Since the start of the RussoUkrainian War on Feb. 24, sophomore Mariya Yasinovska has been diligently following the news of her home country Ukraine. An English major at SLU and an aspiring author, she was born in Cherkasy, a city around 100 miles south of Kyiv, the capital. She moved to St. Louis last year when she began attending SLU. Her family currently lives in Iowa.
Yasinovska says she remembers vividly the day Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the military operation in Ukraine in February of this year.
“I remember exactly how I felt. I remember my vision going black for a few moments, because I was terrified of what this would mean. It was really hard to keep going about my day and going to classes because I felt like my world was ending. Honestly, that was one of the hardest days of my life,” Yasinovska said.
Since early in the invasion, Ukraine has been effective at repelling Russian attacks. More recently, they have gradually taken back many of the occupied territories. On Nov. 11, they forced Russian troops out of Snihurivka, a town in the Southern region of Kherson. But, the military remains alert as they fear Russian
troops could be taking time to reorganize for eventual reoccupation.
Yasinovska has held an optimistic, persevering attitude through various phases of the war.
“Ukraine will win this war. After nine months of fighting, that much is clear –Russia thought Kyiv would fall in a day. Putin expected Ukraine to be weak, but now it’s the Russian government giving up occupied territories and cutting its losses,” Yasinovska said.
In total, the Ukrainian military has forced the Russians into three major retreats, according to The New York Times’ article, Tears of Relief as Ukrainian Soldiers Move Back Into Kherson, “from north of the capital Kyiv, last spring; from the northeastern Kharkiv region in late summer; and now from at least portions of the western bank of the Dnipro River in the south.”
Human Rights Watch has documented several cases of Russian military forces committing war crimes against civilians in occupied areas. Russian news reporters continue to justify their aggressive, inhumane behaviors as necessary by calling Ukrainian citizens “neo-Nazis” and “terrorists.”
According to a platform run by Russian and Ukrainian journalists called Meduza, on Nov. 15, a Russian journalist was fined for “discrediting” the Russian army when saying, “You can’t send a woman to the front.” The official ruling was that a “front” can only exist in a war, and since it is a “special military operation,” it must be
referred to as a “line of contact.” This displays the Russian government’s refusal to acknowledge it as a true war and the censorship it places on its people.
Those who have spoken out and protested the issue have been arrested, tortured and, in some cases, murdered by their government. An article published by Human Rights Watch states that “Russian authorities have arbitrarily arrested thousands of peaceful protesters at anti-war rallies across Russia, in line with their increasingly brutal crackdown on those who disagree with Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.” The director added, “Russian authorities continue to deny people the right to freedom of assembly and stifle the voices of those who disagree with Russia’s war in Ukraine. The escalating police violence illustrates the length to which Russian authorities will go to intimidate and silence dissent.” This magnifies President Putin’s acts of terror as it highlights how unpopular this war remains within Russia.
Many Russian people, who have stood against this war from the very beginning, have fled to avoid being drafted. According to an article from Meduza, the mother of a man named Andrey Marchuk, who received draft orders in late September of this year, said, “In Zaitseve. Luhansk region. Troitske district. They took them to a hole there. There were no amenities in the hole. A lot of guys there, they said, who don’t want to fight. Refusers. They pressured them and pressured them, they’re not signing anything. They don’t want to fight. What is there to fight for, and with who?”
Russia’s actions have become a true humanitarian crisis and continuously defy universal moral laws. President Putin hides his true intention to establish a broad, Russian-dominated security zone resembling the power Moscow wielded in Soviet days through his insistence that Ukraine is fundamentally part of Russia, culturally and historically, according to a New York Times article.
“Having family both in the United States and in Ukraine makes it easy for me to always be in touch with my culture and feel connected to my heritage,” Yasinovska said. “We speak Ukrainian at home. Always.” Yasinovska says her family has helped to preserve her relationship with her culture.
“Now that I’m in college, I still wear traditional Ukrainian clothes for
Christmas and Easter suppers when I go home. I still call my grandparents and my family,” she added.
This war has affected, and continues to affect, millions of people in Ukraine through forced evacuation, electrical outages due to drone attacks, devastation through bombings, or the rape, torture and slaughter of innocent civilians. Although it appeared that Russian troops only looted buildings recently in the town of Snihurivka, they continue to commit heinous acts of terror in other regions of the country.
“The majority of my family still lives in Ukraine…my grandparents and aunt and uncle’s family still live there. It’s been very difficult watching my grandparents go through this war. They have both already been through so much, and I wish so much I could visit them and hug them both right now. They always stay so positive, but their lives have not been the same since February 24th, and will never be the same again,” Yasinovska said.
Globally, the war impacted various countries, mainly through gas prices and the cost of imported goods. U.S. and European financial penalties have been throttling banks and other businesses in Russia, limiting the Russian government’s ability to use its enormous foreign currency reserves. A New York Times article notes that President Biden’s sanctions have prevented Russia from importing American technology critical to its defense. Ultimately, global disapproval of Mr. Putin’s aggressive acts has helped foster a united front.
“A lot of people try to make the war into something political or economic. But there are people dying every day. Soldiers, civilians, mothers, children,” Yasinovska said. “There are over seven million displaced Ukrainians, and that number keeps rising.”
The best way to stay informed, Yasinovska says, is by digging deeper than Twitter threads and social media headlines and instead getting the news from more credible and accurate sources, including Ukrainian outlets.
“There are many popular US news outlets that are not always accurate when reporting about the war,” Yasinovska said.
She adds that there are ways to also support Ukrainians.
“Support Ukrainians by engaging with their art, their online small businesses and their online presence. Support Ukraine by supporting the people who have lost so much in this war,” Yasinovska said.
Apoll conducted by SLU YouGov, a research group at Saint Louis University, found that 48% of voters would choose to have the Missouri abortion ban reversed. This statistic isn’t representative of the landslide victory of Republican pro-life Senator-elect Eric Schmitt, in last Tuesday’s midterm election win over pro-choice candidate Trudy Busch Valentine.
With a supermajority in the state House and Senate, the Republicans have a hold on Missouri. “You don’t expect Democrats to win in Missouri,” says freshman and life-long Missouri resident, Jessica Quin.
Most voters did not expect the Democratic Senate candidate, Valentine, to have a chance. It is possible that her pro-choice stance on abortion could have led to her defeat given the other legislation that straddled party lines, like the legalization of recreational marijuana.
“No Democrat is really going to win statewide office [in Missouri],” says Steven Rogers, a member of the research group YouGov and political science professor at SLU, “She did probably get some votes from some constituencies because of how prochoice she was” he added.
However, these votes were not enough for Valentine with a mere 868,000 votes compared to Schmitt’s 1.1 million. With the newly elected claiming their seats, the question of whether there will be any change for abortion
rights in Missouri remains.
“If you want something done on abortion in Missouri, it is going to have to be done by the initiative” Rogers said.
The initiative petition process gives citizens the opportunity to submit an issue they would like to be addressed in the next general election and petition for signatures before presenting it to the Secretary of State. It then goes through a series of certification assessments before being put on the ballot for the next general election. This is how marijuana was legalized last Tuesday.
Because the Republicans in office support the ban and little power is held by the Democrats, there is nothing other than the possible initiative petition process to expect for abortion rights being voted on in the next general election. Unless the supermajority in the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate is diminished, it is unlikely any Democratic issues will be passed.
Quin reminds community members affected by abortion bans that “you can
(Evie Nguyen / The University News)pproximately 30 students gathered in the Wool Ballrooms on Nov. 8 to watch election results come in. Midterm elections were held in all states with different legislative offices up for grabs. Missouri’s ballot featured the Senate and House candidates and ballot measures such as Amendment 3, which called for the legalization of marijuana.
The watch party was a part of SLU’s voting and civic engagement programs.
Riya Shah, SLU junior and Director of Voter Engagement, is working to engage voters on multiple levels. “I noticed there was a low voter turnout in our student group and for those who are socially and economically disadvantaged,” Shah said.
Youth voters have a historically low turnout in the polls. According to CIRCLE, a nonpartisan, independent research organization focused on youth civic engagement in the United States, there has been a near 39% increase in youth electoral participation between the 2016 to 2020 elections. Shah believes that her peers’ voter participation is tied to an increase in civic engagement, “I’ve noticed there’s been a lot of civic engagement with protests and petitions, but when it comes to showing up to the polls there’s definitely less turnout.”
Shah’s passion for voter engagement also carries a personal meaning. “For me, South Asians are typically the most underrepresented and I did want South Asians to vote and have some sort of representation. Also, students have the least turnout in the polls and I wanted to be a representation for both of those voices,” Shah said.
The watch party featured speaker Sabrina W. Tyuse, an Associate Professor in the College for Public Health and Social Justice. She has been registering voters for decades, including the students in her classes.
Tyuse also offered advice to students at the watch party when it comes to casting their ballots. “No one politician is going to give you everything you want. But, if you can get 80% of what
you want, then you should consider that when voting,” Tyuse said.
She also emphasized the importance of being present in the community when advocating for voter engagement.
Tyuse recounted a story of a voter approaching her while tabling, saying “‘I was so hoping you’d be here.’”
She explained the significance of that moment, “This woman had seen me and my team and passed us, but we’d planted the seed. I want to make sure you do the same.”
Two community organizations, SLU’s Black Student Alliance and the Alpha Omega City-Wide Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., tabled during the watch party. Haley Anderson, secretary of the Black Student Alliance, said tabling at the watch party was an effort to promote their organization and mission. “Our goal is for people to see that Black Student Alliance is here and for us to use our power to vote collectively to create change.” said Anderson.
Inaya Smith, President of the citywide chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, explained that voter engagement is built into the core of their mission.
“Voting is a very monumental thing to our sorority. It was one of our first public acts after being founded as a sorority in 1913 as we participated in the women’s suffrage march.”
Mikayla McDowell, Vice President of the city-wide chapter of Delta Sigma Theta agreed. “We’re here to represent our organization and to just engage with the rest of the community.” One of Delta Sigma Theta’s five pillars or “thrusts” is political awareness and involvement. “If you’re a Delta, you should vote,” Smith said.
Overall, Shah says the biggest obstacle when targeting and engaging student voters is the lack of awareness and resources. “If more people knew about our clubs or our teams and we had a bit more help, people might be a bit more receptive,” Shah said. Shah and her team encourage anyone who has a passion for voting accessibility and rights to get involved with SLU’s Center of Social Action, located in Wuller Hall.
Saint Louis University has been awarded a hundred thousand dollars from the Boniface Foundation to fund mental health services on campus. The grant aims to mend SLU’s student community amid recent suicides and a local highschool shooting.
Sindhu Ragunathan, co-president of We Are Saath, a student group that advocates for South Asian mental health on campus, notes a few issues students have experienced with mental health resources.
“There is a lack of accessibility and diversity within the counseling center. South Asian students and other minorities on campus do not have a counselor to turn to that can relate to their experiences,” Ragunathan said. “SLU desperately needs more permanent, diverse counselors that can provide a range of counseling experiences for their diverse student population.”
This ongoing issue, Ragunathan says, was again highlighted following the recent school shooting at Central Visual Performing Arts High School on Oct. 24, 2022.
“I knew dozens of kids who needed counseling after the shooting. But they couldn’t even make an appointment since the counseling center was so backed up. The fact of the matter is that there is a lack of accessibility amongst SLU’s counselors,” Ragunathan said.
The trend Ragunathan points to is only projected to increase as students approach finals week in December.
“In fact, students mainly come to our mental health events during finals and midterms week because they desperately need a reprieve from schoolwork. It’s good that We Are Saath is able to help out, but we do not have the training to counsel students on personal problems,” Ragunathan said.
According to SLU’s announcement
on Oct. 10, the lack of counselors to serve the large student population is on their radar. The grant money aims to resolve these issues by supporting various mental health initiatives, including assisting SLU’s counseling center during high demand times.
“The foundation is very thoughtful on how we deploy our resources. We had a number of meetings with SLU and were very impressed with what we saw. We wanted to support the program for its growth and success,” said Win Reed, chairman of Boniface Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Because SLU’s needs are concrete and manageable, Reed says, the foundation can assist.
“We are to trust the program directors to dole out the money in the best way possible,” Reed said.
Eric Anderson, assistant vice president for student well-being at SLU, says the pandemic made it difficult for the counseling center to receive the money to train enough mental health instructors.
“Now that we are back to inperson, we are going to use the grant to ramp up our mental health efforts,” Anderson said.
$100,000 is much more money dedicated to mental health than SLU had previously. The breakdown of the funds might effectively meet SLU students’ needs.
Anderson says that half of the grant money will support a four-year partnership with the JED Foundation, a nonprofit organization that addresses student mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention. The JED Foundation will study the policies, education and services SLU currently has to provide feedback on how they can improve. JED will then create a plan to guide SLU’s efforts.
“JED is a good way to make sure we are moving in the right direction,” Anderson said. “In fall 2025, JED will do another assessment to gauge where we need to do work and where we had success.”
The other $50,000 will be divided into thirds. First, it will go to
expanding mental health and first aid training, an initiative that has been around since fall 2019 which SLU struggled to complete during the pandemic. It is important to note that these instructors are not counselors. Instead, they are from various departments on campus and teach mental health and first aid training in addition to their regular duties. Currently, SLU has trained 10 instructors to teach mental health training, all hired and coached between the spring and fall of 2022. This is a large increase from the center’s two instructors.
“These mental health trainings are important in building students’ selfcare toolkit. It aims to destigmatize mental health and think about it more like physical health. It teaches students how to be a first responder and friend that can support mental health struggles,” Anderson said. Ragunathan says these training sessions are a step in the right direction.
“Mental health training is not as intuitive as one might think. When an individual is under their own stress, it is hard for them to know what to look for. These training sessions give students the tools to help others,” Ragunathan said.
The last two-thirds of the $50,000 will go to creating WellSPACE (Supporting and Promotive Artistic and Creative Expression) centers like a therapeutic garden and hiring more counselors for midterms and finals weeks. These two changes will lower the wait times during high stress weeks while providing students with more areas to destress on campus.
In the next four years, individuals across campus hope to see SLU’s counseling center expand to better serve students. During the pandemic, there were some extra responsibilities given to student-led mental health organizations. Now, the counseling center has additional funds to lessen the pressure on these groups while making inroads in student mental health.
“When an individual is under their own stress, it is hard for them to know what to look for. These training sessions give students the tools to help others,” said Sindhu, copresident of We Are Saath.
got here. All the SLU students in the neighborhood have been very, very welcoming,” Lisa Grozdanic said.
mal, a community facility that collects and distributes donated items to those in need.
(Abby Campbell / The University News)Armin Grozdanic, who moved here from Bosnia in 1996, said that the inspiration for the restaurant was to serve AmericanBosnian Food that is “halal,” “food considered permissible under Islamic guidelines.”
“When you go to a halal restaurant, generally, it’s more ethnic food. It’s more of your rice and meat. Just because we only eat halal, doesn’t mean we have to eat rice and meat every day. Why can’t we have a cheeseburger? Why can’t we have Philly cheesesteak or loaded fries? We can have that stuff too, we just make sure that we make it halal—that was our purpose,” Lisa said.
“I have worked for Islamic Foundation for seven years. I’ve owned the restaurant for six years. I just flip-flop every day, back and forth. Starting from the restaurant, then the office, then back to the restaurant, and I’m pretty much used to 16-hour work days.”
The restaurant is open from 6-9 a.m for take-and-go breakfast, and then from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for lunch and dinner.
“I always have more than one change of clothes with me everywhere I go and I always have lots of baggage,” Lisa said.
A common question Lisa and Armin receive is how they named the restaurant.
that can’t get out of their homes or for single parents that are working second and third shifts that still have younger children at home. Every night before maghrib (sunset), we would make sure that the food is delivered,” Lisa said. “It’s all sponsored through the community. Somebody would call and say ‘I want to sponsor X amount of dollars, and if there’s anything left over, buy them something extra.’As tiring as it is, it’s so rewarding. That’s our favorite time of year.”
Lisa and Armin share a vision of expanding the restaurant and potentially opening another location outside of St. Louis.
By FATEMA REHMANI ContributorIn this corner of Midtown, located right across from The Standard Apartments, and just before Ikea, a familyowned business, Yapi, has recently opened a new location, serving warm, fresh subs and sandwiches.
Yapi Mediterranean Subs and Sandwiches was originally established by Armin and Lisa Grozdanic in South Hampton six years ago, but they had their new grand opening on Oct. 22, 2022.
“I kept seeing it during Ramadan, passing by, going to the West Pine mosque. I went home and I told my husband about it. I thought this could be a great location for the masjid, for the SLU students and because the area is really up and coming. We basically decided to take the chance. It’s a lot further north than what we’re used to, especially because our family is from South City, but it was a great choice. I think that the business will definitely pick up more and more. We’ve been doing great since we
Despite their dedication to Yapi’s restaurant over the years, owning a restaurant was not always part of the Grozdanic family’s plan. In a heartwarming turn of events, Yapi was born seven years ago.
“At the time, my husband was laid off from his job and that’s when I started working for the Islamic Foundation. We would go and feed the unhoused community every Friday night. My husband would do all the cooking for the unhoused population, and a couple of brothers were like: ‘This is your opportunity, Mashallah, you’re a really good cook. Why don’t you open a restaurant?’ These brothers really helped us financially to open the restaurant, and I told my husband, ‘This is a chance of a lifetime. Nobody offers that help,’” Lisa said.
“That’s the original story of how Yapi’s opened—basically from us feeding the unhoused population. So throughout the years, we’ve always kept that tradition to where we feed the unhoused at least once or twice a month.”
Lisa and Armin are passionate about charity work. In addition to managing her restaurant, Lisa works at Bait-ul-
“We originally wanted Quality Subs and Sandwiches. It was already taken when we tried to claim it. My husband started Googling “quality” in different languages, and “Yapi’s” is a meaning of “quality” in Turkish. So we just acquired it from Google Translate. When he asked me, ‘what do you think about it?’ I thought, ‘it’s not your native language,’ because he’s originally from Bosnia, ‘but it’s super catchy,’ and it just kind of stuck with all of us,” Lisa said.
Jamie Justis, Lisa’s sister, is also a core part of Yapi’s team. She said she mainly takes care of the front of the restaurant, and before they opened, was a taste tester.
“I could not be more proud of my family. I like the fact they make decisions for the restaurant as a family. We discuss all aspects of the business, and we work as one team instead of individuals,” Justis said.
Being a Muslim family that observes the month of Ramadan, Lisa, Armin and Jamie refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. They break their fast with a meal called “iftar,” an Arabic word referring to “the evening meal for breaking fast during Ramadan.” During Ramadan, Yapi’s works to provide iftars to those in need and last year they made roughly 1,700 meals.
“We’re providing meals for people
“Opening the restaurant and going into the restaurant, I never wanted to become rich. I want to send my son to college without having any worries and be able to live comfortably. Me, my son, my husband, my sister—It has been just the four of us till we moved over here. My son passed away at the end of January 2020, then COVID turned around and hit. I’ll grieve him for the rest of my life, but all of that going on at one time, being able to survive as a business person shows you that this was written for us,” Lisa said. “It’s hard to make a dollar in the restaurant business. It’s a lot of hard work and I can honestly say I put my blood, sweat and tears into this place.”
One of the unique features of Yapi’s environment is that the dining room walls are adorned with flags from countries all around the world.
“Our family has always been very international. We have friends from all over the place who have become like family to us. We started out with the Bosnian flag and the American flag and the Filipino flag, my father is originally from the Philippines. Then, it just kept growing. Our customers would come in and they would bring their flags, and that’s really how we got all of our flags. We kept it up because it’s very knowledgeable for children and for adults.” Lisa said.
Having met several SLU students at the restaurant, Armin and Lisa say they are pleased with the new location.
“Thank you to SLU for welcoming us to the neighborhood with open arms,” Armin said.
It is the most wonderful time of the year! For various people and cultures around the world, the winter season is full of holidays. Being at a Catholic Jesuit institution, Christmas is naturally a holiday observed by many members of the SLU community, but it is important to consider the different identities and various traditions that others may observe throughout December and January at SLU. From Dec. 16 through Dec. 24, various communities of Spanish and Latin American descent will celebrate “Las Posadas,” a Spanish word meaning “The Inns.” This tradition honors the Christian story of Mary and Joseph’s journey before the birth of their son. Across nine nights, representing the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy, groups create processions to symbolize Mary and Joseph’s quest for shelter on the night of Jesus’ birth. Typically, these processions end at a different family’s house each night where a party is held. Customary party traditions include prayers, food, music, fireworks and star-shaped piñatas. The next morning, Mass is held as a reminder of the religious origins of this holiday. As a combination of Catholic influence and Latin American cultures, Las Posadas represents a time for contemplation, celebration, and community. Falling on Dec. 18 through Dec. 26 this year, Hanukkah is commonly celebrated by people of Jewish faith. This eight day tradition
commemorates the miracle following the Jews’ victory over the Syrians in 164 B.C. While they were restoring the temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed during the war, they found a single jar of olive oil remaining. Although it should have only been enough to light the menorah – a seven-branched candelabra – for one day, the single jar miraculously fueled the candles for eight nights. Today, this event is celebrated by adding a candle to the nine branched menorah for eight nights. While the candle is being lit, Jews recite blessings. Traditional foods during this holiday include latkes (potato pancakes), “sufganiyot,” a Hebrew word for “jelly-filled donuts,” and other fried foods in honor of the miracle of oil. Additional customs during Hanukkah include exchanging gifts and playing a game with a
spinning top, also known as a dreidel. This holiday, observed by Jews in Israel, the United States and other areas of the world, honors Jewish history, religion and culture. Celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, Kwanzaa, is another wintertime holiday. Created in 1966, this seven day observance aims to promote Pan-Africanism, or the unity of Indigenous Africans and African descendants. Each night, a candle of a candelabra, called the Kinara, is lit to represent one of seven principles that the holiday revolves around: umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination),ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith). Traditions during this week include African song, dance, drums, stories, clothing and poetry. To
conclude the week, observers exchange gifts and enjoy a Karamu, a communal Southern African feast to celebrate the harvest. While primarily observed in the United States, African descendants in the Caribbean and other countries also participate in this celebration of African history, values and communities.
On Jan. 22, 2023, many East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities, will begin celebrating Lunar New Year. Following the Lunar calendar, this holiday is observed from the first new moon at the end of January until the full moon arrives 15 days later. Each new year is associated with a zodiac animal. 2023 will be the year of the rabbit. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are filled with religious and family gatherings to honor ancestors. Later in the holiday, celebrations include lantern festivals, parades, dances, and games. Dishes with rice are typically prepared but vary slightly among the various Asian communities that observe the holiday.
Being aware of the events celebrating various holidays on SLU’s campus, from Christmas on the Quad to to the Vietnamese Student Association’s Tet (Lunar New Year celebration), helps students observe and recognize the traditions and identities of those in their community. It is important to recognize and respect cultural differences while remembering that no matter the culture, wintertime is about celebrating community and a new start.
(Rachel Zilligen/ The University News)As the cold front approaches, the holiday season does too. The month of December is known as the “World of Holidays,” featuring celebrations such as Krampusnacht, St. Nicholas Day, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, Santa Lucia, Las Posadas, Winter Solstice, Festivus, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Osaka and New Year’s Eve. This can be very intimidating for a frugal college student. That being said, nothing is better than an inexpensive semi-handmade gift to show your loved ones you care about them without breaking the bank. Listed below are simple gift ideas for everyone on your list.
This is the perfect gift for lovers of coffee, hot cocoa, tea or sentimental gifts. The best part is that this gift is long-lasting and will actually be used. Begin by drawing or painting a design on your mug. Make sure to check if the gift receiver is left-handed or right-handed before choosing which side to decorate. After you have layered coats of paint to your satisfaction, let it dry for a full 24 hours. Optionally, you could then add a thin coat of Mod Podge to your mug to ensure that it is water protected. It is best to simply hand wash the mug in order to preserve your design.
To personalize a mug, all you need is:
-A plain colored mug ($2)
-Oil-based paint markers ($3 for one, $12 for a pack)
-Or ceramic paint ($0.99 a bottle)
Optional:
-Paint brushes ($5 for a pack)
-Mod Podge ($5)
We all know the best gifts are the ones that come from the heart and feed the stomach. This gift is completely customizable to your skill level so you can make sweets completely from scratch, from a box or you can just buy them pre-made and put them in a Tupperware container. Alternatively, you could also simply gather the ingredients for your favorite baked good, put them in a mason jar, and attach the baking instructions. One classic recipe that puts smiles on peoples’ faces year-round is Snickerdoodle cookies.
To make Snickerdoodles in a jar you will need:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour ¼ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 ½ cups white sugar
Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, cream of tartar and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir the mixture with a whisk, then place it into a one-quart canning jar. Attach a tag with the following recipe to the jar:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream one cup of butter and two eggs. Pour in the snickerdoodle mix and stir until the dough forms. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of sugar and one tbsp of cinnamon. Roll the dough into one inch balls, then roll the balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and place two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Cookies should be light brown. Cool on wire racks. This yields around 3 dozen cookies.
If you are more on the crafty side, an investment in either oven-bake or air-dry clay may be in your favor. You can craft pendants for necklaces, earrings, or keychains. You could handcraft a trinket dish or incense burner. Another option could be to make a pencil cup for someone’s desk. The possibilities are endless! The best part is, it is possible to create multiple gifts from just one pack of clay.
Listed below are items potentially needed for crafting with clay:
Oven-bake clay ($10)
I recommend Sculpey Or air-dry clay ($10)
I recommend Nara Acrylic Paint ($1 a bottle) Paint brushes ($5 for a pack)
Mod Podge ($5)
Just because a gift is more affordable does not mean it can’t be extraordinary. Any homemade gift shows your loved ones that you took the time and effort to make them something they truly love, even if you do not have much money to spend on it. If you still haven’t found a good DIY gift idea, Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration. No matter what you end up creating, your gift will forever hold special meaning with the person you gift it to. After all, doesn’t Santa make his own presents, too?
(Sarah Fidahussain / The University News)With Thanksgiving break right around the corner and winter break not long after, fnding activities to stay busy is a must. Whether you are looking for movies to get you into the holiday mood or just some movies and books to keep you entertained, this article has got you covered.
Movies to bring the holiday mood:
“HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS” (2000)
A comical live action remake of the classical cartoon “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966). The Grinch is sure to keep you entertained and make you laugh.
“HOME ALONE” (1990) AND “HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK” (1992)
There is truly nothing funnier than a kid outsmarting the adults around him. He hits them with the unexpected by setting up traps throughout his house. “Home Alone” & “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” are both wonderful comedies that have the perfect amount of holiday fair.
“A CHRISTMAS STORY” (1983)
This movie tells the detailed story of how a little boy tried to convince his family, teacher, and Santa Claus that he should get a BB gun for Christmas, despite the fact that everyone thinks that he will shoot his eye out. This movie has that nostalgic, old-fashioned Christmas that many associate with their childhood.
“THE HOLIDAY” (2006)
Looking for a romantic-comedy set around the holidays? This movie has all the sweet moments followed by hysterical, yet cheesy one-liners. “The Holiday” is full of recognizable actors and actresses.
“A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING” (1973) AND “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”(1965)
Charlie Brown and the Peanuts are characters from most of our childhood. These holiday specials are some of those classics that will be around for years to come.
“THE POLAR EXPRESS” (2006)
This movie is a childhood classic that will take you back to Polar Express day in school. This movie always brings back the image of watching the main characters experience the northern lights from the caboose of the train while everyone else enjoyed holiday treats.
“HOCUS POCUS” (1993) AND “HOCUS POCUS 2” (2022)
This recommendation is for those who are not quite ready for Halloween to be over.
If you are looking for something to read over break, these are some books that you won’t be able to put down:
“THE WICKED DEEP” BY SHEA ERNSHAW
A town haunted by three witches, who were drowned for witchcraft two centuries before, drawing attention from locals and tourists. In the end a decision must be made of who will die and who will survive.
“PASSENGER” BY ALEXANDRA BRACKEN
The story of time travel is told in a whole new way. As she voyages across time, with only one chance to get back home, Etta learns much about her past and her mysterious mother’s past as well.
“A LESSON IN VENGEANCE” BY VICTORIA LEE
This book gives dark academia in a beautifully aesthetic way. When a new mysterious student comes to school, another murder mystery ensues at a boarding school with a dark history in the Catskills mountains.
“AGAIN, BUT BETTER” BY CHRISTINE RICCIO
This book is written as a new beginning for Shane, who is not happy with the path her parents set for her. When she gets another chance, is she actually willing to take it and change the outcome of her future?
“LAST NIGHT AT THE TELEGRAPH CLUB” BY MALINDA LO
Set in San Francisco in 1954, Lily Hu struggles with both her own and society’s pressures to ft the heterosexual norm of the ‘50s. But is Lily willing to sacrifce it all for a love that is strictly forbidden?
Check out some of these new releases if you want something outside of the typical holiday movies and shows:
“ENOLA HOLMES” (2020) AND “ENOLA HOLMES 2” (2022)
A bit of mystery, coming-of-age, and drama all tied up in a wonderfully executed and acted movie. “Enola Holmes” and “Enola Holmes 2” were both rated on Netfix’s Top 10 for several weeks after their releases.
“DO REVENGE” (2022)
This movie has risen above its expectations of being another cheesy Netfix teen movie. With a bit of drama, romance, and revenge, there is much enjoyment in watching the chaos unravel. “Do Revenge” also gives a nod to several cult classics, like “Mean Girls.”
“KNIVES OUT” (2019) & “GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY”
“Knives Out” is a murder mystery movie, told in a unique, patchwork sort of way, making it all the more enthralling and exciting to watch. The sequel “Glass Onion” will be released to Netfix on Dec. 23, 2022.
“DERRY GIRLS” (2018)
Set in Londonderry, this show revolves around four teenage girls and their ornery Derry girl, James. This sitcom explores the diffculties of growing up amongst the political and religious unrest of Northern Ireland in the ‘90s.
“THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL” (2022)
An even more remixed fairy tale retelling contains romance, friendship, drama, and action. Two best friends end up in the most unlikely of places where a whole series of unlikely events unfurls.
(Ariana Magafas / The University News)Whether you feel like it’s time to dive into soup season or like it’s a little too cold outside to be eating something that isn’t warming you up, here are some seasonal dishes that are sure to comfort your soul while you are bunkered in from the weather.
Chicken pot pie is both a hardy and cost effective dish when you make it yourself, rather than buy it frozen. The ingredients cost approximately $13.06, give or take where you buy your groceries. Our recipe will provide 4-6 servings, resulting in $2.18 to $3.27 per serving. This contrasts greatly to a store-bought chicken pot pie, that averages at about $4 per serving.
Ingredients:
-2 frozen deep dish pie shells ($4.29)
-1 12.5oz can of white chicken ($3.99) -1 can mixed veggies ($1.49)
-1 can cream of chicken soup ($0.69) -3oz of sour cream ($1.44) -Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1) While assembling the filling, open the package, pull out the frozen pie shells and set them out separately to allow them to thaw slightly.
2) In a large bowl, stir together the can of chicken (drained), veggies (drained), and all other ingredients.
3) Pour ingredients into one pie shell. Take the other pie shell and place it on top. Pinch the edges together to prevent spilling while baking. (Remove from metal pan AFTER the second crust is flipped over, but before you begin pinching the edges.)
4) Puncture the center of the top with a fork for steam to escape.
5) Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour.
Our next dish is one that is sure to warm you from the inside out during soup season. Minestrone is a great vegetarian option in terms of hearty soups. The ingredients cost $18.55 in total, with six servings. This comes at about $3.09 per serving, compared to the store bought $4.99 per serving. The following recipe is from BudgetBytes, but with the nature of this soup, you may want to customize it.
Ingredients:
- 1 yellow onion ($0.35) - 2 cloves of garlic ($0.69) - 4 carrots ($1.15) - 2 tbsp of olive oil ($3.99) - 2 tbsp of tomato paste ($0.94) - 1 28oz can of diced tomatoes ($1.24) - 1 15oz. can of kidney beans ($0.99) - 1 15oz. can of chickpeas ($0.99) - 1 tbsp of Italian Seasoning ($1.99) - 4 cups of vegetable broth ($1.25) - 1 zucchini ($1.01) - 1 can of green beans ($0.69) - 1 lemon ($0.67) - 1 tbsp of chopped parsley ($0.99)
Directions:
1) Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the carrots. Add the olive oil, onion, garlic, and carrots to a large soup pot. Sauté over medium heat until the onions become soft and translucent (about five minutes).
2) Add the tomato paste to the pot and continue to sauté for two to three minutes more, or until the tomato paste begins to coat the bottom of the pot (do not let it burn).
3) Rinse and drain the kidney beans and chickpeas, then add them to the pot along with the diced tomatoes (with juices), Italian Seasoning, and vegetable broth. Give everything a good stir, place a lid on top, and allow it to come to a simmer. Allow the soup to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4) While the soup is simmering, slice the zucchini into quarter-rounds. After the soup has simmered for 20 minutes, add the sliced zucchini and green beans. Stir and simmer the soup for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the zucchini just begins to soften.
5) Finish the soup by adding lemon juice and chopped parsley. Give it a taste and add extra salt if needed.
without dessert. Apple dumplings are a simple dish, with a price of $20.42. This dish provides eight servings, about $2.55 per serving. It lasts in the fridge for a few days and it is arguably better when reheated.
Ingredients:
-2 medium granny smith apples ($1.67)
-1 8 oz can of Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 count) ($3.49)
-1 cup of apple juice ($2.49) -1 stick of salted butter ($3.39) -1/2 a cup of sugar ($2.39)
-1/2 tsp of cinnamon ($1.39) -1/4 tsp of nutmeg ($3.79)
1) Peel, core, and slice the apples into quarters. Roll one piece of dough around each quarter. Place on the bottom of a buttered baking dish.
2) In a medium saucepan on low to medium heat, melt the butter, apple juice, and sugar, stirring constantly.
3) Once melted, pour over the prepared apples. Top with cinnamon and nutmeg.
4) Bake in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown, approx. 30-35 minutes.
5) Make sure to drizzle the leftover sauce on top. These also do well paired with whipped cream or ice cream.
4) While the soup is simmering, slice the zucchini into quarter-rounds. After the soup has simmered for 20 minutes, add the sliced zucchini and green beans. Stir and simmer the soup for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the zucchini just begins to soften.
5) Finish the soup by adding lemon juice and chopped parsley. Give it a taste and add extra salt if needed.
I get serious FOMO from seeing people going out & partying, but I don’t know who I trust & feel safe enough with to do those things. I graduate in the spring and I want to make the most of my college experience before it’s over.
I totally understand wishing for that experience. Do you have one good friend you could go with? A sibling? A high school friend? Your mom? Maybe even a friend from a class? I will say though, I don’t think you’re missing out on much — and anything you feel like you’re missing out on right now, try to remember that those things won’t go away after college. You can always go out even after you graduate, in fact that’s the best time to do it because you’ll likely actually have the money and work friends to do it with!
Dear Becky,
I really like this guy and I feel like he likes me and he’s super flirtatious around/with me but he just got into a relationship like one week ago and I’m just so confused and obviously don’t want to pursue anything if he’s in a relationship but I just don’t know what to do
Yiiiiiikes! I would say that if he is in a relationship, he made his choice, love. I think it’s totally fine to wait for him (for the potential of trying a relationship together if he ever leaves his current one), but I wouldn’t interfere. I know it hurts, but you deserve someone who will choose you!
By PAIGE FANN Photo Editor
By ABBY CAMPBELL Photography Editor
On the afternoon of Nov. 5, the Hindu Students Community hosted a Diwali Lakshmi Puja celebration in the Busch Student Center; the event featured dinner, bright lights and performances. The Lakshmi Puja is day three of the five day Diwali celebration. While Diwali represents different things in certain cultures, its origins lead back to northern India as the celebration of King Rama’s return to Ayodha. The bright lights are meant to represent inner light as a source of protection from spiritual darkness.
Saint Louis University defeated Murray State men’s basketball team. The win came in a 91-68 highly anticipated openingnight matchup at Chaifetz Arena on Nov. 7.
The Billikens began their 2022-2023 season with a stern test from Murray State, a young team with tremendous offensive potential. Murray State became a commonly known team throughout the NCAA when they produced the number two pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Ja Morant. While SLU’s roster primarily consists of familiar faces and established players in college basketball, many of Murray State’s players have been known to transfer from schools at several levels. Coming into the game, many fans anticipated the matchup between the seasoned SLU team and the promising Murray State roster. “I was pretty nervous on SLU’s part after seeing their scrimmage versus UMSL,” SLU freshman Hardy Oldham said. Oldham, originally from Kentucky, said after the game against Murray State, “I think it was a really good test for SLU.”
Immediately, the Racers jumped to a 9-2 lead in the opening minutes, briefly stunning many enthusiastic SLU fans. However, Fred Thatch Jr. was a crucial sparkplug off the bench. The fifth-year senior instantly came up with a key steal that led to a Gibson Jimerson fastbreak layup, proving to be a crucial momentum switch in the game. Then, after missing a 3-pointer that head Coach Travis Ford took exception to, Thatch Jr. proceeded to drain the next bucket and shot Coach Ford a fierce look. “Fred makes winning plays,” Coach Ford said in a press conference after the game. “[If] our team is going to go where it wants to, we need a healthy Fred.” The Billikens battled back and found themselves leading 44-29 entering halftime after strong spurts of offense. Despite missing 21 3-pointers, the Billikens’ 46 rebounds and solid performances from their key players propelled them to victory in the second half. Yuri Collins, a senior point guard, recorded 14 assists, 8 points, and zero turnovers, an issue of concern from last season. Javonte Perkins, a 6’6” guard, scored a game-high 21 points. Gibson Jimerson also contributed to the win with 20 points on the night. In spite of allowing 39 points in the second half and not being very efficient from beyond the arc, the fact that the Billikens scored nearly 100 points is a good sign for things to come throughout the rest of the season.
The atmosphere at Chaifetz Arena proved to be a massive advantage for the Billikens throughout the game. Even Dr. Fred Pestello, the university’s first permanent lay president, sat in the front of the SLU student section for much of the first half. “It felt amazing to be a part of,” freshman Jacob Neely said about this. When asked about what it meant to have Dr. Pestello sit in the same row as him, Neely said, “It shows that he truly cares. It personally made me feel like we have leadership that actually cares about the students and wants to be involved.” One of the loudest moments of the night came when Yuri Collins connected with Terrence Hargrove Jr. on an electric alley-oop.
In the postgame press conference, Coach Ford, Collins and Perkins
told the media about the game and what they took away from it. “We didn’t open up with a cupcake,” Coach Ford said regarding their opening-night opponent. “You saw glimpses – just glimpses – of how good we think we can be.” When asked about the dynamic of the team, Collins said, “We got a lot of new guys, just like a lot of other teams. He finished by saying, “We still got a lot of stuff to work on.”
In a Twitter video posted on the Saint Louis University Men’s Basketball account, Coach Ford showed his appreciation for the SLU fans. “I want to thank you [guys] for coming out to our home opener. You guys were a difference maker.” Coach Ford also advertised the Billikens’ second game of the season on Nov. 12 versus the Evansville Purple Aces. With the exciting home opener win versus Murray State, another season of Billikens basketball is officially underway.
The Billikens women’s basketball team had their first home game of the regular season last Friday, hosting the Cougars from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The Billikens utilized their home court advantage, doubling the Cougars’ score by the end of the first quarter, 32-14. The Billikens led the game from start to finish, not trailing or even being tied with the Cougars after graduate shooting guard Camreé Clegg buried a three off the first of sophomore point guard Kennedy Calhoun’s career-high fourteen assists.
Calhoun transferred to SLU from Longwood University alongside senior wing Kyla McMakin, freshman guard Isabel Tillet and junior forward Briana Johns this offseason, following their coach Rebecca Tillet’s move from the Lancers. Friday was Tillet’s first win as head coach of the Billikens, showing that there may be some merit to her new starting lineup that has relegated last year’s starting guard
Marissa Warren to the bench. Warren started 17 of her 18 games played last season and played almost 31 minutes per contest. Now coming off the bench behind Calhoun and Clegg, Warren’s shooting efficiency is at a career high and could lead to her being a great leader for the Bills’ second unit.
McMakin came to SLU to be their first offensive option and proved that she has what it takes to carry that burden on Friday.
The 6’0” wing is currently averaging over 20 points per game on a stellar 47.1% from three-point range. Her overall efficiency leaves some to be desired, as she is shooting 39.2% from the field, below the desired average for the first option of a heliocentric offense such as the one the Bills have showcased thus far. Considering that
her three point shooting efficiency has increased greatly from last season, going from an at-par 34% to 47%, there is reason to be optimistic about McMakin potentially improving her efficiency. McMakin is Tillet’s first offensive option, but is not the only important player in the primary lineup. McMakin starts at the 3, alongside a backcourt of Calhoun and Clegg at the 1 and 2 guard, respectively, leading the frontcourt with Johns at the 4 and Senior Brooke Flowers as the woman in the middle. Calhoun ranks 8th in the NCAA in assists per game with 8.3, a full 2.0 assists ahead of the A-10 runner up, Duquesne’s Megan McConnell. Brooke Flowers is the only Billiken averaging a double-double, contributing 11
points and 10 rebounds each night alongside 3.7 blocks, the 7th most in the nation. Flowers’ shot blocking almost doubles the second best rim protector in the conference, St. Bonaventure’s I’yanna Lops who swats away two per game. Tillet’s sixth woman thus far appears to be 5’11” senior Julia Martinez who swiped a career-high 7 steals in 17 minutes of action against SIUE. Also contributing off the bench with Martinez and Warren are Junior forward Peyton Kennedy and Zeynep Sevval Gul, a junior center with international experience on Turkey’s U20 national team as well as with Fenerbahce.
The Billikens will host again this Friday, November 18th, against the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Phoenix. UWGB is .500 on the season so far, meanwhile, following their blowout loss to Missouri St on Tuesday the Billikens are 1-3. Tillet needs this home win in order to show that the changes she is making are more than just good in theory, and can actually translate to the success she reached in her time heading the Lancers.
As a freshman, I was beyond excited to be here. My dreams of playing Division I field hockey were almost dashed, but SLU had taken me on. I knew I needed to not only prove myself but make my career count. At that point, the 40 minute drive to practice, the bare bones staff, the minimalist locker room didn’t bother me. I knew I just needed to be grateful. The phrase, “You don’t belong here,” rang loud in my head. I was in no position to talk. Very quickly, however, I realized
that things I thought I was just being picky about just didn’t happen in other places. When you confront your administration on the struggles of being off campus, your team administrator doesn’t sit you down and give you an hour long speech about gratitude. When you get home from practice, you don’t have to wait until the next day to go to the training room, either for injury or illness. When you go to practice, you don’t have to cross your fingers for an athletic trainer that you know, or even one who will introduce themselves to you. You don’t have to spend your time in college athletics trying to convince someone that you and your team are worth spending money on. Sure, not every facility is going to be state of the art. Not every locker room is going to have your picture above your locker. Not every coaching staff is going to be five coaches deep. But that wasn’t what actually upset me. What upset me was that whenever I challenged any part of my career, I was told I wasn’t being grateful. Ironic, considering for most of my career, I laid my head down at night
and thanked God for giving me the opportunity to do something I had only dreamed of when I was fourteen.
I’ve loved being a Billiken despite all those things. I loved getting to travel the country with anywhere from 18 to 22 of my best friends. I loved getting to wake up every day and do the thing I loved most. I loved getting to lift weights in Chaifetz. I loved how I felt after a hard condi tioning session. I loved how I felt the day after preseason ended. I loved how I felt every time the team stood together before a game and sang the national anthem. I loved every part of it. I will cherish the memories I made in a Billiken uniform for years. I am proud to be a Billiken. But I also know that every athletic department has its faults.
As proud as I am and was to be on the team here, it never ceased to shatter my heart when I told someone I played field hockey for the university and they responded, “Oh, I didn’t know we had a team!”. To which I, and many of my teammates were forced to respond, “Well, that’s probably because we don’t have a field on campus”. In Missouri, plenty of people have never seen field hockey before. Its exposure here is nothing like the environment from which I came in Pennsylvania. For a university with such a large athletic following, I always wondered what it would be like to play in front of a crowd even the size of a women’s soccer match. I have always envied men’s soccer for their ability to pack a stadium. This brings me to another point - I love to watch other teams play. I try to attend as many games as I can. Meanwhile, we’ve had about 10 other student athletes come to support us during my career. Granted, it was a 40 minute drive to get to our field. Quite honestly, the fact that anyone
made that effort at all was never lost on us. But that didn’t change that it felt almost cruel for us to be asked to volunteer our time for teams that sometimes never acknowledged us when we passed them on campus.
During my time at SLU, I’ve had four strength coaches, two differ ent head coaches, and more athletic trainers than I can count. I still don’t know what some of their names were. They were with us for one or two practices and never bothered to tell us their names. For one, their train ing kit didn’t make the trip with them to SportPort. Thank God no one got hurt that day. The inconsistency is something that has caused me to grit my teeth many times throughout my career. Especially when the admin istration’s response for anything we asked for was that we needed to be more consistent. Unfortunately, the shock of being told, “I’m leaving,” wore off pretty quickly for me. When in your freshman year you lose five of your teammates, your head coach, and your strength coach, the conver sation grows old. We are still condi tioned that every time a meeting is called to expect the worst. I can’t tell you how many times I walked into a meeting thinking, “This is it. They’ve finally cut us,” or even, “I wonder who’s leaving this time”.
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After a disappointing A-10 semifinal loss and a 12-point loss to the University of Northern Iowa in the first round of the NIT tournament. The Billikens seek to bounce back after losing players in the offseason. Markhai Strickland and Rashad Williams entered the portal and now play elsewhere. Martin Linsen, one of Billikens few centers last season, is now playing professional basketball in Germany, his home country. Jordan Nesbit also left. Nesbit’s commitment to SLU was a homecoming for him, having played his first year with Memphis, but is currently attending HBCU Hampton University. Andre Loretsson now attends Toledo, while Lassina Thaore committed to Long Beach. Brandon Courtney graduated, but now acts as a graduate assistant coach for the Billikens. The team also graduated Deandre Jones. This list includes 7 of the 14 Billikens on last year’s roster.
The Billikens also picked up a lot of new players, most of them guards. Coach Ford has a trend of recruiting small guards. Contrary to what some might assume, he has also had a lot of success with his small guards. Yuri Collins is a 6’0 point guard and Coach Ford himself is 5’9. Ford played for Kentucky and he had success on the team, averaging 9.5 points for Kentucky in 100 games.
Ford’s new guards include a 6 ‘0 transfer from the University of South Florida, Lamont Evans, Phill Jones from Chicago, Sincere Parker, a community college transfer, and Nick Kramer, a local from SLU High. Javon Pickett is a 5th-year senior from Missouri who is 6’5, while Larry Hughes Jr. is another local pick who attended CBC for high school. If Hughes’ name sounds familiar, it’s because his dad played for SLU and was in the NBA for 14 years.
Ford did pick up two nonguards in the off seasonMouhamadou Cissé is the first. His nickname is “Momo” and
heis the tallest player on the team at a whooping 6 ‘10. Though the starting center job probably is going to Francis Okoro, who took over as starting center in the middle of last season. Freshman Jake Forrester’s height and versatility means Ford may decide to play him as a center some this season.
SLU’s NCAA assist leader Yuri Collins gave Billiken fans a scare last season when he announced he had entered the transfer portal. However, after only a few weeks he announced he would return to SLU for his remaining two years of eligibility. Yuri is a playmaker for the Billikens, and the team depends on his distribution abilities.
Gibson Jimerson is another well-known name on the Billikens roster. He averaged a solid 16.3 points last season, but is known primarily for his three point shooting ability. While Jimerson has been an extremely successful guard for the Bills, he may have something of a fight for his position this year. With a deep and versatile roster this fall, Ford may turn to Parker, Hughes or Evans for the job.
Ford put 12 of his 16 players in last Saturday. If you are looking for a position that is going to change the most this season, it is for sure power forward Terrance Hargrove Jr., “TJ”, played most of the time last year. However, Pickett has also been solid for the Billikens, getting 12 points against
Evansville. Fans will anxiously await what he can do down line.
Fred Thatch Jr. has been a solid player for the Bills and has been known to create big plays that shift momentum quickly. Additionally, the Bills missed Javonte Perkins last season due to an ACL tear. The combination of Collins and Perkins could prove to be deadly once the Billikens enter A-10 play.
Though, as Ford leads the way for his seventh year the question has to come up — is this the last year for Ford? The last time Ford took the Billikens to the big dance was in 2019, even if that first-round exit was not the best. If the Bills don’t make it past the semifinals in the A10 championship, fans might be concerned for the coach. Even with a combination like Collins, Pickett, Jimmerson, and Okoro, the stakes are high for Ford this season.
The Billikens were having a nice 12-point lead against Evansville and almost gave it away by allowing Evansville to gain a lead at the end of the first half. Thankfully, the Billikens reclaimed the lead,extending it to more than 10 points. The Billikens blew a lead that size at least four times last year - beginning with their game against Auburn — a team that would go on to be a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Billikens had a 13-point lead with 8:37 seconds in the game left then blew it. They did that against UAB and UMass as well.
The Billikens certainly can live up to the hype that has surrounded them the whole preseason. For the sake of Ford’s career, Billikens fans are hoping that he can make a successful season with the roster he has recruited. With unequivocal glimpses of success for the Billikens last season; now they need to bring their team back on the map of NCAA title contenders. That starts with beating out of conference teams, combined with a stellar conference season. It will take a remarkable A-10 season for the Billikens to fulfill their dreams of a championship ring.
Do your part. Get vaccinated. Have you seen that type of billboard in the past two years?
Vaccines are a hotly debated topic in today’s world for some, they raise suspicion as they view vaccines as a scapegoat for government control. Others simply believe that it is more natural for our bodies to fight off illness without any intervention. However, this is completely false. There is no chip that the government uses to monitor us, nor is it necessary to cause your body to go through unnecessary harm to be “organic.”
These individuals are characterized as antivaxxers. They constitute about 7% of the US population. But fortunately, 60% agree that vaccines are more of saviors rather than hindrances.
Before we talk about two of the most in demand vaccines today, namely the COVID-19 bivalent and the influenza shot, let’s briefly dive into vaccine mechanisms. Whenever a pathogen enters the system, the body’s natural response is to activate the immune system. The white blood cells try to ward off the harmful invaders until the final immune response agents arrive: antibodies. These structures are generated by the immune system when it recognizes the enemy cell’s antigen, a subpart of a pathogen. So, technically the body could ward off almost any disease. But there’s a caveat: it takes time. That’s where vaccinations come in. They shorten that lag time.
Vaccines are composed of a specific disease’s antigen, but it is inactive. This results in its incapability of causing any disease related symptoms while still promoting the same immune response as it would the active form. Some vaccines, however, are more advanced and contain the blueprint to create the antibodies without the actual antigen. So, in layman’s terms, your body is getting introduced to this new disease without having any of its symptoms. A cheat code, right?
You might be asking yourself, is there a
memory system involved with this process? How does the body recognize that same antigen when it encounters it again? The answer is yes. There is a memory system. There are memory cells and long lived antibodies that promptly subdue the pathogen whenever it is introduced into the system again. Also, if you were ever wondering why you have to get different doses over time, that’s to strengthen these memory cells’ formation and antibody halflife.
variant antigen. Hence, the name bivalent. The annual influenza virus is making its rounds as well. Like COVID-19, it also has a high mutation rate, explaining the need for an annual shot. Consequently, researchers took it a step further and introduced a quadrivalent vaccine, containing predictions for what four forms the flu is likely to take. So, think about it like this. There are quadruple the amount of immunity coming with this one shot.
Now, what are you waiting for? You have all the information you need. Schedule your vaccines as soon as possible. There’s no point in waiting. Don’t do your body a disservice any longer. Furthermore, SLU helps make vaccines super accessible to students. SLU runs vaccine clinics for anyone to get vaccinated. All you have to do is search “vaccines at SLU” and there are links to sign up for both the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot. It just takes 5 minutes to schedule. There’s no reason for you not to get a boosted immune system for free.
With regards to questions about the COVID and flu vaccines, let’s start with the COVID bivalent shot–perhaps the most demanded vaccine right now since waves of COVID-19 epidemics still hit us today. So first, why a bivalent now? Why are we getting so many vaccine doses–2, 3 and even 4? Well, viruses mutate over time, introducing new variants into our populations. COVID-19 is no exception. There are multiple variants and subvariants right now, and the best chance we have of fighting them is getting immunized for the deleterious ones. Currently, according to the CDC, the omicron variant is the most potent and dangerous. The bivalent shot, however, protects against it. It contains both a broad virus antigen plus a specific omicron
(EvieNguyen / The University News)
“There are multiple variants and subvariants right now, and the best chance we have of fighting them off is getting immunized for the deleterious ones.”
ecent videos have surfaced on the internet featuring climate change activists throwing a variety of foods onto famous paintings such as Monet’s “Les Meules,” van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” and Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” The action was bold and the public had mixed feelings regarding whether the act was justified or not. None of the paintings were harmed as they are protected by glass.
According to journalist Cara Buckley, the protesters’ aim is to “pressure governments to stop the extraction and burning of fossil fuels” as the issue of climate change has become more apparent. To their defense, typical actions to bring awareness to the subject such as protests, lobbying, civil disobedience and petitions have not done enough to grasp the public’s attention while throwing a can of soup at a van Gogh painting did. Whether it was negative or positive, the protesters’ goal to grab people’s attention worked. However, does it motivate people to support the cause?
These are some of the tweets:
“How is that van Gogh’s fault though”
“The painting is under glass. These girls are right and effective.”
“I’m more concerned about the painting. Send them to prison.”
“Given they were able to do it so easily I would say that painting is as well protected as the environment, not at all.”
“I listened to them too. However, if this is an act of saving the planet, I don’t want to be associated with planet-savers. Consider that a success.”
“If they got your attention, then they protested successfully. I was shocked too but having seen this, I understand. Listen to what they’re saying.”
“Vandalism is not the way to protests, they have a point in what they said but I’m sorry I don’t agree with this action.”
(Evie Nguyen / The University News)On Twitter, the video of the protesters throwing the soup and shakily gluing their hands to the wall went viral. The protester on the left then proceeded to recite the premise of their cause, in which she says “What is worth more, art or life?” The tweets in response to the uploaded video express a wide dynamic of complex reactions.
Most people were angry because they were under the impression that the activists destroyed the paintings, but in reality, they didn’t. To understand their purpose is to understand that their intention was never to harm the paintings, as the paintings were protected by glass. Rather, the intention was to grab the attention of others and draw it to the issue of climate change.While drastic measures are necessary to address such a prominent issue, this action is where they lose the focus of those who alreadydon’tbelieveinclimatechange.Oftentimes, people don’t want to be associated with something they see as damaging or a bad image, as it pushes people away more than it pulls them in. But, what can be done to drastically catch the attention of the public without some sort of controversy? We are facing a climate crisis and it seems no one knows how to generate this conversation in a proper manner.
Carbon dioxide emissions have increased to 419 parts per million from 378 parts per million in 2005, the global temperature has risen by 1.01 degrees Celsius since 1880, the Arctic sea ice minimum has decreased by 12.6% since 1979, ice sheets have decreased by 427 billion metric tons per year, sea levels have risen by 4 inches since 1993 and the ocean has warmed by 337 zettajoules since 1955. Some argue that the Earth has changed throughout history, which is true, but “the current warming is happening at a rate not seen in the past 10,000 years.” It is time to trust science and generate conversation. Clearly, methods such as flyers, protesting, Instagram posts and direct actions are ineffective. It will take more than a few people to generate change, we must all be acutely aware of the circumstances that will follow us. While some people may not agree with the actions these protesters took, I must say, at least they did something to get people talking, for what it was worth.
“It will take more than a few people to generate change, we must all be acutely aware of the circumstances that will follow us.”
With the winter season approaching, many people begin to think of the holiday season, ice-skating or sledding. However, the cold weather that brings happy memories to some may be a death sentence for others. Houselessness is an ever-increasing fixture in urban America and has been increasing rapidly. City governments often do very little to help alleviate the issue, or more commonly, outrightly make things worse. Rather than provide resources for people who are struggling, local governments prioritize wealthy citizens while implementing hostile architecture. Hostile architecture, also known as anti-homeless architecture, are infrastructures such as spikes, bars or any other devices with the purpose of impeding people from using a space for temporary housing. Examples might include bars on city benches, uneven ground or even spikes that prevent people from seeking even a little bit of shelter. These practices are unnecessarily cruel and do very little to resolve the issue.
Houselessness is on the rise. Much of the economy is still in shambles post-pandemic. Coupled with inflation, many people are left not being able to afford basic necessities. Rather than aid people whose living conditions were devastated by the pandemic, many city governments took to hostile architecture to make lives of unhoused people more difficult than they already are. Keeping off of the ground is important in the daily lives of people facing houselessness since the concrete
drops body temperature. Removing benches, placing spikes or adding other barriers puts people’s wellbeing and safety at risk. In a piece for the New York Times, Winnie Hu elaborates further, “that such measures are unnecessary and disproportionately target vulnerable populations.” Hostile designs also affect both the elderly as well as those with accessibility concerns as it makes the world harder to navigate. Not having places to sit and enjoy oneself can be a deterrent for many, not just unhoused people.
The depravity that goes along with implementing these policies that torment the lives of society’s most marginalized group is simply astounding. When discussing how city workers lock restrooms in public parks, which limits the spaces houseless people can relieve themselves, the auther Sasha Plotnikova notes that, “The values that underpin such moves have increasingly calibrated towards a militant reverence of private property, in a trademark tendency of neoliberal policies that have
entrenched themselves in all levels of U.S. government since the 1970s.”
This notion highlights that in the United States, property is often placed in higher regard than the lives of those on the margins. The most glaring example was during the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, where much of the outrage came not from an innocent man being killed in broad daylight, but rather that buildings were looted or destroyed. On a much smaller scale, people are uncomfortable with the realities that unhoused people have to experience, but instead of providing resources to help ease their lives, the current “solution” is to push them out of sight. This mentality denies the basic human dignity of displaced people and dehumanizes them based solely on their socioeconomic status. These devious policies only seek to harm and demonize unhoused people, all the while neglecting the systemic issues that can actually create positive long-term change.
Despite hostile architecture being a prominent issue, the focus should
not stop there. The United States is the wealthiest country in the world, yet still struggles to adequately protect all of its citizens. Emphasis is often placed on philanthropic or religious organizations to set up shelters, but even these fall short of meeting the massive demand that is present. In a report, National Homeless Mortality Overview notes an estimated 17,500 to 46,500 unhoused people died in 2018 with at least 5,800 being confirmed. To solve this, the United States needs to reevaluate its priorities. Spending hundreds of billions of dollars on the defense budget, yet claiming to be unable to provide adequate resources for unhoused people is shameful. Houselessness in the United States is a representation of cowardliness and apathy towards individuals who, at the end of the day, are no much more different than us.
Hostile architecture is specifically designed to generate agony for the most vulnerable under the guise of protecting public spaces from the public. The barbarous practice only increases suffering while providing no benefit to others. Subsequently, this cannot be the end of the conversation. There are ample funds to reduce the poverty crisis if only the people can get together to realize this. Hostile architecture is a blemish to our country that must be amended so that people can live their lives freely.
Two years ago, I wrote about my reservations toward Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett and the future I was afraid of if she was appointed to the Supreme Court. Today, many of these fears have become a reality.
On June 24, 2022, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey, federally eliminating the right to abortion. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas writes a concurring opinion on this case stating his intention for the court to revisit Griswold v. Connecticut which provides the right to contraception, Lawrence v. Texas which made same-sex activity legal and Obergefell v. Hodges which legalized gay marriage. Reproductive rights and being queer are on the chopping block exactly as I feared. I wish I could blame this all on Justices Barrett or Thomas; however, it is not one justice’s doing. The judicial system is flawed and our perception of it allows the harm to continue.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. It was created by the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It consists of nine judges who are tasked with interpreting the law, determining the constitutionality of the law and its application to specific cases. This is an immense power to bestow on people who are not elected by the American public, but rather by presidential nomination and confirmation of the Senate. This is meant to save the justices from partisan pressure. However, as both the President and the Senate are partisan and the Senate has historically confirmed justices based on political leanings, this may be for naught. However, I have found that the idea of an impartial Court and unbiased justices is widespread.
On my initial article, commenter Eric said, “it [the Court] interpret’s the laws as to constitutionality and legality brought before it and nothing further.” Eric says “nothing further” as if this is some small part of our government, not a massive undertaking where bias and prior beliefs play a role. “Ridiculous. Supreme Court Justices don’t impose their personal agenda on the country. Hasn’t happened since Marbury v. Madison in 1803, and it’s arguable if it occurred then,” commenter Gerry added.
Plainly, the Justices have historically been and currently are partisan positions. Compare Justice Thomas or former Chief Justice William Rehnquist to former Associate Justice William Douglas or former Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall. Respectively, these justices are the most and least conservative that have ever sat on the Court. They have been looking at the same Constitution but have been handing down rulings differently because it is not just the law they are looking at. They are influenced by their biases and beliefs about what the
By PENELOPE GARDNER Opinion Editor (Ariana Magafasconstitution is. UCLA law professor Richard Hansen writes about his fears that the current Court has taken pro-partisanship to the extreme.
With this knowledge, a recent New York Times article by Larry Buchanan fills me with dread for the American public. The article shows how the Supreme Court has carefully crafted their image to be that of their building, not of the people who make up the court. Every article about their decisions includes a photo of a building marked with the words “Equal Justice Under Law.” The culpability of their decisions is not on the people who make them, because they are protected by a facade of impartiality and infallibility. Eric and Gerry are not alone in their idea of the Supreme Court, because of the propaganda we are fed about the Court.
In this past term, the justices have ruled on New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen which deemed a century-old New York law limiting the public carrying of guns unconstitutional. They have also indicated their influence on Medicare and Medicaid programs through Biden v. Missouri, American Hospital Association v. Becerra, Becerra v. Empire Health Foundation and, most recently, Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County v. Talevski. They also had a hand in the climate crisis through West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency where they ruled that the EPA could not cap emissions.
The Supreme Court makes decisions that will shape every American’s future and they are but nine people. They have many believing that they are infallible while they support their beliefs just like the rest of us. The New York Review’s David Cole says it clearly, “Compromise, consensus, and the rule of law are out; the radical exercise of power is in.”
I thought I couldn’t get more scared than I was when the barrage of negative comments reached my Barrett article. But my fear of Eric calling me “Poor little Penelope,” Heartland Patriot saying I’m “absolutely hyperbolic and ridiculous,” A Catholic telling me to “Please repent” or even Dylan calling my writing “sexist garabage” is nothing to how it feels now. Everyone should be terrified at how reproductive rights and simply being queer are up for debate along with healthcare, gun reform and environmental regulations. Whether or not the law protects us is being decided by an extremely partisan group that obfuscates who their intentions behind their neutral rhetoric. V.L. Seek said it perfectly in Roxane Gay’s “Not That Bad,” “We are trapped in a legal system that has never favored women and has never believed survivors.”
