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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022 VOLUME 96 ■ ISSUE 27

NEWS

SPORTS

OPINIONS

LA VIDA

Education students share their thoughts on the increasing teacher shortage in the state of Texas.

Head coach Joey McGuire and his coaching staff ready themselves for the remainder of the spring football season.

Religious holiday’s bring people together this spring season regardless if one believes in the faith.

PG 2

PG 3

PG 4

INDEX

Disha Ganjegunte explores fame both on the big screen and on Broadway.

PG 5

LA VIDA SPORTS OPINIONS CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS SUDOKU

5 3 4 2 5 5

NO MEANS NO

Sexual Assault Awareness Month opens discussions about consent

By PAYTON CARTER Staff Writer

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month, students and Risk Intervention and Safety Education (RISE) members have opened the discussion about what consent looks like.

Brooke Salgado, a third-year student from San Antonio majoring in criminology, said consent is ongoing and can be revoked at any time.

“Consent is a verbal and ongoing yes,” Salgado said. “Consent can be revoked at any time. Consent can only be given when you are in the right state of mind.”

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault nonprofit, reports that 26.4 percent of female undergraduates, 23.1 percent of transgender or gender nonconforming undergraduates, and 6.8 percent of male undergraduates experience sexual assault.

Salgado said sexual assault awareness is about advocating for survivors, and letting their voice be heard.

“Sexual Assault Awareness

Month means to me being able to advocate and educate for those who are survivors,” Salgado said. “It’s important to me because people need to be aware that sexual assault is an issue that is very prevalent in our society. People need to know that survivors come from all walks of life.”

Aaliyah Turcios, a first-year student from Cypress studying pre-nursing, said consent is an understanding of what one is doing, and cannot be given when impaired.

“Consent to me means you have a full understanding of whatever you’re doing, and what you’re doing is something you want to do,” Turcios said. “I also believe you cannot be impaired when giving consent.”

RAINN adds that only 20 percent of college-aged sexual assault victims report the crime to police or campus authorities, and cites fear of reprisal and believing it was a personal matter as reasons why survivors don’t come forward.

Turcios added that Sexual Assault Awareness Month gives unheard victims the voice to share their story.

“Sexual Assault Awareness

Source from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Month is a voice for those who have gone unheard to share their story,” Turcios said. “I believe it’s a month (when) we need to teach more people about what happens on the daily.”

Among the Title IX Office and Student Counseling Services, Risk Intervention and Safety Education is one of the largest on-campus resources for students to use to come forward about a sexual assault they’ve experienced.

Alex Faris the RISE’s program manager for peer education and outreach, said consent is something that must be given every step of the way.

“Consent is something that’s freely given and cannot be coerced,” Faris said. “If someone’s enumerated or intoxicated with a particular drug, they cannot give consent. So it’s something that is needed to be obtained every step of the way, the encounter, so just because a person gives consent for one activity doesn’t mean someone can just blindly forward without asking for

future consent.”

Faris added that RISE is hosting a number of events during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, including defense training and their annual “Take Back the Night” event on April 27th, in honor of “Denim Day.” Denim Day takes place on the last Wednesday of April, and received its name in 1998 when the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction. The court said the victim’s jeans were tight, implying consent because of the woman must have helped take her jeans off, according to the Denim Day website.

The case led to international outcry, and now Denim Day is used to combat victim blaming and spread awareness about sexual assault.

Faris also said he encourages sexual assault survivors to reach out to on-campus resources for help, particularly the Title IX office, which helps students file a police report and take legal action against their perpetrator.

“They have multiple resources

LIFESTYLE

ACADEMICS

Students who vape face financial, medical problems

By ASHER MCPHERSON News Reporter

E-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product among youth since 2014, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2021, about one in 35 middle school students (2.8 percent) and one in nine high school students (11.3 percent) reported they had used electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days.

E-cigarettes are devices that produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains flavored nicotine and other chemicals, according to the CDC. E-cigarettes are also known as vapes or vape

GRAPHICS BY TEA MCGILVRAY/The Daily Toreador

pens and can be used for marijuana as well.

The CDC said scientists are still learning about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes, but it is known that e-cigarettes contain nicotine and other substances that harm the body. Moreover, it has been linked to harming adolescent brain development continuing into a persons early to mid-20s.

Pamela Gutiérrez-Paez is studying biology on the pre-med track in her first year at Tech.

Gutiérrez-Paez said she was introduced to vaping as a sophomore in high school by one of her friends, and since then, she said, she gradually started hitting

SYDNEY BANOVIC/The Daily Toreador A student passes a vape to a friend. E-cigarettes or vapes are the leading form of smoking in young adults, according to National Institutes of Health.

vapes when she was with her friends until she began purchasing them herself.

Gutiérrez-Paez said it became a habit. She got so used to having and constantly holding it to where she always feels like she needs to have it.

“Whenever I don’t have it, I’m thinking about it, and I’m like ‘okay I can just go get another one,’ and I’ll go get it,” Gutiérrez-Paez, the Houston native, said. “It feels like I’m missing something. I don’t know how to explain it, like you’re missing something you have on a daily basis all the time. And when I don’t have it it’s like, ‘what do I do now?’”

There are two common types of vapes: disposables and refillables. Refillable vapes contain a rechargeable battery and refillable pod that holds the liquid.

This allows users to reuse their device over and over, only having to replace the liquid and the pod.

Refillable vapes cost about $25-$35 at local vape shops and go up from there, with nicotine juices run about $13 and the pods are about $5-$10.

Disposables are vapes that are pre-filled with e-liquid, allowing for a specific number of puffs per device.

These are made to be used and discarded once the battery dies or the e-juice is used. These devices cost about $12-$25 at most local vape shops.

“(Disposables) are just easier to buy, use and throw away,” Gutiérrez-Paez said.

“It’s definitely more cost efficient to refill, but for me it’s just too much work.

That way if I ever wanna just stop for a while as soon as it dies, I just don’t have anything to automatically hit until I go to the smoke shop and get more.”

Gutiérrez-Paez regularly works out and she said she can feel a difference when she has not been vaping for a while and when she has.

“It definitely affects your lungs a lot and the rest of your body,” Gutiérrez-Paez said. “I notice my performance and how out of breath I am after the bare minimum. So I know it’s bad but part of me wants to tell myself that nothing has happened yet, so I should be fine.”

Gutiérrez-Paez said there is a little buzz now and then which is another reason she vapes. She said it reminds her of a little head high when she would get a buzz.

“After hitting it for a while, there’s no buzz, just the flavor and the fact that you’re addicted to constantly having to hit it,” Gutiérrez-Paez said. “When I would take breaks for a few days and then I would hit it, then I would be like ‘oh it’s back,’ and so I’d keep hitting it, and then it’s gone again, and it’s died down, so it’s like a cycle.”

SEE VAPE, PG. 2

on campus,” Faris said. “The three big ones that come to mind are the RISE office, the Title IX office, or they can go to Student Counseling Services. That person just experienced trauma. And perhaps the person who caused that trauma is in one of their classes. Title IX can better support them with doing a no-contact order. I highly recommend Title IX, they’re great.”

Faris said ending sexual assault is a community effort, but he urges young men to educate themselves on how to support survivors.

“One thing I want to particularly stress to young men, they play a vital role supporting a culture that fights sexual assault,” Faris said.

“Title IX has often told me if a student who identifies as a woman experiences sexual assault, many times she’ll seek out a male friend to disclose this information. They (male students) need to know how to support survivors and consent education, that goes across the board for all students.” @PaytonCarterDT

Page 2 Thursday, April 7, 2022

NEWS

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com

Future educators address teacher shortage

By ANDREW GETER News Reporter

Teacher shortages in Texas have been an ever growing concern for future educators here at Texas Tech.

Since 2014, the number of newly certified teachers in Texas has declined by 27 percent according to a poll by the Charles Butt Foundation. The same poll also reports that 68 percent of Texas teachers considered leaving the profession in 2021.

Education students at Tech have taken notice of the increasing shortages and share similar concerns when it comes to the future of their career.

Boston Britt, a firstyear education major from Lubbock, said she attributes these numbers to

NICOTINE

CONTINUED FROM PG. 1 Public relations and strategic communication management student, Madeline Edwards, has never tried vaping and is against do-

low wages.

“More and more teachers are going back to school and changing their careers because of the low pay,” Britt said. “I want to be able to support a family, so the pay is something that you defiantly have to take into account.”

Recent reports have show the publics perception of public education is low.

A 2016 study done by The Gallup Poll reported only 11 percent of people believe that public education is doing a satisfactory job.

Sarah Lovett, a secondyear education student from Houston said she believes that the teaching profession should be more highly regarded.

“I think that there are stigmas around being a teacher, but I think that people don’t realize all that

ing so.

“To be perfectly frank, I think it’s really stupid because I don’t want to get addicted to something that is going to affect my health and my wallet if that makes sense, so I’ve just never tried it,” Edwards said.

really goes into teaching,” Lovett said. “I think that people need to give teach-

ing the respect that it needs and realize how challenging it is.”

These concerns have been heard by professional educators and are being addressed in West Texas.

Doug Hamman, a professor of teacher education and the current director of teacher education at Texas Tech University is the director of the West Texas Rural Education Partnership. The group aims to help other schools develop efficient teacher training programs like the one at Tech.

Hamman said he believes that training teache r s i n We s t Te x a s w i l l lead to teachers staying at schools nearby.

“If you can get a really close match between where you prepare and where teach, yeah, you’re going to have teachers that stick around,” said Hamman.

On a national level,

Edwards said she has a ton of friends who can’t live without their vape and say they are going to quit but never do. Edwards said something that doesn’t seem like a big deal, is such a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

“They grow so dependent on it that they literally cannot function without it which is also why I’m kinda scared to be involved in something like that because I’ve seen the impacts of how truly addictive it can be,” Edwards said.

Jennifer Jordan is a doctorate level nurse and got her degree from the graduate nursing program at Tech.

She now lives in the Austin area, studying to become a family nurse practitioner.

“I have smoked ten cigarettes and five cigars in my life,” Jordan said. “I know from personal experience it makes you feel good for a limited time. It gives you that euphoric feeling, it gives you energy, it’s warm,

it goes straight to the brain, it gives you that ‘wake-up.’”

Jordan said when someone comes down from that high, they crave that feeling again.

“We have learned that vaping — the chemicals — can alter the chemistry of your lungs and can cause severe damage,” Jordan said. “Nicotine hits the nicotine receptors in your body and alters the lining of your respiratory tract, it still destroys the cells in your lungs that take years to grow back if you stop vaping.”

Jordan said that even those that do not vape on a daily basis, multiple times a day, may still face damage to their lungs.

“People who use vaping canisters more often will get more damage, but even if you are around them, and you breathe in that vapor, there’s still a chance you could get damage, maybe less, but still get damage,” Jordan said. “And it could still alter the brain and other parts of the body.”

Jordan said human brains are not fully developed until about 22 or 23 years old depending on the literature. Scientists have learned that things you do in your teens can alter your brain make up, so if you drink alcohol or do drugs your growth is stunted and your brain level, unfortunately, in some regards can stay in that “teen” mindset.

“It damages your epithelial cell lining and your respiratory tract,” Jordan said. “So the cilia that naturally catch the viruses and bacteria and pollen in your respiratory tract are damaged in a way that they can’t prevent that from getting in your lungs.”

Jordan said the epithelial cells are thinned, so things that would normally get trapped and prevented from getting into your lungs and nasal passage, are able to go through. This is why smokers have a higher chance of respiratory disorders like pneumonia or being hospi-

FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador

The Texas Tech College of Education is home to education students and professors.

Hamman said he believes incentivizing universities to graduate teachers and establishing teacher preparation institutions would cut into the shortages.

“So, if a university that prepared a certain number of teachers could have access to additional federal funding, grants, and resources, then suddenly preparing teachers would be good business,” Hamman said.

Hamman said he believes that schools have a role to play in the fight against teacher shortages and that is to benefit their communities.

“I think that universities need to be reminded of their core missions, and that is to serve the regions that they exist in,” Hamman said.

talized with COVID-19.

@DailyToreador

We have learned that vaping – the chemicals – can alter the chemistry of your lungs...

JENNIFER JORDAN “It is so detrimental to your long term health, and I would humbly recommend looking towards alternatives to coping with college stressors such as exercise, healthy eating, talking to a friend or pastor or coworker or mental health specialist,” Jordan said.

“I would just recommend them to look toward reducing their usage and eventually quitting because of the potential harms to their long term health.” @ashermcp_DT

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Page 3 Thursday, April 7, 2022

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McGuire, staff give updates on spring practices

By BISHOP VAN BUREN Sports Editor

In his first offseason as a Division 1 head coach, Joey McGuire said he walked away from the first scrimmage knowing there were a lot of plays to teach off of but was inspired by his offense.

“Right there at the end, the defense in our Red Zone competition got ahead by 12 when it was first one to 18,” McGuire said. “The offense could have folded real quick but they didn’t, they came back and answered … so overall putting a lot of stuff on tape to teach off of and the way they competed at the end.”

The first scrimmage of the spring came after the team’s sixth practice in 2022. Still, it resembled one of McGuire’s first opportunities to call plays in a live-action setting, which he said was exciting.

“Any time you come into Jones AT&T it’s just a whole different atmosphere,” McGuire said. “We’ve talked

a lot about when we walk down that tunnel we’ve got to flip that switch. It’s almost like we’re Clark Kent anywhere but when we walk down to the Jones the cape’s got to come off.”

McGuire said one of his biggest takeaways from the scrimmage was how the defense excelled, specifially how it was disruptive on third down.

It’s almost like we’re Clarke Kent anywhere but when we walk down to the Jones the cape’s got to come off.”

JOEY MCGUIRE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH “The defense on third down did some really good things, there was a lot of pressure on the quarterback,” McGuire said before

acknowledging his defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter.

“Coach DeRuyter turned up the heat and I think we went three or four times in a row that it would have been a sack in the game.”

McGuire said it was good to see pressure come from all angles because it shows the defense is buying into DeRuyter’s scheme, who is also in his first season in Lubbock after joining McGuire’s staff from the University of Oregon.

“Everything’s new, especially on the defensive side of the ball,” McGuire said.

“We’ve tried to put everything in, as much as we can so they start learning the vocabulary and terminologies and everything we’re doing.”

While he was pleased to see his defensive players eagerly learning, McGuire said they jumped offsides a few times towards the end of practice, giving him more plays to teach off of.

“Our number one plan to win is ‘Don’t beat yourself’,” McGuire said. “So that’s great to teach off of. We’ll show that

AMBER COOPER/The Daily Toreador

The Texas Tech football team splits players into multiple groups to work on different positional drills during Tech’s Pro Day on March 31, 2022 at the Sports Performance Center.

and cut that up for film.”

While McGuire was the only coach available to the media after the first Spring scrimmage, DeRuyter and Tech’s offensive coordinator Zach Kittley both spoke on March 31 after Tech’s Pro Day and final practice before Saturday’s scrimmage.

DeRyuter said that as a coach it’s his job to want to see his player continue to progress, but he’s been happy with what he’s seen so far.

“I love the way our guys have picked it up, the way they’re putting the time in and then going out on the field and running hard to the ball,” DeRuyter said.

“When guys are confused they don’t run hard. I’ve seen our guys run hard to the ball.”

About a third of the way through the spring practices, DeRuyter said the Red Raiders are about where they need to be.

“I think our guys are picking it up pretty well.

What’s a change from years past is that we’re practicing on two fields so our young guys are getting reps,” he said. “I think that’s really good for a team to have everyone running the defense so that we can continue to have depth.”

On the other side of the ball, Kittley said Tech is heading in the right direction.

“Clearly we’re not where we want to be quite yet,” Kittley said. “We’ve gotta keep climbing. Offensively, we’re pretty young so a lot of it is just teaching the basics to some of these young guys, but they bought into the culture that coach McGuire brought here and bought into the offense, what we’re doing schematically. We’re really on the right trend up.”

Kittley said Tech’s quarterback room has looked really good so far, with a

KHLOE SCOTT/The Daily Toreador

Joey McGuire talks to the media at a conference hosted at the West Stadium building at the Jones AT&T Stadium on Nov. 9, 2021. trio of guys battling it out and splitting reps evenly.

“They all have traits different from each other, but the room is great.” he said.

“I love that room, they all get along great. We’re a big family in there and it’s gone really well so far.”

McGuire also shared his thoughts on this season’s quarterback room when he said they’re similarities help his staff determine how Spring practices need to take place.

“The quarterbacks have been rotating through,” McGuire said. “The good thing for us is they’re very similar from the standpoint that they’re very mobile, they can extend plays with their feet ... (Kittley) doesn’t have to change up the way he calls the game because his quarterbacks are different.

Kittley said his ideal quarterback is someone who is a leader and has command of the locker room.

“When he walks in the locker room the team is

going to know who he is,” Kittley said.

While he said all three potential starters have that trait about them, they’ll spend the rest of the spring competing for their spot just like the rest of the team.

McGuire seemingly has a similar leadership command of the coaching staff, as Kittley said he’s the boss who sets expectations for the staff to follow.

“It’s been great. I’ve been a part of a bunch of staff where it’s maybe offense versus defense, or maybe you see these guys in the building all day every day but you never see them outside the building,” Kittley said. “It couldn’t be any more different here, we’re full staff comradery … it’s come together great. That’s a huge part of success in my opinion, you’re gonna spend a lot of time in that building together so you better like each other.” @BishopVB_DT

OPINIONS

Page 4 Thursday, April 7, 2022

COLUMN

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Sexual assault resources should be for all

As we are at the beginning of sexual assault awareness month, many are starting to share various resources and personal stories regarding sexual assault.

When thinking of sexual assault, one might think of a female relative or loved one who has experienced sexual violence. Others might think of the overwhelming statistics regarding the number of women who have been sexually assaulted.

Although such resources and education are helpful, many of them are catered only to women.

This can invalidate men who have experienced sexual assault, which is beyond damaging.

Despite contrary beliefs, men are just as entitled as women are to resources for sexual assault. Yes, it is true

Faith Dolan is a second-year English major from Midland.

that a greater percentage of women are victims of sexual assault, but the fact remains that men can be victims too.

The U.S. Department of Justice says that an estimated 91 percent of victims of rape & sexual assault are female and 9 percent male.

Nearly 99 percent of perpetrators are male.

One must remember that this statistic only covers the cases that were reported, which is significantly lower in males than it is for females The Journal of Interpersonal Violence says, nearly 25 percent of undergrad

women and transgendered people, and five percent of men, report sexual assault— numbers that are likely underreports by both victims and institutions.

Additionally, fredonia.edu says, “Furthermore, it is estimated that male survivors report sexual assault and abuse even less frequently than female survivors.”

The same patriarchal system that encourages sexual violence and discourages women from reporting also enforces toxic gender roles that prevent men from coming forward.

Many choose to invalidate male victims by making comments along the lines of I bet he enjoyed it or A real man would not complain. Unfortunately, these statements are justified by age-old systems that categorize men as ag-

gressors, as well as systems that always label perpetrators as men.

Although men can experience sexual assault from a female, they also can be assaulted by another male.

Washington Adventist University says that more than 86 percent of male survivors are sexually abused by another male. That is not to say, however, that we should overlook boys or men who are victimized by females.

In addition to toxic gender roles, homophobia also discourages male survivors from reporting as many do not provide as many resources, support or validation to men, especially homosexual men, who are assaulted by another man.

The Journal of Sex Research says, participants held themselves responsible

for needing to be more assertive within sexual encounters to avoid coercion. Many believed that unwanted sex is unavoidable among men who have sex with men: if ‘you are gay, it’s just what happens.”

Yes, it is true that a greater percentage of women are victims of sexual assault, but the fact remains that men can be victims too.”

Individuals should seriously consider eliminating their biases and provide support for all victims of sexual assault, not just women.

One’s sexuality does not and should not determine the

legitimacy of his or her experience, nor should it determine the level of support and resources one is able to use.

If our society is to successfully address sexual violence, we must consider how prejudice and discrimination affect victims of sexual violence.

Our society invalidates both women and men in their experiences with sexual assault, and more support, if any, is given preference to heterosexual individuals.

Men deserve support, Men are entitled to be represented in statistical reports as well as in the distribution of resources. One’s gender or sexual orientation does not determine whether or not he or she will be a victim of sexual assault. @FaithDolanDT

COLUMN

Religious holidays bring people together In my home growing up, my parents never taught my siblings and I about religion.

Both being atheist, my parents never forced the concept on to us.

However, my extended family practiced Catholicism and although our lack of religion, my family always made sure to celebrate any and every holiday.

Religious holidays allow believers and non-believers alike to come together and spend time with loved ones.

Many religious holidays are ingrained in different cultures; religion is an important part of these cultures and the traditions of religion tend to translate to the morals and customs in them.

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CORRECTIONS

While I did not grow up believing in any God, I did honor the principles of my Mexican heritage. Surrounded by Catholicism from my family, the values taught to me be respectful to others and to be selfless. These concepts are passed down not only through religion, but through the actions and words of others, something that I continue to follow.

Furthermore, though I was not able to fully understand the meaning behind certain religious days and customs, the knowledge through my culture allowed me to connect with people who are religious.

The separation of religion and culture emphasizes the importance of both. Moreover, the combination of both concepts creates a new significance and can be appreciated by anyone.

The boundary of nonbelievers and believers disappeared with the respect and willingness to learn about

© Copyright 2022. Texas Tech University Student Media/The Daily Toreador. All DT articles, photographs and artwork are the property of The DT and Student Media and may not be reproduced or published without permission. The Daily Toreador is a designated public forum. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval.

one another.

Understanding religious holidays is important for non-believers to be respectful to others.

This level of respect also goes for believers respecting the beliefs of atheist and those who practice other religions. The mutual admiration between groups promotes unity.

To accommodate for religious students, Tech offer days off for religious students. Days such as Easter Monday and other religious observances give these students the opportunity to worship in peace.

As students, non-believers such as myself use these days in different but just as important ways. Whether

of organizations and clubs that serve these communities.

The recognization of religious days in school paved the way for me to educate myself and appreciate what each day means.

The understanding of religious holidays does not push religion onto anyone, it serves as an educational lesson for the history of specific

Understanding religious holidays is important for non-believers to be respectful to others.” groups that find prominence in society.

Without challenging one’s own beliefs, becoming acquainted with all religion grows knowledge for many.

My status as atheist never became a problem

for my religious friends because we understood respecting one another and seeing past beliefs or identity.

My own opinion of religion often fluctuates from good to bad. Seeing the positive part of religion tends to highlight the negative and wavers my point of view.

As a non-believer, my perspective is just as important as that of a believer. Religion must exist from all biases, including the one of a nonbeliever.

When it comes to the celebration of religious holidays, history and truth must be explained to better understand the reason for these days.

I never understood the truth of Easter or any other religious holidays growing up, however, the moments with my family and fun holiday activities serve as precious memories for me. @JulesCerveraDT

COLUMN

Simple conversations can help solve racism

It’s almost comical how my trips to the grocery store give me life lessons and realizations that many of us consciously pursue. This time, I had an acute realization (for the first time) of being in a foreign land. I was glad that this realization came to me after 8 months of living in America because had it come any earlier it would’ve made me feel unwelcome.

Drum rolls for the realisation: an average citizen’s naivete about my culture and country.

The cab driver taking me to the grocery store asked me where I was from, when I told him I was from India he immediately made a remark about how he has had some unpleasant encounters with the way some of my countrymen and women speak.

Such a remark can easily be mistaken as racism but,

Navi Chiddarwar is Ph.D. canidate student from Pune, India.

I decided to go past it and ventured to educate him a little bit about the Indian diversity, dialects and mother tongue influence on English, by the end of the ride not only were his doubts clarified, he even apologized for his honest mistake.

Something that could’ve easily sown the seed of bitterness within us just ended up becoming an exercise of bridging gaps.

I was certainly uncomfortable with the immediate remark but soon realised that this encounter was just a tipping point that has ultimately encouraged me to

write this opinion piece.

In my short stay in Lubbock, I have been fortunate to make friends from nearly all continents on Earth. What they’ve taught me is we are more alike than we are different and that whatever differences we have makes us a world-class teacher for each other.

It’s almost ironical how information and internet have both the power to make the world a small place and at the same time be used to peddle misinformation that can cause communal feuds.

What can be used to bridge gaps can also be used to burn bridges.

The current geopolitical situation has vividly demonstrated that the world ecosystem disrupts if two countries go at war, this shows that we all need each other.

Well, that should ideally

push us to know more about each other rather than holding onto age old preconceived notions.

In my short stay in Lubbock, I have been fortunate to make friends from all continents. What they’ve taught me is we are different and whatever differences we have makes us a world-class teacher for each other.”

However, the opposite seems to be true, we do not make enough effort to just sit down, break a bread and have conversations about

POLL

where each of us come from.

I would not be exaggerating if I say that by not doing that enough, the world can be rocked by wars and civil unrest overnight. Only it didn’t really happen overnight it happened over many, many nights (and days).

That’s all it takes-- one mundane errand, a cab ride and two open minded people.

It’s beautiful how all of us do the same things-- bring ourselves to work/school everyday, love our families, have dreams and desires, have a good life, have our sets of faiths and beliefs. So what if they exist in different proportions? If I can grow up with American music and love Indian curry then so can you, so can all of us (metaphorically). @NaviCDT

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Jules Cervera is a third-year English major from Grand Praire

it be a day of relaxation or spending time with family, appreciating the holiday gives respect to those who devote themselves to their religion on these days.

These holidays give space for non-believers and believers to come together despite any differences. This concept is one we see challenged and executed throughout history.

Creating a community of respect for non-believers and believers to co-exist is vital in keeping harmony between others.

Religion and culture often intertwine and connect different backgrounds of people.

Coming into college, the exposure to multiple religions and cultures was most definitely a shock for me. I took the time to acknowledge all of the groups I saw and understand their purpose.

The different holidays and holy days for religious groups became more recognized with the existence

Are you surprised by Bob

DT Reader Vote 4/5/22

Bowlsby’s decision to step away as the Big 12 commisioner?

Yes 53%

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No 47%

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The Weeknd to replace Ye at Coachella INDIO, Calif. (AP) — Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd are replacing rapper Ye in a headlining spot at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

A new lineup was posted on Wednesday announcing the late change for the festival that runs April 15-17 and April 22-24 in Indio, California.

A representative for Ye,

who changed his name from Kanye West, did not immediately return a message from the AP seeking comment. A publicist for Goldenvoice, the company that runs Coachella, also did not respond to a request for information.

Swedish House Mafia had already been listed as performers prior to the lineup change, but it wasn’t immediately clear when they were to

GUEST COLUMNS The Daily Toreador accepts submissions of unsolicited guest columns. While we cannot acknowledge receipt of all columns, the authors of those selected for publication will be notified. Guest columns should be no longer than 650 words in length and on a topic of relevance to the university community. Guest columns are also edited and follow the same guidelines for letters as far as identification and submittal.

perform. Now they are listed at the top of the Sunday nightly schedule, along with The Weeknd. Other headliners include Billie Eilish and Harry Styles.

Ye, a top Grammy nominee, did not attend last weekend’s Grammy Awards, despite winning two awards, after his performance was pulled from the show.

EDITORIALS Unsigned editorials appearing on this page represent the opinion of The DailyToreador. All other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and are not necessarily representative of the editorial board, Texas Tech University, its employees, its student body or the Board of Regents. The DailyToreador is independent of the College of Media and Communication. Responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies with the student editors.

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APRIL 7, 2022

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PROFILE

Disha Ganjegunte talks James Corden, Off-Broadway, talk show “A New Disha”

By GRACIE HANCOCK Staff Writer

Disha Ganjegunte is a third-year Pre-Med student double majoring in nutritional sciences and general studies with minors in chemistry, biology and acting.

Ganjegunte is also an honors student and a Terry Foundation scholarship recipient.

To the people who say it isn’t possible, I will just show them that it is.”

DISHA GANJEGUNTE NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE & GENERAL STUDIES MAJOR In April 2021 Ganjegunte, along with her mother, appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, in a segment titled “Face Your Mother.”

“I was very fortunate to even have that platform in the first place and hopefully I can just build upon it and use

it for good,” Ganjegunte said.

The segment soon went viral after Ganjegunte surprised her mother with the news of her medical school early acceptance.

“After the show, I was actually on an off Broadway show called 12 Incompetent Jurors,” Ganjegunte said. “So after all of that happened, I came to Texas Tech and after Tech had seen it they offered me to have my own talk show through the arts.”

After returning to campus Ganjegunte received her own talk show, ‘A New Disha’ through the arts college.

“I definitely don’t take it for granted and it’s allowed me to not only be an actor, but also to produce and direct,” Ganjegunte said.

Currently ‘A New Disha’ has five episodes, with new episodes uploaded every Thursday on TTUArts’ YouTube channel.

Ganjegunte has many big dreams and wants to use her platform to inspire others to achieve their dreams.

“I just want to be a pioneer and inspire others, creating a future for people to dream big too,” Ganjegunte said.

Ganjegunte aspires to become a doctor and an actress.

Ganjegunte has faced many who say her dreams are not possible or realistic.

“To the people who say it isn’t possible, I will just show them that it is,” Ganjegunte said. “People sometimes need someone to show them things are possible and I am happy to be that person.”

When asked who her biggest inspirations were, Ganjegunte responded with Elizabeth Blackwell, Jennifer Lawrence, James Cordon and Michelle Obama and her mother.

Ganjegunte grew up in El Paso, where she was raised to be authentically herself and encouraged to pursue her dreams without hesitation.

“I pride myself on being very authentic,” Ganjegunte said.

Saschell King, a Tech graduate, met Ganjegunte in her first-year nutrition class. Since then, Ganjegunte and King have become really close friends.

“Disha is an absolutely wonderful friend, she’s honest and loyal,” King said.

“She’s also very smart and

SYDNEY BANOVIC/The Daily Toreador

Disha Ganjeguente, from El Paso, keeps busy through double majoring in nutritional sciences and general studies, with minors in chemistry, biology and acting. funny. She is a big motivation for me, anyone would love her.”

“I don’t think I have ever seen her take a day off. She’s always scheduling some volunteering outlet, some kind of study abroad, she’s always chasing opportunities to make her a better person and I admire that about her,” King said. “Her work ethic is very admirable.”

Ganjegunte is an amazing person that will go out of her

way to help anyone in need, King said.

Christina Rosson, Disha’s Terry Scholar advisor said Disha is a very determined person.

“My strategy with Disha has been to never tell her no,

because that is what fuels her,” Rosson said. “Disha is strong and determined and she will somehow, some way, change the world.” @GracieHancockDT

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Musk joins Twitter board of directors with high stakes Elon Musk is joining Twitter’s board of directors a day after revealing that he’d become the social media platform’s largest shareholder with a 9% stake.

The billionaire has criticized Twitter publicly about its commitment to free speech.

He’s also run into trouble on the platform as the CEO of Tesla after financial regulators found he had posted inaccurate information about the company.

Musk is barred from owning more than 14.9% of Twitter’s outstanding stock while he sits on the board, Twitter Inc. said in a Tuesday regulatory filing.

Musk has been speaking with the company in recent weeks and Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said in a tweet that “it became clear to us that he would bring great value to our Board.”

“He’s both a passionate believer and intense critic of the service which is exactly what we need on @Twitter, and in the boardroom, to make us stronger in the long-term,” Agrawal wrote.

Musk said he’s looking forward to working with Agrawal

and the board “to make significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!”

Musk wasted no time in weighing in on one of the biggest gripes Twitter users have about the platform late Tuesday, asking in a tweet if he should add an edit button.

“Now its time to get out the popcorn and watch the developments over the coming months with Musk on the board,” wrote Daniel Ives, who follows Twitter for Wedbush Securities.

Twitter’s board will have 12 members with Musk. Jack Dorsey stepped down as CEO of Twitter last and his term on the board expires at an upcoming stockholders’ meeting on May 25. Three other board members have terms that are set to expire but have been nominated to retain their seats.

Dorsey tweeted Tuesday that Musk and Agrawal “both lead with their hearts, and they will be an incredible team.”

“I’m really happy Elon is joining the Twitter board!

He cares deeply about our world and Twitter’s role in it,” Dorsey said.

After amassing 73.5 million Twitter shares worth a total of about $3 billion, Musk has not spoken specifically about any Twitter rule changes he might push.

In March, Musk told his 80 million followers on Twitter that he was “ giving serious thought ” to creating his own

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Musk is locked into a bitter dispute with the SEC over his ability to post on Twitter.

His lawyer has contended in court motions that the SEC is infringing on the Tesla CEO’s First Amendment rights.

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6

BLOSSOMING INTO SPRING

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Victoria Wynter gets ready to perform at the Diamonds, Drag and Disco drag show on April 3, 2022 at the Student Union Building Ballroom.

A Texas Tech student throws Holi color at the celebration of Holi at Urbanovsky Park on April 3, 2022. Holi is the Hindu celebration of spring, using color powder to ring in the new season.

EMILY KNEPP/The Daily Toreador

An art piece from Madison Branch titled “Watching a Candle Flicker in Your dark Bedroom While the Power is Out”, on display at the First Friday Art Trail on April 1, 2022.

OLIVIA RAYMOND/The Daily Toreador

Thousands of tulips were planted across the Texas Tech University campus in continuation of the tradition during the spring semester on March 31, 2022.

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Jerry Serrano, a local music artist, plays music for guests at the First Friday Art Trail on April 1, 2022. Serrano played covers to popular West Texas songs and some Buddy Holly to honor the Lubbock local.

The bradford pear trees are covered with white blooms that flourish in the spring weather with warmth and some precipitation on March 31, 2022.

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Freshman Chiara Holder swings toward the next hole against Oklahoma State University at the Rawls Course on April 3, 2022 at the first day of the Red Raider Match Play Tournament.

Junior Olivia Peet runs to return the ball down the court while playing against the University of Oklahoma at the McLeod Tennis Center on April 3, 2022.

Junior outfielder Payton Jackson slides into the wall after catching the ball in the game against Kansas at Rocky Johnson Field on April 4, 2022.

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