May the Fourth be with you

do people love Marvel?

Why do people love Harry Potter? It’s because of the ability to capture hearts and create joy.

Leadership roles fell to Baumgartner and Neergaard-Petersen earlier than expected. In 2022, they were in and out of the lineup, waiting behind upperclassmen in Eugenio Chacarra, Brian Stark and Aman Gupta for their turn to be consistent contributors to the team. This season, they were expected to play more but not to be the best and most experienced players. Gupta graduated and moved on, but Stark planned to be back for another year and Chacarra announced on April 13, 2022, just after the postseason ended, he would return for another year rather than turn- ing professional.

Things changed.

Chacarra received an offer from the LIV Golf tour, which he accepted. On Nov. 14, Stark announced he was transferring to Texas. The Cowboys entered the spring without their top two players in 2022.

Donnie Darr, an assistant coach for the Cowboys, said though Baumgartner and Neergaard-Petersen were rushed into leadership, they were well-suited for the role.

See Golf on 2-3

May the Fourth is the official Star Wars Day for fans all across the galaxy. The fun play-on of the famous line “May the Force be with you” has become a significant holiday for “Star Wars” enthusiasts.

While there are no official traditions, fans know that implementing “Star Wars” into their day is required. Fans wear their “Star Wars” gear, eat “Star Wars” snacks, play a little Sabbac, have a quick lightsaber duel and marathon the movies to celebrate the occasion.

Lucasfilm and, by extension, Disney, are taking the holiday to the next level with new traditions. In recent years, with the release of the final episode of the award-winning fan favorite, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” on May 04, 2020, and the latest season of the “Star Wars” anthology series “Star Wars: Visons” premiering today. Every year all social media platforms, influencers, Lucasfilm, Disney and the “Star Wars” website are full of “May the Fourth be with you wishes” and ways to celebrate.

While not recognized as a legitimate national or global holiday, nothing stops fans from celebrating. But the famous holiday has a fun backstory.

It first appeared in 1978 when journalists like myself used the phrase on July 4. Fast forward to May 04, 1979, the day after Margret Thatcher was elected, the London Evening News had a congratulations from her supporters that stated, you guessed it, “May the Fourth be with you.”

The phrase appeared here and there, but it wasn’t until the internet became prevalent that fans could connect, and by the early 2010s, May the Fourth Be with had exploded into the sensation that is today.

You may be wondering why fans like myself love this day and this franchise so much, and the answer is simple: “Star Wars” is out of this world.

There doesn’t need to be a substantially real reason why we love it. Why

“Star Wars” has an impact. In 1977 no one expected it. Everyone thought that George Lucas was going to fail. The production process faced many rewrites, reshoots and other issues. “Star Wars” was going to be a blip on the radar, or so everyone thought.

When it hit theaters on May 25, 1977, Hollywood changed forever.

“Star Wars” ushered in an era of summer blockbusters, movie merchandising and science fiction films. I would even claim that it was the kickstart to one of the most iconic film eras that spanned the late 70s to early 90s.

Not only did “Star Wars” change the game, but it elevated special effects to a level never seen before. Using miniature models, lighting and some computer effects, the special effects artists of Industrial Lights & Magic and Digital Productions brought space to the silver screen.

Today people see

“Star Wars Episode IV — A New Hope” and compare their effects to today’s standards, but imagine it. Imagine sitting in the theatre in 1977. You’re ten years old, and you see a space battle unfold before you. Suddenly, a world of possibilities and imagination is open to you.

“Star Wars” changed the film industry, but it also significantly impacted fans.

“Star Wars” has shaped who I am in many ways.

From the bond I share with my dad to my love of film, it’s all because of “Star Wars.”

I was six years old when my dad introduced me to “Star Wars.” Until then, all I had ever watched was Barbie, Disney princesses, “Dora the Explorer,” and all the other ‘girly’ shows. I had never seen anything like it. I was that kid sitting in the theatre in 1977, staring wide-eyed at the galaxy unfolding before me. I fell in love with it. I fell in love with the galaxy far, far away. I had to know everything I could about “Star Wars.” Before long, I read every book, rewatched the movies, and my friends played lightsabers on the playground.