February 18, 2025

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Hocking Hills Garment Center weaves jobs, sustainability into Southeast Ohio

Athens native Betsy Franjola repurposed a decommissioned Catholic church in Buchtel, Ohio, into the Hocking Hills Garment Center, a sustainable, community-oriented manufacturing facility.

The center opened in October 2024 with Franjola’s idea to help create meaningful jobs in the community.

Franjola has over 20 years of experience in the industry, starting her career in print and fabric development working for brands such as The Limited and Tommy Hilfiger.

“I loved fabric development,” Franjola said. “I loved that combination of creativity and the technical side of things, and then you kind of layered in the strategy of timing and logistics.”

Franjola’s first business, BFF Studio, is based in Los Angeles. It partners with 200 fashion brands’ creative and product development teams to help them source and develop fabric from about 12 different fabric makers worldwide.

From there, Franjola launched her second business PREFACE, a small trade show dedicated to promoting innovation in the textile industry. She said she got the idea to start

HHGC after a conversation with her friend about poverty in Athens.

“She said to me, ‘I just don’t understand. These people need jobs, and there is funding to bring industry back to this region, but no one is doing it,’” Franjola said.

Franjola and her husband bought a box truck, which they called Large Marg. They filled it with donated fabric from a friend and personal belongings and drove it from LA to Ohio to start HHGC. She said transforming the church into a functioning factory presented challenges, including upgrading the building’s energy efficiency.

“It’s hard as a startup, and it’s hard being in a 150-year-old building to do that out of the gate, but that’s also part of our plan for the long term, is seeing how our facility can also be more sustainable and energy efficient,” Franjola said.

As part of the transformation, the building required a change-of-use approval from the state. Franjola said HHGC received grant funding from Ohio to help cover architectural fees and permits.

“It was a gathering space, and now we’re changing it into a factory,” Franjola said.

Through creating local jobs and maintaining sustainable practices, Franjola wants to enter the space as a flexible factory that can fulfill a variety of orders.

“If we’re going to make ‘Made in the USA’ sustainable and viable, we have to train people how to do it,” Franjola said.

COMMUNITY STAFFING

Hocking Hills Garment Center has a grant partnership with the Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program, which supports survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, human trafficking and stalking by helping them find safe housing, childcare and workforce development resources.

HHGC was awarded a $50,000 JobsOhio Inclusion Grant for critical machinery and equipment, which was supported through SAOP’s Appalachian Community Grant Program award for workforce training, according to an HHGC press release.

Franjola said the cost of training ranges from $4,500-$5,000 per person. However, the grant provides funding for the training of up to

An employee of Hocking Hills Garment Factory sews fabric for clothing, Feb. 5, 2025, in Logan, Ohio.
Rolls of fabric used for practicing stitches lays of the ground inside of Hocking Hills Garment Center, Feb. 5, 2025, in Logan, Ohio.
Photos by MEGAN VANVLACK | PHOTO EDITOR
EMILY STOKES & MAGGIE AMACHER | NEWS EDITORS

eight people from SAOP until the end of 2026.

“We’re training people how to sew,” Franjola said. “But it is a certain personality that we need because it’s a team environment.”

She also said the center recently completed its first onboarding process.

“We are setting up the culture within so that we really are creating a place of respect and open communication, open dialogue, making sure everybody is very comfortable and socially ethical,” Franjola said.

Trainees are paid $15 an hour, above Ohio’s minimum wage of $10.70. Once an employee receives his or her U.S. Department of Labor certification, the pay increases to $18 an hour and can increase more based on skill set and improvement.

Franjola said an important part of ethical business practices is not just pay but also working conditions. All HHGC employees work standing up with a full range of motion on an anti-fatigue mat and can interact with their teammates.

“It’s a very different social environment and physical environment,” Franjola said. “You’re in a job that requires you to think, to give feedback, to work as a team, to have movement. A huge part of the ethics of a job is making sure that the worker is happy with what they’re doing and comfortable.”

Franjola highlighted that HHGC is an LLC benefit corporation with the state of Ohio, allowing the center to give a portion of its profits or revenue back to a cause, though the center is still in the process of estab lishing one.

“We are so community-driven that we wanted to make sure that we had that give back as part of what we’re building,” Franjola said.

Stephanie Katterhenrich, a high school classmate of Franjola, started working at HHGC in October.

“Every day, you have a chance to do something different, and you can change whenever you want to reinvent yourself, so to speak,” Katterhenrich said.

Katterhenrich said reducing her carbon footprint is part of her daily goal and something she can achieve working at HHGC.

“I love what we’re doing here because it’s going along with the mission that I have in life in terms of just ‘do better, be better,’” Katterhen rich said.

SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

really engaged, you’re part of a team,” Franjola said. “You’re able to move around and do different things. That is exciting to me.”

Cotton tracing is another sustainable practice Franjola plans to promote at HHGC. The practice works to minimize the environmental footprint of U.S. cotton by tracking it in the Cotton Belt from gin to mill, making it more transparent and efficient.

Franjola operates the Hocking Hills Garment Center on a lean manufacturing system, a process aimed at creating less waste through production and increased efficiency.

“Lean manufacturing was something that I felt was really important to have long-term sustainability in the industry,” Franjola said.

Each staff member works in a cell of machines, with every individual machine completing a step in the process of creating a larger piece. By utilizing a system of cells, not only is the process more flexible, but also versatile, something Franjola said she loves about the structure.

Using trays that are passed by staff members to the next cell as a step is completed is another way Franjola practices sustainability. Organizing pieces by color, size and label aids the team in reducing human error and waste.

“How do you keep things really efficient and versatile, but also as a worker, you’re

Franjola said that, traditionally, companies do not geographically trace where cotton came from, but recent technology is working to change that.

“They’re doing it in different ways, using either documentation or physical tracers that they put into the fiber,” she said. “But what I’m learning is that it is a little bit complicated when you’re getting domestically made materials.”

Another sustainable practice HHGC is utilizing is prepared-for-dye fabric, which allows Franjola to purchase fabrics and threads before being dyed a certain color.

Instead of having to order rolls of dyed fabric and thread, cutting each color individually and having leftover fabric and thread in a variety of colors, she can order it before dying and only dye what is needed for each order, Franjola said.

“It’s much more contained and manageable from a raw material standpoint,” she said. “It kind of goes back to less waste, and then it’s a lot more flexible for the customer.”

Business owners have already flocked to put in orders with Franjola’s center, including Mary Ann Kokenge, chief vision officer of Fancy Folk Overalls and Such. Kokenge, originally from the Cincinnati area, is a family nurse practitioner by trade but started making overalls after they became a staple in her wardrobe.

After working with other partners to produce her product, Kokenge said she could never find the right fit and didn’t want to go to New York, LA or overseas. Through word of mouth, Kokenge said she came upon Franjola’s business and decided to leap.

“It’s been a good match because Betsy has been very patient with, ‘Oh, that pattern piece is incorrect’ and stuff,” Kokenge said. “It’s been very delightful, and I’ve learned a lot of the process you go through.”

Kokenge said she tries to cut down on waste in her business by developing smaller, functional products with scraps such as utensil holders. From the brand side of things, Kokenge tries to communicate sustainability with customers as

well.

“(When) making clothes, it’s a sustainability question for me,” she said. “You can go in and buy such cheap clothes these days, but there are consequences to it.”

The U.S. Government Accountability Office published a report in December 2024, citing an almost 50% increase in textile waste from 20002018.

“Textile waste has increased because of multiple factors, including a shift to a fast fashion business model; limited, decentralized systems for collecting and sorting textiles; and the infancy of textile recycling technologies,” the report said.

Harmful changes to the environment also have been noted, according to the GAO. The report said the effects include the release of greenhouse gases and the leaching of contaminants into soil and water as textile waste decomposes in landfills.

“This is sort of my answer from all these years of seeing bad decisions being made that do put profits over people and economics over the environment,” Franjola said. “I think there’s a way to do both, so that’s really what we’re trying to do here. What we’re doing is not for everybody, but I do think that we’re producing a better product in a better way.”

ECONOMICS OF THE FUTURE

President Donald Trump is implementing a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% additional tariff on imports from China in his new administration. For manufacturers, this could disrupt operating costs, making it more difficult to source materials.

Franjola said at the moment, with investments in U.S. textiles not where she

wants them to be, it makes it harder to get material in a cost-affordable way in the quantities she needs.

“What we’re doing in real-time is finding our local ecosystem,” Franjola said. Although tariffs are designed to protect domestic industries and home-grown manufacturers, the Associated Press said they may also serve to punish foreign countries for committing unfair trade practices.

“I really hope what happens is that if there are tariffs in place, maybe they’re very specific, so they’re very thoughtful of, ‘what are those raw materials that we don’t currently manufacture now?’” Franjola said.

She hopes some of these tariffs will be used to fund and subsidize sectors of the industry that need to rebuild or need to put money toward new technology, doing things in a better way than they have in the past.

“If we’re smart about tariffs, we can then focus on the labor here, but it does unfortunately mean higher costs because our labor costs (money),” Franjola said.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Franjola said while most of their current orders come from brands that handle their fabric sourcing, HHGC is launching an in-house line where the business will oversee both sourcing and manufacturing.

The initiative will focus on a blanks program, including T-shirts and sweatshirts, aimed to foster a local economic ecosystem, Franjola said.

Franjola said although the center does not produce cotton or fabric in Ohio, HHGC is partnering with U.S. manufacturers for materials and collaborating with a dye house in Hilliard, Ohio, and an Athens-based screen printer.

She said the first project is expected to be ready by late March or early April, and HHGC will seek partnerships with local businesses and organizations interested in supporting a truly local chain.

“We can create these jobs that are great jobs, fun jobs, that are here and really meaningful, not only for people who live here but also that are benefiting the industry and the planet,” Franjola said.

Sewing machines line the inside of the decommissioned Catholic church that Hocking Hills Garment Center occupies, Feb. 5, 2025, in Logan, Ohio.
Betsy Franjola, owner of Hocking Hills Garment Center, cuts a piece of fabric, Feb. 5, 2025, in Logan, Ohio.

Brown groundwater at Lostro Building raises concerns, city responds

Lostro building construction brings concern with residents regarding groundwater supply, and the city responds. The water is filtered groundwater and, moving forward, will be transported to the city sanitary.

FINN SMITH | FOR THE POST

After a video on social media showing dark brown water funneling out of the Lostro building from a hose into the street during construction surfaced, online users expressed frustration and brought up City Municipal Codes.

The Lostro building, located on the corner of South Court and West Union streets, is currently undergoing construction to become a new boutique hotel. The developer, Indus Hotels, bought the building for $1.55 million in October 2023.

The building has since been the site of ongoing construction, raising concerns about the city’s regulation of local developers and support of local businesses.

According to Service-Safety Director Andy Stone, the city received original notice of this incident about two weeks ago and has been working with the contractor since to ensure the water is properly handled.

Stone said the water was coming from an elevator shaft that is being constructed inside the Lostro building.

“You have to excavate in order to do that, typically below your lowest level,” Stone said. “And if you’ve got a high aquifer in that area, water will seep into that space, and that’s what’s happening in this particular situation.”

Stone said the company is pumping through a filter pack which removes the dirt from the water, and the water then travels to the street. According to Stone, the content of the water in the street is the same as any groundwater in Athens.

Environmental Coordinator Steve Adams also said the water exiting the building is being filtered through a compost filter sock. This piece has three filters, all

to remove sediment.

Anything that gets through the three filters from the filter sock stays in a separate line. Adams said this line looks like any sump pump from any basement.

According to Adams, the developers are abiding by Athens City Code Title 27, as the water is clean and natural following the filtering process. Title 27 says before any water from construction enters the stormwater, it must be filtered. Adams

said this is standard practice.

Title 27 reads, “The potential for sediment pollution of water resources shall be addressed both by minimizing erosion at the development site and by filtering development site runoff to remove suspended sediment.”

As of close of business Feb. 11, referring to the final stage of construction for the work day, Lostro developers have begun transporting the groundwater to the city sanitary. Adams noted the water will never stop coming up and will continue to be transported to the sanitary site, just like if residents flush a toilet.

CAMPUS EVENTS February 18th -

Social Engagement & Student Org Events

Wednesday, February 19

Midweek Bible Study

hosted by: Encompass Campus Min.

7:00 - 9:00 pm Baker 503

Commuter: Bow-Chick-Wowow Bingo hosted by: Housing & Res Life & THRIVE

3:00 - 6:00 pm Jefferson 160

Thursday, February 20

Mindfulness through Music OU Mindful Based Living

6:00 - 7:00 pm Morton 126

RISE Collegiate Recovery Community Meeting

3:00 - 4:00 pm Baker 313

Martie & Stewie Craft Night hosted by: Housing & Res Life & THRIVE

7:30 pm- supplies are provided West 82 Food Court

Friday, February 21

Humans vs. Zombies: All of Us Part II hosted by: Bobcat Blasters 7:00- 10:30 pm Walter Hall

*Sign up on Bobcat Connect Concert: Hub New Music hosted by: OU Composers Assn. 8:00 - 9:00 pm Glidden 476

Wednesday, February 26

Midweek Bible Study hosted by: Encompass Campus Min. 7:00 - 9:00 pm Baker 503

Thursday, February 27

Hot Diggidy Dog Commuter Event hosted by: Housing & Res Life

12:00 - 3:00 pm Boyd Hall, The Den (First Floor)

Friday, February 28

RISE Collegiate Recovery Community Meeting

3:00 - 4:00 pm Baker 313

FS227223@OHIO.EDU

March 18th

Friday, February 28 (cont')

Friday’s LIVE Season 54 E02 hosted by Sam Gottfried 8:00 pm Studio C (RTV 515)

Tuesday, March 3

Standard Tournament hosted by: OU MTG

6:30- 9:30 pm Ellis 115

*Sign up on Bobcat Connect

Tuesday, March 18

Free Battle for Baulder's Gate Commader Draft hosted by: OU MTG

6:30- 10:30 pm Ellis 115

*Sign up on Bobcat Connect

Wednesday, March 19

Midweek Bible Study hosted by: Encompass Campus Min.

7:00 - 9:00 pm Baker 503

GREEK LIFE

Wednesday, February 19

Sophomore Housing Exemption Meeting 6:00 PM Morton 201

Thursday, February 20

Sophomore Housing Exemption Meeting 3:00 PM Baker 231

Monday, February 24

Sophomore Housing Exemption Meeting 7:30 PM Morton 235

February 21 & 22 OHIO @Liberty 7:00 PM, Lynchburg, VA (follow on X for streaming link)

March 13 - 18

ACHA National Tourn. St. Louis, MO

The construction outside of The Lostro, Feb. 16, 2025, on Court Street, in Athens. (MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)

Hocking County Jail transforms into women’s-only facility

The Hocking County Correctional Facility is currently being repurposed to serve as a women’s only jail and drug treatment center.

The project has received support from numerous local organizations, including Ohio University, Hocking College and Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. Organizing the contributions for OU is assistant clinical professor Rick Hodges.

“Ohio personnel coordinate the project and help to advocate for policy and funding support,” Hodges said. “We have also provided strategic planning services and completed a financial feasibility study.”

Spearheading the entire project is Hocking County Municipal Court Judge Fred Moses. He runs two drug courts in Hocking County and is a strong believer in re-entry for those addicted to drugs.

In 2017, Moses met with the director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, who at the time was Gary Mohr, informing him of his idea to establish a jail and drug treatment center. Moses recognized the need for this during the opioid crisis, which specifically hit Southeastern Ohio at high rates.

In 2018, the Hocking County Prison officially shut down. The former tuberculosis treatment hospital was transformed into a prison in the 1980s and has since housed mainly older prisoners with medical issues.

Moses then began organizing a coalition in support of his project, eventually culminating in 37 partners. The state chose to support Moses’ idea to create the center, and the project officially began in 2022.

Chief Deputy of Corrections Leif Bickel has been heavily involved in the process. Bickel discussed what the three-story facility will look like after the repurposing is completed.

Both the facility’s second and third floors will have two dorms, each consisting of 47 female inmates. The first floor

will serve as a drug treatment center. The floor will have 100 treatment beds, and all residents will be drug treatment court participants.

In a press release published in December 2021, ODRC announced that $12 million in capital funding will go toward the jail’s design and construction.

Earlier this year, Hocking County officially bought the jail from the state for $1, a practice common in governmental transactions. Bickel said the facility is aiming to be open within 18 months.

The drug treatment center will aim

OU receives $196,665 safety grant, upgrades

DREW HOFFMASTER | NEWS STAFF WRITER

Ohio University announced Wednesday it received a $196,665 grant for campus safety from the Ohio Campus Safety Grant Program, which will be used to add more cameras around campus.

Within the last year OU has had two crime alerts. The first was a voyeurism incident at Dougan House, which happened Feb. 27, 2024. A female student showering in the hall observed a hand holding a phone pointed at her. When the student objected and pulled open the curtain, she observed a man running out of the restroom.

The second was the Ewing House incident, which took place Nov. 4, 2024. A female resident in the Ewing House Left her door unlocked while going to use the restroom and came back to find a man with a knife in the room.

Currently, both incidents are still under investigation, according to Evan Wilkof, the Ohio University Police Department’s community relations officer. He said updates will be provided when they become available.

Student Senate and OU Housing and Residence Life are still creating and implementing efforts to improve student safety on campus. After the Ewing Hall Incident, the Residence Life Commission of Senate began work to implement better security cameras.

“Housing does their security cameras, and actually strategically places them in a way without violating privacy,” Aidan Kirk, vice commissioner of Senate, said. “Also, every exterior entrance or exit is covered by a camera.”

Kirk said he believes it would be very difficult to add more cameras inside residence halls directly because it would violate students’ privacy.

Alex Semancik, the OU communications specialist, said OUPD will be using the grant to implement more surveillance

cameras around campus in high-traffic areas.

“Surveillance cameras act as a deterrent—potential criminals are less likely to commit crimes if they know their actions are being recorded,” OUPD Captain Tim Ryan wrote in an email.

Ryan said cameras also provide accountability for the events they record. Oftentimes, officers and detectives use security surveillance in investigations to identify suspects and gather evidence. Additionally, officers are able to monitor events as they happen in real time using surveillance systems allowing them more situational awareness.

According to Jneanne Hacker, executive director of Housing and Residence Life, Housing will be in charge of where the cameras are placed. Hacker said Housing and Residence Life welcomes any feedback for locations to place cameras in the dorm halls.

“Student safety will continue to be a priority for Housing and Residence Life,” Hacker wrote in an email. “From the installation of electronic access and surveillance cameras to creating education and awareness campaigns around fire safety, every effort invested into creating safe and comfortable spaces for our students is helpful with creating the best campus experience for our students.”

Recently, Housing and Residence Life has also installed electronic access swipes on each mod entrance door in Hoover, Ewing, Wray, Dougan and True houses over the summer and are working with Facilities Management and Access Control to add an alarm which will go off if a mod-door is propped open.

Hacker said any new halls and future renovated halls will have single-user bathrooms to offer an increased level of privacy for students, and improved lighting will be added to South Green.

to help rehabilitate drug offenders. Moses said he is often forced to put drug offenders in jail because they are a danger to themselves, and he wants to see a solution that can better help them recover.

“It’s a place where people can go when they’re incarcerated, get moved down to a lower secure facility, but a place where they’re receiving treatment,” Moses said.

Southeastern Ohio has had a lack of beds to house female inmates. Moses believes the facility will remedy this problem and expand support for female offenders.

The facility will aim to support participants by providing job training inside the facility, offering mental health and substance abuse treatment and potentially bringing in Hocking College professors to teach automated jobs.

Moses hopes this project will remind people that those who suffer from drug abuse often need help and a place to rehabilitate.

“We kind of forget that the criminal justice system is supposed to rehabilitate people, not just put them in jail or put them in prison,” Moses said. “So I guess the question is, as a society and as a human being, what do you want to do to help them help each other? How do you want to make it better?”

FS227223@OHIO.EDU

“We also want to remind students that the University has resources and avenues to assist them anytime they need help processing stress or difficult situations,” Hacker wrote in an email. “OHIO offers a wide range of on- and off-campus well-being and counseling support options, including 24/7 emergency and crisis services support when needed.”

Kirk said Senate’s Residence Life Commission is looking to currently implement safety walks. These walks will happen at every campus green and possible parking garages once a semester to identify areas that seem unsafe.

“We want to identify areas that are feeling unsafe or have an element of what might make you feel unsafe,” Kirk said. “So maybe, some bricks are missing in the path, and it makes it so people walk up to it and fall out there or a missing light, like a light post isn’t working. Maybe we need a new light post to apply more light in an area to help make people feel more safe.”

The main goal of these walks is to provide students peace of mind. Kirk said he understands students do feel unsafe at OU.

“The main thing (Residence Life Commission) has to do is make sure we routinely keep encouraging Housing to analyze and look at how safety feels in what ways because there’s always something to improve on,” Kirk said.

These walks will include members of Senate and different organizations. Kirk said if any organizations are interested in participating in these walks they should reach out to the Residence Life Commission.

“We’re still in a very initial planning stage,” Kirk said. “My goal would be to do it in April, so it’s still a couple of months away. But definitely, (the walks) will be more than just Senate and Housing. Our goal is to have many different organiza-

tions there as well to kind of get a scope of many different walks of life’s opinion on the safety of campus.”

Wilkof encourages students while on campus to practice situational awareness. This is when a person watches the environment around them for someone or something that is out of place.

“If something seems out of place or maybe some behavior is just a little unusual, someone pacing back and forth, wearing unusual clothes given extremely warm or extremely cold temperatures or behavior that just makes no sense, I think we all kind of have a sense of what is reasonable and what we commonly see,” Wilkof said.

Things that stick out to students are things worth calling the police about or checking in with residence hall staff, Wilkof said.

It is also a good idea to not leave your door open when using the restroom even if the restroom is right across the hall, according to Wilkof. Wilkof said thefts only take a matter of seconds, so students should minimize those chances.

“We do strongly recommend that (students) always close the door, and they treat it like it’s their home,” Wilkof said. “ We have our front door locked at night, and you wouldn’t leave your front door cracked at night. We want those same habits to be brought here to the University.”

Wilkof said students will also be good neighbors by practicing these habits.

“People you frequently see other residents, your neighbors, that help form good habits for you by being a good community member in the community after OU,” Wilkof said. “Whether they are in a job back at their hometown or an internship elsewhere, this is the time that they’re building their skill set and their knowledge.”

MEGAN VANVLACK | PHOTO EDITOR

Police Blotter: Horsing around, burning a hole in

pocket

7 Fri ____________________________

Horsing around

According to a report from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, a complaint about horses running free on Bates Road in Athens was filed.

Deputies responded, took a report and returned the horses home.

Strutting stick

A man was reported to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office for walking in the roadway with a large stick on state Route 682 in The Plains.

Deputies responded to the scene and spoke with the man. Afterward, deputies gave him a ride back to his home.

8 Sat __________________________

Moo-ve

Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a cow in the middle of the roadway on Bassett Road in Athens.

The cow was located by deputies and returned to the owner.

9 Sun_________________________

There’s a ghost

Suspicious activity at Willow Creek Road in Athens was reported to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded and met with the caller who said he heard noises in the woods and received a strange phone call.

The area and caller’s residence were checked but nothing was found. Deputies returned to patrol.

Wash out

Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a caller being locked out of their vehicle at a car wash in Albany. The vehicle was unlocked by deputies, and they returned to patrol.

10 Mon_________________________

Sheriff to FedEx

A FedEx package was delivered to a man’s property that did not belong to him. The man called the Athens County Sheriff’s Office and reported it.

Deputies then advised the caller to call FedEx to get the package.

Possible threats

Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a report of threats made on Strouds Run Road in Athens and responded.

The deputies determined no criminal offense occurred after talking to the complaint and two other individuals.

11 Tue ___________________________

Party was shut down … Womp, womp

Loud music was reported to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office coming from May Avenue in Chauncey.

Deputies were dispatched, patrolled the area and sat stationary. However, they could not find the noise and returned to patrol.

12 Wed __________________________

Burning a hole in your pocket

A possible arson of an ATM was attempted at the Hocking Valley Bank in Coolville. The Athens County Sheriff’s deputies responded and documented the damage.

The case was then turned over to the Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office.

Time to give the dog a bath

A dog was on the loose at a car wash in The Plains, according to a report from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded and spoke with the car wash’s owner, and the dog was taken to its residence.

13 Thur __________________________

Get by with help from my friends

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from a man who locked his key inside his vehicle at a Kroger in Nelsonville.

Once at the scene, deputies unlocked the vehicle allowing the man to retrieve his keys.

Well-being check

Deputies performed a well-being check on a man at Shawnee Drive in Albany, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were able to make contact with the man and advised he did not need any assistance at the time. The deputies then returned to patrol.

DREW HOFFMASTER | NEWS STAFF WRITER
AUDI REED| FOR THE POST

Green’s Edge brings classic rock revival to Athens

Classic rock makes a comeback in Athens as Green’s Edge, a new rock band, cranks up the volume with both covers and original pieces.

Green’s Edge entered the music scene in September 2024, hoping to establish itself in the Athens community and develop its sound.

Ben Maskiell, a freshman studying early childhood education, is a rhythm guitarist and vocalist for Green’s Edge. His passion for guitar sparked in 2020 during the COVID-19.

“I wanted to be in a band for as long as I can remember,” Maskiell said. “For me (playing music) is just so relaxing. I sit down with a guitar and know that at any point, I could just stop playing a song halfway through and play another one … it's just really relaxing knowing that I have complete control.”

In a physical science class, Maskiell met Jack Batson, a sophomore studying accounting and the band’s lead singer. After discovering a mutual love of rock music, the two decided to form what is now Green’s Edge. Batson finds ways to implement creativity and music into his

everyday life.

“I try to write down what I'm thinking, 10 to 15 minutes a day, no matter how I'm feeling. It's important for me,” Batson said. “It gets me through my life, listening to music and writing it. I try to produce whenever I can.”

Maskiell and Batson then recruited four additional band members: Ash Stephenson, a freshman biological sciences major, Sid Austin, a freshman music production major, Becky Neumann, a freshman biology major and Alex McCartney, a freshman health sciences major.

Green’s Edge derived its name from Ohio University’s campus, the place where the band’s journey began. The name is a reference to the four greens on campus.

“We liked that idea a lot,” Batson said. “It was like the edge of the green, and we were like, ‘Wait Green’s Edge.’”

Green’s Edge played its first gig Nov. 23, 2024 for a small crowd of friends and family, where it played nine cover songs and the members found their footing as performers.

“Halfway through the show we played ‘Creep,’ and I felt like I came out of my body,” Batson said. “It was really freeing. I

didn't care, I was having so much fun.”

The band all shared a similar takeaway: this is what they were all missing.

“Afterwards it was like, ‘Wow, I’ve been wanting to do this kind of thing since I was a kid,” Maskiell said.

Green’s Edge hopes to experiment with new musical genres to reach audiences with a variety of tastes.

“We're one size fits all,” Maskiell said. “We're not just for the classic rock people, we're also for the people who love pop, the people who love modern music … there's music for everyone.”

Stephenson is the lead guitarist of Green’s Edge. Originally from the U.K., Stephenson is inspired by British pop bands such as Oasis, Blur and Arctic Monkeys. Since joining Green’s Edge, Stephenson’s fellow band members have introduced her to new sounds such as Fleetwood Mac and AC/DC.

“(Green’s Edge) gives us something to get away from everything, we can just f--- around and have fun,” Stephenson said. “For me to come to the band and play my favorite songs and be with my friends, it's such a nice thing to be able to do.”

Green’s Edge encourages its audience

to embrace their individuality.

“We're all different people,” she said. “We all come from different backgrounds. We all have different personalities, but we work really well together. Being in the band has allowed us to be ourselves.”

In the future, Stephenson hopes to create her own original music.

“This is the first band I've ever been a part of … it's going to be something to remember regardless of whether it's gonna last a long time or not,” Stephenson said. “We have big dreams, we’d like to perform and have a good crowd, and I won't stop until I've done that.”

Green’s Edge has already had a profound impact on its members. No matter what the future holds, they credit the band for strengthening their passion for music and creating friendships that last beyond their time on stage.

“This is not going to be something that just fizzles out,” Maskiell said. “Whether it stops tomorrow or it goes until we’re all seniors … it's going to be a thing that will always stick with us. I'll always remember Green's Edge as the first real thing that I've done.”

@REAGANSNYDER_ @RS393322@OHIO.EDU

REAGAN SNYDER | FOR THE POST
Green's Edge poses for a photo. From Left to right: Ben, Becky, Ash, Jack, Sid, Alex. Photo by Mia Lucas

UACT advocates for tenants in local government

ALEXANDRA HOPKINS | FOR THE POST

Around three-quarters of Athens city housing is rental property, yet many of the local lawmakers are landlords. The United Athens County Tenants fights to ensure the city’s tenants are represented and protected.

Zach Hess, a senior studying film and media production, rents off-campus with Emerson Properties. Emerson owns a few properties scattered around Athens. The problem is, its management is based in Texas.

“If we have a problem, or if we have to message them about maintenance or anything, it’s a very long process, and it’s not very good,” Hess said.

Though the first year of renting with Emerson was relatively smooth, Hess said the second year has been met with issues, including unannounced visitors.

“We’ve had maintenance come around without being notified on two or three occasions,” Hess said. “One time they tried to actually get into the apartment. They weren’t able to get into the house, but we were woken up at 8:30 in the morning … which no matter where you are, it’s a scary thought.”

Many students face difficulties with off-campus housing and don’t know where to turn for aid. The United Athens County Tenants organization, founded in Athens six years ago, works to protect tenants’ legal rights and enforce local housing justice in Athens.

Damon Krane, a founding member of UACT, started the organization after losing his first mayoral campaign.

“In 2019, I ran for mayor on primarily a housing justice platform,” Krane said. “There were some other candidates that year who, like me, were tenants. That was Ellie Hamrick and Chris Monday.”

Though all three candidates lost their races, some campaign members stuck together to form UACT. The small group’s first victory occurred in the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“There was an effort to pressure Municipal Court Judge Todd Grace to suspend eviction hearings at the beginning

of the pandemic before the National Moratorium kicked in,” Krane said.

Efforts led by the UACT, and supported by the Ohio Supreme Court, eventually pushed a reluctant Judge Grace to pass a court order canceling all eviction hearings on March 23, 2020. This court order was especially meaningful in cities like Athens where a majority of housing options are made up of rental properties.

“The different studies I’ve seen put it at somewhere between 72% and 78%,” Krane said. “The vast majority of city residents are renters.”

Reagan Klinger-Neviska, another founding member of UACT, is also a renter in the city of Athens. Klinger-Neviska’s bad experiences with landlords helped inspire the mission of UACT.

“The idea behind UACT was letting people know what options they have and empowering people with information,” Klinger-Neviska said.

In August 2022, a ceiling collapse on North Shafer Street caught UACT’s attention. The organization had just won a lengthy battle with the city administration to gain access to 14 years worth of code enforcement records on every rental property in Athens.

“We said, ‘Wow, this could be a trial case, let’s investigate this landlord’s compliance record at all their Athens properties,’ and we put together a report on everything we found,” Krane said. “We found a lot of things, but to begin with, we found that Krause (Rental Properties) had failed 110 out of its last 113 regularly scheduled inspections.”

The full report, available on UACT’s website, detailed a 14-year history of negligence by Krause Rental Properties, managed by company President Joe Krause.

“To make matters much worse, Mayor Patterson twice appointed him to serve on the city zoning board where he helped make housing policy decisions for the city,” Krane said.

Last September, Patterson reap-

pointed Krause for the third time. UACT quickly took action and, with the aid of Athens City Council, was able to get Krause to resign from his position.

“That was a big success because I think it was the first time the council showed they were willing to stand up to the mayor when it came to tenant safety and housing quality,” Krane said. “That’s a far cry from where things stood when UACT started in 2020.”

When UACT was founded, many of the city officeholders were landlords and homeowners. In 2002, a study led by the Student Senate’s Off-Campus Housing Commission, sought out Athens’ best and worst off-campus rental units. The worst unit, they found, was owned by Guy Philips, then Athens City Council president.

“City government has been unrepresentative of the city population in multiple ways, but probably no way more so than when it comes to tenants versus landlords,” Krane said.

The power imbalance landlords have in the local government relative to the little power tenants maintain is what makes UACT important, according to Krane.

“One of the reasons why UACT gravitated toward getting local government policy passed was because we were trying to make up for what was such a long-standing lack of tenant representation,” Krane said.

UACT is currently going through a “rebirth,” Krane said, and the organization is currently looking for more members to join its movement.

“UACT is always open to incorporating more members now,” Krane said. “We would welcome folks reaching out to us through the contact info on our website if they’re considering getting involved in this work themselves.”

Manup Archives creates clothes with a message

Des Owusu, a senior studying management information systems, founded the clothing brand Manup Archives to provide high-quality, simple clothes for young people. He also hopes to give his customers more than just clothes — he hopes to give them inspiration to be better people.

“We want to provide clothes that are meaningful,” Owusu said.

In September 2024, the 40 pieces in the brand’s first collection sold out in two weeks.

Part one of the second collection, the Endurance collection, was released online Feb. 7. It features six designs of sweatshirts and hats and is much bigger than the first collection. A new workwear jacket will also be on sale in a few weeks.

Owusu said he tries to keep the prices affordable so more people can enjoy the collection.

The 460 GSM, 100% cotton sweatshirt material as well as the other materials Owusu uses for his clothes are made

overseas. The garments are quality-checked by multiple manufacturers in Columbus, where Owusu is from. He and his business partners found the manufacturers by looking at online reviews.

Nana Oduro is earning his MBA with a concentration in finance, and he promoted the brand online and offline before it was released. Oduro helped find manufacturers for the clothes as well.

“We just went in, built a good relationship and went into their space to make sure that they were producing the best quality before we ended up going with them for part of our job,” Oduro said.

Kendrick Frempong, a senior studying exercise physiology, hopes to see more of a variety of clothing in future collections from Manup Archives, such as longsleeve T-shirts. He bought a hoodie from the most recent collection, which he said was great quality.

The student organization Manup, a bible study that started in fall 2023, is not affiliated with the clothing brand, although Owusu is the head of both and

they both have the same values. The two aren’t financially connected.

“Everything was just reinvested back into the brand,” Oduro said.

Manup’s pillars of strength, courage, purpose and integrity are values from the Bible the members use in their day-today lives.

“I think those are traits that we see for how to live significant lives, and also biblically,” Owusu said.

The designs are meant to inspire customers to endure whatever difficulties they are going through.

This theme came from historical and biblical figures who embodied the traits Owusu wanted to encourage. One figure he pointed out was Harriet Tubman, whose perseverance freed dozens of people from slavery.

“Black people have had to go through a lot . . . I kind of feel like (the theme) helps people, kind of like a sign of hope,” Frempong said.

Reagan Klinger-Neviska poses for a portrait on West Green, Feb. 17, 2025.
(PEARL SPURLOCK | FOR THE POST)

Punk Prom rocks The Union

Saturday night gave way to an annual opportunity for students who enjoy fun music and dressing in an exuberant style. Ohio University’s All-Campus Radio Network hosted its Punk Prom at The Union Bar, located at 18 W. Union St.

The Union is home to several exciting events throughout the year, all of which strive to keep regulars and new arrivals coming back. One of The Union’s annual parties is ACRN's prom, falling on Valentine’s Weekend every year.

After the network’s first broadcast aired in 1971, ACRN became the “first and only” student-hosted radio show, according to OHIO Today. ACRN has since flourished to incorporate articles, music, podcasts and live listening.

Punk Prom allows students to explore their passion for all things punk and indie rock. The performing bands included Anake from Cleveland, Hueston Woods from Cincinnati and Parking from Louisville, Kentucky.

When the doors opened at 8 p.m., students, locals and bands from across Ohio flooded into The Union to see a beautifully decorated space with hints of spunk and grunge. Evan Seurkamp, a junior studying music production and recording industry, is ACRN’s promotions director and was in charge of booking The

Union venue and contacting bands. Seurkamp said the event themes alternate and are typically titled emo and goth prom, but this year’s theme was special.

“I just wanted to mix up the pot a little bit this year, try something different,” Seurkamp said.

Seurkamp worked alongside other ACRN directors, including Public Relations Director Kate Tocke, a junior studying journalism. Tocke joined ACRN during her sophomore year and started on the editorial team.

“There was really no PR department at the time, so it kind of was just a one-woman show and I was able to bring that PR aspect back into ACRN,” Tocke said. “I work really closely with Evan, which is so awesome.”

Tocke said she and Seurkamp always plan to feature bands from both Athens and neighboring cities, creating a versatile musical experience for students and locals.

“We kind of just went off the theme and we go on Band Camp and look for people in regional areas and listen to them,” Tocke said. “If we think their sound fits we will reach out to them and look at their presence through social media, and hopefully they will be down to come down to Athens.”

Hueston Woods traveled from Cincinnati to showcase their musical talent and electrify the crowd.

Hueston Woods formed in summer 2023, taking the city by storm and performing at University of Cincinnati hot spots.

Adam Flem, the bassist, graduated from UC in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology but has previously performed at the Smiling Skull Saloon with a different band. Flem said he was happy to return to Athens and relive an unforgettable experience.

“I think what really stood out to me was the ambiance of the college town,” Flem said. “I really enjoyed walking around the town, it has a very different feel to it than Clifton does, where we’re based and oftentimes perform. It was during the fall, everything was really beautiful.”

Hueston Woods’ set was a mixture of both unreleased and favorite songs, including “Artist Boyfriend,” “Polychrome,” “Favors” and “Perfect Androgyny,” all of which can be found on Spotify. Flem said their music is categorized as indie rock but takes different forms.

“We are also not afraid to put moments of heavier music into our music, there is definitely a lot of elements but I think it reflects the age of the Internet that we all grew up with,” Flem said.

Not only did the night encompass thrilling entertainment, but attendees were encouraged to dress in their best punk prom outfits with the

hopes of winning Punk Prom queen and king. Mary Klein, Hueston’s rhythm guitarist, said she wore a thrifted dress and was excited the band got to showcase its style.

“I told everybody that if they do not dress like they are going to prom I am going to cry,” Klein said.

Cooper Cunningham, Hueston’s lead guitarist, said the members had fun planning their outfit and seeing other students express their creativity and confidence through fashion.

“I am going to wear just a big suit jacket and probably some ripped jeans and I am going to throw paint all over it,” Cunningham said.

Tickets for the event cost $8 for those who are 21 and over and $11 for individuals 18-20. Students and locals who danced the night away could enter auctions and win prizes from local businesses, including Donkey Coffee and Casa Nueva.

Punk Prom strove to ignite friendships through music and provide a welcoming atmosphere. In an interview before the event, Tocke said she was looking forward to watching performances and seeing the turnout.

“I think people should come to Punk Prom because not only will the music be great, but I think it will expand people's music taste,” Tocke said. “I feel like in the local scene right now, there are not as many punky bands.”

@GINA_NAPOLI_ GN875322@OHIO.EDU

GINA NAPOLI
HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER

Tommy Kloepfer is more than meets the eye

Get to know Ohio defenseman Tommy Kloepfer

Ohio defenseman Tommy Kloepfer wasn’t born wearing ice skates and holding a hockey puck.

This is something he finds to be shocking given his birthplace just north of Toronto in King City, Ontario. Kloepfer tried just about every other sport before finding his way to hockey, from baseball to BMX, but eventually, that Canadian spirit pulled him in.

“I turned 12 and all my friends were playing hockey at school. I felt kind of left out,” Kloepfer said. “I hadn’t skated much in my life, I barely could at 13 years old. I put a lot of work into it, and I fell in love really quick.”

Of course, Kloepfer was always surrounded by hockey even if he wasn’t blocking shots on goal just yet. His family built a rink in their backyard during Ontario’s brutal winters, and his initial interest in the sport was spawned by some spring cleaning.

“I think what really initiated my love for hockey was doing some cleaning in our basement and finding an old newspaper EMMA ERION | SLOT EDITOR

and I wanted to try my shot at it.”

Kloepfer’s time in Canadian juniors was, in his words, “a blast.” He played for his local team, the Aurora Tigers, so he was constantly hanging out with all his friends, especially the ones he made on the team.

His friends on the team included current Ohio forwards Hollander Thompson and Luc Reeve. Thompson and Kloepfer’s friendship started distant, but having to sit next to each other in the locker room brought them together. Reeve was a local star, so Kloepfer was familiar before they were on the same team, and he regretted ever underestimating him.

“On the first drill we did together, it was a one-on-one,” Kloepfer said. “He was coming down on me, took it to the outside and just cut right into me and threw me right on my a--. From then on, I didn’t mess with him.”

It’s clear their friendship has continued to persevere. Reeve credited Kloepfer with helping him score the winning overtime goal against Niagara.

a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and take it to the next level.”

Kloepfer’s business sources all the parts for 18-wheel tractor trailers, which is what he plans on devoting himself to after he graduates from OU.

His practicality expands even past the rink and his business. If Kloepfer was stranded on a deserted island, he said he would bring a machete and a dirt bike. These two choices would arguably expand his ability to survive in those uncertain circumstances.

Plus, if he could only eat one ice cream flavor for the rest of his life, he said it would be Dutch chocolate. Kloepfer asserted this was an undeniably practical choice, as the plainness would make it hard to get tired of. Besides ice cream hypotheticals and desert island survival, Kloepfer is using his practicality and energy both on and off the ice.

“I’m a big energy guy,” Kloepfer said. “I bring physicality. I have a hard shot. I have a versatile role; I’m all over the place and I fit in where I’m needed.”

I bring physicality. I have a hard shot. I have a versatile role; I’m all over the place and I fit in where I’m needed.”
-
Tommy Kloepfer, Ohio Hockey defenseman
Ohio defenseman Tommy Kloepfer (4) poses for a portrait in Bird Arena in Athens, Feb. 6, 2025. (ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)
The Bobcats celebrate after scoring against West Virginia at Bird Arena in Athens, Jan. 17, 2025. Ohio beat the Mountaineers 6-1. (ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)

Softball: Ohio takes 1 of 5 in Bear Down Fiesta

Last weekend proved to be a promising start for Ohio (5-4). Entering the season as the favorite to come out of the Mid-American Conference, the Bobcats looked the part, dominating the Elon Softball Classic. After NC Central could only go five innings with Ohio, coach Jenna Hall’s team kept sizzling, putting together three straight games with double-digit hits and runs.

The performance, which saw Ohio outscore its opponents by 20 runs, led the team to be selected No. 12 on D1Softball’s Mid-Major Top 25 for Week One. However, the following weekend didn’t go the same for Ohio. Heading from North Carolina to Arizona, Ohio took part in five games of the Bear Down Fiesta, playing Cal State Fullerton (7-3) and South Alabama (5-5) twice and No. 15 Arizona (10-1) once.

Coming into the week, Ohio was led by sophomore Brenna Farmer, who secured MAC Player of the Week with 10 hits and 13 RBIs in the Elon Softball Classic. Following close behind was senior Emma Hoffner, who put together seven hits and 12 RBIs.

Ohio was unable to get the same pro-

duction out of the pairing the following weekend. Through five games, Farmer and Hoffner combined for just four hits and three RBIs.

The weekend opened against Cal State Fullerton in the first of two Friday matchups for Ohio. The game was low-scoring, finishing 2-1 in favor of the Titans, who were led by redshirt sophomore pitcher Trisha McCleskey. McCleskey pitched all seven innings, allowing just four hits.

In the following game, Ohio played its first of back-to-back games against South Alabama, which resulted in a 7-2 loss. The Bobcats managed to outhit their opponent eight to six but were outpitched overall. South Alabama sophomore Ryley Harrison pitched six strikeouts in seven innings while walking just three batters and allowing 1 run.

Ohio’s duo of redshirt junior Skipp Miller and sophomore Mikie Lieving didn’t see the same success on the mound. Miller, who has been one of the MAC’s best pitchers in her last two years, pitched two and two-thirds innings and allowed 4 earned runs, hitting as many batters as

she struck out. Lieving, in four and onethird innings, allowed four hits and four walks.

Ohio got its revenge the next day, beating South Alabama 3-2 for its only win of the weekend. It was a close game throughout, with South Alabama entering the sixth with a 2-1 lead. However, after sophomore Izzie Wilson advanced Hoffner to second on a ground out, junior Shelby Westler lined up a home run to score her and Hoffner, giving Ohio a 3-2 lead.

At the mound, Lieving allowed just one hit and three walks in a scoreless three innings. Freshman Anna Wise also contributed four innings for the Bobcats, striking out four batters.

The second-to-last matchup for Ohio was against No. 15 Arizona, who improved to eight consecutive wins after beating Ohio 12-8. The Bobcats led 7-3 entering the bottom of the fourth against the Wildcats.

A 5-run explosion in the second spearheaded the lead, as senior Lauren Yuhas reached second on a fielding error, scor-

ing senior CiCi Keidel and freshman Abby Kennelly. One scoreless at-bat later, the runs continued as Hoffner and Farmer both notched RBIs.

However, the lead wouldn’t last much longer as Arizona put together an 8 run fourth inning, including a pair of two RBI home runs from junior Kaiah Altmeyer and sophomore Emily Schepp. Ohio would finish the Bear Down Fiesta against Cal State Fullerton in the most lopsided game of the weekend, losing 17-1 in five innings. An incredible performance saw Fullerton freshman Nataly Lazano score 3 runs, three hits and four RBI in four at-bats as Ohio’s pitchers struggled. The four pitchers Hall tried on the mound conceded 14 hits and 11 earned runs. Ohio looks to bounce back in the Lowcountry Classic in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, against Dartmouth (0-5), Rhode Island (0-0) and Charleston (2-6). The Bobcats will look to take advantage as the only participant above .500 entering the weekend.

@LOGANPADAMS LA486821@OHIO.EDU

Baseball: Ohio unable to tally first win in opening weekend against Wofford

Ohio (0-3) did some good things against Wofford (3-0) during the opening weekend of the 2025 season but ultimately was unable to scratch off a win in three hardfought games. The Bobcats got close in games two and three, falling by only one run, but couldn’t do enough to overcome some lofty pitching woes to get the win. Here is everything to know from Ohio’s opening weekend against Wofford.

GAME ONE

There was some evident rust on Ohio’s side in game one of the series. Veteran Blake Gaskey started the game on the mound for the Bobcats and would surrender 3 runs before the first inning closed. From the first pitch onward, Wofford dominated the game, eventually winning by mercy rule 11-1 in the eighth inning.

Gaskey provided three-and-a-third innings pitched for Ohio but wasn’t all that successful in any of them. The senior right-handed pitcher surrendered at least one run in each inning he pitched, accounting for a final line of 7 earned runs allowed for the game.

The Ohio offense didn’t have much to cheer for, either. Only three batters tallied hits during the game, and the Bobcat’s sole run of the day was brought in on a wild pitch. Sophomore outfielder Pauly

Mancino scored Ohio’s lone run after tallying a double to start the fourth inning.

Wofford third baseman James Layman had no problem getting on base against Ohio, going three-for-four at the plate including 2 runs scored and two RBIs.

Ohio relief pitcher Trey Barkman had the most successful day on the mound of the three pitchers Ohio used in the first game. Barkman provided two-and-a-third innings for the Bobcats, where he allowed only 1 earned run. Unfortunately for Barkman, the one earned run is all Wofford needed to win the game by mercy rule in the eighth.

GAME TWO

The most exciting game of the series came in game two of Friday’s doubleheader, where Ohio would hold the lead for the first eight-and-a-half innings before surrendering a walk-off walk in the bottom half of the ninth.

Dillon Masters took the mound for the Bobcats and turned in the best outing of any Ohio pitcher during the series. In his first start of the season, Masters went four innings, allowing just three hits and no runs scored.

Although Masters dominated from the hill, the Ohio offense got off to a hot start with 4 runs in the first inning. A triple

from Ohio first baseman Trae Cassidy plated 2 of Ohio’s 4 runs in the inning.

Ohio played small ball, scoring 6 runs without a home run before Wofford could get anything going on offense. With a 6-run lead in the sixth inning, it seemed like Ohio would coast to a win. However, Ohio’s bullpen was hit hard in the game’s final three innings, allowing Wofford to come back for the win.

The Terrier comeback started when junior college transfer Dylan Eggl took the mound in relief for his first game as a Bobcat. Eggl survived only one inning, allowing 4 runs on four hits.

Needing only three outs for the win, Ohio rolled out reliever Landon Price in the ninth for his fourth inning of work. Fatigued, Price struggled to throw strikes in the inning. After a lead-off walk, Wofford strung a couple of hits together to put pressure on Ohio.

An error on the Ohio infield forced Ohio coach Craig Moore to go to his bullpen in the form of reliever Jack Geiser.

Geiser immediately allowed a two-RBI single to tie the game with only one out in the inning. After an intentional walk to the next batter, Gesier faced Wofford’s Logan Tribble with the bases loaded. Three balls before Geiser’s first strike led to the game-ending walk.

GAME THREE

Ohio and Wofford went back and forth for the entirety of game three. After the Terriers scored 4 runs in the first inning, quickly taking Ohio starter Jacob Tate out of the game, Ohio responded with 4 runs of its own in the second.

There were six total lead changes with the game ending 13-12 in Wofford’s favor.

Ohio’s offense had its best day Sunday, tallying 11 earned runs in a 12-run performance. Outfielder Ben Slanker led the way for the Bobcats with four RBIs, including a two-run home run, to take the lead in the third inning.

Fellow outfielder Trenton Neuer continued his impressive weekend with three hits and three RBIs. In an all-around impressive offensive day, freshman Matt Ineich gained some confidence at the plate, tallying a team-leading four hits in six at-bats.

Senior Hudson Boncal would be charged with the loss in relief after surrendering 6 runs in three-and-two-thirds innings pitched.

Fellow senior Tyler Peck came in and had a brilliant day in relief for Ohio, effectively keeping the Bobcats within reach of a comeback win. However, Peck’s twoand-a-third scoreless inning performance wasn’t enough.

Ohio infielder, Emily Caron (20), up to bat during a game against Western Michigan at Ohio SOftball Field, April 21, 2024, in Athens. (ABBIE KINNEY | FOR THE POST)

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Women’s Basketball: Ohio’s offense comes alive in tough loss to Buffalo

Just over two weeks ago, Ohio suffered an embarrassing loss to rival Miami on the road in Oxford. The Bobcats put up a season-low 34 points in a dismal offensive performance, their worst of the season up to that point.

The offense was swamped with injury issues that held out players such as Jaya McClure and Monica Williams and looked clunky and slow. In an offense that doesn’t utilize on-ball screens, Ohio coach Bob Boldon’s players lacked cohesivity and, above all else, experience.

That game in Millett Hall was low for Ohio, and while the offense managed to improve marginally against Southern Mississippi and Central Michigan, it scored under 50 points in both games.

Heading into the game against Buffalo, time was not only running out on the season for Ohio but for the offense to show some signs of life before the year ended.

Sophomore guard Bailey Tabeling knew early that it was one of those days for her when it came to shooting the ball just after warmups.

“When we did

our little drill, I missed I think only one,” Tabeling said. “Just in my mind, I was thinking today should be a good day.”

It certainly was for Tabeling, who poured in 19 points on seven of 10 shooting from the floor and five of seven shooting from 3-point range. Two of those five 3’s were from far beyond the 3-point line, causing The Convo to erupt.

Senior guard Kate Dennis also had a productive day against Buffalo, going four of four from the floor and two of two from 3-point range to score her 10 points on the day.

“We were just feeling it today, there are some days where you feel like you have the (hot) hand,” Dennis said. “It felt like we had some pretty good offense, moving, driving inside, kicking it out. I thought we had some good movement today.”

The movement contributed to the offensive performance Saturday, where Ohio shot 46.7% from the floor

and 47.8% from three.

With the fantastic shooting, something had to be Ohio’s downfall in a 79-67 loss to one of the Mid-American Conference’s best teams in Buffalo, and Saturday it was the turnovers.

Ohio turned the ball over a whopping 31 times against Buffalo, eventually costing it a competitive game in blowout fashion.

“I thought we had a good effort,” Boldon said. “Unfortunately, the turnovers ended up being the death of us … when we didn’t turn the ball over we looked really good. Unfortunately, those turnovers prohibited us from scoring and led to some easy runouts.”

Buffalo matched the number of Ohio’s 31 turnovers with 31 points off those turnovers, a backbreaking number for any team.

Despite the turnovers, Ohio’s offense flowed and looked smooth for the first time in weeks. Players got shots up in rhythm and found each other quickly for some open looks. The fight Ohio showed against a Buffalo team contending for a MAC title should instill some confidence in a Bobcats team heading for the final stretch of the season.

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The Starting five for the Ohio Bobcats Women’s Basketball team before their game against Miami, Feb. 1, 2025. The Bobcats lost to Miami 72-34, in Oxford, Ohio. (JOHN FOUSS | FOR THE POST)

Long waits between TV seasons become standard

“Stranger Things” and “Wednesday” are Netflix’s top two most popular English shows, but it’s been at least two and a half years since the last season of both shows. With the two set to release another season in 2025, fans have noticed the long increase in production wait times for shows.

Many shows on streaming platforms fall into this same cycle, with shows like “The Umbrella Academy,” “Arcane,” “Euphoria,” “Squid Game” and “Black Mirror” all taking over two-year hiatuses between content. Netflix has recently gotten the majority of the attribution to this pattern, as six of the seven mentioned shows are Netflix originals.

Alesha Morrison, a freshman studying pre-veterinary, said the waits between seasons are uncomfortably long.

“I feel like any more than a year and a half or two-year gaps are ridiculous,” Morrison said.

The cause of the hiatuses is partially a result of the SAG-AFTRA’s union strike in 2023, which prevented actors from working, mixed with the Writer’s Guild of America strike the same year. With those two unions protesting, essentially nothing could be filmed or produced for nearly a year.

The pandemic also largely contributed to production delays, as studios were entirely shut down for the majority of 2020 and 2021. The number of remote

workers in the motion picture industry went from 11% pre-pandemic up to nearly 40% during 2021. The number remained high even after the pandemic, with 30% being remote in 2022. The difficulties from COVID-19 and strikes the following year essentially created three years in a row of delays.

“Stranger Things,” one of the more well-known of the delayed shows, released its first season in 2016. With the last season’s 2025 release, the show’s five seasons span over nine years. Viewers struggle with the continuity of the show since the actors who started filming as 12 and 13-year-olds are now in their early 20s.

“I think they're losing a lot of the appeal and a lot of the audience with how long it's been because the kids started as kids, and now they're adults,” Morrison said. “It kind of messes up the show a little bit.”

For Lia Webb, a freshman studying psychology, the long waits can cause her to forget about the shows during the gaps between content.

“I'll definitely take a break and stop thinking about (shows) for a while and then find something else that's more relevant,” Webb said.

Some shows have attempted to combat the aging of actors with setting changes. “Euphoria,” a 2019 show centered around high schoolers, featured a 22-year-old Zendaya and a 21-year-old Sydney Sweeney in its cast.

With Season Three beginning filming this year, the majority of the “Euphoria”

cast are in their late twenties. Many fans consider them too old to portray high schoolers. The third season of the show will take place years after the original two seasons, with aged-up characters, according to Variety.

The long waits do not benefit the actors, as some “Stranger Things” cast members have shared sentiments about being involved in long contracts. Millie Bobby Brown, who stars as Eleven in the show, expressed her relief at ending the show during an interview with Glamour Magazine.

“‘Stranger Things’ takes up a lot of time to film and it’s preventing me from cre ating stories that I’m passionate about,” Brown said. “So I’m ready to say, ‘Thank you, and goodbye.’”

The long hiatuses don’t always cor relate to curbed interest, however. “Squid Game,” a show that took over three years between Seasons One and Two, earned nearly as many views as its first season with its second season. The show has now become the third most viewed sea son of a show on Netflix.

Webb said sometimes shows releasing episodes too quickly can cause the opposite problem.

“I feel like they come out fast but it's not good,” Webb said.

Long waits do now always equal quality products. In the case of “The Umbrella Academy,” a show featured on Netflix that had a wait of over two years, the final season had only six episodes in comparison to the ten episodes of the past three

between seasons have been getting longer, and viewers have negative opinions regarding the recent waits.

JEN FOSNAUGHT | FOR THE POST
(MIA PISHOTTI | ART DIRECTOR)

PlayStation outage sparks dialogue about physical media

Sony’s PlayStation Network shut down for a little over 24 hours Feb. 7. The outage affected millions around the world and spurred conversation about the ownership of physical media.

The PlayStation Network is an online entertainment and gaming distribution service accessed by over 100 million users on a monthly basis. At about 6 p.m. EST Feb. 7, users began to report a network outage worldwide.

Although this outage only lasted for around 24 hours, the shutdown raised concerns for players who exclusively access content digitally. Chris Miles, a junior studying creative writing, was among the users impacted by the outage.

“My friends and I have a Minecraft realm and we're not all on PlayStation, but most of us are,” Miles said. “It was 24 hours (for) these other people who aren't on PlayStation to get ahead of us. It's kind of unfair.”

When the PSN shuts down, all online features go down with it. This means gaming online with friends, buying PSN store content, making micro-transactions and playing online-only games is impossible.

These effects are expected when PSN servers go out; however, players were shocked to find other features shut down as well. Digitally-bought offline titles were inaccessible during the outage because a “console needs the internet to confirm that you have a license to play it,” according to TheGamer.

Jay Cline, a junior studying film, collects physical media across a variety of genres, including PlayStation games.

“(A) big portion of my collection is my physical video games for PlayStation and whatnot, but I also have a decent Blu-ray collection for films,” Cline said. “I usually try to buy all of my games physically, so that way stuff like (the PSN outage) would never affect me.”

During the 24-hour shutdown, PlayStation users were only able to play games off of physical discs and previously paired disc drives. This would not be a problem in the past as all games came with a physical disc. Nowadays, over 70% of video game sales are in digital form, and many games require internet con-

nection to access.

“It's a popular thing in the video game industry where games just get delisted and removed from your library,” Cline said. “And I think physical media is a really good way to prevent that from happening to, at least to the best of our ability.”

When buying video games digitally, consumers are not buying ownership of the game. They are buying a license to play instead, meaning publishers can remove access or delist a game at any time, even after money is spent.

According to PC Gamer, a new law in California has made it illegal for distributors “to use terms like ‘buy’ or ‘purchase’ in relation to digital goods,” including video games.

OU’s manuscripts archivist Greta Suiter works with physical media daily at the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections.

“You usually think of audio media. It could be a record, a tape, an audio cassette tape, VHS tape — usually something that you need something else to play,” Suiter said. “But it's tangible.”

This includes video game discs, but it’s not guaranteed that every game comes in a physical addition. At an increasingly frequent rate, retailers are choosing to publish digital-only.

“You have to know a certain amount of technology to be able to access these things, and I think that changes over time,” Suiter said. “Different people at different ages are more adept at using the technology in different ways, so you have different audiences accessing things in different ways.”

Owning the physical item does not always guarantee forever ownership of any item.

“The physicalness of it deteriorates over time,” Suiter said. “There's a preservation versus access thing, where, if you play a tape, and something happens where the tape breaks, then you might have lost that tape.”

There are both downsides and upsides to owning physical media of any kind, but in an increasingly digital world, the choice between tangible and technical is beginning to wane.

@AHOPKINS909 AH875121@OHIO.EDU

ALEXANDRA HOPKINS | FOR THE POST

‘Captain America: Brave New

World’ doesn't live up to expectations

JUDE

| FOR THE POST

From director Julius Onah comes “Captain America: Brave New World” (2025) starring Anthony Mackie. He is no longer the Falcon but Captain America himself in a MCU movie that is far different from what audiences have experienced in the past.

However, Mackie almost feels out of place in his own movie containing a plot that’s more in line being a sequel to “The Incredible Hulk” (2008) than a fourth entry in the Captain America filmography.

The film feels like it’s trying to copy the much better “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014), with many scenes mimicking what its predecessor had done well over a decade ago. Still, the film isn’t completely terrible as Mackie does a stellar job playing Sam Wilson/Captain America.

Mackie never feels like he’s in the shadow of Chris Evans’ portrayal of the character. Evans was flat-out iconic and one of Marvel Studios’ best casting decisions. Mackie had those qualities when he played the Falcon and still has it now as Captain America. His co-star, Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres (the new Falcon), is also superb.

Torres and Mackie have a handful of scenes where they bounce off of each other naturally in terms of chemistry and being a superhero duo. The duo are also pretty humorous people to begin with, which helps.

The recasting of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross from William Hurt to Harrison Ford after Hurt died two years ago was seen by some as a strange decision. However, Ford plays the role with heart and never once phones it in.

The film includes appearances of characters from “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (2021) such as Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley and a surprise appearance from Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes. Although Stan only has one crucial scene with Lumbly’s Isaiah, it feels underused in the final cut.

When Ross turns into the Red Hulk,

the CGI done for him is on par with other CGI-created Marvel characters like Josh Brolin’s Thanos. However, there are some scenes where the visual effects done for Red Hulk, or anything else in the film, looks a little unpolished.

The same can be said for the action and hand-to-hand combat in the film. It is a mixed bag between having fight scenes that look great and others that look spotty at certain times. Additionally, there are some truly horrendous usages of green screen toward the film’s climax.

For the most part, the film’s practical and visual effects look professionally done. However, noting the film’s $180 million budget, Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige need to reconsider the time needed to make sure products are finished and ready to be released moving forward.

In MCU tradition, the film has a post-credit scene that will make some Marvel fans question what they just witnessed and why they are seeing this. Films like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021), “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022) and “Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024) already established what this post-credit scene is all about, and it does not make any sense to include it.

“Captain America: Brave New World” is not the worst film in the entire MCU. However, the film and future Marvel projects need more attention in making sure each one is crafting the best possible film or show.

The year is still young, and Marvel Studios has plenty more to offer for fans. Hopefully what is remaining will hit rather than miss.

Rating: 2.5/5

@JUDETHEDUDEHANNAHS JH825821@OHIO.EDU

The Laughing Chimes’ sophomore album reaches gothic heights

ACE FLORIAN | FOR THE POST

In 2021, Athens’ very own alternative outfit, The Laughing Chimes, released their debut effort, “In This Town.” The album was solid, rooting back to the old roots of jangle-pop bands such as R.E.M and Pavement. Since then, the band has played shows tirelessly across the stretches of Ohio and beyond. Occasionally, new singles would sprinkle onto the band’s discography and teased a new, darker sound.

Fans no longer have to wait as The Laughing Chimes have released their tightly conceptual sophomore album, “Whispers in the Speech Machine.” The album, which dropped Jan. 31, oozes with ambition and passion.

The album begins with “Atrophy,” an amazing tone-setter. The catchy main riff introduces listeners to all the reverb and jangle fans know and love. Frontman Evan Seurkamp’s echo-infused vocals are the cherries on top.

The vocals recall the love-stuck demeanor of early ‘90s acts such as The Smiths, The Cure and Guided by Voices. All are inspirations for the band, according to an interview the Chimes did with ACRN.

“He Never Finished The Thought” draws the familiar trademarks of shoegaze acts yet turns the cliches around with a groovier sonic twist. The band teased they were going into a darker sound with the 2023 release, “A Promise to Keep.”

The song was a great early introduction to the Chimes’ public reinvention of their own sound, evolving to the goth aesthetics of The Cure, both musically and fashionably as well.

The album slows down for a deep breath with “Country Eidolism” which completely solidifies the moody switch between albums. The song is fit with

all heartfelt vocals and somber instrumentation that can most certainly make listeners shed a tear.

The track is continued by the equally tear-jerking “Cats Go Car Watching,” which is most definitely a high point on the album. It showcases a heartfelt guitar solo mixed beautifully with the soft, jangly riffs in the background. Each adds a layer of fluff for the inevitable replay of the song if a listener failed to catch it.

The end of the brief 28-minute album is marked with the last three songs: “High Beams,” “Fluorescent Minds” and “Mudhouse Mansion.” Each song continues to raise the bar one after the other.

The latter half of the album rides the high of the insane pedal configurations, fizzy bass tones and precise drumming. The vocals throughout are also very diverse as different singing styles are established across the three. The diversity of styles provides excitement and change that does create a listener burnout, providing fresh-enough changes yet still feeling closely tight in vision

The Laughing Chimes have come out with an amazingly crafted album for all the indie-heads getting over a breakup. The band reminisces over previous-century genres and stitches each together with ease. Comparing this album to the band’s debut, The Laughing Chimes are coming together musically, leaving fans anticipating whatever ambitious project comes next. AF824621@OHIO.EDU

MIA PISHOTTI | ART DIRECTOR
NICOLE REESE | ASST.

Letter from the Editors: Social media censorship is challenging

BORLAND & ABBY WAECHTER | A&E EDITORS

During the summer of 2024, The Post’s Facebook page, with over 9,000 followers, was taken down by Meta due to suspected impersonation of another news organization. Since then, the Audience Engagement team at The Post has worked to recover, focusing on rebuilding our following.

However, just as we’ve been making significant strides in expanding our audience across all of our platforms, not just Facebook, our Instagram account was removed Thursday.

With around 5,000 followers, The Post’s Instagram account is our most prominent platform, driving the highest engagement in terms of impressions, likes, comments and shares.

For those who closely follow The Post on social media, you might know last week we published several stories relating to Ohio legislation regarding diversity, equity and inclusion, issues which were highlighted on the cover of last week’s print edition. Among the

*Showtimes Change Daily, times listed are for Tuesday, February 18, 2025

stories “flagged” by Meta were “Ohio Schools Prepare for ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill” and “Ohio SB 1 Threatens DEI Programs at OU, Sparks Student Concerns.”

As the national political climate around DEI continues to shift, Meta has also scaled back its fact-checking efforts and moved toward “community notes.” According to Meta, community notes allow “contributors to write and submit a Note to posts they think are potentially misleading, inaccurate or incomplete,” with the option to include background information, a tip, or insight people might find useful.

Moreover, Meta recently stated it will limit the amount of political content recommended and viewed by Instagram users. They define political content as anything related to laws, legislation, elections and social issues. The political landscape is a topic that must be covered in depth, and we will continue to prioritize informing our readers through these crucial stories.

However, by removing The Post’s Instagram based on these articles alone, Meta contradicts its own mission, which allows users to “talk openly about the issues that matter to them, whether through written comments, photos, music or other artistic mediums, even if some may disagree or find them objectionable.”

As the media and journalistic landscapes continue to evolve, the Audience Engagement team at The Post finds itself facing the complexities of navigating what can and can’t be posted. With mounting tensions between ethical guidelines, legal restrictions and personal opinions, frustration is inevitable. It is our opinion that, in this digital age, where content can quickly go viral, there’s a heightened responsibility to ensure that every post meets journalistic standards while not violating laws or ethical codes.

OU has been a beacon for freedom of speech and is evident in the university’s first publication The College Mirror. Published in October 1874, the publication’s statement reflects a commitment to using the power of the press responsibly. The editors declared their intent to wield this “engine of power” not merely for profit or sensationalism, but to further a greater good, which is what The Post will continue to do.

“The press is an engine of power and it is as such that we intend to use it,” the Mirror wrote. “Having continued to lay our hands on energies so potent, we feel bound to employ them in a legitimate manner and direct them to useful ends. We shall try to speak strongly and we are determined to speak honestly. Our utterances shall always be manly, and on occasion, we trust they will be brave.”

The College Mirror’s message continues to resonate today, underscoring the importance of journalistic integrity and the responsibility of the press to inform, empower and uplift society rather than simply entertain or provoke.

But now, the challenge lies in the reality of balancing these ideals with modern constraints such as misinformation, public backlash and the ever-looming threat of censorship.

The struggle of what to post and what not to post is not just about adhering to a set of rules; it is about reconciling the timeless values of press freedom with the modern demands of digital communication, all while maintaining the trust of the public.

Abby Waechter is a junior studying strategic communications and Chase Borland is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. The views of these editors reflect the opinions of the majority of The Post. You can contact the Editors via editor@thepostathens.com. CHASE

To our followers, rest assured that the Audience Engagement team and The Post will not stop covering the important topics of DEI, LGBTQIA+ issues, women’s rights and critical political commentary.

Sassy Cassie: Normalization of hard drugs is harmful

It has become increasingly and dangerously normal for people to be doing hard drugs specifically in college.

POST

Warning: This column discusses drug use, addiction and their normalization in society. Reader discretion is advised.

Hard drugs are defined as, “substances that are considered to be highly addictive and have significant negative consequences for physical and mental health. This classification typically includes drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and others.” Substance use in the U.S. has been on the rise for years now, but it looks different than in previous years. Recently it has become normalized for people to be doing hard drugs, specifically in college.

Drug use for people in college and younger is on the rise; according to a recent study, 24.6 million Americans 12 years old and up have used an illicit substance, and “1 in 13 young adults has an illicit drug use disorder.” There are many reasons college-aged students do drugs such as academic stress, experimental and social reasons. However, the popularization and depiction of these substances within the entertainment industry can also be to blame for the rise of harmful substances.

The normalization of hard drugs can be linked to the entertainment world, where it is sometimes glamorized to be doing hard drugs. Although films are a mixed bag of whether they depict reality or the glamorization of drugs, the tales of “Hollywood parties” are to blame. Saturday Night Live was known to be fueled by cocaine use in the early days of its production. Many celebrities today mention substance use as something in passing, not as something that is highly addictive and dangerous. In Charli xcx’s song “365,” she repeatedly mentions “bumpin’ that” in reference to doing cocaine.

Drugs like cocaine have been painted as something glamorous and expensive. The use of hard drugs is more visible than

before, and nothing is being done to stop the use. Doing a hard drug on a night out isn’t being taken seriously anymore. It is seen as a one-time thing, which for some it is, but for others it can become a highly dangerous habit.

With the increased visibility comes the need for treatment centers. Thanks to federal law, health insurance companies are required to pay for a part of addiction treatment. However, the amount covered differs based on the plan chosen and the state it is bought.

The amount of centers that provide the support people need is declining. Rural areas’ hospitals and healthcare centers are closing down largely due to financial reasons. Due to the pandemic in 2020, many states cut down on spending on opioid rehab programs. In 2024, Addiction Recovery Care had to temporarily close six addiction facilities in Kentucky due to “reductions in state and payer reimbursement rates.”

The current punishment for illegal substance use is imprisonment, but this does not fix anything. Studies show, “85% of people who enter prison have an untreated addiction, and illicit substance and medication use often increases following imprisonment.” The normalization of using hard drugs has become increasingly more concerning as rehab facilities are struggling to stay afloat.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, Ohio University provides resources such as R.I.S.E which give “support and resources to students seeking recovery from alcohol and drug misuse or other addictive disorders, as well as students impacted by the addiction of a loved one or friend.”

Cassie is a junior studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu.

The Lo-Down: Artists misunderstood Chappell Roan’s speech

Although Chappell Roan’s call to action at the Grammys was easily understood, the actions of other artists are misplaced.

The record label industry has been historically one of the most exploitative in American media. Especially for artists starting out, it’s not a lucrative industry, with artists typically receiving an advance, and a small percentage of commissions off their songs’ streaming performance.

Chappell Roan took to the stage to express her disinterest in the industry’s exploitation of young artists after winning Best New Artist at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Specifically, Roan emphasized the necessity for health care to be provided to artists as they attempt to make a name for themselves.

“I told myself if I ever won a Grammy and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and healthcare, especially for developing artists,” Roan said.

In response, Roan and several fellow artists – among them Grammy winners and nominees such as Noah Kahan, Charli xcx and Sabrina Carpenter – have donated to Backlin, a “non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources.”

Roan, and the many other artists who have contributed, have each donated several thousand dollars to Backline’s campaign. That being said, it’s a bandage application to the ultimate goal set by Roan’s speech and could potentially be counter-intuitive.

Roan let fans know they did not have to contribute for this reason. It’s an opportunity for the record label to step up and be encouraged to supply the artists they’re profiting millions off to make a change.

“Fans, y’all don’t have to donate a damn penny,” she wrote on Instagram. “This is

one of many opportunities for the industry powers to show up for artists. There is much more work to be done.”

With that in mind, it brings up an important question: Are the actions of artists to supply the initiative with funding not also disincentivizing record labels to step up? The answer is most likely yes.

Roan’s story leading up to her Grammy speech is all too common, although many do not have the same later career success. Roan’s second-largest song on Spotify, “Pink Pony Club,” which receives over 3.2 million streams daily, did not hit the Billboard Top 100 until June 29, 2024, four years and two months after its April 2020 release.

During that period, Roan struggled with a lack of healthcare, as her label failed to provide it.

“I got signed so young … and when I got dropped, I had zero job experience under my belt, and like most people, I had a difficult time finding a job in the pandemic, and could not afford health insurance,” Roan said.

While Roan was able to avoid serious illness or injury, the lack of a safety net beneath her she believes her label should have provided led to mental struggles and deep-seated stress.

The call to action itself is important, and rather than disincentivizing labels to take action through the actions of the fortunate artists, Roan and her contemporaries must continue to push the message down the throat of the labels, forcing them to make a change on their own.

Logan Adams is a junior studying journalism. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Logan know by tweeting him @ LoganPAdams.

Lately with Layne: Super bowl commercials hold powerful themes

LAYNE REY | FOR THE POST

As social and political issues have garnered attention throughout the previous year, many brands and companies have leaned into incorporating activist themes into their marketing strategies, and the Super Bowl commercials were no exception. Although mixed in with funny and lighthearted commercials, several companies rightfully used the heavily sought-after screen time to raise awareness and send powerful messages, and it worked well for those who did it tastefully.

Nike, a company with relevance to the Super Bowl and extremely solid marketing strategies, showcased prominent female athletes such as Sha’Carri Richardson, Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins in its commercial. The powerful script narrated by Doechii discussed the struggles of women in sports, whether it’s being told not to be confident, flex, fill a stadium or break records. In an echo-like effect, the advertisement combated every doubt

or demand from the outside by telling athletes to do whatever they are told they can’t.

Nike’s commercial ended on a powerful note that stays true to their slogan: “Whatever you do, you can’t win. So win.” As women’s sports continue to rise in popularity, criticism is also rising. Nike’s way of addressing the issue was done tastefully, with real athletes and attention-grabbing imagery throughout. Dove is known for their body positivity and inclusive messaging, which it held tight in its emotional commercial. It shows a young girl running happily down the sidewalk with overlay text reading, “At 3, these legs are unstoppable. At 14, she’ll think they’re unbearable.”

In a heartbreaking juxtaposition, Dove touches on body shaming and insecurities in young girls as they grow up. The brand has historically raised awareness and promoted inclusivity in body types, and it used its time slot on a huge stage in a smart way.

In a seemingly less popular theme for

brands to incorporate into commercials, the present danger of climate change was featured in a commercial by Science Moms. It showed children growing up as a medium to encourage parents, who are less likely to engage in climate activism, to pay attention and act on this danger.

After flashing photos of a child throughout all stages of life, the commercial says, “Our window to act on climate change is like watching them grow up. You blink, and you miss it.” The formidable message stood out among other commercials in terms of the weight it carries while still being visually enticing.

Although several messages such as women in sports, body positivity and climate change were well-delivered from their respective brands, there were messages poorly represented as well.

Hims & Hers, an online health company, called out “the system” as the fault of obesity and poor health in the United States. Although that’s a larger issue to touch on, Hims & Hers was working to sell their unregulated weight loss drug.

In an example of irresponsible marketing, the company didn’t disclose the lack of regulation, promoting a potentially harmful product.

Stand Up to All Hate produced a commercial, which was paid for by the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, that attempted to point out the ridiculousness of hate. On the surface, Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady were insulting each other in both a serious and entertaining way. However, both celebrities support President Donald Trump, something viewers rightfully had issues with. Trump’s rhetoric is swarmed with hate speech, which the two are supposed to be representative of standing up to. There were also critiques of the payment source, which blurs the line between antisemitism and critiquing Israel’s current actions.

As a whole, many brands incorporated activist messaging into their Super Bowl advertisements. On a screen as big as the Super Bowl, it is crucial to be tasteful and responsible, which was lacking in some cases.

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