The Reveille 3-04-24

LSU women’s hoops celebrates its seniors.

ONE MORE YEAR?

BY TYLER HARDEN @ttjharden8

SENIORS SHINE

LSU women’s defeats Kentucky 77-56 on Senior Day

It was a sea of gold in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for LSU women’s basketball’s Senior Day, and the Tigers came away with a 77-56 win over Kentucky to close out the regular season.

Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese were both honored in the Senior Day festivities at halftime. Both players were accompanied by their families, and Reese brought a familiar face to LSU fans to join her: Shaquille O’Neal.

“It feels great, long four years,” Reese said. “It’s been crazy and amazing.”

“Everyone made it a special night that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives,” Van Lith said.

The seniors captured LSU fans’ hearts after being honored at center court, as the crowded chanted “One More Year,” hoping both Reese and Van Lith could stay at LSU for next season instead of taking their careers to the WNBA. Both seniors have a year of eligibility remaining allowing them to do so.

Neither Reese or Van Lith have made a decision on whether or not they’ll return to LSU for next season, or if they’ll declare for the WNBA Draft.

The two both agreed that they need to stay focused on the postseason, and getting their LSU team as far as they can in the NCAA Tournament.

However, looking past the celebrations, it wasn’t always a smooth scoring night from LSU. The Tigers used Kentucky’s mishaps to their advantage frequently in order to boost their lead.

The Tigers finished shooting 31-for-69 (44.9%) from the field, but were held to just 1-for-12 (8.3%) from three.

But nonetheless, the Tigers came away with the win, marking their eighth win in a row. The seniors shined on Senior Day

It was fitting that LSU’s two seniors paved the way for the

Tigers to close out their regular season with a win.

Reese led the team with 22 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 10-for-18 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. She also came away with three steals and five blocks. But Reese was agitated multiple times throughout the game, as she had six turnovers.

Van Lith was right behind Reese with 15 points, shooting 5-for-13 from the field and 4-for4 from the foul line. She made LSU’s first 3-pointer of the game with just over five minutes left in the game, and she finished shooting 1-for-7 from three.

Big second half from Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow

Many eyes were on Reese and Van Lith, but Aneesah Morrow and Flau’jae Johnson stepped up to further ignite LSU’s scoring efforts in the second half.

Johnson finished the game with 21 points, seven rebounds,

four assists, four steals and a block. She shot 8-for-12 from the field and 5-for-5 from the foul line.

In the second half, she scored 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.

“She’s just grown so much in her game,” Mulkey said. “She’s everything you want to show young people on how much you can improve from your freshman year to your sophomore year.”

Morrow finished the game with 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, shooting 6-for-14 from the field, and 3-for-4 from the foul line.

In the second half, she scored eight points along with five rebounds and an assist.

LSU converted on Kentucky’s mistakes Kentucky finished the game with 23 turnovers as opposed to LSU’s 15.

But the Tigers didn’t let Kentucky’s turnovers go to waste, as they scored 26 points off of turnovers from the Wildcats. LSU also outscored Kentucky 22-10 in fast-break points.

Kentucky also had 15 fouls as a team compared to LSU’s 13, so the Tigers found themselves at the foul-line many times throughout the game.

The Tigers finished the game shooting 14-for-17 (82.4%) from the free throw line.

LSU’s appearances at the free throw line were deemed to be important to increase its lead given the struggles the team had shooting around the perimeter. Kentucky did have success scoring and rebounding Kentucky scored efficiently and held its own in the paint throughout much of the game,

but was in its own way too much to stay in the game.

Three players scored in double figures for the Wildcats; Ajae Petty led the team with a double-double in 13 points and 15 rebounds along with three blocks, Amiya Jenkins scored 14 points, and Saniah Tyler scored 14 points, shooting 5-for-11 from the field and 4-for-7 from three.

Compared to LSU’s 45% shooting from the field, Kentucky shot 35%, and shot 40% from three. In addition, Kentucky grabbed 37 rebounds compared to LSU’s 43. Of Kentucky’s 37 rebounds, 24 of them came on defense.

The Wildcats had the overall performance for it to be a closer game, but mistakes dragged them down.

“We had a lot of fight in us, and we needed it,” Kentucky head coach, Kyra Elzy, said. “LSU is one of the standards, so I’m proud of our team in our battle.” Mikaylah Williams did not play for LSU

Mikaylah Williams did not suit up for LSU on Sunday, as she was walking with a boot on her right foot. She is, however, expected to play in the SEC tournament.

Last-Tear Poa started the game in place of Williams. Who’s next?

LSU closed out its regular season with an eight-game winstreak. But the Tigers look to keep their streak alive in the SEC Tournament.

The SEC Tournament begins on Wednesday from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, but with their double-bye and No. 2 seed, the Tigers won’t play until Friday at 5 p.m. C.T. on the SEC Network.

The

The

MORGAN COOK / The Reveille

LSU women’s basketball junior forward Angel Reese (10) grabs a rebound March 3 during LSU’s 77-56 win against Kentucky at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.

MORGAN COOK / The Reveille

Shaquille O’Neal acts as escort at halftime March 3 during LSU’s 77-56 win against Kentucky at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.

ON LANDRY’S DESK

Louisiana reshapes its criminal justice system in special session

BY ELIZABETH WHITE AND PIPER NAUDIN LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE—Louisiana lawmakers gave final passage Thursday to sweeping changes in crime laws sought by Gov. Jeff Landry—including measures that will expand methods of execution to include electrocution and nitrogen hypoxia and shield records relating to the executions.

Before the special session ended, legislators also had approved a host of other bills that would toughen the criminal justice system and roll back bipartisan changes in 2017 that were meant to lower the state’s incarceration rate and reduce prison costs.

The measures would allow adults to carry concealed firearms without permits and would mostly abolish parole for future crimes. They also would cut good-behavior sentence reductions to 15% from 65% and give judges more discretion in sanc-

tioning people for parole violations.

Other bills would increase penalties for carjacking and for distributing fentanyl and lower the age to be tried as an adult from 18 to 17. And some would make some court records available online for juveniles charged with crime and make it harder to sue police officers.

Landry, a Republican who took office in January, is expected to sign the bills next week.

Thursday started with a solemn debate on the Senate floor, where the death penalty bill was passed back to the House with amendments.

There has not been an execution in the state in 15 years, and 58 inmates are on death row.

“Through our proposed legislation, we intend to keep our word to the victims of these awful crimes and deliver the swift and certain justice that they were promised so long ago,” Sen. Ca-

HEALTH

Professor combats childhood obesity

BY ASHLYNN BAILLIO @ashlynnbaillio

Tucked away in a small room in the basement of Huey P. Long Field House, kinesiology professor Senlin Chen and his research team have been working tirelessly for one unifying cause: decreasing childhood obesity in Louisiana.

The state faces a significant challenge with childhood obesity, ranking among the worst in the country. In 2022, Louisiana had the second highest adult obesity rate in the country at 40.1%, with rates varying by ethnicity and socioeconomic status, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chen and his team have secured a National Institutes of Health research enhancement grant from the Eunice Ken-

Why the wrong fence? Campus mound barrier blocked by budget

BY AIDAN ANTHAUME

@ aidanth04

At the heart of LSU lies the ancient marvel of the LSU Campus Mounds. These grassy giants stand as testaments to a rich cultural heritage, predating the university itself by millennia. Yet, despite their historical significance and announced plans for revitalization, a stark chain-link fence continues to separate the mounds from the campus community, raising questions about progress and priorities.

Two years ago, The committee to preserve the LSU Campus Mounds unveiled its plan to transform the feature into a dynamic center for education, research and cultural engagement. The project, estimated to cost $4 million, promised to replace the fence with an open barrier featuring a plant buffer to keep people from walking on the mounds.

“The fence was our temporary option to provide the necessary protection for the mounds,” said committee chair Sibel Ates, an associate dean in the College of the Coast and Environment.

Once the proper funding is secured the committee can commence its plans to once again connect the campus mounds with the community. But securing funding for the project has proven a challenge.

“The grant has been proposed, and it’s out there, but we haven’t received word on it yet,” said Assistant Director of Campus Planning

Dennis Mitchell. “It’s a marketing project,” Mitchell said. “It really needs to be a project that we get the public excited about and the university excited about.”

Many students can remember a time when the mounds were open and free to walk on, even being used as a frequent gameday tailgate spot for families.

Like many others, Luke Hopkins, a pre-med freshman, has fond memories of the mounds from a

young age.

“We would take flat cardboard boxes and sled down; it was really a kid thing, they were like a playground,” Hopkins said. “It’s a memory I’ll always cherish, and it’s sad to see them closed away like that.”

But the historic nature of the mounds has made their preservation crucial. Those efforts include warding off foot traffic.

“It makes sense. The mounds could be older than the Pyramids; you don’t see people walking on

the Pyramids,” Hopkins said.

According to LSU’s Campus Mounds website, years of neglect has taken its toll. From people sledding, climbing or even just standing on them, the mounds have been significantly damaged. For years, the sacred aspect of the mounds was ignored and forgotten.

“These mounds are sacred … it’s like going into a church,” Mitchell said. “The mounds were here first and now we’re going to preserve them in a way that we can interpret

them and tell a story.”

With the fence serving as their temporary guardian, the future of the Campus Mounds hinges on securing funding for the revitalization plan.

Through various initiatives, the committee will continue to seek public understanding and a sense of shared responsibility for these irreplaceable treasures. Its success depends on securing community support through grants and fundraising efforts.

CAMPUS LIFE

FRANCIS DINH / The Reveille

A student walks by the LSU Indian Mounds Aug. 25 on LSU’s campus.

see CHILD OBESITY, page 4

see POLITICS, page 4

REAGAN COTTEN / The Reveille

Louisiana Gov.-elect Jeff Landry addresses the room on Oct. 25 during a press conference in Lafayette, La.

POLITICS, from page 3

leb Kleinpeter, R-Port Allen, said. Kleinpeter also proposed an amendment, which was adopted, requiring the state inspector general to conduct a review and certification of how drugs, medical supplies or medical equipment would be obtained for executions.

Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, offered an amendment to strike the use of nitrogen hypoxia due to its use during the Holocaust by Nazi Germany. The amendment was rejected.

Some legislators spoke against the bill, citing religious and constitutional concerns as well as saying they were speaking on behalf of victim’s families who oppose the new methods.

“I’ve never personally believed that the death penalty honors victims, it honors vengeance,”

CHILD OBESITY, from page

3

nedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development for their project, titled Preventing Obesity Using Digital-assisted Movement and Eating, or ProudMe. This threeyear, $450,000 project aims to implement a novel obesity prevention intervention in Louisiana schools.

The ProudMe intervention is a 12-week program targeting sixth, seventh and eighth graders in six Iberville Parish schools. It integrates a new physical and health education curriculum, a cafeteria module

Duplessis said. “The Bible teaches us that vengeance does not belong to us.”

Sen. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, called the bill unconstitutional on the basis that it falls under cruel and unusual punishmentand said African Americans are more likely to be given a death penalty sentence.

“This is a bad bill. This is unconstitutional,” Carter said. “And if you can’t vote against it, I urge the federal courts, if you are listening, to strike this law down.”

Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, DLafayette, spoke on behalf of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, asking his colleagues to consider that some families do not want executions because it violates their conscience.

“Killing the young man responsible for my mother’s death will not bring me or my family any closure,” Carter quoted the

and a technology component using artificial intelligence.

Developed by Chen’s lab in collaboration with teachers and educators, the curriculum covers the importance of physical activity, healthy eating habits and reduced screen time. It aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and motivation needed to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity-related health issues through interactive lessons and activities, setting the foundation for a lifetime of good health.

ProudMe will also seek to consult and train cafeteria staff

son of a woman whose killer has been on death row for more than 20 years. “Killing him will only bring into our lives, his family’s life and into our community more pain, more suffering, more anger, and more harm.”

Other legislators spoke in support of the bill, also citing religious and legal reasons as well as arguing for victims’ families in favor of the methods.

Sen. Adam Bass, R-Bossier City, spoke about how some legislators have compared the death penalty to abortion and have used the Bible in opposition to the bill.

“It’s our sin that separates us from Holy God and an unborn child has committed none,” Bass said. “But the people who are on death row that we’re talking about have committed some of the most heinous crimes imaginable.”

Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey

to ensure healthy food options for children.

During their research, Chen’s team conducted assessments of school cafeterias revealing that none had achieved gold medal status for cafeteria quality. Most of the six Iberville Parish schools scored in the high 20s to low 30s on the 60 point scale, well short of the required 45 points required for a gold medal.

In addition to educational and nutritional support, the ProudMe project integrates AI technology through its website, projectproudme.com. The AI component of the project aims

Creek, said that despite the time she has spent visiting inmates on death row, she supported the bill because of the families of victims. She shared the story of a mother whose children were killed by their father who still sits on death row.

“The only consolation had that been me that I would have for not taking matters into my own hands would be the ultimate consequence found in the death penalty, found in the justice system,” Cloud said, referencing the mother. “It brings order to chaos and it’s necessary.”

The final debate Wednesday on the bill that would allow permit-less concealed carry for people 18 and older also was emotional.

Rep. Michael Johnson, RRapides, said there were not enough police officers to stop crime.

to help students set and achieve personalized health goals. Students can log in and track their fitness goals, receiving personalized feedback from the AI.

The technology is also being used as an exit ticket in physical education classes, with PE teachers supporting its integration into the curriculum.

This AI-driven approach is designed to engage students in setting specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely, or “SMART,” goals related to physical activity, screen time, nutrition and sleep, ultimately promoting healthier behaviors among adolescents.

“People are fearful,” Johnson said. “They are afraid to leave their house. They are afraid to stay at their house.”

Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, argued, however, that police often interpret anyone with a gun as a threat.

“How would a law enforcement officer know when they show up to a scene whether someone is a criminal or not?” Marcelle asked.

Lawmakers from New Orleans sought unsuccessfully to carve out gun-free zones in the French Quarter and near the Superdome to help protect the city’s tourism industry.

Rep. Matthew Willard, D-New Orleans, worried about what would happen if a bystander were to be hit with a firearm by someone defending themselves. “Who would be liable?” he pondered.

“We’re trying to integrate this virtual community and real-world experience together,” Chen said.

Chen’s research team has three doctoral candidates and seven undergraduate students working on the ProudMe project. These students play a crucial role in various aspects of the project, from data collection and analysis to implementing intervention strategies in schools.

“It’s really important that we’re starting a healthy generation,” said kinesiology sophomore Jena Bordelon, “because if you don’t look out for them, who is?”

Bill would require 10 Commandments be displayed in schools

BY CLAIRE SULLIVAN @sulliclaire

A Louisiana lawmaker wants to require all public schools — including public universities like LSU — to display the 10 Commandments in each of their classrooms.

Last year, Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, passed a bill that required each public classroom to display the national motto “In God We Trust.” Now, she seeks to add another man-

datory classroom posting.

Horton included several requirements in her new proposal, House Bill 71, to skirt possible work-arounds. The poster or framed document must be at least 11-by-14-inches in size with “large, easily readable font,” and the 10 Commandments must be the central focus of the display.

It will be up for consideration when the regular legislative session begins March 11.

If it passed, Louisiana public schools would have to proclaim

the commandments on their walls in full, including those with messages specific to Christianity: “I AM the LORD thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

Schools aren’t required to spend their own money on the displays. Governing authorities can use their funds or donated funds to buy the posters or accept gifted ones.

Her proposal includes all public elementary, secondary and postsecondary schools.

Renovations slated to close The 459 Commons for months

BY CROSS HARRIS @thecrossharris

The 459 Commons dining hall will close for months of renovations beginning on March 16, according to an announcement released Wednesday.

The announcement, from LSU Auxiliary Services and food service company Chartwells, said the extensive renovations would continue though the spring and summer but finish in time for The 459 to reopen for the fall 2024 semester.

While the facility is closed,

The Club at Union Square, across the street from Barnes & Noble, will serve as a main dining hall location, according to the announcement. The Club will accept both residential and commuter meal swipe plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner beginning on March 17 at 4:30 p.m.

Last spring, the LSU Board of Supervisors finance committee voted to approve a $39 million contract with Chartwells for improvements to LSU’s dining halls, including renovations to The 459.

MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille

Dark clouds pass over Tiger Stadium Jan. 27 on LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge, La.

CAMPUS LIFE

EDUCATION

ENTERTAINMENT

Civil rights exhibit displays history in Old State Capitol

BY TOREY BOVIE @toreyb12

“I Am A Man: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1960–1970” is a traveling exhibit open for viewing on the second floor of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol.

The building’s long spiral staircase leads you up to the exhibit, and the first image you see is a door with a sign that reads “negros stay way.”

The exhibit stretches across two rooms and features both black and white and color photos. Michael Hollins, building security officer, said he has been working at the Old State Capitol for 18 years.

He pointed out a specific image that drew his attention. This photo was taken by James “Jim” Peppler, a news photographer for The Southern Courier, during the Civil Rights Movement. The image depicts four white men sitting on top of a billboard post as they smile and watch the March Against Fear through Mississippi in 1966.

“The images are real. Certain ones stand out,” Hollins said, “When you look at an image, you can almost place yourself where

they are.”

Lauren Davis, a museum curator and historian, said she likes to find exhibits that highlight moments when people were fighting for rights.

Davis said the exhibit was given to the Old State Capitol by Mid-America Arts Alliance. The alliance is a nonprofit organization that provides grants to artists and blends community with the arts.

The “I Am A Man” exhibit was put together with photos selected by William Ferris and his research team. Ferris is a Southern folklorist and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Davis said the exhibit covers a wide range of stories and people, not just a specific event. One historic moment that called out to her was the death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. There is a photo in the exhibit that shows a picture of the Rev. King’s opened briefcase from the day he was assassinated in 1968.

This photo was taken by Ernest Withers, a Black photojournalist who documented more than 60 years of Black history in the segregated South. In the

briefcase, there are papers, a nonperishable can and a copy of Rev. King’s book “Strength to Love.”

“This is what he was talking about, justice and equality,” Davis said. “The book is just sitting there. It could’ve been propped up for the photograph. But then, someone goes and chooses violence.”

Suzanne Hall, a tourist from Connecticut and visitor of the exhibit, said the cruise ship she was on took a stop in Baton Rouge. Hall then found herself in the Old State Capitol.

“We decided to take the shuttle bus into town and walk around. We came past this beautiful building on the corner, so I said, ‘Let’s go in and let’s get warm,’” Hall said.

While much of Louisiana’s architecture is grand and beautiful, there is a dark and murky history that runs through its blueprint.

“We rarely have anything Black to talk about in the Capitol, to keep it 100,” Hollins said. “We have a picture of Pinchback, and you gotta look up the story of Pinchback.”

According to the Secretary of State’s website, Pickney Benton Stewart Pinchback was the first

Black man to serve as governor of Louisiana in 1872. Pinchback helped lay the groundwork to establish Southern University when he pushed for the creation of colleges for Black students in Louisiana at the Constitutional Convention of 1879.

Davis said the Old State Capitol wanted to add pieces of its own that highlighted the fight for civil rights specifically in Louisiana. The 105-Mile March For Civil Rights was a protest led by Civil Rights Activists A.Z. Young, Gayle Jenkins and Robert Hicks in 1967.

They marched from Bogalusa to Baton Rouge in the span of 10 days. By the time they reached Baton Rouge, their numbers had grown from 25 to more than 600 people, according to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail website.

Photos of news clips from the event are framed and hung alongside the other pictures. Davis said because that these photos belong to the Old State Capitol, they will not leave with the rest of the exhibit.

The collection also features a vintage dress from the ‘60s. Davis said it belonged to the mother of a staff member at the Old State Capitol. The dress is covered in

vibrant yellow and purple flowers. Next to it, there is a question on the wall that asks, “What did the ‘60s look like to you?”

“Well, clearly I am white,” Davis said with a laugh. “My mother talked about the ‘60s and you know, it was fun and there was this vision of being radical and trying new things. But, there was this whole other world happening.”

Davis said there was hesitation to put some of the photos up. Specifically, photos that displayed confederate flags. However, the Old State Capitol staff decided that they all needed to be up for historical context, Davis said.

While there are many grim photos in the exhibit, Davis said there are still photos that capture humanity and joy. She said she was particularly drawn to a photo taken by Doris Derby, an American activist and documentary photographer who died in 2022.

The picture was taken during the ‘60s and depicts a little boy in a preschool program being examined by a doctor.

“I have a 3 year old myself. And then it’s like, look at that sweet face. That could be anybody’s kid,” Davis said.

Local arts program celebrates Baton Rouge culture with murals

BY CAMILLE MILLIGAN @camillemill333

In Baton Rouge’s smallest neighborhoods and largest streets, vibrant colors and intricate paintings decorate the city’s buildings. Murals are plastered along the levy, in the airport, outside hospitals and even on LSU’s campus. Many of these murals are the product of a large team of hard-working artists who prioritize public art that makes an impact.

The Walls Project is a nonprofit organization founded in Baton Rouge in 2012. The organization engages with the public through a variety of projects, but its most noticeable undertakings are the 155 murals that accessorize Baton Rouge buildings. These murals deliver purposeful messages about the city, from raising awareness about civil rights to celebrating local cuisine and culture.

Morgan Udoh, the mural arts senior program coordinator, said the primary function of the art program is to connect Baton Rouge artists to clients who are willing to pay for their work. The Walls Project handles the contract and logistics of each operation, so the artist can focus on creating the mural.

“We are more of a career launch path for artists that are either emerging or already in the field,” Udoh said. “We manage the project itself, so all the artists have to do is show up, be creative and leave.”

Udoh first became involved

with The Walls Project in 2016 by volunteering at annual Martin Luther King Jr. festival, a major community service event. Volunteers at MLK fest use art as a form of public service by restoring murals or painting houses in neighborhoods suffering from neglect.

“There were thousands of people coming together to just transform a space, fight blight and paint together,” Udoh said. “I was just impressed by how well-oiled of a machine it was.”

Inspired by the organization’s wide scope of work in the community, she joined The Walls Project as a mural artist in 2021 and later became the senior coordinator of the program. Now, in addition to helping paint murals, she assists in the behind-the-scenes process of matching a client with an artist who meets their needs.

Many of The Walls Project’s mural clients are small businesses, nonprofit organizations and education institutions. Udoh explains that artists on the project’s roster can submit design concepts or art portfolios, and the client can select an artist whose style harmonizes with their goal for a mural.

Other times, artists get paired with clients through demographic and identity similarities based on what the client wants to represent through the artwork.

Udoh said the artists typically get full freedom over the design of a mural, but The Walls Project helps negotiate a compromise be -

tween the artist and client if there are any differences of opinion.

“We find a happy midpoint so that the creative expression is still maintained,” Udoh said.

Once the project is approved, the physical work begins. Udoh said a typical day on a mural site starts early in the morning, jampacked with preparation and painting.

When they aren’t interrupted by the weather, one mural takes about one to two weeks to finish. Ashli Ognelodh, the artist in residence for the project from 2022 to 2023, said painting the murals requires intense mental creativity and physical labor.

“People don’t realize the physical labor component until they actually paint with you,” Ognelodh said. “I work in this capacity, so this is a muscle I exercise constantly.”

Both Ognelodh and Udoh said

that artists get to interact a great deal with the public while they paint murals, whether it’s cars honking in support as they drive past or pedestrians stopping at the site to chat.

“While you are working it’s absolutely amazing because no matter where you are in the city, everyone loves art,” Udoh said. “It’s such a positive environment to be able to leave a mark on the city and know that it’s appreciated.”

Ognelodh will even pass a paintbrush to someone who approaches her and let them assist with the mural. This part of the mural process is impactful for both the artists and the public who interact with them.

“I always see a kind of relief moment which I really enjoy,” Ognelodh said. “Being able to ignite that inner child in a difficult world is always a beautiful thing for me.”

In their future work with The

Walls Project, both Udoh and Ognelodh hope to continue to see greater engagement with public art. As public interaction increases, they also hope that equitable compensation for the arts rises.

“I hope it moves the art-business needle,” Ogneldoh said. “If a person has a talent, they should be able to make a living off of it.”

Udoh is working on The Walls Project’s most current mural alongside her student apprentice Jessica Wilson, a fine arts and liberal arts major at Baton Rouge Community College. Located at 3434 North Blvd., it is Wilson’s first mural with The Walls Project. She enjoys letting her creativity take over and hopes to work on more murals in the future.

“You know how when you’re a kid, your parents don’t allow you to color on the walls?” Wilson said. “It feels like I’m actually being granted permission to do that.”

A major focus of The Walls Project, in addition to creating new artworks, is mural upkeep. Some murals are over 10 years old and require restoration to ensure their impact lasts. Ognelodh and Udoh both feel that the Baton Rouge community has been vibrantly enriched as a result of these murals and the powerful social and cultural messages they depict.

“I hope they make people feel like they live in a cool place where art happens, and they feel like they can leave their mark as well,” Udoh said.

MADALYN CUNNINGHAM / The Reveille

A colorful mural decorates the side of a building on March 1 on Laurel Street in downtown Baton Rouge, La.

BYE-BYE, BAMA

The Crimson Tide felt the heat after a Tiger gymnastics win 198.325 - 197.325 March 1 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

Vault/uneven bars/floor exercise senior Chase Brock runs down the runway.

Head coach Jay Clark talks with the team.

All-around junior Alexis Jeffrey performs a split midair.

Freshman all-around Konnor McClain glides through the air.

A gymnastics fan dressed as Frozone lets out a cheer while sitting on top of another fan’s shoulders.

Senior all-around Haleigh Bryant strikes her closing floor exercise pose.

Photos by Matthew Perschall and Francis Dinh

SPORTS STACKING WINS

LSU men’s basketball dominates Vanderbilt, leading wire-to-wire in win

BY JASON WILLIS @JasonWillis4

It’s good for a team to be peaking at the end of the season, and it seems like LSU may be doing just that.

LSU put together one of its most complete performances of the season on Saturday to secure a 75-61 win over Vanderbilt.

The Tigers have now won four of their last five games and have made their way up to an even Southeastern Conference record of 8-8.

As LSU makes its final push for postseason play, statements like these are important to show the Tigers have made strides and deserve a spot in a postseason tournament like the National Invitational Tournament.

Against the Commodores, LSU began with a dominant first half and never lost focus. The Tigers made 10 3-pointers as a team, with seven different players hitting from behind the arc.

It was a well-rounded game offensively, led by Jordan Wright with 15 points, Jalen Reed with 13 and three other scorers in double digits.

Defensively, LSU’s effort was on point, including on the boards, where the Tigers were disciplined in boxing out and limiting Vanderbilt’s second opportunities. Though the Commodores missed their fair share of open shots, LSU’s defense made a difference.

Jordan Wright comes up big against his former team

Though Wright faced Vanderbilt earlier in the year in a game in Baton Rouge, dropping 15

GYMNASTICS

points against the coach and team he’d parted with this summer, Saturday’s match was his first time back in Nashville’s Memorial Gymnasium.

“Some really good memories there. Coach Stackhouse gave me a chance when not many other highmajor schools did,” Wright said earlier in the week. “It’s gonna be a surreal moment for me.”

From the beginning, Wright was aggressive. Within the first seven minutes, he had eight points and was driving to the rim with force.

As he’s done all season, Wright forced the issue and put himself in a position to draw fouls and get to the free throw line. He attempted and made four free throws, with two coming on and-one opportunities.

In the arena that was his home for four years, Wright led LSU to a comfortable victory and set the tone.

LSU learning to be a frontrunner

LSU has made many comebacks this season, but it has seldom been on the other end of a rally. Building a big lead is one thing, but maintaining aggressiveness and keeping your foot on the gas is more difficult than is often given credit. It requires a much different mindset.

It’s something a young team has to learn, and LSU is still working it out. In November while LSU was at the Charleston Classic, the Tigers blew a 15-point lead in a loss to Dayton and lost a 14-point lead to Wake Forest, though they eventually won in overtime.

Since then, LSU hasn’t had many opportunities to hone the skill of maintaining a comfortable lead against a solid team. In Saturday’s match against Georgia, the Tigers held a 15-point lead before allowing the Bulldogs to storm back into it, with the result a razor-thin onepoint victory.

The very next game against Vanderbilt, LSU was in a similar sit-

uation. The Tigers led by as many as 17 before Vanderbilt began to put things together and drew as close as 10 on two occasions.

However, LSU kept its energy and didn’t lose its composure. In the end, the Tigers ended up expanding the lead back up to 18 with less than two minutes remaining before the final inconsequential moments.

In doing so, LSU showed progress, an important thing for a team that, even at this point in the season, is still establishing how to play together and setting the foundation for success.

What’s next?

LSU will head to Fayetteville on Wednesday to take on Arkansas in the penultimate game of the regular season. In the first matchup between the two teams in Baton Rouge on Feb. 3, the Tigers secured a 21-point victory, their largest margin of victory in SEC play.

Since that game, the Razorbacks have wins over Georgia, Texas A&M and Missouri and narrowly lost to Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.

Even with any postseason hopes gone, Arkansas is still fighting and giving good teams a scare. LSU would be unwise to underestimate the Razorbacks. In Arkansas’ last three games, senior guard Khalif Battle has put up absurd numbers with games of 42, 36 and 34 points. The Tigers will need to contain him and keep him off the foul line, as he’s earned more than 14 free throw attempts in each of those games.

10 players to watch in spring practice

BY PETER RAUTERKUS @peter_rauterkus

LSU football starts spring practice next week, officially beginning the first preparations for year three under head coach Brian Kelly.

From coaches to players, the team will look different in many areas next season, but the Tigers return their fair share of production as well. The spring is an opportunity for both new and returning players to battle for starting jobs and make first impressions with the staff.

Here are 10 players to watch for LSU football this spring:

Garrett Nussmeier, QB

It only makes sense to start at the most important position on the field, the quarterback. For LSU and Nussmeier, the spotlight will be even bigger at that position following Jayden Daniels’ Heisman season.

Despite only starting one game, Nussmeier has three years of experience at LSU and has played meaningful snaps in the Southeastern Conference. In his one start last season, he threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns in the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin.

Nussmeier has proved over the last three years that he has the arm talent to be a good quarterback in the SEC. Whether or not he’s able to consistently make the right plays and take care of the ball will likely determine how productive LSU’s

see FOOTBALL, page 10

LSU gymnastics defeats Alabama gymnastics 198.325-197.325

BY AVA HEBERT @avahebe4

LSU gymnastics defeated Alabama 198.325-197.325 in its final conference matchup of the season.

The Tigers capitalized on the phrase “’it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.’”

Although LSU had a successful meet all-around, it continued to shine on the floor.

No. 2 Tigers finished the floor routine with six scores of over 9.90, ultimately dropping Sierra Ballard’s 9.90.

“Our floor rotation is extremely talented, but it doesn’t stop at the top six,” Ballard said. “We have top nine who can go 9.90 or above.”

Haleigh Bryant posted her 14th perfect 10 in her career and third on the floor.

“I never get tired of watching

her,” Clark said. “It’s remarkable. She’s amazing.”

LSU’s freshmen gymnasts began the final rotation with a bang. Konnor McClain and Amari Drayton scored 9.925s to leadoff LSU on the floor.

KJ Johnson followed with a near-perfect routine, scoring a 9.975, and Aleah Finnegan scored a 9.950.

“KJ doesn’t always recognized for the quality of gymnastics that she does,” Clark said. “She puts it out there every single week. She’s trusting herself more.”

Although LSU finished the night with perfection, the first half of the meet didn’t run as smooth.

“The meet felt weird in the beginning,” Clark said. “It felt a little flat when we got started.”

This could be partially due to the meet’s start time at 5 p.m., but the Tigers also took responsibil-

ity for their few poorly executed routines.

The Tigers started the night out on vault with KJ Johnson in the leadoff spot. They scored 9.875s across the board until Bryant anchored with a 9.95.

The No. 9 Tide failed to post a score higher than 9.875, allowing the Tigers to take their first lead of the night 49.450-49.200.

Moving to the second rotation, Ashley Cowan led the Tigers off on beam with a career-high score of 9.925. Kiya Johnson and McClain followed with scores of 9.90s.

Tori Tatum didn’t find out that she was competing until right before the event since Savannah Schoenherr was out.

“You got to be ready,” Clark said. “You got to be ready to go perform.”

And she was.

Tatum scored a career-high of

9.950, setting Bryant up to anchor with a 9.975. The Tigers entered the second half of the meet ahead 99.100-98.425.

Ballard continued to be a firecracker for LSU on beam. She led off with a 9.825 to get the Tigers started.

“Jay always talks about how the leadoff needs to be a firestarter,” Ballard said. “That’s just the way that I compete.”

Alexis Jeffrey followed suit with a 9.90, then McClain and Kiya Johnson scored 9.875s. Bryant scored a 9.925, setting up Finnegan to anchor with a 9.875.

Although LSU easily defeated Alabama, it is still looking at the bigger picture.

With the Podium Challenge ahead followed by the Southeastern Conference Championships, the Tigers are looking to take their momentum with them.

“Tonight certainly helped our confidence,” Clark said. “But I don’t think we’re done.”

MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille LSU men’s basketball graduate student guard Jordan Wright (6) high fives senior forward Derek Fountain (20) after scoring Feb. 27 during LSU’s 67-66 win against Georgia in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.

FRANCIS DINH / The Reveille LSU gymnastics senior all-around Haleigh Bryant strikes a pose March 1 during LSU’s 198.325197.325 over Alabama in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

FOOTBALL, from page 9

offense is in 2024.

Harold Perkins, LB

Heading into his third season, it’s already well-known how talented Perkins is. What will be more interesting to watch during spring is how new defensive coordinator Blake Baker utilizes Perkins.

Kelly told The Advocate that they plan on moving Perkins back to inside linebacker, a position he played to start last season before moving back outside after the season opener.

Baker has a great track record developing linebackers, so it will be interesting to watch how he and Perkins work together. Given Perkins’ talent, getting the best out of him may be the biggest key to improving what was a bad defense in 2023.

JK Johnson, CB

The secondary was arguably LSU’s biggest weakness in 2023. Kelly and LSU signed four corners out of the transfer portal going into last season, but for numerous reasons, none of the four were active by November.

Johnson was one of those four and missed the entire season with a leg injury he suffered during fall camp. While Johnson is unproven at LSU, he played in 12 games and made five starts for Ohio State in 2022.

The biggest questions surrounding Johnson going into the spring

are whether he can emerge as LSU’s No. 1 corner and what kind of lasting effects (if any) his injury will have on him.

Kaleb Jackson, RB

The running back room has quickly become one of the biggest questions on LSU’s roster. With Trey Holly suspended indefinitely and incoming freshman Caden Durham not enrolled yet, Jackson and veteran Josh Williams are the only scholarship running backs on LSU’s roster this spring.

Jackson was one of LSU’s most exciting young players last season but played sparingly. Kelly said this was due to Jackson still learning the offense and grasping skills like pass blocking. Whether he can develop in those areas this spring will be something to watch.

Whit Weeks, LB

Just as Jackson was on offense, Weeks might’ve been LSU’s most exciting freshman on defense last season. One of the most polarizing players on the roster, Weeks started three games in 2023, but despite playing well in those starts, didn’t see the field much later in the season.

Now with Omar Speights gone, that could open up a starting spot for Weeks. That depends, however, on what position Perkins plays.

If Perkins returns to inside linebacker, that could demote Weeks back to the bench, unless veteran Greg Penn III comes out of the lineup. Weeks has better size and feel

for the position than Perkins based on what they each showed in the middle last season, but how that plays out during spring practice is something to watch.

DJ Chester, C

The offensive line is arguably the strongest unit on LSU’s team. The Tigers return four of last year’s five starters up front, but the one replacement will come at center.

Charles Turner, who started at center the past two seasons, left for the draft, leaving a hole at one of the most important positions on the field. The likely heir is Chester, a rising sophomore.

Chester played high-leverage snaps in SEC play when Turner left the Missouri game last season with an injury. He looked comfortable in the role and the spring will be an opportunity for him to transition into the starting role full time.

Jyaire Brown, CB

Johnson isn’t the only Ohio State transfer that could feature in the secondary in 2024 as Kelly and LSU went back to Columbus to sign Brown this transfer portal cycle. Brown played in 14 games across two seasons at Ohio State and was a top 150-ranked player out of high school.

He’s another potential option at corner given LSU’s turnover at the position over the last two years. Brown could be LSU’s most important transfer from this past cycle and spring practice is an opportunity for him to make a good first

impression.

CJ Daniels, WR

Despite LSU losing two projected first round draft picks at receiver, the unit still looks good on paper. Kyren Lacy returns after starting 10 games and tallying 558 receiving yards last season and the Tigers signed Zavion Thomas and Daniels out of the transfer

What Daniels does this spring will be worth following given his step up in competition. Thomas already has SEC experience coming from Mississippi State, but Daniels comes to Baton Rouge after spending four years at Liberty.

Daniels caught 55 passes for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, showing off impressive athleticism and great hands. The only question that remains is whether he can continue that production against SEC defenses.

Jacobian Guillory, DT

Defensive tackle is undoubtedly LSU’s thinnest position going into spring practice. The Tigers lost their three top players at the position from last season, and the only returning scholarship players at the position are Guillory and Jalen Lee.

Guillory saw more playing time than Lee last season and is going into his fifth year at LSU. Despite being in the program for four years, though, Guillory has never been a consistent starter. How much of an impact player he can be up front is something to watch this spring.

Dashawn McBryde, S

McBryde is LSU’s highest ranked incoming freshman who is already enrolled in school for spring practice. A local talent from Denham Springs High School, McBryde is the No. 95 overall player in the country and No. 3 player in Louisiana for the class of 2024, according to the 247sports composite rankings.

As a safety, a position where LSU was relatively weak last season, McBryde could get an opportunity to compete for early playing time this spring.

DYLAN BOREL / The Reveille LSU football offense team runs a play April 21, 2022, during LSU’s spring practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

OPINION

Black women on TV have come a long way, but not far enough

February is the month of love, Black history and “The Bachelor.”

So, in its wake, it’s the perfect time to analyze how far Black women have come on reality dating shows. Since reality TV is a relatively young medium, its history is quite short but impactful.

Tiffany “New York” Pollard’s impact has been polarizing for the image of Black women on reality TV. Her shenanigans on “Flavor of Love” and “I Love New York” spawned several memes and put a focus on Black women, but they also reinforced racist stereotypes that Black women are still fighting today.

Loud, ghetto, ratchet, etc. are words that were used to describe Pollard and the women that came after her. Because these stereotypes spilled over from TV to reality, they led the Black women that would go on reality dating shows to shift their approach.

On shows like “The Bachelor,” “Are You the One?” and “Love Island,” Black women started to tone down their personalities to beat stereotypes and appeal to white audiences.

The negative portrayal also led to a decrease in casting for Black women. By the 2010s, reality TV fans were practically begging for Black women to be on shows that weren’t “Bad Girl’s Club” or “The Real Housewives.” Lack of representation in a pop culture space can be harmful for any marginalized group.

Black women were hardly represented on these shows, which sent the message that they were undesirable. These women were always used as a filler or the butt of the joke. When the only representation on reality dating shows is negative, the question of desirability for Black women can translate off screen.

It may seem silly to think that

reality TV has this much influence, but it truly does. So many social media references, memes and skits have been sourced from different reality TV shows.

This influence also includes how the world views Black women. That’s not to say that we were treated like royalty in the U.S. to begin with, but the negative image on screen worsened the idea of who Black women were and are.

Soon came the “token Black girl” trope, and Black women became a means to an end for TV networks. These women were simply used to fill space and meet diversity quotas. As a viewer, it felt as though these shows were performatively casting one or two Black women in efforts to shut us up.

The antics didn’t stop there. After relentless begging from viewers, dating shows began casting at least one Black woman and one Black man. This wouldn’t be much of an issue; however, these contestants were always coupled up and not always given the opportunity to explore connections with other castmates.

It was almost expected that the two Black castmates would be together from beginning to end, regardless of compatibility and attraction. This trend is especially noticeable in the original “Love Island” series.

Meanwhile, castmates of other races were always able to date around without second guessing themselves because of their skin color. Limited screen time and the casting of men that don’t typically date Black women has been an ongoing cycle for several seasons on different dating shows.

Things came to a halt in the fall of 2020 when “Love Island USA” season two premiered, and contestant Justine Ndiba caught the attention of viewers and immediately garnered their support.

During that season, Nbida trended for days at a time on Twitter (X), and it was the first time that a Black woman on a reality dating show was truly seen from beginning to end.

Fans called out her lack of screen time, and the showrunners fixed those issues in real time. Even edits that painted her in a negative light were outshined by the support from viewers. Nbida ushered in a new wave of support for Black women on dating shows worldwide.

Seeing a shift in the way Black women are treated on these shows has been a breath of fresh air. Just as the negative stereotypes created real strife for Black women, seeing these women positively will also impact how we’re treated in reality.

It can be argued that Pollard caused more harm than good, but Black women’s advancement in these spaces wouldn’t be possible without her. Fans wouldn’t have Rachel Lindsay, the first Black bachelorette or Ndiba without the infamous “New York” persona that Pollard created.

Black women are now able to be vulnerable and romantic in the same ways as their white counterparts on these shows. Creating the space for this to happen has been monumental for Black women on and off screen. And while the tides are changing, there’s still more work to be done.

Jemiah Clemons is a 20-year-old kinesiology sophomore from Miami, Florida.

Swifties have an unhealthy relationship with Taylor Swift

TAYLOR’S TALKS

TAYLOR HAMILTON @taylorhami04

Do you have that one friend who thinks they know Taylor Swift? I don’t mean that they know her star sign, favorite food, etc. I mean, do they believe that they know Swift personally?

If you have one of those friends, you should reconsider that friendship. It’s one thing to admire the singer/songwriter, but it’s another thing to obsess about her to the point of defending her at all costs, especially when Swift is in the wrong.

Everybody knows that she damages the environment due to her private jet usage.

As a global sensation, Swift is known for constantly traveling worldwide to sing her songs. However, with that comes her precious private jet.

According to AP News, just for the Super Bowl alone, Swift may have released over 200,000 pounds of carbon dioxide on one flight, which is “about 14 times as much as the average American household emits in a year.”

It’s startling to hear that Swift. I don’t care if you’re a celebrity; we all have to try to take care of the environment. And her private jet usage isn’t cutting it for environmental sustainability.

The worst part of the issue is how the Swifties have defended her through it. Many have proclaimed that other celebrities’ private jet usage is more damaging to the environment.

How does that make the issue any better? Just because other celebrities are doing it doesn’t make it okay. Nobody should get slack for harming the environment.

Another issue between Swifties and their relationship with Swift is their frequent overreactions to jokes between friends, including a

recent “issue” between Swift and Emma Stone.

Stone was interviewed in January after receiving the Golden Globe for best actress for “Poor Things.” One interviewer asked about one of her dear friends, Swift, and Stone responded by jokingly saying, “What an asshole, am I right?”

The comment sent Swifties into an utterly ridiculous rage. If any of them did their research, they’d know that the pair have been friends for nearly two decades. I’m pretty sure they can handle occasionally calling each other rude nicknames without hurting each other’s feelings.

It’s strange that Swifties were more upset about the issue than Swift herself. It’s like they’re trying to protect her without actually knowing her, and it’s weird.

Let’s be honest: Swift doesn’t know you or care about your thoughts about things going on in her life. Because, again, it’s her life, not yours, and being her fan doesn’t make you a part of her life.

At the Golden Globes, Swift was nominated for the cinematic and box office achievement award for her film centered around the Eras Tour.

She didn’t win the award, and many of her fans took it personally.

Dramatic much? There’s no denying that Swift has been a powerhouse in the music industry. However, do her fans need to be big babies about her not winning one award? The answer is no.

Perhaps even more frightening than the Swifties being obsessed with her wins and losses are the job opportunities available to superfans for simply being a superfan.

According to Fox 5 Washington, D.C., London’s Victoria and Albert Museum has an opening for a Swiftie who can serve as an adviser for Swift and her fandom.

Does no one realize how creepy that is? To know a celebrity to the point that you can take a job and talk about them, their life, friends and family daily is stalker-level ma-

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.

terial.

If you don’t find that stalkerish, I don’t know what is. Sure, it’s not to the same degree as Swift filing lawsuits against people tracking her jets, but it’s up there.

I don’t care if she’s helped you with heartbreak; these parasocial relationships must stop. Because she’ll never know you, no matter how many times you stick up for her. To her, you’re just another person who’ll pay thousands of dollars for a concert ticket.

And for anyone who’s outraged at what I’ve said, it’s you. Hi. You’re the problem.

Jokes aside, if you feel personally insulted by this column, well, that’s the whole point. You’re your own person outside of Swift. Obsessing about every little detail of her life isn’t healthy for you or those around you.

Taylor Hamilton is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Tallahassee, Florida.

GRAPHIC BY DEVIN ROBERTSON