The Vista, Feb. 15, 2022

Volume 119, Issue 18

the

VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”

vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022

UCO golf finishes Top 5 in Houston

Veteran player Evan Griffith (pictured) led the UCO players over three rounds of play and shot a 74 for Round Three to put him in title contention before being defeated in a three-man playoff. (Provided/ UCO Athletics)

Jackson Rowbottom Contributing Writer

UCO golf is now underway with the new semester in full swing, and a top five finish at the team’s first tournament was the result, with UCO finishing fourth overall.

Veteran player Evan Griffith led the UCO players over three rounds of play and shot a 74 for Round Three to put him in title contention before being defeated in a three-man playoff.

The players took to Texas last week at the prestigious Golf Club of Houston. The course, famed for

its hosting of the Houston Open on the PGA tour in years past, was the challenge set for the players to overcome. But for the Bronchos, it was not just the course that they were battling.

Injuries came into the picture for UCO as Continued on Pg. 3

Libraries offer Black History Month activities Miracle Garrett

Contributing Writer

As the poet Maya Angelou wrote, “I always felt, if I could get to a Library, I’ll be OK.” Metropolitan Library System is celebrating Black History Month throughout February by highlighting the contributions of African Americans through reading, quilting, stories and songs, and even creating postcard stamps.

The Ralph Ellison Library, located in one of Oklahoma’s historically black communities, offers the most events this month. Visitors can engage in multiple activities that include takehome kits for avoiding COVID-19.

They can hunt for knowledge with the annual Ralph Ellison trivia quiz. The take-home kit will include questions, answers and a prize. The library also offers a Black History Month postcard take-home kit.

Each week, the library will display

a new postcard of an inspiring and influential African American. This will bring attention to more African American individuals and their impact on the nation. Students can use markers, crayons or colored pencils to decorate their postcards, frame them

or even send them to someone special.

The library is also offering a History of Oklahoma’s All-Black Towns from 7-8 p.m. on Feb. 21. Oklahoma is home to more historically all-Black towns than any other state. Dr. Karlos Hill will lead a discussion on the im-

The Ralph Ellison Library, located in one of Oklahoma’s historically black communities, offers the most events this month. (Provided/ Waymarking.com)

portant history and legacy of African Americans in Oklahoma.

Warr Acres Library is offering a 3D Images Take-Home Kit. Participants can create 3D glasses and learn more about the inventor, Kenneth J. Dunkley, and the Downtown Library offers an online Story and Songbook Experience from 11-11:30 p.m. on Feb. 22.

The Northwest Library will showcase a crafting tradition that has been practiced by generations of African Americans. To recognize culture, achievements and history of African Americans, the library will offer quilting that displays unique abstract designs, 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. Feb. 23-26.

Take-home kits will be available one per family, with enough supplies for at least two projects.

Registration for all the events can be found at metrolibrary.org. All events are free to attend and include every age group.

2 | The Vista

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 Black Student Association (BSA) Through the Ages: At 6 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Ballroom A, join the Black Student Association as they describe the history and progress of their organization.

COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.

Embracing your Mental Wisdom: At 2 p.m. in Human Environmental Sciences 109, join TRIO student support services for the Black Mindfulness event to discuss the value of personal mental health and well-being.

All are welcome.

FACS: Piano Faculty: Piano Potpourri: This performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Jazz Lab, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10.

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022 Baseball: UCO competes at 5 p.m. at Wendell Simmons Field in Edmond against Southern Nazarene.

Feb. 15, 2022

BronchoThon Kendra Scott Benefit Night: From 5 to 7 p.m. at Kendra Scott on Bryant Ave., join BronchoThon as Kendra Scott releases their new spring collection. Mention BronchoThon at checkout and 20% of each purchase benefits BronchoThon.

COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.

President’s Public Speaking Contest: The UCO Speech and Debate team is presenting this contest from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Liberal Arts lecture hall. Admission is free.

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 Black Girl Magic: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nigh University Center ballrooms, this annual celebration kicks off with panel discussions, conversations, and workshops that encourage unity among African American women while fostering and empowering a sense of self in all ladies that participate.

Black Leadership Panel: At 2 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Cherokee Room, local Black community and organizational leaders will participate in panels focusing on vocational discernment, career journeys, and how each overcame obstacles to

Around Campus

become the leaders they are today.

COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.

Softball: UCO competes at 4 p.m. at Gerry Pinkston Stadium in Edmond against East Central.

Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.

Softball: UCO competes against Chadron State at 3 p.m. and Oklahoma Baptist at 5:15 p.m. at Gerry Pinkston Stadium in Edmond.

Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022 COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Information Technology - Maintenance: Systems maintenance will be conducted from 5 a.m. to noon.

Multiple services may be unavailable during this timeframe.

Softball: UCO competes at 2:30 p.m. against Arkansas Tech and 4:45 p.m. against Southeastern Oklahoma at Gerry Pinkston Stadium in Edmond.

Tennis: UCO takes on Tyler Junior College at 9 a.m. at Oak Tree Country Club.

Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Monday, Feb. 21, 2022

Hockey game: UCO competes against OU at 7:30 p.m. at Arctic Edge Ice Arena, located at 14613 N. Kelly Ave. in Edmond. Tickets are $5 with UCO ID and $7 for all others.

COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.

Softball: UCO competes at 12:45 p.m. at Gerry Pinkston Stadium in Edmond against Harding.

Tennis: UCO takes on Midwestern State at 5 p.m. at Oak Tree Country Club.

Jazz Combos Concert: This performance begins at 7 p.m. at the Jazz Lab, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond. Tickets are free for students with a valid ID and $18 for all others.

To purchase tickets, go online or call (405) 974-2100.

To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.

the

VISTA

Staff

Madalyn Nix Ainsley Martinez Brandon Dale Hollye Carroll Sam Royka Graycee Hubbard Sierra Perkins Manuela Soldi Michaela Todd Asia Allen Miracle Garrett Emily Grim Lauren Henry Brinlee Lenochan Jackson Rowbottom Baylee Schmidlkofer Tyler Whitehead George Lang

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EDITORIALS

Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.

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editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only.

Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste.

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ADDRESS LETTERS TO:

Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr. Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131.

Letters can be emailed to thevista@ucentralmedia.com.

Feb. 15, 2022

Golf/Psychology/Soccer

The Vista | 3

UCO golf finishes fourth UCO psychology offers in Houston tournament clinic resources to students Baylee Schmidlkofer Contributing Writer

Scores ran high for the Bronchos, with freshman Bennett Baldwin (pictured) carding 78. (Provided/ UCO Athletics) Continued from Pg. 1

freshman Riley Harris was unable to continue play after two rounds due to a back injury on day one, leaving the Bronchos a man short and the title that much further away.

The course itself was not to be underestimated. Scores ran high for the Bronchos, with freshman Bennett Baldwin carding 78 and fellow freshman Liam Coughlin and sophomore Caleb Kimmel carding 79s on their

final day. They would be looking forward at three schools that placed ahead of them. Those schools were Arkansas Tech, the defending champions from the last season who took home first place again, followed by second place Oklahoma Christian University, and third place Cameron University.

Rest and preparations for their next tournament will be much needed. They will play again next Feb. 28-March 1 when they host at Gaillardia Country Club.

The UCO Psychology Clinic is offering evidence-based, high-quality and affordable counseling sessions to students and community members through the school’s department.

Resources such as individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, applied behavior analysis, psychoeducational evaluation and academic intervention are some of the services provided through the school to students and local residents. Each service is provided through graduate students pursuing their degree through the school. Graduate students provide counseling through their area of focus. This is a way for graduate students within UCO’s program to provide a high-quality session with low service fees to the public.

Dr. Janelle Grellner is a psychology clinic co-director and a practicing counseling psychologist at UCO. She offered some valuable insights for those interested in visiting the clinic.

“We really want to and can help a lot of students,” Grellner said about both graduate students who are pursuing school counseling and provide therapy while going through school. “We offer both sessions for individual and group counseling through our therapy students, as well as behavior analysis and academic intervention for families with kids in school.”

Grellner said that people struggling with depression, anxiety and trauma can benefit from these sessions.

“We are a good option for people who need help,” she said.

Contact the psychology clinic directly at 405-974-2758. The clinic is located in Room 307 in the Education building.

Last season, the team made it to the NCAA Division II Central Regional tournament, at Emporia State. Above is UCO student athlete Taryn Kedzior. (Provided/ UCO Athletics)

UCO women’s soccer back into full swing Brinlee Lenochan Contributing Writer

It is no secret the ladies of UCO soccer are a force to be reckoned with. Last season, the Bronchos finished with an impressive record of 13-5-3. The team also became quite decorated, with 3 players earning all region honors, including Taryn Kedzior and Monika McGee. McGee, a sophomore center defensive mid and captain for the Bronchos, had a memorable season in the fall, beating her own scoring record and becoming the leading scorer for the team.

She said a major part of the team’s success was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think what led to our success this year was partly the fact that we didn’t get a real season due to

covid in the fall of 2021,” McGee said. “The motivation was hard to have during that, so I think we all had this built up excitement to go out there and play for something real again.”

Last season, the team made it to the NCAA Division II Central Regional tournament, hosted at Emporia State. Sadly, the Bronchos fell short during their first game losing a shootout 5-3 against Bemidji State.

However, the Lady Bronchos are using the loss to fuel their fire for this upcoming postseason.

“I think the loss against Bemidji really showed a lot of areas in which we can improve and work on.

Those things will definitely be worked on during this spring; to be prepared to play some great programs here in these next few weeks,” McGee said.

The team plans on using this spring season to de-

velop the younger players due to the loss of seniors from the fall, as well as pushing each other to get more reps and trying to better as a team, day in and day out. The team is currently practicing twice a week and is keeping a determined and competitive mindset.

With all the success the Lady Bronchos had in the fall, there is some pressure to come back stronger than before.

“It is stressful at times and our anxieties are always through the roof, but that’s what it takes sometimes.

The competition is always good, it all comes down to heart and effort,” McGee said.

The Bronchos are hoping to start the post season off with some fire as they take on The University of Oklahoma in Norman at 7 p.m.

Feb. 25.

4 | The Vista

Feb. 15, 2022

Death Penalty

Death penalty in Oklahoma Students around campus weigh in about the shifting climate surrounding capital punishment in Oklahoma

Sam Royka Reporter

Donald Grant was executed by the state of Oklahoma Jan. 27. His offer to be killed by firing squad was denied by the court and he was killed via lethal injection. Gilbert Postelle has received an execution date of Feb. 17. James Coddington, while still scheduled to be executed Mar. 10, has a stay on his execution “until a final judgment” on his claims is issued by the Court, according to court documents.

Gallup polls indicate a shifting climate surrounding the death penalty.

With this in mind, The Vista conducted a small-scale survey, asking seven students their opinion on capital punishment.

“In general I don’t support the death penalty. In a perfect world, our justice system would be modeled different — the prison system is supposed to be a rehabilitation system, not a punishment system,” said Aster Yeoman, a graduate student at UCO. Philana McHenry, a public health and nursing major, emphasized a state question that Rep. Mauree Turner is submitting this legislative session.

“It’s just going to ask Oklahomans if they think the death penalty is cruel and unusual or not. I think it’s important because I think people are maybe starting to change their minds a little bit more about how we should deal with crime and things like that.”

McHenry said she read one article stating limited effectiveness for state questions on the death penalty, “but I think the article doesn’t consider the timing,” calling it “pretty recent after the Julius Jones situation.”

“I feel like a lot of people are reevaluating our justice system,” McHenry said.

Machela Leathers, a forensic science and criminal justice major, considers “botched” executions of Oklahoma’s past.

“I don’t think we should be doing it until we know for sure that it’s safe, and we don’t know how they’ve been testing it to make sure that it’s been safe,” Leathers said.

Leathers believes “everybody has a right, if they’re going to go they should go peacefully, it’s protected by the Eighth Amendment because that’s cruel and unusual punishment.

If you’re injecting people and they feel like they’re burning alive, that’s definitely cruel and unusual,” Leathers

Julius Jones was granted clemency on the day of his scheduled execution on Nov. 18, 2021. (The Vista/Madalyn Nix)

said, emphasizing the importance of the burden of proof.

“I would just say that the burden of proof needs to higher in death penalty cases,” Leathers said.

Marina Jones, a political science and forensics major minoring in criminal justice and pre-law, said that she agrees and disagrees with the death penalty simeltaneously.

“It’s really complicated to give like a certain answer because, for instance, I was hearing earlier, solitary confinement after 15 days is considered torture, it’s banned in New York right now and they’re trying to ban it everywhere else because if you look at the psychology behind it people start losing reality after 15 days in solitary confinement,” she said.

“It’s true there are a lot of cases where people have been wrongfully convicted, Julius Jones and Rodney Reed are examples right now, and the worst part is racial bias and ‘get tough on crime’ policies are the reason that they’re in there,” Marina Jones said.

“Rodney Reed cannot get clemency, the Governor is refusing even after hundrends of thousands of people and celebrities and the U.N. have been emailing him, for that reason I don’t agree with the death penalty, however, I do understand why people want it, it helps a lot of families with closure,” she said, underlining the emotional impact of a death sentence.

“They are in a constant state of agony and so is their family because they don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.

“I looked behind the statistics with

killing, the most humane way of killing someone without hurting them, making them have seizures, painfully dying, is firing squad, which I thought was really strange,” Marina Jones said, recalling Donald Grant’s denied request to be executed in this manner.

On the case of John Marion Grant, she said “He got all 3, you know, injections, and he had a seizure and started vomiting everywhere and the people there were like that’s not normal, that’s not natural, something’s wrong, and so every time he threw up they had to clean him up and continue.”

Jayce Camp, a forensics major at UCO, said she did not think the death penalty is necessary.

“New technologies being validated to be used for forensic science measures into physical evidence increasingly proves people to be innocent when they have been found guilty, not to mention that most of these people are from marginalized communities, people of color particularly,” Camp said.

Keryee Morton, another UCO student, called the death penalty “hypocritical.”

“It’s weird to punish people for killing other people by killing that person. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

So we have a long history of sending people to their deaths wrongfully, it’s happened during witch trials, it’s happened during slavery, it’s happened during the civil rights movement, Julius Jones,” Morton said.

“If that person really was that bad then staying in a jail and maybe reforming that jail so it’s more about

rehabilitation than about punishing people then that would work,” Morton said.

Maya Fitch, a museum studies major with a minor in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies said, “One of the biggest reasons I would oppose the death penalty is because I don’t have trust in our justice system to do proper due diligence or to like, convict only those that are guilty.”

However, Fitch said, “I’m not opposed to the death penalty a hundred percent where I think that it’s a hundred percent morally wrong for someone to die for something they’ve done,” explaining that they “don’t think death is always a morally wrong thing to happen as a causation of your actions but I don’t think the state should be killing people, mainly because there’s no way to be a hundred percent sure that the person you’re killing is actually guilty of the crime they’ve been convicted of.”

“When you look at the actual numbers, a lot of the people that are convicted of crimes are from marginalized groups, so it essentially becomes like the legalized killing of marginalized groups, typically marginalized racial groups,” said Fitch.

“It comes down to the fact that you can’t trust that the justice system is going to convict and dole out punishment with anywhere near a hundred percent accuracy, in fact it’s really not there at all,” Fitch said.

RENT

Feb. 15, 2022

The Vista | 5

Mitchell Hall to Broadway:

Former student cast in ‘Rent’ national tour

Jaylon Crump (pictured) played Tom Collins in the UCO production of "Rent." He now joins the "Rent" 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour. (Provided/ Jaylon Crump)

Ainsley Martinez Managing Editor

It was only four months ago when UCO debuted the award-winning musical "Rent" in Mitchell Hall.

Presented by the School of Music, the show featured UCO’s own musical theater students, including former student Jaylon Crump, who played Tom Collins. Now, Crump, 21, trades Mitchell Hall for the stages of the Dolby Theater, The National Theater and many others as he travels for the "Rent" 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour.

“I love traveling so much, and getting to see different places because I've just kind of been stuck in this Southern bubble for so long,” Crump said.

“I think that the big lesson I've learned is to always follow your instincts.” — Jaylon Crump In January, he was cast as a swing role for Tom Collins and Benny Coffin III. A swing is a type of understudy for multiple roles. For example, if an actor gets sick or cannot perform, a swing will step into whatever role is needed.

“Having prior knowledge of the show has really, really helped me when it comes to me learning the show,” Crump said. “At any given moment, I could

step into any one of those six tracks.”

His audition for “Rent” happened the same week after he realized he did not receive the financial aid he needed to continue going to school at UCO, and within a week, Crump was in New York rehearsing for the show.

“I think that education is so important because I still plan on going back and getting my degree,” he said. “I wish that a lot of schools made it more feasible for people to be able to graduate from their institutions.”

Ten days later, he made his Broadway debut as Benny. But as someone who had zero financial support from family, Crump said he wished more aid existed for people in similar situations. He continued, saying that the arts deserve the same priority and amount of scholarships as extracurriculars such as athletics.

“I wish they did that with the arts because the arts are so important. Especially in the time that we lived in with COVID, everybody was sitting there— and what were they doing? Watching Netflix. They were watching artists,” Crump said.

However, he calls this opportunity a “godsend,” and said he appreciates doing the show even more now since UCO’s production was canceled after its first week.

“I was a firm believer in whatever is meant for you will come to you, and with our production getting closed early because of COVID, that’s like, my way of finishing it,” he said.

Musical theater student D’Shaud Howard worked with Crump on the UCO production of “Rent,” playing Benny. Howard said his favorite part of the

show was the friendships he made with the cast, including Crump.

“I absolutely adore Jaylon. I was fortunate to be in a couple of shows with him. Seeing his creative and artistic mind do its thing on stage was and is mind blowing,” Howard said. “I was also lucky enough to have him as a personal friend as well. We’d laugh endlessly at either of our places over God knows what. I’ve learned very personal and valuable things from Jaylon that I will never forget!”

While UCO’s production of "Rent" prepared Crump for the national tour, he admits coming to New York from small-town Edmond made him feel inadequate at times.

“It’s just crazy, because sometimes you do get imposter syndrome where you’re like ‘I'm not supposed to be here,’” he said. “But, I'm a firm believer in what is meant for you will find you.”

Crump said the support from other cast members has made him realize he is where he belongs. He said those interested in pursuing musical theater should “audition, audition, audition,” and look at rejection as a step in the right direction. He also advised other students.

“I think that the big lesson I've learned is to always follow your instincts,” Crump said.

“Because the thing is that I am not the first person to have to drop out of this musical theater program because of money, and I will not be the last. But don't sit and wallow in it. Try to find a solution to where you can keep on honing your craft, and if you really love musical theater, then there's something out there for you.”

6 | The Vista

Feb. 15, 2022

Fire Safety/UCOSA

UCO is prepared for large scale fires Lauren Henry

Contributing Writer

The fire that destroyed The Canton apartment complex in Oklahoma City last week has sparked many questions, including how UCO would handle a large-scale fire.

The 2020 annual fire safety report states, “UCO’s facilities and buildings were constructed to meet the existing fire and life safety codes when originally constructed.” The report details the buildings that are equipped with fire alarms and fire suppression sprinklers. Most buildings, but not all, have voice-addressable fire alarm systems that work with police services.

Residential areas of UCO are also heavily equipped with fire alarms and sprinklers. The Broncho 4 Apartments, however, are only equipped with smoke-activated alarms along with Murdaugh Hall, which has no sprinklers but has audio and visual detectors, pull stations, and smoke detectors.

“In Murdaugh and West Hall, UCO Police are not immediately notified when a room detector alarm sounds,” said the report. If there are any issues regarding these systems, the report states, “Students are encouraged to report any problems with these systems to the Housing Office. Smoke detectors are checked by Housing staff monthly during pest control waves to ensure they are in working order.”

Fire crews battle a five-alarm fire at The Canton apartment complex in Oklahoma City on Feb. 9. (The Vista/Manuela Soldi)

There have been no reported fires in any of the residential buildings on campus between 2017 and 2019.

Emergency egress (fire) drills are conducted within the first 10 days of the fall and spring semesters and conducted periodically in non-residential structures and academic buildings.

“I felt safe in the dorms, we had fire drills a few times that allowed me to know what to do in case something happened,” said UCO student Ruthie Ross.

UCO has many ways of sending out

emergency information to students and faculty as well. The Central Alert program sends emails, text messages, and voice calls to inform students of any emergency situations.

“I feel like I always know what is going on,” Ross said. “As soon as anything happens, I get a text with more information.”

The report also details how residents can receive fire safety training.

“Residents may receive a half-hour of fire safety training when six (6) or more residents request such train-

ing. This training will be conducted by the UCO Police and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety to improve survivability in a fire. Residents may request this training through their RA during the first thirty (30) days as a resident in UCO Housing,” the report said.

More information is available in the 2020 Annual Fire Safety Report. For questions, call the Emergency Management division of UCO Public Safety at (405) 974-2216.

UCOSA passes funding for counseling center Emily Grim

Contributing Writer

The UCO Student Association is allocating $100,000 to the Center for Counseling and Well-Being to fund two additional clinicians to assist students.

Julia Reed, director of the Center for Counseling and Well-Being, attended UCOSA’s weekly Congress to address the senators. Senators brought forth student concerns, including long wait times to be seen for initial appointments.

According to Reed, there should currently be 11 clinicians available to students. At the moment, there are only seven. Reed said that more students are utilizing the CCWB since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to longer wait times to meet with all students.

One senator asked how the CCWB addressed students’ issues. The senator mentioned that students had shared stories of going to the CCWB

and being referred out or referred to group therapies.

The CCWB currently uses a stepped care model. It allows more students to access therapy resources more quickly.

“Part of that [model] is an initial session that is really not as much of an intake as you might do if you went to therapy out in the real world,” Reed said. “So that first session is really what we call a solution-focused session, where we’re going to try to explore your problem solving capabilities and what’s happening now.”

UCOSA is also creating a special committee to continue evaluating the situation.

“We know that students have concerns and we want to make sure all of them are heard and addressed,” said Josh Chao, chair of Congress. ”We are going to be forming a special committee focused on continuing to seek out student feedback, promoting the CCWB, and getting the word out about the changes that are made.”

The Vista/Archives

Editorial

Feb. 15, 2022

The Vista | 7

Editorial

Eating disorders don’t care what you look like ing to the problem.

Madalyn Nix Editor-in-Chief

Eating disorders, both spoken

Trigger Warning: ED February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month. I never thought I would be here writing about my experience regarding an eating disorder, considering you wouldn’t look at me and think I have one, but in actuality, less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as “underweight.”

I want to make it clear that I have never been diagnosed as having an eating disorder by a doctor.

I never felt like I reached a point where I needed medical assistance, but I also know myself enough to know that my relationship with food became a deeper issue, and to this day is still a struggle.

Growing up, I was always the biggest girl in the group. I did athletics all through middle and high school, but you can’t compensate for a bad diet, especially overeating. The bullies in school, both boys and girls, were cruel and that did not help. Your worth was decided by what you looked like, and they made sure you knew that.

I hope to God you don’t understand what that feels like. If you do, I’m so sorry.

When I first moved to Edmond in 2018 to go to college, I had better control of my diet and time to get more exercise in. I started losing weight, but part of me kept saying it wasn’t happening fast enough. The stress of college wasn’t helping either.

In 2019, I began starving myself. I was desperate to lose weight and I knew the “guaranteed” method of reaching that was to eat as little as possible. I did that for 9 months. Six days during the week, I never let myself eat over around 700 calories. I lived off of protein shakes, cucumbers, bell peppers with cream cheese, and Skinny Pop popcorn. I was doing 45 minute cardio workouts twice a day in my apartment. I convinced myself that being nauseous every morning was normal. I found myself taking naps during the day, which I never did before. I allowed

and unspoken, can target everyone regardless of age, sex, nationality, weight, etc. People say “just stop doing that,” when little do they know, it is not that simple.

We have to stop assuming that only people who “look underweight” are the only ones with eating disorders. We have to stop shaming people for their looks, which can lead to an eating disorder. Society needs to stop putting

(Vadimguzhva/Thinkstock)

myself to binge out on Saturdays, but it was my only meal for the entire day.

Because of this, I did become thinner. People back home began complimenting me: “You’ve lost weight!” “You look so good!”

“Whatever you’re doing, it’s working! Keep it up!”

Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as “underweight.”

Stupidly, I believed that was motivation to keep going and see how much more weight I could lose. I became obsessed with the number on the scale going down every morning.

I was always joking about it with family and friends, so that they never became suspicious it was a problem. At the time, I was even hesitant to call it a “real” problem because it was working for me.

Looking back, I’m ashamed that was my attitude.

Then the pandemic hit and I ended up moving back in with my family for 6 months. Being trapped inside and having nothing

else to do, I began eating “normal” again. All of the weight came back immediately. I was devastated.

On top of other situations happening, it was one of the most painful times of my life.

Today, I still struggle with eating, not as much as I once used to, but fighting the urge to let the calorie number next to items on food menus decide what I am going to eat is my biggest mental block.

I recently went to Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, and I was craving the shredded chicken nachos. The number of calories in them psyched me out, and I ended up getting a salad instead.

I’m still learning that everything just comes down to balance, which can be hard between school, work, getting enough sleep, and other obligations that life requires. I’ve gotten better at finding balance, but the struggle of knowing that it is okay to eat when you are hungry is something that I have learned never truly goes away, but can be manageable.

There are so many misconceptions about eating disorders that we do not talk about because of the stigma and shame. A lot of people may not realize they even have an eating disorder. Diet culture, peer pressure, social media, and toxic propogandas that claim to be “psychological” over the true bullshit it actually is are contribut-

There are so many misconceptions about eating disorders that we do not talk about because of the stigma and shame. potentially harmful endorsements over the health of others.

We should not be shamed for our choices surrounding food when, for those who struggle, those choices will be the biggest and hardest decisions they will make all day. Compassion for those who are struggling is necessary for success in recovery.

You are allowed to eat what you want, when you want, at any time.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, there is help and resources available. You can call the National Alliance for Eating Disorders at (866) 662-1235 or visit allianceforeatingdisorders.com.

8 | The Vista

Feb. 15, 2022

Movie Reviews

‘American Underdog’ is uncommonly inspirational Brandon Dale Sports Editor

Nothing makes me happier in life than hearing about an underdog story or, in this case, watching an underdog story.

“American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story” starring Zachary Levi and Anna Paquin is a feel-good story in every sense.

Many people have heard about Kurt Warner defying all the odds and making it to the NFL at 28 years old, but not many know the long and windy road he took to achieve his dream.

At age 28, most professional athletes have been playing for multiple years and are considered veterans, which is why the fact that Warner went from working in a grocery store to playing for the St. Louis Rams is an incredible feat.

Not only did he achieve his dreams of playing in the NFL, but he also won a Super Bowl and was crowned Super Bowl MVP in 2000.

The movie is every bit as good as advertised. The film’s outset shows Warner sitting on the floor watching Joe Montana win a Super Bowl. This scene sets the stage for the rest of the

movie as Warner then goes outside to practice plays in his small hometown of Burlington, Iowa.

From there, the movie follows Warner on a two-hour journey from his career at the University of Northern Iowa, to meeting his future wife Brenda (Anna Paquin) in a bar where the two meet line dancing, and then to his short stint with the Iowa Barnstormers, an arena league football team that Warner uses as a stepping stone to reach his NFL dreams. Hell, there is even a scene where Warner tries out for the Green Bay Packers, a scene shot on UCO’s campus.

This story is not only a feel-good sports story but a story about love and commitment and the trials and tribulations that every couple goes through. This theme makes the film so relatable.

There is nothing more empowering to me than seeing someone bet on themselves and having their situation pan out exactly how they intended.

Warner never let others impact what he knew he could be. However, it might not have worked out for him the first, second, or even third time, but he never gave up.

This story is not only a feel-good sports story but a story about love and commitment and the trials and tribulations that every couple goes through. (Provided/Kingdom Story Company)

This type of story resonates with me.

It is no secret that I may be one of the oldest students in the Mass Communications department here at UCO. I have had many setbacks in my adult life to where others assumed that I would never attain a college degree.

Still, here I am, 32 years old and feeling younger than ever, living out my dreams and writing about sports while making friends along the way, hoping to one day be an exceptional journal-

ist.

That is why it is so imperative never to give up and never let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve your dreams.

So, if you are like me and love a great underdog story, check out ‘American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.’ I promise you will not be disappointed.

‘How I Met Your Father’ meets a flipped narrative Tyler Whitehead Contributing Writer

“How I Met Your Father,” a sequel to the popular “How I Met Your Mother” series, follows Sophie (Hilary Duff), a city-dweller in her 30s trying to mingle in a world of dating apps and social media. It takes the format of the original series, but gender swaps it.

The series also features Kim Cattrall, known for the “Sex and the City” franchise, as the older version of Duff ’s character telling the titular story in the year 2050.

A sequel series has been in development since the original ended in 2014 on CBS. Several iterations of the gender-swapped story were written and given a pilot order, but none of them saw life. However, this changed in 2021 when 20th Century Television ordered a 10-episode series for Hulu with “This Is Us” writing duo Issac Aptaker and Elizabeth Barker.

The series finds itself trying to be a lot like the show that came before, but misses the mark when it comes to humor and a purpose for existence.

SPOILERS

The series opens on Sophie (Duff) as she is living with her best friend Valentina (Francia Raisa) in New York City. After many failed Tinder dates,

Sophie gets frustrated with dating and decides to try focusing on herself and discover who she is.

She reveals her dating life to both the audience and, during an Uber ride, with driver Jesse (Christopher Lowell), a music teacher and potential love interest for Sophie, and his best friend Sid (Suraj Sharma), the owner of a new bar in the city.

The trio end up meeting again with all of the other characters at Sid’s bar where we meet Jesse’s sister Ellen (Tien Tran). Near the end of the episode, Sophie walks the Brooklyn Bridge with her roommate and new friends, but it is here where we understand a little of her backstory. It is revealed that she didn’t have a great childhood because of the rocky relationship between her parents and their involvement in her life.

The pilot ends on a relatively creative note with the revelation that Jesse and Sid are living in the apartment where Lily (Alyson Hannigan), Marshall (Jason Segel) and Ted (Josh Radnor) lived in “How I Met Your Mother.”

Additionally, the narrative changes to the fact that we may have already met the father because future Sophie reveals that her son’s father was there that night at the bar.

The storylines of the first half of the

Provided/Hulu

season follow all too familiar tropes in typical sitcoms, but Sophie’s storyline is one that stands out. The season focuses on how her childhood trauma affects the way she looks at love and her expectations when it comes to dating. She begins dating Drew (Josh Peck), the vice principal at the school where Jesse teaches. The two actors are an odd but interesting onscreen couple because of Duff ’s background on Disney and Peck’s prominence in the early 2000s sitcom “Drake & Josh.”

All in all, “How I Met Your Father” is

an unfunny approach at bringing this familiar narrative back to life. Duff is the driving force behind the series, but with that she carries a lot of forgettable characters alongside her. What makes the series great is the flip on the narrative and Sophie’s backstory. The series doesn’t take advantage of the world and creativity of “How I Met Your Mother.”