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There has never been a better time to major in Communication!
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A 2020 study conducted by Georgetown University titled “Workplace Basics: The Competencies Employers Want” identified “communication” as the single most sought after job skill across ALL occupations.
Moreover, the next four most sought after skills—teamwork, persuasion, leadership, and problem solving—are all central to the study of communication. Similarly, The Princeton Review recently ranked all majors on college campuses based on three criteria: 1. Availability of jobs for graduates with that degree 2. Competitiveness of salaries in that industry 3. Enjoyment of major while in college Based on those criteria, Communication ranked as the second best major on college campuses.
Given the importance of communication in a global networked world, our graduates work in a remarkably diverse array of fields, including business and finance, media and entertainment, health care and social work, science and technology, art and education, and government and politics among others.
COME FIND OUT WHAT A DEGREE IN COMMUNICATION CAN DO FOR YOU! – Brian Ott, Department Head, Communication, 374 Craig Hall
communication.missouristate.edu
Craig Hall 375/417-836-4423
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Letter from the Editor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
with this new process.
Message from Clif / ICYMI
4
2020 recap
6
Comic book & collectable stores
8
Looking back at fall as a freshman 9 Household plants for beginners
10
Holland House update
11
“16 Weeks” documentary
12
Gap years
14
Weekly newsletter
In lieu of a newsprint, The Standard’s weekly email newsletter was created. The newsletter, sent directly to subscribers’ inboxes each Wednesday morning, includes highlights from the news, lifestyle, sports and opinion departments. Photo galleries, links to digital tabloids and advertisements were added to the newsletter over the course of the semester. If you are interested in subscribing to The Standard’s weekly newsletter, text Happy 2021, Bears! I hope you all used THESTANDARD to 22828. winter break to relax because I think we all needed to after the fall semester. First online exclusive tabloid The Standard’s staff also curated the pubDespite the challenges of 2020 The Standard’s staff continued to provide weekly con- lication’s first online exclusive tabloid, “Electent, among implementing a few new additions. tion 2020.” The Standard’s editors, who designed the Online-only tabloid, experimented with new page layouts Unfortunately, The Standard is no longer and details which have been reflected in folpublishing weekly newsprints. However, I lowing tabloids. could not be more pleased with our transition I am excited to try new design techniques to an online-only publication during the fall. this spring with our print tabloids. Through trial and error, a new workflow Overall, managing schoolwork and personwas implemented, with pitching and budgeting al life amid a global pandemic and an election occurring twice a week, rather than the tradi- year was less than ideal for many, but we can tional one, to ensure stories were published in only move forward from here. Let’s make the spring semester a great one! an efficient manner. Although my heart is heavy because I Greta Cross, Editor-in-Chief wasn’t able to work 8+ hours in the newsroom each Monday, creating a weekly newspaper, I am incredibly proud of our staff for running
Standard staff
Advertising staff
Kayla Thompson advertising sales director Joel Grieshaber advertising representative Madison Harper advertising production director Anne Roberts accounting director
Editors
Local international restuarants Supporting small businesses
15 16
Greta Cross editor-in-chief Desiree Nixon news editor Todd Dearing life editor Stephen Terrill sports editor Diana Dudenhoeffer digital editor Jaylen Early visual editor Allison Davis copy editor Kaitlynne Atchley copy editor Maquelle Huntley copy editor Shannon Noonan copy editor
Reporters
Entertainment coming 2021 Sport previews
17 18
Afton Harper breaking news reporter Ash Garza arts reporter Brayden Ash sports reporter Britney Huish academia/campus clubs reporter Caroline Mund health reporter Jack McGee sga reporter Jade Morrow sports reporter Noah Tucker sports reporter Reginald Lee Jr. sports reporter Scott Campbell general assignment reporter T.J. Scott senior sports reporter Tinsley Merriman msu admin. reporter
Columnists
Blake Haynes columnist Gianna Kelley critic Lillian Durr columnist Lauren Johns music critic Paige Nicewaner columnist Olivia Davis columnist
Visual Staff
Caleb Stafford graphic designer Dayton Chambers photographer Katie Batliner graphic designer/illustrator Sydney Arlt graphic designer Lainey Sanders videographer Russ Bray photographer Jadie Arnett graphic designer Madison Harper graphic designer/illustrator Kaitlyn Stratman senior photographer
Distribution
Sarah Longworth distribution director Shania Wolf distributor Kara Smith distributor
Professional staff
Jack Dimond faculty adviser
SPRING WELCOME 2021
is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by The Standard staff.
Cover design by Greta Cross
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One semester later: President Smart shares his thoughts on fall and plans for spring TINSLEY MERRIMAN | MSU ADMIN. REPORTER |
File photo by Sinjin Delmore/THE STANDARD Clif Smart speaks at a press conference in July 2020 about the university’s plan for the fall semester.
ICYMI
In Case You Missed It
Missouri State University President Clif Smart said the fall semester was a “very” challenging one, but MSU rose to the challenges. While some classes moved online, 60% of classes were able to remain seated. 3,200 students lived in on-campus residence halls and both Homecoming and spring 2020 graduation were able to take place in person. MSU is also the only public Missouri university to have an intramural sports program playing, as of Dec. 2. “You think about, ‘Could we do a modified partially seated semester and make it through to the end?’ I think a lot of people didn’t think anybody could do that, and we proved you could,” Smart said. “Our COVID-19 numbers were under control the whole semester. We’ve been very
stable since the third week of school in terms of those numbers.” According to the MSU Fall 2020 Confirmed Cases Dashboard, the semester started with 141 confirmed cases on campus. By the last week of courses, there were 50 confirmed cases on campus as of Dec. 4. As of Dec. 2, only one MSU employee died of COVID-19. Smart said he mourns Jason Rhea, Missouri State’s assistant director of facilities management for grounds, who passed away on Oct. 22. For the 2021 spring semester, Smart said MSU will be “tweaking and retooling” mandates to bring them up to date and making sure they still apply to the new semester. According to Smart, the university has received 13,000 rapid tests from the state.
These tests allow results faster than normal tests. The expanded testing program is planned to go into effect in January and February, but MSU needs permission from the state to use them on asymptomatic people. More technology will be added to classrooms over break to aid professors in using Zoom. Smart said he is challenging the university to design smaller and safer opportunities for student interaction indoors, due to the winter weather. For major projects on campus, Smart stated Holland House is scheduled to be open for the fall 2021 semester. The permanent outdoor theater behind Craig Hall is scheduled to begin construction in May 2021. The newly expanded Health Science Halls will be open for classes in January.
What happened in news during winter break GRETA CROSS | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF |
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website, the FDA issued the first emergency use authorization and distribution of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in the United States on Dec. 11. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is given in two shots, 21 days apart, and is available for those 16 years and older. In Missouri, the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered to citizens in four phases, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Phase 1A includes long-term care facility residents and staff and healthcare workers. Phase 1B includes high risk individuals, first responders and essential workers. Phase 2 includes populations at increased risk and Phase 3 includes all Missouri residents. For more information about individuals within each phase, visit covidvaccine.mo.gov The vaccine reached Springfield on Monday, Dec. 14 — administered to two nurses, according to Ozarks First.
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Electoral College affirmed win
On Dec. 14, the Electoral College confirmed Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next president and vice president of the United States. According to the Associated Press, Biden won the election with a majority of 306 electoral votes to Donald Trump’s 232. Biden is to be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Cherry Street reopened
In local news, eastbound traffic on Cherry Street between Kimbrough Avenue and JQH Parkway is now open after around two and a half months of gas and water utility renewal work
The ‘Great’ Conjunction of Jupiter
File photo by Greta Cross/THE STANDARD and Saturn
Junior Kaylie Allred, right, completed pretest paperwork at Magers Health and Wellness Center’s COVID-19 testing center in August 2020. Students must schedule an appointment with the center to be tested. Missouri State has the appropriate resources to provide backup storage facilities for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Around the globe, telescopes and telephoto lenses were dusted off for the “Great Conjunction” on Dec. 21. Popularly known as the “Christmas Star,” Jupiter and Saturn aligned in the night sky for the first time in 800 years, according to NASA. From our vantage point on Earth, the conjunction appeared quite small, but it could be seen with a clear sky. Did you capture the “Christmas Star?” Share your photos with The Standard on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
File photo by Greta Cross/THE STANDARD Seen from the top of Bear Park North, gas and water utility renewal construction occurs on Cherry Street. The work was completed in early January 2021.
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Goodbye 2020: Recapping the last 12 months BLAKE HAYNES | COLUMNIST | February
The Kansas City Chiefs successfully won the 54th Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2. February also saw two major events as outgoing President Donald Trump’s impeachment case was acquitted on Feb. 5 and 2019 thriller film “Parasite” swept the 2020 Oscars. It won best picture, best director, best original screenplay and best international feature film. Toward the end of February, Harvey WeinGraphic by Sydney Arlt/THE STANDARD | @sydneyarlt.png stein was convicted of rape following years To look back on 2020 is quite the emotion- of court cases. al journey, marking a year of significant loss, March unexpected triumph and change. The year was heavily impacted by the novJanuary el coronavirus, or COVID-19. The virus wideIn early January, the former members of ly affected America beginning in March. On the British Royal Family, Prince Harry and May 27, 2020, The New York Times anMeghan Markle, announced they would be nounced 100,000 American deaths due to the leaving their royal duties behind and shifting pandemic. Since then the count has increased to a new American lifestyle. In late January, to over 270,000. Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin graced our the world mourned the tragic passing of legendary basketball star Kobe Bryant. Bryant, Netflix screens with “Tiger King” and changed his daughter Gianna and several others were the spotlight on the world of cat rescues on killed as their helicopter crashed in Calabasas, March 20. California.
@blamhay
burning millions of acres and forcing hunAmericans nationwide protested in defense dreds of people out of their homes. of the Black Lives Matter movement most of the summer following the controversial deaths September of Breonna Taylor on March 13 in Louisville, Around this same time, Americans mournKy. and George Floyd on May 25 in Minne- ed the despairing loss of longtime Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United apolis, Minn. States Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ginsburg passed July from complications with pancreatic cancer on During the summer, there were three ex- Sept. 18. Fans worldwide also coped with the citing releases. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Ham- unexpected death of “Black Panther” star ilton” was added to Disney+ on July 3, ABC Chadwick Boseman; he had been secretly announced Matt James as the first ever Black battling colon cancer for four years. lead of long-time hit “The Bachelor,” and Taylor Swift’s new surprise album “Folklore” October was released on July 24. On Oct. 2, President Trump and his wife Melania had tested positive for COVID-19.
June
August
Rumors surfaced in August that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was in a negative state following several health issues. Also in August, Beirut, Lebanon was impacted by a massive explosion of ammonium nitrate at a local park. This killed hundreds of people and injured thousands of others. Throughout early fall, the west coast was continually dealing with erupt deadly wildfires
November
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were announced the newly elected President and Vice President of the United States on Nov. 7, following a tight race against outgoing President Trump.
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Celebrating geek culture at Springfield comic, toy and game stores DIANA DUDENHOEFFER | DIGITAL EDITOR | PAIGE NICEWANER | COLUMNIST | What was once a small group of friends buying comic books for only 50 cents and playing Dungeons & Dragons on school nights has now evolved into a growing pop culture phenomenon that celebrates geek culture. Comic book, toy and game stores have become increasingly popular markets, garnering a large following, with more stores popping up. For those wanting to unleash their inner nerd, the following are comic, game and toy businesses located in Springfield.
D&L Toys Rublemizers Comics, Cards, and Collectibles
Rublemizers is tucked away at 3165 S. Campbell Ave. behind Seoul Oriental Market. The store has toys for the young and old, with no shortage of comic books, posters, action figures and games. The business has been around for 12 years but moved to its current location in the Young’s Plaza in February 2020.
Paige Nicewaner/THE STANDARD | @i.am.paiger The sales floor at Rublemizers is snug and cozy. You can find lots of tubs, shelves and display cases, so you’re likely to find something new with every visit. The store has an eclectic atmosphere, and with a surplus of bookshelves and tubs to rifle through, it’s certainly the kind of place where you’d discover something new with each visit. Danial Ruble, who runs the store as a hobby, said he prides himself on being able to cater to the crowd who doesn’t have a lot of money to spend on expensive toys
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or comics. One of the categories he specializes in is 50-cent toys and comics. It’s what sets him apart from other local stores. That, and his commitment to regularly rotating what he has on the sales floor. “(My) inventory’s always changing,” Ruble said. Ruble’s register sits in the middle of the store, and he watches as customers peek into display cases or file through comic issues sheathed in plastic sleeves. Ruble said all sorts of people stop in his store, but COVID-19 has cut into the usual traffic. “The last two months has definitely slowed both in-person and online (sales),” Ruble said. Rublemizers has a wide variety of products. Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Nickelodeon, Marvel and DC, Transformers, retro video games and sports collectables are just some of the many franchises Ruble carries. The store is open 1-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Meta Games Unlimited Inc.
Meta Games doesn’t sell very much in the vein of comic books and action figures. Instead, the business focuses on one main product: games. The store is located at 3309 E. Sunshine St. The store itself is spacious and welcoming. Upon entering the front doors, customers are greeted by tall shelves stacked to the ceiling with board games, display cases with miniature figurines and a giant chandelier ornately decorated with Magic the Gathering playing cards. Meta Games aims to sell more unique games, unlike the ones you’d see at traditional retailers, and are catered to adult consumers. In other words, you’d be hardpressed to find Chutes & Ladders or Candyland at Meta Games. Carl Morgan, an employee of around 20 years, said the cornerstones of the business are Magic the Gathering, roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons, board games and tabletop miniature games such as Warhammer. He said Meta Games exists to give enthusiasts a place to come and play.
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“One of the things that helps set us apart a little bit is trying to go against the gatekeeping that some nerd culture stores do — we don’t want people to think they don’t belong,” Morgan said. “We can find something everybody can enjoy.” Morgan said he’s happy to see many of the hobby’s barriers broken down over the last few years. He attributed media like Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and the webseries “Critical Role” as major players in bringing tabletop gaming into the mainstream.
try, Evans said. One of its most endearing characteristics is the store’s dedication to displaying local artists and comics from the Springfield area. Featured all over the walls, it is hard to find a spot where there isn’t a piece of art. Prior to COVID-19, the store held artist signings and costume design events for the public. Evans said this year everything has been put off. “COVID has impacted the store drastically,” Evans said. “We had to shut down for almost three months. Luckily, we did a lot of internet sales, so that picked things up for us.” Despite COVID-19’s setback, Another Comic Shop has received a great deal of support from the community. Growing up, Evans loved games and comic books, especially Mario Brothers, Sin City, Batman and Spiderman. For those wanting to start collecting or selling comPaige Nicewaner/THE STANDARD | @i.am.paiger ic books, Evans said they should dive in head first and just do it. A display table at the front Evans said he hopes people have a of Meta Games Unlimited Inc. unique experience coming into Another Comic Shop. features Warlock, Lord of the
Rings and Betrayal at House on the Hill. Behind the table rests dozens of figurines for tabletop miniature games.
COVID-19 has been both good and bad for the business. Morgan said the community has felt some hurt due to the virus because the store can’t host events. The game room at the back of the store, which is larger than the retail space, doesn’t get much use these days. On a normal Sunday, Morgan said more than 100 people would be packed into the game room to play D&D. Business has been good for board game sales, though, because Morgan said board games are a perfect quarantine activity. Morgan said he thinks The Standard’s readers would enjoy Klask, a sports-oriented game inspired by air hockey and soccer. The game is hugely popular in Europe, Morgan said, but doesn’t have a large American following yet. The store is open noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Another Comic Shop
A small and homey store located at 1341 E. Kearney St., Another Comic Shop is a local geek haven. Originally from Springfield, owner Jeff Evans has managed the store for three years and has been in the comic book business for over 10 years. Another Comic Shop specializes in selling back issue comics, figures, costume designs and more. To build up inventory, they buy, sell and trade all over the coun-
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@loveapongo
Another Comic Shop displays rows of comic books, including local comics. Springfield native Jeff Evans has owned the store for three years. “I want people to see something that they’ve never seen before,” Evans said. Open 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Another Comic Shop is not something you want to miss.
Nameless City
In between a nail salon and aquarium store at 2244 Campbell Ave., Nameless City is a hot spot for everything comic
book and game related. Upon entering, the store was warm, welcoming and neat. Prior to being Nameless City, the store existed as Games, Comics, Etc. until Rob Wood took over as the owner a little over three years ago. Wood said he put the love and care into the store that it needed to be successful.
Diana Dudenhoeffer/THE STANDARD |
@loveapongo
Nameless City features a wide variety of products, such as figurines, roleplaying games, graphic novels and more. The shop offers popular comic books, as well as obscure ones.
“Nobody’s ever mad to be here,” Wood said. “You’re coming in here to do something you desire. You’re coming into something that brings you happiness.” Nameless City, a reference to H.P. Lovecraft’s “1921” short horror story, is one of Wood’s favorite pieces of literature he read as a kid. Wood said he also loved to play historical war games growing up. In the back of the store, gaming tables are tucked away. Wood said what used to be an almost nightly activity of groups gathering together to play games has been significantly impacted by COVID-19. “There used to be only two nights a week where we didn’t have something organized,” Wood said. “On Sundays, there were always 30-50 people playing.” People are just now getting back into group gaming at the store. Cardfight Vanguard, an anime card game, and BattleTech, a turn-based strategy video game, are some that groups have started playing again at Nameless City. Wood said the crowd of people that have come into the store has been wildly diverse. “I have met everybody from every stratas of society,” Wood said. “When I did it in the mid ‘80s, it was just us and our circle of weird friends. But now it’s mainstream, it’s pop and everybody does it.” The store is open noon to 8 p.m. every day. For those interested in anything from Magic the Gathering cards to kid-friendly comic books, Nameless City is the place to check out.
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Durr: We may not be thriving, but at least we survived LILLIAN DURR | COLUMNIST |
@weird_wondurr
however, I have found upsides to the new normal of education we have all been experiencing. One of the things that excited me most as an incoming freshman was the increased independence I would have in relation to my coursework. With syllabuses laying out a semester’s worth of assignments and more reliance on students keeping track of their own productivity than in high school, I was thrilled to find a system that could be molded to my sporadic bursts of motivation. This, Photo courtesy of Lillian Durr somewhat I feel, has only been strengthened by the surge Spring flowers bring May showers, and in online classes and blended courses. with them comes my complete lack faith in I have always been someone who needs the spring 2021 semester. Much like the fall time and focused energy to process informa2020 semester, it will be nothing like the fresh- tion, and with video lectures and written maman class once expected their first year of terial, I found myself able to thoroughly encollege to be. gage with my education in a whole new way. When the fall semester began, I had two While I have heard many of my peers discuss in-person classes every week and only went their own challenges with virtual learning, I to campus a maximum of three times a week. found it to be a perfect solution to many of As a commuter freshman, I will admit this my difficulties. As I chose my course load for was incredibly convethe spring semester, I nient, but I’d be remiss purposely chose many if I didn’t say this seonline courses, not mester was far differonly to maintain social ent from the intro to distancing, but because I found them to be bencollege I once imagined. While I once eficial to my learning fondly daydreamed of process. packed lecture halls Although the 2020and all of the people I 2021 school year is a would meet in just far cry from the college those first few months, experience the freshthis semester I found man class of 2020 was myself ducking out of told to expect, I believe half empty classrooms, my classmates and I hardly ever taking the were resilient. It seems time to make connecthese changes to our tions with those around everyday lives have me. I had to weigh es- Graphic by Caleb Stafford/THE STANDARD | @___hello___world___98 been a blessing and a tablishing roots at Missouri State and keeping curse, separating us from all we have ever myself and my family safe against each other, known but giving us the time to learn who we a decision that, though easy to make, posed a are. I have no doubt the spring semester will not hesitate to challenge the student body any fair amount of strain on my life. As a relatively social person, a full semes- less than the fall did. But despite the forebodter without engaging with others and meeting ing sense of uncertainty 2020 left us with, I new people took its toll on my wellbeing. I have an undeniable belief that Missouri State have no doubt as the pandemic stretches into freshmen are ready to tackle the spring semesthe spring, I will feel much the same way; ter and all it has to offer.
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Add life to your space with houseplants from Springfield’s local nurseries JACK MCGEE | SGA REPORTER | Dayton Chambers/THE STANDARD | Nursery. Mike Schaffitzel, who, with his brother Tony, operates the 71-year-old nursery and flower shop donning their last name, said he has seen houseplant purchases on the rise in recent years, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. He said he is quick to offer advice to anyone looking to care for a new plant or who is new to plants.
@dayton_thedean
wise known as a snake plant, and pothos, commonly referred to as devil’s ivy, for beginners. With their ability to thrive on limited maintenance and bright, indirect light, he said he believes them to be some of the easiest plants to care for.
“New plant parents need to see that their efforts are not being wasted, so some rapid growth, blooms or foliage change is desirable,” she said. “The old favorites for low maintenance plants are philodendron, pothos, mother in law’s tongue and dracaena. These are pretty forgiving of over or underwatering and can thrive in many different light levels.” Wickman’s offers a wide variety of succulents, which are thick and fleshy plants that can survive in arid environments. It is important to avoid overwatering and ensure drainage at the bottom of the pot. Their selection is typically small plants, potentially ideal for a dorm room or an apartment with limited space. Burkhart said her personal favorite plants to have in the house are herbs. With the proper amount of light, supplemental or natural, herbs can be harvested year-round. “Having houseplants cleans the air and adds a feeling of well-being to your environment,” Burkhart said. “Also, having something to care for can really improve a person’s outlook during difficult circumstances, like quarantine for instance.” Houseplants of all varieties can make a great addition to a student’s home, and Springfield Betsy, Mike’s wife, added anthurium, or is home to nurseries that offer many choices laceleaf, to her husband’s list. She mentioned and advice on how to help them thrive. one in their care that amazed her with its durability. “I’ve left it (upstairs) and forgot all about it, and three months later it was so bone dry it was powdery, but it looks exactly like it was the day I brought it there,” she said. “Perfectly green, the blooms were still beautiful.” Despite requiring more tending-to, Mike’s favorites include the fiddle leaf fig and monsteras. Schaffitzel’s offers a diverse selection of houseplants that may suit what anyone is looking for. “We’ve got a lot of plants. I get every different thing I can get in the houseplant world,” Mike said. “Usually we’d have three benches full of poinsettias and we don’t have room for that because houseplants are the most popular thing for us right now.” Lisa Burkhart, greenhouse manager of Wickman’s Gardens, said she thinks while low maintenance might be preferred among beginners, Monsteras thrive in bright, indirect it is also important to seek options that are sunlight and require watering every rewarding. 1-2 weeks.
“Having houseplants cleans the air and adds a feeling of well-being to your environment.” -Lisa Burkhart, Wickman’s Gardens’ greenhouse manager
During the holiday season, Schaffitzel’s Flowers sold poinsettias. Houseplants can be excellent accents to any students’ home. From flowers to cacti to trees, there’s bound to be an indoor plant that could flourish in almost any living space. In addition to the color and vibrancy of houseplants, they can also be good for your health. Sources from WebMD to NASA have found that plants enhance air and water quality, improve sleep by providing extra oxygen, promote happiness, relieve stress and treat depression. From single window dorm rooms, apartment balconies and bathroom skylights, there’s bound to be a houseplant that belongs in college students’ residences. While chain superstores such as Walmart, Lowe’s, Menards and Home Depot offer plant selections, Springfield is home to a number of independent and locally owned nurseries and plant stores. Included among them is Schaffitzel’s Flowers and Greenhouses, Wickman’s Garden Village and Garden Adventures
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The sansevieria, also known as the snake plant, is recommended for beginners. Snake plants thrive on limited maintenance and bright, indirect light. Springfield’s demographic and unofficial “college-town” status have helped spur students and young adults to fill their window sills with flowers and foliage. Mike recommended the sansevieria, other-
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Holland House AFTON HARPER | BREAKING NEWS REPORTER | Dayton Chambers/THE STANDARD | Missouri State University’s new residence hall, Holland House, was set to be completed by fall 2020 but has been postponed. In November 2019, Bruce Colony, project manager for Holland House, told The Standard construction had been pushed back because the parking structure wasn’t finished in time for the dining center’s Nov. 1 opening date. Gary Stewart, director of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services, told The Standard in May that Holland House had been delayed because of COVID-19. Colony said the developers, Bryan Properties, are planning to have Holland House completed in time for fall 2021.
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“There have been minor alterations, as usually happens, but nothing major that I am aware of,” Colony said. The drywall, electrical systems, doorways, stairs, elevators and plumbing still need to be installed in the building before MSU can move furniture into the dorm. Colony said the new dining center is closer to completion than the residence hall portion but are likely still going to open at the same time. Holland House is expected to house 400 students, two per room, and have four levels of parking for those in the residence hall. It is located on the corner of Holland Avenue and Madison Street.
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‘16 Weeks’
At the beginning of the fall semester, Andy Cline, a professor in the department of media, journalism and film at Missouri State, approached us about an idea for a documentary he wanted to see executed. The concept? Share the stories of MSU students, faculty and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, “16 Weeks” was born: a documentary showcasing these stories through vlog-style footage. We recruited around a dozen students to vlog themselves over the course of the 16-week semester. We asked these students, our content contributors, to document everything that makes up student life during a pandemic — attending virtual lectures, ordering takeout, going out to bars and clubs, getting a COVID-19 test and even quarantining. We learned a lot about the MSU community during production. These content contributors cataloged nearly every aspect of their semester, and we are excited to showcase a glimpse into the lives of some of our peers. Through the vlogs, we found each student approached the semester from a different perspective with varying expectations. Some dreaded attending virtual classes and felt their motivations slip. Others were ambivalent and kept their heads down to grind through the semester. To supplement the vlogs, we conducted formal interviews with our content contributors and MSU faculty, including Magers Health and Wellness Center Director David Muegge and university President Clif Smart. The interviews,
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First documentary collaboration between The Standard and Carbon Trace Productions DIANA DUDENHOEFFER | DIGITAL EDITOR | @kisstein GRETA CROSS | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | @gretacrossphoto
woven in with vlogs collected over 16 weeks, tell a unique and sincere story of the ups and downs of a college semester caught up in the COVID-19 pandemic. This student-led documentary is exciting because it is Trace Productions, a local nonprofit film studio dedicated the first collaboration between The Standard and Carbon to educating college students about the art of documentary filmmaking. We hope this project is the first of many collaborative projects to come. Learn more about Carbon Trace Productions at carbontrace.net The Standard’s editor-in-chief Greta Cross is the director of “16 Weeks” and Diana Dudenhoeffer, The Standard’s digital editor, is the project’s producer. It is a lot of work, but like any big project, we could not have done it alone. We want to extend a huge thank-you to our editor Grant Schwarz, social media manager Shannon Noonan, associate producers Megan Burke and Brett Schutt, production assistant Cameron Durington and illustrator Katie Batliner. The entire documentary would not be possible without the help of the Carbon Trace Productions team, including Cline, Shannon Bowers and Shane Franklin. At the time of publication, “16 Weeks” is in post-production. Our team hopes to have the documentary completed during the spring 2021 semester. Follow the progress of “16 Weeks” on Instagram and Twitter at @16weeksdoc
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Taking a semester or year off before starting college or between semesters has always been an option, but the stakes and options are different this year. A gap year is a broad concept with varying definitions. The UK-based Universities and Colleges Admissions Services suggests a multitude of causes to devote a gap year to, including volunteering, travel, non-collegiate courses, internships and paid employment. The Gap Year Association (GYA) recorded across-the-board positive results from its 2015 survey of over 1,000 of its alumni, with 97% saying their gap year increased their maturity and helped them develop as a person, 84% saying it helped them acquire skills to be successful in their career and 73% saying it increased their readiness for college. UCAS also warns against negative potential outcomes of a gap year, such as difficulty returning to your intended track afterward or a lack of organization and planning resulting in an unstructured distraction instead of a valuable experience. Gap years also introduce an element of
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THE GAP YEAR GAMBIT
SCOTT CAMPBELL | GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER |
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uncertainty that not all students are financially prepared to manage. A key factor in gap years is mental health. The potential benefits and detriments of gap years could have a major impact on a student’s future as well as their personal wellbeing. Mackenzie Camey, sophomore sociology major at MSU and OTC, waited until the spring semester following her high school graduation to begin college.
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“Even though it wasn’t a long break, I think I was more mature or had more ‘life experience’ than the people I graduated with who went straight to college,” Camey said. Camey said although she benefited in some ways from her time off, she also partially felt that she had wasted the time in waiting by not immediately progressing in her education. While students can still navigate the many possibilities of a gap year on their own, they could also go through a structured program like the many partner organizations that work with GYA. The High Mountain Institute, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to connecting students to a background in nature through hands-on programs, is partnered with the GYA and is still open for action during COVID-19, according to their website. Their activities are based on hiking, outdoorsmanship and wellness expeditions. To accommodate for COVID-19, they have limited their destinations to Colorado and Utah, removing Chile and Argentina from the roster for now. Carpe Diem Education, another GYA
partner organization, uses gap years and semesters to take students on trips abroad for cultural exchanges with emphasis on building leadership and cultural immersion. Despite international quarantines conflicting directly with their means of operating, they’ve adapted by reducing their usual international programs to the rural United States, according to the GYA website. By staying within American borders and limiting program size, Carpe Diem Education is able to control their exposure to COVID-19 to accomplish their mission of addressing social and environmental problems in communities in need. Both of these programs are all-inclusive for transportation, accommodation and activities but have price ranges over $10,000. There aren’t any guarantees for how taking a gap year will affect a student’s health or wellbeing, so there is always an inherent risk on investment. Despite the hindrances of and hazards of COVID-19, gap years and semesters are still viable options for students hoping to make the most of their time.
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Tastes around the world Springfield’s international eateries
BRITNEY HUISH | ACADEMIA & CAMPUS CLUBS REPORTER | Photos by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD | Springfield is home to a variety of restaurants of all cultures. Whether you’re looking for Asian, European or the tastes of Latin America, Springfield can accommodate your cravings.
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souri State’s campus on Walnut Street, well within walking distance. According to Rama Thai’s website, meals are made with the finest herbs and spices, freshest meats and vegetables and range a variety of spice levels to fit anyone’s taste. Popular items include Pad Thai, Pad See Ew and a variety of different curries and fried rice. Hours are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
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INDUSTRIAL • OFFICE • EDUCATION • ACCOUNTING • DRIVING Greek Belly
Located in downtown Springfield right next to Jimmy Johns is Greek Belly. Their mission as listed on their website is, “Tradition survives in the trusted Greek recipes of our mothers and grandmothers.” After growing up in the Greece village of Valtonero, Greek Belly owner John Tsahiridis took his 25 years of restaurant industry experience to bring the authentic tastes of Greek food to Springfield. A few of their featured items include a gyro pita wrap, villager salad and baklava. Hours are Monday Cafe Cusco through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday Cafe Cusco is a Peruvian style restaurant through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun- located in the Historic C-Street district of Springfield. According to their website, after day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. hiking the Inca Trails to Machu Picchu in Peru, owner Joseph Gidman was inspired to open Zayka Indian Cuisine Cafe Cusco and it has been a part of the SpringIndian restaurant, Zayka, is located down- field community since July 2013 and is owned town and offers popular curries and tandoori by Joseph Gidman and his mother Claire Giddishes with a buffet at lunch. Zayka’s website man. They offer both gluten-free and vegan claims to provide a welcoming ambiance and options to cater to every customer. They have treat their guests like their own. Only the fresh- everything from pasta to fajitas to tacos, all est ingredients are used to make the recipes inspired by the tastes of Peru. Hours are Monpassed down through generations. Their menu day through Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. includes a variety of other cultures such as New York-style pizza and Italian sandwiches. Hours That Lebanese Place are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also located in Historic the C-Street district, and 5 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., Friday through Satur- That Lebanese Place is just down the street day 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. from Cafe Cusco. They are gluten-free, vegan and Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to and vegetarian friendly. Be sure to check out 8:45 p.m. their kibbeh appetizer, meaty kebabs and baklava. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11 Rama Thai Cafe a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Specializing in all things traditional Thai closed Monday. food, Rama Thai Cafe sits right behind Mis-
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Small businesses in Springfield trying to handle COVID-19 CAROLINE MUND | HEALTH REPORTER |
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Although many companies are seeing the effects of COVID-19 on their stores and businesses, small businesses in particular are having a difficult time keeping their doors open. Rachel Weiner, Missouri State University alumnus, owns The Frosted Fox, an online vegan bakery. Weiner started her business in Sept. 2019 but officially opened in May 2020. “When a small business owner gets a sale, that’s groceries paid for, debt paid off, rent or something else,” Weiner said. “Big businesses don’t do happy dances when they get sales. I can confidently say any time I’ve gotten an order or one of my friends who also owns a small business gets an order, we all get very excited and we do our happy dances.” Weiner said her business has been doing “pretty okay,” despite only having been open officially for six months now. Weiner added that she hasn’t been able to attend as many events for her shop as she would like because of COVID-19. Emily Norris, junior agricultural and business major, is another small business owner. She owns Gatlin’s Co, a western inspired boutique that also sells home decor. Norris’ shop began as an online t-shirt company her freshman year of high school. Two years later, she opened a brick and mortar store and now has two locations, E. Marie’s and Upstairs Marketplace LLC. Both are located in Mountain Grove. Norris said when COVID-19 first hit, it affected her busiPhoto submitted by Rachel Weiner ness. But, she bounced back rather quickly. The Frosted Fox is an online vegan bakery, opened “Small businesses are hurting not only on the store front but behind the scenes as well,” Norris said. “We are struggling in September 2019.
to get products into our stores and have had to adapt to the shipping time, prices, etc. People need to stop and take a moment to realize these small businesses are the owners’ livelihoods.” Norris’s businesses can be followed on social media at @ shopgatlinsco on Instagram and Gatlin’s Co. on Facebook. Though many small stores have faced difficulties because of COVID-19, they are using social media to their advantage to help get the word out about their community businesses. Taylor Gold, Ozark Technical College alumnus, owns Gold Girls Boutique, a store Gold and her mother run together. Gold Girls Boutique has been open for about three months, as of Dec.2020. Gold said she has always been interested in making a fashionable clothing line but wanted to make it affordable for college students. Gold’s business opened during the pandemic, so she said having her store online has been the most helpful to her. “My biggest learning experience has definitely been the social media part,” Gold said. “It’s so amazing how many people you can truly reach. Also just learning how to target an audience and market has been big for me. “Small businesses need all the support they can get right now and are always appreciative of your business,” Gold said. You can help support local businesses during COVID-19 by sharing their websites and contact information on your own social media pages, tip graciously and continue to shop local.
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Get your fresh popcorn ready and Netflix watch parties loaded as we move into the new year. There’s an exciting mixture of films and television shows hitting cable networks and streaming platforms alike. Fox premiered two new reality competition shows: “Name That Tune” and “The Masked Dancer,” on Jan. 6. “Name That Tune,” a song guessing game show, is making its return to TV for the first time since 1985. This time around it will feature Jane Krakowski from “30 Rock” as host and Randy Jackson from “American Idol” as band leader. “The Masked Dancer” is a spin-off of the popular singing show “The Masked Singer.” It stars Paula Abdul, Ashley Tisdale, Brian Austin Green and Ken Jeong from “The Masked Singer” as the judges and Craig Robinson as host. Other game shows airing in the new year are “Go Big Show” (TBS) with big names like Snoop Dogg and Jennifer Nettles and “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” (ABC) with classic hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Both premiered on Jan. 7. You will have no issue laughing in the new year with three new sitcoms: “Call Me Kat” (Fox), “Mr. Mayor” (NBC) and “Call Your Mother” (ABC). Streaming services are bringing you the drama with “Coyote” (CBS All Access), “Wandavision” (Disney+) and “Losing Alice” (Apple TV+). Also coming in 2021 is an abundance of new movies hitting theaters across the nation.
Singer Camila Cabello stars in “Cinderella,” gracing screens Feb. 5, and the prequel to the “Kingsman” series, “The King’s Man,” will premiere Feb. 12. Classic cartoon “Tom and Jerry” will tackle a live action movie with stars Chloe Grace Moretz and “Saturday Night Live” star Colin Jost, premiering March 5. We will also see the return of “The Boss Baby” in “The Boss Baby: Family Business” on March 26. Other highly anticipated movies to premiere in the new year are Emily Blunt and John Krasinki’s “A Quiet Place Part II” on April 23, Marvel’s “Black Widow” on May 7, “Godzilla vs. Kong” on May 21 and Emma Stone starring in “Cruella” on May 28. Netflix is set to release some original movies with “We Can Be Heroes” starring Priyanka Chopra and Korean film “What Happened to Mr. Cha,” both released on Jan. 1. Drama flick “Pieces of a Woman” with Shia LaBeouf was made available on Jan. 7, and Indian based film “The White Tiger,” also featuring Chopra, will be available on Jan. 22. “Malcolm & Marie,” filmed throughout the pandemic and starring Zendaya, will also be coming to Netflix on Feb. 5. Amazon Prime Video will be releasing two new movies with “One Night in Miami” on Jan. 15 and “Coming 2 America” starring Eddie Murphy on March 5. Hulu is also dropping a new movie with “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise” on Jan. 15.
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Spring 2021 to have double the sports
Fall sports playing full seasons after pandemic shortens fall season The Standard sports staff
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The Missouri State baseball team takes the field for a game in March 2020.
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In typical 2020 fashion, both spring and fall Tennis sports played limited schedules due to Missouri State women’s tennis will be movCOVID-19. Here is a preview of last season’s ing into the spring part of its season under a limited action and a look at what will be hap- new coach. Hannah Keeling will take over the pening this spring. team after Mallory Weber left MSU in the fall. Keeling was previously an assistant at Georgia Baseball Gwinnett College, an NAIA school. While at After its season was canceled last year due Georgia Gwinnett, Keeling helped coach teams to COVID-19, the Missouri State baseball team to NAIA national team titles in 2018 and 2019. is set to return to play this spring. One advanSophomore standout Alyson Piskulic will tage that the Bears have going into this season return as one of the team’s best players. She is senior experience and leadership. With the won a doubles match at the first Central ArkanNCAA granting spring athletes an extra year sas Invitational in September 2020 and anothof eligibility, many upperclassmen on the team er doubles win at the second Central Arkansas decided to return for one last season. Senior Invitational in October 2020. infielder Ben Whetstone, catcher Logan Geha, outfielder Jack Duffy, relief pitcher Nate With- Beach volleyball erspoon and starting pitcher Logan Wiley will The Missouri State beach volleyball team has a new organizational structure for the 2020all be returning for the Bears. “They’re leaders,” head coach Keith Guttin 21 school year. The program was moved in said. “Logan was a captain. Ben was a captain. with the indoor volleyball program, with volJack’s definitely a leader and one of our most leyball coach Steven McRoberts being named talented players.” program director. Indoor assistant Russ FriedThe team’s schedule has yet to be an- land is the beach head coach. nounced. Beach volleyball was 3-9 in the spring 2020 season. The season begins on March 3 with a Softball home doubleheader against a currently-unThe Softball Bears’ season was cut short in named opponent. 2020 when COVID-19 shut down everything in March. Prior to the shutdown, the team was Track and field/cross country 7-12. One strength of the roster in 2020, which Cross Country has already started in the will likely carry over to 2021, was pitching. 2020-21 school year. In October 2020, the team Senior ace pitcher Steffany Dickerson will be won the Little Rock Open. Adyson Delaney returning. Dickerson had an ERA of 0.88 in the placed first and was named Missouri Valley 19 games last year and has never had an ERA Conference Performer of the Week for her effort higher than 2.74 in her career at Missouri State. there. As of now, there has yet to be a schedule Track and Field has not competed since released, but the Bears play their home games March 2020, when it placed third at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championship. at Killian Softball Complex in Springfield. The third place was achieved by a last-second Comeback by the 4x400 meter relay team.
Football
The Missouri State football team played one game against Oklahoma University and two games against the University of Central Arkansas. The Bears went 0-3, but their two matchups against Central Arkansas were close and showed winning potential. MSU’s defense shined in the fall season, even in the blowout against OU. The unit consistently created turnovers and got third down stops. “I think we can be a really good defensive football team,” head coach Bobby Petrino said. “We’ve gotta catch up offensively and be able to sustain drives and put it in the endzone.” The Bears begin their spring season at North Dakota University on Saturday, Feb. 20.
A few notable returners for head coach Rob Brewer are MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Kaitlin Maxwell, First-Team All Conference player Anna Durnin and Second Team All Conference player Jordan Eickleman. The team begins play at home on Thursday, Feb. 4 when St. Louis University comes to Springfield.
Volleyball
The Volleyball Bears played a few matches in the fall under new head coach Steven McRoberts, who came to Missouri State after stints as head coach at Ole Miss and Tulsa. He is currently ranked 20th among active NCAA coaches in career wins with 587. Posting a 2-0 fall record winning matches against Little Rock and Central Arkansas, the program appears ready to be competitive in the spring season. Men’s soccer Volleyball begins its spring season Friday, Jan. The men’s soccer Bears did not play in the 22 against Oral Roberts. fall but will play a Missouri Valley Conference schedule this spring. Last season, the Bears went Men’s golf 18-1-1, losing in the second round of the NCAA Men’s golf played three events in the fall, playoffs to Central Florida in overtime. The placing second at the Zach Johnson InvitationBears went 10-0-0 in the Missouri Valley Con- al, sixth at the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate and 14th at the Little Rock Invitational. ference, winning the regular-season crown. This year, the Bears come into the season At the time of publication, a spring schedule ranked No. 10 in the nation by College Soccer for the men’s golf team has not been released. News. The graduation of forward Matthew Bentley and defenseman Ben Stroud leave roster holes Women’s golf head coach Jon Leamy will have to fill once the The women’s golf team played three events in season begins. Bentley scored 15 goals in 2019. the fall. The Bears begin regular season play Sunday, The Bears won a match against Central ArkanFeb. 7 at St. Louis University. sas, placed 10th at the Red Wolves Classic in Arkansas and first at the Missouri State Stewart MeWomen’s soccer morial tournament in Springfield. The women’s soccer Bears played four games A standout for the team is Abby Cavaiani, who in the fall, finishing with a record of 1-2-1. The two was named MVC Performer of the Week in October. losses came against Central Arkansas by the scores of 3-1 and 1-0, and the win and tie were against Missouri Southern by the scores of 2-0 and 1-1.
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