Nov 11, 2021

Read Our Special Corn Issue

THE MEREDITH

HERALD

@meredithherald @meredith_herald meredithherald.com

November 11, 2021

Chaos During Cornhuskin'

By Freya Dahlgren, Staff Writer

Around noon on Friday, Nov. 5, the Meredith College student body received an email informing them that the main event for Cornhuskin’ had been moved up 24 hours to that evening. Because of this change, some individuals were no longer able to attend Cornhuskin’s main event due to work or other commitments. Additionally, prop building for some of the classes had not yet been completed.

While the rain plan for Cornhuskin’ stated that in the event of inclement weather, the main event would be moved to Sunday, Nov. 7, it also mentioned that if weather concerns were predicted for both Saturday and Sunday, “a decision may be made to move Cornhuskin’ up a day to Friday, Nov. 5.” The plan proceeded to explain that the event could be moved to the next weekend, as well.

Class of 2023 co-chair Aminah Jenkins stated that “around 10:30 [a.m.] on Friday, all of the co-chairs were added to a group chat with Gaige Cogswell, [Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Service,] and others from MRA [where] they asked us how feasible it would be to move it to Friday night. We were all in agreement that this wouldn't be ideal.”

Jenkins said the Cornhuskin’ co-chairs were called to a meeting in the amphitheater at 2:30 p.m. to discuss if this change to Friday was going to work. Jenkins stated that she “had to put off eating to make the meeting in the amphitheater to have [her] voice be heard.” She continued, “I feel like the decision was made with little consideration for the amount of work that goes into this tradition.

People who spent weeks coming to practices and spent money on dancer packs had an opportunity

taken away from them in a matter of hours. And for co-chairs, we were left scrambling to get everything we needed and help our class prepare.”

Class of 2025 co-chair Ella Cannon said, “I was very stressed

the event.” She noted that SLS was aware that the co-chairs “did not support a switch to Friday evening.” However, due to the potential poor weather, Cheryl Jenkins said “there would have been no

Class of 2023 co-chairs Consepcion Cruz (far

left) and Aminah Jenkins (middle); photo by time between with everyMolly Perry thing we Sunday afternoon had to do in that short amount of and Sunday evening for the Island time from when we knew [about [in the amphitheater] to dry. As the change] to when Cornhuskin' we have experienced in previous was actually happening.” Savannah scenarios when the Island was wet, Stainback, ‘25, added, “I did not go the area is unsafe for students for to one of my classes as I knew perdancing.” An additional change sonally I wouldn't be able to focus that was made involved cancelon my class with everything that we ing Can Art and the sophomore/ had to do in around six hours.” senior serenade and rescheduling

When asked about why and the activities for another day. This how the decision to move Cornchange was made in consultation huskin’ was made, Cheryl Jenkins, with the co-chairs. “The CornDirector of Student Leadership huskin’ Co-chairs provided input and Service, said, “On Friday early that we had asked too much of morning, we learned of the forecast them and the student body to put that a rainstorm was predicted to…

Can Art, the serenade and all of the stay with us in the Raleigh area other events into one day,” Cheryl until Sunday afternoon.” Cheryl Jenkins explained.

Jenkins stated that following this

Cheryl Jenkins was also realization they “decided to enterasked about the support that cotain the idea of moving Cornhuskin’ chairs received from SLS when this to Friday evening…After numerous change was announced. She stated conversations with co-chairs, MRA that the “co-chairs wanted…grace officers, Events Office staff, judges, in the judging. We informed the Dr. Jean Jackson, scorekeepers, judges about the circumstances etc., SLS made the decision to move and asked the judges to provide

some ‘grace’ in judging since the students had just had to change things so quickly.” Finally, Cheryl Jenkins added that “the Office of Student Leadership and Service would like to thank everyone for their cooperation with the move to Friday night…We in no way wanted to have a negative impact on this Cornhuskin’ experience.

We are so thankful for all of you who have worked so hard to show that Meredith’s students could do Cornhuskin’ in a pandemic.”

In general, even without changes to the schedule due to weather concerns, Cornhuskin’ can be a difficult time for co-chairs.

When asked how her mental health has fared overall during Cornhuskin’, Aminah Jenkins stated, “It gets worse the closer we get to Corn. I spent a few days sleeping on my couch because my room and bed were filled with Corn materials.” Cannon added, “I have been more stressed lately since I’ve had a lot on my plate.” Another cochair who wished to remain anonymous said, “Honestly, [my mental health has] gone downhill. There is a lot of pressure put on co-chairs and I wish our fellow students understood that we are trying our best and this is supposed to be fun.”

All of the co-chairs felt as though their mental health could’ve been better supported through the Cornhuskin’ process.

One co-chair felt as though it would have been helpful to start preparations and planning sooner.

Aminah Jenkins stated, “It would be helpful if people would be a little more patient with things. At the end of the day, we're students.

We have academic and personal obligations outside of Corn that we're also trying to stay on top of.”

The Return of In-Person Cornhuskin'

By Freya Dahlgren, Staff Writer

For the first time since 2019, Cornhuskin’ returned to its in-person setting on campus at Meredith College. In addition to Cornhuskin’ including more in-person events this year than it did in 2020, several changes were made for this year’s Cornhuskin’.

COVID-19 protocols, improved event accessibility and logistical adjustments were implemented for Cornhuskin’ this year. Additionally, due to forecasted inclement weather on Nov. 6, the original date that Cornhuskin’ was to be held, the main event was moved to

the evening of Friday, Nov. 5.

The Office of Student Leadership and Service (SLS) announced the COVID-19 protocols in place for Cornhuskin’ before the Cornhuskin’ season started.

These protocols include adherence to Meredith College’s COVID-19 Community Standards, lower capacity at events and pre-registration for activities. Guests, including alumnae/i, were not invited on campus for Cornhuskin’ this year.

The exclusion of the Saturday morning parade from Cornhuskin’ 2021 was also meant to decrease

the number of people on campus.

Adjustments were also made to hall raids this year. Hall raids now take place earlier in the evening instead of at the traditional times of midnight or 1 a.m.

Residential students who have emotional support or service animals were provided with hall raid schedules before the raids took place in order to accommodate their animals.

Cornhuskin’s main event took place in two separate groups this year. The freshman and junior classes were able to sit together

in McIver Amphitheater for their skits, Hog Callin’ and Tall Tale performances, and the sophomore and senior classes sat together following the odd classes’ performances. While SLS originally had planned to seat every class separately, this decision was made after “careful consideration and looking at the amount of RSVPs” according to SLS.

Features

Students Speak Up About Wheelchair Accessibility On Campus

By Freya Dahlgren, Staff Writer

Photo by Elisabeth Sinicrope

Meredith students have long been advocating for greater accessibility on campus. The Herald interviewed two students on campus who are wheelchair users to hear their perspectives on navigating campus.

When asked about how accessible Meredith College is, Rebecca Simmons, ‘23, stated that campus is not accessible “because the college’s failure to accommodate [her] disability both in the design of the campus and in the application of that design prevents [her] from experiencing it to the equal extent of [her] peers.” Emma Bailey, ‘22, echoed these thoughts and added that “many parts of Meredith are now accessible because [she] had to ask for them to be changed.”

Simmons went on to list examples of inaccessibility on

campus such as the amphitheater, elevators that frequently break, desks in classrooms, the regular dysfunction of the door opening buttons, awkward placement of mailboxes and stairs leading up to the emergency blue light boxes on campus. Bailey also mentioned that a “common instance of inaccessibility is in the bathroom” where there is usually only one accessible stall if any. In her freshman dorm, Bailey “couldn’t roll [her] wheelchair under the sink, and the shower was a tub so [she] couldn’t roll [her] shower chair in it.” These issues were fixed before Bailey moved into her dorm since she toured campus early on and made note of them.

Though accessibility is an issue at Meredith, both Simmons and Bailey feel supported

by Disability Services. Bailey said, “Anytime I’ve had an issue, my counselor has been on top of it.”

Simmons said, “For easily remedied physical barriers, I think that Disability Services does a decent job of responding, but frankly… where I feel almost entirely unsupported is in navigating the ignorant attitudes and behaviors of professors who assign my grades.”

She said that professors’ behaviors “could be remedied if the college made genuine efforts to educate their faculty and staff as well as [took] some responsibility in ensuring that professors understand and follow protocol rather than communicating to students that it is their responsibility to patiently remind their professors that they have civil rights, too.”

When asked about college improvements surrounding ableism, Simmons stated, “[Meredith] can take preventative rather than reactive measures to address inaccessibility by implementing new training for faculty and staff that spells out common misconceptions about disability” and other struggles people with disabilities face every day. Bailey added that “for a campus to be considered ‘accessible,’ every part of it that an ablebodied person uses, a disabled person should be able to use.” She also said she wishes Disability Services received more funding each year.

The renovations to her freshmanyear bathroom used the majority of the funds that Disability Services gets for one year.

A major tradition at Meredith is Cornhuskin’, which takes place in the McIver Amphitheater every year. The location for the main Cornhuskin’ event

can make this tradition inaccessible to students in wheelchairs.

Bailey said that specifically, “the brick ramp is extremely uneven and overgrown with roots that make it really hard to get down.”

She continued, “Once you get to the seating, there’s nowhere for people in wheelchairs to sit. At Cornhuskin’, I had to sit off to the side and it was hard to talk to the people around me.” Bailey pointed out that the amphitheater is a “special place” on campus where many traditions and memories are made. “It’s a symbol of unity,” she explained. “Every student should be able to experience those special moments and feel comfortable while doing them.”

Simmons stated that “just because inaccessibility is normal at Meredith College does not mean that it is right or inevitable” and that the student body needs to “pay less attention to what [the administration] says and more attention to what they do.” Bailey hopes that “[she] can help make Meredith’s campus more accessible not just for [herself] but for future disabled students.”

For support with a disability or accommodations at Meredith College, reach out to disabilityservices@meredith.edu or call 919760-8427.

Camaraderie in Cornhuskin’

By Shae-Lynn Henderson, Staff Writer

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Cornhuskin’ is a Meredith tradition that is meant to promote unity among the classes. With many events to participate in that require weeks of preparation, Cornhuskin’ week aims to provide students with several opportunities to meet new classmates and strengthen relationships. While some students may find the unity of Cornhuskin’ accessible, other students say they do not feel a sense of camaraderie surrounding Cornhuskin’ week. This year was many students’ first time experiencing Cornhuskin’ in person.

For Megan Burkoski, ‘23, this year was her second in-person Cornhuskin’. She thinks that this tradition is “an extremely interesting experience” that allows students to meet new peers and build friendships. She said, “I think activities like skit, Tall Tale or even Hog Callin’” are some of the events that spark camaraderie because “[they] require girls to put their full trust in those who are speaking.”

When asked if there was any particular aspect of Cornhuskin’ that she felt lowered camaraderie, Burkoski said that “it is not [her] place to ‘diss’ Cornhuskin’ or encourage anyone not

to participate.” However, Burkoski did say that participating in Cornhuskin’ “is not an easy task” and that she believes most people who participated would say the dances were the hardest but that of course “depends on how you go into these events.”

Liz Sharpe, ‘23, was a spectator during Cornhuskin’ this year, and she says she does not view any Cornhuskin’ events as sparking camaraderie. She said, “With the limited amount of participation I had this year, I wouldn’t say that [Cornhuskin’] influenced my trust and friendship with my classmates a whole lot...I feel pretty much the same as I did before Corn this year.”

Sharpe stated that she was shocked when she heard about the amount of disagreements that happened during Cornhuskin’ practices this year. “From what I observed, trying to plan, choreograph and teach dances to other class members can be difficult... the fighting I heard about definitely didn’t help camaraderie, and if anything, [it] likely drove people apart,” she explained.

This year, Burkoski was involved in a few activities, including dances and the skit. Burkoski

was excited to participate because “Zoom Cornhuskin’ was not as accessible or [as] announced as it should have been.”

There was a shared “joy that we all [got] to be together [this year],” she said. Burkoski enjoys the social aspect Cornhuskin’ has to offer each year, particularly as a break from her other commitments like “work, school [and] athletics.”

For students who do not know what to expect with Cornhuskin’, Burkoski recommended they “come with an open mind” even if they are just going to observe. Burkoski recognized the struggles her class faced as freshmen and said that “this year is [their] first real year [when they] know what is going on.” For those who did not participate in Cornhuskin’s main event, she said they were able to build camaraderie in a multitude of other ways, such as the Corn After Party, bonfire and hall raids. Even without active participation, Burkoski pointed out that students were able to

Photo by Molly Perry

dress up, get a few Corn-themed treats and celebrate with friends and classmates who were participating. Burkoski said, “I will never endorse people skipping Cornhuskin’ if they have never tried [it].”

On the other hand, Sharpe stated, “Corn as a whole has never been something I have been interested in, so my opinions might not have the best background to back them up.” She thinks that the fact there are students who are not involved in Cornhuskin’ at all “might be more indicative of what Corn actually does for ‘unity’ or ‘camaraderie.’”

News

Cornhuskin’ Results Delayed by Postponement of Can Art

By Olivia Slack, Co-Editor in Chief

On Friday, Nov. 5, it was announced that the main Cornhuskin’ event would be moved from Saturday to that evening. Because of this change, Can Art and the sophomore/senior serenade were postponed in order to give students more time to prepare for the main event that afternoon.

Can Art is a major part of the judging process in Cornhuskin’, so as of Nov. 10 no winner has been announced.

In addition to these events, the making of student-

constructed balloon arches were also postponed. The arches are usually made the morning of Cornhuskin's main event. These commonly-recognized Meredith symbols utilize colors from the classes' themes.

The rescheduled dates for Can Art and the sophomore/senior serenade have also not been announced. The Herald and the Office of Student Leadership and Service will update the Meredith community when these dates have been decided.

Students Share Thoughts on Cornhuskin’ Themes

The Class of 2025's skit performance; photo by Molly Perry

By Anna Prince, Staff Writer

On Nov. 5, 2021, Meredith College students were able to have a more normal Cornhuskin’ than in the previous school year.

Cornhuskin’ 2021 was Meredith’s first fully in-person Cornhuskin’

since 2019, so for some students, this was their first taste as to what Cornhuskin’ was like.

Each year, the Cornhuskin’ themes are a source of excitement.

The Class of 2025 chose the theme “Sunny Days Ahead” for their first Cornhuskin’.

The Class of 2024 chose the theme “Super Spy,” and the Class of 2023 celebrated their onyx year with the The Class of 2022's skit performance; theme “A photo by Molly Perry Bling Out of This World.” The Class

of 2022 chose the theme “Race to the Finish” for their final Cornhuskin’.

Claire Southern, ‘25, spoke to The Meredith Herald about her first Cornhuskin’.

“I really enjoyed my first year of Corn,” she said. “Coming to Meredith as a third generation Meredith student, I was thrilled to experience all the traditions.

I thought the skits and dances were all amazing and I loved it overall. I thought the beach theme was a very cool idea.

However, it was ironic that it was freezing the day of Cornhuskin’.”

Tanyia Harris, ‘24, also experienced her first in-person Cornhuskin’ this year. “I thought the theme for the sophomores was an amazing throwback,” she said. “I enjoyed watching my friends and classmates act out

and perform an incredible Corn performance. I wanted to get up and dance with them. I am so proud of the sophomores for creating such an awesome performance, and I hope to join and participate next year.”

Ivy Nguyen, ‘23, spoke about her class’s performance, which she participated in. “I really liked how our dancer pack fit into the theme and we all looked uniform,” she said. “[We] still got to wear different colored shorts and skirts to add uniquity.”

Ashley Grant, ‘22, said she thought “Race to the Finish” was a good theme choice. “I think our skit and costumes came together and the songs matched with our theme really well,” she said. “I think it was a great choice to represent our last year at Meredith.”

Cornhuskin’ Yard Signs Go Missing

By Rachel Van Horne, Associate Editor

On Nov. 3, the Alumnae return them.”

House sent out an email to the

The Meredith Herald reMeredith College community cently interviewed Allen about the informing them that a yard sign missing signs. She said that the used to decorate for Cornhuskin’ signs were put out to get students had gone missing, in addition to excited for Cornhuskin’. The signs a sign from the Alumnae Associaare provided by Sign Dreamtion’s Fall Pop-Up event the week ers of Raliegh, a small, local and of Oct. 25. The Cornhuskin’ signs woman-led organization that also spelled provided out “Welthe signs come for the to Corn Fall PopCounUp event. try” and Allen em“Happy phasized Huskin” the imnear the portance front of leaving drive. In the signs the email in place, sent out stating,

by Direc“The tor of signs Photo by Rachel Van Horne Alumnae Relations belong to a local Hilary Allen, ‘01, students were business. We rented the signs urged to return the signs: “If you on a temporary basis from Sign or someone you know may have Dreamers, and they will expect been involved in taking either of to pick up all of their property. these signs, we ask that you kindly Aside from that, I hope that the

signs will remain in place so that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy them.”

Since the email, some people on campus have been wondering if the signs merely blew away in the wind. HowPhoto by Rachel Van Horne ever, Allen believes the signs to be the Halloween event and now stolen because “the signs are made of a corrugated plastic material and Cornhuskin’, as well as events for alumnae and retired faca mallet is used to stake them into ulty and staff. Much like the two the ground.” She continued, “Ensigns used for these two stuvironment or wind could certainly dent events, they were used as have been the cause of the disapa means to welcome our guests pearance. If that were the case, I back to campus as well as add to would imagine that more than one the excitement and celebration of sign would have been impacted those two events. I hope that we and/or we would have seen wind or environmental damage to others can use them for future events.”

If you or someone you that remained in place. Only one know had any involvement in the sign went missing from the display disappearance of the signs, they at the front drive.” can be dropped off on the front

When asked if they would porch of the Alumnae House with use the signs again, Allen said, no questions asked.

“We have had themed signs for

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News

November is Native American Heritage Month

By Aminah Jenkins, Associate Editor

November marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month. This month is meant to explore the history of Indigenous peoples as well as celebrate their heritage and traditions. According to the Library of Congress’ Native American Heritage Month website, the celebration initially began as a single day on the second Saturday of every May. On Sept. 28, 1915, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, the president of the Congress of the American Indian Association, signed a proclamation that recognized Native American Day and called for Native Ameri-

cans to be recognized as citizens of the United States. From there, Native American Day was signed by individual states.

It wasn’t until 1990, when President George H.W. Bush approved a resolution, that Native American Heritage Month was officially recognized. The month has had a variety of names such as Native American Heritage Month and National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

Nov. 26 is also National Native American Heritage Day. The day after Thanksgiving, the day is meant to celebrate Indigenous

culture.

In North Carolina, there are eight tribes officially recognized by the state: the Coharie, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Haliwa-Saponi, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the Meherrin, the Sappony, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation and the Waccamaw Siouan. However, other tribes like the Tuscarora Tribe exist in North Carolina but are not officially recognized by the state.

There are several events in North Carolina that celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

On Saturday, Nov. 20, the North Carolina Museum of History is hosting their 26th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration virtually from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Friday, Nov. 19, the museum will be hosting a free online event for students and educators. Western Carolina University is hosting an Native American Heritage Festival on Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. PBS is also screening a variety of films and tv shows during the month that highlight Native American history and culture.

Zooms.” She continued, “I figure that if they are home and resting or not feeling well, they might as well listen in, even though they can't really participate…if they Zoom in, they are using [their two] absences.”

When asked under what circumstances Zoom classes are provided for students who cannot attend class, Dr. Poslusny stated, “At [this] time [Zoom is] for students that [are] either quarantining or isolating. We are in discussions now to further expand the circumstances to include other documented absences from class.”

He explained that these policies were created because “the expectation [for the Fall 2021 semester] is that the majority of classes would be held in person.”

There are no protocols in place for professors holding classes on Zoom instead of in-person at the last minute. Dr. Poslusny said, “There are some instances where faculty have been given permission to teach the entire semester online…For courses that are being

offered in person, the course has been conceptualized as an in-person course and the best experience is for the student to be in class.”

Photo by Elisabeth Sinicrope

gued that Dr. Kelly Wilder, Assisthe inability tant Professor of Marketing, said to Zoom into class for reasons that while she enjoyed “switching other than quarantine affects their up” the way she delivered course grades and health. Dr. Poslusny material on Zoom last year, her stated, “It is important to rememcurrent classroom does not have a ber that [Zoom] gives the student Zoom board so students can’t join the opportunity to follow along but on Zoom if they need to miss class. does not give the same opportuniShe also said that while she does ties for participating.” He further enjoy Zoom teaching, she prefers added that “there are always times to teach face-to-face. “Trying to do when [being in class in person] is both [methods of teaching] at once not possible and Zoom is just one is pretty challenging,” she said. method that can be used to help a

Some students have arstudent stay caught up in class.”

Administration Offers Clarification of Protocols for Joining Class on Zoom

By Freya Dahlgren, Staff Writer

Now that Meredith College classes have returned to a majority in-person format, there has been some confusion about when and under what circumstances students can join in-person classes on Zoom. However, Senior Vice President and Provost Matthew Poslusny, along with the academic deans, the Director of Health Services and the Assistant Director for Disability Services, have established a policy about Zoom offerings for students. The Herald reached out to Dr. Poslusny for clarification on these policies.

Some students have expressed a desire to be able to join class on Zoom when they are ill but do not have COVID-19, for mental health reasons or when they are otherwise unable to come to campus. However, professors have been given guidance by administration to not allow students to join class on Zoom in these situations. Dr. Rebecca Duncan, Professor of English, said that she “follow[s] [her] attendance policy and allows each student two

Residence Hall Policy Prohibiting Opening of Windows Frustrates Some Students

By Evelyn Summers, Staff Writer

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Meredith students who live on-campus in residence halls are advised to not open their windows for the sake of campus safety and to keep wildlife from coming indoors. While the Residence Hall Guide to Community Living in the 2021-2022 Undergraduate Student Handbook does not include keeping residence hall windows closed in any of its policies and procedures, students who live in residence halls are told of this informal policy when they move in. The Herald interviewed students who have had experiences either living in the residence halls or staying in a residence hall for quarantine to hear their perspectives on rules surrounding windows.

Kaiya Nilsson, ‘25, lives in a residents on higher floors, but… residence hall and has also experi- the solution is simply putting in enced quarantining in Stringfield screens and/or having students Hall. They stated, “Meredith’s sign a liability waiver.” They berule about no lieve that Merwindows openedith should not ing [in residence fine students for halls] is someopening a winthing I strongly dow that they disagree with. “are paying so My room gets much money to stuffy, and I’m stay in, especially constantly living during a panin recycled air. demic.”

Photo by Elisabeth Sinicrope Even when I was in Juniper the quarantine...I Craft, ‘25, also wasn’t allowed to open the winthinks students should be allowed dow.” to open windows in residence

Nilsson said she underhalls. They shared that “opening a stands that open windows “might window lets direct sunlight come be a safety concern especially for into [their] room, which helps

[their] anxiety and depression.”

Serene Otero, ‘23, stated that she felt very closed off from the rest of the world, especially after already being isolated in a small room because of COVID-19. She described it as “solitary confinement.”

The Herald also spoke with Carrie Barnhart, Director of Residence Life. She said, “While it might seem inconvenient, keeping our windows closed is really important to the overall community.

Keeping windows closed allows our heating and cooling systems to work appropriately and keeps bugs and other critters out of our halls.

In some buildings, windows can be a bit difficult to open and fully close, which can lead to similar issues.”

Arts & Entertainment

Cornhuskin' 2021 in Photos

Photos by Molly Perry, Features Editor, and Elisabeth Sinicrope, Staff Photographer

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Arts & Entertainment

Meredith Theatre Presents: Everybody

By Jayce Perry, Staff Writer

From Wednesday, Nov. 10 to Sunday, Nov. 14, the Meredith Theatre Department will be presenting Everybody, a play

by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The play will be shown in the Studio Theatre of Jones Hall. This contemporary play is directed by Professor and Program Coordinator of Theatre Catherine Rodgers.

Performances are free to attend; however, anyone wishing to attend is required to register in advance online using a Google Form that can be found on the “current season” section of the theatre page on Meredith’s website.

Everybody is a contemporary play that is somewhat based on Everyman, a medieval morality play where characters represent moral qualities. In Everybody, the allegorical characters include Friendship, Mind, Five Senses, Understanding and more. This play takes a unique approach to the original story: nine of the 14 actors are required to learn all the roles in the play. This is because every night at the start of the show, the actors will be drawing a character’s name out of a hat, which will determine who they play that night and means that each performance of Everybody will provide new and different

interpretations of the characters.

When talking about this aspect of the performances, Professor Rodgers said that this would be “both exciting and frightening for the actors and for [her] as the director.”

Professor Rodgers said she chose this play because she admires Jacobs-Jenkins, who is a young Black man most well-known for his play Appropriate. She also said that this was a perfect play to produce because “the casting is open and inclusive,” which means that there were no casting limitations based on race, gender, age or other factors. Rodgers mentioned that the setup of the play offers a unique experience to Meredith’s young actors, offering them a challenge that she has “no doubt” these students will meet.

Professor Rodgers referenced The New Yorker when stating why she thought audiences would enjoy Everybody. She stated, “As The New Yorker said about this 2018 play, first produced off-Broadway at the Signature, ‘With Everybody, JacobJenkins has written a play about love—or rather, a play that shows how impossible it is to write about love— and it fills the heart in a new and unexpected way.’”

Image courtesy of Meredith Theatre; designed by Emma Johnson

Movie Review: Marvel's Eternals

By Rachel Van Horne, Associate Editor

Warning: limited spoilers

Marvel's Eternals arrived on the silver screen on Nov. 5, and since then, the internet has had several thoughts on its addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

In this film, viewers are introduced to the Eternals, a group of immortal beings sent to Earth to protect humanity from the ever growing threats of deviants.

Deviants are a race of hideous and near-immortal beings who feast upon humans. The Eternals consist of a team of 10: Ikaris, Sersi, Sprite, Thena, Makkari, Gilgamesh, Phastos, Druig, Kingo and Eros.

Garnering a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this film has not received the kindest attention from MCU fans and critics alike.

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I did enjoy one of the most the character expositions of Thena dynamic characters in the series. and Sersi. Thena is a battle hardSersi was initially introduced as ened warrior fighting the memojust another member of the team.

However, after a series of unfortunate events, she is chosen to be the leader. As you watch the film, you see her love for humanity grow as she fights to protect it from the Emergence.

A big issue I have with this movie is that the true threat isn’t even presented to the audience until half way through. Up until the Emergence is explained, the audience is left thinking the deviants are the Eternals’ biggest threat.

One of the most notable parts of this film occured after the first set of credits. Without spoiling anything, I can say that a certain fandom may be very excited to watch this post-credit scene.

However, after that scene be sure to stick around for another set of credits.

Art Department Holds Holiday Art Sale

By Hannah Taib, Staff Writer

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From Nov. 11-12, 2021, the Meredith College Art Department will hold its 12th annual Holiday Art Sale. Meredith art students, faculty and alumnae will showcase works for sale, including paintings, drawings, photography, fibers, graphic design, ceramics and sculptures. A few of the students,

faculty and alumnae who will be selling their artwork are not necessarily art majors but have taken art classes at Meredith College, which qualifies them to showcase their talent at the Holiday Art Sale.

Meredith students, faculty, staff and outside guests are welcome to attend the Holiday Art Sale.

A portion of the proceeds helps to fund the Meredith Art Student Support (MASS) Grant, which supports and improves the professional growth of Meredith art students and generates interaction with the art community.

Cameron Johnson, Associate Professor of Art, told The Herald that

the Art Department anticipates this year to be their “best sale yet.” He also wanted to extend his thanks to those who have continuously supported the art community at Meredith College and said he looks forward to meeting those who will be attending for the first time.

Opinion

Letter to the Editors: Accessibility During Cornhuskin’

If you ask just about any Meredith student what the school’s biggest tradition is, the response would likely be a near-unanimous cry of “Cornhuskin'!” (with the occasional “You just have to experience it!” thrown in, paired with a mischievous smirk at the confusion of any poor freshman that deigns to ask). Meredith prides itself on being a particularly insular “sisterhood,” with the annual traditions being rites of passage for the student body. The excitement leading up to Corn Week is so palpable that it borders on hysteria: all this in anticipation for the myriad of events that make up the week-long bacchanal that is Cornhuskin’. With such features as road signs, a bonfire, hall raids and an after party, it’s easy to see why Corn has become the largest campus event of the year. Although I have only been to one full Cornhuskin’ celebration during my freshman year (Corn was all but

canceled my sophomore year due to the Plague), it was easy enough to notice how the entire student body is swept up in it all—whether they wish to be or not.

I admit that when I was an impressionable freshman, the spirit of Corn filled me in the same way that the Holy Spirit imbues a snake-handler at some particularly devout rural Appalachian Churches of God. I was eager to see the dances, competitive hog callin’, apple bobbing and all the quirky facets of this much-loved celebration. However, it became apparent that some traditions were less thought out than others. Hall raids quickly became the bane of my existence, and the amphitheater where the week’s climax occurs is far from accessible. My dear readers, while I understand that hall raids can be an exciting part of Cornhuskin’, running down the halls banging pots and pans while making a racket the Mae-

nads of old would be jealous of is not the most enjoyable experience for residents with sensory issues or any sort of post-traumatic stress.

Despite an email being sent out a day in advance, if I wanted to avoid a breakdown in the middle of the night, I would have to evacuate my dorm room and remain safe in the 40-degree weather outside while I waited for the end of the raid like a peasant during a siege. The amphitheater was not much better, as students with any sort of mobility limitations are given the option to brave stairs with an approximate drop of two feet or otherwise be relegated to the spots with the lowest visibility. I myself became very close with a crepe myrtle tree that seemed more eager to see the festivities than I was.

Overall, my point is that while Meredith traditions are an integral part of student life here, there are many students who are unable to participate, knowing that

some events pose a threat to their wellbeing and others have been planned with little regard for their needs. If hall raids were to occur earlier, when students could find refuge somewhere else on campus (such as BDH or the Cate Center), hall raids would be less of an issue for students with sensory concerns while remaining fun for the people who wish to continue the tradition.

The performances in the amphitheater would be enjoyed much more if accessibility was taken into consideration (a ramp is not that hard to construct, and the recent renovations to the Meredith Lake prove that cost is not an issue).

Cornhuskin’ is a fun and memorable experience for so many Meredith students, and it is a shame that members of the student body are unable to participate due to a lack of oversight and consideration by the school itself.

Yours sincerely,

A very tired junior

COVID, Cornhuskin’ and Change, Oh My!

By Elinor Shelp-Peck, Co-Editor in Chief

Many people were surprised to hear that I attended Cornhuskin’, given my usual hesitation at participating in Meredith traditions and events. However, something about Cornhuskin’ has always intrigued me. I was excited to attend another in-person Cornhuskin’, but taken aback by some of the changes. While I understand that some changes were necessary to comply with community standards, others could have been avoided.

I’m not sure if the low number of people in attendance was due to the swift change in date, the cold temperatures or the guidelines set in place to limit the amount of people in the amphitheater. However, I think all graduating classes

could have been accommodated in the amphitheater. Without everyone there, Cornhuskin’ seemed to lack the unity that it is supposed to ‘promote’. The cheers and chants were quieter, which made me sad because that is one of my favorite parts of attending Cornhuskin’.

How will future students know these chants if they have never experienced them?

One change that I didn’t mind was the lack of apple bobbing and corn shucking. Despite being a part of the Cornhuskin’ tradition these always felt like a bit of a waste of time and often didn’t garner much interest from the audience. While the donning of raincoats and goggles for apple bobbing was amusing, I don’t think

this is a part of Cornhuskin’ that will return and by all means—good riddance.

A similarity between preCOVID and COVID-19 Cornhuskin’ was the inclusion of the Bathtub Ring. Despite the freezing cold, heavy emotion that comes with senior year Cornhuskin’ and being short one member, they performed well. I know “Wonderland” brought tears to more eyes than just my own.

A major difference between this year and years past is the announcement of winners. With the movement of can art, determining a winner on Friday night was impossible. However, this doesn’t stop me from complaining about it.

Awaiting the results of the week’s

worth of work was part of the fun!

Not announcing results the night of did prevent my toes from becoming entirely numb with the cold, so I guess there was at least one positive to this change.

My final observation about this year’s Cornhuskin’ was the lack of confetti. This may not be related to COVID-19, but rather the environmental impact that confetti can have. Given the recent lake restoration and present wildlife, it makes sense to not release confetti.

However, maybe they could have created a cool confetti effect with the lights? Needless to say, the confetti was missed.

No Parade Limits Students’ Corn Experience

By Hannah Porter, Opinion Editor, and Rachel Van Horne, Associate Editor

Hannah’s Thoughts: “You just have to experience it!”

That’s all I was ever told when I went on my first campus tour of Meredith, and this was the response to all of my questions about Cornhuskin’ during the beginning of freshman year. This statement often sounds cliche to me, but it is true. There’s nothing like developing a can art design with peers in your class, dancing your heart out in the amphitheater when the big day finally comes and marching down the main drive for the parade.

When I heard that the parade was cancelled for this year’s Cornhuskin’, my heart broke. I assumed that the parade would be modified due to the pandemic, but I never thought it would be re-

moved entirely.

This is my last Cornhuskin’ and although I am making the most of what elements of Corn I do have, the parade leaves a big void. Since I am a member of the Class of 2022, I also feel like it is our duty and obligation to show the underclassmen and our sweet littles what Corn is truly like. No one has experienced consistent Cornhuskin’ seasons besides 2022, and when we are gone, we want the spirit and passion to continue. When you think about it, the parade is the culminating and most critical moment of Corn. For the two years that I was able to participate in the parade, it always reminded me that Cornhuskin’ isn’t about who wins the skits and dances—it’s about the people you

are doing it with. Isn’t this the mentality that Meredith hopes to foster in our newer students?

Rachel’s Thoughts: As a member of the Class of 2023, I have only had the opportunity to experience the Cornhuskin’ parade once during my college career.

However, from the experiences I have come to conclude that the parade is the most inclusive aspect of Cornhuskin. As a student who doesn't have time to commit to the dances and skits, the parade was the one part of corn that felt the least time consuming.

During the parade in 2019 I was able to invite my family to be spectators. This allowed them to get an inside look at a tradition that defines my years at Meredith.

The parade introduces the themes

to spectators, pumps up the classes before the main event and starts the much beloved tradition that is Cornhuskin’.

Last year when Cornhuskin’ was held in spring, they still held the parade for the Class of 2021 and ensured that the tradition was COVID-19 cautious. Why could this tradition not be replicated for the Class of 2022? With our campus vaccination rate being around 85% for both Meredith students and staff and COVID-19 protocols consistently in place, it just begins to seem like the Meredith community is getting cheated, especially the Class of 2022. Traditionally, the parade has been the time to celebrate as the Meredith College community and its guests.

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Opinion What Needs to Change about Cornhuskin'

By Aminah Jenkins, Associate Editor

This last weekend marked the end of Cornhuskin’, one of the biggest traditions at Meredith. A constant within the chaos of the tradition is what students believe needs to be changed about it. As a co-chair, I’ve seen just how much Cornhuskin' needs to be reimagined. I’ve listed three areas that Meredith needs to change for our most popular tradition.

1) The name

I’ll state the obvious: “Cornhuskin’” doesn’t accurately reflect what the event is. The event began as an agricultural-based event, with activities like folk dances and (actual) hog calling. That’s not to say that calling the event something else would fix all the confusion (it’s pretty clear to all of us that it takes the experience to truly understand it), but it would help mediate some of it. Additionally, the name is a huge deterrent for some students to participate— mainly because of the racist history behind corn shucking. During slavery, enslaved people were forced to harvest corn, shuck it

Don't Touch My Hair

and dance for slave masters as entertainment (this is also where the phrase “shuck and jive” comes from). Corn shucking is one of the competitions that occurs during Cornhuskin’, and it reinforces the harmful activity. This isn’t made better when these concerns are shut down by alumnae who are more invested in maintaining tradition than fostering inclusivity.

2) Storage place

One of the rules of Cornhuskin’ is that all props must be built off campus. However, this significantly limits who is able to participate. This rule does not take into consideration students who do not have transportation available to wherever props are being built. Additionally, it assumes that students have the resources for off-campus building and storage. This year, the parents of someone in my class offered their driveway for us to build props. As grateful as we were for this resource, their house was 25 minutes away from campus. This meant we had to find a

way to transport our materials to their house and get the finished product back to campus. We are also required to figure out storage after Cornhuskin’ is over. Having a designated space on campus to create and store props would take pressure off of classes and allow more people to participate.

3) Accessibility

Even as the most wellknown tradition, Cornhuskin’ is the most inaccessible event at Meredith for several reasons. For one, the amphitheatre that the main event is held in is not handicap accessible. Not only does this prevent students from participating, but it even hinders their ability to watch. If the amphitheatre won’t be updated to become more accessible, then Meredith needs to reconsider the location of the event to an accessible location on campus.

Secondly, the cost that comes along with participating in Cornhuskin’ is not cheap. The compounding cost of apparel and dancer packs can range from $50

to $90—not to mention the money lost for students who have to take off work. Classes received grants for the last two Cornhuskin’ years that lowered the cost of items for all students to account for pandemic-related strains. However, the necessity of these grants is another example of just how out of reach Cornhuskin’ can be.

Considering the cost of these items shouldn’t just happen during the pandemic.

Third, the event does not account for students who have other obligations. Cornhuskin’ takes virtually the entire day, and (as we saw this year with it being moved to Friday) plans can change at the drop of a hat. Students who need to work are often forced to choose between working and participating, and are most impacted by shifts in plans.

The Meredith community touts Cornhuskin’ as a way to build class unity. But the event has the complete opposite effect when these problems are prevalent.

tions with Black students centered around members of the Meredith community touching our hair.

I’m thoroughly surprised and confused that this is still happening to Black women. Each Black woman experiences a hair journey as they try to navigate a white world that considers the hair that grows out of their head “unprofessional” or “ratchet.”

Then there’s the time and devotion it takes to carefully care for hair.

It has taken me years to finally accept, love and learn how to take care of my hair. To have it grabbed is not only unsanitary (because we should be following community standards while in a pandemic), but a micro-aggression. It furthers the narrative that Black hair is abnormal and puts the individual in an uncomfortable situation. If they react negatively then they are being difficult. If they say yes they’re put on display. If you think

it is an innocent act, consider this: why do you want to touch it? Do you consider doing that with nonBlack individuals?

If you really want to show appreciation for the time Black women put into their hair, keep your hands to yourself. With consent, consider having a conversation about hair to normalize all hair types.

will my glow-up hit me?” or “why am I not beautiful?” arising. This gap between an idealized physical self versus the present reality of a person’s appearance may lead to “disappointed or discouraged emotions…which are dejection-related emotions that relate to depression” as suggested by self-discrepancy theory. This becomes more problematic when taking into account the fact that eating disorders often coexist with depression and that a fair amount of glow-up and “self improvement” tips found online promote disordered eating practices. In fact, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen says that through internal studies, Facebook

determined that Instagram, an app chock full of influencer’s “glow'd up” posts, makes eating disorders worse. Haugen notes that this consumption of eating disorder content leads to consumers becoming “more and more depressed” and makes them “use the app more” to continue to view and seek similar content.

To play devil’s advocate, glowing up in the physical sense can occur in a healthy way. It can simply be a result of puberty or a healthy and balanced diet and exercise regimen.

By Jeanine Carryl, Staff Writer

Through primary school we were all taught to keep our hands and feet to ourselves. This was the very early stages of teaching informal norms of consent. Meredith College is an institution of higher learning, and by now, members of our community should know to follow this golden rule. However, there seems to be an exception to this rule when it comes to Black women's hair on campus. Recently, I have been in several conversa-

Glow-Up Culture: Gorgeously Grotesque

By Amal Heda, Contributing Writer

Beauty. This word is quite the hot topic with discussions on body positivity, eurocentric beauty standards and lookism/“pretty privilege” making waves on the internet. Despite these conversations about expanding what we consider “beautiful” and making it more inclusive, there remains a major hurdle in affecting change: glow-up culture.

According to the source of premiere knowledge, Urban Dictionary, to “glow-up” or “glo-up” is “when someone goes from being ugly to smokin hawt.”. Granted, this is the third definition listed when perusing results for the term on the site, but I opted to include

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it as its emphasis on the purely physical represents the center focus in the larger discussion of “glowing up”. Certainly, as the second definition notes, one may glow up by recognizing their self-worth and not caring about the opinions of others. But as glow-up compilations like those on Youtube demonstrate, glowing up on social media is largely seen as a physical transformation. This great emphasis on physicality is precisely the problem.

Netizens (a user or “citizen” of the internet) who avidly consume glow-up content may grow to feel a sense of inadequacy, with questions like “when

STAFF

Read the full story on our website.

Olivia Slack and Elinor Shelp-Peck, Co-Editors in Chief. Rachel Van Horne and Aminah Jenkins, Associate Editors.

Ally Cefalu, A&E Editor. Molly Perry, Features Editor. Hannah Porter, Opinion Editor.

Staff Writers: Rania Abushakra, Maggie Barnhill, Jeanine Carryl, Freya Dahlgren, Shae-Lynn Henderson, Jayce Perry, Rylee Petty, Anna Prince, Mia Russell, Evelyn Summers, Hannah Taib.

Contributing Writers: Kaitlyn Eisbacher, Amal Heda, Rachel Johnson, Angelina Morin, Haileigh West.

Podcasting Director: Sofia Gomez. Copy Editor: Erin Wendorf. Staff Photographers: Madison Sholar, Elisabeth Sinicrope.