New candidates running for 3 open City Council seats
WEYAND | FOR THE POST
With the May 6 primary election approaching, three Athens City Council members have decided not to seek reelection, leaving their seats open for new candidates.
The departing members are Solveig Spjeldnes, D-1st Ward; Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward; and Micah McCarey, Councilmember at-large.
McCarey is giving up his seat to run for president of the Council, and Spjeldnes and Risner are retiring from the Council altogether.
Megan Leah Almeida, Andrew Guidarelli and Anthony Jacobs are running as Democrats for the 1st Ward Council.
Jacobs is an Ohio University alumnus with a background in construction management and electrical distribution. Currently, he is working with the city on a street beautification project.
Jacobs said if elected, he aims to focus on infrastructure improvement and protecting businesses and citizens affected by construction work.
“The biggest thing I’ve seen with the citizens around the city is folks are really
getting fed up with the way that some of the construction management is happening around here,” Jacobs said. “We need greater transparency, so that’s my goal as councilman, if elected.”
Jacobs also plans to involve students and faculty in construction planning.
“We’ve got the university right here, and the civil engineering department … there are great minds there and we could just ask them their opinions,” Jacobs said.
John Adams Staser, a Democrat, is running unopposed to replace Risner as 2nd Ward Councilor.
Staser is a professor at within the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, focusing on chemical and biomolecular engineering. Staser also works within the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment.
Finally, four Democratic candidates are running for three seats as councilmembers at-large. Incumbents Jessica Thomas and Beth Clodfelter are running for reelection, as well as new candidates Ari Faber and Paul Isherwood.
Faber is the acting executive director of United Campus Ministries and has previously run for the Ohio Senate.
In a debate Wednesday, Faber explained his priorities as council member would be affordable, quality housing and infrastructure investment, including better communication from the Council about upcoming construction projects.
Faber would also like to host drop-in office hours to allow citizens to voice any community concerns.
Isherwood is a former social studies teacher on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Along with Faber, Isherwood also works on the co-create housing initiative.
Isherwood said he strives to make Athens a place where developers want to build more affordable housing. He wants to start programs to support the creation of more local businesses, including a buy local program, tax credits for small businesses and a local business digital directory.
All candidates expressed their support for more affordable housing developments and local businesses.
APRIL 5TH
Ohio Issue 2 supports local infrastructure
Ohio Issue 2, the Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment, is on the ballot to issue up to $2.5 million in general obligation bonds for local infrastructure improvements if passed May 6.
The bonds would be limited to $250 million per year for 10 years, funding the State Capital Improvement Program, which helps local governments through loans and grants for public infrastructure projects.
The amendment allocates 56.7% of funding for roads, 18.3% for water supply, 13.9% for wastewater management, 6.8% for bridges and culverts and 4.3% for stormwater utilities.
According to the Ohio Ballot Board, the amendment aims to protect public health, create jobs and enhance Ohioans’ economic welfare by improving infrastructure.
Dan Troy (D-Willowick) told the Statehouse News Bureau the issue will not involve local property or income taxes.
Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) said although the funding is not new, it is important to support the systems Ohioans rely on each day.
“It is crucial we find ways to support local public works projects in Ohio that will not only improve the quality of our communities but also create economic growth and provide new job opportunities for Ohio workers,” Craig said to WTVG.
Ohio lawmakers say this amendment could provide 35,000 construction jobs.
At the March 17 City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Patterson urged support for tax-free municipal bonds to save citizens money and further local infrastructure projects that previously funded the Athens City swimming pool, the fire station headquarters, and the parking garage.
Infrastructure projects selected for funding are chosen by 19 regional public works integrating committees consisting of local officials.
Voters to decide on 0.3% income tax increase for city services
AVERY ST.GEORGE | FOR THE POST
Athens residents will vote May 6 in the Primary Election on a new tax reform, Issue 3. If passed, the levy would increase income taxes by 0.3% per year in the City of Athens and would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
The additional taxes would provide funding for safety services such as the police and fire departments. The ballot also dedicates the tax toward “general municipal operations,” including street improvements and public transportation.
Issue 3 would raise taxes from 1.95% to 2.25% of annual income if a majority of voters approve the measure.
In a meeting Dec. 16, Athens City Council discussed whether to put the levy on the ballot, according to a previous report by The Post.
Some council members felt the additional cost was too high to place on the citizens of Athens. Others, including Mayor Steve Patterson, supported the levy, stating it would help fund essential
city services.
“Let’s look at the four levies that just passed this year and last year and the last five years, and I look at my property tax has increased over $1,400,” Aaron Thomas, Board of Zoning Appeals member and Athens resident, said. “We are still one of the poorest areas in the entire state of Ohio.”
Councilmember Jessica Thomas also said the tax increase would burden residents, stating that it would be a $120 a
year increase on a $40,000 income and a $210 a year increase on a $70,000 income. This measure will appear as Issue 3 on the ballot, and residents can start early voting April 8 at the Athens County Board of Elections. The polls will be open May 6 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
ZOE
ELIZABETH TALAGA | SLOT EDITOR
Police Blotter: Barking up the wrong road, Milkshake Meltdown
DREW HOFFMASTER | NEWS STAFF WRITER
21 Fri ___________________________
Barking up the wrong road
Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies were patrolling Oakdale Road in Glouster and observed two dogs in the roadway.
After stopping, deputies informed the owner the dogs needed to be put on leashes because the dogs were blocking the road.
22 Sat __________________________
Fundraiser flare-up
Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to North Plains Road to a fundraiser being held by a fire department. The complainant said the event caused a traffic hazard.
After speaking to the complainant, the deputies returned to patrol.
The case of the mysterious yell
According to a report from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, a person was heard yelling for help around East First Street in The Plains.
After receiving the report, deputies patrolled the area in their cruisers and on foot. They also spoke with multiple people in the area who were outside.
Deputies were unable to find the source of the yelling and determine if it was actually for help.
Harassment case in the books
An individual on state Route 78 in Glouster called the Athens County Sheriff’s Office to report a Facebook harassment incident.
After the deputies had investigated, no threats were found and the caller was informed how to obtain a protection order if needed. Deputies took a report and returned to patrol.
23 Sun ___________________________
Possible body part
A call was received by the Athens County Sheriff’s Office reporting the caller’s cat had possibly brought a body part into the caller’s home in Coolville.
Deputies went to the home to discover that no body part was present. After speaking to the caller, deputies determined they did not meet the criteria for a mental health evaluation. Deputies returned to patrol.
Bouncing out of control
According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, a dispute between two parties took place at a basketball game at Federal Hocking Elementary.
Once the deputies arrived at the scene, they spoke to school staff. The staff said the dispute was over one party not being able to visit a child, and all parties left the property.
24 Mon__________________________
Dog found, but dinner’s gone
A complaint of a possible theft on West Third Street in The Plains was reported to Athens County Sheriff’s Office where a box of food from a freezer and a dog were missing.
The dog was found at the Athens County Dog Shelter, and deputies took a report for the missing box of food.
Dog attack
According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, an individual called to report his girlfriend was attacked by one of their dogs at their home on Chase Road in Albany.
The individual later called again to inform the office his girlfriend had stopped answering her phone and was most likely in the kitchen.
Deputies responded and found the woman was safe but covered in multiple non-life-threatening wounds
25 Tue __________________________
Unknown gunshot sounds
Gunshot sounds were reported to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office coming from around Mill Street in Chauncey.
Residents told deputies they also heard the gunshot sounds but did not know where they came from. After patrolling, the deputies could not determine where the sound came from.
26 Wed _________________________
Milkshake meltdown
According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to Wooten Road in Athens for a domestic complaint.
At the scene, deputies learned the dispute was over a milkshake being thrown away. The involved parties agreed not to throw away any more milkshakes.
27 Thur
Gasoline required
While patrolling U.S. Route 50, the Athens County Sheriff’s Office units observed a disabled vehicle near the Albany rest area.
The units then helped the driver obtain gasoline at a local gas station.
“Key”napper
The Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a Glouster resident’s keys possibly being stolen. Deputies unsuccessfully attempted to contact the person the caller said had the keys. The deputies then informed the caller to contact the Glouster Police Department for any updates.
Federal hiring freeze affects student internships
A federal hiring freeze enacted by President Donald Trump has revoked internship offers for many students, leaving them scrambling to secure alternative opportunities before summer.
Hunter Person, a junior studying political science pre-law and international studies, secured an internship with the U.S. State Department after extensive preparation, including drafting a multipage federal resume, interviewing and obtaining security clearance. However, the opportunity was unexpectedly revoked, leaving his efforts wasted.
Person is not the only one to experience this. Following the enactment of a 90-day federal hiring freeze, many students have had their summer 2025 federal internships revoked.
The federal hiring freeze originated from an executive order signed by Trump on Jan. 20.
The order specifies that no civilian employees can be hired to any agency within the executive branch for 90 days after the order was signed.
As a result, bureaucratic agencies that typically hire interns are being forced to take away summer 2025 internship positions previously available.
Along with the executive order, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum titled Federal Civilian Hiring Freeze Guidance that outlines how federal agencies must follow the hiring freeze order and what
agencies are exempt.
Exemptions include the U.S. Postal Service, military personnel, immigration enforcement, national security, public safety and senior executive members requiring Presidential appointment or Senate confirmation.
The document also goes into detail about the goal of the hiring freeze.
The memorandum states that within 90 days of its issuance, the directors of the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management, along with the administrator of the U.S. DOGE Service, must submit a plan to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
For Meghan Martin, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability, the hiring freeze also meant losing a federal internship at the National Arboretum.
After a successful interview, where Martin thought she was guaranteed a job, she received an email saying the arboretum could no longer proceed with the hiring process.
“Unfortunately, there is bad news to share,” the email read. “We are not able to hire interns at all this season … While interns are paid through a private funding source, each new person is required to go through a federal background check … This background check process has been put on hold.”
Although Martin was prepared with another internship ready, she reported being worried about finding jobs in the
environmental science field in the future because of recent job and research cuts.
However, Person was not as prepared for the hiring freeze.
“Now I’m just kind of scrambling to figure something out for the summer,” Person said. “I’ve talked to a lot of professors, and I have another one I’m talking with today. It’s just kind of what I’m doing at the moment, kind of stressed out a little bit.”
Person also said he hoped to receive a job offer from this internship.
“I had kind of hoped it would set me up for the next summer as well, for my senior year, because a lot of people who have these types of internships get offered a job in the future, assuming you did well and all of that,” Person said. “I’m obviously disappointed, as a lot of people are, but I can’t say I’m surprised.”
Due to the rigorous hiring process, Person said he feels discouraged from applying for a federal internship or job in the future.
“Right now, I’m kind of looking for different non-governmental organizations (to work for),” Person said. “But even then, even though they’re non-governmental, a lot of them still receive their funding from the U.S. in one way or another, so either they’re closing positions and so on and so forth.”
Person also described his outlook on getting an internship now.
“It’s kind of out of my hands,” Person said. “Of course I can look for whatever, but not any federal positions right now, I don’t suppose.”
ZOE WEYAND | FOR THE POST
Career Services Center on the fifth floor of Baker Center, Ohio University, Athens, March 28, 2025. (TALITHA MALOY | FOR THE POST)
Crowds ‘Congo’ into another fest weekend
DREW HOFFMASTER | NEWS STAFF WRITER
Crowds gathered at the houses lining Congress Street throughout Friday to celebrate Congo Fest, the first fest of the weekend. Students reported coming out to the festivities after finishing classes for the day, with some arriving as early as 2 p.m.
Jacob Lipchek, a junior studying finance, said the residents of Congress Street have been preparing for Fest for a long time.
“(Congo Fest) is all of our neighboring houses,” Lipchek said. “We're all talking about it, and there's some good buzz building up. We have some friends over, and we're making the most of (fests) while we can while we're in college.”
Because much of Congo Fest’s activities consist of house parties, most students typically have to know someone hosting to attend. Luke Petersen, a senior studying marketing and business analytics, said a friend living on Congress Street told him to mark his calendar.
“This is a very important day to say you live here,” Petersen said. “Great hospitality, I feel like I'm seeing everyone at all the different houses hanging out. I feel it's a sense of community right now on the
streets that we love to see.”
Maddy Sagerman, a junior studying business analytics and management information systems, said Congo and High Fests have the best vibes, activity and good times compared to the other fests. Congo Fest is more isolated to the houses, while Mill Fest is open to anyone who shows up.
“If you have a friend on Congo, you know they're having a good party and you know they're having a good time,” Sagerman said. “These are my best friends, and I've shown up to their party. I don't really know everybody who shows up, but I am happy to be here. I am happy to be a part of it.”
Petersen said Congo Fest has a chill and relaxed environment where everyone can have a good time as long as they are not obnoxious or over the top.
“We're all 21 plus, so we don't condone underage drinking at all,” Lipchek said. “Also, we're limiting the amount of people, and we're making them show us their IDs if they want to come to our party to make sure they're 21. We're keeping them in control.”
Students also reported seeing oth-
ers play games, drink, get arrested, put up crazy signs, someone streaking and someone losing $2,000 in poker.
“I’m having a great time,” Sagerman said. “I am living the dream. I have been with my friends. I have been with people I don't know. I get all of it in the same little chunk.”
As the parties died down around 10-11 p.m., many Congo Fest goers headed to the bars. Sagerman said she plans to hit all the
bars in Athens to support local businesses and have fun.
“(The night) can go a lot of ways, but I'm just looking to have some good time with my friends,” Lipchek said. “My buddy Luke here, he's a senior, so I won't be seeing him for too much longer, unfortunately. We're just trying to make the most of it. Just reconnect with some old souls and just have a good time.”
@DREWHJOURNALIST
DH384223@OHIO.EDU
People celebrate Congo Fest on Congress Street, Athens, March 28, 2025. (TALITHA MALOY | FOR THE POST)
People watch from a rooftop during Congo Fest on Congress Street, Athens, March 28, 2025. (TALITHA MALOY | FOR THE POST)
Sociological Action Network introduces online dialogue series
SOPHIA ROOKSBERRY | ASST. HUMAN INTEREST EDITOR
On Wednesday, the Sociological Action Network took over Room 450 in Schoonover Center for its first event. “Documenting Action: Student Awareness and Engagement on Social Issues” featured three speakers and introduced potential members to the club’s mission.
SAN was founded by Sonali Jha, a third-year doctoral student studying media arts and studies. Jha is from India, a country where nearly 8 million people were victims of human trafficking as of 2022, according to The Exodus Road. The history of Jha’s home country inspired her research on human trafficking, and she created SAN as an interdisciplinary research project surrounding that focus.
“Our club aims to establish an educational platform focusing on key topics such as human rights, human trafficking, citizen rights and social justice/injustice,” reads SAN’s description on BobcatConnect. “Our primary aim is to empower students by providing opportunities for learning, fostering critical thinking and facilitating meaningful discussions to increase awareness and understanding.”
The first speaker at Wednesday’s event was Marguerite Hernandez, an associate professor of instruction in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology on Ohio University’s Chillicothe campus. “I was speaking about … how to form
coalitions that are committed to social change and the role empathy can play in facilitating collaboration and how we can work across our differences on issues we are concerned about,” Hernandez said.
“We work in collectives, but a lot of that starts with one individual who is making that happen and providing those opportunities.”
The next speaker was Christi Scott Bartman, the founder of Eyes Up Appalachia, an organization that aims to “identify, alleviate and prevent human trafficking and those vulnerabilities that put someone at risk for it” in the Appalachian region. During her segment, Bartman emphasized the importance of individual and collective action while highlighting the voices of survivors.
The final speaker was Victoria LaPoe, an associate professor in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, who primarily spoke about missing and murdered Indigenous women, or MMIW. Many members in the audience were students in LaPoe’s Gender, Race and Class course, who came as an assignment for the class. One of these students was Matthew Dragani, a senior studying journalism.
“We’ve already done a little bit of coverage on MMIW, so (this event) is developing that perspective a little better,” Dragani said.
LaPoe also spoke about media cover-
age of MMIW and other human rights topics, which Dragani found useful for his coursework and broader field of study.
“There are a lot of things that need more press coverage, just more general understanding and this is definitely one of them,” he said. “So it was cool to come here and see these people’s stories and their specific relationships to these problems.”
SAN will continue to feature speakers in upcoming events. Future events will expand to help students working on research projects get feedback from one another as well as help students find internships, write grants and develop other professional and advocacy skills.
“I’m launching an online dialogue series where we have seats for 20 students because that is how the Ph.D. students can manage their workload and work with these students … whatever skills we have, we can work on,” Jha said.
Not only does Jha hope to help those working toward a Ph.D., but also undergraduate and graduate students.
As someone who didn’t have resources like the SAN in undergrad, Hernandez believes it’s an important facet of the club.
“By bringing people together who have these similar interests in doing research, that support system is so important for being successful,” Hernandez said. “You can find people to work with, you can find people who are cheering you on, maybe you find people you can collabo-
“There are a lot of things that need more press coverage.”
– Victoria LaPoe, associate professor in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
rate with.”
In addition to research, Jha hopes the club will inspire people to increase their awareness and passion for social justice in academia. Students interested in a seat at the online dialogue session or in the club in general can email san@ohio.edu for more information.
“The bigger the network is, the better voices and social movements become,” Jha said.
@SOPHIAROOKS_ SR320421@OHIO.EDU
Serenity Roots promotes relaxation, tranquility
Serenity Roots is a local wellness center that offers a variety of classes, events and individualized sessions including yoga, qigong, reiki and meditation.
CAMI SEYMORE | FOR THE POST
Buried in the woods and just a 10 minute drive from Ohio University’s campus is Serenity Roots, a sanctuary where Athens residents can decompress and be free from the stress of everyday life.
Located at 8950 Lavelle Road, Serenwwity Roots is a yoga and wellness center founded by Carin Painter that offers a variety of classes, events and individualized sessions including yoga, qigong, reiki, meditation and massages.
The space was formerly home to Bodhi Tree, a yoga studio, but was replaced by Serenity Roots when Painter and her husband bought the land in 2024.
Painter and her husband, both OU alumni, lived in Broadlands, Virginia, but decided to move back to Athens. After exploring some properties in the area, they immediately fell in love with the space on Lavelle Road.
Painter decided to keep the existing yoga studio and renamed it Serenity Roots. In 2024, Painter reopened the center and many Bodhi Tree staff returned to continue their work.
“Health and wellness has always been important to me,” Painter said. “So just coming here and finding this (place) — they always tell you to look for something you love and do that. This was definitely a passion project.”
Serenity Roots offers classes in a variety of yoga styles, including vinyasa, hatha, radiant body, yin and restorative
yoga. Some classes are designed for experienced practitioners, featuring more complex movements and poses, while others are tailored for beginners, focusing on foundational techniques and gentle stretches.
However, Painter wanted to add alternative options for customers, including different types of yoga and other non-traditional wellness exercises. One of these practices is qigong, an ancient Chinese practice that combines gentle, flowing movements and meditation.
C. David Russell, an associate professor of design at OU’s School of Theater, instructs qigong at Serenity Roots on Saturdays from noon-1:00 p.m. According to Russell, “qigong” loosely translates to “working with life force energy” in Chinese.
“It’s sort of a yoga format,” Russell said. “You get a set of movements that you’re doing over and over again to sort of balance the energy in your body.”
In addition to its other alternative wellness offerings, Serenity Roots offers reiki as a popular option. Julie Cain, a reiki master at Serenity Roots, conducts personalized reiki and healing touch sessions aimed at reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
“Reiki is a form of energy healing that comes from Japan, and it’s been around forever,” Cain said. “It’s based on the idea that there is (a) universal life force, and so my role is to tap into that life force and let it flow through your body.”
Cain discussed the broader scope of healing, explaining the benefits of alter-
The outside of Serenity Roots Yoga Studio, March 24, 2025. (JORI HUSTED | FOR THE POST)
native medicine for the body and soul.
“Traditional medicine has its place, but when paired with alternative medicines, you can really go far,” Cain said. “It's that deeper dive into something where you could go back and heal something from the past or at least shed light on it and maybe understand it.”
All of these options can be found on the Serenity Roots website, along with event scheduling and pricing. All drop-in classes are $15 and any workshops, events or individual sessions are priced separately. Open meditation sessions and larger events are donation-based.
“Just stepping onto the property, already creates the first sense (of) relaxation,” Painter said. “But then taking the class, whether it be yoga or qigong … it just helps take your mind off of everything else that's going on, so you can focus on you and your own well-being.”
@CAMISEYMORE CH525822@OHIO.EDU
Athens got bubbly during spring race
MARY KATE MCNAMEE FOR THE POST
A sunny Saturday afternoon presented Athens locals with the perfect weather to hit the bike path for the 2025 Bubble Bash 5k. Participants gathered at the Athens Community Center, located at 701 E. State St., taking off for the race promptly at 2 p.m. Bubble and foam zones populated the course for participants to run through.
The race cost $15 for participants who were 18 and up and $10 for those under 18. The race was intended to be a fun event and was not competitively timed. Athens residents Tim and Deanna Wasserman were excited to engage in a healthy community-oriented activity.
“Rallying around non-drinking, non-bar things in Athens is always good,” Deanna Wasserman said.
The Wassermans were also excited to run into the giant pile of bubbles at the end and enjoyed watching the kids have fun in the time before the race.
The event also allowed residents to donate to a local agency called My Sister’s Place. My Sister’s Place is a domestic violence program that serves Athens, Hocking and Benton counties; it has been serving local municipalities since 1977.
The organization’s main goal is to provide a haven for domestic abuse victims, providing wraparound holistic services to anyone experiencing any type of relationship abuse.
“Getting everyone involved and raising awareness about important organizations like My Sister’s Place is good,” Tim Wasserman said. “It’s also just nice to bring the community together and see people that either you know or don’t know, get people out of their houses.”
Kelly Madewell, the executive director of My Sister’s Place, explained the services the organization provides for survivors of domestic violence.
“We have an 11-bed emergency shelter in Athens,” Madewell said. “We also provide counseling, court advocacy and case management outside of the shelter, and we also provide transitional housing.”
This is the first time My Sister’s Place has collaborated with Bubble Bash.
Madewell said the agency was emailed asking if it would be open to being a recipient of the donations for the event, and Madewell was happy to receive donations. Participants were encouraged to bring toiletries to donate at the event.
“We provide basic toiletries to everyone in the shelter and we just go through a lot of items,” Madewell said. “It’s all for folks who are staying with us.”
Residents were encouraged to bring toiletries such as soap, towels and shampoo. Each donation in return provided a raffle ticket toward a pool membership. The winner of the raffle was given either an individual or family pool membership.
Students and alumni were also excited to partake in a productive charitable activity. Grace Link, a junior studying communication studies, Emma Dubler, a post-grad saleswoman, Carson Sarver, a law, justice and culture graduate student and Caroline Diana, a junior studying psychology, all participated in the race.
The group was excited to be active Saturday and participate in a positive group event as well as contribute to the donations.
Michelle Wanless, an HR coordinator, was also eager to run in the race and looked forward to helping out a local agency.
“To raise money, donations for area programs, support the community, I think is really important,” Wanless said.
MM336621@OHIO.EDU
Athens relishes in Picklefest palooza
Bagel Street Deli, located at 27 S. Court St., is known for its steamed bagel-wiches and down-to-earth decor, but once a year, something else steals the spotlight. On Friday, the bashful “Big Pickle,” an item found on the side menu, took center stage during the deli’s 25th annual Picklefest.
Friday morning, the deli closed early in anticipation of its biggest event of the year. Local, alumni and students of all ages crowded the sidewalk in front of Bagel Street Deli, anxiously waiting for the doors to open. Jack Hipple, a student at Logan High School, was among those hoping to participate.
“Mr. Meyer was talking about it in class and I thought it sounded really fun,” Hipple said. “He owns (the deli). He’s my current events teacher in government.”
Lenny Meyer, co-owner of Bagel Street Deli with Megan McElligott-Meyer, has taught in the Logan-Hocking School District for 26 years. Dozens of Mr. Meyer’s high school students showed up at the event in support and to participate.
The pivotal event of Picklefest is the pickle-eating competition. Participants compete to see how many pickles they can eat in 10 minutes. However, these aren’t normal sandwich pickles; they’re about as long as a toothbrush and as thick as a canned energy drink.
“We’ve done this for 25 years,” McElligott-Meyer said. “It’s kind of ridiculous, but it’s super fun.”
In addition to the festivity of the event, Picklefest is also a fundraiser. The competition winner allots approximately $500 to a charity of their choice, as well as creates and names their own bagel-wich to go on the menu.
About 15 minutes before the event began, the doors opened to the crowd outside. Bagel Street Deli employees, referred to as bagelers, rallied the crowd and registered participants for the pickle-eating contest. Carlotta Dattilo, a senior studying psychology, was one of the bagelers helping to organize the pickle and water table.
“It’s a lot of work leading up to it,” Dattilo said. “But it’s mostly just fun because it’s all of us working together, which I think makes it really great. We get to design these T-shirts, and all the proceeds go to charity, which I think makes the whole thing just way more fun.”
The small deli was abuzz, packed with dozens of witnesses and a handful of hopeful participants. Piles of pickles were placed in front of the participants, many of whom already looked a little green in the face. When the clock hit 4 p.m., the event officially began and and Mr. Meyer explained the rules of the contest.
The contestants had 10 minutes to eat as many pickles as they could. Three rules were announced before every heat: pickles must be completely finished to be counted, pickles cannot be twisted or mutilated and no “relish” can be made — what the bagelers called throwing up.
The first heat commenced with 13 participants. The time started ticking when the Ram’s horn, blown by Meyer, sounded.
During the first half, Logan High School students and brothers, Brody and Colin Kittle, averaged a pickle a minute. But when Colin Kittle slowed down, Brody Kittle sped up.
At the end of the 10 minutes, Brody Kittle was tied with Quentin Cole, a senior
studying anthropology and Asian studies, after eating seven pickles each. Despite losing, Colin Kittle only had good things to say about the experience and competing alongside his brother.
The second heat started off strong, with many competitors finishing pickles within the first minute. Two strong combatants emerged from opposing ends of the table, both receiving chants from their fans.
Audience members held up signs to support their friends and cheers broke out in support of the favored pickle-eaters. At the end of the second heat, one winner broke out, Stephen Orsini, a senior studying aviation, who ate nine pickles.
“My stomach’s poking a little bit, but we’re alright,” Orsini said. “I feel kind of OK, surprisingly … I told myself I was going to win.”
The third heat was equally as close. The bagelers yelled manifestations, promising the participants they could indeed “do it.”
Then, one person pulled ahead. In high spirits, Kyle Amann shouted “PICKLEFEST” as he downed his seventh pickle. Amann, who graduated from OU in 2011, won the third heat with nine pickles, tying for first place with Orsini.
“I’d be co-winners with Stephen, who won the second heat,” Amann said. “But I guess this guy’s done like 11, and he’s wearing goggles. This guy is probably going to win. He’s won the past two years or something.”
The goggle-wearer in question was Dylan Burke, a previous two-time Picklefest winner. In 2024, Burke ate 10 pickles and won in a tie. However, before Burke competed, the bagelers had a chance to become the pickle-ers.
The crowd cheered on the Bagel Street Deli workers as they competed in the employee round. Competitors stood on chairs and pickle costumes were worn proudly, but none were able to eat the seemingly unbeatable nine pickles.
The fourth and final heat kicked off
shortly after. Burke began steadily, spurred on by the cheers of over a dozen fans. Then, around the sixth pickle, the dreaded event happened — Burke made relish, disqualifying him from the competition.
From the chaos, a new competitor arose. This pickle eater quickly pulled ahead with six, then seven pickles, leaving other participants in the dust.
When the horn blew, JT Whaley, a business student at Hocking College, had eaten ten pickles, which meant he could officially add “Picklefest winner” to his resume. As for how he’s going to utilize his prizes, Whaley has yet to make a decision.
“I literally have no idea,” Whaley said. “I signed up Friday … no training went into this whatsoever… I just decided to do it.”
As the high-spirited crowd dispersed back onto Court Street, another successful Picklefest in the books, Whaley had one last thing to say: “I’m probably going to go throw up.”
ALEXANDRA HOPKINS | FOR THE POST
A worker at Picklefest rushes a handful of pickles to a contestant who ran out, March 28, 2025, at Bagel Street Deli. (CONNOR EGLOFF | FOR THE POST)
An audience member records contestants during Pickle Fest at Bagel Street Deli, Court Street, Athens, March 28, 2025. (TALITHA MALOY | FOR THE POST)
Brody Kittle, a contestant, chows down on a pickle as he competes in Pickle Fest at Bagel Street Deli, Court Street, Athens, March 28, 2025. (TALITHA MALOY | FOR THE POST)
Offense lacks in Game 3, results in 2-1 series
JUDE HANNAHS | FOR THE POST
Ohio (22-9, 5-1 Mid-American Conference) was one game away from a sweep of Northern Illinois (8-20, 3-6 MAC) in a three-game series over the weekend. The Bobcats won the first two games but lost the final due to a lack of hits.
GAME ONE
For the series opener, Ohio scored 8 runs on 11 hits and committed three errors. The team’s opponent scored 4 runs on four hits and committed two errors.
Senior infielder Lauren Yuhas went three-of-four at the plate with two doubles, scored 1 run and notched five RBIs for Ohio. Senior outfielder CiCi Keidel had two hits, one double, 1 run scored and an RBI. Freshman infielder Sydney Young had three hits, one double and scored 2 runs.
In the circle, freshman Anna Wise pitched the entire game, allowing just five hits, while walking one and striking out three of Northern Illinois’s hitters.
In the top of the first inning, with two players in scoring position, senior catcher Emma Hoffner hit a sacrifice fly, allowing Keidel to score the game’s first run. Yuhas then followed with her first double of the contest, which brought in 2 runs to bring the score to 3-0 after two innings.
The third inning was scoreless, but Ohio extended its lead in the fourth beginning with an RBI single from junior infielder Colleen Bare. Yuhas added her second and third RBI, allowing her and juniors Belle Hummel and Bare to make the score 7-0.
Northern Illinois got its first run in the bottom of the fourth, but Ohio’s defense prevented it from scoring any more, leading into the fifth inning. In the top of the fifth, Ohio loaded the bases, but Northern Illinois responded with defense. The bottom of the sixth inning was when the Huskies came alive with their offense.
Northern Illinois scored 3 runs, cutting the deficit to 8-4. However, Ohio’s defense shut down any scoring opportunities in the bottom of the seventh.
GAME TWO
Game Two ended similarly to Game One. Ohio scored 10 runs on 13 hits while Northern Illinois scored just 1 run on four hits. Neither team had any errors.
Hummel went three of four at the plate, scored a run and had four RBIs. Sophomore infielder Brenna Farmer
went two of three, scored 2 runs and recorded three RBIs. Bare had three doubles, one RBI and 2 runs. In for Wise was redshirt junior Skipp Miller, who took seven innings for Ohio.
Miller allowed little with four hits and a single score while walking one and striking out three Huskies. Ohio got on the board in the bottom of the first after a single from Farmer brought Yuhas home. Ohio doubled its lead on a groundout, making it 2-0.
In the second inning, Northern Illinois landed a home run, tallying the total to 2-1. Three Bobcats were walked in the beginning of the third, and a hit by pitch led to a 3-1 advantage. Both the fourth and fifth innings were scoreless for both teams. Ohio ended the drought in the top of the sixth as Hummel hit a two-RBI single to extend the lead to 5-1.
Farmer then recorded her second and third RBIs off a single, which brought the score to 7-1. At the top of the seventh, Ohio had more firepower to extend its lead to 10-1 and eventually finished off Northern Illinois in the seventh.
GAME THREE
The third time was definitely the charm for Northern Illinois as it scored 9 runs on 10 hits while Ohio only had 1 run on two hits. Both parties committed two errors. Farmer went one of two at the plate with an RBI, junior infielder Shelby Webster had one hit and Yuhas scored Ohio’s only run. Three different Bobcats pitched for the game. Sophomore Mikie Living got the start and allowed 5 runs on two hits in a single inning. After her was Wise, who allowed 3 runs on six hits in one-and-two-thirds innings. Miller pitched the final two innings in the runrule five-inning Northern Illinois victory and allowed 1 run on two hits plus a strikeout.
Yuhas’ run was scored after a single from Farmer brought her home, giving Ohio an early 1-0 lead. The bottom of the second saw Northern Illinois score seven runs on six hits to make it 7-1. The Huskies then scored again in the bottom of the third to make it 8-1.
The fourth inning was scoreless, and Northern Illinois scored its last run in the fifth. The team secured an impressive 9-1 victory.
Ohio University Senior Emma Hoffner running to home after hitting a homerun vs Buffalo, Mar. 21, 2025 at Ohio Softball Field in Athens Ohio. (AMBERLEE GLADWELL | FOR THE POST)
Scott Isphording ready to lead veteran offense to success
ROBERT KEEGAN III | SPORTS EDITOR
As Brian Smith sat down and figured out who was going to be a part of his coaching staff, the first-year head coach didn’t have to look far when choosing his offensive coordinator. Former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Scott Isphording was an easy pick for Smith to lead his offense.
Isphording, a native of Cincinnati has been with the Bobcats for more than 10 seasons, making him the longest-tenured coach on the staff. Although Isphording served as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season, he isn’t new to the offensive coordinator position. From 2020-2023, Isphording was Ohio’s offensive coordinator before Smith took over the position in 2024.
Smith and Isphording have worked together on the offensive end in some way or another since Smith took over as running backs coach in 2022. Through the years, the two have established an invaluable relationship.
“When Brian (Smith) got here, he had been a coordinator at a number of great places,” Isphording said. “I was all for it. Let’s hire the best guy. He could have come in and questioned things, but he never did to me. There’s a fine line between asking questions and questioning. He asked questions, but he never questioned. I really appreciated that. We work very, very well together, no matter what roles we are in.”
When Smith was named head coach following the departure of Tim Albin,
many of Ohio’s core coaching staff left to follow Albin to Charlotte. However, for Isphording — someone who has left Ohio before — he was thrilled at the opportunity to keep his family in Athens and get to work with Smith.
Isphording left Ohio to work with MAC rival Toledo for a four-year stint beginning in 2010. After finding offensive success with the Rockets, Isphording returned to Athens and began what has now been more than 10 straight seasons with the Bobcats.
“The type of people that we attract here are the type of people that I really enjoy coaching: from the Rourkes to Clinton Maxwell to Parker Navarro and so on and so forth,” Isphording said. “But the bricks are the bricks, and it’s beautiful, but the people that are in the buildings are the best part.”
Now, more than a decade later, Is-
phording has begun to go to work with an offense that has the potential to be the best he’s coached. At the helm of that offense is returning quarterback Parker Navarro – an asset Ohio is lucky to have back.
“In this day and age, it doesn’t happen very much,” Isphording said. “Especially if you’ve got a good (quarterback) that’s had success, there are a lot of avenues for guys to move on.”
Navarro found his stride with the Bobcats in the final five games of the 2024 season. With the aid of Smith and Isphording, Navarro was among the best in the country when it came to passing.
“I think that we did a great job with Parker (Navarro) in the second half of the year; we really figured out what Parker was best at,” Isphording said. “He did some good things early. But coach Smith and I and some of the other coaches did a
great job of figuring out what allowed him to be a great player. If you look at his last five games, I’ll put him up against anybody’s five games.”
For the past two seasons, Ohio has been fortunate to have an all-conference slot receiver in both Coleman Owen and Sam Wiglusz, both of whom have since graduated. Despite these losses, Isphording has liked what he’s seen out of his receiving core early on in spring camp and is confident the receiver room can remain one of the best in the conference.
“It’s a battle, that’s part of what spring ball is — the competition of who’s going to be that guy,” Isphording said. “I think we’ve got a number of guys, Chase Hendricks, Caleb Gosset, Max Rodarte, we just added a young man, Alfredo Jordan Jr. and I know I’m missing guys, but we’re excited to see who’s going to be that slot guy.”
From position battles to who works best with a returning all-conference quarterback, Isphording is looking for one thing above all else in spring practice: toughness.
“I truly believe we were the toughest team in the MAC last year, and that’s why we won games,” Isphording said.
What the offense brings to the field in the 2025 season won’t be seen for a handful of months. Still, Isphording and his unit have already gotten to work on perfecting the chemistry of what could be another historic offensive year in Athens.
@ROBERTKEEGAN_ BK272121@OHIO.EDU
Bralen Henderson, Cam Rice pilot Ohio’s defense
The new reality for all college football programs is roster continuity has never been more uncertain. That reality is especially true for a group of five schools that reside in the C-USA, Sun Belt and, of course, the Mid-American Conference.
Last off-season, Ohio was hit with a tidal wave of key contributors transferring out of Athens to find new homes, as players such as Keye Thompson, Kurtis Rourke and Sieh Bangura opted out of the bowl game after entering the portal. The portal brought lots of skepticism about what the Bobcats revamped roster would look like come 2024, and if they would be able to continue the two-year streak of winning 10 games under head coach Tim Albin.
The skeptics were very wrong to doubt Ohio. The team took home its first MAC championship since 1968 and won 11 games for the first time in school history. Those who paid close attention to the stellar Ohio defense last season would know that it all started up front, with defensive tackles Bralen Henderson and Cam Rice leading the way in the middle of the defensive line.
Looking forward to the 2025 season, Henderson and Rice are ready to run it back as the only two returning seniors on the defensive line.
“They know exactly what’s going on in our defense,” Ohio defensive line coach Tremayne Scott said. “You’re going to get back their explosiveness. You want to get back the athletic ability inside to be able to play first through third down or first
through fourth down. It’s a lot of things that these guys can do within our defense that make them special.”
The two players have taken different paths, with Henderson coming back for his fifth year at Ohio after coming to Athens from Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
“In high school, I was a late bloomer, and I didn’t play (defensive) line until senior year,” Henderson said. “When coach (Frank) Solich, coach (Tremayne) Scott and coach (Pete) Germano hit me up from Ohio, I just felt like it was home … it kind of fit the culture of football I played in high school, so everything worked out.”
As for Rice, he ended up being on the positive side of the transfer portal for Ohio, transferring last season out of West Liberty, a Division II school in West Virginia. Ohio is Rice’s third school in college, after Rice originally transferred to West Liberty from West Virginia University, located in his hometown of Morgantown.
“Coach Scott and coach Hauser, the defensive coordinator and the defensive line coach, reached out to me and they said they’d love to have me,” Rice said. “This is the best place I could see myself being at.”
Last season was the first year Hender-
son and Rice featured on the same defensive front, and the duo was scary for the rest of the MAC. They combined for 56 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks while helping Ohio to a MAC-best 92 opposing rushing yards per game.
After standout defensive end Bradley Weaver transferred to Rutgers, it was clear anyone was capable of transferring, especially on the defensive line. But it was the culture that has been instilled in Athens that brought back the defensive tackle duo.
“We won the MAC championship, (Tim Albin) leaves, and no guys hit the portal, everybody still played in the bowl game,” Rice said. “I think that’s just a testament to the culture we have here at OU and how much we care about each other and how much the coaches care about us.”
For Henderson, it was no different.
“Just the success we’ve had these past years,” Henderson said. “I have had guys since I’ve been here as a freshman that have instilled the culture.”
Looking ahead to this upcoming season, it is clear that there is only one goal on their minds – getting back to Detroit and becoming the first team since 20112012 Northern Illinois to win the MAC title in two consecutive years.
“I don’t really try to get too caught up on personal goals,” Rice said. “I just need to do my job, and if I do my job and the 10 other guys do their job, we’re going to be successful … but yeah, MAC title, that’s the only thing I’m thinking about.”
@CHARLIEFADEL CF111322@OHIO.EDU
CHARLIE FADEL | SPORTS STAFF WRITER
Bralen Henderson and Cam Rice pose for a photo after their practice, March 25, 2025.(CHARLIE FADEL | SPORTS STAFF WRITER)
Scott Isphording. Provided by Ohio Athletics.
Abysmal pitching leads 4th straight series loss
Ohio’s bullpen falters late in Game One before Eastern Michigan’s offensive onslaught in game two, as Ohio drops both games in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader.
OWEN LIPSTREU | FOR THE POST
Ohio (7-19, 3-9 Mid-American Conference) took the field Saturday against Eastern Michigan (13-11, 8-4 MAC) with aspirations of a series win. Saturday’s action turned into a doubleheader, with inclement weather expected Sunday in Athens. Despite some impressive offense, Ohio lost both games, the first being 9-5 before an offensive onslaught in game two that saw the Bobcats lose 18-13.
GAME ONE
In game one, Ohio gave the ball to senior right-handed pitcher Hudson Boncal (1-3, 4.83 ERA) for his fourth start and seventh appearance of the season.
Boncal started strong for the Bobcats, as he retired the first seven Eastern Michigan hitters he faced before backto-back base hits put runners in scoring position. Eastern Michigan scored a run on a sharp ground out to a diving junior infielder, Dylan Shepherd, and took a 1-0 lead.
Shepherd led off the bottom of the third with a double into the right-center gap. The Bobcats threatened after an infield hit by senior outfielder Trenton Neuer. Freshman infielder Matt Ineich wasted little time and laced a single to center to score Shepherd and tie the game at 1 run apiece.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bobcats tried some trickery with a double steal. As senior catcher Jackson Cauthron took second, senior infielder Nick Dolan snuck home to steal a run and give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead.
The strategy from the Bobcats continued. Neuer laid down a bunt and hustled down the line to beat the throw, allowing Cauthron to score and the Bobcat lead to grow up to 3-1.
“With Trent Neuer getting the bunt down, that was on his own, he saw that the third baseman was back deep, and took advantage of it, obviously, with two outs, the defense is not expecting a bunt in that situation,” Ohio coach Craig Moore said.
By the end of the sixth, Ohio had jumped out to a 5-1 lead.
Boncal threw seven innings of 1-run baseball, only allowing four hits and striking out three batters. Senior right-handed pitcher Tyler Peck replaced him, working a clean eighth. However, in the ninth, Peck gave up a 2-run homer to left field to cut the Ohio lead to 5-3.
Peck collected one out in the ninth before an error ended his afternoon. The Bobcats turned the ball over to junior left-handed pitcher Landon Price to clean it up. Price could not get an out and was replaced by junior right-handed pitcher Dylan Eggl. Eggl threw his first pitch and hit the Eastern Michigan hitter to walk one home and keep the bases loaded, now up 5-4.
Eastern Michigan was not done there. A two-RBI base hit to left field brought home the go-ahead run. By the end of the inning, Ohio allowed 8 total runs and surrendered what was once a 4-run lead to start the inning.
The Bobcats fell by a final score of 9-5 with the loss credited to Eggl.
GAME TWO
Ohio ran out senior left-hander Dillon Masters (0-1, 4.71 ERA) for his seventh start in the second game. Eastern Michigan was not quiet to start the matchup, scoring on two RBI singles to right field in the first. This was followed by a two-RBI double down the left field line. Masters escaped the top of the first, but the damage had been done early as Ohio trailed 4-0.
“We talked in between games about not allowing them to get out to a quick start, to where they could keep the momentum going,” Moore said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to make a couple of plays that could have limited some scoring opportunities for them.”
The Bobcats needed an answer and found one. Ineich sent the second pitch he saw over the right-center wall to cut into the lead, now down 4-1. Masters was removed after two-and-one-third innings of work due to possible injury. He was replaced by senior left-handed pitcher Jacob Tate, who inherited the bases loaded.
Tate faced trouble as he walked in a run, which was followed by a sacrifice fly to left field. Ohio could not escape the jam due to a double to center that allowed 2 more runs to cross the plate. The Eagles took full advantage of a rattled Tate, who later allowed a 2-run home run. Eastern Michigan scored 6 runs in the inning and led by a staggering nine runs, up 10-1.
The Bobcats responded again, scoring 8 runs over the next two innings to cut the lead to just 10-9. However, once again, Ohio’s bullpen faltered in the clutch.
The Eagles pushed the lead back to two in the top of the fifth on a single to left, which pushed the Bobcats to make a pitching change to freshman righty Luke Bryant. Bryant did not have a good outing, allowing 3 more runs to come across as well as scoring every inherited runner. By the end of the fifth, Eastern Michigan had matched Ohio’s impressive 6-run fourth and jumped out to a 16-9 lead.
Ohio put up a zero on offense in the fifth and sent senior lefty Adam Beery to the mound. Beery’s first pitch of the evening was sent hard and high over the left field wall for a home run. The top of the seventh saw another new arm, sophomore right-handed pitcher Ethan Stewart, who allowed another run on a sacrifice-fly, as Eastern Michigan doubled up Ohio, 18-9.
The Bobcats did their best to battle back in the later innings and effectively scored 4 more runs while doing so.
However, the 18 runs surrendered by the pitching staff were more than enough to put a close on another disappointing series loss for Ohio. The Bobcats fell by a final score of 18-13.
Infielder Nick Dolan (1) swings at the baseball at the game against Eastern Michigan, March 28, 2024, at Bob Wren Stadium, in Athens.
(MEGAN VANVLACK | PHOTO EDITOR)
Pauly Mancino (3) celebrates an inning with the team, March 28, 2025, in Athens, at Bob Wren Stadium. (MEGAN VANVLACK | PHOTO EDITOR)
District 6690
FOUR-WAY TEST SPEECH CONTEST
The Four-Way Test has captured the imaginations of generations of Rotarians as a simple checklist to help ensure that we are applying this positive and powerful code to how we try to live our lives and serve others. Rotary’s annual Four-Way Test Speech Contest competition offers students the opportunity to learn, understand and articulate their views on the value and power of the Four-Way Test.
What is the FOUR-WAY TEST?
Not based on culture or religion, The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than 100 languages and asks the following essential questions of the things we think, say or do:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. WIll it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned
Open to: Athens County High School students (freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors) are eligible to participate.
deadline: Monday, April 7, 2025
Questions about how to submit?
Michael Noel, Athens rotary Chairman mike.noel5050@gmail.com
Pro day brings opportunity to impress
Ohio hosted its annual Pro Day Tuesday, allowing its graduating athletes to showcase their skills in front of professional football scouts. Coming off one of its best seasons in program history, Ohio had plenty of talent to display.
“For the kids, it’s just the opportunity to come and show what they can do and put up some good times,” Ohio coach De’Angelo Smith said. “Hopefully, somebody catches their eye; all you need is one team to like you.”
Smith, the defensive backs coach and director of player development, was in charge of the event. As a former NFL draft pick out of the University of Cincinnati, Smith has an in-depth understanding of what it takes to get drafted.
“I’ll show them my numbers just to say, ‘Hey, look, you better be my number,’ just to have some fun with them,” Smith said. “Overall, I think just in general the experience that I tell them, just from going to the combine and getting drafted to the Cowboys playing with the Browns, those are great opportunities that I had.”
Of Ohio’s 2024-25 roster, 10 athletes participated before a wealth of scouts spanning from the NFL to the CFL. Those who impressed were defensive back Roman Parodie, offensive linemen Parker Titsworth and Christophe Atkinson, wide receiver Coleman Owen and running back Anthony Tyus.
Parodie, who recorded 13 starts at the defensive back position in 2024, started his day with impressive stats in the weight room. Standing just 6-foot-2-inch and 204 pounds, Parodie recorded 20 reps on the bench press, which would have been the second-best mark at the NFL Combine among defensive backs.
“I definitely performed to the standard I feel like I could reach,” Parodie said. “I think I could have ran a little faster in the 40, but I’m not mad about the 4.4. I think I left it all out there.”
Parodie was also impressive in the 40-yard dash, recording an unofficial time of 4.44. MAC defensive backs have found success in the NFL before, with Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell being a finalist for the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Long-term interior leaders Titsworth and Atkinson showed impressive performances and infectious energy on the offensive line. Titsworth, who started his career as a walk-on before earning a scholarship his junior year, has worked six years with Ohio for the opportunity to perform in front of scouts.
“You train for three months straight, all for it to lead up to one day,” Titsworth said. “This is a dream, a goal come true. I thought I made the most of my opportunities … I thought I put my game out there.”
As an undersized center, Titsworth has what many scouts perceive as natural disadvantages. However, he has learned to leverage those to his advantage throughout his collegiate career. Titsworth recorded 23 reps on the bench and a 25.5-inch vertical jump.
“(Scouts) want someone who’s 6-foot-3 and up at the offensive line position, but how I view it is I have natural leverage,” Titsworth said. “The D-line’s not going to want to play that low for 60 plays.”
Atkinson put forth some of the best marks of the entire event, most notably with a 29 on bench press, which would have ranked fourth overall at the NFL combine. In
a four-year career with Ohio, Atkinson recorded a total of 48 games played while inserting himself as a vocal leader on the offensive line.
“Still getting 29 (reps) on the bench press after straining my pec in the offseason is pretty good,” Atkinson said. “I was also able to complete the workout after straining my hamstring a little bit. So some of the scouts are like, ‘Hey, that shows grit, that shows toughness.’”
Ohio’s most anticipated performer was Owen, who broke the single-season receiving yards record in his sole year in Athens with 1,245 yards and eight touchdowns. Owen showed out at the Pro Day with a 36-inch vertical leap, a 10-foot broad jump and an unofficial 4.43 40-yard dash.
“Big thanks to (Ohio director of strength and conditioning Tyler Shumate), Roman Parodie, Carson Heidecker, Blake Leake,” Owen said. “Those guys have been the guys I’ve been training with for a while, and I’m really thankful that we got a lot of time together. I thought we put on a good show.”
As a smaller wide receiver lacking incendiary speed, Owen won’t be brought onto an NFL roster as a number one, dominant wide receiver. Instead, Owen found a niche on special teams as a punt returner, recording 132 yards and a touchdown on 17 returns.
“I know that’s what’s going to get me to stick on a roster: catching punts and catching kicks, and returning, being a gunner on punts,” Owen said. “That’s something I really look forward to doing, and it’s one of my favorite parts of playing the game.”
Another highly anticipated athlete at Pro Day was 6-foot-1-inch, 226-pound running back Anthony Tyus. In one season with Ohio, Tyus cemented himself in the record books with over 1,000 rushing yards. Tyus recorded
“You train for three months straight, all for it to lead up to one day. This is a dream, a goal come true. “
– Parker Titsworth, offensive lineman
a 19 on the bench press and an unofficial 4.55 40-yard dash at the combine.
Another standout for the Bobcats was Marcel Walker-Burgess, who excelled on the defensive line in his first and only season on Frank Solich Field. Walker-Burgess, a 6-foot-2-inch and 252-pound linebacker who played on the defensive line, netted eight tackles for loss, six sacks and an interception in 2024.
Also on the defensive side at Pro Day was linebacker Blake Leake, who recorded 91 tackles with three games of double-digit takedowns in 2024. At the event, Leake put up 20 reps on the bench, a 33.5-inch vertical, a 10-foot-2-inch broad jump and an unofficial 4.55 40yard dash.
Dustin Johnson represented Ohio as a former safety after transferring this past off-season. As a safety, Johnson was a regular starter and impressed at pro day with 14 reps on the bench and a 10-foot-2-inch broad jump.
The NFL draft will take place from Thursday, April 24, to Saturday, April 26. If players from Ohio aren’t drafted, they will still have a chance to sign with teams in the post-draft process or elect to play in the Canadian Football League or various European football leagues.
ROBERT KEEGAN III | SPORTS EDITOR
LOGAN ADAMS | SPORTS EDITOR
Graduate student wide receiver Coleman Owen sprints between cones in the three-cones drill in Walter Fieldhouse, March 25, 2025. (JACKSON MCCOY | COPY CHIEF)
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‘Death of a Unicorn’ puts cosmic twist on cliché plot
SOPHIA ROOKSBERRY ASSISTANT HUMAN INTEREST EDITOR
Drivers have collided with animals since the invention of the automobile. Among the more common victims of deer, squirrels and opossums, A24’s “Death of a Unicorn” proves any animal can be roadkill — even those from different mythological realms.
The movie begins, as expected, with the death of a unicorn. After Eliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) hit a magical horned creature while driving through the Canadian wilderness, the pair bring the body to their final destination: an isolated lodge owned by Eliot’s employer. After the healing properties of the unicorn’s blood are revealed, a gory battle of ethics and greed ensues.
“Death of a Unicorn” is well-categorized under the genre of “comedy horror.” However, among frightened yelps and uncontrollable giggles, the audience also let out groans of annoyance and disinterest at some of the more over-done tropes seen throughout the movie.
The first of these clichés comes in the form of Ridley, a Gen Z caricature complete with a hidden vape, inexplicable wardrobe and little emotional variety from Ortega’s portrayal besides sarcasm and drama. Although Rudd also plays a somewhat farcical character, a workaholic single father with the best, misguided intentions, he excels in this archetype and makes it his own with impeccably timed comedic mannerisms.
which the film is named. The family of three unicorns go from being symbols of cosmic absurdity to genuine monstrosities as their intentions are slowly revealed, more so from the “Jaws”-esque suspense and teasing of the unicorn’s final form than the subpar CGI work.
A film that takes place on one set runs the risk of becoming stagnant. However, the details of the lodge, with a touch of “Knives Out” coloration and a sprinkle of “Saltburn” atmosphere, make it an interesting place to spend an hour and 48 minutes.
Additionally, the pacing saves the film from stagnation and the structure is divided perfectly into two acts: the first is a glimpse into the conspiracy between a wealthy family
of evil manipulators and the second is a gory horror story with all the right elements.
“Death of a Unicorn” ends rather ambiguously, which was a surprise from a film whose plot could have been predicted every step of the way. Although many critics are wary of movies that can’t seem to find an ending, this film is so rooted in absurdism that an ambiguous ending only makes sense. Although the trope of man’s hubris in the face of nature is nothing new, the lens of mysticism over the entire plot makes “Death of a Unicorn” a quirky, unique take on classic myth.
RATING: 3/5
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The film hits its stride once the rest of the ensemble appears, centered around pharmaceutical mogul Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant), his wife Belinda (Téa Leoni) and son Shepard (Will Poulter). The remainder of the cast consists of various attendants, from scientists to butlers, who work under the Leopold’s employ.
Leoni and Poulter both deliver wildly impressive performances. Leoni embodies a fabulously corrupt matriarch and delivers unexpected laughs with her blasé attitude. A manipulative son of excessive wealth, Poutler is always accompanied by a glass of fine liquor, swim shorts and new ideas to harness the power of his family. His line delivery and embodiment of character are exceptional, and he unwittingly delivers the film’s most complex performance.
Another character highlight is Griff (Anthony Carrigan), the Odell family’s butler. Through quick one-liners and hilarious characteristics, the side character steals the show on more than one occasion.
The last piece in the character puzzle is the mythical creatures for
Fans wonder when next Disney Princess film will release
CLARA LEDER | FOR THE POST
Disney princesses bring joy and inspiration to children and families worldwide.
The first princess, Snow White, debuted in 1937, with the most recent princess, Raya, introduced in 2021.
Raya, the thirteenth and latest addition to the franchise, is a warrior princess determined to find the last dragon in the imagined world of Kumandra. She is seen in “Raya and the Last Dragon,” which premiered four years ago and secured Raya’s spot among the other regarded Disney princesses.
However, many fans are left to wonder why there hasn't been a new addition to the Disney princess lineup since 2021.
Fans adore the Disney Princess franchise, and it is a key financial component of Walt Disney’s brand. Originally, Disney princesses were marketed separately, each appearing on merchandise and games that strictly highlighted their movie and story. But in 2000, the company decided to create the princesses into a franchise, marketing them all together.
Since then, original and new princesses can be seen together in the same lineup and coexist on merchandise, toys and in games. The brand has been extremely successful for Walt Disney and is now valued at $46 billion.
Twenty-five years after the brand’s creation, princesses are still taking the world by storm. Disney princesses are still popular today and continue to bring in billions for the company each year. Although, the brand has faced controversy and changes as the years have gone on.
After Snow White set the stage for Disney, classic characters such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and Belle joined her. However, it took Disney 55 years after the introduction of princesses to create a princess that was not white.
Jasmine joined the cast as the first nonwhite princess in 1992 with the release of “Aladdin.”
Jasmine’s arrival meant room for more diversity among the princesses with “Pocahontas” in 1995 and “Mulan” joining the list in 1998. However, “Pocahontas” continues to face backlash for cultural appropriation and romanticization of Pocahontas’ actual story.
Disney later added Tiana, Merida, Moana and Raya to the list, rounding out the princess pantheon. The official list of Disney princesses has been debated among super fans for not including other characters such as Meg from “Hercules,”
from
list.
Disney has never released an official list of requirements to become a princess, but the company did change the lineup of characters over the years as new additions were created. Disney even removed princesses such as Tinkerbell, Esmeralda and Jane Porter from the list for unknown reasons, but there have been no removals since these three in 2005.
The rest of the princesses continue to be adored and successful for the company. However, in recent years, Disney has strayed away from the success of the princess brand and instead is focusing on
sequels and live action creations.
Almost all of the original princess animated movies have been recreated into live action films, with the most recent being “Snow White” (2025). The live-action film stars Rachel Zegler and has faced backlash from fans and poor turnout in the box office. The recreation of Disney’s first princess cost $370 million to produce and has only made $66.8 million so far.
Although some live-action remakes such as “Cinderella” starring Lily James and “Beauty and the Beast” with Emma Watson performed well for Disney, most live-action creations of the princesses have missed the mark for the company.
Disney has yet to announce any new characters to join the princess franchise and instead is releasing a new movie addition to the princess franchise: the live-action “Moana” will premiere July 10, 2026.
Instead of a new princess, Disney continues to create live-action films or sequels of other cherished stories such as “Zootopia 2” in November 2025 and “Toy Story 5” in 2026. This decision seems to be made because of the impact nostalgia has had on the media over the last couple of years.
Disney uses nostalgia as a tactic to generate more attention from fans and with it means a slim chance for a new princess to join the lineup, at least not anytime soon.
Some fans think a fresh story is definitely needed for the brand in order to increase viewership and improve poor ratings that have encapsulated live-action remakes. Though, fans will have to wait and see if another princess will join the 13 other royals.
3 actors who should play James Bond
JUDE HANNAHS | FOR THE POST
On February 20, Amazon MGM Studios announced it acquired the rights to the James Bond franchise after it formed a joint venture with Eon Productions. Previously, James Bond was owned by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who represented Eon Productions.
Wilson and Broccoli will still be co-owners of the intellectual property rights, but Amazon will have the final say of what it wants to do with the character.
Eon Productions’ latest Bond film was “No Time to Die” (2021), which marked the end of Daniel Craig’s portrayal as Bond. Previous Bond actors Roger Moore and Sean Connery appeared in seven installments each while Craig has been in five total films.
Despite the mixed fan and critical reception to Craig’s various Bond films, his performance has received much critical praise and earned him many award nominations and wins. Amazon MGM Studios has big shoes to fill when casting the next Bond for its streaming platform. If the studio holds to tradition and casts a British actor as Bond, here are the three best candidates to play one of the best classic film
characters put to screen.
HENRY CAVILL
Despite his past unsuccessful attempts at being a franchise character, Henry Cavill still has the potential to be a great and memorable Bond. In his career, he’s played roles that are similar to Bond, including Napoleon Solo in Guy Ritchie’s “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” (2015) and Agent Argylle in Matthew Vaughn’s “Argylle” (2024).
It is obvious Cavill is hungry for a role that will sustain his career for multiple films. Cavill also has the proper looks, body physique and charm all Bond actors before him have displayed.
TARON EGERTON
Taron Egerton rose to prominence after starring in Matthew Vaughn’s 2014 smash-hit “Kingsman: The Secret Service” as protagonist Gary “Eggsy” Unwin.
Eggsy is basically Bond in the beginning stages of being a spy. There are blatant nods to what Bond films have done in the past throughout the film, its sequel “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” (2017) and prequel “The King’s Man” (2021).
Despite Egerton being 5 feet, 9 inches and shorter than the book’s
description of Bond as 6 feet tall, Egerton is a worthy candidate to play the character for Amazon. He is older now, and his experience playing Eggsy will be a helping factor in how he could portray Bond.
IDRIS ELBA
Idris Elba is already one of the most beloved performers in Great Britain and the U.S. He rose to fame playing Russell “Stringer” Bell in HBO’s “The Wire” (2002-2008), John Luther in BBC’s “Luther” (2010-2019) and Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Although he is 52 years old, Elba can still pull off the serious Bond while also being a Bond that has allure and will sweep women off of their feet. Many actors have the status of “he or she was meant to play this part.” Elba, without question, has this same sentiment about him like Cavill does.
Wendy
“Peter Pan” and Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” in the
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College-based TV Series fades as interest diminishes
After three seasons on Max, Warner Bros. Discovery canceled the college-centric “The Sex Lives of College Girls” in March. In 2022, The CW’s “Charmed” reboot fell to the same fate.
Many TV shows centered on characters in college like these have stopped production. However, college shows are not all gone.
“Gen V,” originally titled “The Boys Presidents: Diabolical” is a superhero TV show set in America’s only college for adult superheroes. The show was announced in 2020 after “The Boys” successfully launched its second season.
The release date of “Gen V” Season Two is yet to be announced, but production wrapped in October 2024. Filming was delayed due to the death of one of the stars, Chance Perdomo, and the second season will likely be a tribute to his character.
“Deaf U” is another college-centered TV show that has not been canceled. The show follows Deaf students at Gallaudet University and offers insight into the students’ lives.
Although the show has not been canceled, it has also not been renewed for a second season. The show’s producer, Nyle DiMarco, talked about his intentions with the show and the plan to discuss other issues in the future. This gives hope to the fans that Netflix will be renewing the show and creating more of this positivity.
Another Netflix TV show set in college is “Miseducation.” The show is about a woman who has been canceled due to her mother’s corruption and flees to Grahamstown University to reinvent herself.
Season One came out in 2023; however, Season Two was delayed from its 2024 scheduled release date. The production has not scheduled a release date, but the season is being filmed now.
Hulu has a hand with college shows, as it renewed “Tell Me Lies” at the end of 2024 for a third season. The news came only two months after the end of the second season, when the cliffhangers
had fans dying for the resolution.
The show is deemed one of the best original TV shows for streamers. The second season picks up after the summer vacation of two college students who are intertwined in an extremely addictive relationship.
The reason for fewer collegiate TV shows is colleges require a more niche setting, and networks worry about alienating viewers. Around 62% of high school graduates advance to secondary school, while the graduation rate for high school is 91%. This forces high school shows to naturally be more accessible than collegiate ones.
Since college gives students more freedom than high school, creators have more options for storylines. However, colleges can also be large and have many potential aspects shows can cover. College students’ lives overlap with other groups more often as well, making characters harder to follow when they are introduced occasionally.
The ages of college students are also a reason for the lack of collegiate television. These students are too young to be living adult lives but too old to be learning how to grow up.
Despite the difficulty, there have been successful college-centered TV shows such as “Community.” The six-season show ended in 2015 and currently holds an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The show follows seven adults who go back to community college and become a group of friends who act like family. Fans enjoyed the series’ witty writing and its realistic community college experience.
Fans enjoyed the series enough to make Peacock release a movie for “Community” in the future, finally wrapping up the show with a satisfying ending for fans. Through cancellations and complexities, some collegiate TV shows prevail. Fans of these shows determine the continuation of production, so only they know the future of collegiate television.
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LEANNE ABEL | FOR THE POST
Behind the Lens: Social media helps, hurts outdoor recreation
Many areas rely heavily on ecotourism, but there is a point where idealization of nature on social media comes with dire consequences.
ETHAN
| FOR THE POST
According to a 2024 survey from the Pew Research Center, usage of almost every social media platform among Americans has been on the rise for years, with a considerable growth in the early years of the pandemic. Also rising since the pandemic was the amount of people recreating outdoors. For example, almost 332 million people visited national parks last year, the highest number ever recorded.
Unsurprisingly, there is a link between these factors, according to a study from the National Academy of Sciences. Although almost all National Park Service sites saw an increase in visitors, the majority of the increase came from the most famous parks: Yellowstone, Yosemite and Grand Canyon. The NPS was not the only agency to experience higher visitation, with the Forest Service seeing a similar increase.
In an interview with Outside Magazine, the study’s author, Casey Wichman, made the case that there is a positive feedback loop between social media and outdoor recreation. With these parks already having higher visitation numbers, it leads to more people posting about them on social media, which encourages more visitors, repeating the loop.
Take Ohio’s most popular state park, nearby Hocking Hills, as an example. On one hand, the park brings in around 3 million visitors per year, which can have an extreme impact on the local ecosystem. On the other hand, according to the 2023 Hocking County economic impact report, tourism alone helped the county have a total economic impact of $270.4 million.
With a county population only slightly larger than the city of Athens, this money — in the form of both revenue for both businesses and public services along with taxes — brings a huge boost to the local economy. But the significant economic
impact does come with a great environmental impact.
Three million people also means thousands of cars coming in and out per day, which means higher levels of pollution in high traffic areas. This many visitors also means thousands of people going on, and sometimes off, trails and unfortunately trash. Day after day, the degradation of people leaving designated trails and leaving trash will erode and harm the local ecosystem.
Social media also idealizes outdoor recreation, luring in people with the possibility of an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity. Photos and videos are often edited before posting, cutting out the crowds of other visitors and pushing the saturation to make the place more visually appealing. Take Vinicunca in Peru, better known as Rainbow Mountain, which is often highly saturated in photos.
In these photos and videos on social media platforms, large crowds of people are often edited out to make the area look like pristine wilderness. But of course, when hundreds or thousands of people go to that spot expecting isolation, they will be sadly disappointed to see crowds.
The appeal that social media brings to the outdoors draws in those looking for adventure or maybe the perfect photo opportunity. On the one hand, the economic impact they bring can help to revitalize and sustain a region, with ecotourism being increasingly common. On the other, the idealized wildernesses seen on social media create unattainable expectations and ecological damage to a region.
Ethan Herx is a sophomore studying photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or tweeting them at eh481422@ohio.edu.
Natalie’s Reads: Trump defunds public libraries, removes another educational source
President Trump signed an executive order on March 14 that eliminated funding for the Institution of Museum and Library Services. This directly attacks public libraries and emphasizes the administration’s attack on education.
NATALIE SADDLER | FOR THE POST
On March 14, President Donald Trump signed an executive order dismantling seven federal agencies. Included in this list is the Institution of Museum and Library Services. This federal agency is the direct line of funding for public libraries. Without the proper funding, public libraries and other areas of public research will dissolve over time. Trump’s decision to sign this executive order is another continuation of his efforts to remove proper education from the country.
The IMLS was founded in 1996 and was established to “advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development.” Its main job is to provide funding towards public libraries, art museums, zoos and public research through grants and policy initiatives.
Public libraries need this funding, which is crucial for technology, books and programs such as children’s reading groups or summer reading activities. Other resources include computers, printing stations and some libraries offer resume building for those seeking a job. Libraries provide a safe place for communities and allow anyone to overall relax if need be. In many cases, libraries also allow members free entry to local museums through the IMLS. Without funding, neighborhoods and towns across the U.S. will lose a place of comfort and enjoyment.
The order states that within seven days after Trump’s signature, all agencies needed to report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, confirming their compliance. In that seven-day timeframe, the library association advised workers and members that the current funding status for grants is still unknown. However, since the IMLS was established through congressional leg-
islation, it cannot be erased through an executive order. Rather, Congress would decide whether to repeal or defund the agency.
This has been the Trump administration’s goal: to defund the educated and create obstacles to having a useful education. The president and his team have made no steps closer to lowering gas and grocery prices, but instead removing institutions that help fuel education. It is easier to be uneducated and oblivious to the country’s disarray than to be aware of the way the country is heading.
Even though this is devastating news, there are many ways to help keep libraries standing. Buying a library card is a huge help to libraries. Library cards allow individuals to check out books they want, have better access to clubs through the library and some libraries offer free streaming options to movies and TV shows. Utilizing a library card ensures that public libraries get the funding required for these services. People can also use their library cards to sign up for Libby, an app where users have free access to e-books, audiobooks and magazines from their local libraries.
Buying a library card does not mean it will need to be used every day; however, libraries will see the support and it will not go unnoticed. Athens Public Libraries allows citizens to start a free library account while meeting eligible criteria, but this is available to college students. No need for payment when you can sign up with a free account. Support and kindness never go unnoticed by those who need it.
Natalie Saddler is a freshman studying journalism. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post.
Kendall Unfiltered: Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of beach reads
If you’re looking for pure relaxation, your book to have sand permanently ingrained in it, and your pages crinkled from ocean water, look no further. Think nautical, beachy, summer, romance and a hint of mystery. That describes Elin Hilderbrand, my favorite author.
Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket Island, just off the coast of Cape Cod, and all 27 of her novels take place in Nantucket. Reading her stories transports me to the charming, quaint town of Nantucket, which is how any reader would want to feel when they’re reading their favorite book.
The Cut called Hilderbrand, “the queen of beach reads,” which could not be more true. My favorite time to read her books is when I’m on vacation, sitting right at the shoreline where the waves crashing meet the sand, and I’m completely transfixed by whatever love triangle I’m reading about this time.
The special thing about her books though, is it could be a cold, dark night
in the middle of winter and somehow I still imagine myself on a bench, in a rose garden in Nantucket flipping away at the pages. That’s how you know she’s a superb author.
Something I love about Elin Hilderbrand is that she frequently does book signings at Mitchell’s Book Corner, the local bookstore in Nantucket. She has posted on social media to show up in your casual attire, as she comes in her workout clothes from her yoga class. There is always a line wrapped around the streets, full of people just waiting to meet the woman behind the magic. Hildrebrand is a breast cancer survivor and a mom of three children, both of which have taught her how precious life is. This is apparent in her novels as she’s eloquently written about multiple different characters battling cancer, but still trying to find their zest for life. She also knows how to write an intertwined family dynamic like no other, which is another way she captures her readers.
Hilderbrand has even been so lucky to have one of her books, “The Perfect Couple,” adapted into a Netflix show. This was the perfect choice for a TV show because the book opens with a dead body, the maid-of-honor’s body to be exact, being found washed up on the Nantucket shore the morning of the wedding. And who found her? The bride, a.k.a. her best friend. Just from that description, you’re immediately captured, craving to know what happens next.
Sadly, this past May, Hilderbrand made an announcement she will retire from her Nantucket beach reads. In a People magazine article, journalist Marina Watts wrote that The Washington Post said Hilderbrand told her, “There is one gift that a cancer diagnosis gives: a new understanding of how precious life is.” This ultimately made her decide to spend more time with her family before they start having families of their own.
Hilderbrand told People, “I never want anybody to pick up my book and say, ‘It just wasn’t as good as the last one.’ That is
not going to happen.” She also said, while she ‘retired’ from her Nantucket novels for now, there will still be more novels to come, and maybe they’ll be set on Nantucket, maybe not.
Hilderbrand has made me fall in love with Nantucket so much that I have dreamed of going there myself to soak up the sun and ride around on the cobblestone streets. I’m doing just that this summer upon my college graduation, which never would’ve happened without my love for her novels. If you’re searching for your next beach bag staple, Elin Hilderbrand is the woman for you.
Kendall Timms is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Kendall Timms about her column? Email her at kt353720@ohio.edu.
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HERX
Editorial: Goldberg backlash turning point for journalists
POST EDITORIAL BOARD
Last week, top security officials in the Trump administration sent messages in a group chat regarding upcoming airstrikes in Yemen. The officials in the group chat were about who would be expected in a group chat discussing war plans — National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President J.D. Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, among others — were in the chat. However, one key character stands out among the rest: editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg. Goldberg would go on to publish an article titled “The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans.”
Following the article’s publication, Goldberg received backlash from both
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members of the group chat and others close to President Donald Trump. Waltz denied knowing Goldberg and called him “the bottom scum of journalists.” Hegseth claimed, “Nobody was texting war plans.” Donald Trump Jr. criticized Goldberg’s affiliations with the Democratic Party. In response, Goldberg said “I don’t get bullied,” a simple statement that journalists must remember now more than ever. The leaked messages and the backlash Goldberg faces are a microcosm of a broader phenomenon playing out directly in front of every American’s face. The journalist acts as a watchdog of the government. The government does not like this and lobs threats and scorn at the journalists in an attempt to denounce and silence them. The Trump administration’s branding relies on distrust of the media and always has, but Trump’s second term has brought more extreme measures. This includes banning the Associated Press from the White House press pool.
Censorship is defined as “the changing or the suppression or prohibition of speech or writing that is deemed subversive of the common good.” Accusations of censorship should never be made lightly but censorship should be called out in all forms. Attempting to ban one of the most trusted news outlets in the world from the White House and then degrade the credibility of the editor-in-chief of a renowned, historic literary and cultural magazine because of the Trump administration’s own mistake should cause alarm in anyone who believes in freedom of speech.
Anti-intellectualism and insisting trusted media is lying to the American people is one thing. Actively suppressing journalists is another. Attempts to intimidate Goldberg go beyond either.
As the third month of Trump’s second term begins, Americans are already getting whiplash from how quickly changes in policy are unfolding while simultaneously being told that they cannot trust anything they read. However, the minute a politician as powerful as the U.S. president says to stop reading the news is the precise moment it becomes crucial to devour as much information as a person can.
The response to Goldberg should be a signal to journalists everywhere to remain cautious but unwavering in their craft. Everybody’s credibility is on the line and support is dwindling. It is to keep heads down and work for the truth just as hard as they work against it.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors: Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Cruz, Managing Editor Madalyn Blair and Equity Director McKenna Christy.
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Timothée Chalamet graces Athens for Fest Season
ABBY JENKINS | HUMAN INTEREST EDITOR
Hidden among the commotion and excitement around Congo and High Fest on Friday and Saturday, a new yet familiar face made his way around Court Street for the first time. In search of his favorite Mid-American Conference football team, actor Timothée Chalamet visited his new favorite college town.
Chalamet is best known for his recent roles as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” and Paul Atreides in “Dune” and “Dune Part Two,” but Ohio University students know him as the sole panelist who believed Bobcat quarterback Parker Navarro would lead the way for a win at the MAC Championship against Miami University, 38-3.
“I had to come and see what it was all about,” Chalamet said. “Every place was bursting with life this weekend, bars and parties. I would move here tomorrow.”
On a break from his next project, “Marty Supreme,” Chalamet arrived in Athens late Friday night, with enough time to swing by parties on Congress Street. Saturday, he said he explored Athens for everything it had to offer and even paid a visit to his favorite quarterback.
“Parker is a stand-up guy,” Chalamet said. “I had faith in him, and he delivered. He made MAC football what it should be.”
Navarro said he never thought he would have such a famous number-one fan.
“I love his work and I was shocked to hear he wanted to come by,” he said. “It was a crazy day, very unexpected but I’m glad he enjoyed Athens.”
Chalamet said he has some new Athens favorites that couldn’t be replicated anywhere else. He especially enjoyed a Saturday breakfast from Union Street Diner and had to sit down and enjoy an espresso martini from The Side Bar. Chalamet also said he went to The Union to check out the local music scene and was far from disappointed.
“I had such a blast being here this weekend, this town knows how to party,” Chalamet said, laughing. “I’ll have to make my way back for another fest sometime.”
Many fans caught Chalamet out and about, giving him hot-spot recommendations and a list of things to do for his weekend stay. He said in addition to his new favorite spots, he got to partake in a Hot Nut from Tony’s and even got to autograph a fan’s Borg while he was out.
“We just bumped into him on the street, I totally freaked out,” Clair Annette, a junior studying studio art, said. “He was so sweet, we got a picture with him and then we went to Stephen’s like we were just hanging out.”
Annette said her Borg is now on display in her apartment above her fridge, displaying Chalamet’s name underneath her own handwriting, “Call Me Borg Your Name.”
Another huge Chalamet fan, Justin Time, a senior studying music production and recording industry, said although he didn’t bump into Chalamet, he was thrilled his favorite actor and Saturday Night Live personality got to experience Athens.
“I heard he was around, and I just shot out of bed,” Time said. “I texted so many of my friends, it was such insane news to hear when I woke up.”
Chalamet left Athens early Sunday morning but made
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a promise to students that he would make his way back, especially in time for football season, and perhaps even for the ever-famous “HallOUweekend.”
“I’ll be in the stands next time,” Chalamet said. “I think back-to-back MAC championships are in the future for the Bobcats, and I want to be there to see it.”
With another fest weekend behind, a visit from Chalamet wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card. However, many of his fans had an unforgettable High Fest, and Athens has left a mark on another first-time visitor.
“I love the Bobcats, I love the town, I love the people here,” Chalamet said. “Keep doing what you are doing here, Athens. This community is something special.”
The Post would like to wish everyone a Happy April Fool’s Day! (Photo illustration created using photos courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.)
April 1 - April 15
Social Engagement & Student Org Events
Wednesday, April 2
Amnesty International Meeting
5:00 - 6:00 pm Porter 108
Midweek Bible Study
hosted by: Encompass Campus Min.
7:00 - 9:00 pm Baker 503
Thursday, April 3
Community Engaged Leadership Series: How to find your Community Partner
5:00 - 6:00 pm Alden Library
Friday, April 4
Community Shabbat
7:00 - 9:00 pm Chabad • 33 N Court St.
Friday's LIVE Season 54 E04
hosted by Sarah Cooper
8:00 pm Studio C (RTV 515)
Monday, April 7
Recovery Ally Training hosted by: Collegiate Recovery Community
1:00 - 2:00 pm Baker 313
Wednesday, April 9
Amnesty International Meeting
5:00 - 6:00 pm Porter 108
Midweek Bible Study hosted by: Encompass Campus Min.
7:00 - 9:00 pm Baker 503
Thursday, April 10
Splatoon Club Lemonade Fundraiser
1:00 - 5:00 pm Baker 4th floor Entrance
Saturday, April 12
Extra Life 24hr Livestream 1:00 pm Sat -1:00 pm Sun Ellis Hall
Tuesday, April 15
Tarkir Dragonstorm Draft hosted by OU MTG Free draft for attendees
6:30 - 10:00 pm Ellis 115
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New Member Workshop
Tuesday, April 1
6:00 pm • Baker 317
Friday, April 4
11:00 am • Baker 230
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2:00pm • Baker 217
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10:00 am • Baker 226
Tuesday, April 15 2:00pm • Baker 217
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Timothee Chalamet poses with students celebrating Congo Fest, March 28, 2025. (TALITHA MALOY | FOR THE POST)