YOUR CALL
Four campaigns will face off in Student Government elections. Learn more about what you’re voting for here
Read on page 2
MEET THE CAMPAIGNS
SG elections are Thursday and Friday. See who’s on the ballot here
Lavar Henderson & Abry
BY AIDAN ANTHAUME Staff Writer
ELECTIONS
Lavar Henderson and Abry Layrisson of the HendersonLayrisson ticket are running for student body president and vice president on a platform focused on practical changes to improve accessibility, enhance student resources and make campus life more efficient.
The Reveille sat down with Henderson and Layrisson to delve into their backgrounds,
motivations and plans for the university.
Getting to know the candidates
Henderson, a junior from Houma, is majoring in political communication and actively involved in student leadership, believing LSU has untapped potential that student government can help realize.
His experience in the Student Senate has shaped his vision for a more efficient and accessible SG.
Layrisson
“I’m running for student body president because I believe in our campus’s potential,” Henderson said. “I really do believe that there are some issues that have been neglected for the past couple of years that I think we should address.”
Layrisson, a junior majoring in political communication from Ponchatoula, shares a deep connection to LSU and a drive to make meaningful changes in students’ lives. For her, LSU is a home away from home.
“LSU has always felt like home to me, and through my leadership experiences, I’ve seen firsthand the potential for positive change,” Layrisson said. “I really want to ensure that every student has the resources, support and opportunities they need to thrive in every field of life.”
Together their ticket has 53 candidates supported by 35 staff members.
see HENDERSON-LAYRISSON, page 3
Alex Foret & Isabelle Tatman
BY LIV TEES Staff Writer
Alex Foret and Isabelle Tatman of the Foret-Tatman: Forward ticket are running for student body president and vice president on a platform of implementing positive change by making every student’s voice heard, an approach rooted in advocating for students and solving their problems – big or small.
The dean of students reinstated the campaign Sunday
after Student Government’s Judicial Branch disqualified them last month for alleged bribery. Foret and Tatman continued to post on their social media during this time and said the setback only affirms their dedication to serving the student body.
“I think this shows resilience, that we are not in it for ourselves,” Tatman said. “It would have been so easy for us to drop out. But I think us staying strong says a lot about what we’ll do in office.
We won’t give up when times are tough.”
The campaign has seen increased attention this week as reports have shown state senators Alan Seabaugh and Gregory Miller wrote in support of their reinstatement, a fact Foret dismissed at the multicultural debate Wednesday.
“Just because Sen. Seabaugh may have sent an amicus brief to the student court that has nothing to do with me. I am not backed by him,
I do not associate myself with him. I’m Alex Foret and I am going to do what I think is right,” Foret said. Foret and Tatman adamantly defended themselves after their disqualification, saying in an Instagram video the challenge didn’t break the campaign’s spirit.
“Do we want to be a Student Government that includes people, or one that kicks them out before their
see FORET-TATMAN, page 4
Hamo0d Qureshi & Page Gray
BY MORGAN VANNOSDALL Staff Writer
Hamood Qureshi and Page Gray are running for student body president and vice president as the Forward ticket. The pair’s platform prioritizes advocating for the student body and establishing a sense of community on campus.
Getting to know the candidates
Qureshi is a chemical engineering senior with a minor
in chemistry from Lafayette.
Gray is an economics senior with a political science minor from Crowley.
Both have an extensive history of involvement with Student Government throughout their time at LSU, and both are involved with the Honors College and its Louisiana Service and Leadership program.
“I really want to give back to the LSU community that I know has helped both of us really flourish, grow and
prosper,” Qureshi said.
Along with Qureshi and Gray, the third and only other person on Forward’s ticket is the campaign manager, John Michael Sweat, a political science, sociology and biology senior. Sweat ran for student body president last year.
Purpose
Forward is seeking to advocate for LSU students amidst the changing political landscape of LSU’s campus and the country at large. Qureshi said he’s witnessed
these changes firsthand and wants to be able to help guide students through navigating this experience.
“There is a lot of stuff happening nationwide and on this campus, and I think it is very important to help students be prepared for that change,” he said.
The campaign wants to help provide the resources students may need to make them feel comfortable and
see QURESHI-GRAY, page 4
Kelsey Womack & Emma Miller
BY COURTNEY BELL Deputy News Editor
Kelsey Womack and Emma Miller of the Unite ticket are running for student body president and vice president on a platform focused on personability, advocacy, cooperation and the color pink.
Getting to know the candidates Womack is a political communication junior minoring in political science, and
she currently serves as the chair of the Student Senate’s Campus Affairs and Sustainability Committee. She’s also on the leadership team for campus tour guides and serves as president of BridgeLSU. She said these positions have prepared her to listen to and connect with students and staff should she win.
Miller is also in the Senate, having served as vice chair of the Student Life, Diversity and Community
Outreach Committee for the past two semesters. A political science junior minoring in sociology, she’s also in LSU’s chapter of Alpha Delta Pi. Additionally, Miller works in the university’s Office of Communications and at an off-campus restaurant.
Purpose The campaign hopes to connect campus through conversation and stand out from past campaigns, with Miller picking the title “Unite” and Womack pick-
ing the color pink to do so. The pair said Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” epitomizes their campaign, which is why they used it in their campaign announcement.
“Yes, we can advocate for students,” Miller said. “But I want to empower students to advocate for themselves too, and I feel like that song – it gets you going. It’s like a rally cry. I want people to all come together and unite for
see WOMACK-MILLER, page 4
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GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
STUDENT
HENDERSON-LAYRISSON, from page 2
Purpose
Aiming to make every student feel “all in,” the Henderson-Layrisson ticket is promoting its “Student First Agenda” as a comprehensive plan rooted in three core values: tradition, community and character.
“The job for us isn’t really just something to go on the resume,” Henderson said. “We’re in it because we’re all in for every single student. We’re in it because we’re experienced. We’re in
it because we genuinely just care about this student body.”
Hoping to prioritize student concerns, the two have shaped their campaign to address everyday challenges that LSU students face.
“We really just want to ensure that every student’s voice is heard and that our platform reflects real students’ needs,” Layrisson said. “We’re very excited to talk to everyone. We want to reach all students.”
Goals Accessibility
A key focus of their campaign is expanding
resources for students with disabilities to create a more inclusive and accessible campus. As someone who has relied on LSU’s disability services, Layrisson is especially committed to improving support for students.
“A big thing that I’m focused on is expanding note-taking services, so bringing back the volunteer note-taking services and just making sure that every building on campus is accessible to all students,”
see HENDERSON-LAYRISSON, page 4
FORET-TATMAN, from page 2
name is even on the ballot over fraudulent claims?”
Foret said at the president and vice president debate Tuesday. “It’s time that we move forward and move LSU forward.”
Getting to know the candidates
Both juniors, Foret and Tatman are Louisiana natives who say they are dedicated to helping LSU be the best it can be.
Foret, who is from Lutcher, is majoring in agricultural business and plans to attend
law school. He is interested in working in the business sector, but is open to entertaining a job in politics having worked in both houses of the Louisiana legislature and as a congressional intern for former U.S. Rep. Garret Graves.
Tatman, from Lafayette, is an active member of the Kappa Delta sorority, majoring in kinesiology. She also has political work experience, having worked as a legislative assistant in the state Senate, and hopes to attend LSU Nursing School after graduation.
QURESHI-GRAY, from page 2
heard. Goals
The ticket’s main goal is to reach out to students and help them understand SG is there for them.
When asked about specific policies, Quereshi said the pair is more focused on advocating for the student body than anything else.
WOMACK-MILLER, from page 2
this cause and this mission and these issues we’re facing on campus to really tackle it together.”
One of the changes Womack and Miller hope to guide students through is the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campus, calling it the biggest issue students currently face. Womack said these changes have left many on LSU’s campus confused and unsure of how to advocate for students. To counteract this, they would prioritize educating students and expressing their concern about the removal of DEI.
Goals
The Unite campaign bases its policies on four pillars: collaboration, accessibility, resilience and empowerment. Abbreviated to CARE pillars, the ticket’s policies aim to support students in their lives both on and off campus. Miller said the
“Off the top of my head there really aren’t any specific policies,” Qureshi said. “I think policies are great and all but I think what’s really important as well is we have two really strong leaders advocating for student government and students.”
Students aren’t voting for specific policies when voting for this ticket, Qureshi said, they’re voting for students with experience on this campus who will
Unite ticket can achieve changes because they have based their policies on practical action based on their experience in SG.
“It’s easy for candidates to come and say, ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that, I’m going to do this,’ and it’s things that aren’t achievable,” Miller said. “We have a pretty good grasp on what is and isn’t achievable because of our experience in Student Government.”
Collaboration
Unite wants to address some enduring issues students have, like lack of parking and housing, through collaborative efforts with offices and organizations on campus that Womack and Miller said they already have connections to. The pair will also hold monthly meetings with campus leaders to increase communication throughout campus.
The Unite ticket will also create a program called “Adopt
advocate for students.
The candidates have been “laying low” in terms of outreach. Both wanted to focus more on the debate and the KLSU forum, stating how those are the two major ways of engaging with students and showing their ticket is around.
Both also hope to shed light on SG and “bring the campus forward.”
“If you’re voting for us,
a Tiger” to pair international students with a family in Baton Rouge for holidays during the semester, allowing them to celebrate even if they can’t travel home.
Accessibility
The Unite candidates hope to increase the number of parking spots available to students in the Union Square Parking Garage. Womack and Miller plan to work with Parking and Transportation Services to add one more floor of dedicated student parking to the garage, which Womack said will add hundreds of student spots.
The ticket is also looking to improve lighting on campus and in surrounding areas, highlighting the walk from campus to Tigerland. Womack said increasing lighting will improve conditions for both pedestrians and drivers, making LSU much safer.
you’re voting for two strong leaders that are open to hearing your viewpoints and working with you to ensure your voice is heard,” Qureshi said.
Forward’s message to students
The pair’s primary message to the student body is that they will be there to guide and help students succeed. This goal is the ticket’s top priority, and they hope their administration
Womack’s favorite policy is “Too Good to Geaux,” an app that would increase students’ access to food while reducing waste. Womack and Miller would team up with LSU Dining to provide the dining halls’ leftovers to students who otherwise may not have access to food.
Resilience
Purpose
“We want to both stay in Louisiana and hope to have families that come to LSU,” Foret said. “We had a great experience here, but we want them to have an even better one. That’s why our motto is, ‘To make the best better.’”
Running for SG is no small feat, and Foret and Tatman feel it is not as accessible enough to students as it should be.
“In the past three years, I’ve seen the same group of students leading the student
FORET-TATMAN, page 4
will reflect that.
“We are their point of contact, wherever that may be, if [students] have something going on in school or their personal life,” Qureshi said. “We want to help build the framework so that they can ask us where to go.”
Forward’s campaign policies and updates can be viewed on its campaign Instagram, @Realforward2025.
Miller also hopes to support students in their lives off campus. One resilience initiative she’s most excited for is providing immigrants with documents explaining their
4
see
see WOMACK-MILLER, page
MALEAH BOURGEOIS / The Reveille
Lavar Henderson speaks during the Student Government Multicultural Debate on March 19 in the LSU Law Center in Baton Rouge, La.
MALEAH BOURGEOIS / The Reveille
Alex Foret speaks during the Student Government Multicultural Debate on March 19 in the LSU Law Center in Baton Rouge, La.
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
LSU student government president and vice president candidates Kelsey Womack and Emma Miller pose for a photo on March 15 in the Reveille Newsroom in Hodges Hall in Baton Rouge, La.
BRING IT BACK?
State mulls returning UNO to the LSU system
BY SHELBY VARGA Staff Writer
Last month, two state lawmakers requested the Louisiana Board of Regents complete a study to determine whether The University of New Orleans should be moved back into the LSU System in response to its dire financial situation.
UNO, which is currently a member of the University of Louisiana System, has recently suffered so greatly from its budget gap that House Speaker Phillip DeVillier and Senate President Cameron Henry requested the regents conduct a study exploring the effectiveness of the potential transfer. The study must be completed within a year.
“The proposed transfer of UNO is a matter of significant importance for the future of higher education in our state,” DeVillier and Henry said in their letter.
UNO began as Louisiana State University in New Orleans in 1958 and was a member of the LSU System until 2011. However, 14 years ago, administrators and alumni encouraged UNO to move into the University of Louisiana System, as some felt overlooked and micromanaged by LSU’s preference for its main campus in Baton Rouge.
Many thought that UNO would benefit from being in a system with institutions similar in size. However, UNO began declining before even leaving the LSU System. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, UNO had an enrollment of more than 17,000 stu-
FORET-TATMAN, from page 3
government with no way for new voices to enter the room,” Foret said. “The first step in making change is bringing more seats to the table and bringing a new perspective to student government.”
Goals
Transparency
Foret-Tatman: Forward aims to create change not through big policy promises but in small yet meaningful ways.
One policy outlined by the campaign is providing students with a syllabus bank before scheduling classes. Having professors provide updated syllabi could allow students to make informed decisions about their classes and understand the course requirements and expectations before enrolling.
“Because we are all about transparency, we should know what classes we are paying for and signing up for,” Tatman said.
Accessibility
Another of their policies is fixing cell service on football
dents. After Katrina, census data shows the population of New Orleans dropped by as much as 53% and in turn, UNO received significantly fewer applicants as it depends heavily on enrollment from students in the New Orleans metro area. Both the city and UNO have been unable to reach their pre-Katrina populations since.
As of the fall 2024, UNO had only 6,488 students enrolled. Henry has said that he thinks LSU’s intense recruitment process could help encourage a new wave of students to enroll at UNO in addition to locals.
UNO officials have said due to increasing tuition, ongoing debts and lower enrollment, the university fell into a $10 million budget deficit. In January, UNO laid off 30 employees and furloughed hundreds, about twothirds of their staff, to combat the budget crisis.
University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot has said that he was not notified about the study before receiving the request. However, Gallot said that UNO would provide any necessary information regarding the study, as did LSU.
“LSU will cooperate with the study and provide them with any information that they will need,” said Zach Labbé, LSU’s public relations coordinator.
With the change in system, it is possible UNO will see a change in administration. LSU has a chancellor at all eight campuses across the state, but the entire system is overseen by
game days. Tatman explained spotty internet connection on campus is a significant safety concern for students. The Parade Ground, for instance, is a hub of student activity on game days and often has some of the least connectivity. Restoring reliable service exemplifies the small yet meaningful changes they hope to make.
“All of our policies are designed to make life easier for all of you,” Foret said.
Their campaign also advocates for a scholarship expo to inform students on available scholarship options and an extension of the deadline to drop a class with a “w.”
“Normally you’d take three exams and a final, you’d get to take that third exam and have one extra week to decide whether you’re going to drop that class or not before you receive a ‘w,’”
Foret said. “It is a great thing. It enhances your quality of learning and it relieves a little stress, gives you a sense of security”
Foret-Tatman: Forward’s message to students Despite recent setbacks, the
LSU President William F. Tate IV. Joining LSU could potentially alter UNO’s leadership positions, with some worrying that UNO will become another satellite campus and would not retain its administrative power.
However, Katie Dawson, a spokesperson for the University of Louisiana System, said she believes LSU’s administrative autonomy could bring some stability to UNO’s problems. Dawson also said this could give LSU the power to make adjustments to UNO’s academic and athletic programs.
Many of those involved in the potential transfer have said they do not believe that UNO can save itself on its own. Although LSU has the resources to help, there are still high expectations for fulfilling this responsibility. A certain level of financial support, resources and attention will be expected to make such a turnaround. The study aims to decide if UNO will benefit from joining the system, but also if it is plausible for LSU to help.
Once the study is concluded, the switch will have to be approved by the state legislature, followed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the regional accrediting agency that works to ensure higher education institutions in the South meet its accreditation standards. Their approval of UNO’s shift will depend on whether the change aligns with LSU and UNO’s resources and educational objectives.
campaign never lost confidence in themselves or their cause.
“We could have easily given up a thousand times,” Foret said. “But we kept pushing through because we want to make this campus better. We put our names out there on the line for these students and this school that we love.”
Both Foret and Tatman are striving to be as accessible as possible during campaign week and if they are elected in office. They recognized in past SG elections, on the surface, it appears that once elected, the president and vice president seem unreachable. They hope to change that idea.
“Student government has such a big platform to do such amazing things and provide a positive impact,” Tatman said. “But a lot of students don’t even know how student government works. We want to show students how it works and promise to be super accessible.”
Foret-Tatman’s campaign policies and updates can be viewed on its campaign Instagram, @forettatman2025.
HENDERSON-LAYRISSON, from page 3
Layrisson said. “We need to enhance the student experience with practical solutions.”
Another major component of their campaign is the introduction of an AI advising tool on the myLSU portal. The initiative is designed to cut down on long wait times for academic advising, making degree path navigation easier.
“The biggest problem that LSU students face is really convenience,” Henderson said. “Whether it’s convenience on game days, whether it’s convenience in scheduling or just convenience in dealing with professors.”
Campus mobility and transportation
To improve travel on campus, their ticket advocates for expanded bus routes with additional stops near each senior college and direct pickups from student parking lots.
Parking, a long-standing concern for LSU students, is another priority for their campaign.
“I know a lot of my peers have trouble, either with bus routes not running on time or parking,” Layrisson said. “We think it would be a great way to just help students with the parking issue on campus.”
They are proposing an SG-funded study to address contraflow and congestion around campus in partnership with LSU Parking and Transportation Services and the City of Baton Rouge.
“Students go through so much 90% of the time, you know, so making sure that they don’t have to worry about school or any of the extra stuff, that goes a long way,” Henderson said.
WOMACK-MILLER, from page 3
rights, called rights cards, following recent deportations.
The candidates also hope to increase access to sexual health resources on campus. This includes condoms and emergency contraception, but also improvements to the university’s response to sexual assault by urging administration to take the matter more seriously.
“We chose resilience because usually campaigns hit really heavily on advocacy or transparency or other buzz words that mean a little bit less to us,” Womack said. “Because those are obviously important, but resilience is all-encompassing, and that’s why we chose that.”
Empowerment
Womack and Miller promise to represent all students on campus, including first-generation students. Womack, a first-generation student herself, said she would work to increase programming, outreach and support for these students by creating an optional course teaching academic skills and financial literacy and providing mentorship in their first years at LSU.
“In this time of life when
Gameday policies
Pushing for initiatives to improve the student experience on football gamedays, the ticket introduced their “Geaux-Carts” program, which would provide on-campus transportation before kickoff and offer students safe rides up to two miles offcampus after the game.
They also plan to introduce a mobile ordering system in Tiger Stadium, allowing fans to order food and drinks directly from their phones as well as an initiative to set up snack and hydration stations around tailgating areas.
“If you make things more convenient and find a way to give students a way around the hassle, then that’s how you solve 50% of all student problems,” Henderson said. “We’re here to do the work for you, and at the end of the day ensure your daily lives are easier.”
Henderson-Layrisson’s message to students
The hope of the HendersonLayrisson ticket is to solve the everyday frustrations and challenges of the modern LSU student.
“I believe that our campaign, it isn’t just about promises; it’s really about delivering tangible improvements to make LSU a better place for everyone and to help students,” Layrisson said.
“You obviously should vote based on your policy preferences,” Henderson said, “but I think knowing that you have two candidates who care and who at the end of the day, will stand up for every single student no matter what.”
Henderson-Layrisson’s campaign policies and updates can be viewed on its campaign Instagram, @ hendersonlayrisson25.
you’re trying to figure out essentially the rest of your life, I think those students deserve as much support and advocacy efforts as humanly possible to provide resources for them to ensure that the hardest part of their day is finishing their homework,” Womack said.
Womack-Miller’s message to students
Womack and Miller have shared their message of unity by engaging with students through tabling, messaging through Instagram and even walking up to students in the Quad. Womack wants students to know their ticket is dedicated to hearing their thoughts.
“We want students to come to us,” Miller said. “I want the students to see us write down this issue that they’re facing, and I want to do the best that we can to solve that, whichever way we can.”
The Unite ticket has Senate candidates representing all senior colleges and has amassed almost 200 supporters, including candidates, students and staff, Womack said.
Unite’s campaign policies and updates can be viewed on its campaign Instagram, @womackmiller2025.
ENTERTAINMENT
Women dominated the 2025 iHeart Radio Music Awards
BY LEXIE WARE Staff Writer
The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 18 celebrated music’s biggest names, honoring stars like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey.
The fan-voted awards show celebrated its 12th consecutive year in Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, with rapper LL Cool J hosting. The ceremony began with Billie Eilish’s performing “WILDFLOWER.” The stripped-down performance from Eilish and her brother Finneas was an emotional and haunting start to the show. Eilish later took home Album of the Year for her 2024 album “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.”
Eilish also presented the breakthrough artist of the year award to Gracie Abrams, who took to the stage to perform her hit song “That’s So True.” In her acceptance speech, Abrams addressed national tensions and reminded listeners that despite difficult times, there is still light within the music community.
Sabrina Carpenter was crowned pop artist of the year. Carpenter is currently on the European leg of her Short N’ Sweet Tour and was unable to attend the ceremony, but she sent in a video thanking her fans for their support.
Another significant moment
of the night came when Doechii presented Lady Gaga with this year’s innovator award, which is awarded to artists who have made a significant impact on pop culture. Her album “Mayhem,” re-
leased on March 7, was the biggest album debut by a female artist in 2025 so far.
Gaga used her speech to thank her fans and the LGBTQ+ community, citing them as the
reason for her self-confidence and courage throughout her ambitious career. She also directly addressed ageism in the music industry.
“Even though the world might
consider a woman in her late 30s old for a pop star–which is insane–I promise that I’m just getting warmed up,” Gaga said in her speech.
Carey also received a special honor at this year’s show: the icon award, which is given to artists who are viewed as one of a kind. Tori Kelly and Muni Long performed a medley of Carey’s hit songs “Always Be My Baby” and “We Belong Together” in her honor. Carey’s reaction to the performance went viral, with many saying Carey appeared unimpressed.
Swift was the most awarded artist of the night, winning nine out of her 10 nominations. Most memorable of her awards was the tour of the century award for “The Eras Tour”. To celebrate receiving this award, Swift unveiled exclusive HQ footage from the tour’s opening night of her “Mirrorball” surprise song performance.
Swift’s speech for the award sparked even more discussion, as several eagle-eyed fans noticed Swift wearing a snake necklace in her prerecorded acceptance speech video. Many believe this is one of Swift’s famous “Easter eggs” that alludes to her unreleased re-recording of “Reputation.” The potential clue sent Swifties into a frenzy as they await the highly anticipated album.
‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ midnight book drop attracts fans
BY EMILY BRACHER Staff Writer
A line leading to the checkout register forms around the inside of the Perkins Rowe Barnes & Noble at 11 p.m. The customers waiting have been in the store for two hours. They’re all waiting for one thing: to get their hands on “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins, the newest addition to “The Hunger Games” series.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” was released on March 18 and is the second prequel to the original “Hunger Games” trilogy. This novel follows Katniss Everdeen’s mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, as he fights for his life in the games, 24 years before the first book.
In celebration of Collins’ first book since her release of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” in 2020, the Perkins Rowe Barnes & Noble hosted a book
drop party that featured scavenger hunts, trivia and more from 9 p.m. until the book’s release at 11 p.m.
“Being a fan is definitely one of the biggest aspects to having a successful event,” senior bookseller Eliza Bilbo said.
The store received around 200 books for the initial release. In preparation, Bilbo and other employees worked together to create the perfect night for “Hunger Games” fans. Upon en-
tering the store, customers were greeted by Bilbo, who would check them in with wrist bands guaranteeing a book purchase at the end of the night. It also entered them into a raffle. They were then set free to do as they wanted, whether that meant grabbing a coffee at the cafe before reading a book in a corner or joining in on the fun.
Mine Doğu spent days glueing butterflies on her outfit to prepare her Effie Trinket look. Alongside Bilbo, the two of them directed a scavenger hunt around the store. Customers were tasked with finding different note cards featuring each district.
Doğu led team trivia afterwards, asking questions in her best Trinket voice. The night ended with the raffle winner receiving a full set of the original series and everyone leaving the store with a copy of “Sunrise on the Reaping.”
“Everyone here is going to connect in some kind of way,” Bilbo said.
LSU English senior Ireland Wiesman got to Barnes & Noble 15 minutes before check-in to guarantee herself a book. Wiesman has been a big Hunger Games fan since she was nine. She said she would read the books behind her parents back
when she was younger because of her love for Peeta Mellark.
Wiesman was really excited that Collins decided to release a book about Haymitch. His story has been long talked about within the fandom, with readers begging to know more about the quarter quell that he fought in. She said even though fans know he wins, they want to know how his higher-stakes game went.
“I think events like this bring the book community together and are so fun,” Wiesman said. “It creates a space for readers to love their favorite books without judgement.”
Megan Rojas said she was going to spend the next day reading the book. Rojas found out about the event three weeks ago and decided to bring her friend, Victoria Faulkner. The two spent the evening joining in on the activities and sharing their love for the fandom.
“I remember getting to see the first movie in theaters, and it felt like such a big deal,” Rojas said.
Now over a decade later, she is about to read the newest addition. A film adaptation of the book is set to be released by Lionsgate on Nov. 20, 2026. There is currently not an actor cast to take on the role of Haymitch.
CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO
LL Cool J speaks during the iHeart Radio Music Awards on March 17 in Los Angeles, California.
EMILY BRACHER / The Reveille Barnes and Noble worker dressed as Effie Trinket at the midnight book drop of “Sunrise on the Reaping.”
LSU on FiLm
PhotoS by tori hiLL
SPread by emiLy boUdreaUx
BY OLIVIA TOMLINSON
Entertainment Editor
After almost five years of delays and teasers, the wait is finally over.
Atlanta rapper Playboi Carti, 28, released his highly anticipated third studio album “MUSIC” on March 14 becoming Spotify’s most streamed album in a single day in 2025 so far. With 30 tracks and a run time of an hour and 16 minutes, the album features the artist’s signature vampiric rock sound, rap’s most popular voices and an impressive list of producers.
The album begins with “POP OUT,” the weakest song off the record, since it could only be enjoyed at one of Carti’s mosh pitfilled shows; however, the sound is no surprise. Though the track is filled with the rapper’s original style, the rage rap and boosted bass makes up two minutes and 41 seconds of noise, setting the tone for what’s to come later.
The first of four features from Travis Scott appears on “CRUSH,” with a variety of adlibs and no verse; however, the church choir sound carries this song, since Carti does not start rapping until two minutes in. Scott’s second feature on “PHILLY” has a smooth and catchy flow that makes the song sound like one of his own over a trap beat, heavily influenced by a Texas rap sound.
Scott is also featured on “WAKE UP F1LTHY” and “CHARGE DEM HOES A FEE,” two silly songs discussing getting rich and sexual ventures. Both tracks are catchy with a chorus that rolls off the tongue, but they don’t stand out on the album. Future’s verse on
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“CHARGE DEM HOES A FEE” reveals Carti’s vocal cadence inspiration, taken from the Atlanta rapper that came before him.
This mimic of Future’s cadence is also heard on “TOXIC,” “WALK” and “DIS 1 GOT IT,” where Carti clearly pays homage to the southern trap sound of Atlanta. Carti also pays his respects to New Orleans on “LIKE WEEZY,” where he samples “Bend Over” by Atlanta rapper Rich Kidz and pays homage to Lil Wayne, who has had the iconic “I Am Music” face tattoo for years.
Long—time Carti fans had their wish come true and were quickly let down on “JUMPIN” and “TWIN TRIM.” Carti and Lil Uzi Vert reunited as the selfproclaimed rap rockstar duo, attempting to bring back the same energy and style from 2016. These songs are nowhere close to matching the level of the iconic “wokeuplikethis*,” but the songs make for a great reunion.
Three of the album’s strongest tracks were previously released on YouTube and Instagram in 2024, taking away the excitement of hearing them fresh off the full album. “K POP” was originally released on YouTube as “Ketamine,” but it was added to the album with a dramatic production, video gamelike synths and a new name.
“HBA” is another pre-release track that was added to the album, with fans originally hearing it on Instagram in 2024. Carti takes a moment to reflect on his early years as an artist in this song. Like “K POP,” the track features strings, heavy basslines and a classic Carti flow.
“EVIL J0RDAN” is another
notable listen, with a newly added, yet long and cinematic instrumental intro. This 2024 prerelease has an intro ending with a one-liner sample of “Popular” by The Weeknd, Playboi Carti and Madonna, firing up listeners for one of the best delivered verses from Carti off the album. Kendrick Lamar pulled a Travis Scott on “MOJO JOJO,” with the rapper only contributing to the song through adlibs. Carti’s iconic switch from his high-pitched, autotune voice to a deep, vocally-fried voice paired with Lamar’s unexpectedly blends together well. Lamar is also featured on “BACKD00R” and “GOOD CREDIT,” who was clearly having fun in both verses, especially when he calls Carti his “evil twin.”
“MUSIC” is loud, chaotic and psychedelic, with the potential of aging nicely like Carti’s last album “Whole Lotta Red.” There are only a few moments featuring Carti’s baby voice, showing his ever-evolving style by tapping into new sounds. The album is a whirlwind of distorted 808s and high energy that feels futuristic and completely unhinged, showing Carti’s attempt to push the boundaries in hip hop.
Many tracks off “MUSIC” begin to blend together as one, and the sound starts to feel rushed and lazy, making some of the album feel like it was not worth the wait. Like most of Carti’s discography, taking away the synths, heavy beats and brain rot production, you’re left with almost nothing. Though there are great songs off “MUSIC,” any album with 30 songs is bound to have many misses, making this a 5.5 out of 10.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BILLBOARD PHOTOS
by Stella Zawistowski
SPORTS
THE PATH AHEAD
What does Women’s basketball’s March Madness path look like?
BY TYLER HARDEN Staff Writer
Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers came in at a No. 3 seed on Selection Sunday for the fourth consecutive season.
The Tigers landed in the Spokane 1 Regional of the NCAA Tournament, but the regional’s other teams will present a fair share of obstacles in LSU’s path to the Final Four.
No. 1 OVERALL No. 2
The obvious threat in the Tigers’ regional is UCLA, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.
The Bruins took the throne with a 77-62 win over South Carolina in November and remained undefeated until Feb. 13, when they lost to USC by 11 points. UCLA lost to USC again sixteen days later, this time by 13 points.
But when it mattered most, the Bruins took down the Trojans in the Big Ten Championship, for its 30th win.
LSU saw UCLA last season in the Sweet 16, and escaped with a 78-69 win. The Bruins returned just about all its leaders, including 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts, who averages 19.6 points per game, 9.7 rebounds per game, and ranks fifth in the country with 2.9 blocks per game.
With the Tigers already undersized in the paint, Betts would be a significant challenge in the Elite Eight.
No. 4
Before then, if LSU wins through the first two rounds, it will likely see No. 2 seed NC State, which LSU saw in November. The Tigers came away with an 82-65 win, giving an, at the time, No. 9 ranked Wolfpack team its third loss.
It’s been a roller coaster ride of a season for NC State thus far, but no one can say it hasn’t been tested. Including LSU, the Wolfpack took on South Carolina, TCU, Ole Miss and Louisville before the New Year, all of which secured No. 7 seeds or higher in the NCAA Tournament.
In conference play, the tests kept coming. Along with Louisville, NC State lost to an, at the time, No. 24 California team but bounced back with wins over No. 10 Duke and No. 22 Florida State.
The Wolfpack then lost to No. 12 North Carolina but bounced back with wins over No. 20 Georgia Tech, No. 1 Notre Dame in dou ble overtime and No. 14 North Carolina in the ACC Tournament. However, NC State lost to No. 11 Duke in the ACC Tournament.
It’s unclear how NC State will perform if it meets the Tigers in the Sweet 16. Assuming it shows up with lots of positive momentum, as it has most times this season, the Wolfpack could be dangerous, led by four players averaging in double figures.
Aziaha James leads NC State with 17.9 points per game, but San iya Rivers, who averages 11.7 points per game, led the Wolfpack with 21 points against LSU in November.
Baylor is the No. 4 seed. Similar to NC State, Baylor’s season has been up and down. With losses to Oregon, a No. 10 seed in the tournament; Indiana, a No. 9 seed in the tournament; Oklahoma State, a No. 7 seed in the tournament; UCLA and three losses to TCU, the Bears have also been tested.
However, Baylor has ranked wins over Utah, a No. 8 seed; West Virginia, a No. 6 seed; Kansas State, a No. 5 seed; an overtime win over Oklahoma State and two wins over Iowa State, a No. 11 seed.
The Bears’ presence in the same region also provides an off-court element. Mulkey’s 21-season tenure at Baylor familiarizes her with the program if that matchup happens, which wouldn’t be until the Elite Eight.
GYMNASTICS
No. 5
Florida State, for example, is led by Ta’Niya Latson, who leads the country in scoring with 24.9 points per game. The Seminoles are third in the country in scoring, with 86.9 points per game.
In addition, San Diego State has won its last eight games, including a 72-68 win in triple overtime to win its conference. The Aztecs haven’t lost since Feb. 12, and with the Tigers coming off three losses in its last four games, momentum could be a factor.
Here are the obstacles LSU faces in its quest to the Final Four:
Momentum is one of the only things a team needs to make a run in March Madness, but familiarity drives positive momentum.
No. 5 Ole Miss has all the familiarity it needs with LSU. On March 2, the Rebels took down the Tigers after a second-half surge to finish the regular season. However, despite the addition of ranked wins over Kentucky and Vanderbilt, Ole Miss has had a brutal gauntlet to pass through in the regular season.
The Rebels started the season by losing to USC, the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Just over two weeks later, it lost to UConn, a No. 2 seed.
Ole Miss then suffered eight more losses leading up to the NCAA Tournament, all to teams that made the tournament except for Texas A&M. In addition, the teams that made the tournament that Ole Miss lost to were No. 5 seeds or higher, including No. 1 seeds in South Carolina and Texas, to which Ole Miss lost twice.
The Rebels kept those games close. Of its nine losses, seven were by 10 points or fewer.
Ole Miss can take down a giant, and the NCAA Tournament is made for a team like it – a scrappy squad that can hang with just about anyone.
Lexi Zeiss has balanced what it means to be a student athlete
BY GABBY GRAY Staff Writer
LSU gymnastics’ all-around freshman Lexi Zeiss is one of the five newcomers to the team this year, making quite the impression on the Tigers while balancing what it truly means to be a student-athlete.
Named as one of the March 2025 CCACSA student-athletes of the month, Zeiss has posted a season high 9.925 on the uneven bars against George Washington University and vaulted a 9.900 in LSU’s victory against Auburn.
“She has shined academically, including being on the Dean’s List in Fall 2024,” Assistant Director with the CCACSA Taylor Dennehy said in her nomination for Zeiss. “I am so proud of how hard she works and it is a joy to
have her at LSU!”
The mass communication gymnast is a prime example of what it takes to strive both academically and athletically, something her father, Jess Zeiss, has expressed great pride over.
Jess Zeiss told the Reveille that his daughter earning that particular title is his No. 1 proudest accomplishment of hers, knowing the lengths she goes to in order to achieve success.
“That’s such a huge accomplishment as her first year navigating college, especially when she wasn’t at traditional school for the last three years, she was navigating it online,” Jess Zeiss said. “But to infiltrate her back into the classroom, that’s the thing I’m most proud of.”
Jess Zeiss also expressed great pride in her being a part
of the Regular Season SEC Champion team, as well as her recent season high scores.
Her parents have always gone the distance for their daughter to ensure she was more than just her sport, including after their family moved from Nebraska to Minnesota for Zeiss to train with Twin City Twisters.
“I always told Lexi, you’re Lexi and you’re a gymnast,” Dana Zeiss said. “You’re not a gymnast named Lexi, because I never wanted her whole identity to be that she’s a gymnast.”
While Zeiss has seemed to have found the common ground between her identity and her success, she’s adjusted to the dynamic of competing for her team and not just for herself like she did as an elite gymnast.
“When you’re attempting to
reach the highest level of elite competition, you’re basically trying to become an Olympian,” Zeiss’ former elite coach Steve Hafeman said. “And the routines are really long, the bar routines are twice as long as college routines.”
Zeiss’s mother said that it was almost like elite gymnastics “stole” something from Lexi, especially after she landed short while vaulting in Germany for the DTB Pokal, ultimately tearing the deltoid ligament of her ankle in half.
During this injury, Zeiss continued working with her mindset coach Larry Widman, who has been in Zeiss’ life since she was 12 years old, aiding the gymnast through mental blocks.
BATTLE IN BIRMINGHAM
LSU gymnastics’ stacked competition at the SEC championship
BY AINSLEY FLOOD Staff Writer
The gymnastics SEC Championships are on Saturday, featuring eight teams in the top 15. The bottom four teams will face off in the afternoon and the top four that evening. The highest score takes all, and it’s looking like that could be just about anyone.
“This thing is going to be a
slobberknocker,” head coach Jay Clark said. “It’s one, two and three in the country and then Missouri inside of the top eight.
I don’t know that there’s ever been an SEC Championship evening session that stacked.”
No. 1 seeded Oklahoma will get to start on vault with LSU on bars, Missouri on beam and Florida on floor.
It will be the third time LSU
It’ll be a 1-2 matchup once again as the Sooners will attempt to take LSU’s title.
Oklahoma is fresh on the SEC scene, but making the most of their conference debut with four scores over 198.000 this season and the highest NQS in the country at 198.040, giving them the No. 1 seed.
The Sooners marked an eleventh consecutive clean home record and only took one loss on the road courtesy of LSU. Yet, they remain at the top of the order.
“Oklahoma should be number one,” Clark said. “They’ve been the most consistent team from start to finish. It took us a while.”
Head Coach K.J. Kindler and the team have faced fewer misfortunes than some of their competition and have lived up to their preseason No. 1 rank.
Faith Torrez is deadly in the all-around, but most notably as the floor anchor. With one of the best double layouts in the nation, she is the only Oklahoma gymnast to earn a 10 this season.
Senior Jordan Bowers is a powerhouse on all four events, but pay attention to vault leadoff Lily Pederson’s yurchenko one and half, which the freshman has almost perfected.
and Oklahoma face each other with the tally currently 1-1 after the Tigers finished behind them in the Week 2 Collegiate Quad meet. They met again on Week 7 in Baton Rouge, where LSU got revenge.
The Tigers are returning to Alabama for the second consecutive week after taking down Auburn on their own territory. There, the team earned a
It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for the No. 3 Gators.
Small mistakes early in the season gave away a victory to LSU and an upset from No. 9 Arkansas. In the mid-season, they were tasked with meeting Oklahoma on the road.
Similar to LSU, Florida has been plagued by injuries. In the Oklahoma meet, two allarounders went down with injuries mid-performance. Anya Pilgrim has since fully returned to her position, but Sloane Blakely is out after injuring her achilles on floor, where she’d received a 10 on the same routine just one week prior.
“You’d love to have a full boat this time of year, but I don’t know many teams that do,” Clark said.
Through adversity, the team has continued to post some of the nation’s highest scores at home because of their deep roster of talent.
The Gators have seen six perfect scores this season – the most of any team in the NCAA. They earned three last week against Kentucky, with Danie Ferris receiving the first of her career, Selena Harris-Miranda on beam and Leanne Wong on floor.
After a dazzling home season, it’ll be interesting to see how they fare in Birmingham.
new high road score of 198.200 and its second 10 of the season thanks to Kailin Chio.
She earned a ninth SEC Freshman of the Week title on Tuesday for her all-around performance, becoming the conference’s mostawarded freshman of all time.
Here’s a brief dissection of the three teams LSU will see in their session at the championship:
Certainly the underdogs of session two, the Missouri Tigers are looking for redemption.
They were dealt an unfortunate hand, having to face all top three teams on their own home turf, so they went 5-3 in the regular season.
However, Missouri has proved not to be underestimated in this conference.
Last week, they took out Arkansas in Fayetteville and ended the Razorbacks’ chances at championship qualification despite having two top-three upsets this season.
Helen Hu has been one of the biggest names in the SEC as the top beam specialist in the country. She was the first to see a perfect score in Missouri’s SEC opener at Oklahoma and claimed her second in the season closer against Arkansas.
Mara Titarsolej’s routine on bars earned Missouri their first 10 on the event in 2024, and she’s been close to the mark at almost every meet this season. The odds are she’ll continue to deliver in the postseason.
“Everybody’s gymnastics is where it needs to be – every single team, so it’s going to be who walks into that arena with the right mindset into doing their gymnastics,” LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant said.
ZEISS, from page 9
“Lexi reached out to me on her own through her parents, and said that she had this dream to be a Division I athlete, and she had two schools in mind,” Widman said. “She either wanted to go to Florida or LSU, which is pretty amazing for a 12 year old.”
While working together, Zeiss came up with a strategy that led her to earn the honors title for the all-around for 2023 Winter Cup, a victory claimed prior to her injury.
“Lexi came up with a really cool strategy called ‘Good Enough’, and she took it from the things we talked about, but she made it her own,” Widman told the Reveille. “She started writing the letters ‘G’ and ‘E’ with a sharpie on her wrist to remind herself that she didn’t need to be perfect.”
In utilizing the Good Enough strategy, Zeiss has carried the affirmation with her for the past few years, and it has shaped her into a valuable teammate for LSU.
“When you’re a true freshman and are being asked to lead off by Coach Jay Clark, on the bars and on vault and certainly on bars, what it tells you is that the coach trusts them,” Widman said. “It tells you a lot about Coach Clark’s trust in Lexi to be out there and be consistent and set the tone.”
Committed to going to DI for as long as she can remember, Zeiss is now entering her first collegiate championship alongside the Tigers in the SEC Championship this weekend, competing against the Florida Gators, and her supporters couldn’t be prouder.
“We haven’t missed a meet. We’ve never missed a meet in her life,” Dana Zeiss said. “For her to come and really find her love for the sport again after elite, and to be loved by her teammates and coaches has, just as a parent, been so heartwarming. I don’t worry, because I know she’s so loved at LSU.”
How gymnastics battled back through injuries to break records
BY GABBY GRAY Staff Writer
No. 2 LSU gymnastics is heading to the SEC Championships this Saturday after overcoming several regular-season injuries.
“We learned a lot from this season, you know, kind of a slow start, and then we built it up,” Aleah Finnegan said. “But I think each week, we’re getting better and better, and we’re exactly where we want to be.”
LSU kept up a seven-meet winning streak after losing to Arkansas in January.
In its victories, not only did the Tigers manage to beat personal records, but also set national ones.
Finnegan earned LSU its first perfect 10 on beam during its senior night victory over Georgia, where the Tigers set a program record score of 198.575, marking the
nation’s highest score of the regular season.
The tight-earned victory ranks second highest in SEC history and ninth highest in NCAA history.
LSU closed off its 11-2 record this season with a recent victory over No. 12 Auburn, where the Tigers vaulted its second perfect 10 of the season from all-around freshman Kailin Chio.
“She deserves so many 10s, and just seeing it every single day, like I say, she knows what she needs,” Haleigh Bryant said. “And just how inspiring that is, that a freshman knows exactly what they need this early in their career.”
As LSU celebrates the conclusion of the regular season, it also recognizes its victories and losses on and off the floor, specifically with injuries.
Bryant scared her team and its fans when she suffered a preseason
injury to her elbow on vault during an exhibition meet. It left the reigning NCAA All-Around Champion unable to compete for the allaround title the season.
The last event Bryant was yet to tackle this season was the uneven bars, which Tigers head coach Jay Clark addressed before LSU upset No. 1 Oklahoma, 198.050-197.675.
“So far, her elbow has tolerated everything that we’ve methodically reintroduced to her,” Clark said.
However, two weeks later, the 2024 SEC Gymnast of the Year shocked thousands of fans as she returned to the uneven bars in LSU’s 197.200-197.075 victory over Kentucky.
“I think just gaining confidence each weekend has been kind of a challenge for myself,” Bryant said. “Or a challenge that I’ve had for myself, and I think I’m starting to kind of have that confidence again.”
Bryant, however, isn’t the only gymnast who suffered from injury this year. Several LSU seniors, KJ Johnson and fifth-year seniors Olivia Dunne and Chase Brock, dealt with their own obstacles this season.
Johnson sat out the seasonopening 197.300-194.100 win over Iowa State due to a preseason injury. But by the end of January, she had returned to vault victoriously with a 9.900. Johnson’s season-high score in her leadoff spot on vault set the tone for her Tigers as LSU defeated Missouri 198.000-197.175. Clark has welcomed her back into his rotation, with Johnson appearing in five meets since.
Also sitting out for a large part of the regular season was Dunne, who was dealing with an injury to her knee.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with an avulsion fracture of
my patella and will not be able to compete on senior night,” Dunne posted before the Tigers’ final home meet versus Georgia. “It absolutely breaks my heart to not get the opportunity to compete in the PMAC one last time.”
While competing in only four of the 13 regular season meets, Dunne has been cheering on the purple and gold while unable to participate.
Also present despite personal injuries was Brock, who suffered an Achilles injury while warming up against Oklahoma, which marked her out ‘indefinitely’ for the rest of the season.
Despite several setbacks, the Tigers have turned their low points into successes this season. This team may be battered and bruised, but they share the SEC Regular Season Championship with the Sooners after a long, injury-riddled season.
OPINION
Women should be able choose what happens to their bodies
BESKE’S BUZZ
KATE BESKE Columnist
Only a few years after overturning Roe v. Wade, lawmakers are now proposing bills to charge women who get abortions with homicide.
According to an article by the LA Illuminator, this type of bill, which at least eight states have considered, would classify an embryo or fetus as a “preborn child” who can be a victim of homicide.
This immediately makes me feel as though women suffering from miscarriages will be unjustly charged with homicide, seeing as these laws are being made mostly by men who don’t understand pregnancy.
The Mayo Clinic says about 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage; however, the number of actual miscarriages is most likely higher since many miscarriages occur early on in the first trimester before someone knows they’re pregnant.
With this amount of miscarriages, I feel like it’s inevitable that someone will be accused of having an abortion when that isn’t
the case, or at the very least, will have to go through questioning to prove they didn’t get an abortion. This type of stress ultimately adds to whatever emotions someone is already dealing with due to their miscarriage.
The Mayo Clinic also says that many miscarriages occur because the fetus doesn’t properly develop, noting that despite the name, most times, it’s not due to the actions of the mother.
Miscarriages are usually an upsetting and traumatic moment in a parent’s life; they should never have to defend that they didn’t have an abortion because of stringent laws put in place.
The other glaring issue I see is that not only will many people across the country have no access to abortion care in their state, but now they could be facing homicide charges for receiving one out-ofstate.
As most people know, making something illegal will never make it obsolete. This can be seen in history with Prohibition and today with things like guns and drugs. By making abortions inaccessible, lawmakers are putting the lives of women at risk by forcing those who see it as their only choice to get them unsafely.
According to the World Health Organization, having an unsafe abortion can lead to an incomplete abortion, which can lead to sepsis, infection or damage to the genital tract and internal organs.
Women may want an abortion for many reasons. Personally, the situations I would wish to access the option of an abortion would be if I was raped or got pregnant before I could finish high school and college.
Nevertheless, in many situations, having a baby can be harmful to a woman. For example, they may be financially unable to raise a child or even take care of themselves.
Many people will argue that someone should put the baby up for adoption. But I think that many people who make this statement have never been pregnant, meaning that they’ve never felt the amount of stress and changes preg-
nancy puts on someone’s body and mind versus the minimal effects of an early-term abortion.
As a woman in the United States, I’m not surprised by this movement of bills, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less when I see laws made to restrict women’s rights even further and punish them if they try to get care elsewhere.
Kate Beske is a 22-year-old journalism senior from Destrehan, La.
You can say ‘no’ in the bedroom, even if you’re in a relationship
GARRETT’S GAVEL
GARRETT MCENTEE Columnist
Romance is hard; trust me, if anyone knows, it’s me. Nowadays, there’s an emphasis on how difficult it is to find a partner and less on how difficult it is to maintain a healthy relationship.
I’ve always been conditioned to believe that having a relationship is easy, but having a good one is a Herculean feat.
As I’ve aged, it’s become even more obvious just how true this statement is, especially for people pleasers, more specifically for those who are trying to sexually please their partner(s). So, let’s get ready for some sex talk.
For a lot of people, sex is a vital part of romance. For the worst people alive, it’s the most important.
No matter what side of the spectrum you’re on, sex is one of
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Falcon Editor in Chief
the forces that makes the world go round and pushes countless disasters and miracles. You could say that it’s a powerful, mysterious and silly thing.
Sex, being the all-powerful and unknowable thing it is, can make or break a relationship. Oftentimes, there comes a moment where there will be a disagreement when it comes to the devil’s tango in a relationship.
Maybe it’s a night when you’re not feeling it, and your partner is. Maybe they want to try out something new, and you’re not really feeling it. It could literally be anything, but the bottom line is that someone isn’t sure they’re craving a big O.
This can start to feel sticky if you’re unsure of how to go about saying the magical two-letter word, “no.” I can empathize with this. Sex is sensitive, and you probably don’t want to hurt your partner’s feelings.
But just remember that you can always soften the blow by sharing what you’re feeling in a
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Reveille
nication. Signed opinions are
or
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bit more detail. Relationships are supposed to be a place where you can be open and vulnerable without judgment and fear, so be vulnerable.
However, I know that regardless of how much you soften the blow it can still feel scary, especially for those among us that happen to be people-pleasers. Coming from a former people pleaser, I am fully aware of how hard it can be. You’re scared that they won’t love you anymore, that this one refusal will ruin everything, and that you love them anyway — so what’s a little sacrifice for their enjoyment?
This is an extremely dangerous and slippery slope. Akin to quicksand, sacrificing yourself via tidbits of comfort is a surefire way to rip yourself to shreds or to feed something your partner doesn’t need.
In the end, this will only cause you grief. A little give and take is necessary and can feel good, but you have to be aware of how you feel, listen to yourself and be open
A bedroom in contemporary Chicago home.
and ready for any potential fallout.
I’m going to hold your hand when I say this: If you are left because you say, “no, I don’t wanna do that” in the bedroom, then your relationship was never going to last in the first place, and you deserve better.
Any partner worth your love, time, respect, energy and body is
going to be perfectly fine with a response that denotes the negative of their desires. Stay safe, have fun and make sure that you and your partner are having a good time.
Garrett McEntee is a 19-year-old English sophomore from Benton, La.
JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO
File photo of abortion-rights supporters take part in a protest May 30, 2019, in St. Louis, Mo.