January 21, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines expand across Athens County PG 4 THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

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A chance at normalcy

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

A bucket list for my final semester at OU

MOLLY SCHRAMM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

With students actually back on campus and syllabus week coming to close, Spring Semester is in full swing — which also means that the countdown until the day I virtually graduate is ticking.

With a little over 14 weeks left of time as a college student, it feels only fitting to soak up everything Athens and Ohio University have to offer. I know even as an alumna, I’ll always be a Bobcat, but I also know that these four years I’ve spent here have been special, and I should cherish my final days.

Even in my three-and-a-half years, I haven’t experienced all Southeast Ohio has to offer, and I’m sure I won’t even after this semester. Nevertheless, I’m setting some goals for myself to stay accountable: a college bucket list, if you’d prefer to call it that.

Firstly, I’m sure I’ll squeeze in a couple more breakfasts at Gigi’s Country Kitchen, 105 N. Plains Road, or wing night at The Pigskin, 38 N. Court St., but there’s a slew of eateries, restaurants and coffee shops I hav-

en’t even attempted to experience in Athens.

Luckily, I crossed off Miller’s Chicken, 235 W. State St., on my first night back in Athens, but Larry’s Dawg House, 410 W. Union St., Village Bakery & Cafe, 268 E. State St., and Restaurant Salaam, 21 W. Washington St., are all still on the list.

Furthermore, I want to stretch outside of downtown Athens before graduation. Hiking at Hocking Hills State Park and hanging out at the Strouds Run State Park lake are all plans for when Ohio winter weather decides to go away. On top of that, I want to tap into something more supernatural and head over to the allegedly haunted Moonville Tunnel in the Zaleski State Forest.

To be frank, my bucket list for this semester could be pages long. I could dedicate a full 24-page edition of The Post to my favorite things to do in Athens. However, at the root of all the attractions, restaurants and memories made in Athens are the people I’ve spent my time here with.

Throughout my last semester, I want to grab a hold of my close friendships and cherish them. I want to reach out to those who are acquaintances and form better friendships. I want to value the experiences OU had granted me and thank the professors and mentors who have helped me along the way. I want to continue the greatness The Post has published thus far this year and prepare for passing off the torch to next year’s leadership.

As syllabus week comes to a close, it’s a bittersweet moment for me. My entire future is ahead of me, but my college days are coming to a close. So, young Bobcats, cherish your time at OU even with COVID-19 rocking your experiences. And for all those on the brink of graduation like me, despite the challenges, let’s make this semester a memorable one.

Molly Schramm is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University and the editor-in-chief of The Post. Have questions?

Email Molly at ms660416@ohio.edu or tweet her @_molly_731.

COVER PHOTO BY NATE SWANSON

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Molly Schramm MANAGING EDITOR Baylee DeMuth DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Geiger EDITORIAL NEWS EDITORS Abby Miller, Nolan Simmons ASST. NEWS EDITOR Emma Skidmore LONGFORM EDITOR Jillian Craig SPORTS EDITORS Jack Gleckler, J.L. Kirven CULTURE EDITOR Riley Runnells ASST. CULTURE EDITOR Lily Roby OPINION EDITOR Noah Wright ASST. OPINION EDITOR Mikayla Rochelle THE BEAT EDITOR Madyson Lewellyn ASST. THE BEAT EDITOR Emma Dollenmayer COPY CHIEF Bre Offenberger SLOT EDITORS Eli Feazell, Anna Garnai, Katey Kruback, Molly Powers ART ART DIRECTOR Mary Berger ASST. ART DIRECTOR Olivia Juenger DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Kelsey Boeing PHOTO EDITOR Nate Swanson DIGITAL WEB DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Brianna Lender SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Taylor Burnette DIRECTOR OF MULTIMEDIA Ethan Sands BUSINESS STUDENT MEDIA SALES INTERNSHIP MANAGER Andrea Lewis MEDIA SALES Grace Vannan

2 / JAN. 21, 2021

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ISSUE 15, VOLUME 126

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NEWS BRIEFS

OU plans to hold spring commencement virtually; water shutoffs to begin in Athens ABBY MILLER NEWS EDITOR

Health Department. Of those cases, 560 are active.

OU to likely hold virtual spring commencement

Ohio University announced Tuesday it is preparing for spring commencement to be held virtually in light of public health orders and the coronavirus pandemic.

An Ohio public health order still prohibits gatherings from being over 10 people, and Athens County is a level 3, or red, county on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System.

OU’s commencement planning team is creating a virtual experience to honor graduates, and OU’s Office of Conference and Event Services will contact graduates in the coming weeks with more information on how to have their names and photos included in a virtual ceremony.

OU President Duane Nellis said in a press release the university understands the disappointment of graduates and their families. The plans for a virtual commencement, however, are subject to re-evaluation based on changes in public health orders and the level of COVID-19 spread.

As of Jan. 19, Athens County currently has 3,707 cases of the coronavirus, according to the Athens City-County

City Council expands medical leave for city employees, discusses water shutoffs

Athens City Council voted Tuesday to expand medical leave to city employees through the Family First Coronavirus Response Act. The extension will provide 80 hours of sick leave to employees impacted by COVID-19 throughout the end of December.

City employees must receive the COVID-19 vaccine when available in order to be eligible for the extended medical leave.

Council President Chris Knisely said initially, 500 vaccines were made available for essential workers. Of those vaccines, 450 were immediately distributed.

Knisely also said vaccines will be made available for those 80 years or older this week. Those ages 75 and older and those with severe congenital disabilities or developmental disorders can get vaccinated beginning the week of Jan. 25, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said. Vaccination for those 70 and over and adult employees in K-12 schools will start the week of Feb. 1, and those 65 and older can get the

vaccine the week of Feb. 8.

Those who wish to be vaccinated should contact pharmacies in Athens — which began distribution this week — directly.

There is interest in providing the vaccine to many demographics, but the Athens City-County Health Department is required to follow the phasing plan provided by the state, Councilwoman Arian Smedley, D-1st Ward, said.

Council also discussed water shutoffs in the city.

Patterson told Council after halting water shutoffs in the city during the pandemic, there are 350 delinquent accounts with more than $160,000 in delinquency.

Patterson said the city does not wish to shut off anyone’s water, but it must start using the tools at its disposal to get people to pay their bills. Those with delinquent accounts will start receiving disconnect notices Feb. 4.

He encourages those who are unable to pay their water bills to contact the city utility billing office to work out payment plans.

@ABBLAWRENCE AM166317@OHIO.EDU

POLICE BLOTTER

Man shoots at tree; woman dies from troubled breathing ANNA MILLAR FOR THE POST

O’Bleness Hospital for evaluation.

Trouble Breathing

Ghostly Trespassers

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Canaanville Road after suspicious persons were reportedly wandering around a residence.

There were no people to be found when they arrived, even after patrolling the area.

Be Nice to Your Wife

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in reference to a dispute on Elliotsville Road.

Upon arrival, the caller said her husband was no longer taking his medication and was being mean to her. After speaking to the husband, he agreed to take his medication and be kinder to his wife.

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a female experiencing difficulty breathing on Featherstone Road in Stewart, arriving after EMS. The female was found to be dead and was declared to have died of natural causes. The body was taken away by funeral home personnel and deputies returned to patrol.

Trespassing Trees

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man shooting toward the road on Canaanville Road.

Once in contact, officers saw the man with a shotgun.

He informed officers there were people hiding in the tree in his front lawn, and he had fired shots into the tree.

However, officers did not see any such people. The man was taken into custody and transported to OhioHealth

Hold on to Your Keys

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding a dispute in The Plains on James Lane.

The complainant, a woman, said she was in a dispute with her ex-boyfriend who took her car keys and refused to let her leave the house. It was determined that her vehicle was not at the residence but in a nearby location.

The woman asked for the car to be towed from the location where it was found.

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Coronavirus vaccine distribution expands across Athens County ANNA MILLAR FOR THE POST Although the COVID-19 pandemic is persisting, there is a glimmer of hope through the COVID-19 vaccine currently in the beginning stage of distribution in Athens County.

This vaccine is being distributed in different locations nationally, even on the Ohio University campus. Only a select group of people are able to receive the vaccine at this time.

As of Jan. 11, Athens is currently within Phase 1A of vaccine distribution, according to the Athens City-County Health Department, or ACCHD, website. Those currently receiving the vaccine are health care workers, nursing home employees, patients and staff at psychiatric hospitals, those with intellectual or mental disabilities living in group homes, residents and staff at Ohio veterans homes and EMS responders.

Heritage Hall is expected to serve as a COVID-19 vaccine administration site in the future in Athens, Ohio. (NATE SWANSON | PHOTO EDITOR) Also as of Jan. 11, 409 of those in Phase 1A have been vaccinated in Athens County. Currently, ACCHD is receiving shipments plishing wide distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. available. They are also planning to be open and adminof 100-300 vaccine doses on a bimonthly basis, limHeritage Hall was chosen for its size, location and istering the vaccine Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. iting the rate at which vaccines can be administered. large parking area, according to a previous Post report.

ACCHD and OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital are also When those shipments are received, contact is made “We looked at several sites as places to distribute working with OU to begin administering vaccines to with the top priority group and administered within the vaccine, but when Dr. Johnson offered the new those in Phase 1B at Heritage Hall as well. that week.

Next week, Kroger Pharmacies, Shrivers Pharmacies Heritage Hall, we knew this was the most efficient The previous expectation was Phase 1A would last space to make the vaccine accessible while keeping and Hopewell Health Centers located in Nelsonville through February, according to the ACCHD website. people safe,” Athens City-County Health Commission- and Athens will begin administering limited numbers However, the department announced Jan. 11 it could er James Gaskell said in a news release. “With new of vaccines to some in Phase 1B, according to a press begin vaccination for Phase 1B “as early as next week,” vaccines such as this, you must provide an observation release from ACCHD. Of that group, the first priority according to a previous Post report. room where people can wait for at least 15 minutes will be those 65 years and older.

On Jan. 12, ACCHD, said in a tweet Phase 1B individ- to make sure there are no reactions. The large, open If you are interested in receiving the vaccine, conuals will soon be eligible for vaccination. That group space in Heritage Hall is the perfect place to allow for tact information for locations administering the vacincludes those 65 and older, K-12 staff and those with 50 people to safely keep their distance while being ob- cine can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov. congenital disabilities. served, something that will be even more helpful when According to OU’s website, COVID-19 vaccines were we are supplied more doses of the vaccine and can distributed to more than 200 first responders and vaccinate hundreds more people.” home health care workers in OU’s Heritage Hall on Jan According to a university news release, Jack Pepper, 7. OU has partnered with ACCHD to facilitate distribu- ACCHD administrator, said he expects to have upwards @ANNAMILLAR16 tion of the vaccine. That partnership plans to continue of 400 people coming through Heritage Hall in a day to AM157219@OHIO.EDU throughout the coming months with the goal of accom- get vaccinated once the vaccine is made more widely 4 / JAN. 21, 2021

Students living on campus have generally positive opinions about COVID-19 protocols following move-in week CLAIRE SCHIOPOTA FOR THE POST Ohio University’s on-campus COVID-19 protocols have been met by mostly positive opinions from students living in dorms Spring Semester.

While only about 31% of undergraduate students in Phase 2 returned to campus during Fall semester, all students were invited to move onto campus for the spring.

In order to return to campus this semester, students were required to take an at-home COVID-19 test. Tests will continue to be taken by students every week to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Students from other dorms will also not be allowed to visit during this time in response to COVID-19. Dining halls have also increased their social distancing efforts to keep students safe.

Claire Del Vita, a freshman studying journalism, chose to room in Washington Hall and said she had a good experience moving in.

“I think it went quite smoothly! Hopefully next semester (COVID-19) has subsided substantially and we will be able to have more time to move in and be with our families,” Del Vita said in an email.

Del Vita said it wasn’t difficult to schedule the COVID-19 test she was required to take before moving in.

“I feel pretty safe here, although part of it could also be my roommate and I’s own awareness of the situation and our efforts to limit the spread of COVID,” she said in an email.

Alex Hoelle, a sophomore studying entrepreneurship, moved in Carr Hall for the semester but had a harder time during move in.

“I was unaware that we needed to get a test once we arrived on campus,” Hoelle said in an email. “But the only thing that really wasn’t good about the experience was carrying heavy objects while wearing a mask.”

Compared to last year, Hoelle thought it was a lot easier moving in this year with fewer students going in and out of the building. Still, having a resident assistant watch the move-in process would have been a helpful change so students wouldn’t get charged for previously damaged rooms, Hoelle said.

Sophomore Kelsey Rohrer also had a positive experience when move onto

campus. Rohrer is an early childhood education major and lives in Bromley Hall.

“I think all (COVID-19) guidelines and regulations are perfectly okay. I want this pandemic to be over as soon as possible so I will be following all regulations and staying in my room as much as possible,” Rohrer said in an email.

Mya Wilson, a junior studying linguistics, had a less smooth experience.

Wilson plans on living in James Hall, but she is currently staying at home since she recently contracted COVID-19.

“I expect the move in process to take longer … Last year and my freshman year of move in, the process was quick,” Wilson said in an email. “As much as I hate to admit it, I’m ok with the guidelines regarding COVID-19 … I know that our school is doing whatever they can to keep us safe and to allow us to enjoy the next few

months with our fellow bobcats.”

As coronavirus protocols continue to be enforced, students will be tested and reminded of social distancing protocols to keep themselves from spreading COVID-19.

@CSCHIOPOTA CS123719@OHIO.EDU

Ohio University freshman Mark Sears unlocks the main door of Wray House on South Green, using a bin for carrying his belongings on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (NATE SWANSON | PHOTO EDITOR)

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 5

ILLUSTRATION BY KATIE BANECK

Riot Response

OU political organizations respond to Capitol riot, inauguration of President Joe Biden MAYA MORITA STAFF WRITER U.S. President Joe Biden was inaugurated Wednesday, sparking various reactions throughout the country and Ohio University political organizations in light of the recent storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Following the riot that broke out at the U.S. Capitol building Jan. 6, OU organizations, including OU College Republicans, OU College Democrats and OU Moderates, are taking steps to address the riot and educate their members.

OU College Republicans, or OUCR, President Chase Conklin said the group put out statements addressing its concerns with the Capitol storming.

“As College Republicans, our governing body put out statements and stuff,” Conklin, a junior studying environmental geography, said. “We put out similar statements reiterating that we did not like the violence and all that, but we support people in their free speech.”

Haley Janoski, OU College Democrats 6 / JAN. 21, 2021

membership director and a sophomore studying communication studies and Spanish, said the first meeting of Spring Semester will cover the events at the Capitol and how to respond to it.

“On Tuesday will be our first meeting of the semester. Our meeting topic is just going to be a discussion about what’s happened over the last week or two, especially the riot that happened,” Janoski said. “And then along with the discussion, we’re going to be having sort of like a presentation PowerPoint in which we go over various vocabulary relating to the riot, so like what these different groups that were present stand for.”

Some members of political organizations at OU think the political climate has changed since the storming of the Capitol building.

“Our organization feels as if the current political climate has become more divided since the events unfolded at the capital,” OU Moderates President Ryan Gwin said in an email. “We wish to move forward from here and want the government and the nation to work towards

more unity in the future.”

Others feel as though the contrast between both parties became more prevalent after the events that took place at the Capitol.

“I think the election of Trump has probably galvanized a lot more people on both sides, brought them into politics and being aware of what’s happening,” Janoski said. “I’d say last week’s events, though, made it much more stark.”

Janoski also thinks the events at the Capitol were unprecedented circumstances.

“When Trump got elected a couple years ago, I knew things might turn out to be bad, but I never expected that it would get to this point,” Janoski said. “But, looking back at all the events of the past four years, it makes sense as to why it culminated in that event and these kind of racist sentiments.”

With the storming of the Capitol building being close to Inauguration Day, some hoped for a controlled environment during the inauguration in light of the events.

“We [didn’t] have many fears with this

inauguration because we trust and have faith in the extra safety protocols put in by law enforcement and the mayor of Washington D.C,” Ryan Gwin, a sophomore studying early childhood and elementary education, said in an email. “We understand that they have learned from the events that unfolded at the capitol on January 6th and will be prepared for Inauguration Day.” With the transition to Biden’s presidency, others hope to have a more unified future.

“I just hope as a country we can come together — wishful thinking,” Conklin said. “(I) hope that … we can try and figure out what’s going on with this pandemic, what we actually need to do with it and try to revamp our economy.”

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New Non-Invasive Testing More accurate, non-invasive COVID-19 tests will be available to students through Vault

A sign points students and faculty to the Golf and Tennis Center on South Green in Athens, Ohio, as part of the weekly and biweekly testing to combat the spread of COVID-19. (KATIE BANECK | FOR THE POST)

LYDIA COLVIN FOR THE POST Ohio University partnered with Vault Health this semester to provide university-wide, asymptomatic COVID-19 testing for students on all campuses.

The university will also continue to partner with CVS Health for wide net testing, which will provide testing to students who were in contact with people who have tested positive.

Vault Health will conduct a saliva-based polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test for students at the university. This type of test is more accurate than the nasal swab testing, as saliva-based PCR tests produce an inconclusive result less than 1% of the time.

“There is growing data that support the test being more sensitive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in saliva samples,” Jason Feldman, Vault Health founder and CEO, said in an email. “Further, false positive rates for saliva-based testing are currently in the 1-2% range, which is significantly lower than the false negative rates among nasopharyngeal swabbased tests, which can be as high as the 25-35% range.”

8 / JAN. 21, 2021

Not only are these tests more accurate, but they are more cost-effective for the university and allow for both on-campus testing in Athens and at-home testing.

On other campuses, COVID-19 rates have gone down because of at-home testing.

“Once testing was launched on campus, the positivity rate came down versus when students first arrived on campus,” Feldman said in an email.

Vault Health testing allows for the university to track the virus incidence more closely and to identify and isolate positive individuals.

“Testing asymptomatic individuals helps us to understand whether virus incidence is decreasing or increasing among our campus communities, providing information about infection rates and trends,” Gillian Ice, special assistant to the president for Public Health Operations, said in an email.

Students also reported the nasal swab testing is uncomfortable and invasive. While the saliva tests were non-invasive, they took more work from the student to conduct.

“I preferred the spit test in the end, although it’s more inconvenient,” Devra Roberts, a senior studying

environmental and plant biology, said in a message. “I had to fill a test tube with saliva, which was more work than expected, but it didn’t cause the same discomfort as the nasal swab.”

However, CVS results take about 15 minutes to get back to students while Vault Health results take 48-72 hours. Because the CVS testing is faster to conduct, Ohio University is continuing to partner with them to conduct wide-net testing. CVS’s rapid result testing uses Abbott ID NOW, a rapid molecular, self-administered swab test.

“We are using CVS rapid-result testing for our wide net testing, which allows us to quickly test those in near contact with people who have tested positive, allowing us to intervene in outbreaks early,” Ice said in an email.

Students in residential housing are required to take a weekly COVID-19 test through Vault Health, and students in off-campus housing are tested by Vault Health biweekly. Vault testing is located at the Ohio University Golf and Tennis Center.

“If they miss their testing window, they will be sent a message that tells them to test immediately,” Ice said in an email. “If they fail to attend a second test, they will be restricted from access to campus until they complete a test. If they miss a third test, they will be referred to community standards.”

Students signed a HIPAA disclosure form that allows for their results to be shared by the university. Ohio University has a reporting dashboard where information is compiled that allows the university to look at its testing program as a whole.

If a student tests positive, however, they also need to report it to the university. Reporting a positive test includes answering a call from the OU COVID-19 Hotline when a representative calls to discuss your test results and submitting a OU COVID-19 Incident Report. If the student lives in the residence halls, they must also contact their resident assistant to inform them they have tested positive.

Once these steps are completed, a COVID campus liaison, or CCL, will call the student for contact tracing and help the student with their next steps.

“Prepare for a call from an OHIO COVID Campus Liaison, who will ask you for a list of anyone you have been in close contact with in the 48 hours prior to testing,” according to the COVID-19 testing webpage. “Your assigned CCL also will help you arrange for any resources you need to successfully isolate. All OHIO students, faculty and staff are expected to use these resources.”

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“prioritizes bids for higher speed—up to 1 Gbps—and lower latency networks, and more than doubles the minimum speed from the FCC’s 2018 Connect America Phase II auction to 25/3 Mbps,” or megabits per second.

The RDOF is designed to focus funds in areas that aren’t considered profitable, an FCC official said. The FCC is looking to spend its limited funds on places that cannot have broadband access without government support. In total, the FCC has $20.4 billion to spend to expand broadband access into rural areas.

Eligibility for the RDOF is based off whether certain census blocks have either no provider offering or committed provider offering, no state-specific programs or no service of at least 25/3 Mbps, according to the FCC RDOF fact sheet.

Athens Mayor Steve Patterson is cautiously optimistic about the broadband expansion operation.

“I think it’s great because there is absolutely a need in Southeast Ohio, especially in areas where we know that there are broadband deserts to where there’s little to no broadband availability,” Patterson said. “One of the things that has me concerned, though, is the bid itself or the bidding process (of) the auction, which was the phase one auction.”

To subsidize its funds for the RDOF, the FCC held a reverse auction for the first phase of the RDOF, which began Oct. 29, 2020, and concluded Nov. 25, 2020. In the first phase of the auction, Ohio internet providers won $170 million out of the $16 billion possible that was budgeted by the FCC. There is a second phase for the RDOF in which areas that only have partial broadband service have an opportunity

Access in Appalachia Internet access to expand across Appalachia during next 10 years JILLIAN CRAIG LONGFORM EDITOR The broadband plight, faced by residents of Southeast Ohio and other parts of Appalachia, now has an end in sight.

Residents of rural parts of the U.S., especially Southeast Ohio and the majority of Appalachia, have historically lacked 10 / JAN. 21, 2021

either broadband connectivity as a whole or suitable broadband speed. A new operation from the FCC, though, is going to change that in the next 10 years.

The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, operated by the FCC, is a program designed to bring broadband internet to areas that are underserved. According to a press release from the FCC, the RDOF

to receive funding. That funding would utilize $4.4 billion and whatever amount of money is left over from phase one for partially-served areas, according to an FCC official.

Patterson’s concerns about the bidding process stem from concerns about who won. Patterson said winning bids came from internet providers such as Spectrum and Mercury Wireless. Both of those providers do not have continuous coverage for all of southeast Ohio.

“I really have concern that they’re actually going to be able to, to provide broadband to all the areas that they have indicated here in Southeastern Ohio,” Patterson said. “If you look at the map, you’ll see that there is a whole lot of areas to where it’s not continuous. They’re kind of like islands all over the place on the Southeast Ohio map.”

Although there is now funding to expand broadband in Southeast Ohio, Patterson has his reservations about whether or not every single area will have reliable broadband access.

“On the one hand, again, the need is great, and I’m excited that we’re starting to see movement in Southeastern Ohio,” Patterson said. “Again, I have reservations as to whether all of these companies — all five of them — are actually going to be able to do what they bid on.”

Currently, there is no set date for the beginning of phase two and a second auction due to the changing of federal administrations, according to an FCC official.

@JILLIANCRAIG18 JC986517@OHIO.EDU ILLUSTRATION BY MARY BERGER

Local businesses adjust return policies ANASTASIA CARTER FOR THE POST After facing a tough year due to COVID-19 guidelines, some local businesses are still adjusting their return policies.

Many local businesses, such as Athens Underground, have not adjusted their no-return policy. However, others had to adjust their policies completely. One such business is Uptown Dog T-shirts, the printing arm of 10 West Clothing Co. Mary Cheadle, owner of Uptown Dog, has typically required customers to have the tags intact on merchandise and the receipt on them when making an exchange or return.

“Our policy was pretty strict,” Cheadle said.

“Obviously with COVID, we’re trying to do anything we can not only to get business and maintain business, but to help others out when they’re in a pinch as well.”

Local businesses have also turned to the internet realm in an attempt to boost sales; however, shipping delays also led to leniency in return policies. At Uptown Dog, the staff has accepted items ordered online without the receipt.

“It has changed, and it often changes after the holidays anyway because of the online sales,” Cheadle said. “You have to have some wiggle room because somebody who maybe received a gift wouldn’t necessarily have the receipt, and they need to be able to exchange if that’s the case.”

Seeing as local businesses still saw their usual rush around the holidays, some exchanges were bound to begin earlier.

“I had to return a textbook at the end of fall semester and waiting in line was a worse experience than actually returning it,” Tessa Mullins, an undecided freshman, said in an email. “Considering it was Christmas time, everyone seemed to be trying to send items and it was very hectic.”

Although they no longer require tags intact and a receipt, there is still a standard as to how items should be returned. Garments are the majority of the product sold at Uptown Dog, so employees have to be sure that the item wasn’t worn or isn’t outdated. After owning

Union Street shops in Uptown Athens, Ohio, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (NATE SWANSON | PHOTO EDITOR)

the business for almost 25 years, Cheadle has seen her fair share of worn returns.

“You would be surprised how many times someone will buy something, wear it, then want to return it as if it’s new,” Cheadle said.

This puts businesses in a hard position. They have to consider if there’s any way that the product could transfer germs or other bacteria. On the other hand, owners have to figure out whether it’s a material that can be disinfected or laundered. For Cheadle, some garment items could be laundered after being returned. Then they sell it as a used product or what they call “nearly new,” Cheadle said.

“We’re even prepared to do that for a couple of weeks just to be sure that we’re not returning product to the floor during any particular time that it might be dangerous,” Cheadle said. “I’m all about doing whatever we can to make sure that we’re part of the solution, not the problem.”

The Better Business Bureau said many stores have become more lenient due to the COVID-19 pandem-

ic. The BBB recommends you know the store policy before making a purchase, keep your receipt and any packaging and make any returns in a timely fashion.

Cheadle recommends checking websites or calling the stores themselves before trying to make a return.

@ACARTER3602 AC732319@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 11

Nate Swanson places second in Hearst Photojournalism Awards RILEY RUNNELLS CULTURE EDITOR Nate Swanson, photo editor for The Post, placed second in the Hearst Journalism Awards Competition for the photojournalism category.

Swanson is a junior studying photojournalism at Ohio University. Nate has been with The Post for three years, starting on the photography staff and becoming photo editor.

For the competition, he submitted four news photos and four features photos, some from his personal portfolio and others from his Post portfolio. In placing second, Swanson received a $2,000 scholarship and an automatic entry into the 2021 Championship round of the Hearst Journalism Awards Competition.

THE POST: Why did you decide to apply for the 2020-2021 Hearst Journalism Awards Competition?

SWANSON: It’s so funny because this was the last day the competition was going on. I knew I was within the window of the application process for it, and then I said, “You know what? I need to do this.” So I just quickly went through my portfolio of my best photos, and I chose the four news photos and four features photos (and) submitted it to the VisCom faculty who would be choosing only two candidates from the pool of applicants.

I was totally amazed that they chose me out of the other applicants.

TP: Tell me about the award you won.

S: So I got the email weeks later, (and) I honestly forgot I entered the competition because it was such a long span of time since when I submitted my photos. I got the email saying I placed second, and I won a $2,000 scholarship award for it that would go toward my tuition, so that was very nice. I seriously never would have expected this.

TP: How did it feel when you found out you won the award?

S: I was totally, dare I say, flabbergasted in the best way possible. I had to read over the email a few times to make sure I was reading my name and reading the correct award competition. I was like, “Oh, my gosh. I actually got a high 12 / JAN. 21, 2021

rank in this competition. That’s insane” because it’s a national competition out of like more than 100 applicants. I just thought so much about where I stand at this moment versus where I started: this introverted kid from out of state, and I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t have any backgrounds or any connections in the journalism field or anyone in the media, and I just really worked my butt off to try and prove to myself and family that this is worth it. I love being humble a lot, but it really does feel nice to win something, especially in such a field where there is, now more than ever, a lot of scrutiny towards those in journalism and photojournalism. I think this is just a nice silver lining of being in such a field.

TP: How has The Post helped you further your photojournalism career?

S: It just dangles the opportunities in front of me like a bone in front of a dog. I started out as a freshman, and I showed up to a meeting here or there, and I just sat there, and I remember looking at our director of photography at the time, and I was like, “Oh, it would be so cool to be where she’s sitting, but that’s not going to happen.” And then I don’t know what clicked in me where I just thought “Keep going to these meetings. Keep shooting. You don’t know what could happen; keep doing it, and have fun with it.” And I’ve just been given a slew of opportunities and assignments and projects to work on with The Post and just having all these connections and amazing colleagues within The Post has brought more to my life than I ever would have thought it would. I’m not exaggerating: The Post has been probably the best thing that has happened to me throughout college. It just solidified more than anything that this is the right field for me, and this is what I think I’m meant for. You ask freshman year Nate, “You’re going to be working as the photo editor ...” I would not have believed you. And I’m sitting here in this moment saying that, and it still doesn’t really feel like it’s something I’m actually doing. But it’s nice, though; it’s nice to see yourself grow. @RILEYR44 RR855317@OHIO.EDU

OU, Athens celebrate the work, legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. With a week full of events, Ohio University and Athens are creating an atmosphere to understand activism and continue the journey of remembrance and acknowledgment KAYLA BENNETT STAFF WRITER Jan. 18 marked the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In celebration and appreciation of the historical figure, Ohio University held a week of events to aid remembering King’s work and legacy.

The day was filled with ways of understanding King’s fight and the meaning behind it that still holds presence today.

“As a university, we have been celebrating MLK Day for several years now,” Travis Gatling, director of the school of dance in the College of Fine Arts and co-director of the MLK Juneteenth Planning Committee, said. “And, of course, I think because of MLK and his contributions to civil rights and addressing issues related to social injustice are just as powerful and meaningful now as they were then. So I think that it’s important to continue his legacy with even greater effort because we are still faced with similar issues now that he was trying to address through his activism then. And I think it’s important for the university to, as we move forward, acknowledge his contributions and to demonstrate to the university community as well as the Athens community that even greater effort is needed.”

The fight for social justice has proved prevalent in modern times, and this day encourages a start for realization. OU and the town of Athens were able to start the day with a drive-in brunch located at Peden Stadium’s parking lot. Jericka Ducan, a CBS News correspondent, spoke at the event.

During the brunch, there was a silent march viewable from the stadium. The march stood in solidarity to honor MLK and his work. However, with COVID-19, the silent march had to make accommodations.

“We’re going to have a branch driving, so anyone who’s coming can come in with a car and drive in and park to be a part of that,” Vanessa Morgan-Nai, coordinator for Multicultural Advising and African American Student Success and co-chair of the MLK Juneteenth Planning Committee, said. “We’ll have a screen, and you can watch and listen to your radio. By just doing this ... people can still gather but safely.”

OU is celebrating MLK’s legacy all week long. On Tuesday, there was a self-care and activism talk hosted through Zoom. The goal of this activity was to lead to the understanding of activism. The first step to understanding activism is talking about how it has been portrayed over past years and present.

Thursday holds opportunity for three different workshops. All three will be targeting the conversation of activism using strategies for combating racism, understanding the functionality of safe protest and developing anti-racist aspirations.

“Then on Friday we’re going to do something with

ILLUSTRATION BY MIDGE MAZUR a community, as well with the arts, to showcase and highlight black art and black work,” Morgan-Nai said.

“And then in the evening, we’ll have some fun with trivia nights for students to look forward to. We want to infuse all of these into the work and knowing how to move forward with social justice issues but at the same time taking care of ourselves and still moving the work forward.”

From Jan. 18 to Feb. 19, there will be a school supply drive for local Athens elementary schools. This drive can be supported by all of the Athens community with drop-offs at College Bookstore, 50 S. Court St. and the Dollar General, 1016 E. State St. This drive is a way for the school and people of Athens to do a service for others in their society.

With a week full of events, MLK legacy can be better remembered and better restored.

“Being able to recognize his purpose and his vision is important to me, not only as a minority professional, but just in general to really realize and remind ourselves that we still have a lot of work to do in this country,”

Ebony Green, assistant dean for advising and student services, said. “I’m pretty proud of Ohio University. Part of it is reiterating the story, the purpose and planning and moving forward and continuing to work on being able to be available on resources, not just our local Athens community or the state of Ohio, but nationally as we start back out into the world and let them reflect on the uncomfortable conversations and the uncomfortable actions that we’ve had to expand in our country, even as closer to home to the state or region.”

@KKAYYBEN KB084519@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 13

Virtually Adapting Again Students, faculty adapt to virtual work environments for another semester COLLEEN MCLAFFERTY FOR THE POST With the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to adapt has been valuable. The world has adjusted to ensure safety, as the pandemic has touched nearly every aspect of life, one such aspect being how and where people work.

Many employers have shifted to virtual workspaces, and so have many schools. Bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, even outdoor spaces have become work environments.

For some Ohio University students and faculty, adjusting has been a struggle.

“Some students may have access to comfortable working spaces and may be used to primarily doing their classwork and other tasks from their living space,” Lindsay Dhanani, a psychology professor, said in a message. “For others, virtually all aspects of their working environment may have been disrupted. Students may have moved back home to live with their families and may be sharing their physical space as well as vital resources such as computers, devices, internet, and so on.”

Dhanani said the work environment plays a big part in productivity. Environment can influence a person’s physical health, from the aches and pains that accompany sitting in the wrong positions or eye strain from staring at a computer.

“Beyond that, working in environments that are cluttered, noisy, or open to disruptions can increase our mental stress which can also tax our performance and ability to focus on work,” Dhanani said in a message.

For Hannah Culver, a freshman studying mathematics, her work environment was constantly changing. She would move her place throughout the day, hoping to improve focus but mainly looked for a quiet spot.

“I felt most productive in my office area, and it did help me focus a bit better when I would force myself to sit down at my desk and take the time to simply work and get the job done,” Culver said in a message. “Unfortunately, my room doesn’t really feel like a room anymore.”

Ryan Johnson, a psychology professor, said he was lucky to have his own office at the start of the pandemic for privacy and focus. He did have to make some changes, though.

“I paid more attention to what my workspace looked like to others who I 14 / JAN. 21, 2021

interact with virtually,” Johnson said in a message. “So, I put a bit more effort into keeping the room tidy and professional. I also paid more attention to lighting and installed new window coverings and light fixtures to optimize my outgoing video feed and reduce glare within my office.”

Some of Johnson’s changes also came with a price tag. He had to increase his internet plan’s bandwidth to accommodate large Zoom meetings with his students.

Also, to reduce disruptions, he enrolled his dog in an intensive training program.

Dhanani said for instructors, there are several approaches that could improve virtual work environments.

“Most importantly, I would advocate for flexibility,” Dhanani said in a message.

“As I’ve mentioned, students have been

differentially affected by COVID-19 and some may have barriers that others don’t.

Additionally, if students have to share important resources with siblings, parents, and other family members, they may not always be available at specific times.”

She also advocates for social opportunities in virtual work environments since most are isolating.

“I think we all need to be empathetic to the challenges people are experiencing and how that might affect mental health,” Dhanani said in a message.

“Faculty and staff are struggling too as we have also had to relearn how to successfully do our jobs and are also working under very different and likely more strained conditions. I think it helps to remember that students are facing those

same issues and to remember that students fulfill many roles outside of just being a student in our course.”

As a bit of advice to both faculty and students, Dhanani recommends focusing on reducing stressors and making work environments a healthy one. This means taking breaks away from screens and decorating work spaces with things that are happy and relaxing.

“Check in with yourself and take steps to reduce stress when you feel overwhelmed,” Dhanani said in a message.

“There are a lot of techniques that work such as progressive muscle relaxation or mindfulness exercises. Find what works for you.”

@COLLEENBEALEM CM832719@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

CeCe Hooks’ legacy grows in comeback win over Buffalo

Ohio University’s Erica Johnson (4) takes the ball back up the court during the home game against University at Buffalo on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Athens, Ohio. (MAYA MORITA | FOR THE POST)

J.L. KIRVEN SPORTS EDITOR There’s too many great CeCe Hooks moments to just pick one.

The senior guard has hit game winners, set school records and won plenty of games in her four years in Athens, but Wednesday night will always stand out among the rest.

Led by Hooks’ 28 points, Ohio came back down 11 with just over two minutes to play to stun Buffalo 84-81 at The Convo. The win was the first time Ohio defended homecourt against the Bulls since 2017 and was the ultimate revenge for a loss in the 2019 Mid-American Conference Tournament finals.

“They (Buffalo) were doing a lot of trash talking,” Hooks joked postgame.

“Now I know they feel really bad.”

Ohio had battled back through Buffalo’s toughness and trash talk all game.

After trailing by 10 in the first quarter, the Bobcats battled back to tie it at 38 by halftime. After trading back and forth through the third quarter, the Bobcats battled back to take a slim two-point

lead into the fourth quarter.

But after giving up a 15-0 run to start the fourth quarter, there appeared to be no more battle in the Bobcats. Star guard Erica Johnson was down to her last foul. Buffalo’s top player and the MAC’s leading scorer, Dyaisha Fair, was doing whatever she wanted, and it seemed like so close would not be good enough for the Bobcats.

Ohio wasn’t going to quit. But down 11 with 2:19 left to play, grit wasn’t going to be enough. Ohio was going to need a miracle. It had something better.

Following a Johnson 3-pointer, Hooks stole the ball and made another layup to trim the lead to six. Hooks would have to trim the lead again moments later after a pair of Buffalo free throws. At this point, Ohio’s down six with 1:35.

Hooks’ teammates could see how hard she was pushing for a chance to pull out the win. There was no way she could do it herself. The next minuteand-a-half was the stuff of legends.

First, Caitlyn Kroll drives to the rim and squeaks in a layup.

Buffalo 81, Ohio 75.

Then, Hooks makes another layup off a Buffalo turnover.

Buffalo 81, Ohio 77.

After that, Kaylee Bambule (remember that name) stole the ball and dished it to Madi Mace before she was fouled, heading to the line.

Shot number one ... good. Shot number two … good.

Buffalo 81, Ohio 79.

But is there enough time?

After a tipped pass off the foot of Fair, yes, yes there was.

The Bobcats had 18 seconds left to draw something up. The plan was for Hooks to drive the lane and score a layup. She trusted her gut when she saw Bambule sitting in the corner.

“I knew she was gonna hit it,” Hooks said.

Swish.

Ohio 82, Buffalo 81.

A 9-0 run to grab the lead with 11 seconds to go. Could Ohio really pull off one of the greatest comebacks in program history? They would need one more stop to secure it. With the game on the line, the Bulls gave the ball to

Hanna Hall, the same player who gave Hooks fits in the MAC Tournament final.

Hall threw up a shot, and it went in before rolling out. A sea of blue waited eagerly for it. Buffalo had outrebounded Ohio 49-34 up to that point.

That was one rebound they weren’t going to get. When Hooks came down with the ball, everyone in The Convo knew the Bobcats had done it. On a night where CeCe Hooks was everything she needed to be, her teammates had her back.

“It was so sweet,” Hooks said. “We’ve been having a hard time playing as a team sometimes, but these last couple of games I feel like everyone is coming in and bringing that something.”

@JL_KIRVEN JK810916@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Ben Roderick finds confidence through consistency J.L. KIRVEN SPORTS EDITOR When you watch the Ohio Bobcats play basketball, you see players who are confident in their roles on the court.

In the case of Jason Preston, he’s confident in his ability to find teammates and make plays. Lunden McDay takes pride in his defense, and Dwight Wilson can count on being a presence in the paint.

But for Ben Roderick, this season has been all about finding and growing his confidence. And over the past few games, it’s been clear what his calling card is: shooting the ball.

So far this season, Roderick leads Ohio in 3-point shooting percentage (47.1%) and has developed into Ohio’s deep threat. In games, Roderick will pull from the half court logo to the corner with a defender in his face and still sink the shot. Not everyone can shoot with

the fearlessness that the sophomore has. Some people have to develop it, but Ohio coach Jeff Boals said Roderick has had it ever since he first saw him.

“He (Roderick) is one of those kids that makes tough shots and just really needs one to go in,” Boals said.

Throughout Ben Roderick’s high school basketball career, he could always count on his consistency.

A four year letterwinner at Olentangy Liberty, Roderick was a problem for defenders in the Ohio Capital Conference on a nightly basis. Roderick’s long 6-foot, 5-inch frame allowed him to consistently shoot over defenders, averaging 27.5 points per game. His strength made him dependable on the glass, and his steady dominance made him a sure lock for Ohio Gatorade Player of the year.

But when Roderick stepped foot on campus for his freshman season, nothing was consistent.

“Yeah, I’ve sort of had some bad luck,” Roderick said.

A knee injury kept him out of Ohio’s first six games. It wasn’t the first time Roderick had battled injuries — having torn his left ACL his junior year at Liberty — and it wouldn’t be his last. After struggling his first four games, Roderick hurt his hand and missed another five games.

It was an awful beginning to what was supposed to be an arrival to the big stage. When Roderick’s decision to come to Ohio was announced, fans rejoiced. It hadn’t been since the days of DJ Cooper since Bobcat fans were as excited to see someone play. Roderick was just as anxious.

When he finally came back, you could see the nerves manifest themselves on the court. Roderick had to scrap for every minute, possession and point he got. It can be tough for a freshman to adapt to the college game, but it’s even

Ohio University’s Ben Roderick (3) looks to take the ball to the basket while being guarded by Miami University’s Isaiah Coleman-Lands (4) during the home game on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, in Athens, Ohio. (KELSEY BOEING | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

tougher when all eyes are on you.

After COVID-19 delivered the final blow to Roderick’s underwhelming freshman campaign, he’s done everything he can to get back to form this season. And the first start is by developing consistency.

Roderick has started in all but one game this season. He hopes to remain healthy to help lead Ohio (7-6, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) back to the MAC Tournament. In order to do that, he’ll have to keep sharpening his game. “ I’ve been working every day in practice before and after, and it’s been working,” Roderick said. “ I think being able to shoot more, I can just add more to my game, and it’ll make me a whole better player.”

Roderick’s work before, during and after practice has played a big part in Ohio success this season. Roderick is currently fourth in the conference in 3-point percentage and has made six 3-pointers in a game twice this season already. After having to fight for minutes last season, Roderick has become a staple in the starting lineup and is showing the potential that Boals saw in him as a high schooler.

“I think he’s really in a good groove right now,” Boals said. “We need him to be. As a shot maker — which I never really was — when you hit a couple shots like that, you get confidence.”

And that confidence will continue to grow ... with consistency.

@JL_KIRVEN JK810916@OHIO.EDU

16 / JAN. 21, 2021

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HOCKEY

What to expect from Ohio in 2021 ELI FEAZELL SLOT EDITOR After nearly a year of silence, Ohio is so close to playing hockey yet again.

The Bobcats haven’t faced off against an opponent since losing to Illinois in the first match of the 2020 Central States Collegiate Hockey League back in March. Less than a week after that match, the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Ohio finished its season 24-9-4 overall, an impressive record under first year head coach Cole Bell.

Bell hoped to be playing matches again on time in the fall, but the pandemic was still widespread in the U.S. at the time, and Ohio delayed the start of its season.

Now, the Bobcats are participating in scrimmages again, and the 2021 regular season is scheduled to begin Feb. 2 with a visit from Liberty in Bird Arena. Some things have changed since the 2019-20 season, so here’s what to expect from Ohio this year:

WHO WILL THE BOBCATS MISS?

As things always are with collegiate sports, Ohio lost some talented seniors to graduation last summer.

Goaltender Jimmy Thomas is one name Ohio will be without this year.

Thomas was a star for the Bobcats, and he had a seven-match win streak and a 91% save percentage last season.

Jacob Houston, Tyler Harkins and Gianni Evangelisti, the latter of whom was last season’s American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Player of the Year, have also graduated. They were a big reason why the Bobcats led the division in goals scored last year.

All three of them were in the top five in points scored in the Central States division last year, giving Ohio a dominant scoring offense. Evangelisti led the team with 72 points.

While these players and others will be missed by the Bobcats, the team is not without suitable replacements to step up in 2021.

NEW LEADERS WILL BE AIDED BY YOUNG STARS

Kyle Craddick and Shawn Baird are this year’s captains, and they are more than capable of leading the team to a similar or better position it was in last year.

Craddick led the Bobcats in returning scorers with 33 points last year. Not 18 / JAN. 21, 2021

too far behind him are Ryan Higgins (29 points last season) and J.T. Schimizzi (27 points). Higgins is a junior, and Schimizzi is a sophomore while Craddick is a senior, giving him an edge in experience over other offensive stars.

Baird, also a senior, will be expected to lead the defense this season. Like Craddick, he also has a solid core of younger players around him. Sam Turner, Scott Bagby and Blake Rossi have all proven themselves to be talented defenders and could be what Ohio needs in order to step up its defensive game.

Speaking of ...

IT’S ON THE DEFENSE

While the Bobcats boasted a leading offense last season, their defense wasn’t quite on the same level.

Ohio’s defense was by no means bad and had plenty of talent on its own, but its 95 goals allowed was the second most in the Central States division (which, for the record, was much better than division rival Robert Morris’ 146 goals allowed).

Losing talents like Houston and Thomas won’t help Ohio, but those losses are outnumbered by returnees capable of stepping up. Along with Baird and the younger talents, Timmy Thurnau, a senior and familiar face for the Bobcats, also returns to the defense.

If you were concerned about losing a goaltender like Thomas, you can rest those fears, too.

GOALTENDER POSITION IN GOOD HANDS

Thomas was something special, and Ohio was fortunate to have him as a regular starter for four years.

However, that does not mean the Bobcats will be lacking at the goaltending position this season. Quite the opposite, actually. Mason Koster and Jackson Chilberg are expected to be Thomas’s replacement in 2021, and both of them have some experience going into the season.

Chilberg played only one game last season, but when he did, he played for a full 60 minutes against Slippery Rock in November, shutting out The Rock with 22 saves in just his third collegiate start.

Koster may have a 1-3 record at goaltender, but his resume is boosted by an 86.9% save percentage. He also had 47 saves in a match against Lindenwood, which had the best record in the Central States division last year.

Along with Chilberg and Koster, two freshmen goalkeepers will have time to

learn from the veterans. Max Karlenzig and Matt Server are both goaltenders who will be in their first season with the Bobcats.

MUST STAY DISCIPLINED

The Bobcats are a close family, so the bond they have for each other will often show up in the matches.

Unfortunately, this sometimes means the players’ emotions can get the best of them, and that can result in penalties that give their opponents an advantage.

Ohio led the Central States division in penalty infraction minutes last season with 749 minutes. That’s almost 100 minutes more than Robert Morris’s 655, which was the second most in the division last year.

In a loss to Calvin last season, three Bobcats were sent to the locker room after fights broke out in Bird Arena in the second period.

The feisty attitude Ohio has toward opponents is a double-edged sword.

That toughness can lead to great results from the team, but too many emotions can be a setback.

ger connection as head coach with his players, it’s possible this can result in a great team chemistry that will lead the Bobcats to even farther places than they saw last year.

Of course, everyone should also hope the season can be completed this time around.

@ELIFEAZ EF195418@OHIO.EDU

SOPHOMORE BELL

Ohio was a good team last year, and it was only Bell’s first year at the helm.

Now that Bell has more experience coaching at Bird Arena and has a stron-

Ohio forward Tyler Harkins (22) battles for a rebound during the Bobcats hockey game on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, at Bird Arena in Athens, Ohio. (COLIN MAYR | FOR THE POST)

Style guide to becoming a Y2K princess EMMA DOLLENMAYER ASST. BEAT EDITOR Who would have thought that in the year 2021 we’d be digging through our closets from 2008 for fashion inspo? Not us. Still, we can’t complain about the early 2000s, and icons like Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton becoming chic again.

Amid pandemic times of bleakness and hopelessness, fashion trends are here to help one prompt liveliness and express creativity even while staying inside. That being said, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the purples, pinks and pastels that defined the early onset of the decade are the answer to everyone’s style identity crisis.

If you’ve been living under a rock and aren’t exactly sure which staples dominated the early 2000s, we’re here to help you figure out which Y2K items to piece together and where you can buy them online.

OUTFIT NO. 1: Detailed mini tank with flare legged, light wash denim, paired with a baby cardigan, a headscarf and mini purse

Remember those teeny tiny lace lined tanks you used to buy from Justice? Well, they’re back and cuter than ever. Pastel-colored baby tanks lined in the same color but a different variation, or even a completely different color, are all the rage. In the winter, a cropped, button-up, pastel cardigan can be thrown over for a more seasoned appropriate look. To top off the look, throw on some baggy or bootlegged light-washed low-rise (or preferably, high-rise — because let’s face it, we’re still not, and will never be ready for the return of low rise) jeans.

The early 2000s were all about accessorizing, especially with the simple addition of a mini handbag or a silk head scarf or bandana. Toss one over your shoulder, tie a satin head scarf around your hair and pop on that baby pink lip gloss, and boom, you are set to hit the town.

Oh, and shoes? We know you already have some Air Force Ones or Adidas Superstars in your closet, and honestly, they’ll match perfectly.

OUTFIT NO. 2: Matching fuzzy tank and cardigan with pleated plaid skirt

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER

Similar, yet different, is the pairing of a monochromatic pastel set consisting of a fuzzy tank and a coordinating cardigan.

To spice up the entire fit, a plaid pleated skirt in the same color family will have you looking straight out of Clueless, but make it modern. Pack it up, Cher.

PRACTICE S A FE SI X

OUTFIT NO. 3: Oversized graphic paired with a puffer, baggy jeans and a bucket hat

Cute but casual comes the vintage graphic tee we all know and love. Oversized, or cropped, the outfit is yours.

Anything from a band tee to a crop top with a Bratz doll on it, we know it’ll look fab. To add a little bit of pizazz, pair it with a cropped, shiny puffer jacket of a color of your choosing.

Baggy jeans are a Y2K essential that go with just about anything, even a graphic and puffer, so be sure to add a pair to your shopping cart.

To make the fit a little less mundane, purchase a bucket hat to tie the look together. Patterned, or pastel, it will undoubtedly be the cherry on top.

For all of your item needs, we recommend shopping Amazon, Princess Polly, Nasty Gal, Shein and Brandy Melville.

Happy shopping!

@EMMADOLLENMAYER ED569918@OHIO.EDU

STAY INFO RME D WA SH YO U R H AND S AVO ID CLO S E CO N TACT WE AR A M ASK CLEAN AND D I S I NFE CT MO N I TO R YO U R HE ALT H

B E SA F E BO BCA TS. DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Based on our last look, I am sure you can tell the tank and cardigan duo went together like salt and pepper back in the day, and the trend is here to stay.

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 19

6 self-help books to encourage prosperity within life EMMA DOLLENMAYER ASST. BEAT EDITOR Every December, while on the brink of a new year, most people claim the upcoming one to be their year — the best one yet.

Changes will be made, growth will occur and greatness will be achieved. However, in agreement, 2020 involved not much of the latter.

After a year filled with what seemed like so many lows, there is truthfully nowhere to go as a society but up. Though some took time in quarantine and solidarity as an opportunity to better themselves through at-home workouts, fewer meaningless social interactions and new ways to become in touch with one’s emotions and inner thoughts, many also surrendered to wallowing in depression due to a lack of human connection and normality.

If the complexity and anxiety that embodied the past year has morosely taken over your mental state and lifestyle, there is no better time to begin to make strides toward healthier habits than a blank slate that is indeed the new year of 2021.

Yes, there are many ways to mend and progress your well-being, whether that be working out to improve your physical appearance or jotting down the quirks and ticks about you and your mindset that could use some shifting. No one is perfect.

Everyone could use some assurance and guidance in their life to aid them in becoming an enhanced version of themselves, and what better way to begin this transfiguration than indulging in the enriching leisure of reading, and specifically, reading self-help books? That being said, below is a list of six books to encourage prosperity within all aspects of life:

The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie

Although The Language of Letting Go

by Melody Beattie was written in 2009, it is more relevant than ever. Google Books notes, “As the coronavirus pandemic affects our loved ones, our cherished communities, and our own health and wellbeing, we may be tempted to return to the caretaking and codependent behaviors we’ve worked to leave behind.”

Beloved author Melody Beattie will help you learn the importance of “letting go.”

Just shy of 20 days into the new year, the time to grab this book is now. Each day, beginning on Jan. 1, Beattie provides daily meditations and reminders revolving around a different countenance of codependency — a concept by which too many are characterized. Beattie pushes for readers to take accountability of their ac-

20 / JAN. 21, 2021

tions and to recognize their pain and areas for self-improvement by providing a little inspiration and encouragement each day.

Catching up on the past 20 days you’ve missed would be quite easy, or another option is to simply begin on the day you buy the book. Taking time to read a daily meditation can be extremely powerful and effective regarding how you perceive and experience the remainder of the day.

Feel Your Best by ban.do

Slightly different from the other books on the list, Feel Your Best is a wellness workbook created by the site “ban.do,” a brand created to incite joy in its customers. The workbook is designed for those who actively want to induce personal growth through pages of “artwork, tips, tear-away cards, balance charts and daily (and weekly!) check-ins,” according to the workbook’s description.

Feel Your Best consists of several sections that include and cover topics such as goals, exploration, action and relaxation.

Ultimately, it is a book to help guide your intentions, calm your anxiety and celebrate your little wins. Though the book is purchased blank, it is a work in progress just like you. Let the colorful aesthetic of the interactive workbook inspire you to remain lively and joyous throughout the new year.

What a Time to Be Alone by Chidera Eggerue

British-Nigerian writer and fashion blogger Chidera Eggerue is best known for her guide to why you are already enough on your own, titled What a Time to Be Alone, and also for her online campaign #SaggyBoobsMatter. If it isn’t already incredibly obvious that the 26-year-old writer is completely relatable, it should be.

So commonly, we youngins believe we are less than worthy because we are single. Additionally, we seek validation from friends, family and potential partners when, in reality, value and virtue is found within. Eggerue is the timely reminder in the form of a self-help book that the only person who can write your story and determine your fate is you. Toxic friendships and meaningless relationships do not and will not serve you. So grow healthy ones instead by healing and navigating your own self worth above all else.

Acknowledging that this current period in most college-aged students’ lives is the only time they may have going forward to focus on solely themselves, and it’s crucial for personal growth and success in future relationships. Don’t wish this pivotal period away by dwelling on not having a

boyfriend/girlfriend or indulging in unrewarding friendships.

101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties by Paul Angone

Ever feel like you’re supposed to be adulting, yet you just don’t seem to have it together quite yet? Don’t fret. Navigating life’s obstacles, questioning where and who you want to be following college while also pondering more perplexing meaningful questions regarding your purpose, identity and influence on others can be weighing on confused, uncertain millennials.

Paul Angone helps those who may be a little more lost and pessimistic in respect to their futures by posing questions, such as “How do I make a choice when I don’t know what to choose?” and “What are the Pivotal Plot Points of my story?”

Angone allows readers to dig deeper into the more substantial parts of themselves in order for them to live a more meaningful life and not settle for simply grazing through the days, weeks and years. Considering one’s 20s are supposedly a part of the most defining decade of one’s life, so begin your road to self discovery now.

Small Move, Big Change by Caroline L. Arnold

According to Forbes magazine, “Studies have shown that approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail.” Part of the reason being individuals set larger, too vague of goals rather than setting more specific, smaller ones.

By setting microresolutions, the reward is reaped daily, whereas larger ones, one just reminds themselves they’ll see the results “some day.” By making slight

changes to your daily routine you can, in the end, transform your whole entire lifestyle, which Caroline L. Arnold helps readers do.

The Thriving Introvert by Thibaut Meurisse

This book is written for the ones who are continuously told to express exuberance through outgoing gestures, such as attending social gatherings and voicing their opinion, yet they feel as if portraying themselves in that manner is simply not them. However, as we are all different, no one person is made to look the same, behave the same or, ultimately, be the same.

In The Thriving Introvert, author Thibaut Meurisse invites readers to embrace their introversion and live a life feeling confident within themselves by addressing points, such as “How to redesign all aspects of your life such as your career and your relationships so you can thrive as an introvert” and “How to make your best contribution to the world as an introvert.”

Whereas most self-help books encourage those to put themselves out there in a way where people will notice their presence, this one reminds introverts that their presence is valued whether they are shy or not.

@EMMADOLLENMAYER ED569918@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY KATIE BANECK

9 coming-of-age movies to inspire you Here’s some inspiration for the long road that’s to come this semester HANNAH CAMPBELL FOR THE POST As we begin our Spring Semester, we may need a little inspiration for the long road ahead. This is especially true for most freshmen, who are coming to campus for the first time and trying to navigate the crazy world of college during COVID-19 — and nothing is more inspirational than a coming-of-age movie.

Here are the nine best coming-of-age movies that will have you stunned and inspired to take on what’s to come:

THE FLORIDA PROJECT

This story follows 6-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her single mother Halley (Bria Vinaite), as they spend the summer in the Magic Castle Hotel, just outside of Walt Disney World in Florida.

The hotel is known for its working-class guests who live there permanently. Moonee runs free with her other hotel friends as her mom struggles to make a living and keep her life together.

However, Moonee uses her imagination

to forget the world around her while exploring a new one.

The hotel manager, Bobby (Willem Dafoe), does his best to protect the children of the hotel, but Moonee and Halley both learn that they can’t play pretend forever. And while it may sound depressing, to see Moonee make do with what she has is both inspiring and humbling.

MID-90S

This next movie is perfect for anyone still stuck in the ’90s. Written and directed by Jonah Hill, Mid-90s tells the story of 13-year-old Stevie (Sunny Suljic), as he makes friends with a group of rebellious and reckless skateboarders in 1990s Los Angeles.

Stevie is constantly bullied at home, so he begins to use skating and his friends as an escape from it all. However, he soon learns that everyone around him has their own struggles from which they want to escape. Whether that be with drugs, alcohol or girls, everyone has different ways of coping. Also starring Euphoria’s Alexa Demie, this movie offers

comforting ’90s nostalgia along with an important message to which all people can relate.

FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF

This iconic movie features Matthew Broderick as Ferris, a high school senior who spends the day skipping school and exploring the city of Chicago with his friends. Throughout the film, Ferris breaks the fourth wall and gives advice to the audience watching.

While the majority of film is how to scheme, he discusses making the most of every day and taking risks to make life exciting. It’s a great pick-me-up whenever you feel that life has gotten too boring and redundant.

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS

This list would not be complete without a Timothée Chalamet movie. Also set during the ’90s, the movie follows Chalamet as Daniel, an awkward teenager who is sent to live in Cape Cod for the summer. During his stay, he meets the town’s drug dealer, Hunter (Elijah Bynum), and soon becomes business partners with him.

Daniel also starts a relationship with Hunter’s sister, McKayla (Maika Monroe), in secret. And as police try to find out his schemes and an impending hurricane arrives, Daniel’s business and lies finally catch up to him.

EIGHTH GRADE

Even though we are now grown and matured, we all remember the awkwardness of middle school. This film follows eighth grader Kayla (Elsie Fisher) as she finishes middle school and looks ahead to high school.

Like most middle schoolers, she has a hard time fitting in and finding out who she truly is. She struggles with her self-confidence, sexuality and anxiety, but eventually learns that she is good enough just the way she is. This could be comforting for any freshman or any new students who may be struggling with finding their way on campus.

THE BREAKFAST CLUB

Although it’s another nostalgic movie on our list, The Breakfast Club may be the most iconic. Five teenagers from different high school cliques all share a Saturday detention together. They soon learn that they have a lot in common, including family pressures and problems, peer pressures and mental illnesses.

They all reveal their secrets to one another while ultimately discovering who they are. Although they all come from different backgrounds, they can

still come together and be themselves.

BOYHOOD

This next movie is a true coming-ofage story. Boyhood follows Mason (Ellar Coltrane) from ages 6 to 18 as he grows up in Texas with his divorced parents and sister. The movie was filmed from 2001 to 2013, using the same cast as they grow older. Mason struggles with typical childhood problems while also dealing with his mother’s abusive relationships and problems with his father. Although it’s one person’s story, everyone can relate to parts of it.

BOOKSMART

This is another great film for the freshmen new to campus who may be struggling. Starring Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein, high school seniors Amy and Molly spend their last day of school partying. This is because they regret spending their days studying and not having fun like their other classmates.

The night is filled with crazy antics, but the girls soon realize that they can have balance in their lives and that the people they took for granted may not be so bad after all.

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

This last movie is a personal favorite.

The film stars Logan Lerman as Charlie, a high school freshman suffering from clinical depression. He soon becomes friends with two seniors (Emma Watson and Ezra Miller), who show him the ropes of high school and bring him out of his social shell.

Not only does it give a nod to the kids from Pittsburgh (director Stephen Chbosky is a Pittsburgh native and shot the movie there as well), but it also relates to kids who are having difficulty making friends. It’s the perfect movie to watch when you’re struggling and need some cheering up.

@HANNAHCMPBELL HC895819@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY BERGER THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 21

WHAT’S GOING ON? Attend OU’s MLK Jr.inspired Trivia Night; learn ceramics basics at Hocking College ISABEL NISSLEY FOR THE POST

FRIDAY, JAN. 22 Physics Colloquium: Special Relativity and Optical Control of Chemistry at 4:10 p.m., hosted by Ohio University’s College of Arts and Sciences online. Join Prashant K. Jain, a chemistry professor and scholar of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, for a discussion about his research. Jain will describe how special relativistic effects as manifested in the electronic structure of gold are at the heart of the optically induced conversion of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon fuels.

Admission: Free MLK Jr. Celebration Event: Trivia 22 / JAN. 21, 2021

dy clubs in the country and worked alongside famous comedians such as Dave Chappelle.

Admission: Free

SATURDAY, JAN. 23 Level One Ceramics at 11 a.m., hosted by the Visual Arts Center at Hocking College, 3301 Hocking Parkway, Nelsonville. Learn wheel-throwing basics in this introductory ceramics course. Each participant will create a bowl with a heart-shaped rim. On Jan. 30, participants can come to community glaze night to prepare the bowl so it will be finished by Valentine’s Day.

ed online by Bodhi Tree Guesthouse & Studio. Strengthen your mind and body in this six-week-long yoga class. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn breath practices, experience short-seated meditations and begin to understand yoga philosophy and history.

Admission: $150 for the six week class

@ISABELNISSLEY IN566119@OHIO.EDU

Admission: $35 Winter Window FineTime Painting Party at 6 p.m., hosted by the Parkersburg Art Center at 725 Market St., Parkersburg, West Virginia. Paint a peaceful winter scene at the Parkersburg Art Center. Materials will be provided, and Brandon Cross will lead the event.

Admission: $30

MONDAY, JAN. 25 Foundations of Yoga at 6 p.m., host-

Bodhi Tree Guesthouse and studio located at 8590 Lavelle Rd. in Athens, Ohio. (KELSEY BOEING | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

Night at 6 p.m., hosted online by OU’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Test your knowledge while celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at this virtual trivia night. Participants will compete against other students and OU community members to answer questions about OU, Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement.

Admission: Free Welcome Week Comedy Show at 8 p.m., hosted online by OU’s Campus Involvement Center. Unwind after the first week of classes with comedy presented by renowned comedian Ryan Conner. Conner has done stand-up at many of the top come-

the weekender Athens Farmers Market hosts weekly Saturday events KAYLA BENNETT FOR THE POST

Athens Farmers Market has been a homegrown, locally sourced market for almost 50 years now. The market is home to multiple vendors who bring locally grown produce, crops, meats and baked goods to be sold every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Wednesdays during the warmer months.

“Our main focus, of course, is fresh locally grown produce,” Tanya Hire, Athens Market manager, said. “...as well as locally grown raised meats, so beef, pork, lamb, chicken poultry, that sort of thing. And then we also have several vendors that produce or process foods locally. We’ve got lots of bread and bakery items –– honey, syrup, jam. Avalanche Pizza has a booth there.”

The market carries fresh food for a refreshing break from the chain restaurants surrounding it. Although there is not a permanent infrastructure, the market is able to set up their goods every Saturday for the people from or visiting Athens to stock up. However, with the cold months ahead, the market had to adjust to the weather conditions and adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.

“From Dec. 1 to April 1 some vendors are set up inside the former Elder Beerman store inside the mall,” Larry Cowdery, Athens Farmers Market president, said in a message. “I would like to assure customers there is plenty of space for social distance. The space is well lit, warm and dry. Additionally, there is plenty of parking in the back of the mall and a door to enter.”

Following the Athens County Health Department guideline, the market has kept the vendors and customers safe.

While continuously growing their base, the Athens Market is always searching for new and creative ways to be involved with Athens and their surrounding organizations.

“We collaborate with, or partner with, the Athens Art Guild,” Hire said.

“We have a section of our market space that is dedicated to local artists. So it

really is a neat place to visit, with, of course, most importantly, being able to get the fresh fruits and vegetables that don’t have the supply chain.”

The market creates support for local artists, which helps encourage the support from the people of Athens. While supporting local artists and organizations, the market receives the same support in return. The market has been growing for 50 years, and the citizens and vendors of Athens have made it possible for the market to flourish.

“We are fortunate to have a very dedicated and supportive community here in Athens,” Cowdery said in a message. “I am constantly amazed at their dedication to the market, coming in all weather and seasons. I realize this has been a challenging year for many but I would like the community to know that we appreciate their support and are

doing everything within our power to make the AFM as safe and pleasant as possible for everyone.”

Being minutes away from OU’s campus, the market offers a new Saturday activity for the students or anyone visiting. In fact, the Athens local bus system drives out to the market, so no car is no worry. The market allows for anyone and everyone and encourages students to come see the growing environment for themselves.

“I had no idea that this even existed so, with COVID, I feel like this would be a great thing to do with your friends,” Meg Rees, a freshman studying commercial photography, said. “After having a few meals at the dining hall, I think it’d be nice to go to a farmers market and try out new produce and take a break from the processed food.”

@KKAYYBEN KB084519@OHIO.EDU

IF YOU GO WHAT: Athens Farmers Market WHEN: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

WHERE: 1002 E. State St. ADMISSION: Free

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