Senate plans for futsal courts
Pickleball courts decision uncertain
Alissa Flores News Editor
Futsal, a fast-paced, smallsided variation of soccer played on hard courts, may soon join the array of sports facilities offered on campus, according to Alfredo Trevedan, the executive vice president for Southern’s Student Association (SA).
Edvan Benitez, SA president, initially proposed the introduction of either pickleball or futsal courts to campus, Trevedan said. After deliberation, polls and multiple in-depth meetings, SA decided on futsal courts and aimed to implement them within
the year, despite the school of Health and Kinesiology’s opposition to having them on their premises.
Trevedan said senators contacted students through constituent emails asking for opinions, starting in the Fall 2024 semester.
“It didn’t seem like we got a lot of responses from the student body in terms of what was happening with the pickleball and futsal courts,” Trevedan said. “But students [were] more than welcome to present any excuses or concerns or anything that they [could] bring up to their senator.”
Carlos Torres, a senior
public relations major and member of the futsal community on campus, said he has seen soccer and futsal grow in popularity during his years at Southern. Still, participation has been limited by the lack of suitable places to play.
“Having a location that will be consistent for students is going to be super useful, and I think it’s appropriate to have somewhere for everyone to play the sport they love,” Torres said.
Trevedan explained that after gathering information from students and faculty, the Student Association successfully pushed for a shift in plans from pickleball to futsal
courts. With the decision made, Trevedan attended an impromptu meeting with School of Health and Kinesiology leaders to present a proposition and solicit their support. He stated that during the meeting, he was surprised to learn that the faculty members did not favor the decision.
“I got grilled by the Hulsey Wellness Center,” said Trevadan, “and after that happened, they kind of shut down the idea of it being built on Hulsey’s premises.”
Despite SA’s fund of $134,000 set aside for the project, Tredvedan acknowledged that the Hulsey staff
presented logical reasons for their veto of the idea.
“Outdoor futsal courts are really expensive, and if we want to build a whole other indoor court, that’s going to be even more expensive,” he said.
Darrin Bissell, the facility manager at Hulsey, said the School of Health and Kinesiology staff had discussed support of a futsal court, provided that Landscape Services and Plant Services approved the location and if it did not take the place of pickleball courts. Ultimately, the School of Heath and Kinesiology wanted to create a plan for maintain-
See Futsal on page 2
Adventist church responds to immigration policy changes
Matthew Orquia Editor-In-Chief
Amid shifts in immigration policies during the Trump administration, the North-American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist church released a statement asking for “human dignity and decency.”
According to the NAD, the policy changes make it so that churches, schools and hospitals will no longer be treated as “sensitive locations,” offering them less protections from government immigration enforcement.
“There are many in the United States who are afraid for their futures, and for the lives of family members."
“There are many in the United States who are afraid for their futures, and for the lives of family members,” the release states.
The press release, published on Jan. 31, offered support to those who are concerned about the recent policy changes impacting immigrants and refugees.
“As a Christian denomination in the U.S., the Seventh-day Adventist Church supports
the rights of all persons, no matter their country of origin — the equal rights provided in the U.S. Constitution and fair treatment as immigrants and refugees in this country,” the release states.
The release also appealed to the Biblical principles of equality and unity, citing the 14th fundamental belief of the Adventist church.
“Dehumanization and margi-
nation by law or the implementation of the laws or policies are diametrically opposed to the Bible,” the release states.
“Therefore, it is inhumane and robs people of their God-given dignity in Christ to have policies that make them afraid to go to church and school because of the threat of being deported.”
Along with the NAD, the Regional Conference Ministry for the Seventh-day Adven-
tist church also released a statement calling the possible impact of the policy change “disruptive and potentially traumatic.”
Their statement also directly rejected “xenophobic characterizations” of immigrants, and espoused the contributions of immigrant families to their churches and communities.
“We, therefore, affirm the sacred responsibility of our
institutions to support the vulnerable and uphold the rights of the marginalized in society,” the statement reads.
In addition to their statement, the NAD also shared a document entitled Guidance on Immigration Enforcement Activity on Church and School Property which provides information for church and school leaders dealing with these new policies.
The Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists posted an Instagram video with suggestions for how to respond to an immigration officer visiting the church.
"The Seventh-day Adventist church makes neither membership nor attendance contingent on someone's immigration status. Everyone is welcome to worship with us."
The NAD guide states that “The Seventh-day Adventist Church makes neither membership nor attendance contingent on someone’s immigration status. Everyone is welcome to worship with us.”
The NAD released a document providing guidance for church and school leaders.
Students play a futsal match at Iles Gym.
(Photo by Reagan Blake)
Enrollment Numbers: Southern continues to see student growth
Managing Editor
On Feb. 3, 2025, Ken Shaw, Southern Adventist University president, held a meeting with administration to discuss enrollment numbers at the university. Jason Merryman, vice president for enrollment management, gave the Accent insight into what the numbers mean.
According to Merryman, there has been an increase in the number of students who have been registered to attend the university, a shift that has been on the rise in recent memory.
"Currently, there are over 2700+ undergraduate students enrolled this current semester."
“Currently, there are over 2700+ undergraduate students enrolled this current semester (Winter 2025),” Merryman stated in an email. "This is an increase of over 130+ students compared to last winter (2024) semester. This continues an enrollment growth trend that we have been experiencing since 2021.”
The total number of undergraduate students has exceeded the projections that Southern made in 2024, according to Merryman. “We have noticed an increase in the number of freshmen (first time in any college) choosing to enroll in the winter semester compared to historical trends (historically, fewer freshmen enroll at this time of year),” Merryman stated. “This is the second year where we have seen an increase in freshman enrollment for the second semester. Conversely, fewer transfer students enrolled this semester, which has also been a recent trend we have seen.”
According to Merryman, reports have shown an increase in the K-12 grades and church memberships in the Southern Union. Based on these reports, Merryman believes that Southern will grow continually for the foreseeable future.
“Due to the trends mentioned earlier, our admissions team is forming partnerships with various entities to recruit mission fit students from Adventist academies, Home schools, SDA churches, and public schools,” Merryman stated.
Futsal
continued from page 1
ing the court and monitoring usage, predominantly for an indoor court.
According to Trevedan, the Health and Kinesiology staff suggested focusing on the soon-to-be-vacant Collegedale Academy (CA) Elementary gymnasium as a location for future courts. Approval would be contingent on securing permission from Southern’s administration, as well as additional planning and fundraising.
Bissell expanded on the School of Health and Kinesiology’s response in an email interview with the Accent.
“We discussed SA’s proposal to build futsal courts and support SA’s desires. We definitely were in favor of building pickleball courts, though, as the need is there,” Bissell said.
“We recommended that they seek the CA Elementary school gymnasium for this purpose. This would not only meet the students’ need for more futsal game space, but also allow for other open rec opportunities, due to limited availability in the Iles gymnasium.”
Bissell stated that repurposing the indoor gymnasium would also provide year-round playability for futsal and help decrease the risk of injury, due to the indoor gym surface rather than pavement.
In response, Trevedan posted another survey on the senate’s Instagram to give students a way to voice their opinions on the decision. The purpose of the new survey was to offer insight into why the Senate chose futsal courts and also to assess the student body’s opinion in order to present more information to university administrators.
Trevedan acknowledged that some students were confused by the decision, with pickleball courts seeming like the more popular choice.
Preston Waters, a senior
marketing major and avid pickleball player, expressed his negative feelings about building futsal courts in an interview with the Accent.
“I understand the need for futsal courts, but I don’t think that the need is greater than the need for pickleball courts,” Waters said. “Right now, we only have four courts to play on, and in the springtime, there are lines. You aren’t able to have enough courts available for the people that want to play. I say there’s more of a need [for pickleball courts,]
since it is the fastest-growing sport.”
“We want to represent the students who feel like they’re being ignored.”
Regarding a postponement on building pickleball courts, Torres stated, “I think that it’s fair to be upset at not having brand-new pickleball courts. I mean, who wouldn’t want new facilities? I think it’s also important to note that there are [already] facilities that get used often for pickleball and that are open for everybody, something that soccer hasn’t had the opportunity to have.” Torres also opened up
about his experiences when he and the soccer group would try to play.
“We’ve gone to a field off campus, near campus, but the cops get called on us for trespassing,” Torres said. “It’s happened a few times where we want to play; there’s a group and the plan is there. We show up to the gym, and we can’t play because everybody else is using the space. Or, we try to go play on the outdoor fields, but they’re being seeded for the next season [of soccer].”
Waters stated that while there are locations to play [pickleball] on campus, the court lines and dimensions are incorrect, which affects the game’s playability.
Trevedan countered this, saying that while the pickleball community is larger and more dominant, courts at the City of Collegedale offer nearby options in addition to Southern’s facilities. By contrast, the available space for playing futsal is restricted to campus and remains limited due to the rising numbers of basketball, volleyball and intramural hockey games.
“We want to represent the students who feel like they’re being ignored,” Trevedan said. “Obviously, that still represents the minority of students; however, the majority of students have already been represented, because there already are places to play pickleball. Whereas, if somebody wants to play soccer, they’re either trespassing or they have to pay to use an indoor court.”
Bissell said Hulsey staff will continue to hold discussions regarding this project. Trevadan said he hopes to present his proposal to the administration by the end of this week.
With futsal courts potentially on the horizon, Trevedan emphasized, “If God wants these courts to happen, He’s gonna let [us] know, and He’s gonna open the way for that.”
Southern's dining hall continues to make renovations
Jehiely Balabarca Reporter
Students entering Southern Adventist University’s dining hall will find a new addition to the eating lounge: high-top round tables. These tables are one of many new renovations that began over the summer, updating a space that had not been revamped since the early 1990s.
The renovation aimed to address safety concerns, including peeling walls and worn carpeting, while also giving the space a more modern look.
“...We just wanted something that was fresh and new and a little more modern."
“The carpet was coming up and was a trip hazard,” said Laurie Worth, director of food services. “It needed repairs for safety and maintenance in the dining room. But it also, I believe, was renovated in the early ’90s, and so we just wanted something that was fresh and new and a little more modern.”
Changes to the dining hall included a reconfigured seating layout, new tables and chairs,
booths, modern chandeliers and, most recently in January, the addition of high-top round tables.
Some students and staff have responded positively to the changes. According to Worth, one of the most popular updates has been the booths.
“The students really liked the booths,” she said. “We also changed the layout of the tables, and that’s been positive as far as it’s not as overwhelm-
ing to walk in there and be met with this solid bank of tables. It’s easier to find seating.”
Jeziel Pérez, a business sophomore major and dining hall worker, highlighted some of his favorite updates.
“I really like the lights on the top,” Pérez said. “I thought it gave a good aesthetic, and the benches on the side,those are the things that I liked.”
Anthony Taylor, a theology junior major, and another
dining hall worker, admitted he had not initially noticed the renovation but expressed excitement about the updates.
"I normally only come here to work, so I would love to be able to go in and see the renovations and experience how it compares to what it was before," Taylor said.
When asked what he would add to the space, Perez suggested decorative elements such as wallpapers and pictures
to introduce more color into the space. Taylor also recommended accent walls and paintings to make the room “a little bit more warm and cozy.”
While the renovation has been largely completed, Worth mentioned a few potential future additions.
“We didn't have as much space as we thought."
“The original design of the renovation included some planters that were going to have snake plants in them,” she said. “Once we got the tables and the booths and everything all put together, we didn’t have as much space as we thought we were going to have. So we might put the planters in the windows.”
She also mentioned the possibility of adding roll-down shades for the windows, as the curtains and blinds were removed during the project.
As students continue to engage with the updated area, their feedback reflects a shared appreciation for the changes and an interest in making it even better.
The dining hall has been undergoing renovations since the summer of 2024. (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
Andrew Sangar plays pickleball. (Photo by Elias Zabala)
Student enrollment continues to grow.
(Photo courtesy of Marketing & University Relations)
Hayden Kobza
In Photos: Chinese New Year Festival at The Commons
Collegedale to host free women's self-defense class in February
Collegedale’s Parks & Recreation Department is set to host a free women’s self-defense clinic on February 20th, according to a press release from Bridgett Raper, communications strategist for Small Cities Coalition of Hamilton County.
The clinic, which will take place in the Court Room at Collegedale City Hall from 6 to 7:30 pm, is a collaborative effort between the city and Greg Roy’s Martial Arts Academy.
Opened in 1995, the academy is a martial arts training center in Chattanooga. It has previously provided a series of free self-defense classes in the community. Chase Durham, a manager, instructor and 5th-degree black belt, expressed the organization's commitment to community service in an email to the Accent.
“Our instructors take it upon themselves to serve their community in any way that they can,” Durhan said. “One way that we do this is through completely free self-defense seminars.
In 2024, our academy hosted at least three self-defense clinics for Collegedale, Chattanooga, and Lookout Mountain. This year, we hope to host even more.”
Durham stated the upcoming clinic will be a 90-minute session focusing on practical self-defense techniques
and safety strategies. Participants will gain hands-on experience in escape skills, blocking and countering and identifying weak points on the human body. The session is designed to benefit firsttime attendees and those who participated in last year’s class.
Self-defense education in modern society is very important because many individuals do not have a plan for protecting themselves in dangerous situations, according to Durham.
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of people in this world who go out of their way to hurt others,” he said. “Some people know how to protect themselves with martial arts, some people carry weapons, but most people don't have any plans for how to protect themselves if they are ever attacked … If our seminar can make even just a handful of people in our community feel a little bit safer walking to their car at night … then I think we've done a good thing.”
Christina Clark, Collegedale Parks and Recreation supervisor shared her experiences and thoughts regarding the initial affiliation with the academy in an email to the Accent.
“Collegedale Parks & Recreation began our partnership with Greg Roy’s Martial Arts Academy a few years ago when we were looking for instructors for events, such as our ‘May the Fourth’
where participants learned defensive skills used in light saber battles,” Clark stated.
She stated that Collegedale Parks and Recreation is always looking for additional ways to reach the community, and partnering with Greg Roy’s Martial Arts Academy was a good solution. To partner, Clark simply asked if it would be possible to do a Women’s Self-Defense class, and the academy quickly responded with a "yes."
“We had great feedback from our first women’s self-defense class that we wanted to offer more opportunities to help prepare our female community members.
It’s all about prevention and situational awareness,” Clark said in the press release.
“We are encouraging moms and daughters to participate together, singles and high school students, and our local college students.”
Currently, Clark estimates that they are looking at offering the class two to four times a year if possible. The self-defense clinic is open to women of all skill levels and ages.
Esther Christian-Taylor, a community member who had taken the first class, shared her experience with Clark.
“Thank you for facilitating this class,” Taylor stated. "The instructors from Greg Roy's Martial Arts were both informative, pleasant and fun. It was an interesting class, and all three of the instructors made the moves
easy to learn and were very helpful to all participants around the room with personal critiques on techniques and instructional direction throughout practices and demonstrations.”
Clark encourages interested participants to sign up in advance to ensure a spot in the class, explicitly motivating Southern students to attend the class,
“I would encourage Southern students to attend so we could teach them how to be aware of their surroundings and different ways to protect themselves if they are ever in a bad situation,” Clark stated. "Many people these days are not aware of their surroundings and walk around fully engulfed in their phones and become easy targets.”
For more information on the Women’s Self-defense class, call 468-1971 or emailparksandrec@collegedaletn. gov. The link to sign up is https://collegedale.recdesk. com/Community/Program/ Detail?programId=395&ut
Hayden Kobza, managing editor, and Alissa Flores, news editor, contributed to this story.
The event will be held at the City Hall Court Room. (Photo courtesy of Bridgett Raper)
Attendees pose with a dragon at the celebration.
Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (Photo by Michael Siarkowski)
Southern Adventist University mascot Forrest shakes hands with a dragon.
Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (Photo by Michael Siarkowski)
Daniel Zhao (left) and Charlynneth Dizon (right) smile for the camera. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (Photo by Michael Siarkowski)
Attendees in traditional garments lean on a dragon. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (Photo by Michael Siarkowski)
Emma Rodriguez Collegedale Editor
IGNITE LIVE
The crowd cheers for Britt Nicole. Saturday, February 1, 2025. (Photo by Preston Waters)
Britt Nicole lifts her hands as she gives credit to God. Saturday, February 1, 2025. (Photo by Preston Waters)
The Ignite team poses with Britt Nicole at the end of Ignite Live.
Saturday, February 1, 2025. (Photo by Elias Zabala)
Matthew Taylor and Genesis Gersham talk to recording artist Britt Nicole.
Saturday, February 1, 2025. (Photo by Elias Zabala)
Club officers participate in the game "Worth More Than Gold?"
Saturday, February 1, 2025. (Photo by Preston Waters)
MENTAL HEALTH
Building more tolerance for frustration
Abby Dizon Contributor
Editor’s Note: The following articles are written by counseling professionals from Counseling Services in partnership with the Southern Accent.
What is the feeling that arises when you are registering for classes for the next semester only to find out that the class you wanted is already filled? Or when you are trying to find a parking spot and there are none available where it is convenient for you?
Usually, it is the feeling of frustration. We often feel frustrated when there are major setbacks or when we are attempting to solve a problem and have difficulty finding a solution. Some key signs of frustration include impatience or restlessness, feeling irritated or lashing out at others, and getting angry at everyday stressors.
Although frustration may seem like a temporary emotion, it can develop into a case of long-term conditions, resulting in uncontrolled aggression, increased anxiety and depression. As life is filled with encounters with daily stressors, it is important to learn to overcome feelings of frustration over minor inconveniences in life by building our frustration tolerance, which is our ability to cope with frustration, discomfort, or inconvenience.
The best way to increase your frustration tolerance is by learning to accept tough situations that are beyond your control. Frustration often occurs due to the mindset that we have and how
we resort to resisting or fighting against what is happening.
According to a WebMD article, to determine the cause of your frustration and build your tolerance, you must realize that you have limited control over what happened and recognize what you can change and what you cannot. This mindset of understanding your limitations helps you develop patience and resilience and reduces feelings of helplessness over uncontrollable aspects. Another strategy that can better improve your tolerance is by distracting yourself. The more you focus and fixate on the problem at hand, the worse your feelings will develop. Choose to distract yourself
from the frustration and dilemma by doing enjoyable activities around you, such as listening to music, watching a movie, or being active, according to an article by Elizabeth Scott, a psychologist and wellness coach. Shifting your focus from the source of frustration will give you the space to process your emotions and create the space to reassess the situation with a clearer perspective.
Have you ever shaken a bottle of soda? If so, you are also aware that it will eventually explode. Avoiding our feelings of frustration is similar to a shaken-up bottle of soda, suppressed for now, but will explode later on.
Bottling up your anger will not
only make it worse, but it may also resurface later at unexpected moments. Additionally, similarly to how an exploding soda will spray onto you and those around you, your suppressed emotions will not only affect you but also your relationships. A way to vent anger healthily is by screaming into a pillow or singing loudly to music in the car instead of directing anger by screaming at other people. Additionally, taking accountability and using “I” statements is more effective than focusing the blame on others, according to a Science of People article. Learn to manage or release your anger in a healthier and non-damaging manner rather
than avoiding it altogether. Ultimately, frustration tolerance is a component of emotional regulation skills and can either make or break healthy relationships and enjoy life. When it is low, you find yourself bothered, angry or thrown off by routine stressors. When frustration tolerance is high, you can quickly reframe setbacks and inconveniences, according to a BetterUp article. Although it is impossible to control everything that happens to you, you are always in control of how you react. Learning to regulate your emotions and thoughts healthily puts you in a calmer state and allows you to explore various perspectives to face life’s challenges.
SPORTS
Enjoying a blessed life in Gym-Masters
Matthew Hallam Contributor
Soaring, flipping, and pushing my limits—I’ve been part of Southern’s acrobatics, cheer, and gymnastics team, the Gym-Masters, for three years. This sport has been a part of my life since I was nine, and I’m grateful to continue it in college.
In every practice, I watch talented, God-blessed teammates come together to achieve what none of us could do alone. It’s awe-inspiring, sometimes chilling, but always incredible.
Something I do as a part of this amazing team is practice on aerial straps, which look like hanging ribbons with loops. They are similar to rings; however, my wrists are cinched into the loops, preventing me from falling out. It’s difficult to explain, but it almost feels like I am flying while in the straps. It is one of the most amazing feelings that I have experienced yet.
I am working on an aerial straps move called a “flag.” In that position, my arm is pulled crossways across the lower part of my back, holding my entire body parallel to the floor.
Gym-Masters is among the many things that Southern has to offer its students. That said, a new student cannot just walk into the gym and automatically be on the team. It requires hard work, time, and dedication. An understanding discussed with new students at the beginning of the year goes like this: “A third of the time, the team members feel great. Another third of the time, team members feel pretty average. The last third of the time, team members feel awful.” This is an accurate statement.
There are days when I do not want to go into practice
because I do not feel up to it; however, during this time, the character quality appears in me and all team members. Those who make the team exemplify determination to succeed and to keep going.During the school year, the team works toward two primary goals. In the Fall semester, the Gym-Masters focus on creating a routine for Acrofest. At Acrofest, most of the Adventist schools with gymnastics teams come together to learn and to teach each other their skills and abilities. For example, I taught academy
students how to tumble during this year’s Acrofest at Southwestern Adventist University in Texas. After two days, the attending teams came together to put on a massive show as a grand finale.
The second primary goal of the Gym-Masters team is to prepare for the Home Show. This is Gym-Masters’ largest show, where team members’ skills and abilities are pushed to the absolute limit to showcase everything they’ve learned throughout the year. The team also performs smaller shows
during the academic year, traveling to local Southern Union schools and universities for half-time shows.
Being a part of Gym-Masters
is the opportunity of a lifetime, and any interested students— both current and incoming— should try out for the team.
Intramural Schedule
Wednesday
6 pm
- Chill Hoops vs Beijing Ducks (Mens A)
- Kawhi Five-0 vs Big Back Club (Mens B)
- Dunkin Donuts vs Greased Lightnin’ (Mens A)
7 pm
- Tugg Speedman vs socal wasians (Mens B)
- Druski Elite vs Net Profits (Mens A)
- Luke Kornet Elite vs Skyline Phantoms (Mens A)
8 pm
- brawl ballers vs D-League Destroyers (Mens B)
- Chill Guys vs we love booming (Mens B)
- Tennessiballers vs The Beatitude Ballers (Mens B)
9 pm
- Yacht Club vs High Hoops (Mens A)
- NBA youngboys vs Straight cheese (Mens B)
- hoogins vs Ball Stars (Mens B)
Thursday
6 pm
- When Bricks Fly vs Rim-Reapers (Ladies B)
- Hold my Hoops vs court queens (Ladies B)
- bouncy gorls vs Air Ballers (Ladies B)
7 pm
- Below Average Joes vs flight crew (Mens B)
- Arrowheads vs The Goon Squad (Mens A)
8 pm
- we love booming vs D-League Destroyers (Mens B)
- Chill Guys vs Ball Lives Matter (Mens B)
Bri Zepeda performs a pairs routine with Kedrick Jubanski Larson.
Glen)
Frustration can make us more likely to lash out at others and feel irritated. (Photo sourced from Pexels)
OPINION
The billionare club: Fighting for freedom of speech in the era of a techno-oligarchy
Samuel
Guerra Contributor
Among the countless images and clips that circulated from Donald Trump’s inauguration last month, one captured the paradox of modern power.
In the second row sat the CEOs of the world’s most influential tech companies and the three wealthiest billionaires in the world. Their names were Mark Zuckerberg (Meta/ Facebook), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Sundar Pichai (Google/Alphabet) and Elon Musk (Tesla/ SpaceX), who is now the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
Absent from the frame, but present at the event were Apple’s Tim Cook, OpenAI’s Sam Altman (creator of ChatGPT), and TikTok’s Shou Zi Chew.
Together, their combined net worths eclipse $1 trillion. These are the faces of a techno-oligarchy now shaping what free speech means in the United States and beyond. The Cambridge Dictionary defines “oligarchy” as, “government by a small group of very powerful people.”
The CEOs’ images drew scrutiny for their glaring irony. Just two years earlier, many of these same platforms had banned Trump for violating content policies, and their executives had publicly criticized his conduct and policies during his first presidency. Yet, here they sat in privileged seats, exchanging handshakes and expressing congratulations. Once, they simulated concern
about public backlash for aligning with controversial political figures; now, they’ve discarded even the illusion of principle, auctioning their influence to the highest bidder.
A Bloomberg News headline from Nov. 6, 2024—the day after Trump’s election— summed it up: “Trump Win Sparks Record $64 Billion Gain for World’s 10 Richest People.” Their stocks soared on promises of tax cuts and government contracts, with OpenAI already securing immensely lucrative deals just a few days after the inauguration. This upward redistribution of wealth has only accelerated since.
But the stakes extend far
beyond wealth accumulation. The real danger lies in how this techno-oligarchy manipulates the boundaries of free speech. Consider TikTok’s abrupt shutdown of U.S. operations just one day before Trump’s inauguration, complying with an order from the Biden administration. Though the app resumed hours later—after Trump granted a 75-day ban extension—its return came with strings attached: TikTok now censors topics and keywords that were previously approved by its guidelines, mirroring the moderation practices of Meta’s platforms. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, who already owns X (formerly Twitter), is among
the bidders seeking to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. If he succeeds, Musk and Zuckerberg would basically control a duopoly over America’s most popular social media apps. Free speech today is increasingly exercised—and suppressed—on platforms owned by billionaires who enforce rules aligning with their ideologies. When two men dictate what can be said online, the very idea of open discourse crumbles. This is why alternatives matter. Users must actively seek out platforms beyond Big Tech’s reach; among them there are Bluesky as a decentralized rival to X/ Twitter; DeepSeek or Claude
for AI tools to replace ChatGPT; Arc browser instead of Chrome or Safari; the privacy-focused Signal over iMessage or WhatsApp, etc. While abandoning familiar platforms is difficult, our digital consumption choices carry profound consequences—especially as the government itself leans into techno-oligarchy.
Editor’s Note: The Opinion Section encourages multiple perspectives, so please feel free to send a response or other opinions for future articles to allisongrundy@southern.edu. While abandoning familiar platforms is difficult, our
RELIGION
Being transformed through trials
Melindy Contributor
Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to do something for God. However, I had no idea what that would be. For most of my life, I thought I would be a physical therapist or a veterinarian, but God had other plans. At the beginning of last year, I committed to following Him wherever He led me.
In the winter of 2023, I had the opportunity to go to a GYC conference with the theme “But If Not.” This was based on Daniel 3:18, when the three Hebrews faced death and said they would still only serve the Lord if God didn’t save them. To me, the fact that they were committed to giving their whole lives to God, even if that meant being a living sacrifice, was incomprehensible. That is, until I found out who my Savior truly is.
Last year, I was searching and seeking. I needed to make my own decision for Christ. Amid this, God called me to the island of Oahu, Hawaii, to be a colporteur for the summer. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared; in fact, I was terrified to knock on the doors of random strangers. However, I knew God was in control and had a plan for my life. Rehearsing Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” I set out on an adventure of a lifetime.
That summer shook my worldview. I began to see God’s hand daily, placing me in situations that would grow and stretch my faith.
When I returned from Hawaii after the summer, I had two days to buy a car and pack my belongings before driving halfway across the United States to Southern Adventist University. I was in awe of the incredible miracles
God performed during those days. While I was in Hawaii, my driver’s license had been lost in the mail, and my passport was reissued. Due to these setbacks, I could have missed receiving them by one day. But God showed Himself faithful, and I received them on time. Then, I struggled to secure housing at Southern, but God provided a little house five minutes from campus right before I arrived. Upon arriving at Southern, I entered the SALT program, where I met a new part of my family in Christ. These men and
women, each unique, were on fire for the Lord! Never in a million years would I have thought that I could grow so much in one semester, but all things are possible through Christ!
Over the course of the semester, however, I realized that the money I had earned from canvassing would not cover my SALT tuition. After much prayer and agonizing with God, I called my mom, hoping she would have some advice.
She told me, “Melindy, God has brought you to Southern, so don’t forget the ways He has led you.
You aren’t there just for academics. You are there to show Jesus to a campus full of hurting people. If God wants you to stay there, He can provide. Trust Him.”
After I got off the phone with my mom, I went to the door of my room. Sitting in front of it was an envelope. It had been sent two weeks earlier by a relative I had never met, who knew nothing about my circumstances. But as I opened the envelope, my heart nearly stopped. Inside was the exact amount needed for my tuition! This providence happened several more times
over the course of last semester. So now, all I can say is, “God is good!” Whatever you are struggling with, I just want to encourage you. God has a purpose and a plan for you. God knows your name and will give you the strength you need for the trials of this semester, too. All we have to do now is trust Him!
Editor’s note: If you are interested in writing an article for the religion column, feel free to contact me at ninab@southern.edu.
On growing up and letting go: How American Girl impacted me
Emily
White Lifestyle Editor
To say American Girl was a big part of my childhood would be an understatement. I was introduced to the company at the age of 6 when I received my first catalog from them. I spent hours pouring over the pages, and I routinely showed my parents the items I wanted from that catalog (and the many others that were eventually stuffed in my mailbox). Every night I prayed that one day I would be able to have my very own American Girl doll. In the meantime, I satiated my longing by reading as many American Girl books as I could find, playing games on their website and collecting a plethora of officially licensed American Girl pets.
After two long years, I was granted a trip to the American Girl store in Washington, D.C. where I was allowed to purchase my very own doll. I knew exactly which one I wanted: number 57 from the modern line with short brown hair and brown eyes, a miniature version of 8-year-old me. I gave the cashier my hardearned $75 in pride (my mother chipped in the remaining $20) and received my new best friend, whom I named Emma.
Emma went everywhere with me: school, church, the occasional shopping trip, family gatherings and vacations. I was happy with my new companion, but I felt that she needed a friend her size as well. Two years after I purchased her, I went back to the same American Girl store and bought another doll
from the modern line, number 12 with blonde hair.bangs and brown eyes. I named her Emi: original, I know, but I rectified this when I later decided that Emi would be her nickname and Ashley Emerson would be her legal name.
Two years after that, I bought a doll from the Girl of the Year line, and six months later I purchased the next Girl of the Year.
My assortment of American Girl paraphernalia was starting to grow rapidly, more so than my 6-year-old self could have ever imagined.
The peak of my American Girlness came about in 2016 when I was 13. By that time, I had five dolls in my collection, sufficient furniture to provide them with an abode, and enough outfits for them to fit most occasions (historical, formal, church, school and sleep). All of the money I made went towards expanding my collection. I was completely immersed in the American Girl side of YouTube (colloquially referred to as AGTube) and spent hours watching stop motions from channels like mixiepixie7 and basilmentos. I also watched a miniature TV series by the AGTuber agsmiless called Aspen Heights; its music heavily influenced my music taste, and I still listen to those songs. Inspired by those AGTubers, I made my own YouTube channel where I uploaded videos regularly. I also dabbled in photography and photo editing, using my dolls as my models.
Fast forward nine years. I have eight dolls, but five of
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them have been packed away in boxes since I moved houses three years ago. I haven’t made a video with my dolls since 2019, and the last picture I took to send to a friend this Christmas was of my three unpacked dolls in their holiday garb. I purchased furniture and accessories secondhand a year and a half ago and still have not used them. I still receive American Girl catalogs in the mail, but I rarely look at them because I am unsatisfied with the company’s trajectory away from its historical roots. I wouldn’t say I’m not interested in American Girl anymore, but other things have taken precedence in my life.
Is it time for me to let go of my childhood? Is it time for me to sell or give away all of the dolls that brought me so much joy years ago? As many of us transition into new seasons of life, we have to face the dilemma of what to do with our beloved stuffed animals and toys when they are no longer serving their original purpose.
As for me, I will keep my dolls — though I don’t actually play with them now, I still make tiny books and food items for them, fulfilling my love of miniatures. I also plan to have them included in seasonal displays in my future home. Until then, I will be content with their living in boxes while I finish my schooling. You don’t have to make the same decision I did. But even if you decide not to keep your childhood toys, be sure to keep your childhood memories!
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