The Sunflower v. 128 i. 7 (October 5, 2023)

RUN TO REMEMBER

Suspenders4Hope 5k and Memorial Walk highlight hope and destigmatization of mental health

BY TALIYAH WINN tmwinn03@gmail.com

The Suspenders4Hope 5k and Memorial Walk is an annual event that gathers community together to bring awareness to mental health and celebrate the lives and memory of those who have lost their life to suicide.

The run was a collaboration with Suspenders4Hope and StopSuicideICT, presented by Ascension Via Christi and the Steve Clark YMCA.

Suspenders4Hope is a campaign focused on destigmatizing mental health with a hope-centered approach to improve community wellness.

Marci Young, WSU director of Health, Outreach, Prevention and Education (HOPE) Services, and Jessica Provines, assistant vice president of Wellness at WSU, co-created Suspenders4Hope in 2015 after receiving a SAMHSA Campus Suicide Prevention grant for a mental health awareness campaign.

“Each human is so important to so many more people than they would ever believe. And if we knew

how important we were to everyone around us, we would never think of anything less than ourselves than the magnificent human beings we are,” Young said. The 3rd annual 5k began at the YMCA, with runners lined up waiting. WuShock sounded the air horn, and the Shocker Sound Machine played the runners off with blaring horns to “Tank!” the opening theme to the show “Cowboy Bebop.”

The runners set off at a steady pace, passing through an inflatable arch as they embarked on their brief journey across campus.

Runners of all ages participated in the event, and the award ceremony had various categories to highlight those who participated at different age levels.

Many runners were involved in the Wichita State community, working on and around campus. Two runners, Gabrielle Meyer and Chase Brand, started running together around a year ago and decided to participate in the race because it was a good cause. Brand, who works at NetApp, said that he and his coworkers ran to support someone who died at his office.

Jake Dunne, KWCH meteorologist, shared his story of

losing his father and the process of acceptance with the audience after the award ceremony.

“You know those that make the choice, and if that might be you or someone you know, get help. Someone loves you. Someone cares about you. Somebody needs you,” Dunne said. “And then there’s the other side. The side that was left behind, like myself, you know, it hurts. It’s hard.”

He highlighted the important role counseling played in his grief, and how hard it is for survivors of loss.

“You have questions, you don’t know where to go. You don’t know how to handle the emotions. I didn’t, and I don’t wanna say I lost 10 years of my life, but I definitely had 10 years and I wish I could do over,” Dunne said.

The race was followed by a one mile memorial walk. Community members gathered and walked around campus, honoring and remembering those that they have lost.

If you or anyone you know are struggling with mental health, recovery is possible, and there are local and national resources available.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

• If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else on campus, consider submitting a CARE Team report to ensure campus members’ needs are being met so they can reach their full potential.

• CAPS offers low-cost appointments for individual, couples and group therapy to WSU students.

• For information on substance use and recovery resources, visit KMUW’s list at www. kmuw.org/2023-09-19/ substance-use-resource-page.

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988.

• Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential.

‘Make your place in the world’: Author discusses community, imposter syndrome and taking chances

BY AINSLEY SMYTH ainsley.smyth3@gmail.com

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes addressed first-year students at this year’s Academic Convocation. The author of Wichita State’s Common Read selection, “My Broken Language,” Hudes is also the writer of the script for the Broadway musical “In the Heights” as well as the screenplay for the play’s 2021 film adaptation.

The convocation program featured a Q&A session between Eiran Saucedo-Rodarte, assistant director of first-year programs and Hudes. This followed an introduction by WSU President Rick Muma and speeches by Student Government Association President Iris Okere and Sara Mata, executive director of Hispanic Serving Initiatives.

Saucedo-Rodarte asked questions submitted by first-year students. The discussion centered around Hudes’ career, personal inspirations and her memoir.

Hudes explained how she had planned on building a career in music but instead found herself called to writing. She said that an interview with her uncle, a Vietnam War veteran, as part of her research for a play had shown her the value of her work.

“Whatever happened with the plays – whatever prizes they got, whether they went to Broadway, if they got good reviews – that didn’t even matter anymore,” Hudes said.

“The ability to have a process that can make a connection like that, I knew I had chosen the right path.”

Hudes also highlighted the importance of her family and their local Puerto Rican community in

her life, as well as how she navigated difficult topics in her writing.

“I think the memoir is a really good example of what happens when I’m trying to do an act of love and healing within my community, but it also brings up taboo subjects,” she said.

In particular, discussing the subject of illiteracy within her community was difficult for Hudes when writing “My Broken Language.”

“I was so terrified because some of my family members still deal with illiteracy,” she said. “They’re embarrassed. They don’t want that to be broadcast to the world. But by the same token, without advocating for the need, the need never gets addressed.”

To Hudes, taking risks in her writing is worth it and reflects the risks taken by others in her

community, especially those who immigrated to the United States.

“Talk about a tremendous leap of faith that our parents, our grandparents or our ancestors, or that we ourselves took,” she said.

“There is no bigger leap of faith than that; there is no bigger abandoning of a community than that. We make ourselves lost to come here, to come to the United States. And yet, we expand the circle of who our community is.”

After the Q&A session, Hudes added her own advice for the students in attendance on dealing with imposter syndrome.

“There’s no place in the world that you fit in that’s made for you,” she said. “Your job is to make your place in the world.”

Hudes referred to the labor activist Dolores Huerta and an instance in which Huerta

challenged derogatory language toward women in a meeting of labor advocates.

“Dolores was the only woman there when they were organizing these farm events,” she said. “She was the only woman in these rooms, so she didn’t really belong in those rooms. You belong in the rooms where you are, but you have to figure out how.”

Health sciences major Alice Ukoha attended the signing and said Hudes’ answers were motivating to her as a first-year student.

“Her words are inspirational, especially talking about walking your own path,” she said. “It’s hard to start in a new environment, and so it’s helpful to do stuff for you and not for other people.”

The convocation was followed by a book signing. where students got an opportunity to meet Hudes.

After crossing the finish line together, Kate and Matt Anthony kiss at the Suspenders4Hope 5k. Kate won second place in the women’s 40-49-year-old category of the race, while Matt won second in the 50-59-year-old category for the men. | Photos by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower

Audra Morgan hugs her 10-year-old son after the pair complete the Suspenders4Hope 5k. Morgan won third place in the race’s 40-49-year-old, female category. David Albarracin, 26, smiles as he crosses the finish line of the Suspenders4Hope 5k on Sept. 30.

Members of the Shocker Sound Machine perform “Tank!” which is the opening theme for the anime “Cowboy Bepop.” The band played throughout the Suspenders4Hope 5k on Sept. 30.

‘It’s really fantastic’: Wichita State University recognized as a breastfeeding-friendly campus

BY JACINDA HALL podcast@thesunflower.com

Being a parent and a student can be a lot to juggle, especially when you have a newborn that is breastfeeding. Many people who breastfeed their infants feel like they don’t have the time or space to do so.

Jolynn Dowling, associate educator in nursing, has helped change that for Wichita State, helping to make the university a breastfeeding-friendly campus.

According to Dowling, WSU was awarded a goldlevel Employer Supporting Breastfeeding as well as a Breastfeeding Welcome Here Campus title through the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition.

“What that means for those of us here on campus is that they have employee policies in place to support lactating people,” Dowling said. “They have parenting and pregnant student policies, and they have facilities. They have wellness rooms that are spread throughout the campus for people to go to have a private space to be able to feed their infant or to express their breastmilk.”

Dowling said that all of those key components, as well as leader training, make Wichita State a breastfeeding-friendly campus.

“The leaders (here) are familiar with federal legislation that informed these policies,” Dowling said.

Dowling explained that the university policies were updated to fit two new legislative

acts that were passed over the summer, including the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections act, requiring employers to allow breaks for employees to express breastmilk for their nursing child.

The other legislative act passed this year was the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which was enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, requiring covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees.

“Both of those together were new legislation that went into place in June,” Dowling said. “All of those policies were updated to reflect those changes.”

Dowling has been passionate about this project since starting her position as the Janice

M. Riordan Distinguished

Professorship in Maternal Child Health as an associate professor. She wanted to make sure that the spaces were known and accessible to all people on campus.

“I started that project in 2018, really kind of assessing our spaces, seeing what they look like, what they have and what kind of amenities were provided in that space,” Dowling said. “So I wanted to make sure everything was updated, and that the amenities really were commensurate with a person who needed to use the space needed.”

Dowling explained that the spaces were made to be comfortable for those who needed to use the space provided, including comfortable chairs. She also explained that the rooms were private and free from intrusion.

New eight-week course for current, aspiring SGA members announced

BY ALLISON CAMPBELL news@thesunflower.com

A course designed for new and returning Student Government Association members has been introduced to better inform and inspire those involved in student government. The new addition to the student organization leadership minor curriculum is for students of all majors and minors to explore the roles, responsibilities and functions of student government.

According to Brandon McClain and Gabriel Fonseca, the Leadership in Governance Organizations course will touch on SGA-relevant subjects like policy creation, ethical leadership and decision making and navigating conflict and accepting criticism. While the class is not strictly for SGA members, its subjects are specifically geared toward building the skills necessary for success in student government “(This class determines) how we get (students) to a position to where they feel comfortable and confident, not just in their role, but the rest of the Student Government Association,” McClain, assistant director for Student Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership, said. “On the other side of that, it’s also making sure that for those students who don’t know what SGA does, this is an opportunity for them to be educated on all the great stuff that student government is doing.”

MISSION

Enrolled students will participate in weekly workshops, activities, self-awareness in leadership reflection assignments and interviews with student leaders and government officers. The intent of these exercises is to not only expand upon students’ knowledge of SGA but to encourage them to think about how they can do “the most good.”

“Regardless of what you believe in or what you do, at the end of the day … student government is about doing the most good. It’s not about having perfection from session to session, from day to day,” McClain said. “It’s about everyday when you come to work, or you come into your meetings, whatever the case may be; are you doing things that produce the most good for the most amount of students?”

Chelsea Redger-Marquardt, an assistant professor for organizational leadership and learning, said the course will help students learn new strategies that can be applied both to SGA and to everyday life.

The Sunflower — both in print and online — will be a timely resource of information about the Wichita State University community. It will report on news, issues, activities, academics and athletics, in addition to offering a forum for discussion, reviews and commentary. It will also be an effective learning experience for students, who will have the final authority over what is published.

LEGAL

One free copy of The Sunflower is available to members of the WSU community. Additional copies may be obtained from the newsroom, Elliott Hall 019. The Sunflower is private property and unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable. The Sunflower is funded by a combination of print and online advertisement sales and student fees allocated by the Student Government Association.

The Sunflower is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association and the Wichita Journalism Collaborative.

Copyright © 2023 The Sunflower. This newspaper, its design and its contents are copyrighted.

“People can come to our campus community (and) won’t have any barrier to meet their infant feeding goals,” Dowling said. “We’re very supportive of that.”

Dowling explained that compared to most public spaces, Wichita State campus has fewer barriers when it comes to those who are breastfeeding.

“It’s really fantastic,” Dowling said. “In Wichita, people who deliver babies at our hospitals, over 90% of them initiate breastfeeding and the biggest barrier and why people do not continue to breastfeed, most often the biggest issue is they do not have employer support or they do not have public support.”

Dowling also said that Kansas has a statute where mothers have the right to breastfeed in any public or private location.

“If you see someone breastfeeding their infant on campus, that is perfectly fine,” Dowling said. “We should welcome that.”

Dowling, an international board certified lactation consultant, explained that there are several health benefits to breastfeeding for both the infant and the mother.

“The maternal health benefits are protection for cardiovascular disease, as well as gynecological cancers like ovarian cancer and breast cancer. There’s also protection against diabetes,” Dowling said. “The longer the person breastfeeds, the better the benefits.”

LACTATION & WELLNESS ROOM LOCATIONS ON CAMPUS:

The places that you can find lactation and wellness rooms on campus include:

• Charles Koch Arena

• Jardine Hall

• Woolsey Hall

• John Bardo Center

• Ahlberg Hall

• Lindquist Hall

• Corbin Education Center

• Rhatigan Student Center

• Steve Clark YMCA

• Ulrich Museum of Art

• Student Health- Steve Clark YMCA

All lactation and wellness rooms can be found on the Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance website. More rooms can be found on other Wichita State campuses as well.

“How to set a meeting, how to set an agenda, how to do all of those things that are important, regardless of the organizational context, they’re applicable wherever you might be able to put them into practice,” Redger-Marquardt said. “Those are useful skills. (Students) will be able to apply those in all of their different professional careers.”

While course enrollment offers preference to students currently involved in SGA, McClain said students who are interested but were not able to enroll, whether due to financial limitations or full class capacity, are always welcome to “just show up.”

“This is not a class where I want students to feel as if they’re alienated and can’t participate in. If you want to show up to the class and not take the class for credit, just jump in,” McClain said. “This is an opportunity to learn … how to be a more functioning student government and learn what a functional student government should look like.”

The eight-week-long course is three credit hours and will begin on Oct. 19. McClain said students are welcome to join the Nov. 2 discussion on ethical leadership and decision making and the constituent engagement and representation class on Nov. 6.

Students interested in the course are encouraged to reach out to McClain or swing by his office in the RSC.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Mia Hennen editor@thesunflower.com

ADVERTISING/DESIGN MANAGER Thy Vo admanager@thesunflower.com

MANAGING EDITOR Trinity Ramm managing@thesunflower.com

Women of Wichita State hold vintage fundraiser for scholarships

BY MAEGAN VINCENT maegan.ann.vincent@gmail.com

The Women of Wichita State (WWSU) put together a unique, vintage fundraiser with the goal of raising at least $1,000 in scholarship funds.

This year, WWSU decided to collect and auction donations of vintage merchandise and apparel related to WSU. Some of these items included a 1997-1998 signed WSU baseball, a “Go Shocks!” Tiki Totem, a 1998 College World Series Champions Cap, and even framed photographs of WSU’s marching band from 1982.

Angela Paul, the president of WWSU, emphasized the importance of seeing the items in person despite the silent auction being held online from Sept. 27 through Oct. 3.

“It’s also nice to see these pieces in person, especially this (auction),” Paul said. “Our other auctions have been a little more with generic type of merchandise, like a basket of things for the bath.”

Anne-Marie Brown, the second

vice president and scholarship chair, organized the fundraiser. She aims to help WSU students complete their education through scholarships.

“They’ll continue and complete their education and go on and do great things that will benefit others,” Brown said. “Their stories are just so heartfelt. Families can’t help them or this or that, so I just feel happy to help them as much as we can.” Brown also emphasized the importance of everyone who contributed to the vintage market fundraiser.

“We appreciate the faculty, staff, alumni and friends over in the sports athletic department for their contributions, and thank you to our buyers as well,” Brown said. “They’re helping us continue to award scholarships.”

According to the WWSU scholarship page, applications open in late February 2024 and require students to include a personal statement and an unofficial WSU transcript.

CONTACT US

019 Elliott Hall 1845 N. Fairmount Ave. Campus Box 134 Wichita, KS 67260-0134

EDITORIAL Mia Hennen: 316-978-6906 editor@thesunflower.com

ADVERTISING Thy Vo: 316-978-6905 admanager@thesunflower.com

FACULTY ADVISOR Amy DeVault: 316-978-6052 amy.devault@wichita.edu

The Ulrich Museum of Art’s lactation bathroom provides breastfeeding information for lactating parents. | Photo by Jocelynn Cavender / The Sunflower

Sofia Polanco Botteselle and Natanya Ordoñez admire the Wu finger puppets from the Women of WSU auction and fundraiser on Oct. 3.|

Photo by Shelby DuVall / The Sunflower

Student parents manage responsibilities and kids while going to school full-time at Wichita State

BY JACOB UNRUH jacobunruh333@gmail.com

Near the begin-

ning of her junior year at Wichita State, Jada Escobar found out she was pregnant. She knew raising kids while also being a full-time student would be a test of her time management and resilience.

“I kind of spent the whole time from the beginning of junior year really trying to get as much work done as I could,” Escobar said.

When Escobar’s son was born in April 2022, she took the remainder of the semester off from school. Now 9 months pregnant with her second child and back at Wichita State, Escobar is balancing being a parent to her 18-month-old while getting ready to do the whole process over again.

“I’m doing the best work that I can give right now, up until I’m due,” Escobar said. “And then I’ll go on probably a four-week maternity leave … and then I’ll just jump right back into school.”

The challenge of being a student parent is one that Jennifer Haydon willingly took on when she re-enrolled in college.

Haydon graduated high school in 2006, but says when she came to Wichita State the first time, she “partied right out of school.” She dropped out, joined the army at age 20, and while stationed in Iraq, took some college classes online at Butler Community College.

After returning to the United States, she finished her degree in secondary education before changing her mind about teaching and re-enrolling at Wichita State in English literature in fall

2019.

With a ten and four year old in the household, Haydon took another break from school during the COVID-19 pandemic to homeschool her two kids. Now finally back in college for good, she said the responsibilities of raising her kids while taking classes can be overwhelming.

“My husband says I have these ‘nerd breakdowns,’ as he calls it, whenever I’m worried about due dates,” Haydon said. “But I think it’s just all part of it, because there’s not going to be enough time.”

Lyndsey Stang completed her fine arts degree from Wichita State in 2014 while raising two toddlers. Now, she’s re-enrolled in graphic design while still parenting her now-three kids.

“I definitely feel like since I’ve done it before, I can prioritize things a lot better,” Stang said. “And it’s not the end of the world if it’s not perfect. If you don’t get the best grade but you at least try.”

Managing due dates and schedules is of the utmost importance for student parents. Stang and Escobar both said they have planners to help manage their days.

“I make a lot of lists,” Stang said. “It helps me keep me on track. I give myself a certain amount of hours a day to work on certain projects, and I try to leave the weekends for fun. I’m a nerd, so you have to have some fun in there.”

Escobar is a first-generation student. She says that before having a kid, she struggled with time management. Being a parent forced her to change that.

“I think finding out that I was pregnant really lit a fire under me,” Escobar said. “All of a

All of a sudden I had to figure out what my life was going to look like.

JADA ESCOBAR WSU Graphic design student

sudden I had to figure out what my life was going to look like. I knew, being a first-generation student, all the hard work that it took for me to even be here and be in college, I was going to need five times more of that to stay here … But I was very determined to do that.”

Haydon explained that routines help keep her family organized and on time.

“My main thing right now is trying to teach [my children] to be self-sufficient,” Haydon said. “We have a checklist …There’s just making sure there’s a system for things, like they have to have their clothes ready for school the day before.”

Escobar, Stang and Haydon are all married. They talked about how their husbands and families help them manage their mental health and children.

“I’ll get into those moments where I’m a bit overwhelmed, and I have no idea what to do,” Escobar said. “My husband is able to kind of bring me down and be like, ‘Okay, one step at a time.’”

Stang said her parents also provided support while she balanced school and her family.

“My parents helped a ton,” Stang said. “When my oldest was little, she wasn’t in school yet, so they would have to have her while I went to school. So definitely, if I didn’t have them, it wouldn’t have been as easy as it was.”

All three student parents also said they appreciate professors

who empathize with the difficulties of their situations.

“I’ve been in McKnight for a while now and I’ve been working with the same professors for the last three years, so they know me pretty well,” Escobar said. “They have been really amazing … just having professors there that are like, ‘We’re here to support you, whatever you need.’”

Haydon said that Kerry Jones, the director of the Writing Center, motivated her to stay in college during a time period when, in the midst of caring for her aging parents, she was considering dropping out.

“She was like, ‘You’re not allowed to quit. I will literally drag you across the graduation stage if I have to,’” Haydon said.

Escobar said she gets frustrated that people assume she is irresponsible and going to fail because she has a kid.

“Especially somebody like me, who’s a first-generation Hispanic student, a lot of my family and my parents automatically assume that I might drop out of college,” Escobar said. “But a lot of them were surprised that I am still here, and I’m still working hard and trying to get that degree and walk across the stage.”

Escobar said that she’s motivated to stay in college to show that it can be done.

“There’s really no reason why having kids and having a life outside of school should stop you from being able to walk across the stage,” Escobar said. “A lot of being a parent is knowing that you have somebody under you looking up at you. And one day, they’re going to ask you how you did it, and I just didn’t want my answer to be that I just couldn’t do it anymore, that it was too hard.”

Lakyra Ivy poses with her new bear. On Oct. 3, WSU’s Student Activities Council hosted a Build-A-Friend event, where students could build their own stuffed animal. | Photo by Maegan Vincent / The Sunflower

‘It’s like a serotoninbooster’: SAC hosts Build-A-Friend event for Shocktoberfest

BY MAEGAN VINCENT maegan.ann.vincent@gmail.com

Students lined up inside the Rhatigan Student Center late Tuesday morning as the Wichita State Student Activities Council hosted its Build-AFriend event. This is the first time the Student Activities Council (SAC) has hosted the event where students could build their own stuffed bear complete with a mini WSU shirt for the stuffed animal.

NaKayla Murff, the student activities coordinator, said SAC had the idea for a build-a-friend event years ago, but the idea was filtered out.

“It gives students something to have and cherish for WSU, so we wanted to bring the idea back,” Murff said.

The group had 250 bears to hand out; within 30 minutes of the event’s start, all the bears had been handed out. Murff said that she thinks these events bring unity and awareness to campus.

“It’s important for our students to feel connected by having these activities and these programs,” Murff said. “It brings a sense of homecoming, in a way.”

WSU student Emily Froese agreed with Murff, saying the event helped her feel connected to campus and other students.

“I think it can really help students bond and come together,” Froese said. “They have pride in their school, and I love seeing how excited everyone is for events like this.”

“Like, my bear and I have matching shirts,” Froese said. “How can I not love an event like this?”

WSU student Sandra Teichroeb agreed, commenting on how it was the perfect midday motivator.

“It’s like a boost of serotonin,” Teichroeb said. “The long wait in line is worth it if I get a free bear. It’s just a really nice thing to brighten up your day.”

Build-A-Friend was part of WSU’s Shocktoberfest, Wichita State’s annual week-long series of events and programs to celebrate Shocker pride and students. Wu’s Birthday Bash, Wu’s Big Event, Shocker Madness and Dine with the Deans are just a few of the events in celebration of Shocktoberfest.

Shocktoberfest is hosted by the SAC to bring students and faculty together to celebrate their Shocker pride.

“I really enjoy (these events),” Jyavon Hill, a WSU student, said. “It actually brings a light to my heart and feels really to know that there are little events like (Build-A-Friend). It’s important because a lot of people are divided on campus. But these events bring people together.”

Professors, teachers may have to provide more information on courses at enrollment

BY MIA HENNEN editor@thesunflower.com

Wichita State professors may be required to provide more information about their courses upfront if a resolution proposed by Student Government Association Chairperson Nathan Atkison comes to fruition.

“The purpose of this resolution is to get more information in front of students when they're selecting their courses during enrollment,” Atkinson said. “Currently, the only information you really get on a course is when it is and where it is.”

Atkison said that there are areas where students could view extra information about the course, but, in his experience “those are never filled in at the time of course selection.”

The resolution, co-sponsored by Sens. Josh Mallard and Noah Carter, would urge professors and other teaching staff to provide

information on various topics on the course. These topics include letter grade distribution, the percentage of students receiving any letter grade and student withdrawal percentage.

The resolution would also ask for teachers to provide how long they have taught a course, as well as syllabus and book requirements released at the time of the schedule’s release.

While it was the first reading of this resolution, meaning no voting or debating was done, several SGA senators asked what faculty reception had been to this proposed resolution. Atkison said he'd spoken to an adviser and gotten “generally positive” feedback.

“During the course of creating this legislation, I've also talked with a member of Faculty Senate, where I was told that there would probably be some controversy with this,” Atkison said. “But

generally, it was a breakdown of, like, a third would support it, a third wouldn’t care and a third would be against it.”

At-Large Sen. Andrew Bobbitt asked if faculty compliance with this potential resolution would be achievable.

“The information I’m requesting on their syllabus is generally information that they

APPOINTMENTS:

The Senate also approved several individuals for various positions in SGA. These appointments include:

• Lily Arens to be chair of the Student Affairs Sub-Committee

• Na’khiya Sanders to be chair of the Underrepresented Sub-Committee

• Lesley Hernandez to the position of associate justice in the judicial branch

• Lee Frank to the position of associate justice in the judicial branch

don’t change that frequently, like professors generally don't change how many exams they’re going to have … between (the time they teach) classes,” Atkison said.

The resolution will be sent to SGA’s Academic Affairs SubCommittee and Student Services Committee before being voted on in the Senate.

The body also appointed several senators:

• Shyla Cowles as an underserved senator

• Veera Venkata Hemanarayana Reddy Chamala as an international senator

• Derek Perry as an applied studies senator

• Gia Cardenas as an at-large senator

Illustration by Makenzie Leigh / The Sunflower

Chairperson Nathan Atkison speaks to the Student Senate on Oct. 4. | Photo by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower

Survivors, family remember 1970 plane crash as stadium enters demolishment phases

BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com

Over 50 years ago, the stands of Cessna Stadium were once filled with the fans and families of the Wichita State football team. As of 2022, the east side of the stadium was torn down as a part of a multi-phase renovation.

Ed Plopa was a member of the Wichita State football team who sat in the “Black Plane” that fateful day. He said it saddened him to know that part of the stadium would be torn down because it was something that could be enjoyed by the older and newer generations that knew the football team.

“Trouble, is that they don’t make any more Wichita State football players, unfortunately, and that really hurts,” Plopa said.

On Monday, Oct. 2, the Wichita State Athletics Department hosted a ceremony for the 53rd anniversary of the football team’s plane crash at Memorial ‘70. The crash claimed 29 lives upon impact; trainer Tom Reeves and player John Taylor died later due to their injuries.

The day in 1970 began just like any travel day for the team, who were on their way to face off against Utah State. The team was separated into two planes, the “Gold Plane” and the “Black Plane.” They made a pit stop to refuel in Denver.

“It was a beautiful day. We were going to the Rocky Mountains,” Rusty Featherstone, member of the football team, said.

“Everybody was excited, saying ‘Hey, this is gonna be a great day.’”

When the “Black Plane” landed in Logan, Utah, the players were confused when the police sirens and media were there to greet them.

“It’s something that you wish that never happened. Sometimes, you think it might have been a bad dream because that’s kind of like when it first happened,” Featherstone said.

Trouble is that they don’t make anymore Wichita State football players, unfortunately, and that really hurts.

Former WSU Football Player

The team was told on the plane that the “Gold Plane” had gone down somewhere on Mount Trelease, near Silver Plume, Colorado.

Featherstone was a member of the Wichita State football team who was asked by a member of the “Gold Plane,” Johnny Durnen, to join him because there was an empty chair on the plane. Featherstone, who had known Durnen his whole life, laughed but declined the invitation because he was finally winning in Spades with his friend, Lino Venerucci who was on the “Black Plane.”

“I couldn’t even be guilty because I didn’t make the changes in the seating lineup at the last second,” Featherstone said.

Featherstone said the memorial ceremony is their way of coming together, seeing each other and remembering.

“We didn’t have counselors and all that, so it was up to us to find a way to stay focused and get on with our life,” Featherstone said.

Pat Blanchard was a fraternity brother to five football players, who lost their lives in the crash. He said the plane crash didn’t just affect the victims but the family and friends.

“We knew everybody wasn’t just exclusive to the fraternity, but we knew everybody,” Blanchard said.

Athletic Director Kevin Saal said it is important for younger people to understand what happened.

“It’s a tragic event in our history, and I think if we allow ourselves to forget, maybe we allow ourselves to not appreciate what we’ve been blessed with,” Saal said.

The Memorial ‘70 sculpture is located near 18th and Hillside.

Wichita State volleyball comes back after loss to SMU

BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com

Wichita State volleyball traveled to Lubbock, Texas, to face off against Southern Methodist University in two games.

GAME 1:

SMU swept Wichita State (2519), (25-20), and (25-14) at the Friday, Sept. 29 evening’s game.

Redshirt junior Morgan Stout led the Shockers with eight kills and five aces, followed by junior Natalie Foster, who had seven kills and two blocks.

The SMU Mustangs hit .283 as a team for the highest total by a Shocker opponent this season. During the end of the first set, a 5-1 run put SMU ahead.

Wichita State started a better second set with hits from junior outside hitter Barbara Koehler and Foster, who gave the Shockers a 6-5 run; however, a 4-1 run from SMU put the Shockers in a deficit.

The third set was determined by a 13-0 run from SMU.

GAME 2:

Volleyball looked to avenge themselves from Friday night’s performance with a 4-1 win against SMU (25-13, WSU), (25-22, WSU), (26-24 SMU), and (25-23, WSU).

Koehler had seven kills in the first set without committing an error in 15 attempts.

Koehler hit .467 and helped erase a 20-14 deficit with a 7-0 run. She then scored four of WSU’s final five points to close out the first set.

Senior opposite Sophia Rohling also helped lead the Shockers with 14 kills, followed by redshirt senior Brylee Kelly, who had 13 kills.

Wichita State volleyball will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 6, in Charles Koch Arena to face off against Temple. The first serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.

More information can be found at goshockers.com.

ED PLOPA

Calvin Herrill rubs tears from his eyes during memorial ceremony. On Oct. 2, Wichita State held its 53rd annual Memorial ‘70 service to commemorate the players, faculty and supporters who died in the 1970 plane crash. | Photos by Maegan Vincent / The Sunflower.

Shelly Moore and Debbie Potts hug before the memorial service on Oct. 2.

Sarah Stephens, daughter of plane crash survivor Rick Stephens, tears up during the Shockapella’s performance at the memorial service.

Rusty Featherstone, member of the 1970 football team, gives an interview with KAKE.

Annalie Heliste sets up to serve in the third set against Charlotte on Sept. 23. |

Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

Cross country places third at the Gans Creek Classic

BY JACOB UNRUH jacobunruh333@gmail.com

The Wichita State women’s cross country team placed third out of 23 schools at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri, on Friday, Sept. 30.

Junior Lucy Ndungu led the Shockers once more, placing third individually with a new personal best 6k time of 20:41.0. Sixteenth place finisher junior Miranda Dick also set a new personal best with a 21:33.4 time.

Wichita State scored 135 points, losing out to Missouri (112 points) and Nebraska (86 points).

Also on Friday, the men’s cross country team attended the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational. As a team, they finished 15th out of 18 with 329 points.

The top finisher for the men was senior Jackson Caldwell, who finished 48th in the five-mile race with a time of 24:25.5.

The next race for the men’s and women’s teams is the Bradley Pink Classic on Oct. 13 in Illinois. More information on the race can be found at goshockers.com.

COUNTRY SCHEDULE

@ Bradley Pink Classic Oct. 13

@ AAC Championship Oct. 28

@NCAA Midwest Regional Nov. 10

@NCAA Championship Nov. 18

Lucy Ndungu uses self-confidence and faith to excel at cross country

BY JACOB UNRUH jacobunruh333@gmail.com

When Lucy Ndungu lived in Kenya as a kid, she would run errands on foot for her neighbors.

“If my neighbors wanted something or were running out of salt or sugar, they would call my name, and I would run to the store,” Ndungu said.

Today, Ndungu runs for the Wichita State cross country team. A junior transfer from Cloud County Community College, she won her debut race as a Shocker last month, then placed third at both of her next two meets, setting new personal bests each time. She has already been named American Athletic Conference Cross Country Athlete of the Week twice this season.

Ndungu moved from Kenya to America when she was 10-yearsold. She recounted that she joined track in middle school on the advice of her gym teacher, who saw her pacing the pack in time trials during physical education class. However, she said she truly got into running in high school when she joined the cross country team.

“I thought we were going to run on a track because I did not know anything about cross country,” Ndungu said. “So we went out on the roads, and the first day, I did six miles. And I’m like, ‘This is not the way to the track. I don’t know what’s going on.’ So after that, I was like, ‘I don’t want to come back.’ But my high school teammates, and my coach convinced me to keep coming back, and that’s how it started.”

Ndungu said track and cross country were the first extracurriculars at the school that she had joined since moving to America.

“I just felt like I was doing more than just studying, and I felt part of it,” Ndungu said. “I had something I could do that could make me be involved in the school. It was a way for me to make friends and have connections.”

Ndungu said that at Cloud County, there were other immigrants that she could relate to. However, this year, she transferred to Wichita State because Head Coach Kirk Hunter persistently checked on her.

“Other coaches were recruiting me too, but they were not as

Baseball focuses on acclimating 34 new players

BY SHAYLEE JACOBS-WILSON shaeryann2@gmail.com

With 34 new players and only 11 returners, a recent challenge for Wichita State’s baseball team has been regaining team culture to create a lineup bound for success.

involved as coach Hunter was,” Ndungu said. “He really cared as a person, not just me being an athlete … He just saw a lot of potential in me that helped me see the potential in myself.”

Ndungu, a Christian, explained that during meets, she relies on her faith in God to find an extra wind.

“In a meet, I would just be finding myself talking to God,” Ndungu said. “Especially in the middle, I’m feeling everything; everything is becoming difficult. I just turn it off real quick and then just start speaking to God. And then around the end, you’ll see the leap of faith, the belief, and I just start to take off.”

Going forward, Ndungu said that she hopes to be a professional runner. For this season, she’s focused on continuing to push herself and set new bests.

“Coach Hunter, he tells me so much,” Ndungu said. “Now, I need to take that in and put it into action. Just listen to my body and just challenge myself.” More information on Ndungu and cross country can be found on goshockers.com

WSU women’s tennis Whitaker and Chantava ready to play

BY SHAYLEE JACOBS-WILSON shaeryann@gmail.com

Women’s tennis is in the midst of their individual season, while preparing mentally and physically for their doubles season, which opens in early spring.

Junior Clara Whitaker and sophomore Theodora Chantava are looking forward to the spring season because of travel, togetherness and personal improvements. They are just starting to play doubles together and are excited for the opportunity.

“Because tennis is such an individual sport, when we play our dual matches, we’re really connected as a team (and) are cheering each other on (when) we’re all playing right next to each other,”

Whitaker said. Chantava is a recruit from Greece who moved to Wichita in October 2022. She said she enjoys the wide range of opportunities and the positive tennis environment at Wichita State.

“We have a lot of opportunities in spring, like it’s match after match, week after week,” Chantava said. “I’m definitely looking forward to that.”

Whitaker and Chantava are hoping to play doubles together in the spring. They said it’s a whole different experience on the court with a teammate versus solo.

“To play with someone else and be right there with someone to encourage and keep the energy up is really fun,” Whitaker said.

In the spring, the team travels

almost every weekend, players have to focus on balancing school with athletics, while keeping their mental health in mind.

“Making sure we’re all staying healthy mentally and taking breaks when we need to just because spring season can get really long because we’re traveling or playing almost every weekend,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker said the coaches are conscious of their players’ physical and mental well-being.

“My coaches are really good about giving us time when we need to or if we’re needing a lighter day, they’re really good about that,” Whitaker said.

More information about the Wichita State women’s tennis team can be found at goshockers.com.

During the first couple weeks of classes, the team participated in multiple bonding activities to build trust with one another.

The baseball team played a handful of scrimmages last week to acclimate their new players and give pitchers a chance for real gameplay.

“That right now is really what we’re trying to gel because if we can get that, we’re going to have really good balance, and we will be subject to the matchup that we’re gonna be playing,” Head Coach Brian Green said.

Green recognizes the need to adapt but also knows the areas where the team is already strong.

“We have on our roster, right now, an opportunity potentially to play a lot of left-handed hitters, and we have a lot of right-handed hitters who could face a left-handed guy with a breaking ball,” Green said.

Sophomore returner and outfielder Jaden Gustafson said the team is bonding faster than he anticipated.

“We have 30-some new players from all different types of schools,” Gustafson said. “You would think it would take a really long time, but I think we’re gelling pretty fast.”

Junior transfer and infielder Ryan Callahan said that being an older player on the team is a new role he’s taking on. He’s also holding a leadership position with all of the new guys, including 18 freshmen. .

“I’d say the returners have done a good job of making it easier on all the newcomers,” Callahan said. “As far as the freshmen on the team, they have (a) really good work ethic. They’ve got big personalities. They’re happy to be here.”

More information about the Wichita State baseball team can be found at goshockers.com.

Lucy Ndungu, newcomer and one of Wichita State’s top runners pronounces her name to the audience at the JK Gold Classic meet at Clapp Park. Ndungu finished in first place with a time of 17:42.5 in the 5k. | Photo by Cheyanne Tull / The Sunflower

| Photo by Madeline Bell / The Sunflower

The lead pack of the girls cross country meet were Miranda Dick, Peyton Pogge, Lubda Aldulaimi, Lucy Ndungu, and unattached Abeba Sullivan. Ndungu placed first with a time of 17:42.5 in the 5k. | Pho

to by Cheyanne Tull / The Sunflower UPCOMING

Wichita State women’s tennis players Clara Witaker and Theodora Chantava at practice preparing for the Drake Invitational. | Photo illustration courtesy of Shocker Athletics

Illustrations by Makenzie Miller / The Sunflower

GMO FAST FACTS

GMOs are controversial around the world. Twenty-six countries, including most of the European Union, either ban or severely limit the genetic modification of foods. The United States requires food manufacturers to label genetically modified products.

This fear of genetic modification isn’t based on any legitimate scientific concern. In fact, the scientific consensus is in favor of GMOs.

In 2012, a group of Italian scientists analyzed over 1,500 individual studies on the health effects of GMOs – including the environmental impacts, potential gene contamination and toxicity to humans. The researchers found that “the scientific research conducted so far has not detected any significant hazards directly connected with the use of genetically engineered crops.”

The Italian analysis wasn’t an outlier. The safety of GMOs has been repeatedly researched and confirmed worldwide.

The World Health Organization says that “genetically modified foods currently available … have passed safety assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health.” The American Medical Association argues that “there is no evidence that unique hazards exist either in the use of rDNA techniques or in the movement of genes between unrelated organisms.”

Common concerns regarding

In July 2022, Wichita residents woke up to flyers blaming Jews for COVID-19 and equating all Jews to pedophiles. According to the Anti-Defamation League, in 2022, antisemitic assaults increased 26% in America, partly as a consequence of such dangerous rhetoric.

I happened to grow up lucky, yet also regretfully. I was not raised publicly immersed in Jewish culture but scarcely aware of my ancestry. I say that I am angry, but truth be told, a part of me is relieved. In October 2019, when I was 16 years old, James Reardon was arrested for making threats against a Jewish Community Center not too far from where I grew up in Ohio. A search of his residence found assault weapons, ammunition, and a gas mask. Also in his home was antisemitic propaganda remarkably similar

GMOs including allergens and cancers are repeatedly tested for by the FDA. There is zero viable evidence that genetic modification has increased the frequency of allergies or cancer.

Beyond not causing harm, GMOs provide numerous applicable benefits.

Many GMOs are resistant to insect damage and plant viruses. This means farmers growing genetically modified crops use fewer pesticides, and that the pesticides that are used hurt the environment a lot less.

Genetically modified foods can reduce food waste by reducing cosmetic traits, like browning that cause good foods to be thrown away.

Other genetically modified foods can survive droughts and floods, allowing for crops to be grown in more regions of the world and for our food supply to be more resilient to the effects of climate change.

GMOs vastly increase farm yields and profits. They have been endorsed by the American Farm Bureau for their ability to keep food affordable and struggling farmers afloat.

Foods have been modified in African and Southeast Asian nations to provide more vitamin A, which can improve health outcomes in regions where vital nutrients can be deficient.

Caution is certainly warranted for any product that we put in our body. From corn syrup to excess sodium, the American diet is beyond unhealthy. Genetic modification isn’t part of the problem. It’s part of the solution.

in nature to the flyers found in Wichita.

To combat antisemitism, I submitted a resolution to the Student Government Association at Wichita State that condemned antisemitism, asked the University to incorporate antisemitism into their diversity trainings and called for the study of a Jewish Student Agency. While serving as a Senator in SGA, I experienced more antisemitism than ever. After SGA failed my resolution condemning antisemitism, the Advisors forced me to apologize to the committee for “offending them” because I was publicly frustrated with their decision. The same Advisor explicitly told me that he did not care about helping me get the bill passed because he had “other priorities.” While on an SGA trip, we stopped without prior notice at a fast-food restaurant, and I did not have time to verify its kosher status or bring my meal. After voicing my complaint to an Advisor, I was shrugged off and told that “no restaurant in this town is kosher so not much I can do about that.”

This resolution would have obligated SGA to train its leaders on the prevalence and danger of antisemitism and commit

According to the Non-GMO Project, 65 countries, such as Japan, Australia and all of the European Union, require that genetically modified organisms be labeled. Canada does not require such labeling, while the United States requires that some, but not all, products be labeled.

GMOs are commonly found in products such as:

- Corn (used in corn syrup)

- Soy (used to create lecithin, which is used for chocolate, dairy products, cheeses, etc.)

- Canola (used in baking and cosmetics)

- Sugar beet (used for table sugar and cattle feed)

Many GMOs are used to feed livestock and other animals, which therefore impact animal products such as eggs, milk and meat.

Organisms can be modified to be more resistant to certain diseases or natural occurrences. Using GMOs makes fresh food and animal products more accessible, but, again, the long-term effects are not known.

resources to supporting Jewish voices at WSU. It would have prevented all of those incidents. Unfortunately, the DEI committee rejected this resolution and enabled such prejudice. This left us heartbroken and deflated, but we knew we could not stop there. We continued speaking and engaging with these student leaders about the costs of Jewish hate. Thankfully, SGA members found their courage and voted to condemn antisemitism. Since then, we have been able to start a Jewish Student Alliance, get more kosher options in the Dining Hall, and finally feel safe.

It should not have to be this hard for us, however. I should not be forced to acquiesce to the suppression of my identity and culture just to protect myself from xenophobes who relish in the thought of six million of my ancestors dead or who dream about the destruction of the Jewish State and displacement of my family from our homeland. That is why we write resolutions condemning antisemitism. That is why we urge organizations to investigate and take small acts of antisemitism seriously. I fight the small acts to prevent the

Genetically modified organisms are safe to eat, but, like with anything else, they can be bad for you if you consume too many of them.

For those that don’t know what GMOs are, genetically modified organisms are plants, animals or microbes that have been altered using genetic engineering.

The biggest concern with adding GMOs is that they alter the DNA of food as well as humans— in some cases— when we eat them.

I’m not saying that you should stop eating GMOs right now — which is simply unrealistic — but what I am saying is to be careful with how much you consume.

GMOs essentially manipulate an organism’s DNA to make it grow faster or make a piece of fruit, such as an apple or papaya, appear larger than it was before altering its DNA.

According to the FDA, many GMO crops grown in America are used for animal food, and, as we all know, GMOs are in human food as well. GMOs are also protected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

GMOs are regulated heavily by the FDA, USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They all work together to make sure that the GMOs going into food are safe for people, animals, and the health of the plant being modified.

While there are many upsides to GMOs, including cheaper food prices, added nutrients and fewer

Williams

sworn into

| Photo by Mia Hennen

BY KIAN WILLIAMS, Jacob Unruh jacobunruh333@gmail.com OPINION

pesticides, there are some cons to GMOs.

According to Insider, food products containing GMOs can cause allergic reactions in those who wouldn’t be allergic to certain foods in the first place because of the altered DNA in those foods. Aside from that, the biggest concern with foods containing GMOs is that they can cause resistance to antibiotics.

According to the Government of the Netherlands, “the risk of such a gene transfer is very small, but it is nonetheless taken into account when assessing applications for, say, field trials or market approvals.” Scientists often add antibiotic-resistant genes to plants during genetic modification to distinguish the altered plants from the non-altered plants.

When those foods are consumed, the genes from those foods can be transferred to the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract inside humans and animals, and that bacteria could become resistant to antibiotics in the future.

While it may not seem like a big issue at hand, if you think about it, it’s bigger than you think. Antibiotics treat and prevent some bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and whooping cough, from reproducing or spreading.

Although it is rare and can take a long while for the transformation to complete, there’s no harm in being cautious now.

Be careful with how much food containing GMOs you consume. While they are hard to avoid, you can buy products labeled “nonGMO” every once in a while as well to avoid the risk.

reporting incidents of anti-Jewish hate and advocate for inclusive policies and resolutions that protect Jewish students. I invite all students, faculty, and staff to come out in support of the Jewish Student Alliance. It takes all of us to fight antisemitism, and it only takes one action to do so. Jacinda Hall podcast@thesunflower.com OPINION

OF THE

BY SASCHA HARVEY opinion@thesunflower.com

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that biotechnology have been applied to for various reasons. GMOs have only been FDA-approved since 1982, for human insulin, so the long-term effects are not known.

‘COME OUT & RUN FREE’

Great Plains renaissance festival combine modern, historical culture

BY LYDIA STEEBY steebylk@gmail.com

Lords, ladies, fairies, imps and dragons alike flocked from across the country to the Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival.

Renaissance faires are outdoor gatherings that aim to recreate a historical setting, in this case, the Renaissance that took place in Europe during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. They often boast merchants, food, cosplayers, historical reenactors and other entertainment.

The Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival not only include the English Renaissance but also feature elements of Scottish culture such as kilts and bagpipes. Located in Sedgwick County Park, it takes place biannually in the spring and fall.

Many merchants can be found at the faire, selling novelty items such as historical fashion pieces, props and authentic weapons.

Megan Springs, the owner of the Ruffled Feather, is one merchant who sells handmade soaps, lotions and other natural products for skin.

“I grew up with the Society of Creative Anachronism, which is in

charge of the organization doing all this, and I learned a lot about dancing and calligraphy and braiding hair and making garb, and so I just really enjoy being part of it. And it’s a great opportunity,” Springs said.

The Society for Creative Anachronism is a non-profit organization that researches and recreates historical cultures and skills such as art and combat. It has more than 30,000 members and organizes a variety of historical demonstrations, events and activities.

As cosplayers become more common at Renaissance faires, faire-goers are divided on the purpose of Renaissance faires.

Springs said that Renaissance faires should aim to inform modern audiences about the past.

“I think it changed a little bit,” Springs said. “It was definitely more of a comic con feel the last few years. That, I think, does maybe take away a little bit from the academic part of it.”

Others feel that Renaissance faires are a place for freedom of expression, which should include historically accurate and inaccurate costumes.

Captain Siùsaidh Roasel of Unicorn

Mist, as she introduced herself, is another long-time faire-goer, and has a similar perspective on the importance of Renaissance faires.

“I have always, always loved history, the pageantry, the pomp and circumstance – not so much the lack of hygiene – and those things,” Roasel said. “But to me, a Renaissance festival or Viking festival, or any kind of festival that is historically based, brings that to life. But it brings to life the best part.”

She says that Renaissance faires are a place to encourage one’s imagination and curiosities.

“I can let my imagination come out and run free,” Roasel said. “I can be me, yet not be me.”

She also explained that the Renaissance faire is a place where she can explore self-expression.

“I get to dress in wonderful outfits,” Roasel said. “I’m not just a privateer captain … I have been a Viking sword mistress, earth priestess. I have been a sword witch, or just a plain, saucy, down-to-earth lady of the village.”

Roasel enjoys encouraging children to explore the unknown and that the Renaissance faire is a great place to do that.

T-swirl crepe ‘takes the crepe’ with delicious, gluten-free treats

Avery Gathright averygathright@outlook.com

If you are looking for a unique, gluten-free dessert, look no further than T-swirl Crepe. Located in the Regency Lakes Shopping Center, the New York-based chain offers a large variety of both sweet and savory Japanese crepes for customers to enjoy.

Unlike French crepes, Japanese crepes are typically gluten-free because they are made with rice flour. T-swirl is Wichita’s first Japanese crepe shop, and there is no shortage of crepes to choose from. The shop offers 14 savory and 15 sweet crepes for customers to try. A variety of drinks – including boba tea, smoothies, slushes and more – is also available.

I tried the wild berries sweet crepe, which comes with strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. It also includes custard cream, whipped yogurt, chocolate pearls and granola. The crepe was delicious.

The outside was more crisp than I expected, but the inside was still fluffy. The fruit tasted bright and fresh, and the crepe itself was sweet without being overwhelming. The general atmosphere of T-swirl was also pleasant. Customers can order at the register or at one of the two kiosks at the front of the store. The staff was friendly, and the wait-time was very reasonable; it only took about 10 minutes for my crepe to be ready. The store also played lo-fi versions of many popular songs, creating a calm feeling that was

furthered by the fake succulents and greenery placed all around.

The only downside to T-swirl is that it can be a little expensive. A typical crepe costs between $9 and $12, but customers can also buy a mini version of most sweet crepes for around $7. However, the crepes are well worth the cost and filled generously with toppings.

If you find yourself in the area, give T-swirl Crepe a try. With a wide selection of both savory and sweet gluten-free options, there is bound to be something for everyone.

“For those that have never been to any kind of a reenactment, or festival, or faire, please come. It’s something everyone in the family can enjoy,” Roasel said.

While faire-goers are divided on the purpose of Renaissance faires, they still enjoyed the event side by side and had the opportunity to appreciate the Renaissance era and Scottish culture.

The faire also hosted Raptors Keep Birds of Prey, which showcased hawks, owls and vultures, and Heroic Knights of Old Jousting, who joust tournament-style on horseback. The Parade of Scottish Clans and Pipe Bands, who dress in kilts and play the bagpipes, were among many other parties there as well. The festival also featured games such as ax throwing and human shoe toss, where contestants can win small shiny trinkets.

More information about The Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival and upcoming events can be found on the faire’s website. Information about Renaissance faires inside and outside of Wichita can be found online at The Renlist and at Mister’s Realm.

Kerry Smith dances alongside her group of belly dancers from Amira Dance Productions. On Sept. 30, a group from Amira Dance Productions joined the Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival. For more photos, see page 8. | Photo by Maegan Vincent / The Sunflower

Illustration by Wren Johnson / The Sunflower

RENFEST RESTORED

The Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival took place over the weekend, inviting community members to dress up and partake in Renaissance-themed activities.

GRADUATE STUDENT INFO

SESSION: INTERNSHIP

OPPORTUNITIES

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD

GENERAL MEETINGS

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

3:30 - 5 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

EMPTY BOWLS VISITING ARTIST LECTURE: CHOTSANI

ELAINE DEAN

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

5:30 - 7 p.m. | Ulrich Museum

WSU ALL-STATE CHORAL WORKSHOP

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Duerksen Fine Arts Center

TEACHING MATTERS: PROMOTING ACTIVE LEARNING AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

9 - 10 a.m. | Woolsey Hall

FOOD BANK FRIDAY

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

10 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Kansas Food Bank

MENTAL WELLNESS AND PREVENTING SUICIDE TRAINING

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

10 - 11:30 a.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

WICHITA CERAMIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION IN SUPPORT OF EMPTY BOWLS

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Reuben Saunders Gallery

BARRY CORBIN: FROM SHAKESPEARE TO COWBOYS

FRIDAY, OCT. 6 Noon - 1 p.m. | Ahlberg Hall

2023 GREAT PLAINS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

12:30 - 5 p.m. | Woolsey Hall

LEANNE CARET: ‘GETTING REAL ABOUT LEADERSHIP’ PRESENTATION WITH Q&A

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

3 - 5 p.m. | Hubbard Hall

FIRST FRIDAY POP UP MARKET

FRIDAY, OCT. 6 4 - 7 p.m. | Paradise Baptist Church

SHOCKTOBERFEST PARADE FOR THE DECADES

FRIDAY, OCT. 6 6 p.m. | Wichita State University

MODEL UNITED NATIONS DAY DINNER

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Marcus Welcome Center

SHOCKTOBERFEST PATIO PARTY

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

6:30 p.m. | Braeburn Square

NASA SPACE APPS

CHALLENGE

SATURDAY, OCT. 7 8 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. | NIAR ATLAS

WU’S BIG EVENT

SATURDAY, OCT. 7

8:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Hubbard Hall

PURPLE MILE

SATURDAY, OCT. 7

9 - 11 a.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED?

CONTACT THE ARTS EDITOR: arts@thesunflower.com

CONTACT THE NEWS EDITOR: news@thesunflower.com

Christina Duncan puts on a show to advertise for Flow Foundry Aerial Sports studio. On Sept. 30, guests gathered in Sedgwick County Park for the biannual Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival. |

Photo by Brianna Cook / The Sunflower

Oklahoma City’s Armored Combat Worldwide (ACW) team joins the Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival. |

Photo by Maegan Vincent / The Sunflower

Engineer Nickolas Skellenger helps Phillip and Ellis Walker load his balista.

| Photo by Brianna Cook / The Sunflower

Guests pose with Ragnar the Dragon near the entrance of the Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival . |

Photo by Maegan Vincent / The Sunflower

Belly dancers from Amira’s Dance Productions show off their skills. |

Photo by Maegan Vincent / The Sunflower

The ScallyWags Pirate Comedy Show celebrates their 25th anniversary. | Photo by Maegan Vincent / The Sunflower Sir Richard and Sir Devon joust. | Photo by Maegan Vincent / The Sunflower Julie Wallace browses Pendragon Quills and Seals. |

Photo by Maegan Vincent / The Sunflower