rolling.
teering,” Wilson said. “It definitely is good practice to have and you learn so much about yourself. There is much good that comes out of it.”
MARDI GRAS, from page 3
ENTERTAINMENT
K-Pop Club faces negative biases
Music, culture and community come together every week at LSU’s K-Pop Club.
The K-Pop Club was founded in 2022 to provide a space for students to bond over their shared appreciation and interest in K-Pop music, allowed members to learn more about Korean culture. Marianna Mickey, junior psychology major and president of the K-Pop Club, recognizes the importance of having a space for students to enjoy K-Pop music and culture.
“It’s definitely a safe space for people,” Mickey said. “We always hope that our members, and even our members’ friends, come and they enjoy themselves. That’s always our goal, to come and have fun in this common space of K-Pop.”
The group meets every Thursday for activities like game night, ramen night, karaoke and anything else K-Pop themed. The club also ends each semester with a potluck where students can bring food they enjoy, whether it be Korean, American or anything else. These potlucks hold a special place in Mickey’s heart.
“I remember looking around and just seeing all these friendships that were made through the club,” Mickey said. “And it’s our very last event of the semester, so it’s almost bittersweet, especially when it comes in the springtime when there’s some seniors that have to go.”
The club also has its own dance team called the Tiger Love Dance Team, which performs cover dances of K-Pop songs at various events, such as Fall Fest, homecoming, Culture Fusion Fest, the Lunar New Year Night Market and other involvement festivals on campus. Many of the members’ favorite memories come from their experiences on the dance team.
“One was when we did ‘Drama’ this year for Divas Live,” Asiya Jones, junior kinesiology major and club historian, said. “We did it in three days. It was a lot of fun. We were at the UREC all night trying to make sure we had the dance down.”
However, the group still faces many challenges and misconceptions. Jones said the biggest misconception about the club and entire fandom is that everyone who likes KPop is a “Koreaboo,” mean-
PICTURE THIS LSU freshman turns lifelong passion into business
Daniel Brandenburg transformed his love of photography into his very own business, spreading joy one photoshoot at a time.
Brandenburg, a freshman film and television major at LSU, started his business DS Photography in October with the idea coming to him after his sister asked him to take pictures for her maternity shoot.
“It was really fun,” Brandenburg said. “I really enjoyed it a lot. And that shoot was really the first time I ever thought about doing that as a business. Something that I love to do, creating my own business through that.”
Since then, Brandenburg has done senior photos, acting headshots, couple shoots and individual portraits, so his portfolio is only growing.
Brandenburg’s affinity for photography extends long before he founded DS Photography. Growing up, he would use his
parents’ camera, but most often he simply used his iPhone. Now in college, Brandenburg applies the lessons and principles he has learned as a film major into his photography.
“A lot of the stuff that applies
to filmmaking also applies to photography, because if you just take a snapshot of a film, it’s in itself photography,” Brandenburg said.
“So there’s different elements that
How Joshua Jones became one of campus’ most involved students
Joshua Jones made history before he even stepped foot onto LSU’s campus.
The LSU junior’s journey to the university began when he became the first African American male to complete his associate’s degree at Bossier Parish Community College in under a year. From there, he decided to pursue his bachelor’s degree in marketing and landed on LSU after visiting the campus.
“I graduated a year early and decided to transfer to LSU, so I could get out of my hometown and explore,” Jones explained. “The first thing that stuck out to me about LSU is how many opportunities there are to get involved on campus.”
Upon his arrival, Jones quickly became acclimated with Communication Across the Curriculum (CxC), an on-campus program that focuses on improving students’ skills in writing, speaking and visual and technological commu-
Theatre Baton Rouge’s last show
What if Greek Gods were real?
Imagine the great beings we tell tales about, the ones who always meddle in the affairs of humans, except they wear leg warmers, roller skates and have the biggest hair possible.
Xanadu is the newest and final musical to hit Theatre Baton Rouge’s stage. Set in the 1980s, the story follows Clio, the Muse of History, as she inspires Sonny Malone, an artist from Venice Beach. Disguised with an Australian accent, Clio ventures to help Sonny with his dream to open a roller disco. Thomas Jackson plays Thalia in the show, the Muse of Comedy.
“Going into the show, I really just like keeping things as lighthearted, and I guess open-minded as possible,” Jackson said. “Then I can continue to find different avenues of comedy and, you know, hit the nail on the head.”
nication. He is also a part of the Distinguished Communicator Program and serves as a Geaux Communicate Ambassador; however, he didn’t stop there.
The LSU junior decided to take things to new heights by expressing interest in LSU Student Government. As a member of the 61st LSU Student Senate, Jones represents the student body in critical decision-making, and his first piece of legislation was signed on Feb. 28. Jones’ desire to expand dining options for students set the precedent for this legislation.
“LSU has a meal swipe exchange program that allows students to exchange one meal swipe for a meal at the Student Union, excluding Panda Express and Chick-Fil-A, if they don’t want to eat what’s being served at the dining halls,” Jones said.
He thought that it would be a good idea to push for the new Tiger Traditions restaurant to be included in this program, so dining options for students can be further expanded. From there, Jones composed the legislation, presented it on the Senate floor, garnered the support of schoolmates and eventually got the bill signed.
“Student Government works for me, but it may not work for
It was recently announced that the 79-year-old theatre in Baton Rouge, located at 7155 Florida Blvd, will be closing after Xanadu’s last performance, making this play the theatre’s last one. The leading cause was lack of funds and the rise in how expensive it is to produce theatre.
Jackson began performing at Theatre Baton Rouge in 2015 at just 16 years old. This was the place where he found himself as a teenager and into his early adult life. Theatre became his passion once he arrived at Theatre Baton Rouge.
“Getting to be a part of the show is kind of bittersweet I guess, but the sweetness is hard to find,” Jackson shared. “I feel so privileged to have ended up in this cast, and I wouldn’t have it any other way as far as being involved in TBR’s last hoorah.”
Don Fields, a junior theatre major, plays Sonny. Fields did not know anything about the play until his friend Kamryn Hecker, who plays Clio, asked him to audition. Fields described the show as extremely camp.
“It is roller disco, over the top, stupid lines-camp,” Fields said. “It’s an unapologetic movie-musical adaptation presented with a bit of Shakespearean grandness.”
Fields explained the history behind Xanadu, with the film originally being released in 1980. It flopped at the box office, but like with all cult classics, it eventually found its audience. In 2007, the musical adaptation rolled
BY LAURA ALLEN Staff Writer
BY LAURA ALLEN Staff Writer
PHOTO COURTESY OF DS PHOTOGRAPHY
LSU senior pictures taken by Daniel Brandenburg in Baton Rouge, La.
COURSTESY OF JOSHUA JONES
Joshua Jones, LSU junior majoring in marketing.
BY ARIS WILLIAMS Staff Writer
BY SARAH WALTON Staff Writer
SCULPTURE
SCENES
IN BR
Check out these sculptures in downtown Baton Rouge.
PHOTOS BY PAYTON PRICHARD
The Sing the River Sculpture shines March 9 on River Road.
A statue of Christopher Columbus sits in Columbus Plaza March 9 on River Road.
A dog sculpture made out of stainless-steel pet bowls stands outside of LSU School of Veterinary Medicine March 9 on Skip Bertman Drive.
Ivan Mestrovic’s Girl Playing the Cello statue sits in the River Center plaza March 9 on River Road.
Frank Hayden’s Oliver Pollock monument sits in Galvez plaza March 9 on North Boulevard.
Vito Di Bari’s In Our Hands sits outside of LSU School of Veterinary Medicine March 9 on Skip Bertman Drive.
SPREAD BY RILEY WHITE
Arthur Silverman’s Martin Luther King Jr. memorial towers over the River Center plaza March 9 on River Road.
DANIEL, from page 5
that I’ll learn in production or cinema language that can apply to photography.”
Still, running a business by himself can prove challenging at times. Brandenburg takes his responsibility to execute his clients’ visions seriously, but making sure every single photo is perfect can be daunting.
“The biggest challenge for me is that I am kind of a perfectionist,” Brandenburg said. “I like all my work to be my best work, and so I can be hard on myself sometimes.”
On top of his business, Brandenburg is a full-time student, a video intern at Regina Caeli Acad-
JOSHUA, from page 5
someone else,” Jones said. “Others may prefer engaging in community service or joining an intramural sports team at UREC. My suggestion is to attend events such as Bengal Bound, Involvement Fest and checking out the TigerLink. These are some of the best resources on ways to get involved on campus.”
Many students associate Jones with his school spirit and recognize him as a familiar fan at LSU
K-POP, from page 5
son obsessed with KPop who exhibits parasocial relationships with idols and shows little interest in anything else.
“This is honestly a big misconception I feel like people have,” Jones said. “If you talk to us outside of the club, we’re actual people instead of just somebody obsessed with this one thing.”
These misconceptions can make it hard to gain members or get the word out about the club. Mickey said that people often give
XANADU, from page 5
onto broadway, not only parodying that film, but others like it, especially the “Clash of Titans.”
The first show that Fields participated in at Theatre Baton Rouge was “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” He said it’s a shame to see the theatre go, since it’s one of the few musical theatre venues in Baton Rouge that offers this type of experience.
“Theatre Baton Rouge is my home away from home, and I’m devastated that it’s closing,” Fields said. “I am very, very honored to be the closing leading man. That’s not something I ever imagined. It’s bittersweet for a place that has given me so much, in terms of community and opportunity.”
Fields and the rest of the cast and crew have a bittersweet relationship with being involved in Theatre Baton Rouge’s last show. The cast is approaching the performance with excitement, with hopes of putting on the best show possible to close out this cultural center that has meant so much to many people in Baton Rouge.
“When you come to Xanadu, know whether you’re new to TBR
emy and a cast member at Petite Princess Company. He also participates in local theatrical productions, whether it be through a community theater like the Christian Community Theater or a club-sponsored show through LSU’s Musical Theatre Club.
Despite his perfectionism and busy schedule, Brandenburg is passionate about photography and is grateful to have the opportunity to capture his client’s special moments. After editing the pictures and putting them into a Google Drive, Brandenburg sends the completed shoot to his clients, looking forward to their reaction.
“It’s really exciting, because I’ll send it to them and they’ll give
Athletics events. He often showcases his enthusiasm for university sports programs via social media and his various TV appearances while attending games.
Jones’ journey as a transfer is one of many that typically go overlooked. He is a shining example of what can be achieved at LSU, when students put their best foot forward to let their voice be heard.
Jones’ next venture will be serving as a Bengal Bound Orientation leader later this semes -
them weird looks or make offhanded comments whenever they talk about K-Pop, making it difficult for the club to be taken seriously. Despite the misunderstandings the club faces, the valuable memories and sense of community the K-Pop Club creates is immeasurable.
“I would say it doesn’t really matter if you don’t speak a different language,” sophomore marketing major and club treasurer Talise Beverly said. “I feel like music is universal. It just transcends everything.”
or whether you’re a season subscriber, that this has transformed from a production of Xanadu, to a love letter from all of us,” Fields said.
me feedback, saying, ‘I love these pictures. They’re really good,’ or ‘can you fix this?’” Brandenburg said. “And that’s really rewarding to me, just having other people appreciate the creative work that I do.”
DS Photography is still in its early stages, but Brandeburg hopes to see it continue to grow over the upcoming years. Once his business is more established, Brandenburg plans on doing bigger events like weddings and expanding into videography as well. Still, he is content to take things one step at a time.
More information about DS Photography can be found on instagram @danielsebastianphotography.
ter, and he’s elated to be assisting incoming students in their transition to university life. When asked what advice he has for students who will come to LSU with similar circumstances as him, he said that trial and error is key.
“There’s something for you at LSU,” Jones said. “You just have to find your own place. Try things out and see what works for you.
To keep up with Joshua Jones’ story and his journey at LSU, you can follow him on Instagram @ joshuaaajoness.
Mickey echoed this sentiment, explaining how she always leaves the club meetings feeling happy and rejuvenated. She also said how much she loves seeing other people experience the joy that comes with such a community.
“I would say a good reward is also seeing other people in our meetings enjoy themselves, have fun and just really be who they are,” Mickey said.
The club meets Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Union. More information can be found on the club’s website here.
Xanadu will run at Theatre Baton Rouge from March 7th to 23rd. Tickets to the three weekends of performances are available on the Theatre Baton Rouge website.
Zawistowski
PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKIE HAXTHAUSEN Xanadu Poster. Kamryn Hecker as Kira.
SPORTS THE END
What’s next for LSU men’s basketball after early SEC Tournament exit?
BY ETHAN STENGER Sports Editor
Just like that, it’s over.
On Wednesday night, No. 15 seed LSU was eliminated from the SEC Tournament by No. 10 seed Mississippi State, 91-62. With its loss came the end of any NCAA Tournament chances.
After an 11-2 start, the Tigers ended the year with a 14-18 record, wrapping up conference play with a 3-19 record and finishing dead last in the SEC with a six-game losing streak.
LSU will miss the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year under head coach Matt McMahon this March. It feels like a time when questions about the head coach’s job security would regularly be asked, but not this season in Baton Rouge.
The Tigers will likely roll with McMahon in year four of the rebuild, opting to invest more NIL money into the program, according to On3.
So what does the program’s future look like with McMahon firmly in the driver’s seat for year four?
Juniors Jalen Reed, Tyrell Ward and Noah Boyde haven’t seen much of the floor this season, with Reed sidelined with a torn ACL he suffered against Florida State and Ward stepping away from the team prior to the season.
Mike Williams is the team’s only sophomore and returned to the rotation as the season drew on.
However, it was the freshmen that Tiger fans should be excited about.
Robert Miller, Vyctorius Miller, Corey Chest and Curtis Givens contributed to McMahon’s rotation. Their emergence will give LSU the pieces it needs to replenish after it loses four (po -
see WHAT’S NEXT, page 11
RECRUITMENT
LSU Athletics launches brand-building program
BY GORDON CRAWFORD Staff Writer
On Monday, the LSU Athletics department announced the launch of The Brand, a new department consolidating the creative units within the university’s athletic department and NILSU.
While LSU has already established itself as one of the most well-known college brands in the country, with a star-studded lineup of alumni, The Brand represents a new push to maximize the potential power of the LSU identity in attracting toptier talent.
The Brand emphasizes three main qualities for LSU’s image: authenticity, aggression, and confidence.
“Authenticity is the priority,” said Zach Greenwell, LSU’s Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs who oversees its brand building and messaging. “We aren’t trying to manufacture any new image. We want to take what’s already there and make it the best version of itself. We are aggressive but competent. We believe in what we’re doing. We aren’t arrogant or cocky, but confident.”
Even the name itself reflects the confident mindset that LSU athletics holds about its brand power.
“We went back and forth on a lot of ideas, and none were bad, but we kept coming back to the fact that when people think of
LSU, they think of how powerful our brand is,” Greenwell said. “So, we knew we wanted to include ‘brand’ in the name, and eventually, it clicked when someone said that LSU wasn’t just one of the premier brands in college sports. It is the premier brand. So, we kept it simple and called it ‘The Brand.’”
One of the most prominent aspects of The Brand is the newly renovated space in Tiger Stadium. Its walls feature colorful graphics, with the faces of Tiger legends peppered throughout, including an entire wall for Shaquille O’Neal. The space includes a new photography studio, podcast studio and offices.
“It all has a wow factor depending on what part of the story you’re telling,” Greenwell said. “Each wall tells a story. If you’re standing outside the communications office, you’ll see interviews with student-athletes or images of them on College Gameday, showing the impact of the communications department. Go down to marketing, which has a graphic with billboards highlighting every sport, and you can see how the graphic design department can create a really special story.”
In telling those stories, The Brand wants to portray athletes as authentically as possible. The goal is to provide athletes with the platform and resources to thrive while being themselves
see RECRUITING, page 11
Olivia Dunne responds to criticism over taking a fifth year
BY GABBY GRAY Staff Writer
LSU graduate Olivia Dunne has been criticized for her decision to return to college gymnastics for a fifth year almost all season. Recently, she responded.
In a TikTok posted to her account last night, Dunne responded to a comment left on a previous video capturing LSU gymnastics’ senior night ceremony, where she reflected on her time alongside her teammates.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be a senior for the next 10 years,” TikTok user Clayton Bigsby’s comment read.
Dunne replied with a video explaining that she was granted a fifth year at LSU after the COVID-19 pandemic and decided to take it, expressing that she doesn’t understand why her choice is difficult for others to grasp.
In 2020, the NCAA decided that Division I universities may offer its athletes a fifth year of
eligibility if their spring seasons were shortened by the worldwide pandemic, with many athletes taking advantage of it.
“I only ever see this comment on female athletes’ posts,” Dunne said. “Football and basketball players redshirt and take fifth years all the time.”
Another college athlete who’s taken a fifth-year season due to the pandemic is UNC men’s basketball’s RJ Davis, who received praise after announcing his decision to continue to play for his university last year on Instagram.
“Great Day to be a Tarheel Fan,” one of over 1,500 comments read.
When Dunne announced her return to LSU gymnastics in a similar post, some responses in the comment section struck a different tone.
“Def because she makes millions from NIL and won’t kiss that goodbye prematurely,” an Instagram user commented.
Dunne has continued to receive this kind of criticism
throughout the year and took time to mention LSU’s returning redshirt quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, in her response.
“The starting quarterback of LSU football is coming back for a fifth year,” she said in last night’s video. “This comment is nowhere to be found on his account.”
Many TikTok users commented on Dunne’s distinction of this negative feedback between male and female athletes returning for a fifth year, arguing that they criticize male athletes as much as they do female ones.
“Stetson Bennett was getting flamed 2 years ago wym?” one user said, evoking a response in a comment from the gymnast.
“‘I’m 22 he was 24/25,” Dunne responded in a comment. “Good for him coming back and balling out tho lol.”
She also acknowledged another audience in her video –one that feels she only returned for the money involved in her career – clarifying that she gave up
her scholarship to return for her fifth year.
While none of the LSU gymnastics team has made an official response to Dunne’s video,
former all-around LSU gymnast and current LSU special assistant Savannah Schoenherr left a comment on the TikTok reading, “Period Liv.”
MALEAH BOURGEOIS / The Reveille LSU gymnastics graduate student Olivia Dunne finishes her floor routine durinig LSU’s 197.550-197.450 win against the Florida Gators on Jan. 17 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
JAMAR HOWARD / The Reveille LSU senior guard Jordan Sears gameplans with his teammates during the game against Texas on Feb. 1 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Men’s basketball falls in SEC Tournament’s opening round
BY TRE ALLEN Staff Writer
As the clock winds down, jerseys become untucked. For some LSU players, it’s their last time playing basketball in college.
The Tigers entered the SEC tournament as a 15-seed out of 16 teams, hoping to create some madness to keep their season alive by defeating 10-seed Mississippi State.
It was a sour ending for LSU, as the game seemed over by halftime. The Tigers only scored 24 points while shooting 8-for-26 (30.8%) from the field and had nine turnovers.
Amid those 24 points in the first half, LSU went through a scoring drought like no other. The last field goal in the first half came from a Jordan Sears 3-pointer at the 10:04 mark. The Tigers failed to score from the field for the rest of the frame.
A few LSU free throws made it less of an eyesore, but the damage was already done.
Unfortunately, that has been a major part of the Tigers’ identity this season. They’ve gone through long scoring droughts every game that’s ruined their chances of winning.
The Bulldogs are also to credit for the stifled LSU offense. Mississippi State head coach Chris
Jans made it a point of emphasis to strengthen their defensive effort, and the team did.
The hard-nosed Bulldog defense held the Tigers to shoot 22for-56 (39.3%) from the field and 5-for-26 (19.2%) from downtown.
LSU guard Cam Carter wanted to make a statement against
his former team but did not have the performance he wanted in what could potentially be his final collegiate game. The leading scorer for the Tigers this season finished the game with only 13 points while shooting 4-for-12 (33%) from the field and 2-for7 (28.5) from the 3-point line.
Carter also led the team in turnovers, coughing up the ball seven times.
The other side to LSU’s identity is that it’ll play hard until the clock ends.
Down by 20 coming out of halftime, the Tigers turned up their pressure and tried to make
it a game. They forced turnovers, got better shots and even trimmed the lead to 11 with 15 minutes to play.
The catalyst of the fight and determination for the Tigers was Sears. The senior guard did everything he could to prevent his college career from ending in the conference tournament’s first round, as he finished the game with 20 points, four rebounds and five steals.
During a timeout, Sears was shown in the huddle saying, “There’s a lot of game left,” hoping to encourage his team to a late comeback, but that’s as close as it got for LSU.
While LSU did not simply put their tails between their legs and give up, it had no answers for Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs’ Josh Hubbard has shown the ability to explode for a scoring barrage at any given time, and he did that.
Hubbard finished the game with 26 points, scoring 16 in the first half. The talented sophomore went 9-for-19 (47.3%) from the field and 6-for-12 (50%) from the three-point line. Mississippi State swiftly ended LSU’s season, 91-62.
The Tigers now look to prepare for next season and leave this disappointing season in the past.
The biggest questions about LSU baseball so far this season
BY MARTY SULLIVAN Staff Writer BASEBALL
LSU baseball begins SEC play against Missouri on Friday night at Alex Box Stadium. Having only played one ranked opponent so far, it’s unclear how much of the Tigers’ dominance will transfer to in-conference play.
Here are the biggest questions entering the weekend: Will the dominant offense continue?
Anyone can tell you that the Tigers offense has been dominant.
In the national rankings, LSU is third in batting average, fourth in hits, fifth in on-base percentage and sixth in runs. It’s mercy ruled each of its last three separate opponents and five teams in total this season.
The Tigers have scored double digits in 12 of their 18 games this season, including seven of their last eight. They tallied a season-high of 18 runs on Tuesday against Xavier.
Josh Pearson, Jared Jones, Daniel Dickinson and Derek Curiel all have an on-base percentage over .500.
After a few lapses in collective offense, namely their sole loss to Omaha, things seemed to turn around entirely. Much of that was powered by Steven Milam’s return to elite play.
Jake Brown and Milam both
have a .391 batting average with just two strikeouts each on the season. Contact is all but promised with them in the lineup.
The arms they face will be of another caliber but the depth and talent of this batting order is likely the strength of this team. Could the bullpen be an Achilles’ heel?
Names like Casan Evans, Williams Schmidt and Zac Cowan have been instrumental to maintaining LSU at D1 Baseball’s No. 1 rank. The top of the relief staff have consistently proven an ability to perform in the most highpressure situations.
The Tigers only loss came from a catastrophic seventh-inning collapse by Connor Benge and Grant Fontenot. They hit three batters, walked one, had a throwing error and gave up two hits, one being a home run.
DJ Primeaux has had a few shaky appearances, allowing three against Kansas State and a short-lived appearance against NDSU.
LSU nearly lost its second game of the season to the Bison after the bullpen was unable to help out a struggling Conner Ware. Five free bases were awarded and four runs were added on by five different relievers.
With reliable starters and a flashy offense, it seems the biggest vulnerability would be the stretches of the bullpen. The
eventual return of Gavin Guidry could dramatically benefit the situation.
How dominant can the starting rotation be?
Kade Anderson, Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores have been reliable and consistent in nearly every start this season.
Last weekend, Anderson and Eyanson combined for 13 innings pitched across two games, allowing six hits and three runs while striking out 26 batters. That kind of performance
inspires significant optimism before entering the heat of the schedule.
Anderson currently has a 2.08 ERA, 37 strikeouts and a .189 batting average allowed. He ranks 10th in Division I in strikeouts.
Eyanson has a 3.00 ERA, 35 strikeouts and a .186 batting average allowed.
Shores has a 3.15 ERA, 22 strikeouts and a .286 batting average allowed. He has not performed to the same level as
his fellow starters, allowing as many hits as he has strikeouts. That includes nine hits allowed Sunday against North Alabama.
As a team, LSU is fifth in hits allowed per nine innings and sixth in strikeouts per nine innings as a team.
A team with seemingly merciless offense is afforded a larger margin of error in most games. But against top SEC opponents like Tennessee what the starting rotation is able to bring will define the outcome of many games.
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
LSU baseball players smile with junior first-baseman Jared Jones (22) after LSU’s 13-3 mercy-rule win against North Dakota State on March 5 at Alex Box Stadium.
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
LSU men’s basketball graduate student guard Dji Bailey (4) goes for a point during LSU’s 66-52 loss to Texas A&M on March 8 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.
WHAT’S NEXT, from page 9 tentially five) seniors.
Of the five seniors, Jordan Sears, Dji Bailey, Derek Fountain and Trace Young said their goodbyes on senior day against Texas A&M. The fifth, Cam Carter could return to the Bayou with a fifth year of eligibility.
scoring this year with 16.5 points per game on 42.8% shooting this season. Retaining their leading scorer will be a key domino that the Tigers hope will fall their way.
four-star guards looking to fill the hole left by Sears, who averaged 12 points per game on 37.6% shooting as the Tigers’ starting point guard.
LSU has also had three incoming recruits sign letters of intent: Mazi Mosley, Jalen Reece and Matt Gihool. All three are within the top 90 national recruits, 12 at their position and the top 16 at their position.
Mosley’s size makes him a pretty intriguing prospect. He’s raw, only making 28% of his threes this past season, but with the proper development, he could become a dangerous playmaker.
shoots a good 3-ball at 34% and hits 70% from the free-throw line. Reece also proved himself as a capable playmaker, averaging 4.4 assists with only 2.1 turnovers per game.
However, Gihool has the potential to make the most significant impact.
this year.
Gihool shot 58% from the field this past season while shooting 31% on his 3-pointers with less than two attempts per game. His signing could start fixing the Tigers’ frequent woes down low that plagued them this season.
Carter, the Kansas State transfer, has made an instant impact in his first year in purple and gold. He has led LSU in
However, until next fall, it will be up to McMahon and his staff to recruit the best men’s basketball roster that LSU can put together. Thursday, March 13, 2025
RECRUITING, from page 9 truly.
“It would be very easy for us to box them into some kind of LSU image, but we instead want their personality to shine through, and we lean into that and try to bring it to a new level,” Greenwell said. “That’s why we have so many iconic individual brands amongst our alumni.”
The opportunity to build a strong individual brand is drawing in some big names. USA Today ranked the Tigers as the top college football team in transfer portal success, with the addition of No. 1-rated edge rusher Patrick Payton in December as a crowning offseason achievement.
“We wanted to establish a campaign for the power of our brands,” Greenwell said. “Our
Mosley and Reece are both
athletes and alumni are always popping up in the news with the things that they do. We wanted to be able to tie that back to our sports and leverage the power of that.”
However, “The Brand” isn’t just about setting athletes up for immediate success at LSU.
Another significant element is allowing athletes to develop themselves and learn skills that will help them succeed beyond college athletics. Besides helping athletes by providing physical resources, they seek to teach them communication skills and help them become more confident individuals.
“Sometimes athletes come in with their own brand and persona, like Flau’jae Johnson,” Greenwell said. “Other times, you have someone like Shaq, who struggled with pub -
Reece is smaller but more defined in terms of his size. He
lic speaking when he came here but is now a media mogul. I’ve had athletes who could barely look you in the eye or form sentences on camera who can now do solo interviews or hour-long podcasts. That part, helping them transform, is the best part of The Brand.”
With other colleges like Alabama and Ohio State having heavily invested in their brand departments in recent years, LSU hopes to thrive in the new era by taking a holistic and comprehensive approach to brandbuilding.
“We want to be on the forefront and not just have stuff come to us,” Greenwell said. “The administration knows how important this is. Everyone from the top down knows that we have to push our brand; it’s about winning championships.”
Standing at 6-foot-10, 205 pounds, Gihool can make waves inside for LSU. His height will make him the second-tallest on the team, and he only turns 19
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
LSU football players hold up the L sign during the alma mater Nov. 24 after LSU’s 217;s 24-17 win against Vanderbilt at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La
OPINION
Relieve yourself of the pressure to have the perfect birthday
AVA’S POV
AVA FRANCIS
Columnist
It’s not just another day; it’s your birthday. The one day of the year where eating cake for breakfast is appropriate. It’s socially acceptable for individuals to act like the world does, in fact, revolve around them, and establishments are handing out freebies like Oprah used to hand out cars. We all have one, but do we all love celebrating it?
Just like most things, it seems as if birthdays become more complicated as the candles on the cake increase. Growing up, my birthday felt like a national holiday, all thanks to the-hostesswith the-mostest party extraordinaire herself, my mother. The bar is set pretty high when it comes to my big day. My 22nd birthday is right around the corner, so it’s only natural for me to highlight one of my most memorable parties from my childhood.
When I turned 6 years old, I had a pajama party at one of my favorite places growing up, a kids spa that hosted parties with themes like fashion runway, pop star and perfect princess. This iconic establishment is known as “Sweet and Sassy.” Only a few still exist today, some in Texas,
NICK WAGNER / AP via The Austin American-Statesman
Julianna Titus eyes her birthday cake during her open-invite birthday party at We Rock the Spectrum on Aug. 25, 2019, in Austin, Texas
Arizona and Missouri, just to name a few places.
I attended more parties than I can count at this dreamy wonderland, so it was no surprise that I wanted to host my own there. I opted for the spa-tacular theme where my friends and I would enjoy a night of pedicures, facials, makeovers and karaoke at the famous Sweet and Sassy runway.
The party took place after hours, once it was closed to the public, giving my guests a real VIP experience. What a time to
be alive. Everyone attending wore their favorite Hannah Montana, High School Musical or Camp Rock pajamas.
I’m sure we all have at least one birthday from our adolescence that makes us giddy. I like to feel that type of joy no matter what age I’m turning, and you can too.
“Birthday blues” has become a popular term due to feelings of melancholy that many unfortunately experience on a day that is supposed to be the complete op -
posite. But I say don’t give into that side of the Internet; the only thing blue I will accept on my birthday is a Tiffany’s box.
Nevertheless, social media has tried to influence an entire generation of people into thinking that if you’re not on an over-the-top birthday trip or at a dinner with 40 of your closest friends, your birthday is a flop.
Don’t be fooled by what you see on your timeline. Your birthday can be whatever you want it to be.
While trips and large dinner parties are acceptable, they aren’t necessary. As long as you’re happy, indulging in your favorite food and treats and surrounded by the ones you love most, it’s a day well spent.
I love birthdays, always have, always will, whether I’m boating on Lake Travis with my family or out and about with my best friend, drinking birthday matcha. It’s the little things I enjoy the most.
I’ve noticed that birthdays are acknowledged less by fewer and much smaller circles when we reach a certain age, which is sad but true. Nowadays, people send a birthday text, sometimes drop a comment on an Instagram post commemorating the day, if that, not even a phone call.
As long as you’re making another trip around the sun, your
birthday should definitely be recognized, but maybe it’s time to stop relying on the people around us solely to make our day special.
While surprises, brunches or even the smallest gesture are appreciated, they shouldn’t be expected. Just in case your friends or family don’t pull through, it doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a day or what I like to call a birthday season full of fun.
Your birthday is a great time to cash in those holiday gift cards you have stashed away in a drawer. Get pampered at the spa, try a new workout class like pilates or barre, experience live music — the possibilities are endless.
If you want to be spontaneous, go for it; if you want to be low-key, that’s fine, as long as you remove the pressures of how society views the perfect festivities for birthdays.
A birthday is not meant to be treated as a time to reflect on everything you haven’t done or accomplished but all that you have to look forward to and what you’re grateful for presently. Whether you’re turning 22, 40 or 70, I promise there’s still a lot of life worth exploring.
Choose birthday bliss over birthday blues.
Ava Francis is a 21-year-old journalism major from New Orleans residing in Texas.
End street racing: This immature hobby takes too many lives
AMYRI JONES
Columnist
As the ownership of Hellcats and SRTs spread, so did my annoyance with the popular hobby of street racing. Of course, not all drivers of fast cars partake in such a careless activity, but unfortunately, many do.
In fact, I presume that a lot of people who choose those kinds of cars do so for street racing, or maybe street racing is one of a few reasons. Either way, we need to crack down on it.
There are many reasons why I dislike street racing. For one, street racers illegally block off traffic so they can huddle and watch each other drift their cars and make donuts.
Mind you, these are grown
EDITORIAL BOARD
men and women cheering on each other’s recklessness for clout. Meanwhile, there are adults out there that are “adulting” — working, running errands and taking care of their families — instead of living out their “Fast & Furious” fantasies on a weekday.
Imagine being on your way home from work when, suddenly, you come across a herd of erratic adults cheering on other adults as they hang out of windows of moving cars, spin donuts in the middle of the street or block off the road you need to get home, so that they can drive well over the speed limit for $1000 and a shoutout on some street racing fan page. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds.
Another reason I dislike street racers is because of how dangerous the drivers’ behaviors are. Not only could they get themselves injured or killed, but they also put
innocent people at risk, like in the murder of Sherell Weston.
The street racer and murderer, Darrien Rogers, was driving more than 100 mph when he crashed into Weston’s vehicle. He was associated with the notorious Baton Rouge street racing group called the Highway Demons, a fitting name for the world’s biggest losers.
Unfortunately, Rogers only received an eighth of the maximum sentence for manslaughter. Instead of serving 40 years, he’ll only serve five.
The Baton Rouge Police Department has spoken about cracking down on street racers, threatening to impound cars and arrest people, but clearly, that isn’t working because it’s still happening.
I think people need to do some serious self-reflection and stop seeking validation from the lamest and most apathetic indi-
viduals on the planet. In reality, people who are entertained by this nonsense are just desperate to be accepted, even if it’s at the expense of their own life or someone else’s.
So, all jokes aside, street racing isn’t funny. It’s scary and sad.
Hopefully, more people will start to speak up about it because if not, more innocent lives could be taken.
Editorial Policies and Procedures
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.
Quote of the Week
“You really don’t find too many good people. You really don’t. Keep them around.”
Amyri Jones is a 23-year-old digital advertising and religious studies senior from Baton Rouge, La.
THOMAS PEIPERT / AP Photo
A driver warms up before a race at Bandimere Speedway west of Denver on May 5, 2021.
Colin Falcon Editor in Chief Managing Editor Jason Willis
Sports Editor Ethan Stenger Oliver Butcher News Editor
