April 1, 2021

Athens conducts racial equity review of city code...PG 5 Spin e-scooters are back in Athens...PG 10 Jason Preston’s path to Ohio basketball...PG 16 THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Hundreds attend event for Collin’s Law campaign PG 3 Hip-hop education program to launch at OU in fall PG 11 The season has been unpredictable for soccer’s Sydney Malham PG 18

Blossoming into

spring

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Virtual or not, the Postie bond remains strong

MOLLY SCHRAMM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Every year, Post members and alumni meet up for the Post Alumni Reunion. After last year’s last-minute cancelation and even more last-minute planning of a reunion that compiled all of the day’s events and more into an hour-long Zoom call, this year’s first official, full-fledged virtual Post Alumni Reunion showed that even through Zoom, the Post family is strong.

If COVID-19 wasn’t a thing and life had some semblance of normalcy, both current and former Posties would cram into a small room on campus. Everyone would bring their Athens’ favorites for lunch, there’d be some mingling and then a day full of speakers and updates about the state of The Post. After all of that, everyone would reconvene at Athens Uncorked to catch up and network. Bottom line: it’s a day that both current Posties and alumni look forward to for the entire year prior.

Nevertheless, in 2021 we reimagined that entire day — unfortunately minus our Athens Uncorked social — onto Zoom. I gave a recap of the past year at The Post. Next year’s editor-in-chief, Abby Miller, presented her innovative plans for the future. The finan-

cial state of The Post was heavily discussed.

And lastly, we held a wonderful panel full of various alumni talking about how they’ve adapted and shifted their careers due to the pandemic.

No, there wasn’t any lunch filled with Athens favorites or an evening social where everyone can reminisce and get to know one another. But, if the virtual platform did anything, it connected a larger group — specifically of alumni — than what would usually happen with an in-person reunion.

Sitting on the Zoom call, one could not only find a Postie who graduated in 2020, but also a Postie who graduated in the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s or ’00s. The reunion spanned six decades of The Post and connected fellow Posties who most likely otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to meet.

Otherwise, current Posties were given insight into how professional journalists have been grappling with the pandemic in comparison to how student journalists have.

Whether they were a photographer, national security reporter, health reporter, etc., all of the alumni had their own take on how the past year has gone, and the current students

could definitely relate. No matter the story or the profession, it was apparent that both alumni and students could relate to the fact that this year has continued to throw curveballs and caused everyone to adapt at any moment.

Despite all this, I think everyone on the Zoom call yearned for the day where we can cram into a campus building, bond over Athens eateries and see each other face-toface. I, for one, was saddened I wouldn’t get to present the year’s State of The Post. But I’m more so excited for the day that I can attend an in-person Post Alumni Reunion as an alumna. I’ll walk into whatever room with my favorite Athens food, reminisce with old friends and learn about what’s new at my favorite student publication. But no matter if I’m a student or an alumni, it’ll be apparent that the Postie bond is still as strong as ever.

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

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

COVER PHOTO BY KELSEY BOEING

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 / APRIL 1, 2021

THE

POST

ISSUE 25, VOLUME 136

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Kicking off the campaign Hundreds attend virtual kick-off event for Collin’s Law letter writing campaign MAYA MORITA STAFF WRITER MOLLY WILSON FOR THE POST Almost 800 people attended the Zoom kick-off event Monday for a letter-writing campaign in support of Collin’s Law. Numerous colleges participated in the event to discuss Collin’s Law and the letter-writing campaign, which will take place April 5 to April 9, being held to garner support for the law.

The event consisted of speakers, including Ohio University Student Senate President Ian Carter II; Vice President of Development for Ohio University’s Women’s Panhellenic Association Molly Davis; Collin Wiant’s mother, Kathleen Wiant; State Sen.

Stephanie Kunze and State Sen. Theresa Gavarone as well as several student speakers from various Ohio colleges.

Carter opened the event with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives to hazing and addressed the topic of the event.

“This is an event led by students who are advocating for the health and safety of themselves and their peers,” Carter said.

“While we may typically poke fun at one another’s school, we have come together as a state for a cause we care about an effort to create change.”

Kathleen Wiant was introduced by Davis and shared her story about her son Collin Wiant’s death and how it has impacted her.

“I was sound asleep in my bed, and I heard a knock at the door in the middle of the night. I went down to answer, and there were two policemen there and the

third man in plain clothing,” Kathleen Wiant said. “They stepped in the house and began reciting the worst words any parent could ever have to hear: ‘On behalf of the Dublin Police Department, we regret to inform you that at 3 a.m. this morning, your son, Collin Wiant, was found unresponsive at 45 Mill St. in Athens, Ohio.’”

Kathleen Wiant proceeded to explain the hazing details that led to Collin Wiant’s death.

“Months later, we began to learn details that lead up to Collin’s death, and we learned that for the last few weeks of Collins’ life, Collin had been beaten, he had been belted, he had been waterboarded, he had been forced drugs, he had experienced extreme hazing,” Kathleen Wiant said.

Sen. Kunze and Sen. Gavarone took their time to educate those in attendance about the updates to the bill.

Of the new requirements, anti-hazing education, increased penalties for those who are involved in hazing incidents and transparency from colleges on instances of hazing are of utmost importance. However, changing the culture of hazing in higher education is the main priority, Kunze said.

Alterations to the bill will ensure that those charged for hazing will be charged with a felony when drugs and alcohol are involved, unlike those charged with a misdemeanor for Collin Wiant’s hazing.

“Imagine if I brought two people before you, and I told you that they were

both guilty of a misdemeanor offense, but one of them had a parking ticket, and the other one made someone chug an entire bottle of hard alcohol, didn’t allow (them) to sleep for long periods of time, forced (them) to do illegal drugs, risking injury or even death,” Kathleen Wiant said. “Under the current Ohio law, both are considered fourth-degree misdemeanors, both punishable by fine.”

Megan Stoops, University of Toledo Panhellenic Council president, provided those in attendance with an email letter template. Those who participate in the letter-writing campaign will have a chance to fill out the template and provide a personal story or anecdote about hazing or explain why Collin’s law is important to them to their respective state senator.

“It’s very hard for us to know that pledging a fraternity to belong when you’re in a new stage of your life — a new place in your life — is what ended his life. All this hazing was done in the name of brotherhood, and there’s no place in brotherhood or sisterhood for hazing,” Kathleen Wiant said. “Collin’s death was senseless, and it was tragic, but what’s most painful to me is that it was completely avoidable.”

@MAYACATEMORITA MM294318@OHIO.EDU @MOLLYWMARIE MW542219@OHIO.EDU

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NEWS BRIEFS

Rallies take place in Athens over weekend; Graduate Student Senate passes resolution on proper pronoun usage ABBY MILLER NEWS EDITOR OU rallies in support of Center for Law, Justice and Culture

Ohio University students and faculty gathered on College Green on Saturday to protest proposed cuts that would impact programming and positions at the Center for Law, Justice and Culture, or CLJC. An email sent by faculty of the CLJC on March 22 outlined how cuts would have “drastic implications for CLJC and Ohio University.” Those cuts would include a possible elimination of OHIO Pre-Law Day, a discontinuation of lectures and visits from prominent legal scholars and the relocation of Larry Hayman, a pre-law adviser and specialist at OU, to a more general College of Arts and Sciences advising position, according to the email.

Those attending the demonstration held up signs and chanted in support of the CLJC, and some shared personal accounts and beliefs on why the center is important.

One of those students was Olivia Gemarro, a senior studying English and sociology-criminology. She said students at OU are entitled to a quality education, which isn’t delivered when programs are defunded. She thinks cutting the CLJC’s budget will effectively ruin the program and the university.

After addresses to the crowd were made, demonstrators marched to Cutler Hall to deliver a petition.

Micaela Beatham-Garcia, a junior studying political science pre-law, helped organize the demonstration.

Beatham-Garcia said she wants to see the university fund the CLJC and keep Hayman in his position so he can con-

tinue to advise pre-law students, support pre-law organizations and initiatives and engage in meaningful conversations across campus.

Stop AAPI Hate rally draws attention to increasing violence toward minority groups

Dozens gathered at the Athens County Courthouse on Saturday to march against racism and violence toward Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and other race-based minority groups.

The rally began at the courthouse and included a march down to OU’s Baker University Center before circling back.

The Stop AAPI Hate Rally was organized by the Chinese Learners Association of Ohio University in light of the recent Atlanta spa shootings that targeted people of Asian descent, along with the increase in xenophobic views that were spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rally called attention to the issue of racism in the U.S. and was a way for individuals to speak out against it.

Sophia Park Neilsen, a freshman studying psychology, said she’s experienced sexual remarks and fetishization her entire life. Nielsen said those racist actions make her feel like an object in the eyes of others, and it’s something that happens to so many other Asian women.

Hannah Bernstein, a senior at Athens High School, said her biracial identity has made her feel like she must conform to unfair stereotypes. She said this conformity is exhausting, but she did see the number of people attending the rally as a sign of progress.

The rally included individuals from across different ages, races and genders. Bernstein was appreciative of the intersectional support and said uplifting different communities

can build a space where identity is not just what someone looks like.

Graduate Student Senate to enforce usage of proper pronouns for members

Graduate Student Senate passed a resolution Tuesday that will update its Rules and Procedures to include respecting one’s pronouns.

GSS previously had no language within the Rules and Procedures or its other governing documents specifying the importance of respecting one’s pronouns, Letitia Price, commissioner of Women’s Affairs, said. The resolution will aid in fixing this and establish a new committee to enforce proper pronoun usage.

The resolution comes after GSS’ last meeting, where there were instances of continuous misgendering. Brett Fredericksen, commissioner of Academic Life: Research, said he was personally ”unsettled” with the situation and saw the resolution as a logical step forward.

The resolution also includes training on proper pronoun language along with an outline of how to execute disciplinary action if pronoun usage is not followed, Fredericksen said.

In other business, a resolution advocating for the AAPI community at OU and condemning racial discrimination was passed along with a resolution endorsing Student Senate’s opposition to possible cuts to the Center for Law, Justice and Culture.

@ABBLAWRENCE AM166317@OHIO.EDU

POLICE BLOTTER

Trespasser claims to be God protecting planet from Nazi cows; woman told not to shoot trespassers with paintball gun ANNA MILLAR FOR THE POST NAZI COWS

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding a suspicious person on the caller’s property at Pleasanton Road in Athens. When deputies arrived, they found the reported man on the property.

The man told deputies he was God and that “nazi cows” from the farm he was on were going to destroy the planet.

Deputies took the man to the hospital, and a blue slip was completed. His vehicle was towed as well at the owner’s expense.

DEBT TO BE SETTLED

Tools were reported stolen from Rainbow Lake Road in Athens, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Of4 / APRIL 1, 2021

fice. Deputies discovered the tools had been stolen because the caller owed the suspect money.

The caller said he does not wish to pursue charges as long as the tools are returned within a specific time frame. The suspect acknowledged he does have possession of the tools and was warned charges will be filed if the tools are not returned.

DON’T GO SHOOTING PEOPLE

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding frequent trespassing. The caller said people walk through her yard often.

She called to inquire whether she would be able to purchase a paintball gun to shoot at those trespassing on her property.

Deputies advised her to politely ask others not to cross her property and call the sheriff’s office if there were further issues. She was told not to shoot them with

a paintball gun.

BANK ROBBER BIRD

The Athens County Sheriff’s office responded to an alarm activation at the bank on State Street in Amesville.

When deputies arrived, they were told that a bird had been trapped inside.

Deputies caught the bird and released it outside.

RUNAWAY TRESPASSERS

A call was received by the Athens County Sheriff’s Office regarding suspicious persons at Ohio Avenue in The Plains. The caller said three individuals had been in his backyard and run away on foot.

Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the individuals.

@ANNAMILLAR16 AM157219@OHIO.EDU

Gender inclusive housing petition requests more housing options for OU’s LGBTQ+ students CLAIRE SCHIOPOTA FOR THE POST A petition that has over 160 signatures and was created by an Ohio University student is requesting the expansion of gender inclusive housing across campus.

The petition, which was created about two weeks ago, claims nonbinary students have been neglected by OU due to their lack of housing options on campus and requests every residence hall and dorm room be gender inclusive. The petition also denies OU’s claim in supporting LGBTQ+ students due to the issue.

The creation of gender-neutral housing on campus was introduced in 2011, according to a previous Post report. During the 2018-2019 academic year, OU housing expanded its gender-neutral room selection options with 27 new living spaces.

Hoover House has the LGBT and Gender Inclusive Housing Residential Living Experience, according to OU’s website.

There are also “expanded” gender inclusive housing options across campus, university spokesperson Carly Leatherwood said.

“We evaluate student feedback and selection trends on an annual basis which is what drives changes for the following academic year,” Leatherwood said in an email. “If demand and interest is there for additional expansion in gender neutral housing, we will look at making more options available.”

Students can indicate a preference for expanded gender inclusive housing in the Housing Self-Service portal, Leatherwood said. Those who wish to live in a specialized living experience, like the one in Hoover, must fill out a supplemental application.

Some LGBTQ+ students at OU do not believe those housing options are sufficient. Esme Scarberry, a freshman studying electrical engineering, signed the petition because she wants to change the restrictive nature of gender inclusive housing at OU. “I was put in a dorm in Lincoln because my choices were either Lincoln or Hoover,” Scarberry said. “All of my classes are in Stocker (Center), which is on West Green, so it’s quite a bit of a walk.”

Scarberry then met with Housing and Residence Life Interim Executive Director Jneanne Hacker about her housing situation.

“The only gender inclusive housing on west green at the moment are in Bromley which is suite style housing which costs more than a standard dou-

ble,” Scarberry said in an email. “And in the Convocation Center which not only is quite isolated from the rest of the dorms of west green but also houses ROTC which makes it so that I don’t feel as safe in that environment.”

In speaking to Hacker about her living situation for next year, Scarberry was upset to find out that Hecker hadn’t directly placed individual students for 10 years.

Scarberry was eventually placed in a female dorm room on West Green.

“This situation, while tolerable, is less than optimal as it has proven quite dangerous, historically for a transgender woman to use the same bathroom as her cisgender counterparts,” Scarberry said in an email.

Aimee Chambers, a sophomore studying communication studies, signed the petition after being encouraged by Scarberry.

“I thought that it was important to her,

so it should be important to me as well,” Chambers said. “If we want to be inclusive as an entire campus, then we should be, and everything should be open to everybody, regardless of what they look like, what their sexual orientation is, what their color is.”

While some claim the university’s efforts to have gender inclusive housing are progressive, Scarberry believes it is the

bare minimum.

“Jneanne was claiming that OU housing is very progressive,” Scarberry said. “And that’s just not my experience with it.”

@CSCHIOPOTA CS123719@OHIO.EDU

“

If we want to be inclusive as an entire campus, then we should be, and everything should be open to everybody, regardless of what they look like, what their sexual orientation is, what their color is.”

- Aimee Chambers, a sophomore studying communication studies

Hoover House on Ohio University’s campus is the one residence hall with a LGBT residential living experience. (NATE SWANSON | PHOTO EDITOR)

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 5

The Big Dance

Damages RYAN MAXIN FOR THE POST Just over a week after hundreds of Ohio University students crowded onto Court Street to celebrate OU’s March Madness win, city officials are getting a better idea of the scope of the damage caused by the crowd.

Among the known damages is a car that was dented by students crawling onto it, a lamppost that was broken after students shook it back and forth and minor damages to trees after some were climbed by students celebrating the win.

Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said the city does not yet have an exact idea of the financial cost of the March 20 gathering but was able to provide a rough estimate. Regarding damage to city-owned property, the lamppost could potentially cost thousands of dollars, and trees could cost around $300 if they need to be replaced, he said.

“It’s not cheap. The damages that were done are certainly going to be expensive,” Patterson said. “I know that our investigators are looking into footage that they have received, and we will certainly go through the legal process here in the city of Athens.”

There is not yet an idea of how much damage was caused to personal property.

Patterson said he received an email from someone wanting to know how damage to personal property could have happened, but the person did not indicate taking legal action at this time.

Ralph Harvey, captain of the Athens Police Department, or APD, said the department is investigating videos taken by security cameras in the area and talking to witnesses of the event to try to identify those who are responsible for the damages.

So far, APD has identified several individuals as possible suspects, including one student who was detained in connection with the broken lamppost.

Despite ongoing investigations, no one has been formally charged with a crime.

However, students will almost definitely be charged if investigations find they are connected with the destruction of personal and public property, Harvey said.

He also said no one should expect any immediate action from APD regarding the 6 / APRIL 1, 2021

damages, especially because there is little possibility of future danger. “(One) reason why sometimes these things take weeks, months on end is because we don’t want to jump to a conclusion and charge somebody with a crime, and then we find out later that we should have charged them with a different crime,” Harvey said. “For example, the light pole could be a misdemeanor, or it could be a felony, depending on different factors that we can establish, so we don’t want to rush to charge somebody.”

The size of the crowd March 20 has also raised concerns for a jump in COVID-19 infection numbers in Athens.

Jack Pepper, administrator at the Athens City-County Health Department, said the health department is keeping a close eye

City of Athens officials make sense of Court Street damages

on COVID-19 numbers following the event on Court Street.

Pepper acknowledged due to vaccination efforts and previously infected students, there is a possibility OU won’t see a rise in cases.

“I think that it’s fair to assume that we are starting to get a lot of people vaccinated, so that helps, and I also think that it’s fair to assume that many students on campus have had the disease, so that also helps. So, I think that there certainly is some reasonable deduction that could happen that would lead us to a place where perhaps we won’t see an increase,” Pepper said. “I don’t know that for certain, but it certainly is not an unreasonable theory to have.”

Now that everything has settled down and OU’s NCAA tournament run has come

to an end, Patterson, while glad the city is starting to rebuild, is still wondering what motivated students to do such things.

“Don’t destroy things. I mean, certainly everyone is happy when your team does well, and you’re disappointed when they don’t, and it’s not every day that Ohio University goes to the big dance. But the flip to that is that it’s not only incredibly irresponsible: it’s also liable to sit and destroy city property,” Patterson said. “Why would you do that?”

@RYANMAXIN RM554219@OHIO.EDU

Cars drive down Court Street in Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. (ANTHONY WARNER | FOR THE POST)

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Students outraged over possible changes to Center for Law, Justice and Culture SOPHIA YOUNG FOR THE POST Ohio University recently proposed a decrease in funding for the Center for Law, Justice and Culture, or CLJC, prompting pushback from students and faculty alike.

The CLJC focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to law and justice, incorporating anthropology, criminology, political science, sociology and other social sciences and humanities in its curriculum, according to OU’s website. It currently offers a certificate and master’s degree program.

“The College of Arts and Sciences will avoid, as much as possible, decisions that impact availability of classes or pre-law advising and has no plans to change degree or certificate programs offered by the CLJC,” university spokesperson Carly Leatherwood said.

However, many students have expressed concern over the proposed budget cuts’ impact on the availability of extracurricular and experiential learning activities sponsored by the CLJC. The reduction would cause the elimination or restructuring of several CLJC events, including OHIO PreLaw day — an annual alumni and student networking event — in addition to public lectures, panels and campus visits from legal scholars, according to an email sent by faculty of the CLJC. Criticism of the budget cuts also spurs from students and faculty advocating for the social and diverse educational value of the center. CLJC curriculum focuses on teaching students to think critically about subjects such as law and inequality, mass incarceration, policing, human rights and international justice, according to that same faculty email.

“It’s a hub for diversity and inclusion, and I think that Ohio University has a lot more work in those regards,” Micaela Beatham-Garcia, a junior studying political science pre-law who is heavily involved with the CLJC, said. “I think it would be a massive loss to those efforts on campus.”

J. Bennett Guess, executive director of the ACLU of Ohio, wrote a letter to Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Florenz Plassman on March 24, expressing similar concerns over the loss of CLJC programming and urging OU to reconsider.

“The potential loss of this substantive university offering, at a time of great partisan divide, political incivility, and legislative gridlock would have serious confounding

Ohio University sophomore, Jane Roche, holds a sign to save the pre-law program amidst the university budget cuts threatening the Center for Law, Justice and Culture on March 27, 2021 in Athens, Ohio. (KELSEY BOEING | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

consequences for our society, state, and nation,” Guess said in the letter. “This is a profoundly wrong move at exactly the wrong time in the life of Ohio University and our democratic republic.”

Proposed changes also include altering the position of Larry Hayman, pre-law specialist and adviser, to a more general College of Arts and Sciences advising position.

“Larry ... is absolutely the reason that I have had opportunities that have grown (me) to be the student that I am today,” Beatham-Garcia said. “He will be there for you 24/7, not only as an adviser but as a human being.”

Hayman also guides the mock trial team and advises the ACLU of Ohio University. Hayman’s relocation would result in the elimination or restructuring of several programs that he has developed, including the 3+3 BA/JD pathway, mock trial team, the Ohio Innocence Project-u and Southeastern Ohio Legal Services Access to Justice internship program, according to the email sent by faculty of the CLJC. Guess addressed Hayman’s role at the CLJC and expressed the ACLU-OU’s concerns about his potential removal in the letter to Provost Sayrs and Dean Plassman.

“Under Mr. Hayman’s leadership, CLJC has flourished, playing a crucial role in the development of curious legal minds and setting up students for success,” the letter reads.

Hayman did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.

OU students did not hesitate to take action following the announcement, organizing to protest the proposed changes.

Beatham-Garcia began a petition, which has garnered over 660 signatures as of March 30.

Students also protested alongside OU faculty Saturday on College Green, holding signs advocating for the retention of funding and Hayman’s position. Several demonstrators spoke out about their thoughts and experiences with the CLJC. The protest culminated with the delivery of a petition to Cutler Hall.

Student Senate also passed a bill March 24 showing opposition to the proposed budget cuts.

“The decision to make budget cuts to the CLJC is one that would have detrimental effects to an ever-growing program,” Sydney Sears said in a statement read by Senate Treasurer Eliza Ivan on March 24. “The program is more than just a program: it’s a family, and I am urging you to keep a support system that hundreds of students in the College of Arts and Sciences utilize every single day.”

@SOPHIELISEY SY951319@OHIO.EDU

Student Senate meeting in Walter Hall on Feb. 26, 2020. (GRACE WILSON | FOR THE POST)

A survey of Student Senate candidates Taking a look at OU’s Student Senate executive candidate platforms CLAIRE SCHIOPOTA FOR THE POST Ohio University’s Student Senate executive candidates will be campaigning this week leading up to the Senate elections April 6.

There are two joint tickets running for election as well as three independent candidates. This is the first contested election since the 2017-2018 Senate race.

Athens Advocacy is one of the two tickets. Current Treasurer Becky “Eliza” Ivan, a senior studying political science and law, justice and culture, is running for president. Chief of Staff Elaina Tartal, a junior studying political science and sociology-criminology, will be running for vice

president. Director of public relations Emily Ertle, a junior studying finance, business economics and business pre-law, is running for treasurer.

The ticket has a set list of goals and plans that they hope to achieve once voted into office. One plan includes creating an OU app where all the existing university-related portals can be consolidated into one place. Athens Advocacy also wants to add director positions to act as a tripod commission for inclusion, diversity and accessibility.

“We have about 12 goals that we’re looking into expanding on, and we really want to hear more from students,” Ertle said.

“These are personal things that we valued for a long time that has developed into

these great ideas for other students.”

Build Together is the second ticket in the current election. Current Governmental Affairs Commissioner Maxeen Ramlo, a junior studying mechanical engineering, will be running for president. Simar Kalkat, a sophomore studying finance, business analytics and economics, is running for treasurer.

This ticket has put an emphasis on mental health, inclusion and flexibility with online learning. Build Together plans to work alongside Counseling and Psychological Services, or CPS, to create more options for students. The ticket wants to work with the First Year and Student Transitions office to support new students as well as the Career and Leadership Development Center to help international students. Ramlo said she

wants to make sure students are aware of all the different options for mental health services on campus.

The Build Together ticket is endorsing Richard Danylo, a junior studying chemical engineering and computer science. He was initially part of the ticket before internal complications ended up leaving Danylo as an independent vice presidential candidate. Danylo has been a member of Senate since he was a freshman and worked as the interim treasurer over the summer.

“I think that Student Senate has some internal things that make it hard for us to … put in the work in communicating properly with the students,” Danylo said. “I think that sometimes our internal problems are an embarrassment in the eyes of the administration. I’d like to really quickly and efficiently work on solving a lot of those internal issues … in the hopes that we can kind of rebrand ourselves. It’s a great time for us to reflect on everything and fix all of our problems and start anew.”

Another ticket, made up of current members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, or SAC, was dissolved. It left two additional independent executive candidates behind.

Brogan Speraw, a senior studying mechanical engineering, is running for vice president independently. He has plans to strengthen and increase the Senate commissions, create SAC reform and focus on students’ health.

“I aim to be the candidate that essentially hears everyone and one that everyone can come to with their suggestions,” Speraw said in an email. “I hope to continue the work that the last body did to unify the Senate and create friendships that will last long beyond our time on these red bricks.”

Sarah Packard, a junior studying management information systems, business analytics and management strategic leadership, will be independently running for treasurer. She wants to focus on putting money into the hands of student organizations who can help more than Senate may be able to.

“I would never understand the struggles of racial minorities, so I don’t know how to help, but if I can provide funding to those groups, they would know how to help themselves,” Packard said. “I’d be able to work with them and get them to understand my point of view, and then work with them to get what they want done.”

The first executive Senate debate was held Tuesday, and there is another planned for Monday, April 5. The election will be held Tuesday, April 6, and results should be announced that night.

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Cheery Cherry Blossoms Cherry blossom trees continue to be a symbol of friendship amid pandemic EMMA SKIDMORE ASST. NEWS EDITOR Accompanying the gradually warming weather, the cherry blossom trees along the bike path by Peden Stadium signal that spring is here.

The trees were donated to Ohio University as a gift from Chubu University in Kasugai, Japan. Ji-Yeung Jang, interim executive director for Global Affairs, said the relationship between Chubu and OU was started by Tomoyasu Tanaka, a physics professor, in the 1970s. After surviving World War II, Jang said, he had a vision of world peace.

“His counterpart, the friend and the research collaborator, happened to be working at Chubu University, so ... this relationship (happened) through personal connections,” Jang said.

Jang said the partnership first began with a faculty exchange program, which started with OU professors going to Chubu. Eventually, she said, the program allowed for Chubu professors to come to Ohio.

“In 1979, Chubu University decided to send us a really nice gift to celebrate our 175th anniversary, and they gave us, literally, 175 cherry trees,” Jang said. “That is so highly regarded, and that was so meaningful and so special.”

Though not all of the initial trees were able to survive the change in environment, Chubu sent more so that OU would have 200 total trees to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary in 2004.

“It was their thoughtful and generous gift to the university to really honor and celebrate Ohio University but also to really cement this commitment of this relationship because once you put the trees down, you really want to take care of it,” Jang said.

“Since then, this partnership has really grown … We’ve been in full bloom.”

Jang said the universities now have a student and library exchange program. OU is also participating in a restoration project led

by Chris Thompson, an associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, to rehabilitate the community that was affected by the Tohoku tsunami in 2011.

“Looking into the future, I think our interest is to build more collaborative research,” Jang said. “Chubu has become, now, a really good science university … and Ohio University is not the only partner.”

Susan Calhoun, landscape coordinator, said there are a number of environmental factors that affect the trees in Ohio. Calhoun said because of their placement near the Hocking River, they are often hit by a western 10 / APRIL 1, 2021

wind that can be especially harsh in the winter. In 2014, she said, a polar vortex system prevented the trees from blooming that year.

“Another part of that environmental situation — right there along the levy, the riverbank — is that was artificial,” Calhoun said.

“That’s not what the Hocking River was initially. So ... the Corps of Engineers, to protect OU from being flooded and Athens being flooded possibly annually … they made that big river bed so that it can widen out.”

Calhoun said as a result of this soil being moved to widen the river, it became very compacted — which has the potential to affect the longevity of the trees. However, she said they have also taken many steps to ensure the trees are healthy and cared for. They now have a procedure for treating cherry leaf spot, a fungal infection that leads to discolored spots on the leaves of the trees.

“We’ve got a procedure down now where we treat and try to fight that cherry tree fungus because it knocks the canopy down way too early, and the tree can’t make food,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun said they also care for the trees by pruning them, replanting them and watering them as needed.

Alberta Dempsey, the president of the Plant Club who uses they/them pronouns, said the trees also experience sunscald because of their location on campus.

“Basically, in the summer, the trees get really cold, right before daybreak at the coldest part of the day,” Dempsey, a senior studying plant biology, said. “As soon as the sun hits them in the morning, it heats one side of the tree, and the other side of it is still cold, which causes bark damage to it.”

Despite some of the environmental obstacles, the trees are well-cared for to maintain their longevity for generations of students and community members to enjoy them.

“I wouldn’t say they’re in imminent danger of ceasing to exist because we do have groundspeople, and we do maintain them to the extent that we can,” Dempsey said.

Dempsey said they feel like the cherry trees are a great representation of OU’s values and identity as a university.

“There was effort and design and thought put into making sure that we would have nice places to lounge and spend free time and enjoy these trees,” Dempsey said. “This campus is covered in pretty trees, in my opinion.”

While the cherry blossoms are a recognizable part of OU’s campus, Dempsey wants people to recognize the beauty in Athens’ native plants as well. For example, the pawpaw tree is a plant native to the area and also — Dempsey believes — a symbol of Athens.

Karen Richards plays her violin between the rows of cherry blossom trees along the Hocking River as the sun begins to set on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. (NATE SWANSON | PHOTO EDITOR)

Spectators watch as Karen Richards (left), Pat McGee (center) and Lara Wallace perform an orchestrated show while the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom. The blossoming of the trees along the Hocking River is the signifying start of spring, with Richards exclaiming “ode to the cherry blossoms!” (NATE SWANSON | PHOTO EDITOR)

“Not everybody likes them, but they are kind of a mixture of mangoes and banana,” Dempsey said. “So I think that the pawpaws are very culturally relevant … (The Pawpaw Fest) is sharing information about gardening, local environmental issues, but it’s also live music, arts, food vendors (and) local artists.

It’s a very nice fall celebration.”

With the weather warming up and an increase in COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the state, many are looking forward to being outside.

“I think, more than anything else, this is a time where we get to see people,” Jang said.

“Probably, during COVID-19, it will be more meaningful because we’ve been all in isolation … This is a time where we see families out there and the students and community members all enjoying the same beauty in their own way.”

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Hip-Hop OHIO Patton Education program to launch at OU this fall JULIANA COLANT FOR THE POST In the forthcoming Fall Semester, Ohio University will launch a new program within the Patton College of Education called Hip-Hop OHIO Patton Education, or HOPE. The HOPE program has two components. The first focuses on preparing future educators to work with diverse K-12 students and emphasizes building a culturally relevant curriculum: specifically, using hip-hop culture to create healthy relationships and facilitate student engagement. This component also examines inequities within the education system that lead to the opportunity gap and disproportionate suspension and expulsion rates of marginalized students.

The second component is designed to recruit diverse teach-

er candidates to pursue education. Lisa Harrison, associate professor of middle childhood education and the middle childhood program coordinator at OU, is a co-developer of the program.

“The teaching field is majority white, with about 80 percent of teachers being white and only 2 percent being Black males,” Harrison said in an email. “At the same time, the K-12 student population is becoming more diverse each year, with more than half of students in K-12 spaces being from a culturally diverse background.”

Harrison said traditional education programs do not effectively recruit diverse students for many reasons. Some include students feeling isolated in the classroom and not connecting with conventional teacher education curriculum.

HOPE’s vision is it needs to be innovative to recruit diverse college students while preparing high-quality teachers.

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“The HOPE program’s main focus is on preparing all teachers, regardless of their race, to work with the growing diverse student population,” Harrison said in an email. “The program, with its emphasis on hip-hop-based education and social justice, also hopes to inspire college students who might not have considered education as a field.”

Jason Rawls, educator, music producer and DJ, is also a co-developer of the program. Rawls helped create the HOPE program to encourage educators to teach without excluding who students are.

“You know, there are a lot of (people who) don’t let kids be who they are because we are trying to mold them into something else,” Rawls said. “That’s not the way to go about it. What we say is that kids come in with a sort of cultural currency; they don’t come in like blank slates.”

The hip-hop aspect of the program was inspired by pop culture.

“Nowadays, people my age are teachers, and they’re part of the hip-hop generation. They grew up on hip-hop,” Rawls said. “Well, here’s the cool thing: the kids that they’re teaching, they’re also growing up on hip hop. And that is the first time something like that is happening if you think about it.”

The HOPE program’s primary goal is to use hip-hop to change the narrative of teacher-student relationships in the classroom.

“Hip-hop crosses cultural boundaries, so I don’t see why we’re not using that in education to help attract our kids,” Rawls said. “If you can increase and build teacher-student relationships, then you increase student engagement. You increase scores. You increase everything because students want to do better.”

Rawls said students’ motivation in school should focus on being intrinsic rather than extrinsic. Typically, students are motivated to do work by getting a reward. Instead, students should be encouraged out of respect for the teacher and, in turn, they will help themselves.

“Teachers should learn,” Rawls said. “I learned from my students every day. You learn just how to be a better person many times. That’s what I love the most: they keep me young.

They keep me informed.”

Students can enroll in HOPE classes during spring registration for the fall. The course is available within the Patton College of Education and will be open for any major to take as an elective.

“We also want this program to bring attention to Ohio University, as HOPE is the only program of its kind that exists in the nation,” Harrison said. “While there are colleges of education that might offer a course on hip-hop-based education, to our knowledge, there are no current colleges that offer an entire program.”

@COLANT_JULIANA JC079419@OHIO.EDU

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Conversations on Students hold different perspectives on ‘cancel culture’

ADONIS FRYER SENIOR WRITER At first glance, Woody Allen, Mr Potato Head and Dr. Seuss have little in common.

Woody Allen is a prolific filmmaker, Mr. Potato Head is a children’s toy and Dr. Seuss was a children’s book author. Despite being so different, all three men have one thing in common: they’ve all been recent subjects in the ongoing debate around “cancel culture.”

From Hollywood to Whoville, these figures have been courting controversy in recent weeks with varying 12 / APRIL 1, 2021

levels of severity.

For many, Dr. Seuss is the most popular of these names. He’s written over 40 books that have sold over 700 million copies globally. Sammy Lahiri, a junior studying integrated media, was a Seuss super fan growing up.

“Each book, I think, had some kind of message in it, but ... it wasn’t in your face,” Lahiri said. “It was presented in a way that it felt almost accidental in a sense.”

Despite Dr. Seuss’s legion of fans, Lahiri being just one of millions, his past work was still subject to being scrutinized fur-

ther. On March 2, the Seuss estate pulled six books for depictions of racist imagery: And to Think I Saw it On Mulberry Street (1937), McElligot’s Pool (1947), If I Ran the Zoo (1950), Scrambled Eggs Super (1953) On Beyond Zebra (1955) and The Cat’s Quizzer (1973). Dr. Seuss’ other books have remained untouched.

Immediately, the decision to stop circulating the books sparked conversation.

Fox News ran segments on Seuss all day, and countless commentators were filled with shock and condemnation for the once universally beloved writer. Lahiri,

though, isn’t so quick to judge.

“As a writer, I feel like my opinion of his writing hasn’t changed,” Lahiri said. “But my opinion of him as a person has become more hesitant, you could say. I try not to make judgment of anyone unless I know them personally.”

Lahiri is a cinematographer who focuses on traditional film, visual elements and VR work. He’s a proud artist and said while the imagery was inexcusable, without knowledge of the creative process for those works specifically, he could not pass holistic judgment.

“And, I mean, I don’t know where in those hands this racism came in and kind of sprinkled in. So, I don’t want to say that Dr. Seuss is solely responsible for it, but at the same time, he was the overseer of this project,” Lahiri said.

Kennedy Rasberry, a senior studying journalism, didn’t share Lahiri’s viewpoint.

She had a stronger reaction to Dr. Seuss’s racism revelations because of his image as a children’s author.

“I just would feel wrong if I’m presenting these stories to my kids and the person who wrote them doesn’t care about Black children or sees them as being subhuman,” Rasberry said.

While some, like Lahiri, may argue that the artist and their art are separate, Rasberry disagrees.

“Consuming an artist’s art is the way you support them,” Rasberry said. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t agree with their personal politics. You’re still supporting them either financially or through engagement.”

The second episode of HBO’s Allen v.

Farrow, a new documentary series that is bringing child abuse allegations against Woody Allen back into the mainstream, makes a case that an artist’s negative qualities can be reflected in their work. The episode focuses on Allen’s fixation around creating narratives that feature older men and teenage girls.

Allen’s allegations differ from Dr. Seuss’s because they tie into a larger conversation around sexual assault and predatory behaviors from those in the film industry. This is commonly called the #MeToo movement, which started in 2006 but spurred global conversation after a viral tweet by Alyssa Milano in 2017.

Jake Haire, a junior studying integrated media and marketing, is a filmmaker who believes that while many in Hollywood have suffered backlash because of cancel culture, it’s ultimately a positive development.

“I think cancel culture is extremely fascinating … because, obviously, the law wasn’t doing its job,” Haire said.

Haire spoke at length about the controversies around David Dobrik. On March 16, Kat Tenbarge published an investigation into an allegation of sexual assault by one of Dobrik’s associates.

Since then, the former Vine star has issued apologies after a re-examining of his content-sparked controversy due to racist jokes, a prank with non-consensual sexual conduct and the aforementioned allegation that Dom Zeglaitis raped a girl during the shooting of a video back in 2018. Dobrik has made two apology videos, the second after his first was roundly mocked.

“You have to be able to be very conscious of what you’re promoting about what your content is and just … being self aware of what’s happening around you,” Haire said of the Dobrik situation.

Dobrik isn’t the first YouTuber to make an apology video and is not the pioneer of getting mocked for it, either. Logan Paul, James Charles and Laura Lee have all had their run-ins with cancel culture as well.

Conversations around cancel culture aren’t restricted to contemporary figures.

William Shakespeare, one of the most widely taught writers in English classes today, has started to be re-examined by teachers who are concerned by outdated attitudes in his work. Ellery Pollard, a junior studying creative writing, said canceling Shakespeare would be impossible.

“At one point, the conversation came up: ‘Should we cancel Shakespeare?’ Honestly, it would be impossible to do something like that,” Pollard said. “We would have to get rid of all of his texts. We would have to cut out more than half of the current English language. He’s contributed so much to society that it would be impossible to cancel him.”

Pollard is a firm believer that the art and artist are separate. She pointed to J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, who was accused of making transphobic tweets in the last two years as another example.

“I personally disagree with her, but that’s not going to stop me from loving Harry Potter, if that makes sense,” Pollard

said. “As someone who’s studying literature, there is not one author out there who is perfect. They’ve all made mistakes, and we still read them because what they’ve put out into the world does good … That should not be negated because the author made a single bad comment.”

While primarily focused on literature, Pollard also believes that “canceling” a film is also unfair to the “canceled” person’s coworkers.

“Just because you work with someone who might be a bad person doesn’t mean that you’re a bad person, too,” Pollard said.

“Let’s say an Ohio University student did something bad. Are the rest of us bad for going to the same school?”

Another student who’s skeptical of cancel culture is Michael Sweeney, a senior studying history. Sweeney believes cancel culture has existed in the past, though not as widespread as today.

“You see that (cancel culture) with world leaders, whether it’s a coup or past presidents like Richard Nixon,” Sweeney said. “You can call that cancel culture back in the ‘70s, after Watergate. So I think there’s been traces of cancel culture ingrained through history.”

While Sweeney believes it has existed before in history, he credits the internet for intensifying the power of

cancel culture.

“Everyone has a voice,” Sweeney said.

“Social media is one of those platforms that allows everyone to talk and everyone to have an opinion, whether it’s valid or not.”

As a history student, Sweeney is invested in Black American history. Sweeney said cancel culture has always existed for Black Americans, though he believes it has changed over time.

“I think that the Black man (and) the Black woman have been canceled ever since their inception into this country. I just think in context to the celebrity viewpoint, it’s a bit new because Black celebrities have been given more limelight over the past 30 years,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney believes that cancel culture will eventually stagnate. He expressed skepticism that social media and public uproar could be effective tools in truly removing an individual from public life.

“There’s not been a singular or definitive solution to what people pose as cancel culture, like it doesn’t lead to any final ousting or shunning of any individual,” Sweeney said. “People still continuously stay in the limelight and, if anything, cancel culture almost gives them more publicity.”

While some, like Sweeney and Pollard, view the effects cancel culture with skepticism, others view it more optimistically as a clear redistribution of power and as an important tool to hit back at the powerful.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from, what your background is, how powerful you are,” Haire said. “If you’ve done something wrong, you will be held accountable for it,” Haire said.

Regardless of how one feels about cancel culture, there’s no doubt it has become more prevalent. There are countless examples of artists and creators who have had their work either boycotted, re-examined or canceled as a result of past actions or themes. Its place in modern society and the extent of what’s “cancelable” is still undecided.

“The thing is: What are you willing to excuse, essentially, in the name of this art?” Rasberry said. “Is this art that good that you are going to totally disregard who’s creating it?”

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THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 13

Outdoor Pursuits jumps back into hosting day hikes, outdoor programs LILY ROBY ASST. CULTURE EDITOR Ohio University’s Well-Being and Recreation, previously known as Campus Recreation, has reopened this Spring Semester with new events for students and community members alike.

OU closed and canceled many of its outdoor and recreation opportunities last semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but with increasing access to vaccines across the country, the university even recently reopened its climbing wall in Ping Recreation Center.

Leanne Chapman, a graduate assistant for Outdoor Pursuits who specializes her work on the climbing wall, said with increased safety precautions, the reopening of the climbing wall has been a smooth start.

“We opened up at the beginning of February … so that’s been really nice to have some sense of normalcy, to have people in here,” Chapman said. “We just 14 / APRIL 1, 2021

have a few more precautions that we take naturally with COVID … like using hand sanitizer before and after climbing or wiping down pieces of equipment or putting certain pieces like harnesses into a different bin, and they’re only used once a day, stuff like that.”

The climbing wall is open Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., for any students to come climb. Chapman encourages any students to come and try out the climbing wall, even if they’re scared or have never tried it before.

“I just want people to feel welcome to come to the climbing area and try something new,” Chapman said. “I just think in general, what we all really want is to ... be a place people can come to and feel welcome and be included to try these new things. It’s really our goal, with all our programming, to connect people and build a really solid community.”

Judd Walker, assistant director for Well-Being and Recreation, is overjoyed

to see high numbers of participation in Outdoor Pursuits’ most recent events.

“This spring, we got the climbing wall back open,” Walker, who focuses on Outdoor Pursuits, said. “So, people can come and have a whole pretty safe, socially distant time … And for our programming, to actually get people outside, we’ve been offering day trips.”

The outdoor pursuit day trips usually consist of about three hours of hiking within the Athens area, led by a guide.

In April, Outdoor Pursuits plans to shift gears and focus on paddling and canoeing rather than hiking.

“The university isn’t allowing us to run overnight trips, which is usually kind of our bread and butter, so we had to get a little bit creative,” Walker said. “But it’s been cool because it’s allowed my staff to refocus on all the really good hiking and paddling and everything that’s right here, literally within the city.”

Walker hinted at a possible climbing competition on the horizon for Out-

door Pursuits and encouraged students to keep up with OU’s recreational activities to stay involved and active. The first canoeing program will be April 1, scheduled on one of the university’s wellness days in order to make the program more available.

“I think, in general, COVID has been really isolating for a lot of people, and I think that this winter in Athens was a particularly long one. It was really snowy and gloomy,” Walker said. “I think that it’s really important for people, for their own mental well-being, to get outside.

And this is a really cool, free way to do it, and we’re gonna expose people to things that they didn’t even know existed, right here in our own backyard.”

Students can sign up online for future events in advance by registering here.

@THELILYROBY LR158117@OHIO.EDU

Appalachian Ohio State of the Region Conference to be held in May KAYLA BENNETT STAFF WRITER The annual Appalachian Ohio State of the Region Conference is being held May 11-13 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

The conference brings public officials, economic development experts, business and organizational leaders and others to Ohio University each year to discuss different issues related to economic growth in rural Southeast Ohio.

Anyone is welcome to join in on the virtual event. Each conference has a theme or topics that will be covered.

These topics pertain to important issues within the Appalachian region. This year, the specific topics are workforce innovation, broadband, transportation, site development and water issues.

“We have a number of speakers that are in those particular areas that are ei-

ther working on programs, solutions or different efforts to address those topics,” Marty Hohenberger, director of the Center for Economic Development and Community Resilience, said.

The event is part of OU’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, or EDA, University Center project. The planning committee consists of staff from OU’s Voinovich School as well as leadership from local development districts and receives funding from the EDA. The conference has been able to bring together people who are involved in the everyday topics and issues being presented. The planners of the event have been able to share information and update partners and stakeholders throughout the region about what will be addressed.

“OU is a university center funded through the Economic Development Administration, and the Ohio Mideastern Governments Association, or OMEGA, is an economic development district also funded by the Economic Development Administration,” Jeannette M. Wierzbicki, executive director of OMEGA, said.

“We are also one of four local development districts. We serve 10 counties in the Eastern Appalachian part of Ohio.”

The planning committee and other local development districts get together with staff from OU to come up with a topic that is timely as well as do an overall state of the region. Normally, they try to focus on some success stories within the region so as to give attendees the opportunity to learn about what is working versus what isn’t working from peers.

Through the conference, presenters will be able to help the Appalachian areas

strategize how to resolve their economic issues through planning and analysis.

“I think that the State of the Region Conference is definitely a banner event for the Appalachian region,” Kennedy Webb-Blakley, communications manager of OMEGA, said. “It really is our chance to showcase all of the great things that happen here all the time, that go unnoticed by the rest of the state or the rest of the nation. (It’s) a good moment to let everyone know what we’re about and all of the amazing things and people that are here.”

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THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15

Virtual awards continue to be special to students, faculty EMMA SKIDMORE ASST. NEWS EDITOR While many awards ceremonies continue to be held in a virtual format, organizers have still found ways to recognize students’ work and make it a special experience for them.

Tamika Williams, assistant director for diversity and inclusion in the Career and Leadership Development Center, organized the Diversity First Showcase via Microsoft Teams. The event used to be an in-person luncheon, Williams said.

She also said they gave out a number of financial awards during the ceremony, and students were encouraged to use the chat feature to congratulate each other.

“That was probably the highlight of the whole event,” Williams said. “I got feedback from faculty and staff (and) feedback from employers that said they really took from seeing the energy of everybody celebrating each other’s accomplishments.”

Williams also said she created a PowerPoint to announce each winner. After the event, she sent pictures of the slides out to the winners so they could post them on sites like LinkedIn. “They found out in the moment,” Williams said. “I got their name, a picture, put a fun fact and put a little GIF of a trophy on it … It was actually pretty cool because they had no idea.”

Having the event online allowed more companies to participate, Williams said. For example, USA Today was a company that had never been involved before this year.

“We want to continue those opportunities where we can get these companies who don’t necessarily want to travel, but we also realize in-person engagement is important,” Williams said. “So, in thinking about this event for next year, we took some strong takeaways from the virtual aspect.”

Williams said she wants to expand the event in the coming years but do so in a way that keeps participants safe.

“If I can do limited quantities in person and then still have a little bit of that virtual component, I wouldn’t mind doing that as well as some form of a hybrid,” Williams said.

“Maybe three years from now, it’ll be full-blown in person, and we’ll be back to our normal thing. But I think for right now, we just have to read the room.”

Compared to an in-person event, Williams said, there were more moving pieces she had to be focused on. She said a presentation and breakout rooms were among the details she used to bring the event to life.

“I even created a digital booklet of all the companies’ DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives,” Williams said.

Brenna Cromwell, winner of the Leader on the Rise Award at the Diversity First Showcase, said she still enjoyed doing the event online.

“My whole entire college experience has been through computers, so it’s kind of nice to get to know new people, even in the strictest conditions,” Cromwell, a freshman studying interior architecture, said. “But this awards ceremony really brought me to new people that I would not have met had it not been for this showcase.”

She said it was nice to be able to see each of the panelists on the screen, and it made it easier to identify what 16 / APRIL 1, 2021

company they were from. Cromwell said she loves having an online component because she has a blood clotting disorder and spends a lot of time between doctors and can’t always make it to class.

“Being online makes it so much easier to just pop up, and I can listen to my lectures through the phone rather than if I were to actually be on campus right now,” Cromwell said. “So, the awards ceremonies — for someone who can’t attend but really desperately wants to meet and talk with people and enjoy the atmosphere — seeing people through the screen makes it so much easier for them to do that, and it just cuts out that extra difficulty in the process.”

Andie Walla, a professor in OU’s School of Media Arts and Studies, said she thinks there is an unfair advantage in her department when it comes to virtual award ceremonies. Walla said streaming events are not new, and it was easy to transition to a virtual format.

“We have not only the skills and the equipment to produce higher quality virtual awards ceremonies, but we don’t have to work with any outside vendors,” Walla said.

For the School of Media Arts and Studies’ awards ceremony for scholarship recipients, outstanding seniors and directors awards, Walla said it is usually a banquet, but it was able to incorporate elements like showcasing student projects and musicians in the virtual format. Walla also

said doing it virtually allows for more flexibility.

“I think it’s a little easier for us, and everyone can record their part when they have time,” Walla said. “For example, if you have a scheduling conflict when the actual event was held, it’s OK.” She said Bob Boilen, creator and host of NPR’s All Songs Considered, was slated to speak last spring, when many events first started getting canceled. However, Walla said he was able to still give a keynote speech virtually to graduating seniors.

Walla also appreciates the live chat feature and the fact that students can invite as many people to tune in to watch them receive an award rather than limiting it to a certain number of guests.

“When their name gets called for an award, they (viewers) can type in the chat, ‘Way to go so-and-so,’ emojis, whatever comes up,” Walla said. “I think that the live chat feature is a really great way to have interaction, too.”

Walla said with people getting fatigued from online events, they are trying to keep it uncomplicated and special for students.

“We’re trying to keep it simple and still be able to showcase student works and recognize our students and outstanding seniors, but we’re definitely trying to keep it the same as last year and try not to reinvent the wheel,” Walla said.

@E_SKIDMOREGS ES320518@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY BERGER

HOCKEY

Ohio defenseman Sam Turner (27) poses for a portrait at Bird Arena. (COLIN MAYR | FOR THE POST)

Sam Turner is optimistic about his and Ohio’s future

The sophomore defenseman sees a bright future at the end of the tunnel for Ohio ZACH ZIMMERMAN FOR THE POST When he arrived at Ohio in 2019, Sam Turner was just another freshman —one of an 11-player freshman class for the 2019-2020 season who had to prove he belonged with the Bobcats.

By the end of his freshman season, Turner had his proof in spades. He was a regular on the ice and was skating alongside Ohio’s veterans like he’d been at Bird Arena for years.

Yet Turner, who was one of the few freshmen to get regular playing time alongside top players last year, is not concerned about age. In his eyes, age isn’t important to the success of his team. What is important is being able to rely on each other.

“I think age doesn’t have too much to do with it after you get your feet under you,” Turner said. “That’s the cool part about our team. We got a lot of young guys, but we

all trust each other. I think they trust us, and that’s why it works.”

Turner, a Powell native who previously played for the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs of the United States Premier Hockey League, had been recruited by former Ohio coach Sean Hogan.

The sophomore played high school hockey all four years at Olentangy Liberty High School, just north of Columbus.

Turner often traveled for hockey and remembers making frequent trips to Boston. After trying out for the Jr. Monarchs, he played in New Hampshire for a season after high school. But Turner had already wanted to play at Ohio, even before leaving New Hampshire for Athens.

“I always was in contact with OU. I knew in high school OU was where I wanted to end up,” Turner said.

Turner had been in frequent contact with Hogan during his high school career. After Hogan stepped down as coach in 2019, Turner wasn’t fazed. He joined Ohio’s roster alongside 10 other recruits for the 2019-

2020 season.

“It was kind of interesting to me,” Turner said. “I got recruited by Hogan and knew him, then found out that Hogan’s leaving; we’re getting a new coach. I remember one day, I got a call from coach (Cole) Bell. I think I was at the rink at that point. He just introduced himself, said ‘Hi.’ I knew he didn’t recruit me, so that’d be a little more of an obstacle to get over, I guess. But that was kind of it.

It didn’t really change too much.”

This season has only improved the sophomore’s standing. Turner, who is an alternate captain this season, has started in 10 of Ohio’s 20 games this season.

Turner says he owes a lot of credit to his former teammate, Jake Houston.

“When I started playing more, I started playing with him,” Turner said. “He took me under his wing and gave me some pointers and kind of showed me how to step into his role the year after that, so I think he made that transition really easy. I still talk to him quite a bit ... He was running the power play last year, so now I kind of took over that job.”

In the 2020-2021 academic year, Turner hasn’t had the same opportunities to show out due to the season being shortened by the coronavirus pandemic. But Turner is just grateful to be on the ice at all. At one point before the season began, practices were limited to six players. The chance to play games at all is a miracle by Turner’s account.

“I think we’re all just thankful to be playing,” Turner said. “I think everyone is just happy we can play, and we’re doing everything we should be, getting tested like every other day, staying safe, wearing the masks.”

With the shortened season, the Bobcats have also seen games added to their schedule without much warning.

The uncertainty is a challenge, but it helped Turner and his team stay flexible.

“I think that it’s been good for us to learn how to kind of stay agile, stay flexible,” Turner said. “Like we get notified of a game two games before it happens, and it’s like, ‘OK. Adjust and adapt.’”

Aside from the pandemic, this season has been a steep hill to climb for the Bobcats. Turner called his team’s schedule “the hardest schedule in the league by far,” as they have had to regularly go up against Liberty, Lindenwood and Adrian, three of the best teams in the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

Nonetheless, Turner still believes his team has gotten better every week and that it can go up against anybody.

“We stayed positive,” Turner said. “We knew we would have a tough start to the season. We knew we were likely to drop some games early, but I think beating Adrian — I think that was pretty special.”

Turner sees a bright few years ahead for Ohio’s young roster, but he is still focused on the present. He still believes that Ohio has a chance heading into the ACHA National Championship.

“I’m really excited for the future. Every week, we just keep getting better,” Turner said. “And it sucks: we’re gonna have to lose some of our guys, but I think what’s important is we’re getting better every week, and we’re kind of gaining momentum heading into the national championship, so definitely looking forward to that.”

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SOCCER

Sydney Malham’s final season has been unpredictable MARIA MONESI FOR THE POST Sydney Malham has spent the past four seasons as a goalkeeper for Ohio. She started in 42 out of the 47 games that she played with the Bobcats in her first three seasons, but Malham went into her last season like plenty of other athletes: she had no idea how COVID-19 would affect her senior season.

“We didn’t even know if our spring season was going to happen or what was going on,” Malham said. “Training at 100% is really hard when you don’t have anything you’re working toward.”

After COVID-19 concerns postponed Ohio’s season until spring, it was difficult for Malham to see a future unimpeded by the pandemic.

Ohio spent the fall training, but it was a far cry from previous seasons. The differences have impacted players in ways other than playing.

“I think it’s just on the mental side,” Malham said.

Malham believes Ohio gets enough practice and is lucky to have its facilities available, but she feels like the only people she gets to see are her teammates. She loves her teammates, but the inability to see other friends on campus or spend time with her family also has taken a toll. Malham has difficulty finding time away from the Bobcats.

“For me, in the fall, the only place I would go was to practice and then to Kroger to get food, and that was it,” Malham said. “I didn’t really go anywhere else, which was really hard to do.”

Despite the downsides, Malham is over the moon that the Bobcats got the chance to play this spring. This season is new ground for the Bobcats, which means each game has its own importance.

“We have a lot less games that have way more impact,” Malham said. “Only the top (teams) get to go on to the tournament.”

Ohio’s season was shortened to just 10 games, but Malham is happy to be playing again at all. The Bobcats waited all year for a chance to play, and they want to cherish it.

Another positive for Malham came her way when she was named the Mid-American Conference East Defensive Player of the Week on March 17 for her shutout performance against Akron.

“I mean, it was definitely cool, I think,” Malham said.

Malham was glad the MAC honored Ohio and her because it was the only team the week of March 17 that recorded a shutout.

She feels it was more of a team award than it was for her. The award was one of the bright spots for her to be able to get back on the field and perform at such a high level.

But all good things must end sooner or later. Just as things were turning in the right direction for Ohio, a broken finger ended Malham’s already brief final season. As the season begins to wrap up, Malham finds the friendships are what she is going to miss the most with Ohio.

“For four years, you train hard with them.

You wake up early with them,” Malham said.

“You go through a lot of hard times with them.”

Malham’s spent her college career dedicated to Ohio and has had a monumental impact, which hasn’t gone unnoticed. Coach Aaron Rodgers reflected on Malham’s career following Ohio’s loss to Bowling Green on Sunday.

“Obviously a tremendous, tremendous career Sydney’s had here,” Rodgers said. “What a great goalkeeper, the great four years that she was able to give to Ohio soccer.”

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Sydney Malham, Ohio University’s goalkeeper, poses for a portrait before practice on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019.

(GRACE WILSON | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

EXISTENTIAL BINGE-WATCHING

The best bad films to fill your binge list JACKSON HORVAT is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University

It’s gotten to that point in the year of quarantine again where there seems to be a distinct lull in the release of new movies and television shows. There is, however, an underrated genre known as awful films — No, not the ones that are painstaking to get through, but the ones that are so bad and poorly made that they end up playing as an endearing comedy of sorts.

Cult classics, b-horror movies, old films from when we were kids — the beauty of these productions is that they’re often overlooked or maybe haven’t been seen in some time. When finding something to watch is becoming a bit difficult, they’re a fantastic, if a bit unorthodox, alternative to turn to. So, if you’re looking to shut down your brain for a bit and throw your Oscars standards out the window, these are just some of the films that will get the job done:

Rubber (2010)

A tire comes to life with the power to make people explode and then goes off on a

killing spree in the desert. With that synopsis said, this film holds a special place in my heart as the cult classic of my high school friend group. We’ve watched this an unhealthy number of times and see it as the quintessential b-horror movie that never fails to make us laugh until our sides hurt.

If you’re looking for something a bit more down to Earth, may I also suggest Zombeavers. The title says it all.

Spy Kids (2001)

Let’s face it, a lot of films from our childhood don’t stand the test of time. And yes, looking back on Spy Kids from a grown-up perspective, it’s a poorly made movie. But where’s the fun in that? The greatest thing about films like the Spy Kids franchise is the nostalgia that comes along with them. Maybe we tortured our parents, and maybe we can now recognize their poorer quality, but they’ll always remain so close to our hearts.

Huge shoutout as well to The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. Where would the world be without mechanical George Lopez or young Taylor Lautner’s lullaby?

Sharknado (2013)

Terrible monster and disaster flicks hold that same kind of cultural relevance as b-horror movies. A midday browse on the Syfy channel is enough to prove that there

are no shortage of films in this subgenre, but Sharknado and the movies that came after it had the honor of becoming an actual phenomenon. It’s the type of film that teeters on self-awareness and is stronger because of its ability to own up to its terribleness.

I also like to think that Deep Blue Sea walked so that the Sharknado franchise could run.

Billy Madison (1995)

This is just a matter of picking my personal favorite, due to the fact that Adam Sandler might just be the pioneer of making fantastically horrendous films. Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, Little Nicky, Grown Ups, you find any one of his films that’s not trying to be good or a romantic comedy and you’re just going to be able to sit back and watch Sandler have stupid amounts of fun making dumb movies with his group of recurring actor friends.

The only other pioneer in the field that could give Sandler a run for his money is, of course, Nicolas Cage. From The Wicker to Face/Off, Cage is still owning his meme status in popular culture with the recent release of Willy’s Wonderland. Seriously, go check out the trailer at the very least.

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Reality just wouldn’t feel right if the image of a pseudo-cool Tobey Maguire trying

to dance on the streets of New York City didn’t exist. Was this film disappointing at the time? Yes, especially when it followed the absolute brilliance of Spider-Man 2. It has had the benefit, though, of getting better with age and becoming a film that’s fun to look back on, despite its troubled and over-bloated conception.

Bad superhero films, from Batwoman & Robin to Howard the Duck, also truly have that uncanny ability to turn campy films into feel-good ones post their days of release.

These are by no means all of the best of the worst — no, I’ve never seen The Room.

The thing about great awful movies is that they’re entirely subjective. Something that’s unbearable to one person might be the funniest thing on the planet to another. It’s the curse and the power of these films. If you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel to find something to watch, there’s always at least something for everyone to kill a few hours with in the odd gold mine that comes out of terrible filmmaking.

Jackson Horvat is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you agree? Tell Jackson by tweeting him at @horvatjackson.

CAT’S CRADLE

What to love about Shakespeare BENJAMIN ERVIN is a senior studying English literature and writing at Ohio University When it comes to Shakespeare, audiences think of the popular works like Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. However, these are not the best works Shakespeare has to offer. Though each is popular since it tackles a certain demographic, college and high-school ages particularly, they do not fully represent the creative ways Shakespeare writes.

The most accessible and interesting of Shakespeare’s plays is Henriad. It tells a fictionalized account of the War of the Roses, consisting of Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V. Each plays a respective title referring to the reign of a specific King, though each play is a part of a series, carrying across characters like Henry, IV, Hal, Pistol and Falstaff, while vastly changing the tone.

The first of four, Richard II, is presented as a story of betrayal and a mad King. Similar to Shakespeare’s King Lear, Richard II is an eccentric ruler, whose poetic verse reflects a certain madness in his character — to such a degree that he is betrayed and disposed of by his cousin Henry IV. This dethroning creates the frame of the series, as new leaders and kings rise to challenge the throne in the wake of Henry IV’s initial challenge. Reflecting on real-life events, Shakespeare’s Henry IV is posited as a stern and calculating figure to Richard’s opulence.

In Henry IV, Part 1, the series turns to a political drama and bildungsroman, as we are split between Hal and Henry IV. The theme of the play is how Hal (Henry V) conflicts with his identity and the man he wants to be.

He is caught between three figures: Falstaff, Henry IV and the rebel Hotspur. Each presents a different personality as a partier, a king and a soldier, respectively. Throughout the play, Hal interacts with these three characters as he attempts to navigate and create

his identity through role-play and combat.

Henry IV, Part 1 is notable for its mix of comedy, political drama and numerous battles. One of the most popular plays in the Henriad, it has references to the audience, duels and a father-son relationship that is complicated by the son’s constant partying.

The follow-up, Henry IV, Part 2, is the less popular of the sequential parts. Carrying on the political drama and comedy of the former, this play is not as cherished.

Particularly, it has less Falstaff and more Henry IV, as we see the transfer of the crown from father to son. Hal takes on the role of Prince Henry and slowly transitions to the role of king. The eventual betrayals come as a stinging end note to this play, as Hal becomes king of England.

Closing out the tetralogy is Henry V. The most simplistic of the four plays, Henry V opens with the newly crowned Henry overseeing his court and preparing for a battle at Agincourt. Characterized by long and powerful speeches by Henry V, the play is a riveting

call to arms.

Acting as a vessel for war propaganda, the play has been put on several times during times of political and social unrest to unify Britain under a single identity. The back end of the play is a love story, with Henry V courting Princess Katherine.

Each play presents something great about Shakespeare: war, love, revenge, tragedy and comedy. In this often collected series, the Henriad presents the best of Shakespeare’s writings. It’s adapted several times over and available in print editions at the Little Professor, in the compact and cheap Signet Classic editions, making them the perfect plays to read on the go.

Benjamin Ervin is a senior studying English literature and writing 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 Benjamin know by emailing him be425014@ohio.edu.

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 19

9 motivational songs to help you power through the rest of the semester Summer is almost here, and these tunes will help you get there MARY BERGER ART DIRECTOR We are 2/3 done with the semester, but many students are feeling burnt out. Especially with most classes online this semester, schoolwork can be really hard to manage — especially alongside the emotional toll the pandemic has taken on our mental health and social life. Luckily, this playlist can help provide you with the energy and motivation you need to finish out strong.

Of course, nine songs is not enough to make you completely relax and ace your classes, but the positive vibes they send are a great way to get started. Listen to this playlist while walking to class, working out at the gym or just sitting in your dorm to give yourself a little boost to your mental health for the day. These songs can provide you with high spirits to put you in the right mindset to help you carry on for the next handful of weeks.

Here are nine motivational songs to help you get through the rest of the semester:

“GOOD DAY” BY DNCE

To start this playlist off strong, “Good Day” is an upbeat pop track that screams good vibes, reminding you that every day can be a good one if you set your mind to it. A positive mindset can truly brighten one’s mood, especially when motivation is lacking during these last few weeks of the semester.

“HOLD ON” BY JUSTIN BIEBER

“Hold On” is the catchy pop song you didn’t realize you needed. Bieber’s song embodies the philosophy of hanging in there when life gets tough and reminding one to let others know if help is needed. Just like the next few weeks of the semester, hold on because you can do it!

“HAPPY” BY NATASHA BEDINGFIELD

Just because this song is a bit of a throwback doesn’t mean it doesn’t apply to life today.

“Happy” is all about being grateful and positive even when things aren’t really going your way.

This might just be the track you need to hear to remind you how blessed you are and how capable you are of powering through in times of stress.

“SUNDAY BEST” BY SURFACES

Surfaces said it best: “It’s gonna get difficult to stand but, hold your balance / I just say whatever ‘cause there is no way around it.” When you’re struggling, it is best to

20 / APRIL 1, 2021

say “whatever” and address the issue head on.

“Sunday Best” is a great song to listen to while walking around when you need to clear your head after a long study session.

“BANG!” BY AJR

“Bang!” is just a fun, catchy song that reminds you to stay fun, stay light and to go out — in this case, this semester, with a “bang.” This is a great philosophy to use when finding motivation for the rest of the semester. AJR sings, “So put your best face on everybody / Pretend you know this song / Everybody come hang / Let’s go out with a bang.” Use these lyrics to motivate yourself to keep moving forward, and go out with a “bang” on your finals.

“BEST DAY OF MY LIFE” BY AMERICAN AUTHORS

This is another throwback on the playlist, but the message of the track could not be more prevalent: enjoy the little things, take things day by day and stay determined. With this mindset, every day could be the best day of your life.

“ON TOP OF THE WORLD” BY IMAGINE DRAGONS

“On Top Of The World” is a motivational tune telling you to keep dreaming and, eventually, you’ll find yourself on top of the world.

The group sings, “I’ve had the highest mountains / I’ve had the deepest rivers / You can have it all, but not ‘til you move it,” meaning

we have all had struggles, especially during this semester of hybrid courses, but once you conquer your stress and classes, you can have it all.

“SUN COMES UP” BY RUDIMENTAL FEAT. JAMES ARTHUR

Like many other songs on this playlist, “Sun Comes Up” is an uplifting tune about overcoming obstacles in times of adversity. Everyone has dealt with their fair share of struggles over the past semester, so it is a nice reminder that eventually the “sun comes up,” and summer break will be here before you know it.

“BRAND NEW” BY BEN RECTOR

To end this playlist, Ben Rector has the perfect song to drive to with the windows down and the radio cranked up. “Brand New” is a light, cheerful song that brings a sense of carefreeness to your day that may be much needed.

@MARYBERGS10 MB690617@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY BERGER

ILLUSTRATION BY KATIE BANECK

6 bathing suit styles you need this summer JULIANA COLANT FOR THE POST The weather forecast is sunnier, projecting warmer weather and later sunsets, which signals it’s also time for the bathing suit forecast. Trends are suggesting fun prints and spunky suit silhouettes are in the near fashion future. Soak up the sun in style, and check out our list of six bathing suit styles you need this summer:

RIBBED

Ribbed bathing suits are both practical and in fashion. The ribbed material stretches and forms to you, flattering all body types. This suit style is especially great for

those who love to be active. Whether you are playing a game of spikeball or Marco Polo, the stretchy ribbed material will hold everything in place.

GLITTER

Sparkly colored suits and gold or silver metallic are in trend this season. Go full glamour by pairing the suit with oversized sunglasses or a sunhat. The final look will leave you shining like the sun this summer.

CUT-OUT

Show some extra skin in a cut-out onepiece or bikini. Cut-out bathing suits spice up any simple silhouette, adding a flair that ensures you’ll stand out from the crowd.

ONE-SHOULDER

A one-shoulder style is a dramatic and tasteful change from the traditional twostrap or strapless bathing suit. One-shoulder bathing suits can match any vibe you’re going for. Are you going for sophisticated, or are you going for playful? Regardless, one shoulder is the answer.

DITSY FLORAL

Embrace all things girly in a ditsy floral bathing suit. Ditsy floral is a small, scattered pattern of flowers. It adds a delicate touch to any bathing suit. Details like ruffles and pastel color tie the whole dainty swim look together.

ANIMAL PRINT

Unleash your wild side with an animal-printed bathing suit. Choose from a zoo of animals like leopard, zebra or snakeskin.

For a less bold statement, opt for a bikini that has either the top or bottom as animal print and the other is a solid color.

Bathing suits can be expensive, especially if it is a seasonal item in your closet. When on a bathing suit budget, you do not need to sacrifice style. Check out online sites like Zaful, Shein, Cupshe and PrettyLittleThing.

@COLANT_JULIANA JC079419@OHIO.EDU

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the weekender Minority International Student Panel to discuss health care in Athens KAYLA BENNETT FOR THE POST

The Racial Equity Coalition’s Health and Wellness Committee put together a Minority International Student Panel on Healthcare in Athens. This panel will highlight some of the health care experiences of minority international students.

Students will be able to share their experiences with health care in a different country, specifically in rural America.

“The goal of our committee was to raise, not only awareness, but also understanding of what health providers can do to begin to address (international students) strategically, and, also, to make a really great impact within our local area and within their region,” Brandi Baker, co-lead of the Racial Equity Coalition and the Health and Wellness Committee, said.

The panelists, so far, include Ethel Anyani-Boadum, Samba Bah, Aggrey Willis Otieno Odhiambo and Shauna Torrington-Griffith. The set-up of the event will be a Q&A with moderator Vanessa Morgan-Nai, coordinator for Multicultural Advising and African American Student Success.

The event was created in order to raise awareness around issues that have historically impacted racial ethnic minorities in Athens and, especially, in Appalachia.

“I think it’s very important to learn about what the student population is experiencing with regards to their own health because we’re focusing on people who are either from here or have lived here for a while,” Shei Sanchez, grants and communications manager at Sisters Health Foundation, said. “We also want to be aware that we’re serving. We’re trying to serve everyone.”

Sanchez believes it’s important for the people of Athens to see beyond who they are and reach out to others that they can learn from.

“I feel it’s (Athens) a welcoming county for all, and I would like that aspect to 22 / APRIL 1, 2021

be part of the health care system,” Sanchez said.

This concept sparked the Health and Wellness Committee’s idea of making April the first Athens-based Minority Health Month. The panel is the first part of a three-part series in making this month possible.

The second is the state report card overview through the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, or HPIO. HPIO is going to focus on explaining what the state health report card is and, specifically, how it relates to racial equity in the state of Ohio.

The third will be a roundtable that will look at developing strategies to address racial health disparities within local health organizations.

“The international student panel is also going to be a great opportunity to shine light and a lens of what our international communities of color are experiencing,” Baker said.

Baker, Sanchez and Morgan-Nai believe it is important for international students to find a safe and supportive place for health care.

“It’s going to bring about a different perspective that maybe people haven’t really thought about,” Morgan-Nai said.

“Athens is growing, which means that you’re going to have more and more international students coming in, and it will be very helpful to hear what their stories are, what their experiences are, so that we can continue to provide them very good health care. I really encourage everyone to come and hear from these students and give their stories or find a way to just connect with them. Most of them are already in their own little world so knowing that there’s a larger community than Ohio University will be very helpful to know.”

Those interested in attending the event can register online. @KKAYYBEN KB084519@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY KATIE BANECK

IF YOU GO WHAT: Minority International Student Panel on Healthcare in Athens WHERE: Virtual WHEN: Friday, April 2, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m ADMISSION: Free

WHAT’S GOING ON? Join OU Hillel for virtual Shabbat, visit ‘For the Love of Athens’ photo contest and exhibition ISABEL NISSLEY FOR THE POST

Admission: Free

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.

Minority International Student Panel on Healthcare in Athens at 12 p.m., hosted virtually by the Racial Equity Coalition of Athens County. Learn about the experiences of minority international students and how they have navigated the health care system in Athens. The event will be hosted as a panel discussion, moderated by Vanessa Morgan of OU’s Office for Multicultural Advising and African American Student Success. Participants can register via this Google form.

Admission: Free

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.

Virtual Shabbat at 6 p.m., hosted

by Hillel at Ohio University via Zoom.

Join OU Hillel for a student-led, virtual Shabbat. Although the event is online, students are still encouraged to lead prayer, offer a D’var or contribute musically. Registration is required through OU Hillel’s website.

FRIDAY, APRIL 2

“For the Love of Athens” Photo Contest Gallery Exhibit at 8 a.m., hosted

by ARTS/West and the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St. View “For the Love of Athens,” a photo contest and exhibition celebrating the people and places of Athens County.

The show has been on display over the past few months at ARTS/West, and now, it is being hosted at the Athens Community Center for an encore viewing. Questions can be directed to Emily Beveridge at 740-592-4315 or ebeveridge@ci.athens.oh.us.

Admission: Free 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 Level One Flameworking at 11 a.m., hosted by the Hocking Makers Network, 3301 Hocking Parkway, Nelsonville. Learn the basics of using a torch and glass rods. The class will be taught

by Sabrina Suman. Participants will make glass bees. Registration can be completed on the Hocking Makers Network website.

Admission: $35

MONDAY, APRIL 5 International Flags on College Green at 8:30 a.m., hosted by OU’s International Student and Faculty Services Office and Office of Global Affairs and International Studies on OU’s College Green. View the international flags of OU students to celebrate IWeek.

COVID-19 protocols remain in place.

Photos of the flags can be shared using the hashtag #OHIOIWEEK21.

Admission: Free

@ISABELNISSLEY IN566119@OHIO.EDU

Admission: Free

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