March 18, 2021

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Compromising

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Covering COVID-19 is tiring but an essential job

MOLLY SCHRAMM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As mid-March rolls around, the U.S. has reached its one-year anniversary of dealing with the turmoil caused by the coronavirus.

Over the course of that year, journalism has shifted and adapted heavily as COVID-19 has seeped into all aspects of coverage.

Throughout Athens, multiple student and local news sources and publications have tirelessly covered the impact of COVID-19, and they all deserve a round of applause for their exhausting but essential work.

COVID-19 has taken so many lives, impacted billions more, incited devastating economic decline, canceled the aspects of life that bring us joy and so much more, but despite all that, journalists far and wide have been striving to deliver informing news.

When talking about the pandemic, things such as Zoom and working-from-home fatigue have been brought up. Something that’s not been so readily discussed is the second-hand trauma and exhaustion journalists feel from covering such harrowing stories. No journalists aren’t on the frontline like the courageous doctors and nurses who are working diligently to save lives, but they have been there to report on countless deaths and stories circling COVID-19.

Secondary trauma is a seemingly taboo

topic to talk about among journalists, leading it to be something non-journalists don’t recognize at all. Journalists have gone into war zones, natural disasters, the aftermath of mass shootings and more, all in the name of reporting facts to the public. With the rise of social media and user-generated content, distressing content for journalists has only grown. By so frequently immersing oneself in these types of atmospheres, you’re exposed to the trauma of these events — sometimes without even knowing so. It’s important journalists talk about this trauma and seek help if need be to eradicate that stigma.

With the coronavirus pandemic, I’d say it’s safe to argue that everyone in some way, shape or form has been traumatized by it.

It’s not natural to halt life, pick up your job or schooling and move it to your home and go on complete lockdown or quarantine.

Nevertheless, that’s been what’s necessary to combat the deadly virus. But where some people have tried to disassociate from it all, journalists are heading straight into the line of fire.

In Athens County alone, there have been 50 deaths and 4,711 cases, per The Post’s latest weekly update. Through the entire state of Ohio, there have been just under 18,000

deaths and roughly 845,000 cases. Covering so much death and sadness isn’t easy for journalists.

Despite this, journalists carry on because the mission of journalism is to deliver the important, factual news to citizens. At the core of journalism is truth, and if journalists didn’t cover both the bad and good news, it would be a disservice.

Recently, journalists got to celebrate by reporting on the expansion of COVID-19 vaccines in Ohio. As of March 29, anyone 16 and older can receive the vaccine in an effort to hopefully stop this virus. Active COVID-19 cases in both Athens County and all of Ohio are on a steady decline, but that doesn’t mean the pandemic is anywhere near over. Going forward, journalists will continue to be there to cover the highs and lows of the pandemic and its long-lasting impacts.

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 DESIGN BY ALEXANDER GRAHAM

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 LONG-FORM 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 / MARCH 18, 2021

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ISSUE 23, VOLUME 134

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Excess vaccine lists ensure no COVID-19 vaccine goes to waste ANASTASIA CARTER FOR THE POST As OU gauges interest in being vaccinated for COVID-19 and vaccine administration locations pop up across Athens County, excess vaccine lists have presented themselves to the public as a new opportunity to get vaccinated.

Excess vaccine lists have been implemented by vaccination distribution locations as a way of ensuring no vaccine is thrown away.

“Part of the criteria with being a vaccinating site was to make sure you have some type of system,” Ben Holter, pharmacy manager and partner of Shrivers Pharmacy and Wellness Center, said. “If you get to the end of the clinic and you have some no-shows or cancelations … you (needed) a way to get those to someone. Logically, creating some type of call list where you could quickly call people and they could come to the clinic and get the dose was kind of a necessity.”

Each pharmacy has the freedom to have a backup recipient plan to ensure vaccines are not going to waste. Holter said Shrivers Pharmacy calls people who fit into the criteria based on age first.

“Essentially, we would try to call anybody that was actually in that criteria and then work our way down the list by age,” Holter said.

The lists also depend on the nature of the vaccine, Holter said. For example, vials of Moderna typically contain 10 doses, while Pfizer typically contains six. For both of those vaccines, after the vial has been punctured, it can only be used for six hours afterward or else it will be considered expired, Holter said.

“We obviously have a no-waste policy … unless it was some accidental thing, which is possible,” Holter said. “At one clinic, the weather was really poor for a few weeks, so we just had some people that day of (who) couldn’t get out of their driveways.”

Pharmacies such as Fruth Pharmacy have kept a running list of potential vaccination recipients, should there be an opening or availability.

“If there are any extra or abandoned doses, the store is instructed to reach out/locate a new recipient with 30 minutes left on the vaccine to allow time for travel and immunization,” Drew Massey, director of pharmacy operations at Fruth, said in an email.

The chance that someone misses their vaccination appointment is random

and can occur due to weather, illness or other reasons.

“Out of 300 people, there’s inevitably going to be somebody that wakes up sick or somebody that can’t make it or just forgets,” Holter said. “It’s just a numbers game at that point.”

Fruth hasn’t wasted any vaccine doses to date, Massey said. Holter also said Shrivers hasn’t wasted any vaccine. By using the Ohio Impact Statewide Immunization Information System, or ImpactSIIS, the state can keep track of if vaccines are going to waste and who is receiving them.

“We actually have to report that to the state,” Holter said of wasted vaccines. “Right now, the state has my exact inventory (of vaccines) in my fridge.”

Sometimes, vials contain more vaccines in them and will be able to produce an extra dose for administration.

“An extra dose would be a situation where the vaccinator is able to obtain an additional dose beyond the packaging from an individual vial (i.e. 7th doses from Pfizer or 11th+ doses from Moderna),” Massey said in an email.

Pharmacies such as Shrivers and Fruth receive phone calls from those who are looking to be added to an excess vaccine list. Kaitlyn Robinson, a sophomore studying communications sciences and disorders, was able to get her vaccine March 4 at Fruth due to being on an excess vaccine list.

“They said they’d call me if … they had leftovers or something,” Robinson said. “Literally

a week later, they did call me. I don’t know how many they had, but I think they were just going down the list because it seemed like a lot of people got called in that day.”

On Tuesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced expansion in vaccine eligibility in the state of Ohio for those who are 16 years or older. As the vaccine becomes more readily available, states are working to make sure all doses are used. Excess vaccine lists will remain as the nature of the situation changes.

“I think it’s a good idea because I don’t think they should be throwing away any that they could be using,” Robinson said.

@ACARTER3602 AC732319@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY HARLEY WINCE

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 3

NEWS BRIEFS

Coronavirus vaccine eligibility to expand to 16 year olds, older; students utilize online tutoring, advising during pandemic ABBY MILLER NEWS EDITOR

FDA emergency-use authorization for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines is only for adults.

Coronavirus: All Ohioans ages 16, older to be eligible for vaccine

OU students take advantage of online tutoring, advising

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday all Ohioans age 16 and older will be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine starting March 29.

Ohio is expecting “a significant increase in vaccines coming to Ohio soon,” DeWine said in a tweet, leading to a large expansion in vaccine eligibility.

Individuals in Phase 1E will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine March 19, which includes those with chronic diseases like cancer, kidney disease and heart disease. Individuals who are age 40 or older will also be eligible for the vaccine that same day as Phase 2C. All Ohioans age 16 and older will soon follow as Phase 2D, becoming eligible for the vaccine March 29.

Ohio University is already in conversation with the Athens City-County Health Department and the state about how to best manage student vaccinations, university spokesperson Carly Leatherwood said.

While the university is very excited about the vaccine rollout, there may be issues with the expansion’s timing. There may be difficulty with ensuring students who wish to receive the vaccine get both doses before leaving campus, Leatherwood said.

While anyone in Phase 2D can receive the vaccine later this month, those under 18 can only receive the Pfizer vaccine, DeWine said in a Tuesday press conference. The

Ohio University’s Academic Achievement Center converted to an online format during the coronavirus pandemic and has since seen an increase in activity.

The Academic Achievement Center, or AAC, offers tutoring and advising to students who need help in their courses. Last semester, over 1,300 students used one or more of the AAC’s services, and the AAC had over 7,300 student visits, Elizabeth Fallon, director of academic assistance at the AAC, said.

Visits are counted by students attending a supplemental instruction or tutoring session.

This spring, the number of students is projected to keep increasing, with the AAC on track to hit 10,000 visits, Fallon said.

Overall, Fallon said the process of transitioning the AAC online was smooth. Tutors were trained on how to conduct sessions through Microsoft Teams, and Fallon said students did not have many issues adapting to digital tutoring.

The Allen Student Advising Center also saw an increase in activity this Spring Semester.

Antonique Flood, assistant director of the Allen Student Advising Center, attributes that increase to more students being aware of how to access digital tools and services, along with professors and faculty at OU refer-

ring students to the center.

The AAC and the Allen Student Advising Center will continue to offer services online until they are allowed to resume in-person operations.

Ordinance to switch liability insurance providers introduced

Athens City Council advanced its plans Monday for a possible switch in liability insurance providers to cut back on costs.

Council introduced an ordinance that would make the Public Entities Pool of Ohio, or PEP, its new provider.

The switch would save the city $17,992 by April 1, which is about a 7% reduction in cost.

Athens was with its previous carrier, Ohio Municipal Joint Self Insurance Pool, for almost 30 years. However, PEP offers better coverage and more savings, Councilmember Sam Crowl, D-3rd Ward, said.

The money to pay for insurance through PEP comes from nine different city funds, including 26 upper-level administrative employees who must be insured.

PEP has more than 570 members, which includes counties, fire and ambulance districts and villages in Ohio, according to its website.

@ABBLAWRENCE AM166317@OHIO.EDU

POLICE BLOTTER

Cow found in road; drunken passenger taken home in Lyft ANNA MILLAR FOR THE POST JUST HANGING OPEN

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded Tuesday to a report of a suspicious person near a business in Amesville. Upon arrival, deputies searched the area but did not find the reported person.

However, deputies did find an open door at the business that set off an automatic alarm. The business owner was contacted and secured the open door.

MYSTERIOUS TRUCK CRASH

Deputies responded Monday to Possum Hollow Road in Athens in response to a reported stolen vehicle, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.

The caller said he was on Bean Hollow Road and wanted to report his girlfriend had stolen his truck.

Deputies found the missing truck as well as the girl4 / MARCH 18, 2021

friend, who said the caller was the one who had been driving and wrecked the truck. Following this accusation, deputies tracked the caller’s phone and found it was nowhere near Bean Hollow Road but, instead, near the crash.

Ohio State Highway Patrol was informed of the incident and took a report. There was no credible evidence the truck was stolen.

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Salem Road in regard to a patrol request.

The caller said two boys were walking through properties in the area.

Deputies patrolled the area but were unable to find the boys.

LOST IN A LYFT

WHY DID THE COW CROSS THE ROAD?

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a call Monday from a Lyft driver about a passenger who was too drunk to give the address of their residence. Deputies met with the driver and passenger to help determine the location of the passenger’s residence.

Eventually, a place of residence was determined. Deputies made contact with a friend of the passenger who lives in the same place. The friend ultimately took custody of the passenger.

PATROLLING THE PROPERTY

While patrolling Blackburn Road, deputies found a cow in the road, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy was trying to determine the owner of the cow when the owner arrived to catch it.

@ANNAMILLAR16 AM157219@OHIO.EDU

City of Athens in the midst of conducting racial equity review of city code, policies RYAN MAXIN FOR THE POST Nearly nine months after Athens City Council passed a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, the city is making strides toward ensuring Athens is an equitable place for people of all races.

The resolution was passed in June 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. With many cities across the U.S. acknowledging Floyd’s death was racially motivated, the resolution also encourages Athens Mayor Steve Patterson to cultivate a task force to conduct a racial equity review of the city’s code and policies.

The task force is working with the Racial Equity Coalition of the Athens County Foundation, which has been around since 2018, to comb through various sections of code and identify any language that may be racially discriminatory, vague or missing altogether.

Although this process is relatively new, the task force has already had some success in weeding out discriminatory language.

“I had tasked my city planner with looking through city titles and deeds for various properties … to see if

there is discriminatory language or redlining in the city of Athens,” Patterson said. “One of the things that he did identify … (was) a property that had discriminatory language in it in terms of who could purchase property in the future.”

Despite this step in the right direction, Patterson said actually changing the language of titles and deeds is difficult. He said a property owner cannot simply amend their title or deed and must go through the courts instead.

“It’s expensive, and it’s a legal process. You can’t just go in and remove any language from your own deed on your own. You have to go through a legal process, (and) you have to go through the courts to do it,” Patterson said. “So trying to get the state to change the way it does business is one of my major efforts right now.”

The task force’s partnership with the Racial Equity Coalition will help it complete the review in a more thorough manner, Kerry Pigman, executive director of the Athens County Foundation, said. The coalition, which normally functions independently of the city to host events and conduct research on race-related issues, is working to complement the task force’s review.

“I think the good thing is that there are so many peo-

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER

ple that are focused on this effort and working together,” Pigman said. “I think we’ll obviously be able, as with all things, to accomplish more together than we would if everybody was working independently.”

Even with the efforts of Patterson and the task force, along with the Racial Equity Coalition, some community members have been critical of the city’s enforcement of the resolution.

Damon Krane, a member of Athens County Copwatch and former mayoral candidate, said the city’s efforts are misplaced.

“My take is that a review of the city code is fine, but last year’s protests were about policing,” Krane said.

“Those protests are what led Council to pass its June 22nd resolution, and that resolution didn’t just commit to a review of the city code. In the very same sentence, it committed to a review and revision of all city operations … and city operations obviously include policing.”

In Krane’s opinion, City Council’s passage of the resolution was mostly for show. Although he thinks the resolution is well-written and calls for the right kinds of changes, he said he wants to see Council follow through on its promises.

“If all that’s being reviewed is the code and some property deeds, then unfortunately this is just a classic case of bait and switch,” Krane said. “It’s also a case of seven affluent white politicians exploiting Black suffering for their own advantage while doing nothing to actually alleviate Black suffering … (The) resolution grabbed headlines and made Council look like a bunch of good white liberals, but then Council reneged on all the resolution’s commitments and only worked to preserve the status quo in policing.”

On top of criticisms regarding the substance of the review itself, the timetable of the city’s actions has also come under fire. Many, including Krane, in the community are frustrated that the review has taken more than eight months to get underway.

Patterson feels his constituents’ criticisms are misaligned, especially the ones concerned with the timing of the review.

“It’s not an easy process to get a new board or task force up and going,” Patterson said. “It’s not something that happens overnight.”

He also wants people to know the review will be a fluid process, one without a set due date or timetable in mind due to years of systemic racism throughout generations in the U.S. “I think people have this perception that there will be a full report that will come out in six months or a year or something like that … It’s a dynamic, long-term process, and when I say long-term, I’m talking decades,” Patterson said. “That would be doing a huge disservice to Black and Brown people if we sat there and said ‘OK, well, we’re going to correct everything within the next X amount of months.’ That’s just ridiculous.”

@RYANMAXIN RM554219@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 5

Tenure over Time

OU sees decline in tenured faculty, increase in non-tenured instructors over past 5 years SOPHIA YOUNG FOR THE POST Over the past five years, Ohio University has seen a 3.9% decrease in its tenure track instructional faculty across its campuses while the number of non-tenured faculty numbers are on the rise.

This trend among university faculty has been observed in higher education institutions across the U.S. for decades. In fact, tenured faculty have not made up the majority of all university faculty in the U.S. since the late 1970s, according to a 2014-15 report from the American Association of University Professors, or AAUP. OU actually maintains a higher percentage of tenured faculty than the average for most public four-year institutions. The Chronicle of Higher Education reported more than 43% of public university faculty to be tenured or on the tenure track in 2018 while, the same year, 68.2% of OU faculty fell into this category.

The national decline in tenured faculty has come gradually, as retired professors’ positions are increasingly not being renewed as tenured positions. One major motivator for this has been budgetary advantages.

Contract faculty generally have lower salaries than their tenured peers. In addition, reliance on more nontenured faculty provides universities the opportunity to staff classes without long-term commitments as well as flexibility in hiring practices.

An extreme example of faculty disruption occurred in 2020, as OU eliminated over 400 positions in an effort to close its budget gap created by declining student enrollment and the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic. While not all eliminated positions were non-tenured

professors, a number were, pointing to the ease with which these professors can be terminated.

Some have raised concerns about this practice and the move toward more short-term faculty. Loren Lybarger, a professor of classics and the president of the OU chapter of AAUP, believes this trend could have negative implications for both faculty and students.

“That has all kinds of negative repercussions for being able to maintain any kind of program stability and advising capacity from one year to another. I mean, students work with professors as advisors and mentors, and what do you do when that person is no longer there after a couple of years, right?” Lybarger said. “It’s terrible for continuity within programs. It just undermines academic freedom.”

In general, tenure has been esteemed as the highest achievement in educational instruction. The achievement comes with benefits such as strong protection from termination, research requirements, favorable employee benefits and greater insurance of academic freedom.

Among other things, tenured professors cannot be fired for teaching controversial subject matter, which is an influential factor in why groups like AAUP believe tenure enhances the educational environment.

Meanwhile, non-tenure track faculty do not have a research requirement and tend to focus more on teaching and service. Non-tenured contracts generally last one to three years, with the potential to be renewed at their end.

Both tenure and non-tenure track faculty members have been found to be beneficial to universities with tenured faculty generally being more research-heavy, while non-tenured faculty are more teaching-inten-

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY BERGER sive. A 2013 study at Northwestern actually found students reported higher learning outcomes with adjunct professors than tenure-track faculty.

“Our results provide evidence that the rise of fulltime designated teachers at U.S. colleges and universities may be less of a cause for alarm than some people think, and indeed, may actually be educationally beneficial. Perhaps the growing practice of hiring a combination of research-intensive tenure track faculty members and teaching-intensive lecturers may be an efficient and educationally positive solution to a research university’s multi-tasking problem,” according to the report.

While a rise in the number of non-tenured faculty across the U.S. may have benefits, concerns exist over the limited protections of crucial faculty members.

“Our instructional faculty do a lot of teaching, and they are often the faculty members with whom the students have the most contact. Giving instructional faculty terminal contracts is terrible for the students,” Jennie Klein, OU professor of art history and member of the Faculty Senate Promotion and Tenure Committee, said.

@SOPHIELISEY SY951319@OHIO.EDU

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THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 7

Career Changes Class of 2020 graduates adjust career goals amid pandemic

CLAIRE SCHIOPOTA FOR THE POST As the class of 2020 graduates watched their virtual commencement online, they knew finding a job would be their first challenge, but struggling to do so during a pandemic was not something any of these students anticipated at the start of their senior year.

Entering the workforce as a recent graduate is already a difficult task without the added struggles brought on by a pandemic. These individuals must leave the life they’ve had for the past four years behind and step out into the world on their own as they look forward to their futures. Unfortunately, the graduates of spring 2020 entered their new lives during a pandemic and global recession.

Nick Reincheld, a spring 2020 graduate who studied international studies with a focus in European studies and internal relations, immediately felt the discouraging effects of finding a job during a pandemic, such as job unavailability due to the recession.

“Money across the board for organizations just sort of dried up. I wasn’t able to get anything,” Reincheld said. “But the pandemic had forced them to lay off a lot of people, and other jobs like that were just not really hiring because they weren’t able to.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rates in the U.S. were at 14.7% in April 2020. This was the highest rate and largest over-themonth increase in the history of collected data.

Reincheld and his boyfriend of two years, Anthony Cruz, graduated togeth8 / MARCH 18, 2021

er. As Reincheld looked for jobs, the couple moved around the country. In January, Reincheld got a job as a Starbucks barista in Canada, and the two ended up there.

“I did move around a couple times just to try and find areas that would be the best fit for me in terms of jobs,” Reincheld said. “Shortly after graduating, I moved to New Jersey, where I was hoping to get a paid internship working for a medical company, but then that fell through.

And so then after a couple months of the summer, I’ve moved to Wisconsin … I got a part-time job working for a company where I was able to transfer to a location up here in Canada.”

At the end of March, Reincheld starts his second job with TD Bank as a customer experience associate. The process of getting himself to this point has been a difficult one, Reincheld said.

“I’ve been forced to become more realistic,” Reincheld said. “I might have to take a job for a little bit that I might not start off right away with where I want to be, but as long as I keep working at it one day, it will become more and more of a

reality instead of just a hope and dream.”

Cruz experienced similar compromise with his plans for the future. At OU, Cruz double majored in psychology and math as well as minoring in composition studies. His original plan was to study for his master’s and, eventually, his Ph.D., Cruz said. He planned to do some on-campus research under some psychology professors while studying for his master’s.

“I was actually considering deferring just because of all the uncertainty around it. I didn’t want to spend my first year completely remote, and it would also be a chance to save up money,” Cruz said. “Instead of staying for my Ph.D.,

which was my original plan, I’m thinking now of cutting it short of my master’s and going to get a job after that.”

Although Cruz does plan to find a more permanent job after he graduates with his master’s, he currently works as an assistant manager at a Mathnasium. Mathnasium is a supplemental math learning franchise found both in the U.S. and internationally. Going through the job search for his current job was an odd process though, Cruz said.

“I feel like growing up you’re told to go in and meet people, and you don’t get that when everything is completely remote, so it’s a very weird job,” Cruz said.

“In that respect, you have to learn all the new procedures and everything from scratch, even though you’ve been doing it your whole life.”

Michael Goodnight, a spring 2020 graduate who studied sports marketing, also made compromises to his goals.

Goodnight had an internship with Jump Start Sports during his time at OU that he hoped would end in a job. Alas, the pandemic led to unexpected layoffs, and the company couldn’t follow through, Goodnight said.

Goodnight began looking beyond his initial job search when he found his current position as a personal mortgage adviser at Nations Lending.

“After a while, you just got to accept it. This is impacting not just you, but the whole world and everyone’s going through it,” Goodnight said. “I was like, ‘I’ll branch out. It could be something that’s good for me, and I’m actually happy where I’m at right now’ … I’m getting paid more here than if I would have went to Jump Start Sports, so it worked out for the best.”

Cassidy Selep, a spring 2020 graduate

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALEXANDER GRAHAM

who studied strategic communication and Spanish, struggled for a while as well. Selep was so focused on graduating during a pandemic that it distracted her from finding a job.

“I really just kind of focused on graduating, but then once I realized I’m done now in Athens and I’m going to have to actually do something, I kind of started to apply for jobs literally like anywhere, honestly, before I got the job I have now,” Selep said. “I had gotten my substitute teacher license for the state of Illinois.

I have no experience teaching, but I was like, ‘That’s a job. They need substitutes.’”

Selep also had a good experience with her internship when she worked at Star Communications during her time as a senior at OU. After graduation, Selep remained on the hunt for a job while she worked as a substitute teacher. Around October, Star Communications reached

out to her with a job opportunity as a media associate.

“I’m so grateful and thankful for them,” Selep said. “It just kind of came to me, but the fact that OU was the one to set me up to get that internship — I wouldn’t have done this job now without them.”

Taylor Bruck, a spring 2020 graduate who studied broadcast journalism, marketing and Spanish, is thankful for her experiences at OU, too. Her work through WOUB helped prepare her for her current job as a multimedia journalist at Spectrum News Ohio, Bruck said.

“I’m just thankful for WOUB, actually having like a real TV station that people get to watch,” Bruck said. “I’m really happy that I got this job. I’m proud of myself. I worked my ass off in college to be able to get a job like this right out of school, and that goes to show, when you are in school, if you want a good job,

then you actually have to work for it like get involved.”

The pandemic forced Bruck, along with many other OU graduates, to slow down and reflect on their experiences during their time at OU. Bruck plans to take things slow and enjoy each moment as she moves into her future.

“I don’t think anyone was prepared for a pandemic,” Bruck said. “I think right now I feel like my life has slowed down a bit, like it’s really fast paced, but my goals I think have slowed down … I kind of wish I could go back and just chillax and enjoy my time.”

CS123719@OHIO.EDU @CSCHIOPOTA

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 9

The Return of Spin Scooters Spin e-scooters return to OU campus for the spring

MAYA MORITA STAFF WRITER Spin e-scooters returned to Ohio University on Monday after previously being removed from campus during the winter season.

“Spin decided to pull the scooters out over the winter months, which I think is normal for a lot of scooter companies across the nation,” Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said. “So now (that) things are getting nicer outside, they have decided to redeploy their scooters.”

While the e-scooters are back on university and city property, it is the company’s responsibility to make sure the e-scooters are sanitized during the pandemic.

“Since our local teams are W-2 employees of Spin, we have full control over operations and safety procedures,” Spin Communications Manager Sara Dodrill said in an email. “When COVID hit, we engaged global experts to determine how to keep our riders and staff safe. Spin has implemented strict disinfecting regimens on all scooters daily, and enforce social

distancing among our warehouse staff …

All local employees receive PPE and have their temperature taken at the start of every shift.”

Safety methods during the pandemic are enforced by Spin as well.

“We are focused on safety. Our operations specialists ensure to adhere to all COVID safety protocols,” Dodrill said in an email. “They also perform safety checks both when they pick up the scooter and in the field spot checks. We encourage our riders through the app to return scooters to designated parking points to reduce clutter on campus. We incentivize riders to take a safety quiz within the app.”

Spin previously held “safety riding events,” where it gave away free helmets for those using the e-scooters, Dodrill said. The events are currently paused because of the pandemic, but those who earn a 100% on Spin’s safety quiz can earn a $5 credit and a chance to win a free helmet, according to OU’s website.

E-scooters rentals are available for a rate of $1 per ride and 35 cents per minute, according to OU’s website.

Despite the safety and sanitization precautions Spin is taking, some are still concerned with the e-scooters being back on campus.

Patterson said he is concerned with students parking the scooters incorrectly on campus again.

“The fear is being parked incorrectly to where they become an ADA hazard in the Uptown area. That’s certainly a concern, as it has been in the past, because there are certain places in which they are to be parked,” Patterson said.

“In 2019, we found them just all kind of lying on their sides or jumbled together or whatever to where code enforcement was constantly having to reach out to Spin and reporting to them that …. they aren’t being properly placed.”

Some students are concerned with the safety of pedestrians while others are on the scooters.

“I think they need to have some regulation because I’ve almost been hit a couple times with people just zooming down on the pathways,” Jake Heyob, a junior studying psychology, said. “If they’re not

going to build a specific path or something, (they) maybe need signs.”

Despite the concerns with safety and placement, some still believe the scooters will be beneficial to have on campus again.

“It affords individuals an alternative form of transportation, that, in particular, is not a car or fossil fuel vehicle because these are electric,” Patterson said.

“So, from an air-quality standpoint, it’s a better way to get back and forth in the Uptown area than to use a car.”

Heyob said despite his lack of usage of the scooters, they are still beneficial to those who do not have a mode of transportation on campus.

“They can provide quick transportation, I guess, if someone needs it (and) if they don’t have a bike,” Heyob said. “It does make it easier if you don’t want to walk somewhere, you’re running late or something.”

@MAYACATEMORITA MM294318@OHIO.EDU

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Science Cafe hosts ‘The Brain, Body, and Biomechanics of Injury Recovery’ conversation MARY JANE SANESE FOR THE POST Ohio University’s Research Division and OU’s Chapter of Sigma Xi hosted this semester’s second Science Cafe Conversation in the Cafe Conversation Series: “The Brain, Body, and Biomechanics of Injury Recovery.”

The conversation’s focus was primarily on anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, injuries and the rehabilitation process and was held Wednesday on YouTube Live.

The event was moderated by Roxanne Male-Brune, coordinator of the series. All three presenters were from OU’s College of Health Sciences and Professions, including Janet Simon, assistant professor of athletic training, Steven Pfeiffer, assistant professor of musculoskeletal rehabilitation sciences and Dustin Grooms, assistant professor.

Simon studied the long-term follow up of former athletes, finding that after these athletes left the college setting, they struggled with the transition of their bodies from not playing sports regularly. Some were unable to continue physical activity and would develop complications. ACL injuries tend to be somewhat of a hidden issue because people assume athletes are so active.

“I think one of the biggest things is this population that sustains an ACL tear is really young and active,” Simon said. “I think a lot of people don’t think it’s important because they view the return to sport as not a big deal. But now that we have a lot of data ... they’re tracking people years after their ACL tear ... and we see that they have

really poor outcomes. They do return to sports when they are young, but they are developing osteoarthritis at a young age, decreasing physical activity, which comes with all these other comorbidities, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc. Now (that) we know there are these long=term outcomes, we try to develop interventions so we can intervene and, hopefully, they do not develop these long term outcomes.”

Simon started off the lecture with breaking down the basics of ACL injuries and why it is so important for us to be educated on this topic.

The ACL connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone), and its main function is to stabilize the knee.

There are 200,000 ACL injuries annually in the U.S., with one in 60 adolescents suffering from this injury every year, the lecturers said. They also said ACL injuries account for $3 billion a year in health care costs.

Pfeiffer went more into detail about the biomechanics of the ACL injury, discussing the long-term effects that ACL injuries can have on the body. He specifically talked about osteoarthritis, or inflammation of the joints, which affects over 30 million Americans and is the 11th leading cause of disability in the world. Pfeiffer said 50% of those who injure their ACL will develop osteoarthritis within 10 years after reconstruction.

Pfeiffer said collectively as a research body, what is important is building toward education of the public.

“It is a hope of mine ... that this kind of research in whatever way possible is able to be known better by our public so that we can start to educate the public on something that ... is a multi-((billion) dollar issue annually in our country,” Pfeiffer said. “It is insane. I think education for the public is a huge thing that I hope we’re able to continue to build on.”

Grooms continued the conversation on ACLs, discussing how the brain changes when a person injures their ACL. He also spoke on how important it is to understand the brain and how it relates to our movement and measuring the brain after injury to help develop the most efficient solutions for rehabbing ACL injuries.

Grooms said he was in-

spired to make researching ACLs his life mission after he was a clinician training D-3 college athletes, providing by the book treatment and rehabilitation to patients with ACL injuries. They would be succeeding, he would sign off and then, within weeks, they would reinjure themselves.

He could not figure out what he was doing wrong and felt like he was continuously failing his patients, so he decided to dedicate his life to researching ACL and advancements in rehabilitation.

One advance mentioned was virtual reality training being used in lieu of traditional physical therapy. Another advancement is augmented reality training, which is in the research development phases to be used to prevent ACL tears by training people to be more aware of their movement. Another option currently being researched is stroboscopic training, which targets neuro changes in the brain from ACL tears.

“We’re actually working with a company to make a smartphone app where it’s going to take all the stuff we’ve developed, put it in an app and clinicians can just use it instantly,” Grooms said. “So we’re really happy to change clinical practice with this sort of technology.”

Male-Brune admires how the three researchers are using their clinical backgrounds to come up with new findings.

“They are amazing mentors for students and have a tremendous number of students who come through their labs, learn about the research and science and then go out and apply it to patients,” Male-Brune said. “I think that’s pretty wonderful.”

Previous Science Cafe Conversations are available on the Science Cafe’s website to watch at any time, including the “Brain, Body, and Biomechanics of Injury Recovery” video. The next event will be held virtually Wednesday, March 24, where Pete Harrington, a chemistry and biochemistry professor, will be speaking about “Chemotyping Natural Medicines Using Spectroscopy and Machine Learning.”

@MARYJANESANESE MS943920@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 11

Art professor, student collaborate to make children’s book LAUREN SERGE FOR THE POST When David LaPalombara was a child, his father would tell him and his siblings countless stories amid long summer car rides to Maine. These stories had imaginary characters and plots, but many would hold valuable life lessons for children to hold onto.

One of these childhood stories transformed into a manuscript that has now become a polished children’s book: the story of Fescue: The Brave Blade.

LaPalombara, an Ohio University professor of art, said the story of Fescue focuses on the adventures of a blade of grass as he navigates his own self-discovery.

“The book is about Fescue, who is a blade of grass, who decides to, with the help of his friend Dandy the Lion — who would, of course, be a dandelion — to grow taller and see the world around him that he otherwise can’t see because he is the same height as everybody else,” LaPalombara said. “And (he wants) to be different and to find his own purpose and direction in life.”

The purpose of the story, LaPalombara said, is to encourage being your own person and to appreciate your differences and unique qualities.

“I think when my dad told us the story, he was maybe a little bit worried that the world was full of conformists and wanted us to understand that it was OK to be different,” LaPalombara said. “And to take chances, find your own way in life and be inspired.”

LaPalombara said he held onto his father’s manuscript for years, scrapping several of his own illustration attempts along the way. Then, about three years ago when she was a freshman at OU and a student in the Honors Tutorial College, Callie Smith collaborated with LaPalombara for her semester-long tutorial to reimagine the story and formulate the illustrations herself.

Smith, who is now a senior studying studio art, described the process of transforming the written descriptions of the characters into illustrated personalities as being slightly difficult.

“It was definitely an interesting first illustration project because these blades of grass are probably one of the hardest ob12 / MARCH 18, 2021

jects to try to animate because they each have personalities and have to be distinguished from each other,” Smith said.

“So I spent the beginning of the tutorial trying to design them as characters, and then I did some sketches for David, and we went in order of the book from there.”

The illustrations, Smith said, were completely hand-drawn, and each one had a distinct process to finalizing it.

“Most of (the illustrations) would be a layer of watercolor. What I would do for those was lay down where the colors would go, and then I finished them off with a colored pencil layer,” Smith said. “So they’re all pretty consistent in that way.”

Throughout the process of Smith illustrating the story, LaPalombara said he acted in an editorial role, overseeing the

creative takes on the artistic development of the story while still maintaining the authenticity of his father’s writing.

“I would share versions and iterations with my dad, and we would each give feedback,” LaPalombara said. “And so there was a sort of constant communication back and forth with me at this pivot point. And then allowing Callie to have free rein, in terms of putting her interpretation on the story herself. So it’s a great collaboration.”

Matthew R. Shaftel, dean of the College of Fine Arts, emphasized the significance of this collaboration to construct this project.

“Professor LaPalombara is an incredibly gifted artist, teacher and mentor,” Shaftel said. “This is an example of what happens when the faculty and undergraduate students at the (College of Fine Arts) collaborate on real-world projects.

We are so proud of this impactful and beautiful children’s book.”

Over the summer, the team came to a

finalized version of the book and worked with the OU printing services to produce the copies. The book is currently exclusively sold at Little Professor Bookstore, 65 S. Court St., but LaPalombara hopes to increase its availability, and it is currently underway to be available on Amazon.

For LaPalombara, the childhood stories he heard while riding in the back of his father’s station wagon have now become a full-circle moment, as they have come to fruition in his adult life to be shared for countless others to enjoy.

“The stories that were told to me and my brother and my sister painted these pictures in our imagination,” LaPalombara said. “But, as Callie did her illustrations, they are now, and forevermore to me, how the story always looked.”

@LAURENESERGE LS351117@OHIO.EDU

Ohio University Student, Callie Smith, and Professor David LaPalombara with their new book in front of a mural at Seigfred Hall. (KATIE BANECK | FOR THE POST)

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER

OU alumni engagement increases during past year KAYLA BENNETT STAFF WRITER In order to make the Bobcat pride live on after college graduation, Ohio University has built a foundation for alumni to participate in a multitude of activities and events. Due to COVID-19, adjustments have been made to alter how events are hosted and how alumni can attend.

“Our events have featured faculty from a variety of disciplines, panels of alumni sharing their expertise and insights, and we’ve even been able to pull off a pep rally or two,” Erin Essak Kopp,

associate vice president for alumni relations and executive director of the Ohio University Alumni Association, said in an email. “The programming is topical and fun. We even did our Homecoming celebration in 2020 completely virtually — with social media hype, pre-recorded videos and live webcasts, alumni and students were able to get into the Homecoming spirit even if it was from home.”

Although online can feel like a limitation, OU’s Alumni Association has been sure to host different kinds of activities. A few of the activities that have been hosted this year include podcasts

with alumni with different careers, different health and well-being videos, lifestyle videos and videos regarding OU’s diversity and inclusion. To view past and upcoming events, alumni can check out OU’s Alumni Resources under “Watch + Learn + Connect.”

Julie Righter, an OU 1978 graduate and a member of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, appreciated the “Empower Hours” that OU has hosted virtually this year. Righter was able to learn more about how to live an enriching life.

“I was just so amazed how they pivoted quickly, and I am very proud because, I think, under the current leadership of the alumni office, there is such a collaboration that is growing between the alumni office and the colleges on campus so that they can draw the people in to help with alumni relations work,” Righter said. “I am a very proud alumnus. Anybody in the alumni office will tell you the blood is very green.”

Over the past year, alumni engagement has grown university-wide, and the participation has been noticeably more active. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education, or CASE, Alumni Engagement Metrics has been able to provide a more efficient gage at the amount of engagement.

Through this approach, the numbers are more accurate.

A contributor to the growth is OU’s campus-wide involvement. OU has encouraged different organizations across campus to incorporate more alumni events and has reached out to find the different ways they are interacting with their alumni. The individual colleges and organizations of OU have been hosting different events specifically for their alumni.

“We’ve been trying to do as many digital events as we can,” Tristan Navera, president of the OU Post Alumni Society, said. “We normally just have one big event in March of every year. The last week of March every year, we have a reunion that’s in person, and it tends to be the most important thing that we

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Navera believes OU alumni share many communal experiences after college, and no one ever forgets their time spent in Athens.

During COVID-19, virtual programming has become vital to hosting events.

However, these programming ideas have made it easier for involvement to increase. The easy accessibility has allowed OU to increase its connection with alumni.

Essak Kopp believes with their littleto-no-cost programs, OU is focusing on alumni who have never attended an event before, especially this year.

“Now, more than ever, alumni engagement is about providing valuable programming and meaningful connections to alumni, while at the same time mobilizing those same alumni to advance University priorities,” Essak Kopp said in an email.

Alumni can get involved at any time and are encouraged to participate in the resources offered to them at OU. Seeing the involvement through its alumni, OU has offered many opportunities for current students to build relationships with alum. Through different means of creating connections, students are presented with a plethora of choices to meet past Bobcats.

There is an Alumni Welcoming Crew, alumni to student mentorship programs, many alumni networks, a way for alumni to post job and internship opportunities for current students, Bobcat Neighborhood and much more.

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Bobcat Battalion makes large donation to Athens County Food Pantry JULIANA COLANT FOR THE POST It all started when Tanner Cobleigh, a December 2020 graduate of Ohio University and ROTC alumnus, had an idea.

Cobleigh wanted to donate food items to the Athens County Food Pantry but with a twist.

The pantry would receive the donations via a ruck march.

A ruck march is a typical training activity that involves carrying a load over a long distance relatively fast.

“The choice to deliver the food by foot was to help benefit our cadets,” Cobleigh said in an email. “We do a lot of Rucks (march with weight), and the more often you do it, the better your body will be conditioned for that type of stress.”

Cobleigh initially came to Ryan Ham, food chair of the Athens County Food Pantry, with the idea in October. The event was approved, and figuring out the Bobcat Battalion’s route to march was the first step.

“My initial concern was that The Bobcat Battalion might not be aware that our facility had recently moved,” Ham said in an email. “Previously we were located on Richland Dr., just before it came to US 50/33. This path would only involve a short walk south from campus. Unfortunately, Tanner did not know that we had recently relocated to the Athens County Jobs and Family Services facility on Route 13 just outside Chauncey! This did not deter him, however, and so he set upon finding a way to reach us anyway.”

Route 13 is not safe for traveling on foot, so Cobleigh sug-

gested marching along the bike path. However, the bike path does not reach the Athens County Food Pantry. Instead, they agreed to meet just before the bike path that crosses North Plains Road, or OH-682. There, pantry volunteers would be waiting with their vehicles to take the food the rest of the way.

The final route was 8 miles long.

Cobleigh then reached out to Rebecca Flinchbaugh, a fifth-year senior and the community outreach coordinator for The Bobcat Battalion, to finish the execution of his plan.

“I am in charge of the S5’ shop’, which is a staff position among the Bobcat Battalion senior cadets. It is in charge of special events and community outreach,” Flinchbaugh said in an email. “I help plan and execute all ruck marches for the Battalion as well as search for and provide opportunities for cadets to volunteer in the community.”

For the Athens County Food Pantry ruck, she planned and coordinated the main event and donation effort. Then, she facilitated the day-of execution.

Ham and Flinchbaugh set Feb. 27 as the date for the ruck march and began working out donations.

“The biggest challenge executing the project was getting cadets to participate in donating to the cause,” Flinchbaugh said in an email. “As college students, most of us don’t have a ton of extra cash on hand, especially now in our circumstances with COVID and jobs being sparse. I was absolutely amazed by the contribution we were able to attribute, as our Battalion of about 112 cadets donated approximately $800 worth of canned food. With a donation of $500 from the local Legions club, we reached $1300 in total donations providing 1,838lbs and 1,371 meals for local families!”

Ham made a personal donation to the march as well. As the primary buyer of items for the food pantry, he has to place special orders with Aldi, 932 E. State St. Instead of using the food pantry’s funds, he decided to use his own money for the donation.

Looking only at food items, October 2018 was the last donation of comparable size. This donation was also from an OU organization: the Student Alumni Board.

“We at the pantry, on behalf of our clients, cannot express how grateful we are for this donation,” Ham said in an email.

“The total weight came to 1,828 pounds. This is the largest single donation I have seen as the food-chair for the pantry.”

When Feb. 27 arrived, the Athens County Food Pantry was awestruck by the immense donation. That morning, cadets gathered in Bromley Hall to fill their rucksacks with at least 35 pounds of food, and a senior cadet led each formation as a front guide along the 8-mile route.

“On Saturday (Feb. 27), myself and one other pantry volunteer parked on a pull-off near the designated hand-off location,” Ham said in an email. “As the cadets arrived around 1 p.m., they transferred food items from their rucksacks into boxes and the boxes into our vehicles. We couldn’t believe the amount of food that kept coming down the bike trail! When it was all loaded, I was afraid my vehicle wouldn’t even be able to move! In fact, as I drove towards the pantry, I could see that the back end was greatly weighed down – through the front windshield, it looked as if I was driving uphill, even though I was on level ground!”

The Athens County Food Pantry is incredibly grateful for and impressed by The Bobcat Battalion.

“It was a great pleasure to work with the Bobcat Battalion in the planning and execution of this monumental project,” Ham said in an email. “I get the sense they have their act together as an organization, students, and human beings in general. The pantry is looking forward to its next joint operation with the Bobcat Battalion in the fight against food insecurity. Bobcat Battalion, we salute you!”

@COLANT_JULIANA JC079419@OHIO.EDU

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Ohio beats Toledo 3-2 at home despite injuries MOLLY BURCHARD FOR THE POST Don’t count the Bobcats out.

When Ohio gets behind early, it knows how to end the match with a win. This was the case Wednesday when the Bobcats beat Toledo 3-2 (22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 15-4) in The Convo. Ohio got off to a slow start but didn’t get down on itself.

Instead, it persevered.

In the first set, the Bobcats fell behind. Midway through the set, Toledo had already earned 11 kills, while Ohio had earned a meager four. The Rockets front row looked much more in sync during set one, but the Bobcats looked frustrated.

The faces of Ohio’s hitters showed sheer disappointment as they racked up eight attack errors in set one. The Bobcats also had eight attack errors in set three, the only other set they lost.

It was no surprise that the Bobcats started off slow. They had just come home from a huge comeback win at Kent State the day before and, much like Wednesday’s match, the Kent State match went a full five sets. The Bobcats played hard Tuesday, leaving them tired in their match less than 24 hours later Wednesday.

“We’re pretty beat up right now,” coach Deane Webb said. “When you look at this week and you know you’re going to play six matches in nine days, that’s just not normal. It’s not something that you normally ask bodies to do this far into a season.”

However, Ohio was not going to use its exhaustion as an excuse. The team rallied, giving all their effort, especially in the fifth and final set. The Bobcats were able to score the first five points in the fifth, leaving Toledo stunned.

“It was challenging,” Webb said. “But … to be able in the fifth set, to be that dominant, (I’m) just really proud of our team and the way they fought.”

The Bobcats were without starting outside hitter Lauren Park on Wednesday. Park left the previous day’s match with a leg injury. The whole team felt the effects of her loss, but instead of looking at it as a negative thing, they used Park’s absence as a motivator.

“At the beginning, it was kind of hard when we knew that (Lauren) was not playing,” Mariana Rodrigues said. “Before the game, we said ‘Let’s do this for Lauren,’ and I think that’s what kept motivating us tonight.”

In addition, Ohio was also without opposite hitter Maggie Nedoma for part of the match Wednesday. Nedoma left the court in set three in some pain and never returned.

Without some of their top hitters, the Bobcats needed someone to step up, and in came Rodrigues. The junior scored 26 kills, showing what a team player she is.

Even when asked about her career night, Rodrigues credited her team.

“I’m feeling good,” Rodrigues said. “I think my teammates helped; they were helping me every time … They did a good job defending (the attack).”

Dahlias Bouyer also helped fill the hole in Ohio’s hitting score. Playing in her first match since Feb. 12, Bouyer had eight kills on 14 attempts and ended the game with a kill percentage of .429. Bouyer also helped the Bobcats by assisting on three blocks.

Ohio will be working on short rest before its next match. The Bobcats will take on Western Michigan at home Friday at 6 p.m.

@MOLLY_BURCHARD8 MB712319@OHIO.EDU

Ohio University outside hitter, Mariana Rodrigues (5), hits the ball during the home match against Central Michigan University on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, in Athens, Ohio. (KELSEY BOEING | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Jason’s Home Team J.L. KIRVEN SPORTS EDITOR After winning the most important game of his career, Jason Preston had one thing — or more specifically — one person on his mind.

Ohio had just destroyed Buffalo to win its first Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship since 2012. Players were screaming, high-fiving and jumping into each other’s arms. As Jason climbed the ladder to cut down his piece of the championship net, he could only focus on the person he felt was most responsible for his success.

And how he couldn’t share it with her.

“First thing I thought about was my mom,” Jason said. “She was a big part of why I’m here and a big part about why I got into basketball. She’s been on my mind heavy this whole year honestly.”

Jason’s mom, Judith, died of lung cancer before his junior year of high school. But he carries her spirit throughout his soft spoken yet confident demeanor. Jason and his mom were as tight as it gets. One of their favorite things to do together was cheer for Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace and the Detroit Pistons when they played on TV. You see, the Pistons weren’t that popular in Orlando, where Jason grew up. But they were another thing that connected a mother and son.

“My mom introduced me to it when I was really young,” Jason said. “I remember she was a Piston fan when I was 4 years old. It’s basically what I just grew up into. I mean this was 2004 when they were really good.”

Jason and Judith were best friends. He trusted her, loved her and respected her. Judith was Jamaican and made sure her son understood the values of respect and hard work. And while Judith did her best to teach Jason those values, she understood the importance of her son having male role models in his life.

When Jason met Stanley Brown, the connection was instant. Brown was the stepfather of one of Jason’s closest friends, Jehvaughn Curtis, and he was the coach of Jason’s youth basketball team — the Jr. Magic.

The moment Jason stepped on the court, Brown knew he had a special player. The same vision that Jason utilizes in The Convo when he plays for the Bobcats, he displayed on the court with the Jr. Magic.

But what impressed Brown the most about Jason was his maturity.

“Jason has his mom’s personality,” Brown said. “He’s very cool, calm and collected. He’s very soft spoken and always carried the same demeanor. He’s really just kind of the same person every day. He gets that from his mom.”

So when Jason would show up to practice, Brown leaned on him to be that cool, calm and collected leader he knew he could be. Jason never got a technical foul, though other players would try to talk to him or intimidate him. Sooner or later, though, his play would quiet the hecklers.

“Man, we won a lot of championships when we were smaller,” Jehvaughn said. “We were undefeated 16 / MARCH 18, 2021

for about two, three years in a row. And Jason was the leader.”

One of those championships Brown remembers came at the expense of a promise that almost never was fulfilled.

When Jason was 8, the Jr. Magic had once again made it to the championship alongside Jehvaughn, his friend Sheldon Thompson and Brown leading the way.

The team they were facing, however, was much larger and heavily favored.

Realizing he needed to inspire the team before tipoff, Brown promised the squad that he’d take them to Hooters if they won the championship. The offer of free Honey BBQ chicken wings was all Jason needed to hear.

“They really turnt up on me,” Brown said, laughing.

“Every time we had a timeout, when we would break it would be ‘One, two, three, Hooters!’”

But even with the added motivation, the Jr. Magic still went down to the wire. With the game on the line, the team looked to Jason to deliver the goods.

“Jason made us win that game off a buzzer beater,” Thompson said. “The crazy part is it was a trick shot. He was like one step from going out of bounds, and then he threw the ball up over the backboard, and it went over.”

Even after all these years Jason remembers that game. And he remembers the chicken he’s owed.

“So after the game we were like ‘When are you gonna take us?” Preston said. “He (coach Brown) said ‘Well, I’ll eventually take ya.’ To this day he still always says that he will.”

Even though Brown’s methods were unconventional, Jason and the other players loved him. When Jason visits Orlando, coach Brown is someone he always looks forward to seeing. Beside his mom, Brown was one of the people in Jason’s life who knew he would eventually make his dreams come true.

Part of the reason why Jason was so close to coach Brown was his mother trusted him as well. When Jason played for the Jr. Magic, there was a game that Brown remembered Jason got hit in his head and blood gushed everywhere.

Judith wanted Jason to sit out the next game, but Brown needed his star player, and after multiple tries and after Brown’s attempt of makeshift headgear, Jason was ready to play ... even if a few drops still managed to get through during the game.

But that was Judith, always protective of Jason but supportive over what made him happy. She wanted him to go for his goals, even after she would be gone. She knew the people who surrounded him would take good care of him.

When Jason’s mother passed away from lung cancer, it was a very difficult time, understandably, for him. Jason was always a soft-spoken kid, but those surrounding him worried how the weight of the situation would affect him.

Even though that weight was heavy, Jason carried it.

Judith’s death could’ve caused Jason to check out of life.

Instead, he decided to live it for the both of them.

“That’s just a credit to the person that he is,” Brown said.

One of the tools that brought peace to Jason was

basketball. One of his favorite places to go in Orlando was the Dover Shores Community Center. Jason would first go to the computer lab and study his two favorite players, Chris Paul and LeBron James.

“I’ve watched every LeBron James video that there is,” Jason said. “ LeBron and Chris Paul are like the two guys I’ve studied religiously.”

After Jason would study, he would go play for hours and hours and hours.

Being one of the smallest players on the court, Jason had to use his wits in order to stay on the crowded courts. He made everyone he played with better, and it wasn’t easy to knock him off.

When asked about the possibility of playing with or against LeBron or Chris Paul someday in the league, Jason slightly gushed at the idea. It’s been something he’s had to consider after the NBA Draft board immediately learned his name after his career-day against the powerhouse Illinois.

But quickly he refocused on the challenge that was in front of him — the MAC Tournament. From a young age, Jason learned to take pride in his work and finish the job. On Saturday night, he did, leading Ohio back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012.

And as he sat on a Zoom interview as a champion and tournament MVP, Jason was thankful for his mom, God and the coaches and players in his life who got him to this moment.

Athens is 872 miles away from Orlando, but the support from home comes with instant shipping. Coach Brown owns a trucking business and will try to watch

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the highlights of the games he can’t catch. Jehvaughn still contacts him and tells him he’s proud of him.

Humility is one of Jason’s strong suits. Whenever he’s praised, he turns the attention to a teammate working just as hard. All he wants to do is win for his team. Jason hasn’t been to Orlando since about this time last year he’s said. He’s grown even closer to the Bobcats because of that.

The team he has at home, however, is still rooting for him and looking forward to catching up over dinner.

“I told him one of these summers: when you get time off, we’ll have to go to Hooters,” Brown said.

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 17

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Aaron Rodgers has led the Bobcats through a difficult offseason WILL CUNNINGHAM FOR THE POST It has been a tough year for the Bobcats.

Just like many other college sports teams across the country, they went over a year without playing a competitive match.

Ordinarily, following the end of its season in November 2019, Ohio would have said goodbye to its seniors, gotten to work signing incoming freshmen and transfers and started preparing for its 2020 season.

However, that all changed in March when Ohio University went virtual following spring break. Due to the rest of the semester being online and NCAA rules prohibiting teams from practicing during most of summer break, Ohio coach Aaron Rodgers was not able to coach his team in person until August, when athletes returned to campus.

“We were just very grateful that we were able to bring the players back to campus (in August), to be able to train,” Rodgers said.

When the Mid-American Conference announced that fall sports weren’t able to play their seasons on time, there was a lot of uncertainty about what a season would look like. However, when the MAC announced fall sports were rescheduled for the spring, the

Bobcats were just happy to know when they would be playing.

“We were excited and grateful to have some type of competitive season,” Rodgers said. “The last competitive game we played was November 2019 in the MAC semifinal.”

Under normal circumstances, the team trains throughout the school year, and the players would play on club teams during the summer, only to reassemble at the beginning of August.

“We didn’t bring the players back until school started because it wasn’t necessary,” Rodgers said. “We were able to train in the fall, but it was more geared toward the players’ mental health and well-being.”

Due to the pandemic, players did not come back until the end of August when classes began.

To go more than a year without a match is difficult for any team, but it was especially hard for the Bobcats, who were going through somewhat of a transition year after losing three important seniors in defender Victoria Breeden, midfielder Alivia Milesky and defender Sydney Leckie. Ohio needed players to step up, and plenty did just that.

“We have some leaders on the team,” Rodgers said. “Abby Townsend, Olivia Sensky and

Y YOUR WHY

Jenni Santacaterina have always been a part of our leadership group, and they’re continuing to do that.”

Townsend and Sensky in particular have stepped up on the field in addition to their roles off the field. Sensky leads a defense that has given up just two goals over the first three matches, with one of them being scored by defending MAC champions Bowling Green in an overtime loss. Her role distributing the ball is crucial to the Bobcats as well, and her calm demeanor in possession is key for the Bobcats.

Even more important for Ohio, however, is Townsend. The junior had the second-most points on the team in 2019, and she broke out against Akron despite battling minor injuries in the beginning of the season.

So far this season, the Bobcats have improved match by match. They show both talent and how hard it is to come back after a long layoff. Training can only do so much to prepare a team for the regular season. But as they get their legs under them, the Bobcats should continue to improve.

“It’s one thing to train and push each other as teammates, but it’s another thing to compete against another team,” Rodgers said.

If their game last weekend against the

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18 / MARCH 18, 2021

@WILLOCUNNINGHAM WC425318@OHIO.EDU

Ohio University’s head soccer coach, Aaron Rodgers, yells from the sidelines during the home game against Miami on March 4, 2021 in Athens, Ohio. (MACKENZIE TYSON | FOR THE POST)

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I was on track to earning my college degree. With all this uncertainty, I took a reduced class schedule.

Now I’m ready to get back on track.

Zips was any indication, the Bobcats are a team heading in the right direction. Rodgers’ ability to lead them through a difficult offseason and come out the other side looking like a team on the rise shows that Ohio will be a program to be reckoned with.

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THINKING IN PRINT

Lacking internet education is costing America CHARLENE PEPIOT is a junior studying English at Ohio University

When the world wide web became available for public use in 1991, few could imagine how vast its influence would be just 30 years later. As prominent as the web is, though, its newness and constant evolution has left many folks behind. Nearly 22 million (42%) of American seniors lack wireline broadband access at home, and scheduling appointments online to get COVID-19 vaccinations for the elderly has been dubbed a crisis.

This is partly due to the fact that older generations never had the luxury of being taught how the internet functions. While younger kids grew up with the internet and learned in school how “.orgs” are more credible than “.coms” and to avoid citing Wikipedia for their essays, many older folks online are unable to tell what is and isn’t reliable.

The rise of the baseless QAnon conspiracy is a perfect example of what this lack of understanding can

cause. Former members state how they were mainly exposed to the conspiracy theory on sites such as Facebook and YouTube, both platforms where anyone can say anything with no fact-checking and little restrictions. QAnon thrives on these free-for-all sites, and the global reach of the internet allows for a small minority of believers to connect and look larger and more credible than they actually are to reel people in.

Many people are also unaware their internet experience is largely controlled by algorithms that show content a consumer would be most interested in clicking on. If you look up cute cat videos on YouTube, you’re going to be recommended cute animal videos. If you search for conspiracy groups like QAnon, you will similarly be blind to sources disproving the group and trapped in an echo chamber that directs you to the content you want to see.

When rumors about a horrific video filming Hillary Clinton assaulting children begin circulating and the algorithm only shows other sites claiming it is real, how is someone supposed to realize it’s fake news? Many people buy into the lies and cause very real harm.

QAnon supporters can hardly be mocked when many

“internet savvy” people make the same mistakes. Cancel culture is a testament to how often people take an allegation posted on social media and parade it as truth without fact-checking. Careers and lives are ruined as people get swept up in the excitement and dox others instead of thinking critically and examining evidence.

The internet is complicated, and people must be knowledgeable on how it works to traverse the web safely. Yet what is “safe” on the internet is always changing. It is hard to keep up, and that lapse in knowledge is costing America in more ways than one.

Charlene Pepiot is a junior studying English at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Charlene know by emailing her @ cp872117@ohio.edu.

NOAH’S ARK

University and city leadership’s joint letter oversteps their jurisdiction NOAH WRIGHT is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University On Monday, March 15, Ohio University President Duane Nellis and Athens Mayor Steve Patterson released a joint letter warning students that gatherings over 10 people will be met with serious consequences.

In this letter, they reminded students these gatherings could result in the suspension or dismissal from Ohio University and a loss of access to financial aid.

In November, when we were seeing nearly 50 new COVID-19 cases every day in Athens County, these measures made complete sense. However, the pandemic in Athens is reaching new lows every day, and telling students they will have their futures ruined for having 11 friends over instead of 10 is complete nonsense.

Keep in mind, throughout the vast majority of the pandemic, bars on Court Street have remained open with limited capacity, and students have continued to gather in crowds on Court Street. It makes little sense to set regulations on what people may or may not do inside their own homes now when COVID-19 is at its lowest while allowing businesses to be vectors for the spread of the virus at the pandemic’s worst.

Mayor Patterson had a chance to remind students to socially distance when there was growing concern

about Court Street crowds at a time when the pandemic was a much greater public health threat than it is now. Instead of taking that chance, he chose to say this: “There’s nothing anywhere in the city code that dictates how long a line can be anywhere as long as people aren’t impeding pedestrian traffic … The social distancing issue is the governor’s order to where people need to be social distanced six feet apart … but it’s the responsibility of the individuals.”

It’s curious that, to Patterson, business traffic was the responsibility of the governor and individuals, but what students do in the privacy of their own homes is somehow under the authority of the Athens city government and Ohio University.

Additionally, Gov. Mike DeWine is actively preparing for the end of Ohio’s COVID-19 restrictions because the end of the pandemic is within sight. In a tweet, Gov. DeWine announced when Ohio reaches 50 cases per 100,000 Ohioans for two weeks, all restrictions will be lifted. COVID-19 cases are at an all time low, and by the Athens City-County Health Department’s own predictions, cases will soon hit zero per day.

Mask mandates and practical measures should remain in place until we are at a point when the pandemic is truly at its end. However, overly invasive and draconian measures like expelling students for having a few friends over is an instance of the cure being worse than the virus.

Athens Police Department Chief Tom Pyle said “We

don’t want to be heavy-handed” in regards to Athens’ mask mandates.

Pyle laid out APD’s philosophy of complaint-based enforcement. APD will not take formal action against someone not wearing a mask unless a formal complaint is filed by a community member.

Mask mandates are different from restrictions on large gatherings, but APD’s messaging is starkly different from Patterson and Nellis’. Threatening to remove a student from a university and leave them in debt with no degree and no financial aid seems more than just heavy-handed.

Nobody should be having parties that reach the scale of fest seasons in the years before 2020, but I have faith most students are responsible enough not to do that; we are adults, after all.

As for Ohio University’s role in all of this, perhaps President Nellis should worry about his university’s imploding budget and disgruntled faculty instead of how students spend their weekends.

Noah Wright is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Noah? Tweet him @NoahCampaign.

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 19

9 of the best Marvel films, ranked As we enter the fourth phase of MCU, let’s look back on a few of the best LOGAN HUMPHREY FOR THE POST After the release of Iron Man in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has released 23 movies and has over 14 more in development. The pandemic pushed back the release of several films, including Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and The Eternals.

Fans were finally given WandaVision this year on Disney+, the series being the first MCU product released since Spider-Man: Far from Home, which was released in 2019. The upcoming MCU development, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, is set to be released March 19.

As we enter the fourth phase of the MCU, it’s time to look back at the best films in the franchise so far. Here are the top Marvel films, ranked:

9. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

After the chaotic events that occurred in The Avengers, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) teams up with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and newcomer Falcon (Anthony Mackie) to take down new threats, including a new assassin — the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).

The sequel has become a fan favorite, as it is filled with many twists and turns, making it one of the most exciting and thrilling films in the MCU franchise.

8. SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING

15-year-old Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns home after fighting with the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War. Upon returning, he finds himself wanting to be more than your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. He discovers what it’s like to be a real hero, with the help of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), after he crosses paths with a certain villain, the Vulture (Michael Keaton).

This coming-of-age, standalone film is one of the most beloved films of the MCU, as it contains many fun, lighthearted and hilarious scenes, heavily resembling a classic John Hughes film.

7. CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

This third Captain America film unleashes a darker side to Marvel, as it shows that actions have consequences.

A disagreement between Captain American and Iron Man lead to an all-out brawl between the Avengers. This film is filled with strong tensions, drama and tons of action-packed scenes and shows the

downside of being a superhero.

6. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

Ten years after the first MCU release, we are given one of the most anticipated films of all time. All the heroes in the universe come together to defeat their hardest villain to date, Thanos (Josh Brolin).

As Thanos tries to take over the universe with the infinity stones, the Avengers must defeat him before he uses them to create a new reality.

Every scene is action-packed and puts you on the edge of your seat. The ending is one of the most shocking, tear-jerking endings you’ll ever see.

5. THOR: RAGNAROK

In this third installment of the Thor trilogy, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself sent to another universe, where he’s imprisoned and forced to fight in order to escape. Along the way, he finds fellow Avenger, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).

This colorful, hilarious and exciting film shows a different, better side of Thor as he fights several battles (including his own) throughout the film. Brilliantly directed by Taika Waititi, the film easily became one of the most loved films in the MCU franchise upon first watch.

4. BLACK PANTHER

Black Panther is the first MCU film to feature a cast that is African American dominant. It is also the first MCU film to win an Academy Award, making it one of the biggest successes by Marvel.

The film inspires empowerment and celebrates African culture in a different, non-typical way. The major cultural impact this film has makes it one of the best MCU films to date.

3. IRON MAN Iron Man was the first film released

in the MCU, opening up a new creative world for Marvel superheroes. In this first installment, we are introduced to Tony Stark, the genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist. Robert Downey Jr. embodies the role of Iron Man perfectly. With his witty jokes, incredible intelligence and amazing character development, Iron Man becomes one of the favorite and most important characters in the MCU.

2. THE AVENGERS

Directed by Joss Whedon, this film features the Avengers assembling for the first time to take down Thor’s brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston). The Avengers creates a pivotal point in the franchise, ending phase one and introducing us to one of the infinity stones and to Thanos, making it one of the most important films in the MCU. Filled with hilarious, exhilarating and staggering moments, it became one of the biggest Blockbuster movies of all time.

1. AVENGERS: ENDGAME

It’s obvious this movie tops the list.

This enthralling finale to The Avengers tetralogy was a huge success for the MCU. It became the highest grossing film for over a year (recently being knocked back down by Avatar).

It’s an emotional ride, start to finish as we see the original six Avengers fight together one last time. The most unforgettable moments in the MCU come from this film. Avengers: Endgame is the best conclusion to the first three phases in the franchise.

LH129720@OHIO.EDU

20 / MARCH 18, 2021

2021 spring fashion forecast Seven trends and endless opportunities for spring EMMA DOLLENMAYER ASST. BEAT EDITOR There is simply no time to dress boring or to be anything but bold this spring. Due to the pandemic last March and April, there were no events or outings to show off one’s seasonal style, and although it is still important to practice social distancing and be mindful of others’ health, with vaccinations and cases way down, there is more opportunity to express yourself through this spring’s trends outside of the house.

Even if you feel like you’re still mainly chilling inside, still attempt to brighten up your days and mood with the simple gesture of piecing together outfits that encourage you to feel confident, polished and pretty.

And besides, what better way to flaunt your best fit than an Insta pic? No one needs to know you didn’t go anywhere, and who cares if they did? To stay up to date this spring and show out and stand out, here are seven staple pieces for the season to have on your radar:

MISMATCHED PATTERNS

The days of being straight laced and following the rules are O-V-E-R, over. Yes, matching sets and colors are still in and undeniably cool, but so is getting a little funky and unconventional by pairing together completely mismatched patterns. The idea of discrepancy within fashion is audacious and modern, so don’t be late participating in the movement.

Let loose by combining, per se, a hot pink zebra print shirt of some sort (think tie or crop top), with some wide-legged neon green leopard print pants. Festive, right? The same goes for cow, checkered, houndstooth, fruit stripes, watercolor and floral printed articles of clothing. Experiment to see which colors and patterns fit best together.

‘70S INSPIRED

The ‘70s were justly iconic. From the fashion to the music, the culture of the time period should be preserved and praised for

ILLUSTRATION BY KATIE BANECK eternity. The trend is timeless.

With word that ‘70s inspired style can be embodied through differing shades of brown and orange corduroy pants, fruit stripes, halter tops, platform sandals, duller variations of the primary colors and vibrant, big floral prints, everyone should be overthe-moon ecstatic about the return of the hippie age.

There is nothing about the ‘70s that doesn’t scream spring. From the prints to pairing flare pants with halter and graphic crop tops, the outfits are perfect for the current days’ temperature. Additionally, the splash of color ingrained in the decade’s clothing is just what everyone needs as we inch closer to summer.

CARGO PANTS

There’s a hard truth we all need to face.

It’s time to trade the sweatpants and leggings for a different kind of pants. OK, we lied. It would undeniably be impossible to give up every college student’s favorite staples, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room in the closet to add a new one, too.

To switch up your usual go-to lounge around outfit, purchase a pair of unique cargos. They are perfect for days spent studying and walking outside while allowing you to look fashionable but comfortable all at once. The pants look best with some high socks and some retro sneakers.

CINCHED BODYCON DRESSES

It can be argued the right kind of casual dress is both spring and summer’s best friend for the reason they are versatile. A chic sundress can be dressed down with a pair of Air Force Ones and a jacket or dressed up with some platform sandals and a shawl. Take your pick.

Sundresses prevail, but what is on the rise this spring season are fitted, breathable, stretchy, cinched bodycon dresses. They tie at the bottom, meaning they are adjustable for any height or length preference. Envision this: A pastel one of these, topped off with some layered gold jewelry, a slickedback bubble braid, chunky sneakers and either big or cat-eyed sunglasses. This is sure to be a look of this season.

SWEATER VESTS

How ironic to think an article of clothing we once made fun of is now on the rise as one of the fashion industry’s most beloved and adopted pieces.

Tan and pastel sweater vests with houndstooth print are in. Those placed atop a white collared work shirt makes for the perfect photoshoot or lunch/dinner fit on a chillier day. But as the days begin to grow warmer, the vests can be worn solo.

Sweater vests imply both sophistication and contemporariness.

PASTEL SETS

The popularity of matching sets isn’t anything new, proving what once could’ve been considered a fad is moving toward establishing itself as a trend. In fact, the rise of these comfy, cozy sets acclaimed itself in quarantine, when users on TikTok began making bleached and tie-dyed matching sweat sets.

However, this spring, to spice up the concept of monochromatic fits, shy away from the darker colors and bulkier clothing items that are worn in winter, and swap them for crop tops and biker shorts or off-the-shoulder tops and skirts, in light baby pastels such as lavender, yellow and mint green. You’ll be sure to appear glowing.

BUCKET HATS

Beanies walked so bucket hats could run.

If beanies are winter’s prominent headwear, bucket hats are spring and summer’s. Not only are they conventional in the sense the hats are able to block the sun on a bright and scorching day, but they are incredibly trendy and can be worn with close to anything. Both solid-colored, tie-dyed and patterned ones are bestsellers.

@EMMADOLLENMAYER ED569918@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 21

the weekender Lost Flamingo Theatre Company presents ‘The Door’ for virtual audience KAYLA BENNETT FOR THE POST

The Lost Flamingo Theatre Company, or LFC, is in the midst of its spring performances. After its adaptations to COVID-19, the theater has been hosting its performances virtually. Its next upcoming performance, which is The Door, will be March 20 and 21.

The play consists of three cast members and revolves around a grandma, Grace, played by Nicole Adams, and her teenage grandson, Justin, played by Quinn Bennett. The plot consists of a constant knock at a door –– a door that Grace is having trouble opening. She’s avoiding whatever is behind the door, for coming to terms with what’s behind it may be difficult.

Grace is faced with darkness, having only her grandson by her side. Through conversation, the audience learns more about the story, which covers issues that reflect closely to present-day topics.

“I think it’s a really important show because it touches on a lot of really important topics,” Adams said. “I think, especially in today’s political climate with everything that’s been happening, it’s a really important story that needs to be told.”

Through the process of building emotion, adapting to producing and performing, this play has been nothing less of a learning experience. Through rehearsals, the cast was able to bond through a virtual platform, although there were limitations.

“Putting together the show has been very interesting because everything’s so different,” Destery Gunther, stage manager and actor, said. “Not being able to meet face-to-face has been hard because you have to figure out the dynamics of blocking and how things are going to work. There are some scenes that really require a very physical presence. That can be pretty hard when you’re online.”

With in-person performances missed, LFC has worked strenuously to assure the students and viewers are receiving as much as the real experience as possible.

The cast and crew have worked hard to create an emotional and memorable performance. This set-up is different but has made an accessible opportunity for anyone who wants to view the performance.

“It’s certainly been different than any other theater that I’ve done in the past,” Bennett said. “Obviously, the biggest difference is trying to connect virtually with scene partners. It’s very, very difficult. A lot of that, too, is not being able to make eye contact ever because there’s obviously a difference between where your camera is and where the person’s little 22 / MARCH 18, 2021

Zoom box is.”

Although there won’t be a live audience and applause will be absent, the presence of a virtual audience would mean a great deal to the cast and supporting the student arts.

“We are in this together, and entertainment right now is really hard to make, but it’s worth seeing what we provide,” Gunther said. “It gives us a break from the world around us, and I think that’s very important to do nowadays: try and take that break and accept, and go forth.”

The cast encourages anyone and everyone to enjoy the show from the comforts of their own homes as well as show some support for the theater company.

“Theater really was hit hard by this pandemic,” Katie Leeds, director of The Door, said. “...I think supporting this art form that has been hit really hard is really important now. If you’re able to support theater makers ...let us give you this experience, even though it’s different from how it usually is.”

Tickets are available for purchase at LFC’s website. @KKAYYBEN KB084519@OHIO.EDU

IF YOU GO WHAT: Lost Flamingo Theatre Company’s The Door WHERE: Stream on LFC.AnywhereSeat. com WHEN: Saturday, March 20, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 21, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

ADMISSION: $10, or any amount more than that for a donation

WHAT’S GOING ON? Attend virtual Celebrate Women Conference; view ‘Women of Appalachia Project’ fine art exhibition ISABEL NISSLEY FOR THE POST

FRIDAY, MARCH 19 Celebrate Women Conference at 8:30 a.m., hosted virtually by Ohio University Lancaster in partnership with OU Chillicothe, OU Eastern, OU Southern and OU Zanesville. Network with, learn from and celebrate women at the 15th annual Celebrate Women Conference. More than 30 speakers are slated to speak at the event. The keynote speaker is Alison Levine, team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition and businesswoman.

virus training and schedule a visiting time via the Google Form provided by the Kennedy Museum of Art. Admission: Free with registration

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 Athens Farmers Market at 9 a.m., hosted by Athens Farmers Market, 1002 E. State St. Shop for locally grown and locally made foods and goods at the farmers’ market. The market accepts SNAP, credit cards and wholesome wave.

Masks are recommended, and social distancing protocols are in place.

Admission: Free Build Your Own Solar Generator Workshop at 1 p.m., hosted by Rural Action, 751 W. Union St. Learn how to build a compact and sustainable solar generator. Materials and tools for the class will be provided by Rural Action and the Community MakerSpace. Registration is required, and social distancing protocols are in place.

tion at 12 p.m., hosted by the Dairy Barn Art Center, 8000 Dairy Lane. Explore art created by a diverse group of women. The “Women of Appalachia Project” encourages the making of art that shares artists’ culture and experiences, addressing issues of stereotypes and marginalization. Reservations to view the exhibit can be made through the Dairy Barn website.

Admission: $5 or free for Dairy Barn members LFC Presents: The Door at 2 p.m., hosted virtually by the Lost Flamingo Theatre Company. Join the Lost Flamingo Theatre Company, OU’s original student-run theater organization, for its second virtual performance of the semester: The Door.

The production tells the story of a grandmother and her grandson while exploring societal truths.

Tickets can be purchased through the Anywhere Seat website.

Admission: $10 or any amount higher for donations @ISABELNISSLEY IN566119@OHIO.EDU

Admission: $25 OU’s Opera Theater presents: An American Triple Bill: Three Short Works by Jake Heggie at 7:30 p.m., hosted virtually by OU Voice Division.

View the OU Opera Theater’s presentation of Three Short Works by Jake Heggie. The production includes pieces of 9/11, Iconic Legacies and Farewell, Auschwitz. Jose Rocha is the conductor, and Andrew Ryker is the director.

Admission: Free

SUNDAY, MARCH 21 “Women of Appalachia Project” fine art exhibi-

Admission: Free with registration 2021 Spring Literary Festival: Ada Limón returns with Jason Schneiderman at 10:30 a.m., hosted virtually by OU’s English Department. Attend the OU English Department’s 2021 Spring Literary Festival. Ada Limón and Jason Schneiderman are poets who will be doing readings of their works. The campus community is invited to come celebrate with the English Department and these writers via Teams.

Admission: Free “Legacy: Don Adleta and Karen Nulf, 60 years of Graphic Design” at 12 p.m., hosted by The Kennedy Museum of Art, 100 Ridges Circle. View this exhibition that chronicles the creative ventures of OU graphic design professors Don Adleta and Karen Nulf. Before attending, complete OU’s coronaTHEPOSTATHENS.COM / 23

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