Sources of Comfort: Volume 113, Issue 3

SOURCES OF COMFORT

PROFILE PROFILE

COMFORT ISSUE

5. DEAN’S NEW HELLO

6. ELECTON RESULTS

7. SOURCES OF COMFORT

8. STUDENTS STUDIOUS SPOTS

10.

11.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: HANNAH DIGGS

ONLINE EDITOR: ELLERY SEYMOUR

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: BECCA BURKS

COPY EDITOR: MAGGIE RYAN

LAYOUT EDITOR: DEMAH YOUSEF (4-11)

LAYOUT EDITOR: JOSIAH VALLONE (12-19)

PHOTOGRAPHER: KENDRA BALDWIN

PHOTOGRAPHER: FLYNN HIRREL

PHOTOGRAPHER: ADDI JARRELL

STAFF WRITER: JAE HURD

STAFF WRITER: LINC LUKE

STAFF WRITER: ALAINA MAY

STAFF WRITER: CHARLOTTE MILLER

STAFF WRITER: NOAH MORRIS

STAFF WRITER: MALCOLM ROSE

STAFF WRITER: COLM SIMMONS

ADVISOR

DR. FELIPE PRUNEDA SENTIES

MISSION STATEMENT

As a student-run and student-funded newsmagazine, The Profile uncovers the smart edge to campus culture: the people, places, ideas and trends that curious, confident students and faculty want, need and ought to know. By critically examining issues important to the Hendrix community, The Profile aims to act as a catalyst for change, a tool for transparency between the student body and faculty and a source of inspiration for its readers to begin thinking globally and acting locally.

@Hendrixprofile

NOTE FROM EDITOR HANNAH DIGGS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I’ve spent a lot of time the past few years moving around. After I unpacked my bags in Galloway for the first time, I was propelled into moving from place to place, primarily because of COVID combined with the flighty nature of young adulthood. During all of this roaming, living with people from around the world and occupying seats that I never thought I’d make it to, I thought a lot about comforting spaces. What makes a comfortable space? Who has the privilege of feeling comfortable where? How can you curate a space that is comfortable for all people?

The stories in this issue seek to answer these questions as they span from talking with activists around campus and how they make comfort and activism coexist all the way to how to cure freshman homesickness. Our writers also had the chance to sit down with interim Dean LeBlanc to help students get to know him a little better since he now, with the nature of the position, has the opportunity to influence campus culture by making Hendrix a more welcoming, comfortable place for all students.

I implore you as you read through this issue

to not only think of ways in which you make the world a little more comfortable for yourself, but about what you can do to lighten someone else’s load. In what spaces do you have privilege, and how can you curate spaces that help make others more comfortable in those spaces? Making a comfortable space is an intentional act, and I hope that this issue walked you through facets of the idea that you had not explored before.

Sincerely,

Have a question, response, or inquiry?

You can reach us anytime at diggshm@hendrix.edu.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on the latest stories.

photos by Flynn Hirrel

NEW BEGINNINGS WITH DEAN LEBLANC NEW BEGINNINGS DEAN’S NEW HELLO

BY LINC LUKE

Following Dean Wiltgen’s departure this October, a space was left in campus administration. But who could fill these shoes? Meet Michael LeBlanc, the acting dean of Hendrix College. Previously, he served as Assistant Dean, and before that, Director of Public Safety. As we welcome LeBlanc into his new position as the acting Dean of Students, we’ve gained an opportunity to learn a bit more about him.

Michael LeBlanc started his career working in Administration at his alma mater, Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa. He worked as the Head of Public Safety but unfortunately had to leave as they were closing down the campus he was working at. After searching for a new job with no luck in Iowa, he was drawn back to Arkansas where he once lived and worked as a police officer in Rogers for six years. He applied to Hendrix college and, little did he know, he would be in for a two day long interview including interviews with heads of departments, senior leadership teams, a forum with the students, lunch with students and dinner with senate members. “The red brick building reminded me of Ashford.” He recalled, when talking about his first Hendrix experience. He started as the Director of Public Safety for three years before he was promoted to the Assistant Dean’s position.

Michael LeBlanc joined the Air Force at 17 years old, straight out of high school in Winedot Michigan. After basic training, he got the job he wanted as Security Police. Halfway through the police academy, there was an opportunity to join the K-9 corps. 13 people tried out to get in and only three got in, including our very own Michael LeBlanc. He spent the next 6 weeks in K-9 patrol school then he went to his first duty station in Idaho for 2 years. He then received orders to go to Korea as a perimeter defenseman for a year before returning to the US and being stationed at an Air Force base in Arizona, where he met his wife. There he went to bomb dog school, “ I loved being a dog handler with the Narcotics and the patrol stuff but once I got [to the bomb school] I was like this is my bread and butter, I enjoyed the excitement of it.” After this, LeBlanc spent three years in England where he handled another bomb dog and a patrol dog while also going through the English K-9 search school. The dog would not listen to him as he didn’t have a British accent. Leblanc had to put on a British accent to get the dog to follow his instructions. He got to do secret service for two different US Presidents including George W. Bush. After that, he went back to Arkansas with his family freshly out of the military to go through the police academy and worked

construction until he got a job as a policeman. LeBlanc returned to Iowa and got hired as a policeman for 19 years with the Dewatt police department. During that time, he also went back to the Military where he became a sergeant in the National Guard. He oversaw special operations. After September 11th, 2001, LeBlanc was put back into active duty hours after the event, where he stayed for the next three years and multiple deployments. He then went back to school, getting his degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “I enjoyed school so much, I took about a month’s break then I started Grad School, then I got my teaching degree in teaching and learning with technology.” Then he got his job in Ashford University. “That’s my life in a nutshell.”

On an average Saturday, LeBlanc can be found spending time with his family and his dogs, two pure bred Great Danes, Harlow and Hadley. He describes himself as a major foodie who loves to cook. He loves to cook for his family and does 90% of the cooking in his house. He also loves going to antique shops and auctions which he and his wife picked up in England, they love thrifting, and he loves looking for a deal. LeBlanc is also a guitar player, he was even in a band in high school called Pike Stoody and The Wogs, the band got disqualified in his high school talent show because they played so many encores for the cheering crowds that they had to pull the plug. He has ten guitars in his collection and three amps, he plays just because he loves it and it’s relaxing. His movies of choice are Somewhere in Time, which is his favorite romantic movie, and Battleship, a movie he’s seen over thirty times. His favorite colors are Air Force blue and deeper shades of green.

Leblanc was a founding member of Emergency K-9 Operations: Search and Rescue in Iowa. This is a nonprofit organization that did searches for drowning victims and retirement homes. “We had a lot of finds, we were able to bring closure to a lot of families who have lost loved ones.” Additionally, he has two half sleeves of tattoos that were done by his son-in-law’s tattoo parlor here in Conway, Black Hare Tattoo.

His favorite tradition at Hendrix College in SOCO54, but he also loves that there are so many people at Hendrix from “different walks of life and that everyone’s different in their own special way and that Hendrix embraces that.” His words of advice to the student body are that communication is key. If you communicate effectively, problems can be solved quickly. Efficiency goes down if you don’t communicate. Talk things out, everything can be solved by talking.

ELECTION RESULTS

JAE HURD | STAFF WRITER

Last November, Sarah Huckabee Sanders was elected as the first woman governor of Arkansas over Chris Jones, the Democratic candidate. Sanders was a member of Trump’s administration during his presidency, and “the highest profile Trump administration official in elected office,” according to AP news. Before getting into her future, let’s look at her past.

Sanders has a history in politics, including helping her father, and former governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, run for President in both 2008 and 2016. In 2008, she was his national politics director, a position which “sets the agenda” for the campaign, according to the Democratic National Committee. In 2016, she was her father’s campaign manager. By February 1st, 2016, Huckabee’s campaign was suspended. Twenty four days later, Sanders joined Donald Trump’s campaign as the senior advisor. After Trump won, she was “named the Deputy Assistant to the President and Press Secretary on January 19, 2017” (Ballotpedia). Now, she is the governor of Arkansas, following in her fathers footsteps, beating Chris Jones with 63% of the votes. This is the first time she has ever served in elected office. So what does this mean for the future of our state? What does she have in store for us?

One of the policies Sanders has stated she wants to impose, according to her website, is upping law enforcement in Arkansas by hiring more cops and increasing their resources. She also wants to “increase prison capacity” as a part of her “make Arkansas safer” initiative. She promises she will “never defund the police” and that she will stand with police against Biden and “the radical left.” These promises, along with Sanders’ pro-life position on abortion, follow with the standard ideals of the Republican Party.

One of the ways that Sanders differentiates

herself from her predecessor, Asa Hutchinson, is her position on trans youth and gender affirming healthcare. According to the Washington Examiner, “Sarah Sanders said that she would have supported an Arkansas bill banning transgender medical intervention for minors that was vetoed by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson,” (Aabram). She says that her reasoning for this is that minors should not have the ability to make choices for themselves that are permanent, a position fully endorsed by Donald Trump. This position and reasoning is something heavily contested and criticized by members of the LGBTQ+ community, who argue that not being able to take HRT (hormone replacement therapy, the treatment often required in gender affirming healthcare) will also permanently change their bodies. The difference between this healthcare and tattoos, something she cites as another example of her reasoning, is that someone can always get a tattoo later in their life, but puberty will alter someone’s body one way or the other, and not being able to take the treatment trans youth need will still permanently affect their body. Sanders has also supported Trump’s ban on transgender soldiers in the military.

Her main opponent, Chris Jones, supported trans healthcare, saying “Certainly whatever changes are necessary to ensure that people feel safe, and feel like they can be a part of the broader Arkansas community is what I would not only support, but make any necessary changes to ensure that that happens.’’ In contrast to Sanders, Jones also promised resources to help the Arkansas education system and to ensure everyone has the opportunity for preschool and to build up our community colleges. He also promised to protect voters’ rights, eldercare, and solar power in Arkansas. Asa Hutchinson has assured the public he will be working with Sanders to ensure a smooth transition.

STUDENTS DISCUSS FINDING JOY THROUGH CHILDHOOD COMFORTS

Everyone has their way of finding comfort, and, as we work towards bettering ourselves and seeking more education, there are a lot of discomforts we will have to overcome to get there. Although the first semester is complete and the time for adjustment is over, we are constantly changing and finding new ways to engage and soothe ourselves. Self-care is a journey, and in our time of need practicing healthy ways of coping will improve our quality of life and create healthy habits for the future.

When I’m feeling down and seeking reassurance about being away from home and my place on this campus, I can always count on my stuffed animals to provide a grounding hug. I’ve always been big on physical touch as my main love language, and I’ve used that knowledge to navigate the best ways to comfort myself during times of stress. There are many ways to practice self-care and comfort, and an easy way to do that is to revisit your favorite childhood comforts.

Another way I destress is by watching old tv shows that remind me of a simpler time. Spongebob has always been there for me; when I’m feeling down, it’s a surefire way to lift my spirits. Cartoons specifically work wonders in helping me re-ground myself in the moment. The usually 10-11 minute runtime and easily solved problems provide a different outlook on problems and inspire me to find simple solutions or just a break from the stress. My go-to comfort cartoon shows are The Amazing World of Gumball and Steven Universe, you’re just never going to beat a silly song and funny faces. Turn off your brain and let the simply sweet messages lull you to a better place.

SOURCES COMFORT OF

BY COLM SIMMONS

While stuffed animals and cartoons are great ways to unwind and work through hard times, never underestimate a good game. There is an unlimited number of games that have so many different forms and can be played by many people. Whether you’re taking a mental break with a puzzle or Temple Run or playing a vigorous game of tag or kickball games are great for releasing pent-up stress or energy. A board game can take you from zero to one hundred. Games also bring in the element of friends which always makes things more enjoyable, or competitive.

Coloring is another pastime that might be something you abandoned when you left middle school, but now is the time to pick it back up. There are free coloring sheets for print on google or you can be adventurous and start on a blank piece of paper, but crayons, colored pencils, and markers are all you need to ease the stress of the world. Coloring is a way of getting thoughts onto paper without having to worry about words or meaning. Let your imagination run wild and revel in the feeling of making something for yourself and the sake of making something without a grade attached to it.

No matter how you choose to destress, the vital thing is you take time to relax and focus on yourself. During finals, the pressure is on, so ensuring your health and well-being are the top priority above all else. Things that are geared toward children aren’t respected as a valid pastime or comfort, but if something works to help you let loose enjoy it. I encourage you to think outside the box and revisit some great outlets from your childhood.

photo by Addi Jarrell

AN IN-DEPTH EXPLANATION OF HENDRIX STUDENTS’ FAVORITE STUDY SPOTS ON CAMPUS.

STUDENTS’ STUDIOUS SPOTS

BY COLM SIMMONS

As we near the end of the semester and finals begin to loom over us like a pack of wolves, the biggest question on every student’s mind is simple: where do I study? Look no further than this here article as I lay out the ins and outs of the best study spots here on campus. While this is my first rodeo in regards to Hendrix finals, I’m a veteran when it comes to searching for the best place to hunker down and get some work done. During the height of COVID, the majority of students working from home had to carve out spaces for ourselves and grind out our schoolwork.

The Bailey library is a staple and a pillar for studying here on campus. The space is huge, filled with tables and an entire computer lab to hunker down in and study anytime of the week—as long as you can find a seat. Although the library seems like an obvious choice, it’s also a great one. The energy alone screams “get to work” as the books lining the building muffle the group work whispers of the first floor. While the first floor has its charms the second floor is the main attraction with a no-talking policy and coveted study carrels. Although the entire second floor is dubbed a quiet zone meant for solo studying, the study carrels add a feeling of security. The study carrels, of which there are few, are a perfect place to shut off outside distractions, but getting your hands on one is the hard part. Study carrels aside, the library as a whole is a perfect place to study with the Snoddy Center and Writing Center residing there as well. Another campus favorite is the cozy Murphy House. Not only does it look like a cottage from some fairytale, it has the perfect atmosphere for studying. Although the room for studying is relatively small everyone present is fully

invested in their work. The assortment of teas and coffee help coax you into a wonderfully studious mood that is unmatched by any other study spot on campus. Its usual hours—8am to 5pm during the week—don’t give much room for night owls. Thankfully on Mondays and Wednesdays, the Murphy House is open from 6pm to 9pm which brings in a fun crowd. If you’re looking to fortify the knowledge you’ve learned in class and look aesthetically pleasing while doing it, the Murphey House is for you. An often overlooked but another perfect spot is the sleek study rooms in the Miller Quad. You might be saying to yourself “But I don’t live in Miller,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a place in these newer study carrels. Miller Quad has a certain air about it that matches that of a hospital, but maybe it’s that sterile feeling that’s perfect for studying. The study rooms have giant whiteboards that make going through notes and quizzing yourself or a group of friends more exciting than the pen-and-paper method—just be sure to bring your own markers. Along with an assortment of tables and chairs to fit many people. If you can get over the sporadic outburst of people having fun in their dorms, the Miller Quad could be the next big learning hub.

All in all, Hendrix has a countless number of places to focus and study, for the solo study session or group work, the possibilities are endless. When preparing for final exams try and step outside of your dorm room and see what the campus has to offer in terms of a change in space. A major factor in retaining information is the location you’ve chosen to sit down and work.

photos by Kendra Baldwin

ACTIVISM BALANCE

BY ALAINA MAY

You’ve entered a new community, a new school, a new life. Even if you’re not a freshman, there might be things unknown or different than what you’re used to. As young adults, we are all still growing accustomed to life in the real world, so who has time to attend protests or watch the news or go to city council meetings? To be completely honest: no one really does.

In order to be involved in activism or be considered an activist, it isn’t necessary to devote every moment of the day to it. If there are causes you would like to support in your community, it’s important to remember to focus on yourself first. Your grades, your financial state, and your sleep schedule should be prioritized.

Current Hendrix College junior and member of Reinvest in Conway, Frankie Franco, strongly believes in staying engaged in one’s community while making sure to not become overworked.

“We are socialized to feel like we constantly have to compare ourselves to people. Like we constantly need to be working and striving for more so that you’re constantly producing, but that’s not healthy.” Franco explained. “That doesn’t leave time and space to revive and rejuvenate yourself.”

As students of Hendrix often realize, this campus is an amazing place to become active and educated about pressing causes. Hendrix N.A.A.C.P, Sociology and Anthropology Club, Committee on Gender and Sexuality (COGS), Disability Awareness Club, and the Environmental Concerns Committee (ECC) are just a few of the many informational and activism-based organizations at Hendrix. Associate Professor of Anthropology and Department Chair, Dr. Anne Goldberg, agrees that these clubs help provide students with the unique ability to educate themselves on the numerous causes that activism strives to resolve.

“I think they can be really great spaces for finding allies, finding those people who can help you relax. It’s nice to be around people who can help you. I do think it can be easy to get spread thin and easy to get overwhelmed, but I’m really grateful for the work that they’ve done,” Goldberg said. “Student groups have more power than they’re aware of for making change. When students want something to

happen, it can really happen.”

While it is important to get involved in these organizations and show your support, it is also important to let those affected by racism, disabilities, or gender inequality be the primary representatives for those causes.

Shaunell Henderson, senior and founder of the Hendrix chapter of the N.A.A.C.P also shared: “I would say don’t reinvent the wheel and don’t step on others. I think that the first step, if you are white, is to acknowledge and accept your privilege and accept that your voice cannot be the centralized voice to this conversation,” Henderson explained. “Knowing that there are other voices that do need to be prioritized and looking at ways to support those voices.”

The recent Conway school district bathroom ban against transgender students and removal of two books about young transgender people have sparked protests, rallies, sit-ins, and a walk out at Conway High School where people were arrested. As the vote to approve these bills was unanimous, it is unlikely that they will be repealed any time soon. However, actions can be taken by Faulkner County residents to sway the opinion of those who enforced these transphobic restrictions.

“We might not get the schoolboard to repeal those policies, but if I can get a few people in the community to be a little more accepting of trans people, that’s still huge. Again, it’s not systemic, but it is local, it is communal.” Franco said.

Activism can take many forms. What is equally important to attending protests and club meetings (and potentially less draining) is advocation by educating yourself, handing out fliers, and even discussing current issues to spread awareness. Maintaining an active and informed position in one’s community is crucial to anyone interested in pursuing activism.

“If you have a good community around you, you should be able to find rest,” Henderson said. “So, if you’re feeling physically tired or you can’t make the protests, see what you can do [by] posting on social media, sharing the fliers, getting other people there. That’s one of the ways you have to create balance because the work isn’t just going to get done if everyone decides to stop.”

photo by Addi Jarrel

HOMESICK HENDRIX

BY CHARLOTTE MILLER

Moving out is always a big adjustment, but the addition of making new friends, working with intimidating professors, keeping up with the college workload, and deciding which side of the cafeteria you are going to sit on make the transition even more difficult. With so much on your plate, it’s easy to think back to when life was simpler—until you remember that your mom made you wash the dishes every Tuesday. So what can college students do when we realize that we can’t pet our dog at our demand and are overwhelmed at having to actually figure out how to do our own laundry? It’s different for everybody, but here are some remedies for homesickness from our new freshman who are facing this issue head on.

Freshman Savannah Loving enjoys watching comfort media like movies and shows whenever she misses home. Her two favorite shows, Bob’s Burgers and Rick and Morty, make her feel happy and bring nostalgia. She also enjoys decorating her room and feels relaxed when completing her art homework. Savannah says that, “when I miss my family I usually Facetime them.” Savannah makes sure to keep her family updated on her college life and talks with her mom and Mimi every Sunday. Savannah encourages other homesick students to, “focus one day at a time.”

Whenever freshman Allie Farrar feels lonely or isolated, they enjoy reading. Even the drives going to and from the bookstore help cheer Allie up. When Allie doesn’t have a book in their hands, they find scratch-art to be calming. They also enjoy playing the mobile game Best Fiends to relax (Allie assured me that they were not sponsored, but do urge others to join the app). Allie’s advice for other students feeling lonely and a bit down is, “Don’t wallow in it. You don’t have to and you shouldn’t. It’s not good for the soul.”

Now that we have heard from some of our new students, let’s see what tips one of our seasoned professionals has. Senior Verity Callahan encourages homesick students to call up their families and loved ones to talk about their experience. She said that when she first moved out she used to call her parents and even if she didn’t have anything groundbreaking to share, talking with them would make her feel closer to home. Verity stated that it’s, “easy to feel alienated,” when submerged into a completely new environment. She says that “trying to continue a relationship with parents and friends from high school,” can bring some familiarity and comfort to new students.

In addition to all these methods, Hendrix also offers free counseling services and one of their typical issues that they can help with is, “adjusting to college.” Counselors are available and welcoming no matter the reason for the appointment. You can find the Office of Counseling Services at 1541 Washington Avenue in the white house across the street from the Mills Center.

photo by Flynn Hirrel

Food is something that everybody needs. But for most, it goes beyond just a need, becoming a source of comfort. We all have comfort foods: foods that we look forward to eating, or foods that cheer us up after the end of a bad day. For this reason, we all have comfort restaurants as well. Places that make us happy when we go there, for the food, for the atmosphere, for the convenience, or for the inviting nature. I spoke to a few people around campus and got them to share a few of their favorite restaurants with me.

Joseph Washum told me about Don Pepe’s, a Mexican restaurant not too far from campus. The restaurant gives customers the opportunity to build their own meals from a variety of options. The food is affordable, getting takeout is fast and easy, and the restaurant even offers discounts to all Hendrix students, making it a good alternative to the cafeteria for anyone who wants a convenient meal. Joseph also described how the staff is always nice, and how everyone at the restaurant seems to care about what they do. Joseph’s favorite order at Don Pepe’s is the CCR- which stands for chicken, cheese, and rice. A few weeks ago, I went to Don Pepe’s with Joseph and ordered a CCR of my own. The finely cooked chicken and rice with cheese poured over it all truly makes for a delicious meal, and I was even given enough to have leftovers later that day.

Ryan Bomar told me about Stoby’s, a diner near UCA. Stoby’s certainly has a reputation- when an uncle of mine learned I was going to school in Conway, the first question he asked was “have you been to Stoby’s?” Tragically, I have not been to Stoby’s during my time in Conway, but Ryan speaks incredibly highly of the place. She and her girlfriend typically order soup at Stoby’s, with Ryan’s preference being the potato soup. In

COMFORT RESTAURANTS

BY MALCOLM ROSE

addition, they usually split a bowl of cheese dip when eating at Stoby’s. The cheese dip definitely seems to be what most people come to the diner for, with Ryan describing it as “both filling and tasty.” Ryan and her girlfriend also speak highly of the broccoli cheddar, describing it as a “must have”. Stoby’s also has a wide array of breakfast options, and, while Ryan has not been to Stoby’s for breakfast, she says that “if their eggs are as fluffy as their potatoes I will go up the wall crazy.” Ryan described the tone of Stoby’s as being cozy, and feeling a lot like a college restaurant due to its location next to UCA. The service area is smaller, the lighting is warm, and the wait staff is typically collegeaged and extremely friendly. Finally, I’d like to write about a favorite place of mine to eat at. Breakfast food has always been one of my favorite kinds of food, and this cafe makes fantastic breakfast food. The coffee is always delicious, and I say this as someone who usually has to drown a cup of coffee in sugar before it tastes good. My favorite food at The Patio Cafe has to be their crepes. The cafe offers both sweet and savory crepes, the sweet ones being filled with fruit and cream, and the savory ones being filled with meat and cheese. The staff are always pleasant and the service is always good. The walls of the restaurant are covered in decorations, and the inside of the restaurant is incredibly cozy, but when the weather is nice I prefer to sit outside. Overall, I think the cafe makes for an excellent choice for breakfast, conveniently located within walking distance of Hendrix, only a very short distance down Front Street.

There’s nothing quite like a good comfort food, and for that reason, there’s nothing quite like a good comfort restaurant. I hope that by sharing a few of Hendrix’s favorite spots to eat, more people will be able to appreciate the good foods around them and discover more comfort foods of their own.

Photo By Manu Padilla - stock.adobe.com

“MY FAVORITE FOOD AT THE PATIO CAFE HAS TO BE THEIR CREPES.”

PHOTO OF INTEREST

BY JOSIAH VALLONE

AGAINST THE ODDS

HENDRIX MEN’S SOCCER TEAM REACHES QUARTERFINALS

BY ALAINA MAY

With over three decades of seasons and hundreds of games, the Hendrix College Men’s Soccer team has just achieved its third winning season in the history of the program. The reason for this sudden change? Possibly a comeback after the lull caused by COVID. Maybe even sheer luck. If you asked the team, however, they’d know the honest answer: determination and support from their fellow players and fans.

Practicing together, working together, and competing together have been integral to the Soccer team’s success.

Angel Ortiz, a Hendrix junior and member of the soccer team, emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy, strong relationship with his teammates.

“You come into the team, and you’re accepted. No matter who you are, no matter what you are. You’re accepted and we play for each other. Not only on the field but off the field,” Ortiz said.

Matthew Kern, coach of the team for the last six years, feels incredibly proud

of the work and effort that his team has put into this season. Hendrix senior, Luis Civallero, shared that there can be multiple factors that affect the outcome of a game. The number of fans in the crowd, the weather conditions, or if it’s a home or an away game—all these factors play a role. However, Coach Kern tries to remind the team that every game, no matter the circumstances, is an opportunity to get a win for Hendrix.

“We just try to have the guys encourage each environment. We try to tell them if we’re playing away that’s what we prefer, if we’re playing at home then we prefer to play at home. Or if it’s raining then we like that best or if it’s hot and sunny then we like that best too. Glass is half full,” Kern explained.

There can be pros and cons to having a large audience during any game. It might be easier to get distracted or feel pressured if family and friends are watching you, but Civarello believes that having fans to support him and his team can help encourage them to perform

better and improve their morale.

“I can definitely say our Senior Night against Rhodes we had about twohundred people come out and just the environment that the fans gave us really gave us that boost and a field advantage,” Civallero said.

The current upperclassmen team members have had to experience losses on and off the field as the majority of their college years have been consumed by the era of COVID. Being able to finally have fellow students and peers cheering them on, according to Coach Kern, made all the difference.

“Especially the senior class because they’ve been punched in the mouth a couple of times early in their career here. So, it’s been neat to see them being rewarded for sticking it out,” Kern said. “It was also neat to see the Hendrix community enjoy it as well. We didn’t do this by ourselves, it takes a village. It’s an awesome, awesome small college campus and our guys enjoy playing here.”

Photo by Jenn Mckenzie

WARRIORS CRUSH RHODES!

BY CHARLOTTE MILLER

The school-wide rivalry against Rhodes College has been ongoing for several years. The football game is one of the most highly anticipated sports events of the entire year. This year, the game took place at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The several million dollar stadium is the secondary home for the Arkansas Razorbacks and can seat over 50,000 fans making for a much different playing and viewing experience than our YoungWise Memorial Stadium.

Sophomore tight end Brayden Ward said that when he first arrived on campus, he had no clue about the rivalry, but stated, “it’s drilled within the tradition to want to beat Rhodes.” Senior running back Quentin Tolbert

agreed saying that coming in, the rivalry wasn’t as big, but it was reignited after last year’s game. Hendrix had a crushing loss against the rivals last year and many upperclassmen players remembered the bell ringing and the Rhodes student section running onto the field to celebrate. Ward said that the team knew that they were not going to slip up this time and that the team’s mentality was completely different the week of the game.

“Everyone was a lot sharper, ready to go.” He stated that the importance of the rivalry in this game made the team, “a good mix between being nervous, but also extremely excited and giving us that edge.”

When asked if the hype over the game added pressure or made it more fun, Ward responded, “a bit of both.” He explained how the stadium

provided a bigger stage allowing more family and a larger student section to come cheer on our Warriors. Tolbert stated that despite this being the first cold game of the year, there was an encouraging turnout. Both players agreed that there was a lot more excitement and it was nice to come back this year and play in a more homelike setting. Ward described War Memorial as a, “special place in Arkansas’ heart,” and getting to play there was a humbling opportunity that gave the players a sense of urgency to play their best. Tolbert described playing in War Memorial as, “a whole different atmosphere,” where, “everything is amped up.” Our warriors ended the game with an especially memorable win of 6-0, but Ward stated, “it really wasn’t an

easy game from any aspect,” and explained how the teams were very evenly matched. Offense would move the ball and defense would stop them, making it difficult to gain an advantage on the field. Ward said there was a really good stalemate, but that this was one of the better “intense” games. He explained how you don’t have to score a lot of points for the game to be good. Ward applauded the Warriors on their great use of clock management and teamwork that helped win the game, but Brayden’s impressive 1415 yard catch was also one of the game stealing moments.

The Hendrix Warriors will go down in history for their amazing defeat of the Rhodes Lynxes… or at least until next year.

TAKING TIME: THE GAP YEAR EXPERIENCE

BY FLYNN HIRRELL

In mid-May of 2021, I stood in line waiting anxiously for my high school counselor to call my name. I vividly remember looking at all the people around me, a stadium full of high school seniors about to grab their diplomas and head out for futures that consisted of college, military, trade school—futures with a clear plan. I stood and thought to myself, “what am I supposed to do now?” I had applied to zero colleges, I was unsure of what career path I wanted to go down, and even at one point strongly believed that I simply didn’t have the brains for college. All these thoughts and factors led me to take a gap year. After completing my gap year and after attending college for almost a full semester, I can now say that taking a gap year has been the smartest decision I have ever made. What’s unfortunate however is the amount of misinformation I’ve heard about concerning gap years. In order to combat these misconceptions, I’d like to share my own experience in response to three of the biggest myths about gap years.

Photos by Flynn Hirrell

MISCONCEPTIONS OF GAP YEARS

1. YOU’LL FALL BEHIND ACADEMICALLY

I’ll be completely honest and say that this was one of my biggest worries. At first, I worried that I would lose all the knowledge and routine I had developed. I found this not to be the case. Giving my brain time to rest and giving it time to learn new things outside the classroom only made me more mature and responsible once starting college. If anything, I benefitted from it.

2. PEOPLE WHO TAKE GAP YEARS AREN’T SERIOUS

I figured out within the first few months of my gap year that I wanted to go to college, and I very quickly became serious about applying for colleges and figuring out what I wanted to do as a possible career path. A lot of my gap year was me coming up to my old co-workers after my shifts and talking about what might be good schools and career paths for me. It was those moments that reopened my eyes to education and I’m happy I was able to recognize that.

3. A GAP YEAR IS A BLOWOFF YEAR

There was not one second during my gap year that I wasn’t busy with something. If it wasn’t my fulltime job, it was working on my photography website or discovering new hobbies and interests. Most importantly, I was busy working on myself. I used my gap year to learn how to take care of myself, my body, and my mental health. It’s important to learn how to take care of yourself no matter where you go after high school and taking a gap year allowed me to do that.

4. GAP YEARS ARE EASY

I wanted to save this one for last because I really feel it’s arguably the most overlooked aspect of a gap year. Most assume it’s a gap year like a year-long summer vacation when in reality, it’s hard. I was mentally and physically drained, at times burnt out from work, and desperately craving something new. All these struggles helped me to appreciate the life I now have in college. And it is the memory of those struggles that keeps me motivated to stay in college and continue doing well.

In the end, the decision to take a gap year or not is up to the individual. Depending on their circumstances and personal life and career, some may or may not want to take a gap year. I hope that I could provide some insight into how my gap year has had a super positive effect on my life in and outside of college and help debunk some of the myths about gap years.

CONWAY

BY NOAH MORRIS

Hendrix has an absurdly walkable campus. It takes about 8 minutes to walk from one side to the other, to get to any of your classes or the caf. This means, when living on campus, you can meet most of your basic needs within the bounds, regardless of whether or not you own a car. Nonetheless, on Saturday nights when the caf is closed, or if you get a hankering to buy something, you’ll want to leave campus by some means of transit.

Conway, like most towns in America that don’t cost $3,000 a month for rent, is primarily oriented toward car-based transportation. You can tell by looking at Harkrider, which it’s hard not to from most of campus. Unless you get lucky with an opportunity to jaywalk (which is difficult and dangerous with the roundabouts constantly shooting traffic out on all sides), the closest available crosswalks that weren’t put in by Hendrix are Oak on one side and Walmart on the other, over a mile apart. Hendrix’s solutions (which both expressly do not stop traffic), of the bridge and Harmonic Fugue, are interesting and fun to use, but considering that our campus was closed to the public during Covid, it might be prudent for the city government to put up a crosswalk somewhere else within that mile of road. Walking here’s not horrible though. The route to Walmart and Goodwill (which are right next to each other) takes about 20 minutes by foot and, if you do it right, part of it’s through the Nature Preserve. Nonetheless, if you’re trying to get out past Oak or the highway habitually, walking is impractical to a student who’s even moderately busy.

Lyft in Conway is a viable option. Wait times are moderate, better than Uber, around 10 minutes usually. However, around 8$ at least to UCA is much more than any public transit fare in the country, Conway’s included. As of October 24th, we have a public microtransit service, a government-run ride-share program. The app Rock Region Metro costs 2.00$ a person, with a$19.50 a month Student 31-Day Pass. However, wait times are much longer for it due to initial high demand, with hour-longplus wait times not uncommon, especially during busy times of day. If you’re not in a hurry, though, it might work well for you, as it’ll take you basically anywhere in Conway you’d want it to, directly. To use, download the TransLoc app and scroll to the end of the “Rock Region Metro” section, and you can flag where you need to be picked up and where you need to be dropped off. If you need to get further than that, though, Con-

way does not have a bus network. The nearest stop connecting to the Little Rock bus network is in North Little Rock, which is an unmanageable distance unless you or a friend can drive to it. Hopefully, with the population just hitting 50,000, we will see more public transit options coming to Conway in the near future, but as of now there isn’t a reasonable method to get out of town without a car.

My favorite way to get around in Conway is bicycling. To get to the nearest Kroger, it takes about 15 minutes if you pedal slowly. If you don’t have one, do not fret. The library rents out bikes with names like “Rachel Carson” and “Angela Davis’’ to students free of charge. In addition, there is a student-run Bike Shop at 1399 Spencer Street open 4:30 - 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Markham Street, Washington Avenue, Hairston Street, and Siebenmorgen Road all have consistent bike lanes, and most surrounding roads are explicitly or functionally bikable. The big artery you should be on the lookout for is Tucker Creek, which takes you south from Tyler to UCA. No cars. There’s even a couple of water fountains available at playparks

Photos by Kendra Baldwin

HAS AN ABSURDLY WALKABLE CAMPUS.”

“HENDRIX