March 25, 2021

Opinions over OU’s COVID Liaisons are split PG 6

March marks Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month PG 12

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

g n i s u a P the Music COVID-19’s impact on the concert industry

March Madness was a memory of a lifetime for Jason Preston PG 16

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Meet next year’s ‘Post’ executive editors Molly Schramm, Abby Miller, Bre Offenberger and Matthew Geiger It seems like just yesterday I was writing my first From the Editor’s Desk column, but now, I only have a handful left. But while my end is in sight, that means it’s time for change. The Post is constantly changing, and right now, it’s beginning to move forward with new leadership.

Next year’s editor-in-chief, managing editor and digital managing editor have been chosen, which means the entire newsroom will begin training for new roles as summer inches closer. Despite a year working during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Post has shown its ability to produce innovation, engaging stories and experiential learning.

These three executive editors were picked for multiple reasons, including their leadership abilities, ideas for growth and outlook on the future of The Post. For now though, I’ll let them introduce themselves:

Abby Miller, editor-in-chief

Hi, everyone! My name is Abby Miller, and I am so honored and excited to be the next editor-in-chief of The Post. I’m currently a junior studying journalism and political science, and I’ve been with The Post since my freshman year. I’ve taken on roles such as news staff writer and news editor in the past, and I can’t wait to continue working at The

Post in this new role to make this publication the best it can be.

During the upcoming year, I hope to further The Post’s digital presence while also spearheading more change within the publication. We will bring readers the best of digital content, including more interactive data visualizations, an overhaul of our special projects and more newsletters to give readers additional headlines in their inboxes every morning. I also hope to foster diversity in our content and staffing. First and foremost, The Post functions as a hub for topics concerning students and a voice for them, and we cannot accurately fulfill that purpose without ensuring all voices are heard and included.

I would not be the journalist I am today without The Post and those who work there. I owe this publication so much, and alongside Bre and Matt, I cannot wait to tackle the upcoming year head-on.

Bre Offenberger, managing editor

Hey, everyone! My name is Bre Offenberger, and I’m absolutely elated to be The Post’s managing editor for the 2021-2022 year. I joined this life-changing publication within my first month on campus, starting out as a copy editor. The past two years, I’ve worked as The Post’s copy chief, writing music reviews for our entertainment section, The Beat, and dipping my toe into almost every other section offered. Now, I’m about to take

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 25, 2021

on the position I’ve dreamed of since I first joined The Post.

As the next managing editor, I plan on emphasizing the importance of HR, helping the editor-in-chief diversify our newsroom and our content and carving time out of each weekday to work with authors on polishing their work that’s showcased at the time of the website. During my time as copy chief, I’ve realized there is almost nothing more credible than having a foolproof, clean article — because careless mistakes only turn people away. I also want to be a friendly face once we can safely work back in our newsroom again (hopefully soon!) and let our staffers, old and new, know that we not only want them to succeed, but we care about them inside and out of the workplace.

These past three years at The Post have been the honor of my life. I’m immensely excited to get started with Abby and Matt and watch this publication that I love with my entire being continue to succeed and improve.

Matthew Geiger, digital managing editor

Hey, Post readers! I’m Matthew Geiger, the current digital managing editor of The Post!

I’m excited to be returning in this role again for another year, where I’ll continue to work to make The Post more digitally oriented.

Over the past year, I’ve managed to streamline many of our processes and have

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introduced new and innovative technologies to push our publication ahead of the curve.

From live-blogging election night to in-line audio quotes to data visualization, there has been no shortage of new tools for our journalists to use to strengthen their stories.

But I haven’t done it alone. Over the past year, I have been supported by a whole host of student journalists I am proud to work with. Going forward, I will continue to emphasize the role that Post friendship has in strengthening our own reporting. The Post is at its best when every staff member feels welcome and heard. This single element is more powerful than any new digital tool or strategy that I can implement.

All in all, I have big goals for this upcoming year, and I hope to continue innovating student journalism with Bre, Abby and the entire Post.

If you would like to talk to Abby, Bre or Matt you can email them at am166317@ohio.edu, bo844517@ohio.edu and mg568618@ohio.edu, respectively. Please note that the views of columnists do not reflect those of The Post.

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Restaurants Bounce Back CLAIRE SCHIOPOTA FOR THE POST Late-night eateries in Athens have stayed afloat during the pandemic due to grant money and the removal of curfews in Ohio.

While the curfew was in place, businesses had to operate during limited hours and were not able to stay open as late. As of Feb. 11, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine lifted the statewide curfew. Several local restaurants were struggling to stay afloat due to COVID-19 restrictions, according to a previous Post report.

O’Betty’s Red Hot, 15 W. State St., was one of these businesses. Tracy Duncan, general manager at O’Betty’s, reported a 70% drop in sales comparing December 2020 to December 2019. The eatery received a CARES Act grant and its second Paycheck Protection Program loan to manage the effects.

According to the U.S. Small Business Association, the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, is a loan designed to provide direct incentive for small businesses to keep their employees.

“I don’t know how many businesses could survive that kind of a hit without some kind of financial assistance,” Duncan said in an email. “February 2021 sales are only down by about 50% of February 2020 sales, so maybe we are at least beginning the long haul back to business as usual.”

Union Street Diner, 70 W. Union St., also utilized grant money to survive the turbulence of the pandemic. The business took PPP grants and employee retention credits as well as used larger credit lines from the bank. The grants allowed the diner to increase wages and create four jobs, Timothy Carman, co-owner of Union Street Diner, said in an email.

Both Union Street Diner and O’Betty’s Red Hot closed during Ohio University’s

winter break. Union Street Diner closed for one week in December so workers could see family safely during the holidays, Carman said in an email. O’Betty’s Red Hot closed for three weeks.

“There didn’t seem to be a lot of people in town and it wasn’t worth the overhead costs just to stay open,” Duncan said in an email. “We used the time to get caught up on more renovations inside the restaurant.”

Grub-n-Go, 11 W. Union St., also closed briefly in December and January for the holidays. Unlike Union Street Diner and O’Betty’s, Grub-n-Go is a newer business in Athens. It hasn’t received any grant money during the pandemic, either.

“You have to spend more to make more,” Todd Thompson, owner of Grub-n-Go, said. “Keep your margins slim to compete with everybody else.”

The removal of the curfew means these eateries will be able to adjust their hours.

Union Street Diner plans to slowly ease its way back into its old 24/7 schedule.

“We will be pushing our hours later as we feel safe to do so/have the staff to handle it,” Carman said in an email. “We really are moving slow and cautiously and rather be a couple weeks behind everybody else to see how things work out … Once the staff is vaccinated we will probably move to more hours, but I don’t see 24/7 until the fall.”

Additionally, businesses are glad to have OU students back on campus for the Spring

Semester. Thompson said he expects traffic to increase “dramatically” once more students return, in addition to the curfew being lifted.

“We are definitely going to be better off now that curfews have been lifted,” Duncan said in an email. “Students, alumni, O.U. faculty and visitors have always contributed greatly to our success, but I can’t emphasize enough how much our loyal, year round Athens’ residents have supported us these last 17+ years.”

@CSCHIOPOTA CS123719@OHIO.EDU

O’Betty’s Red Hot at 15 W. State St. (KELSEY BOEING | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

Your mental health matters. Remember there are resources here for you including counseling, peer-to-peer support, and workshops.

WWW.OHIO.EDU/COUNSELING

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 3

NEWS BRIEFS

OU receives ‘voter friendly campus’ distinction; The J Bar issued a citation EMMA SKIDMORE ASST. NEWS EDITOR OU recognized as Voter Friendly Campus

Ohio University received a “voter friendly campus” distinction for 2021 and 2022 for efforts to engage the students population in the most recent election. OU joins over 230 campuses across the country on the list of voter-friendly schools.

The Campus Vote Project, led by the Fair Elections Center, and the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, or NASPA, are responsible for reviewing applications submitted by universities to choose what campuses are recognized.

Jill Dunlap, senior director for research, policy and civic engagement at NASPA, said the organization considers the campus’ work with community organizations and university leadership participation, among other factors. Dunlap said NASPA is also interested in making sure voter engagement efforts go beyond election years and focuses on local elections as well.

The Center for Campus and Community Engagement, or CCCE, played a large role in putting together OU’s application. To apply, universities must put together a report detailing the steps they have taken to promote civic engagement among students. Mary Nally, director of the CCCE, said the CCCE wanted to focus on not only mobi-

lizing voter efforts for the 2020 election but creating a culture shift where students could make civic engagement one of their values.

To do this, the CCCE integrated a voter registration module into Bobcat Student Orientation and developed a lesson plan surrounding civic engagement to teach in Learning Community classes.

Alexis Crosby, Ohio state coordinator for the Campus Vote Project, said receiving this designation during a pandemic took a lot of effort, and universities that put in the work show a commitment to their students.

Dunlap said the distinction also sends a message to the community and elected officials that OU is invested in its campus.

Nally said she feels optimistic about future elections after seeing how deeply students and staff care about politics and democracy.

dancing on bar stools.

J Bar received the citation at midnight as partiers continued their celebrations into the early morning.

J Bar will appear before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission to determine the specific consequences of the citation, which could include fines and suspension or revocation of its liquor license.

@E_SKIDMOREGS ES320518@OHIO.EDU

J Bar receives citation following OU’s NCAA win

The J Bar was issued a citation by the Ohio Investigative Unit on Sunday for disorderly activity.

After Ohio University’s win against University of Virginia on Saturday night in the NCAA tournament, bar patrons took to Court Street to celebrate. Face coverings were not worn by most individuals, according to a release from the Ohio Investigative Unit. Customers were not socially distanced at their seats, and some were

POLICE BLOTTER

Child found wandering alone; yet another catalytic converter stolen ANNA MILLAR FOR THE POST SOON TO BE TOWED

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a request for tow tags to be placed on two abandoned vehicles. Deputies placed four-hour tags on each vehicle upon arrival. The owner of the property the vehicles were on was told that when four hours had elapsed, he could call a tow company to pick up the vehicles.

DOG FIGHT

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a dog attack at Rallen Drive in The Plains. The caller said a neighbor’s dog attacked his own and caused injuries to his dog.

Deputies referred the case to the dog warden and resumed patrol.

4 / MARCH 25, 2021

WANDERING KIDDO

A 3-year-old child was found walking alone on Vore Ridge Road in Athens, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office. The child had been playing outside with teenagers before he wandered off.

He was taken back to his parents, and deputies notified Athens County Children’s Services.

AUTO THEFT

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a theft report at Tink’s Auto Center in Millfield. The owner said a catalytic converter was cut off a car on his lot last Tuesday. He also provided the sheriff’s office video footage of the suspect.

This case is currently under investigation.

SLEEPING IN THE CAR

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspicious vehicle report at Wolfe Bennett Road outside Nelsonville. The caller said they saw the vehicle sitting at the end of their driveway.

When deputies arrived, they found a man sleeping in his car. He said he was sleeping in his car after having a fight with his wife but agreed to return home.

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COVID Liaison Conflict Student opinions split over effectiveness of OU’s COVID campus liaisons RYAN MAXIN FOR THE POST Students who move into isolation due to COVID-19 exposure are bound to have different experiences, and perhaps the most different of them is their time with Ohio University’s COVID campus liaisons.

In an effort to provide students, faculty and staff with effective communication from university representatives and to assist with any problems that may arise in quarantine, OU has partnered with the Athens City-County Health Department and the state of Ohio to bring this liaison program to life, according to OU’s website. Those liaisons are described by OU as “experienced care professionals.”

Liaisons provide non-clinical case management to students, faculty and staff affected by the pandemic and explore ways to make sure students staying in isolation, either at OU or at home, are taken care of, Jivanto Van Hemert, director of case management and COVID response operations, said. Presently, there are 11 full-time liaisons and 20 liaisons who work on a “strike team” when they are needed.

In a perfect world, this program would benefit all students, allowing them to feel comfortable in their isolation experiences and possibly expediting those experiences.

Yet, problems within the program have left some students feeling left out even when others are fully taken care of.

Autumn Whiteman, a freshman studying Spanish education, said she enjoyed how often she communicated with her specific liaison. After being exposed to COVID-19 by her friend, she chose to travel home and spend the duration of her quarantine there.

“I would say (the communication) was really good in

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER 6 / MARCH 25, 2021

“

I never ended up getting a liaison, probably until my fifth or sixth day, and the only reason I got a liaison was because I was harassing (COVID operations)” - Alexia Plevris, a freshman studying fashion merchandising

my experience because my friend reached out to me and said to be prepared for (my liaison) to reach out to me in a couple days from when she had to go into quarantine, and then they called me less than an hour later, ready to tell me that I had been exposed and wanting to hop on trying to minimize the spread,” Whiteman said. “They contacted me really quickly, and it was pretty seamless.”

While some students were contacted by a liaison almost immediately after their exposure, others had to wait several days to receive assistance.

Alexia Plevris, a freshman studying fashion merchandising, is one such student. She chose to quarantine in OU’s designated isolation dorms after coming into contact with someone who later tested positive for the virus.

“I never ended up getting a liaison, probably until my fifth or sixth day, and the only reason I got a liaison was because I was harassing (COVID Operations), constantly calling COVID hotlines, calling all these different people,” Plevris said. “I was never updated. No one ever texted me.

I didn’t know when I was going to get out … It was a mess, honestly.”

Anna Delgarbino, a freshman studying business, was exposed to someone who tested positive and was told she had to isolate. A day later, though, she was cleared to resume all campus activities.

Amid all the confusion Delgarbino experienced, she said she found it difficult to get in contact with her liaison to find out what was going on. After speaking to COVID Operations and then Ohio Health, Delgarbino finally got in contact with her liaison, who helped explain the situa-

tion to her.

“I felt like our COVID liaison was really busy and didn’t really have the time to get in contact with us,” Delgarbino said.

Apart from how students feel about their specific COVID campus liaison, the liaisons themselves have been innovating their work to make sure that they can assist as many students as possible.

“I think, generally, it can be hard to reach students, faculty and staff just because everyone’s busy, (and) people have classes. We use many different methods of outreach: phone, text, emails, more phone calls, attempts at different phone calls,” Alyssa Toshimitsu, a COVID campus liaison, said. “We understand the busyness of everyone’s schedule and work-life balance, so we try our best, and we definitely try to make our presence known and that we’re trying to make that communication.”

Van Hemert highlighted the changes the COVID campus liaison team has made to ensure that students, faculty and staff are reached.

“One of the things that we did as we shifted into this work that is more timely is we expanded our (business) hours,” Van Hemert said. “Our office is now open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and also noon to 5 (p.m.)

Saturday and Sunday to help give some additional options for folks that perhaps ... traditional business hours is not the best time to communicate with them.”

Despite the efforts of the liaison team, it understands the frustration and stress students feel during their contact tracing experience can ultimately vilify the liaison in the student’s mind.

“Nobody likes COVID. It has ruined something in pretty much all of our lives, and so there is a lot of frustration and emotion wrapped up in all of this,” Van Hemert said. “At the point that we start talking to someone, their life has already been adversely impacted, and so I want to acknowledge there’s lots of challenges that come with that as folks are navigating through our process. Some are undeniably related to our process, but some of them have nothing to do with us.”

Toshimitsu said she enjoys talking to those who are affected by COVID-19, even with the added obstacle of their possible frustration.

“We understand that we’re not always the most loved people on campus because we are delivering news of ‘you were exposed’ or ‘you have to remain off campus; you can’t go to class,’ (and) there’s a lot of pieces that we’re not delivering the best news,” Toshimitsu said. “But I think all of us take that time to get to know each person individually … There’s still this kind of bond that I get to create with each person (when) they come through this process.”

In the eyes of some students, especially those who felt excluded from the process of talking to their liaison, the COVID campus liaison program has room for improvement.

Specifically, Delgarbino would like to see a change in how COVID-19 contact tracing cases are communicated by the liaisons, even though she understands the difficulty in dealing with something so new.

“It’s obviously something that no one’s really had to deal with before, so I understand it being difficult and hard,” Delgarbino said. “I think just being prepared and having the resources to answer us or even letting more people know what’s going on so that other people can help us would be something they could improve upon.”

@RYANMAXIN RM554219@OHIO.EDU

GAMES

Check out the latest episode of our podcast Stay Tuned!

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Touring During the Pandemic On-campus tours adapt to changing COVID-19 guidelines MOLLY WILSON FOR THE POST Ohio University campus tours have adjusted to changing COVID-19 guidelines accordingly in order to give prospective students the best touring experience while keeping Athens safe.

Campus tours moved to an entirely virtual format last March due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, in-person tours resumed in November and were limited to one family per touring group.

“We’ve worked with public health and safety teams throughout the entire campus visiting process to ensure that the safety of everybody is evaluated, whether it’s our tour guides, our Ohio staff, our visitors (or) the entire Bobcat community,” K.J. Russel, a senior tour guide, said.

Currently, tours are limited to 10 people, rather than one family. Masks and social distancing are required.

“In some ways, we like that because that’s giving prospective students more opportunities to connect with the tour guide,” Katie Troyer, senior director of enrollment marketing, said. “Our tours are all about conversations and making connections, so it’s more of an opportunity to speak with the tour guide and hear about their Ohio experiences.”

Access to campus buildings for prospective students is limited. Students and their families are only able to view certain buildings, including Alden Library, Ping Recreation Center, a dining hall lobby and a specified residence hall while on their tour.

The residence halls that are being shown on tours include Ryors Hall on West Green and Jefferson Hall on East Green.

“We’ve worked with Housing and Residence Life to make sure that we’re taking them down hallways where students aren’t living or to be mindful of the egress and ingress when we are getting them in and out of the building to minimize impact on current students,” Troyer said.

Rather than a tour guide taking students to the show dorm room that they are able to view, a housing ambassador meets them in the hall in order to provide a different perspective.

“When we went to visit a mock dorm room, a different girl took us up and basically just talked to us about her experience over the four years that she has been at OU,” Samantha Snyder, a prospective OU student, said.

Not only do the requirements keep current students and safe, but they also ensure the families visiting feel comfortable in Athens amid the pandemic.

“I felt pretty good. We all had masks on, and everybody was wearing them correctly. We spread out, but

Y YOUR WHY

we were all talking pretty casually, and they were all very friendly,” Snyder said. “We got there on a really nice day, and the weather was kind of perfect, so we were able to stand outside and talk … about all the different places.”

Despite the guidelines, students still believe that their OU touring experience was beneficial.

“I would have liked to go into more of the buildings, but other than that, I think it was pretty great,” Snyder said. “I think with what (tour guides) were allowed to do, they did a very good job.”

@MOLLYWMARIE MW542219@OHIO.EDU

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Athens Jazz Festival adapts with virtual programming, performance JULIANA COLANT FOR THE POST The 2021 Athens Jazz Festival is taking the stage March 22-27 virtually this year due to COVID-19.

Two main guests are presenting clinics and performing with OU students and faculty: Bria Skonberg, a trumpeter, singer and songwriter, and Carl Allen, a drummer and educator.

Performing music over Zoom and Microsoft Teams is not the traditional means. Therefore, the festival will use a mixture of live and pre-recorded performances.

Skonberg collaborated with students and faculty, performing some of her original compositions.

Matthew James, director of the Jazz Ensemble I and a faculty member at OU, has been very hands-on planning the festival.

“All of the recordings were done by students, faculty, and Bria at our homes!” James said in an email. “So there has been a LOT of audio and video work going on to produce the final products.”

A live concert will be streamed Saturday, March 27, from MemAud. Jazz Ensemble I will perform in small groups that feature various sections of the ensemble.

Skonberg sees the importance of holding a virtual adaptation of the festival instead of canceling it altogether.

“Jazz is about improvising and finding ways to navigate changes, so it’s only fitting that we adapt to this new setting,” Skonberg said in an email. “It’s definitely challenging, but that just means we’re growing and learning. Arts are essential for our well-being in that

they help us communicate and create authentic connections. Continuing the festival is important to keeping the community connected and celebrating the hard work and progress of the incredible students and staff. I’m very grateful to be included in this year’s festival and hope many people tune in.”

OU holds a special place in Allen’s heart, as he knows some of the faculty, and his son graduated in 2016. He especially looks forward to working and interacting with the OU students.

“I applaud Ohio University for keeping the festival alive and not canceling during COVID-19 because music has the potential to heal and we have to keep music going,” Allen said in an email. “Music has the ability to bring people together even if it is virtually.”

The first day of the festival featured an online masterclass with Allen and the OU Percussion Studio.

Wednesday, March 24, Allen presented OU MUS 1090 Performance Lab students. That same evening, Skonberg worked with OU jazz students in an online clinic.

Saturday, March 27, will feature an online conversation with Skonberg. The festival will close out Saturday afternoon with the performance from OU Jazz Ensemble I. For details and links to the free event, check out the Athens Jazz Festival website.

@COLANT_JULIANA JC079419@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 9

Pressing

Delving into COVID-19’s impact on the live concert industry

MOLLY SCHRAMM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF A year ago today, Ohio University should have been gearing up for its third annual Music Industry Summit, but the coronavirus pandemic had other plans. As OU made the decision to postpone classes through March 30, the summit was subsequently canceled — but no one would have guessed the coronavirus would have put the entire entertainment industry on hold for the foreseeable future.

“We had a really, really great lineup in 2020,” Josh Antonuccio, director of the School of Media Arts and Studies, said. “It was heartbreaking, of course, as it was for everyone else.”

After processing the reality of the pandemic, Antonuccio looked ahead to the future. With the annual SXSW festival promising a virtual event in lieu of its usual Austin, Texas, event, Antonuccio felt that a virtual summit would be the way to go.

“The team decided we’d much rather take a risk to have a fully running, stable event online than have to cancel again,” Antonuccio said. “I don’t want to go through that again. It was just too much work to just be gone.”

With the summit’s platform supported by the Nashville-based company Redstory, Antonuccio and the team were confident in the 2021 virtual summit. In fact, lucky for the team, most of 2020’s line-up, including FINNEAS, St. Vincent and more, were able to reschedule for the virtual summit. To Antonuccio, the 2021 summit is coming back “supercharged,” especially since the event is free for all, and attendees can register at any time throughout the day of.

Slated for a day full of music industry conversations with the likes of big-name artists like Run The Jewels and Phoebe Bridgers, the 2021 summit features sessions from far more than artists in the industry.

“I intentionally program the summit to feature a diverse range of industry spaces,” Antonuccio said. “So there’s kind of a breadth of all the different ways that music intersects and either creates opportunities or where there’s jobs that exist.”

One session that’s most pertinent to the effects of the pandemic is titled “Embracing the Present and Preparing for the Future of Live Music.” Featuring executives from Live Out Loud, the National Indepen10 / MARCH 25, 2021

dent Venue Association, Beachland Ballroom, Stuart’s Opera House and Nelsonville Music Festival, the session aims to talk about the state of live music in the world we live in today.

In terms of Stuart’s Opera House and Nelsonville Music Festival, Chloe Musick, the marketing and public relations director of both Stuart’s and NMF, isn’t trying to get anyone’s hopes up.

“We cannot predict what Governor DeWine is going to say,” Musick said. “We’re trying to make informed

“

When you introduce limitations to creative people, that’s where creativity happens and new ideas happen”

- Josh Antonuccio, director of the School of Media Arts and Studies

and safe decisions based on the direction of Mike DeWine and the direction of other leading venues in the entertainment industry as a whole.”

Despite her hesitancy, she’s happy Stuart’s has been able to offer socially distanced shows at the venue. On March 13, The Dwight Icenhower Story took to the stage, and Old Seed, a local Athens band, will be gracing Stuart’s on April 1.

Per guidelines by the state, Stuart’s was able to run at 15% capacity during The Dwight Icenhower Story.

Now, as guidelines and restrictions have shifted and changed, Stuart’s will be operating at a 25% capacity during Old Seed, which allows for 100 attendees.

Despite the capability to hold some semblance of a normal show, Musick and the crew at NMF have already made a statement about NMF 2021.

“As many of you have guessed, the Nelsonville Music Festival is not happening in June of this year,” the festival announced via social media.

In 2020, similar to the Music Industry Summit, NMF had to cancel its June festival after deliberating whether it was worth it to try and wait out the length of the pandemic — something Musick points out no one could have anticipated. To Musick, it ended up being a smart decision to cancel, but that didn’t make it any easier to do.

“

There’s something that we say at Stuart’s where if you come once, you’re part of the family at that point”

- Chloe Musick, director of marketing and public relations for Stuart’s Opera House and Nelsonville Music Festival “This is the Nelsonville Music Festival. It’s a staple in our community,” Musick said. “We work really hard to foster the sense of community where everyone is welcome. Everyone has a place at the Nelsonville Music Festival and can really just enjoy one weekend of the purest fun and family and community. We know that it means a lot to people, and it means a lot to us.”

Despite the inevitable cancelation, NMF adapted like many bands and festivals by hosting a virtual festival in August 2020. With Antonuccio coming to Stuart’s executive director at the time, the seed was planted for the virtual festival. For Antonuccio, it was really everyone going into an adventure together not really knowing what it’ll look like at the end. “(Bob Boilen, the host and creator of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts) shared something (during a keynote speech at OU) that has stuck with me,” Antonuccio said. “When you introduce limitations to creative people, that’s where creativity happens and new ideas happen.”

Though Antonuccio realizes the virtual festival as well as the virtual summit aren’t optimal, he also realizes the limitations that have spurred creativity have also shown the desire for connection and new opportunities to connect with one another.

Musick mentioned how the community effort surrounding the virtual festival was also a way to fundraise to make up for the lost income from canceling the 2020 festival. Furthermore, Stuart’s is always accepting donations through its website.

With the nature of the pandemic, entertainment venues were the first to close and will be the last priority to open. For Athens local band Tomorrow Daily, the lack of live music has been horrible.

“Putting on shows, I think really made the whole band kind of function,” Jake Waffen, a fifth-year mechanical engineering major at OU and a vocalist and guitarist for the band, said. “I’ve noticed definitely a decline in interest just because we can’t play live.”

Despite that, Tomorrow Daily has tried to do some things despite the members’ busy schedules as students, such as recording four songs, creating a live performance video of a song and practicing as much as possible.

Virtual concerts have become the norm as bands and artists are yearning to express themselves, and music fans are longing for any sense of escapism.

Drive-in concerts, such as those at The Drive-In at Westland Mall in Columbus, have also become a way for musicians and fans to enjoy a taste of live music.

Per a June 2020 survey conducted by the National

Independent Venue Association, nearly 2,000 independent music venues stated how they would permanently close within months if they didn’t receive governmental funds.

After lobbying from Congress members, NIVA, artists and more, the Save Our Stages Act was included within the Shuttered Venue Operators grant program by the Small Business Association. According to NIVA, an eligible venue is able to receive an initial grant equal to 45% of its 2019 gross earned revenue.

If funds are still available after initial grants, venues that meet more eligibility requirements could qualify for further compensation.

“It’s important to keep these venues alive and to have community support because they are what makes the community unique,” Musick said. “That’s what makes the community interesting and fun.”

On Saturday, Tomorrow Daily is teaming up with NIVA, Arts Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to do a livestream from Nashville’s Dark House Studios. The livestream, which will have other bands as well, will raise money for independent venues on the brink of closing.

With financial support in place, COVID-19 vaccines available for anyone 16 years or older in Ohio and future tour dates being steadily announced, it seems a sense of what once was may see the light of day in 2021, but Waffen wants people to remember the bands and artists performing at the end of the day.

“When stuff comes back, I want everyone to get out there and go support the bands … and I know that peo-

ple will,” Waffen said. “I know people need live music, and they miss it.”

Musick is just excited for the prospect of having the Stuart’s family back together.

“There’s something that we say at Stuart’s where, if you come once, you’re part of the family at that point,” Musick said. “I’m excited to just — it sounds corny — have our big family back and have all these people coming down the stairs and telling us about how much fun they just had and how they can’t wait to come back because it’s contagious.”

@_MOLLY_731 MS660416@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATIONS BY OLIVIA JUENGER

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 11

Celebrating Inclusivity Integrate Athens holds virtual events to commemorate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month LAUREN SERGE FOR THE POST March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, where an emphasis is placed on the inclusion and integration of individuals with developmental disabilities in all facets of their communities.

In Athens, there have been numerous events recognizing this month and raising awareness to these individuals’ experiences. Many of these events have been hosted by Integrate Athens, a division of the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities, which aims to incorporate inclusivity within Athens.

Arian Smedley, the assistant superintendent of the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities, described Integrate Athens’ initiative and its core principles.

“The Integrate Athens division is designed to explore and initiate inclusive and integrated projects within the community and also within our agency,” Smedley said. “And when we say inclusion and integration, we mean finding opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to feel and be more included in their community.”

Each year, Integrate Athens typically holds a multitude of in-person events within Athens that bring together local officials and residents to recognize the month.

Autumn Brown, the director of Integrate Athens, elaborated on the organization’s notorious march on Court Street that occurs annually.

“We typically have a march on Court Street on the first Friday of March, where the Athens community, city and county officials and others from oth-

er counties march with us,” Brown said.

“Everyone gets together and makes signs and marches from Baker Center to Court Street just to kick off DD Awareness Month and help people with disabilities see that they are valued and respected and that people care that they’re a part of their community.”

However, this event, as well as several others, Brown said, had to be altered due to the pandemic.

“Instead, this year, we put out an all call to our community partners, the community at large, the providers and individuals we support asking them to send us pictures of their signs and how they’re staying safe at their house,” Brown said. “And so we ended up doing a virtual march on Court Street.”

Alongside the march on Court Street, many of Integrate Athens’ other annual events had to be altered due to pandemic restrictions, including the declaration of DD Awareness month by the county commissioners and the Mayor of Athens, which was transitioned to a virtual format.

However, amid the pandemic’s limitations, Brown implemented a new series of virtual events called Virtual Lunch and Learn, which occur every Tuesday at noon via Zoom. Brown said these presentations are led by a group of advocacy ambassadors who present topics related to advocacy and rights of people with disabilities. “(The advocacy ambassadors) are a group of people with developmental disabilities who work really hard to create presentations and advocate for the needs of people with disabilities in our community,” Brown said. “So they do a one-hour presentation and talk about their life and a topic that’s important to them.”

The purpose of these events, Brown said, is to educate people about discrimination against individuals with disabilities, from the perspective of those who are directly affected.

“We’re trying to introduce the community to the term ableism,” Brown said.

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and so we’re trying to help people understand more about ableism as well and how it’s the same thing with a slightly different focus, but it’s omitting people from being a part of their community in whatever way they want. So this team (of advocacy ambassadors) is teaching people about ableism and about how these things have impacted their lives.”

In addition to these weekly events, Brown also organized a Virtual Lecture Series with disability consultant Noah Trembly to provide two presentations that will cover topics of inclusion as well as barriers to his community. His first lecture took place March 10, and his second lecture will be held March 24.

On Trembly’s website, it states he “has been the expert people turn to when it comes to making our society more amenable and accessible to people with disabilities.”

Trembly hopes his presentation as well as the various other events during the month will bring awareness to the experiences of people with disabilities and offer them a new perspective.

“I think it’s important to have Disability Awareness Month because even in this day and age, people with disabilities are not fully accepted in society,” Trembly said.

Throughout this month and beyond, Smedley believes progress for individuals with disabilities relies on a shift in the way they are perceived.

“A lot of progress has been made to improve their lives, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Smedley said. “So just reminding the community of that but at the same time helping to shift their perception to be more about what they can do and not so much what they can’t, I think that would go a long way in helping address some of those challenges as well.”

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OU School of Theater to virtually present ‘Macbeth’ in April TAYLOR BURNETTE SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR The work of Shakespeare has survived yet another pandemic.

Students from the Ohio University School of Theater have performed a recorded rendition of Macbeth, directed by Dustin Brown, an OU graduate student studying directing. The performance will be opening the virtual curtain for the first time April 16 and can be streamed online through the production’s website for a limited time. The production experiments with gender while combining both modern and medieval elements, bringing a unique spin on the age-old production.

The traditionally male role of Macduff is played by Kari Willenbrink, and the role provides extra excitement when played by a woman, Brown said. Macduff is told “he” must take revenge upon his family “like a man,” Brown said, but the word “man” in the line that follows changes from the original text.

“She responds, ‘I must feel it like a woman,’” Brown said. “It was just this powerful moment of playing around with gender and Shakespeare.”

The show is also farther away from the traditional, all-white and male casting of most productions, Brown said, and includes a diverse group of talented actors with a range of experience.

Avery Pope’s role as Malcolm, Brown said, adds a new depth to the character and the piece, delivering lines in a way that Brown has never seen Shakespeare presented.

“It is tormenting to see him as a young Black man going through that experience of family tragedy and then going away and getting to come back and return,” Brown said. “(Pope) being crowned king is just a really beautiful story.”

Throughout production, the actors and crew have had to overcome a host of challenges to bring their show to audiences.

Sara Keller, the costume and production designer, said there were a number of precautions she, the cast and the crew took to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Thankfully, grant money was available in order to accommodate the precautions. “(The grant money) provided us with the opportu-

nity to get simple things like infrared thermometers to check temperatures of everybody in the shop and anybody coming into the shop, allowing us to get extra personal protective equipment for pretty much the entire shop as well as anybody who needs to be in fitting,” Keller said. “And it really just allowed us to have a little bit more flexibility in our safety precautions.”

The school of film had a set list of COVID-19 guidelines the cast and crew followed while filming, Keller said, and adapted them to both the theatrical and outdoor spaces the production utilized.

For many of the 15 members of the cast, including three graduate students and seven undergraduate seniors, Macbeth provided the opportunity to do one last in-person production before graduation.

With the lag of Zoom and the challenges of online productions and rehearsals, the cast was extra thankful for the opportunity to once again be together in person, even with all of the extra regulations in place.

“I think all of us really understood the value of being able to get back into a space and working in person,” Brown said. “Being able to get on stage and just have two actors seeing each other and responding off of each other was an incredible opportunity.

I think they all rushed to embrace that and really make sure that we were safe and compliant with COVID precautions throughout.”

Although the experience was closer to a typical production than many others done in the past year have been, some of the hardest challenges for the cast and crew, Keller said, was adapting the work of theater artists to the process of filming.

“From one shot to the next, everything looks the same because another thing that’s different from theater to film is that (film) is not usually done sequentially,” Keller said. “I think the biggest one was trying to make sure that everybody was on the same page for what was required … It really had to be day by day.”

Ohio University has a long history with Shakespeare, especially Macbeth. In a Jan. 15, 1929, edition of the Green and White campus newspaper, which preceded The Post, there is a short article about the first play performance to be given in the new MemAud: Macbeth, performed by a traveling theater company.

In an Oct. 31, 2007, edition of The Post, the School of Theater presented an “absurd” version of Macbeth titled Macbett, where the characters were rewritten to be played in the most “outrageous” way possible.

No matter its presentation, Macbeth is a story that continues to reverberate for students throughout the years, adapting itself to fit the modern student and the modern time.

@TAYLORBURNETTE_ TB040917@OHIO.EDU

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THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 13

GoFundMe helps Athens resident treat rare form of lymphoma KAYLA BENNETT STAFF WRITER Daniel Martino, also known by his nickname Tito, is a beloved figure in Athens. Martino was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of Burkitt’s lymphoma in 2020 and is about to undergo his third round of chemo.

Martino is an all around family man and an avid Cleveland Browns fan. Previously a long-term Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St., employee, he has called Athens home for a number of years.

Through Athens and other opportunities, Martino has formed close relationships with people who have been with him through this process.

“It kind of started out with the word friendship,” Jocelyn Probasco, a close friend of Martino, said. “And then we realized really quickly, he’s just like a true blue guy like somebody that has your back in any situation.”

Martino has had a massive amount of support from an array of people, which has helped keep him af loat amid the pandemic.

“Knowing Daniel, I think that’s part of the reason that the community is coming together so much for him, as far as they’ve done,” Probasco said. “I think it will just be a huge weight off his shoulders to know that he doesn’t have to worry about some of the day-to-day expenses ... I just really hope that the community supporting him and coming together both makes him feel loved and that it also brings him some relief as far as his expenses go.”

Although the pandemic has taken a huge toll on many people, kindness has prevailed when it came to helping Martino. A GoFundMe was set up in Martino’s name, and anyone can donate.

“The community at large has definitely got a huge heart in general,” Martino said. “Things have happened throughout the time, like giving. I mean this pandemic shows a lot of it with different places and organizations … It just shows you how strong the community is here. So now to be on the receiving end of it is just mind blowing. I mean, some of the stuff with GoFundMe –– I’ll see somebody’s name and I’m like ‘Oh, my God. I haven’t talked to that person or seen that person in forever.’”

A raffle containing different goods 14 / MARCH 25, 2021

from Athens businesses and more is in the planning stages for the future.

More is on the horizon for helping out Martino, but for now, anyone and everyone is encouraged to help if they can. Any form or amount of help is still help because in times like these, Martino believes it is important to realize no one is alone and that coming together as a whole is important.

“Helping Tito, helping anybody like Tito, helping anyone, helps lift everyone,” Meredith Jensen, a friend of Martino, said. “It’s not just our man Tito. It’s so many other people in this community that have found themselves between a rock and a hard place with a pandemic surrounding them. When everything just feels like it’s crushing and falling down on you, that’s the time to remem-

ber that there are other people out there to lift those rocks off of you, and we as other people have to be able to shoulder the burden for each other. No man is an island.”

@KKAYYBEN KB084519@OHIO.EDU

Bicycles For A Cause Athens Bicycle Club holds Bicycle Re-Cycle event, continues program MARY JANE SANESE FOR THE POST The Athens Bicycle Club held its Bicycle Re-Cycle event Saturday, March 6. The bicycle club takes the donated bicycles, repairs them and gets them to those in need.

At the event, 16 people were given bicycles.

Due to the success of this event, the program coordinators hope to continue it.

Robert Delach, Athens Bicycle Club communications officer, said the opportunity for the program presented itself when the Athens City Police Department approached the Athens Bicycle Club wanting to donate some bikes. The club also worked with the Athens City-County Health Department to provide free helmets to those receiving the bicycles.

A few more bicycles were donated by local members as well as monetary contributions, which were used to fund bicycle repairs at Cycle Path Bicycles, 104 W. Union St. The Athens Bicycle Club has been active in the community since 1971. It is a member of the Ohio Regional Mountain Bike Association. In addition to its work on donating bicycles, it donated money to the public library to install a weather station on the trails so cyclists can plan ahead before they make their trip.

“Transportation is a huge barrier to those in poverty, to reaching their basic needs,” Amy Renner, the mayor of Chauncey, said. “So, if as a community and community members, we can uplift those in need and help them break that barrier through any means that we’re capable of. I think we should absolutely do that.”

Renner said the Bicycle Re-Cycle event made it clear that the demand for bicycles is high in the community, and there is an opportunity to make Chauncey Village more bicycle-friendly, especially with the growth of the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway extension into Chauncey and the Baileys Trail System.

There is a financial investment involved with getting a bicycle, and Renner said helping to ease the burden is important so residents are capable of utilizing these resources.

“When I was a kid, bicycles represented freedom, the ability to travel beyond where you could walk in a day,” Bob West, president of the Athens Bicycle Club, said. “The Bike Club wants to encourage people to be able to do that, to have the freedom and not be tied to the expense of a car.”

West said this program is the ultimate recycle. The reduce, reuse, recycle logo has lost the reuse part, and people go directly from the consumer item to the recycling center, and West believes that’s a mistake. These bicycles still have some value.

His hope is every kid will have the opportunity to ride a bike if they are interested, especially because as people get older, they shift to much more environmentally damaging modes of transportation, which he believes to be a shame. “(The event) was successful, but there is still a need,” Delach said. “There were people that would like to have gotten a bike but did not. A number of them were children.”

Delach said Athens Mayor Steve Patterson reached out recently wanting to make a donation of some bicycles from the city. Other members have donated, with donations also coming in from people following the club on Facebook. The club hopes to be able to support other communities in the county, especially as more bike trails are being built around the area.

The Athens Bicycle Club is always accepting donations, either through actual bicycles or monetary donations. More information on how to get involved can be found on the organization’s website, Facebook or email at bikeathensoh@gmail.com. The next Spring Trail Work Day is Saturday, March 27, at 10 a.m. at the Chauncey Park Trailhead, and anyone is welcome to join.

@MARYJANESANESE MS943920@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Ohio lost to Creighton, but Jason Preston made the memory of a lifetime JACK GLECKLER SPORTS EDITOR INDIANAPOLIS — Jason Preston and Ben Vander Plas met each other on the court. Creighton players and staff danced around in the periphery as Bluejays fans roared from the stands. Ohio fans shuffled meekly back to their cars as the Bobcats slinked into the locker room with their heads hanging low.

Preston and Vander Plas shared a similar moment just a week before in Cleveland after Ohio defeated Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference Championship. However, the feeling on Monday was grief, not joy. The pair have been inseparable since Preston came to Ohio. They needed a moment only best friends can share.

“Ben Vander Plas: that guy’s my brother for life,” Preston said. “He makes the game easier for me. It was so fun to play with him. Off the court, we’re always eating together and talking together. It kind of sucked being in a hotel with no roommate. He’s always my roommate. We’re always talking.”

Ohio’s season was over. A 25game, 117-day journey ended on the f loor of Hinkle Fieldhouse in a 72-58 loss to Creighton.

Preston choked up. His voice was shaky as he gave comments during his post-game Zoom conference. He had been giving interviews all week. An interview was last on his to-do list.

Ohio didn’t want its season to end in the second round of the NCAA tournament, but Preston knows all good things come to an end. Half of his journey was the happiness Ohio brought him.

“I’m gonna remember how fun it was,” Preston said. “It was just so fun. Some of these teams, I don’t know if they really have fun doing it, you know? But every day was a blast. It really sucks that it’s all over, but it’s just so fun to be here.”

Before Monday, the Bobcats built a strong case to make it to Sweet 16. An upset of Virginia on Saturday pivoted all eyes toward the Bobcats. Creighton escaped the first round by a point and seemed ripe for elimination. If the Bobcats upset a 4-seed in the first round, what’s a 5-seed in the second round to them? Ohio had the glass slipper in hand and walked into Hinkle Fieldhouse 16 / MARCH 25, 2021

with the confidence coach Jeff Boals had built into them.

But the clock struck midnight.

Ohio froze at the worst time. Shots didn’t connect. Bad passes resulted in 14 turnovers the Bluejays ate like candy. Fouls piled up, and Creighton tacked on to a double-digit lead Ohio hounded to whittle away at. A 15-point deficit at the half was too much to overcome. The Bobcats were outgunned in a game they believed was theirs before tipoff.

For the first 12 minutes, it might’ve been. The Bobcats were going tit-fortat with the Bluejays and led the game off with a 5-0 run to take the high ground early. Two consecutive dunks from Creighton forward Christian Bishop threw any hint of advantage out the window. Ohio’s accuracy floundered, and the Bluejays ended the half on a 20-4 run.

Preston finished Monday just 1-for10 from the field. His only connection was on a fast break layup eight minutes into the second half. Though he ended the night with nine rebounds and seven assists, he knew it wasn’t what Ohio needed. He shouldered the blame. “(The Bluejays) were really determined in the first half,” Preston said.

“You know, taking the ball out of my hands and ball screens. They trapped me hard. I missed a lot of makeable shots tonight. This is on me. I missed so many makeable shots.”

The Bobcats shot a season-low 31.8% from the field, killing any drive that might’ve brought them back into the game. Even when the Bluejays hit a dry patch and the lead was cut to nine, Ohio couldn’t capitalize.

Preston didn’t want to bow out in the second round. None of the Bobcats did.

They could’ve taken Ohio to the Sweet 16 for the first time in nine years.

Some things aren’t meant to be.

Does it sting now? Absolutely, but Preston is looking forward.

“You know, when I look back on this, it’s gonna be the memory of a lifetime,” Preston said. “This has been a dream of mine to make it here my whole life. I had one of my worst days of my career today, but I’ll forever be thankful for this experience and the lessons I learned from all this.”

@THEJACKGLECKLER JG011517@OHIO.EDU

BASEBALL

Ohio continues MAC play with home series against Central Michigan J.L. KIRVEN SPORTS EDITOR

Ohio baseball will get another fourgame chunk of home games when it welcomes Central Michigan to Bob Wren Stadium starting Friday. Ohio (7-7, 1-3 Mid American Conference) will try to break the Chippewas’ (8-6, 0-0 MAC) three-game winning streak, snapping its own threegame losing streak in the process.

GAME INFORMATION Opponent: Central Michigan Place: Bob Wren Stadium (Athens, Ohio) Time: 6 p.m. (Friday), 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

(Saturday), 1 p.m. (Sunday)

MEET THE OPPONENT Head coach: Jordan Bischel Probable lineup

Ohio’s right hand pitcher Logan Jones (No. 23) makes a throw against Milwaukee in the final game with a score of 3-2 on Sunday, March 7, 2021. (NATE SWANSON | PHOTO EDITOR)

SS Zach Lechnir RF Jakob Marsee 2B Mario Camilletti CF Zach Gilles 1B Danny Wuestenfeld 3B Aidan Shepardson

LF Chase Rollin 3B/1B Zach Heeke C Nick Dardas P Jordan Patty

SERIES HISTORY

Central Michigan rocked Ohio the last time the two played, defeating the Bobcats 18-9 in the second round of the 2019 MAC tournament. That season, Ohio lost its three-game series with the Chippewas two games to one.

KEYS TO VICTORY

For the Bobcats to get back on track, Ohio needs to to get back to scoring runs the way it can. In two of their losses to Bowling Green, the Bobcats outhit the Falcons but couldn’t bring the fellas home.

Central Michigan’s bats, however, are as hot as ever. Against Dayton, the Chippewas outscored the Flyers 34-14 over a fourgame series.

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MOLLY BURCHARD FOR THE POST Vera Giacomazzi wiped away tears as she hugged Ohio coach Deane Webb and listened to cheers from her teammates before Ohio’s final home match of the regular season.

Tuesday was senior night for Ohio.

In her final match in The Convo, Giacomazzi boosted the Bobcats’ offense while simultaneously aiding the defense, leading them to a 3-1 win (25-23, 25-13, 24-26, 25-23) over Kent State (12-7, 12-7 Mid-American Conference). She finished with 47 assists as well as a team-high 13 digs throughout the match.

“Her ability to see the other side, see what the blockers are doing and to make decisions based on that is exceptional and always been that way,” Webb said. “I can’t take any credit for that.”

Tuesday was an emotional night for Giacomazzi, who reflected on her past

four years with the Bobcats (10-7, 10-7 MAC). Throughout her career at Ohio, she has stood above the rest. She won MAC Setter of the Year twice, once in 2017 and again in 2019. In her freshman season, she earned All-MAC First Team honors and was named to the All-MAC freshman team. In her junior season, she accumulated 1,352 assists, led in the MAC in assists per set and was 13th in the nation in total assists.

Giacomazzi’s place on Ohio’s roster will be difficult to fill.

“I was a little tense,” Giacomazzi said.

“It was very emotional at the beginning for sure and very emotional at the end, too.”

Giacomazzi means the world to Ohio, and Ohio means the world to her. Looking back, Giacomazzi is thankful for her time with Ohio and wouldn’t change it for anything.

“This team was basically my life for the past four years,” Giacomazzi said. “When you move so far away from your family,

these people take care of you, and you start learning how to take care of them and bonds create. There are going to be lows and highs, tears and laughs, but you share everything with them.”

Not only is Giacomazzi family to the Bobcats, but she is also a leader to them as well. She is someone who her teammates can look up to, and Webb said she is well-respected among the roster.

“She’s a kid that works hard in the weight room and works hard in the gym every day,” Webb said. “And so with that level of work, you get respect from your peers, and she deserves that.”

Giacomazzi will play in her final series for the Bobcats on March 26-27 against Northern Illinois.

@MOLLY_BURCHARD8 MB712319@OHIO.EDU

Ohio University setter Vera Giacomazzi (# 6) sets the ball to middle hitter Tia Jimerson during the home game against Central Michigan University on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, in Athens, Ohio. (KELSEY BOEING | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

NOAH’S ARK

Smile because it happened NOAH WRIGHT is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University If one good thing happened to Ohio University in the last 12 miserable months, it was OU’s surprise March Madness bid. Everyone at OU already knows the storylines, but what happened in Indianapolis and Athens this past week was truly special.

On the outside looking in, it’s easy to see this as no more than the Cinderella story that ended a little bit too soon, but that’s not even one-third of the truth.

For the players, students, alumni and Athens residents, this was truly something magical.

For the whole picture, let’s look at the unimpressive team a few miles north of us.

If you go to Ohio State University, you were undoubtedly heartbroken over its historically disappointing performance in the tournament. The Buckeyes got bounced on the first day of the tournament by Oral Roberts. Yes, an evangelical institution from Tulsa, Oklahoma, beat one of collegiate athletics’ true powerhouses.

While the loss had to sting for OSU, it wasn’t personal. Students at OSU love their teams, but so does everyone else. You could go almost anywhere in America and find an OSU fan who has never set foot on OSU’s cam-

pus, never attended a class at OSU and probably never even been to Columbus. Powerhouse programs out of the Big 10, SEC and PAC-12 are corporate machines. All eyes are on them all the time, and the students and locals are only a fraction of the fanfare.

This could not be less true for OU. Until last week, nobody in the world was invested in OU basketball aside from the students, alumni and Athens locals.

This is something beautiful. All the proof you need is in Court Street’s reaction to the Bobcats’ upset over 4-seed Virginia.

When OSU wins a first-round game, America expects it. When it wins a national championship in football, millions of Americans celebrate. When it loses, there is always next year.

When OU wins a first-round game, the only people truly celebrating have a deep, powerful connection to Athens.

What makes this run even more personal is the fact our players come here to stay here. Jason Preston, Ben Vander Plas and Dwight Wilson did not step foot on College Green for the first time expecting to leave for the NBA draft after one year. Moments like this are built, not manufactured, by the grinding gears of the professional sports machine.

Yes, Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham taking the Cowboys on a run to the final four would have been special, but he was always there part-time. OU’s star

players are not just basketball players — they are Bobcats just the same as all of us.

Nobody captured this better than OU’s head coach, Jeff Boals, who is also an alumnus deeply tied to Athens. In a teary-eyed final speech, he captured the essence of OU’s magical run.

The finale Monday was hard to watch, and there may not be next year. However, what everyone at OU got to be a part of this March does not come around often. We got the chance to experience something rare. Nobody believed this was possible but us. In my book, that beats rooting for a team expected to win a national championship any day of the week.

Until the day I die, I will remember the joy of sprinting head-on into the madness of Court Street to celebrate our first-round win, drinking too many beers on a Monday evening and, for a brief moment, believing OU could achieve the impossible. This is truly one of those moments where it’s time to smile because it happened instead of crying because it’s over.

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.

UNCLE SAM

Exploring Athens – by running SAM SMITH is a senior studying geography at Ohio University If for some reason you wanted to squander your college career without exposure to the nooks and crannies of Athens, you probably could. With a little planning, your academic life could be confined to Ohio University’s campus. Your consumptive life could roll out on Court Street and State Street, and your social life could reside in the bars and on Mill Street. The only snag to this strategy: it wouldn’t be much fun.

Such a constrained experience of the city of Athens wouldn’t be very meaningful, either. The town and its near surroundings harbor scores of hidden gems, from pleasant vistas to intriguing architecture, vibrant wildlife and beyond. Exploring the town can bring inspiration and relaxation, and it can nurture a more nuanced perspective of the geographical situation of where we study.

For me, one of the best ways to explore Athens has been running. Starting from my residence within the city limits, I jog on streets, sidewalks, trails and staircases. With no set agenda, I make split decisions about

which turns to take and which paths to explore. Following this general structure, I have found some of my favorite little spots in the whole town.

Sometimes, these spots are places to sit and absorb the world around me — like a bench with a beautiful view. Other times, they are places to which I return for more focused exploration — like a ravine where I can search for wildlife. Either way, running has greatly expanded my horizons during my time here.

Although it’s difficult to get truly lost while exploring Athens thanks to the significant connectivity of its trails and streets, losing yourself in the moment is delightfully possible. While living in Athens, I can’t begin to count the moments I’ve ran into a new and charming place that left me wondering, “How have I never been here before?” In these novel moments, my quotidian stress evaporates, and I simultaneously reconnect with myself mentally, intellectually and physically.

Running and exploring have entered a symbiotic relationship in my life: I am the first to admit that running isn’t always fun. On the contrary, it’s often painful, messy and generally challenging. Fortunately, exploring while running occupies my mind with things other than these inconveniences, and it keeps running fresh. On the other hand, exploration benefits from

running because, through running, I can cover more ground than walking. Running also grants me access to tighter, less navigable spaces more than biking does.

(Of course, I enjoy exploring by walking and biking all the same!)

During the pandemic, running outside is a safe way to engage your body and clear your mind. As things warm up and spring surges from the Athens hills, running becomes an even more fulfilling means of exploring the town. By starting with small distances and alternating between running and walking, building your endurance becomes feasible. Even more than physical health, mental and emotional well-being stand to benefit from exploring while running. So, if you’re interested in seeing Athens and staying healthy all the while, running might just be for you.

Sam Smith is a senior studying geography 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 Sam know by tweeting him @ sambobsmith_.

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 19

ALBUM REVIEW

FILM REVIEW

Benny The Butcher keeps his winning streak alive on ‘The Plugs I Met 2’

‘Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal’ shows disturbing truth behind white privilege in college admissions

JOEY PERKINS FOR THE POST Buffalo, New York, native and Griselda member Benny The Butcher has released his newest project, The Plugs I Met 2, with producer Harry Fraud.

As one of the core members of Griselda, Benny The Butcher has seen his share of success in the music industry over the past few years. The previous installment, The Plugs I Met, featured well-known artists like Jadakiss, Pusha T and Black Thought.

Benny’s sound has evolved drastically since the release of the first The Plugs I Met. With gritty beats and braggadocious coke rap, Benny was seen to be among the likes of artists like Pusha T or Freddie Gibbs in terms of his lyrical content.

After The Plugs I Met and his mixtape with DJ Drama, Benny returned with a mature, passionate project via Burden of Proof in October 2020. When it came time for The Plugs I Met 2, Benny seemed to have taken themes from each major project thus far.

This project, as expected, contains themes carried over from the first Plugs project. The themes he took from Burden of Proof, however, are what made The Plugs I Met 2 more than just a hard-hitting, grimy project.

Sitting at around 28 minutes with just nine tracks, Benny gives the listeners a lot to unpack in such a short span of time. Tracks like “Plug Talk (feat. 2 Chainz)” and “Live by It” are reminiscent of the first The Plugs I Met. His tell-all narrative ability while rapping about his experience in the drug game is a major theme throughout his discography, and he doesn’t fail to impress yet again.

Other tracks, however, offer extremely introspective narratives. “No Instructions” details Benny’s time in and out of prison and his motivation to turn his life around despite multiple flaws and failures. His self-analyzation and situational awareness on the track show Benny’s ability to draw listeners into his life and past experiences.

“Survivor’s Remorse (feat. Rick Hyde)” takes Benny’s introspective narrative to a new level. While Benny has had much success as of recent, his past experiences sometimes leave him feeling guilty. In

20 / MARCH 25, 2021

the chorus, he states, “This is supposed to be success / Then why the f--- I feel stressed out and guilty? / … I answer every call from jail ’cause that could’ve been me.”

Although the thoughtful tracks on this project undoubtedly shine, what would this project be without a confident Benny The Butcher rapping over drums and a melodic instrumental?

The intro track, “When Tony Met Sosa,” is a heroic-sounding track that sets up the rest of the project perfectly.

Benny The Butcher, although 36 years old, has the hunger and drive of a newer artist with the charisma and comfortability of a hip-hop veteran.

Other tracks like “Plug Talk (feat.

2 Chainz)” and “Talkin’ Back (feat. Fat Joe)” give off the same strong swagger.

It’s hard to find down moments in this project when it comes to Benny’s contribution. The features, however, can get rather shaky at times.

The verses from 2 Chainz, Chinx and Rick Hyde elevated their respective tracks immensely. Other featured artists, like French Montana and Fat Joe, failed to provide something unique to the tracks on which they appeared.

The inconsistency of the features may take away from Benny’s impressive performance throughout the project.

While the features on The Plugs I Met seemed to be perfect for each track, some of the features on this project seem to be less fitting.

Apart from a few of the featured artists, The Plugs I Met 2 is a diverse, contemplative project that takes themes from each of his major projects. The upbeat, lively tracks blend in perfectly with the more self-reflective cuts on the project, making it sound thoughtful yet entertaining.

Rating: 4/5

@JOEYPERKINS_ JP391418@OHIO.EDU

HANNAH CAMPBELL FOR THE POST Anyone with a social media account and a cell phone has heard of the 2019 college admission scandal dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues.” A group of elite families, including actresses Lori Loughlin from Full House and Felicity Huffman, were arrested for bribing America’s top universities to accept their children.

From Chris Smith, director of Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, the documentary Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal takes a different perspective than the media and truly investigates what happened behind the scenes of the infamous affair.

Instead of spotlighting the many celebrities, business leaders and other wealthy families who were involved in the scandal, the documentary focused on the mastermind behind the operation: William “Rick” Singer. Working as a college counselor, Singer would charge wealthy families for his “side door” method of getting their children into elite schools. This would include bribing athletic officials, falsely claiming students as athletes, cheating on standardized tests and deliberately misidentifying white students as Black or Latino.

Singer was portrayed as a very serious and intense worker who traveled all across the country to serve his wealthy and demanding clients. Described by his friend as “the Energizer Bunny,” as he often ran on three hours of sleep a night and even occasionally lived out of a van when traveling.

What makes this documentary especially unique is the use of dialogue from FBI wiretaps released by the U.S. government. Actors recreated these conversations between Singer, played

by Matthew Modine, and his clients to show the complete process of his methods. These conversations appeared easygoing, unaware that these clients will eventually be caught and brought to justice.

In addition to the reenactments, we see real life videos from students either being accepted into or rejected from elite colleges. Many of them are

also ranting about the time and energy spent into their work, only to have been denied. While many believed that their potential spot went to someone deserving as such, possibly the most hilarious transition occurs to Loughlin’s daughter, Olivia Jade, speaking on how she doesn’t even want to go to college.

Loopholes into college admissions existed way before Singer’s business.

However, he knew he was many parents’ safest and cheapest option in doing so. Many of the conversations did not feature anxiousness or guilt about this bribery, but very few expressed anxiety for the fear of getting caught.

The film also touches on the already problematic college admissions process, including the use of standardized testing. Only those who are privileged have access to the best tutors and counselors for the test and have the ability to retake them as many times as necessary.

All of these wealthy children had the tools for success, and yet, their parents still felt the need to buy their education.

The college admissions scandal solidified the idea that college is a symbol of status to wealthy Americans, and they will do anything necessary in order to keep it. Many of these students could have possibly gotten into these schools on their own, but Singer took advantage of these wealthy parents’ first-world vulnerability, convincing them that he was their only option. These loopholes are not quite closed, but we can hope that other families can do better than Singer and his associates.

@HANNAHCMPBELL HC895819@OHIO.EDU

Examples of ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ stars acting like their zodiac sign MADYSON LEWELLYN THE BEAT EDITOR Every season of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette is promised to be even more dramatic from the season before. It wouldn’t be surprising if one day producers admitted that astrology heavily played into the casting process. Truthfully, all the drama might come down to the stars.

Most seasons are a mixture of contestants that are either fire signs or water signs for a reason. The fire signs are always easy to spot with their short temper and competitive nature, whereas the water signs usually have more patience and express their emotions quickly. What happens when you mix the two? Absolute chaos and A+ show ratings.

While Bachelor Nation has notably been lackluster in terms of racial diversity, it surely has never skimped on the personality department, which might be due to all the different zodiac signs featured on each season. The Pisces are alway crying; the Scorpios are always kissing; the Aries are always fighting; and the Geminis are always bringing the drama. If you’re well-versed in astrology, the Bachelor franchise shows are the ultimate zodiac experiment.

Here are a few Bachelor and Bachelorette alumni who act freakishly in accordance to their zodiac sign:

MATT JAMES: SAGITTARIUS

If someone could be the perfect Sagittarius poster child, it would be none other than Matt James. Born Dec. 5, he radiates the stereotypical Sag energy as a fiery and spontaneous goal chaser who is obsessed with self-improvement. No wonder we got so many shirtless work out cameos this past season!

The defining factor of a Sagittarius, that James has no shortage of, is the detached and free-spirit lifestyle they follow. It wasn’t surprising when the 29-year-old admitted he has “never been in love” because getting a Sag to commit and settle down is nearly impossible. James is someone who craves adventure, is always planning his next move and is constantly looking for ways to better himself. He would never make a decision without being 101% sure — explaining why his last-second doubts at the end of the season led him to leave with a relationship instead of an engagement.

Sagittarians are the zodiac sign that will only fall in love a few times within an entire life. If things start to crumble in a relation-

ship, they are quick to retract their feelings and walk away rather than fixing the issue.

When the racial controversy arose with Rachel Kirkconnell, James stepped away and remained silent when the two were questioned about their relationship during After the Final Rose.

One thing is certain among all stone-cold Sagittarians: once they make up their mind, they almost never look back. Sorry, Rach!

CASSIE RANDOLPH: TAURUS

Taurus is the human teddy bear of the zodiac wheel.

They’re all about comfort and beauty with a need to feel emotionally secure and safe in all situationships. The way Cassie Randolph (season 23) acted during Colton Underwood’s season was just downright … Taurus. Although those born under the star sign seem innocent and genuine, they also are masterminds at getting what they want. They know how to keep their soft, harmless image while also knowing how to play their cards right.

Underwood hails under the sign Aquarius, meaning he’s in no rush to settle down and will move as slowly as a sloth in a relationship.

However, the second someone pulls away and a challenge is sensed in the slightest bit, they will chase at full speed (or jump a 10-foot fence, if you will).

Taureans have a goddess energy to them, something Randolph used to lure Underwood in and then rip the rug under his feet.

When she felt doubts and suddenly left during Fantasy Suite week, her self-elimination pulled on his heartstrings so hard that it basically guaranteed Underwood would only choose her in the end.

DYLAN BARBOUR: GEMINI

There’s always that one couple that stands out from the rest on Bachelor in Paradise.

For season six, no other couple came close to Dylan Barbour and Hannah Godwin, who were clearly made for each other. It’s no surprise that these two have a zodiac compatibility made in astrological heaven.

Born June 16, Barbour falls under the sign Gemini. Godwin, born Feb. 4, is an Aquarius.

The compatibility comes down to the fact

ILLUSTRATION BY MALAYA TINDONGAN

that both are air signs, meaning the two just flow perfectly by understanding each other emotionally, intellectually and physically.

When romance starts to blossom between two signs under the same element, it happens faster than lightning and is impossible to let go of.

Geminis are all about the game; they’re a hard fish to catch with their social butterfly, people-pleasing nature. While it doesn’t take much to grab their attention, keeping it is where things get complicated. If you’ve ever dated an Aquarius, you know they are one of a kind. Luckily for Barbour, Godwin is the perfect bliss point that offers loyalty and stability while also always keeping him on his toes.

Barbour acted in his true Gemini nature when he felt like his relationship was being threatened by Blake, who was shooting on Godwin throughout the season. He established an emotional connection by making himself vulnerable and open to Godwin, who would favor true connection over lust any day.

HANNAH BROWN: LIBRA

If one thing should be universally known about Libras, it’s that they will never settle for less. Hannah Brown (season 15) led her season with an iron fist and was unapologetically herself the whole way through. Libras are flirts of the zodiac wheel and typically go through many relationships within a life-

time until they find their perfect match. They typically stray away from conflict but have no problem calling people out if they see fit.

Brown’s Taurus nature was obvious throughout the season, as she always admired the guys who fought hard while having no issue tossing the duds to the curb.

As annoying as it was that season villain Luke P. made it all the way to Fantasy Suites, her zodiac sign offers an explanation as to why she just couldn’t let go. Even when all the red flags are there, Libras are the sign who want to make people change for them and believe they have the willpower to do so.

They won’t completely let someone go until all their hope has fully gone away. It may have taken until the very end, but once Brown saw the monster (for herself) in Luke P., she erupted with her true Hannah-beast rage.

Brown is currently dating model and actor Adam Woolard. The Libra-Taurus match is much better suited for the former Bachelorette — giving her the comfort and trust she needs while also matching her level of stubbornness.

@MAADILEWELLYN ML203417@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 21

the weekender Stuart’s Opera House, ABC Players present ‘Ordinary Days’ KAYLA BENNETT FOR THE POST

Stuart’s Opera House and ABC Players have worked tirelessly to put together Ordinary Days: a performance about self-discovery accompanied by memorable songs.

The show follows four young New Yorkers living in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic and an array of life experiences.

The cast includes Samantha Pelham playing Deb, Jill Iverson playing Claire, Zoie Lanning playing Warren and Carter Rice playing Jason. They have been able to safely execute rehearsals and create a professional workspace amid a pandemic.

“The process of putting together this production has been truly a wonderful experience,” Pelham said in an email. “I’m so grateful to ABC Players and Stuart’s Opera House to have the opportunity to produce theater in a safe environment with some very talented and passionate people. For me, the process of bringing a show to life is the best part, so digging into these characters over the last two months and applying what they’re going through with the added element of being in a pandemic has really allowed me to think about the challenges we go through and how we can chose to respond to them.”

The pandemic has led to many restrictions, but the cast has been able to safely execute rehearsals, and they are able to host an in-person audience.

Though there is the option of in-person viewing — Stuart’s, 52 Public Square, has an occupancy of 60 — the show can also be streamed online. Tickets can be bought online through the Show Pass website or bought through emailing the.abc.players@gmail.com.

“This piece is going to be a wonderful cathartic mood boost for an audience that has been deeply affected by the pandemic,” Iverson said in an email. “We are all struggling with different degrees of trauma and hardship, and it is a good reminder that beauty will always find its way forward if we are brave enough to look for it.”

During hard times, the cast believes it important to have a break from the repeating cycles of everyday life.

The characters in this performance will be living through present, everyday experiences — ones that, hopefully, the audience will be able to relate to.

“I think that this show will stick with our audiences because it couldn’t be any timelier than it is,” Lanning said in an email. “It’s set in present-day New York City–– COVID and all. It acknowledges how we communicate and dives into just how important connection is. It’s a real story about real people that will make you laugh, cry and realize just how important the power of live theater is–– something that none of us has experienced for a long time now.”

22 / MARCH 25, 2021

Lanning, Iverson and Pelham believe connections are important, and through the production process, the cast not only will build connections with one another, but with the audience that chooses to attend or stream the performance.

“I’m just hoping that people take the opportunity to see our show to just take that break from their life and get out of their home, if they’re comfortable with it,” Devin Sudman, director of the show, said. “The Opera House has been going above and beyond, including procedures, and just general policies and procedures in regards to having people back in the house. We just opened up to the public last week for the first time, so we’re slowly starting back up. I’m excited for the community to have something to look forward to, something that’s on the calendar.” @KKAYYBEN KB084519@OHIO.EDU

IF YOU GO WHAT: Stuart’s Opera House and ABC Players’ “Ordinary Days” WHERE: Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square WHEN: Friday, March 26, and Saturday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m.

ADMISSION: $12 for in-house, $8 for students and $10 for online

WHAT’S GOING ON? Learn healthy coping skills at Feel Good Friday; volunteer with the Athens Bicycle Club ISABEL NISSLEY FOR THE POST

FRIDAY, MARCH 26 Diversity & Inclusion Drop-In Career Corner at 10 a.m., hosted virtually by Ohio University’s Career and Leadership Development Center and Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Get help with career-related needs from career coach Tamika Williams. Sessions are often used to discuss resume feedback or to answer general questions about career development.

Admission: Free Coping Clinic: Feel Good Fridays at 11 a.m., hosted virtually by OU’s Counseling and Psychological Services. Join Counseling and Psychological Services for an online, drop-in workshop that offers students creative ways to explore their thoughts and feelings. Resources to practice healthy behaviors will also be presented. Students do not have to be a client with Counseling and Psychological Services or currently located in the state of Ohio to engage in Coping Clinic workshops.

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 coronavirus training and schedule a visiting time via the Google Form provided by the museum.

Admission: Free with registration

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 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.

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Admission: Free Spring Trail Work Day - Baileys Trail System at 10 a.m., hosted by Athens Bicycle Club at Chauncey Park Trailhead.

Volunteer to maintain Baileys Trail. The trails reopen to bikes April 15, and the bike club seeks to help make them rideable by then. Volunteers should bring suitable footgear, leather gloves and a facial covering. To incentivize volunteers to come, the bike club has a limited supply of Wayne National Forest Volunteer branded Nalgene bottles to give away to the first 10 new trail volunteers.

Admission: Free Save the CLJC and the Pre-Law Advisor Rally at 1 p.m., hosted by OU Save Our Profs on College Green. Rally for the protection of OU’s Center for Law, Justice, & Culture and the pre-law adviser from university budget cuts. Several student and faculty speakers with ties to the center will be featured. After the rally, organizers plan to walk to Cutler Hall to post a petition. Social distancing and masks are required.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 28 Day Hike at 1 p.m., hosted by Bobcats Well-Being and OU Campus Recreation at The Ridges. Explore the outdoors with Outdoor Pursuits. Sign-up information is available via the Rec Shop’s website.

Admission: Free LFC Presents: Ouroboros 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 third virtual performance of the semester: Ouroboros. The student-written production is a mystery about power, corruption, passion and distance. Tickets can be purchased through the Anywhere Seat website.

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