111623

THURSDAY, NOV. 16, 2023 VOLUME 98 ■ ISSUE 4

NEWS

OPINIONS

LA VIDA

ONLINE

INDEX

Tech students speak out on the war in Gaza and its impact on their daily lives.

DT staffers break down Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas traditions.

Four mother-daughter pairs will have the opportunity to dance together at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Keep up with The DT’s content over Thanksgiving break - from Macy’s to sports, coverage will be posted online throughout the week.

PG 2

PG 4

PG 5

ONLINE

NEWS OPINIONS CROSSWORD LA VIDA

2 4 4 5

SUN RISES AFTER KNIGHT

The General’s legacy transcends basketball

By JAMAR BROOKS SportS reporter

On Nov. 1, the game of basketball lost one of its storied architects with the death of former Texas Tech men’s head basketball coach Bob Knight at the age of 83. Though renowned for his triumphs on the court, those who knew Knight choose to reflect on the manner in which “The General” led in all walks of life.

In his tenure from 20012008, Knight — the sixth winningest coach (902) in Division I men’s collegiate basketball history — led the Red Raiders to four NCAA Tournament appearances along the way to becoming the only coach in program history to have five 20-win seasons.

Jesus Arenas, who was a senior at Tech when Knight embarked upon his first season in Lubbock, said Knight’s arrival on campus sparked a level of interest Tech previously had not experienced.

“It was just cool to be part of that team during that first year [when] coach was here because it was a big media circus,” Arenas said. “It was the first time that students were lining up hours before the game down the street from the student entrance at the arena. We would go out there, and we take them pizzas and give them high-fives and all that.”

In recent years, Tech has garnered more of a reputation as a winning basketball program, particularly following the Red Raiders’ run to the NCAA Championship game in 2019.

Ronald Ross, who played for Tech from 2001-2005, said Knight pioneered the program into what it is today.

“No doubt that they (Tech) had some really good years, but I think coach Knight made it a staple — made basketball a staple at Texas Tech,” Ross said. “It really just stuck once he was there because obviously you didn’t have coaches of his caliber. Texas Tech had never had a coach of his caliber. He really took it to the next level as far as expectations and the

people that started to come to Lubbock.”

Despite his evident success as a coach, Knight had long earned a reputation as a confrontational figure prior to his arrival at Tech, which eventually led to his dismissal from the University of Indiana on Sept. 10, 2000, according to various reports that surfaced at the time.

However, Ross said Knight’s personality was merely a reflection of the robust coaching methods.

“He had his aggressive style of coaching, but it was only aggressive because he was very adamant about winning,” Ross said. “Every lesson that I ever got from coach, whether it was the simplest lesson or a tough lesson, whatever the case is, it was always related to basketball. He never got off track in regards to what his purpose was.”

Josh Washington, who played at Tech for two seasons (20022004) before transferring to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, said his decision to transfer wasn’t because of a spoiled relationship with Knight. In fact, Washington said Knight attempted to convince him to stay with the Red Raiders.

Though Washington eventually opted for a change of scenery, he said over time he’s come to appreciate the selflessness Knight exuded on a personal level.

“As I looked back, I think I’ve reflected on who he was off the court,” Washington said, “and those kind of moments that he spent with me after practice or in my kind of situation where he was trying to show me like, ‘Hey, I want you to be the player I think you can be, but here’s what you can do to get there.’

So those are the things that took me 20 years to realize and look back at the memories. This guy really cared about me off the court. He cared about me as a person.”

Looking at Knight through the lenses of his coaching ability, many of the people he encountered over the years feel

his impact stretches beyond the sport of basketball.

One of those aforementioned people is current Tech head coach Grant McCasland, who said Knight’s emphasis on the importance of education inspires him as a coach and the principles he looks to instill within his team.

“I just thought, what a great legacy. Coach Knight really loved education, and where college athletics is going, it seems like that’s starting to take a backseat,” McCasland said.

“But that’s what I loved about coach Knight, and that’s going to be our emphasis as long as you’re in college and you’re playing. That’s why I admired him because I think he always tried to keep things that would help them in their future at the forefront of what mattered.”

A prominent example of Knight’s propensity for education resides within Arenas, who said upon graduating, he felt indecisive in terms of what direction he wanted his life to take.

“I had to clean out my locker and all that because I was graduating and I was done,” Arenas said. “So for about five or six weeks, I kind of just wandered around, man. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t a member of a team. I didn’t have to go to practice. I didn’t have to go lift weights… . All of a sudden, I kind of had this void, and I didn’t know what it was.”

Unsure of the career path he wanted to pursue, Arenas said he sought guidance from Knight, who steered him in the direction of coaching. Needing to take additional classes after graduating, Arenas said Knight offered to pay for his schooling.

Arenas, a former coach for Lubbock High School’s boys basketball team and current principal at Slaton High, attributes his successes to the relationship he shared with Knight.

“It’s been a cool little journey. But I always kind of go back and always give God the credit that I always feel God put coach in my life and was able to help me through some of that,” Arenas said. “Because

FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador

Bob Knight, Texas Tech head basketball coach from 2001-2008, was known for his controversial coaching methods and unpredictable personality.

FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador

Jesus Arenas, a basketball player for Texas Tech from 1999-2002, and his head coach Bob Knight share a moment during Arenas’ senior season at Tech.

Knight, who finished his coaching career at Tech in 2008, died Nov. 1, 2023.

who knows, if I hadn’t had that conversation with him and played for him, who knows what I’d be doing now.”

For Ross, Knight’s impact is one that is everlasting, forever transcending the feats he accomplished on 94-feet of hardwood.

“He constantly cared for me and on the other side of that coin, I just bought into him.

Anything he said, I was willing

to do, because I completely trusted him,” Ross said. “Putting that complete trust in him changed my life, helped me become the player I did become at Tech, the player I was as a pro, and even to the father that I am today. He had a huge impact in my life, and I was able to pass his lessons on. He’s forever lived not only in this game of basketball, but in life.” @JamarBrooksDT

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Student business blooms from support system

By FAITH DOLAN Staff Writer

In an often gray Lubbock, one student’s small business

is bringing color to the dustriddled landscape.

Andee Greenlee, a secondyear business management student and owner of The Flower

Box, said her inspiration and love for flowers stemmed from her mom.

“My mom has always been really into decorating, and I

PABLO MENA/The Daily Toreador

Lubbock native and business management sophomore Andee Greenlee stands outside her self-managed mobile flower

just remember there always being f lower arrangements whenever I was growing up,” Greenlee said. “So I took some floral design classes in high school.”

When she would come home from school, Greenlee said she gave the flower arrangements she made to her loved ones and looked forward to seeing the joy it brought them. Realizing her passion for brightening people’s day, she continued to practice her craft while learning how to run a business.

“I worked in some other flower shops growing up and really admired how the owners worked,” Greenlee said. “And my dad is a farmer, so he owns his own business. I’ve always admired his ambition and how much he’s learned through managing his own business.”

With the influence of her parents, Greenlee spent the

for her mobile flower business and decided on an old horse trailer she found on Facebook Marketplace.

Thanks to her father’s help, Greenlee said she was able to hire someone to modify the trailer to her liking, beginning with the interior. The yellow color choice was purposeful, Greenlee said, to create a positive environment for her customers while still catching the eye of a passer-by.

In addition to the burst of color, Greenlee’s new business added a window to the front which she said opened up the trailer, allowing customers to feel more welcomed.

“It leaves a lot of room for a conversation and that kind of relationship building,” Greenlee said. “Gradually, people come up and throw something together while I talk to them or

Page 2 Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023

NEWS

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com

GLOBAL

Students explain life, change amidst war in Gaza

By AUSTIN WOOD Staff Writer MARIANNA SOURIALL editor-in-Chief Escalating a nearly 100-year war, militants affiliated with Hamas unexpectedly invaded surrounding Israeli cities of the Gaza Strip, located on the border of Israel and Egypt, in the

early hours of Oct. 7, as reported by the Associated Press. In response, Israel sent airstrikes, and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war with Hamas.

Hamas has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007 after winning the 2006 parliamentary elections, according to the Associated Press.

Hamas, which is supportive of the Islamic Resistance Movement, is considered a terrorist group by the U.S. State Department. Since 2006, there have been no parliamentary elections.

As of Nov. 6, the death count in Gaza has surpassed 10,000 people, according to National Public Radio.

In response to the recent events, students at Texas Tech not only have shared the personal impacts of the war, but detailed ways they are using their voice for others.

With familial and friend- as someone connected to ship ties to the Middle East, the issue, but as a human fourth-year global studies being, to speak out for the major Natalie Numair is rights of others. taking advantage of the Similarly, friend of Nufreedoms she has in the mair and second-year comUnited States to serve as puter engineering major a voice for those unable to Adam Matter took part in a speak for themselves. campus protest on Oct. 10 “They are all still in Pal- with intentions of encourestine, and most of them aging others to educate are in Israeli territory, so themselves on history and they’re not in Gaza or the events surrounding the West Bank,” Numair said. disputed land.

“Another reason that I’m “Many of my friends, speaking out for them is my roommates, they were because, like I said, my wondering what’s going on best friend because who is they’ve 100% Palbeen seeestinian, ing [the] she canmedia not speak The only thing that has been out of the keeps them going saying issue bePalescause the is their spirit, and tine and I s r a e l i that’s what keeps Palestinforces regians are ularly raid me going. bad peoher fample, and ily’s house Natalie Numair now they and go see their t h r o u g h Fourth-year global studies major f r i e n d s phones. and their “If they find anything, classmates are speaking like even the word Pal- for the same country that’s estine, a flag, a family- being put in a bad light,” member WhatsApp mes- Matter said. “So, I definitely sage even relating to or a think it did educate many family member that even people, and it’s the reason supports Palestine, they why people now care about will get detained.” what’s going on.”

Aware of the situation Additionally, Numair her friend is in, Numair said with the influx of insaid it is a duty, not just formation on social media,

it can be easy to become desensitized to the atrocities occurring daily.

Echoing Numair’s sentiments, Matter said, “They’re (people) looking at the stats and numbers [from media outlets] just like it’s a video game, where people have been being killed. When you start realizing that this is not just a stat or a number, it’s a human life that’s been lost… . It’ll show you a different perspective of what’s going on.”

Numair said the sense of guilt derived from seeing social media posts is the primary reason people turn off their phones or avoid speaking up. However, while Numair acknowledged the privilege those in the U.S. have of evading the issue, she also emphasized how that is not a reality for thousands in the Middle East.

“When I see people all day every day fighting to keep going, you know they have nothing left,” Numair said. “Their homes have been taken, they have no food, no water — the only thing that keeps them going is their spirit, and that keeps me going. Knowing that I can educate even just one person, keeps me going. … Just educating one person is powerful enough.”

When Texas Tech Hillel President Julian Cohen woke up on the morning of Oct. 7, he made himself a cup of coffee then looked at his phone. That’s when he realized something was wrong.

Cohen had received frantic messages from friends and family living in Israel, describing the moment as catching him off-guard; he said the first thing he felt was fear.

“I was concerned for the likes of my family, my friends, and just in general, the civilians who live near the border of Gaza, and I know that my heart still goes out to them,” Cohen said.

In the following days, as social media discourse over the conflict rose to fever pitch, Cohen said he felt let down by the silence of some of his peers.

“I guess you could say, I felt disappointment, because I’m friends with people that I've known for years, and the vast majority were silent,” Cohen said.

While others’ apathy was a disappointment to Cohen, he said he found strength in the Tech Hillel community, which he has been a member of since his freshman year.

Hillel is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world with chapters at

850 campuses around the that discuss first aid as globe, and its focus is on far as how to handle yourpromoting community and self in a crisis situation, education, according to its but we're having to conwebsite. sider doing that,” Cohen “We've gotten together said. “It's distressing to on several occasions to hear some members say kind of that they grieve, to no longer really celfeel safe ebrate life. and that I feel very they feel g r a t e f u l ... they feel they they need t h a t w e need a firearm to a firearm have a to protect c o m m u - protect themselves t h e m nity here,” just for wearing a selves just Cohen for wearyarmulke. said. ing a yar“I know mulke.” on many From Julian Cohen different Oct. 7 to Texas Tech Hillel President Nov. 7, ancampuses, Hillels tisemitic right now are very impor- incidents in the U.S. intant for Jewish students creased by 316% with 832 because they literally have incidents at an average of nowhere else to turn, espe- 28 a day, according to data cially with the increasing from the Anti-Defamation violence at many different League. universities,” he said.

While recent events Antisemitic events on have tested the Hillel comcollege campuses have munity, Cohen said he bebeen an issue since Oct. lieves the adversity made 7. Ohio State reported an them more resilient. antisemitic hate crime in“We've been greatly volving an assault on two impacted by the events, students on Nov. 10, and but we also have grown the White House released a together and we've gotten statement on action being stronger together,” Cohen taken to curb antisemitic said. events on college campuses on Nov. 14. @MariannaS_DT “It's distressing to have @AustinWoodDT to consider having events

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com

SPONSORED

Page 3 Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023

Page 4 Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com

OPINIONS

COLUMN

CARTOON

My ideal Thanksgiving meal Raider Red’s holiday mishap Andrew Goodrich is a sophomore journalism major from Irving.

For a holiday that has gone on for over 400 years, the Thanksgiving meal has maintained many traditional staples, but my ideal lineup may turn some heads.

With the Cowboys’ kickoff at 3:30 p.m., my family likes to start the big meal at noon so we can be done and cleaned up before gametime.

For the so-called “warm -up meal” at around 11 a.m., which is when the first NFL game starts, I will have cornichons with a sliced baguette. A cornichon is a smaller version of a pickle but instead of sour, they are sweet and crunchy. This flavor-texture combo compliments the bread well and gets you in the right frame of mind for the main course.

When it comes time for the main event we display all of the food in a buffet style on the kitchen counter and then head to the dinner table. In contrast to common traditions for the meat, honey-baked ham is the way to go.

I strongly believe turkey needs to be swapped out for ham as the stereotypical Thanksgiving meat. Turkey

Christian Jeter is a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Longview.

Black Friday serves as the one day of the year that shopping becomes dangerous and apocalyptic. This list will serve as your go-to on how to survive the upcoming shopping season.

• Before Thanksgiving Day is even over, get to shopping.

As soon as you’ve finished off the turkey and dressing, get on the road and to your favorite store.

• If you can’t manage to get out of the gates early, the

is a dry and tasteless choice, while ham delivers in every facet. It has the versatility of being served warm or cold along with having a sweet flavor and tender consistency.

Equally important to the main protein, sides play a vital role in the makeup of a perfect Thanksgiving meal.

Turkey is a dry and tasteless choice, while ham delivers in every facet.

To start, green beans are the best vegetable because when cooking they have the most versatility. If you want them salty and crunchy, you can, and if you want them stringy, you can.

Next on my list are Hawaiian rolls, an elite side that has a rich sweet flavor with an exceptionally soft mouth-watering bite.

One well-known side I don’t favor is turkey stuffing as I believe it’s overrated and too mushy. Alternatively, if you want a carb-heavy side, macaroni and cheese is the clear way to go.

Another common side I do not include in my Thanksgiving list is cranberry sauce because it is

second wave is your best bet. Be at the doors of Best Buy, Target and the mall before they even open.

• Prepare for the early risers – soccer moms, football coaches and your grandmother are always the quickest to the stores.

If you get there before the majority of them, your chances of survival go up tremendously.

• If you wait around at Best Buy waiting for the opportunity to pick up that last PlayStation 5, you will be sorely mistaken. If you are to get what you want this season, playing offense is key.

• Crowd surfing and uti-

too tart.

Thanksgiving is the one day of the year where I can truly eat my pain away.

As a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, a team who has played on Thanksgiving every year since 1977 and has a record of 10-9 during my lifetime, I have experienced my fair share of losing. So, the dessert options need to be second-to-none.

Pumpkin pie served cold with whipped cream is the best dessert for Thanksgiving as it is sweet with a creamy texture, and when combined with the crust it creates a perfect conclusion to Thanksgiving Day. Apple pie served warm with vanilla bean ice cream is my second favorite. The apples covered in cinnamon are a perfect combination with the crust to elate your taste buds.

Needless to say with both of these desserts, the result of the Cowboys game becomes more and more irrelevant as I enjoy and be grateful for the food put before me.

At the end of the day I know my Thanksgiving roster is a mixture of allAmerican classics and bold takes, but having my family (and the Cowboys) to enjoy this meal with makes it worthwhile. @AndrewG_DT

lizing shopping carts as makeshift battering rams may be necessary in securing your gifts, although it all depends on the store.

• If someone has grabbed a gift you deem critical to your holidays, don’t be afraid to take what’s rightfully yours. A quick distraction should suffice in temporarily drawing the attention away from your opponent.

• In the end, the most important rule of Black Friday survival is don’t be caught on Black Friday. Avoiding this day will give you the highest likelihood of managing your holiday health. @CJeter_DT

ADAM SIERRA/The Daily Toreador

COLUMN

Let Christmas commence Picture this: It’s the day after Halloween, and you’re out of toothpaste. You get in the car, head to Walmart, and what do you see? Christmas trees. Inflatable Santas.

Those little candy canes that only come in boxes of, like, a million.

What is your initial reaction? If you’re a Scrooge, you’re upset. You think holidays should be celebrated individually, that there should be a separation between carving pumpkins, roasting turkeys and frosting cookies.

But where is the fun in that?

My absolute favorite things in the world are Christmas-related. Starbucks Christmas coffees, Pillsbury sugar cookies with elf hats, Hallmark movie marathons, live-action nativity scenes, excessive amounts of twinkle lights wrapping neighborhood trees and the Chick-fil-A peppermint milkshake are all staples of the best time of year.

How, in a world hellbent on unhappiness, can we deny the inherent joy present in all things Christmas?

Personally, I have never been upset with a Christmas cookie in my hand. Movies like “Home Alone” and “Christmas Vacation” are espresso shots of holiday fun, and I have yet to meet

Aynsley Larsen is a sophomore journalism major from San Antonio.

anyone capable of being in a bad mood while building a snowman.

The aura of Christmas time is one of hope, happiness and joy. And for college students, the weeks leading up to winter break are tumultuous to say the least.

Finals are in full swing, professors are denying requests for extra credit and for some reason no one’s hot water is working.

Why wouldn’t we, as a progressive society, pursue the culture massively associated with good tidings and merriment?

Now, I am not one to discount Thanksgiving.

While I’ve never had a slice of pumpkin pie, and don’t particularly care to watch a day-long football game, I fully believe Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays. For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving has meant waking up to the smell of stuffing and sweet potatoes, Rockette performances and Snoopy balloons on the living room TV, and leftover turkey sandwiches for (probably too many) days.

Thanksgiving deserves all the hype, and should mostly definitely be celebrated, but who really wants to use turkey cutouts as decorations? And besides “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” there are unfortunately no Thanksgiving movies worth watching.

So defrost the Mariah Carey soundtrack, preheat the oven and queue up the Home Alone movies (available for streaming on Disney+). Have your turkey and mashed potatoes next Thursday, but do so with a Christmas tree in the living room and Rudolph inflatable on the front lawn.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days, but Christmas is a season, and if you’re not celebrating now you’re already late. @AynsleyLarsenDT

PUZZLE

NATHAN KENISON/The Daily Toreador

ACROSS 1. Final word before “Blast off!”

4. Potato 8. An annoying y o u n g e r b r o t h e r, perhaps 13. Found in a pod 14. Bear with porridge too hot 15. da mia __ mille (verse from Catullus 5) 16. Food found in paragraph eight of “My ideal Thanksgiv-

ing meal” 19. Like some pizza crusts 20. Pitch 21. Could be used to express gratitude 23. Actor Chris, newest voice of Garfield 24. Most populous continent 26. Son to Kanga in A.A. Milne stories 27. Wheeled supermarket basket 28. Food found in paragraph six of “My

ideal Thanksgiving meal” 31. Famous threeingredient sandwich. abbr.

32. Golf tap-in 33. Tiny beard 34. The clue to 61-across, and others 35. Didn’t care enough to peruse, in dismissive text speak 3 6 . L a y e r e d t e a rjerkers 39. Chemist Harold Clayton (or homo-

phone for 18-down) 40. Luxury vehicle company’s letters 43. Food found in paragraph 12 of “My ideal Thanksgiving meal 45. Fibber 46. ___ in umbrella, in a clarifying phone call 47. Quarrel 48. Ill-fitting 49. Star Wars supreme leader in “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi” 52. Dove sound 53. First third of a film 54. Food found in paragraph nine of “My ideal Thanksgiving meal” 58. Gradually wear away 5 9 . Frozen drink with a polar bear mascot 60. Lil ___ X 61. Company with products that suck?

62. Regularly behave, with “to” 63. Key to the right of command on Mac DOWN 1. To accept, with “in” 2. Middle-of-theroad 3. Amelia who flew the Atlantic

4. Exhausted (or past-tense synonym for 5-down) 5. Suffer (or present-tense synonym for 4-down) 6. Surprise successes 7. Information compilation 8. Argument equalizer in texting lingo 9. Float through the air, as a scent 10. __ Trot, Roald Dahl’s final work 11. Skating enthusiast 12. The start of a story 17. “Santa Baby” singer Eartha 18. Brendon of Panic! at the Disco! (or homophone for 39-across) 22. Could precede “ring” or “job” 23. Step up from breadboard for an electrical engineering student, abbr.

25. Director of “Life of Pi” and “Hulk” 28. Peels out, perhaps 29. Could follow “some” or “anti” 30. Pointy elven feature 32. Rock genre or middle school rebel 34. Sound of a balloon’s demise

35. Legend of Zelda relic consisting of power, courage and wisdom 36. Magnum ___; pinnacle of someone’s achievements 37. Complex 38. Phrase that could be seen on an apology letter 39. Ready to go 40. Andy’s nickname for Jim in “The Office” 41. The Beatles’ “___ Mystery Tour” 42. Expressive of dry humor 44. Could precede “guy” or “job” 45. Home of Hollywood, as F.W., TX is to Fort Worth 48. ___ on a true story 50. Evil org. in “Get Smart” 51. Prefix meaning “inner” 55. Peter Parker’s uncle 56. Japanese currency 57. “Is” in Latin A playable online version of this crossword and its solution are available at dailytoreador.com/ puzzles

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Marianna Souriall (806) 742-3395 editor@dailytoreador.com News, La Vida Editor Aynsley Larsen news@dailytoreador.com Sports Editor Marianna Souriall sports@dailytoreador.com Multimedia Editor Jacob Lujan photo@dailytoreador.com Copy Editor Nathan Kenison online@dailytoreador.com

BREAKING NEWS Email dailytoreador@ttu.edu, call (806) 742-3393 or tweet information to @DailyToreador.

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION © Copyright 2023 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.

CONTACT US Newsroom: 806-742-3393 Advertising: 806-742-3384 Business: 806-742-3388 Circulation: 806-742-3388 Fax: 806-742-2434 Email: dailytoreador@ttu.edu

CORRECTIONS The Daily Toreador strives for accuracy and fairness in the reporting of news. If a report is wrong or misleading, a request for a correction or clarification may be made by calling (806) 742-3393 or emailing dailytoreador@ttu.edu.

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com

Page 5 Thursday, nov. 16, 2023

LA VIDA

PERFORMANCE

Pom, moms to take on New York Thelen duo dances toward Big Apple Macy’s Parade will see four Pom pairs

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANABELLE HOLLMAN

Anabelle Hollman (right) is a third-year psychological sciences major from Houston. Her mom, Cyndi Hollman, danced in high school and said the opportunity to dance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a dream come true.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA THELEN

Emma Thelen (left) and her mom, Keli Thelen, will perform together at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 23 aboard a Louisiana-themed parade float. Though they both have danced their whole lives, they have never had the opportunity to do so together.

By AYNSLEY LARSEN News, L a Vida editor

Thirty years ago, high school junior Keli Thelen performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with her National Cheerleaders Association dance team. This year, she will return to New York City as a dancer, but also as a proud Texas Tech Pom Squad mom.

Keli and her daughter Emma Thelen, Pom Squad member and third-year interior design major from Lenexa, Kansas, will travel with the Tech Goin’ Band for its 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade appearance.

“I actually was in this parade 30 years ago this year, so it’s kind of funny,” Keli Thelen said.

“So when I found out Emma was in it, I’m like, ‘Oh, how cool, you’re a junior in college.’ And then when she asked me to do it, I thought she was joking.”

Keli and Emma Thelen are one of four mother-daughter pairs representing Tech who will be dancing on a Louisiana-themed parade float with country singer Alex Smith on Thanksgiving morning.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONTINUED FROM PG. 1

help them out. That’s the part I absolutely love about it, just a quick little conversation and just learning a little bit about their lives.”

Greenlee said her outgoing personality has been a big help when it comes to running a business and making flower arrangements.

“I’m a super bubbly person by nature and I’m super ambitious,” Greenlee said. “If there’s something I want to do or create, I’m gonna find a way that I can do it, or find a way that someone else can do it and then do it better or learn from them.”

Since its opening in September, The Flower Box has received a great deal of support from Greenlee’s fellow Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority members.

“Every single time I have chapter, my sisters come up to me and ask specifically if I

Erin Alvarado, Pom Squad head coach, said representatives from Macy’s requested a wider age range for the performance, leading to the unique grouping.

“Usually in dance it’s like a father-daughter dance, most times, like very often when you dance it’s the male figure,” Alvarado said. “So (it’s) a pretty unique opportunity, for sure.”

Keli Thelen, who danced in college at the University of Nebraska and later with the Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders, said her daughter started dancing when she was 4 years old.

“She put me in dance as a little kid, and I kind of just never stopped dancing,” Emma Thelen said. “I think her past dance experience definitely influenced a lot of everything I did, with being on a college dance team as well.”

It was announced in October the Pom Squad would be traveling to New York with the band, but Keli and Emma Thelen did not find out they would be performing together until Oct. 21, the day of the Brigham Young University vs.

Tech football game.

“My husband and I were acjust had an event and how the event went,” Greenlee said.

“It’s just been such a supportive community that makes it so motivating for me to keep going, because when it gets frustrating or overwhelming, they are quick to pick me up and lift me up.”

With the continued support from friends and family, Greenlee’s eyes are set on buying a storefront in the future.

Hoping to continue growing, Greenlee said the storefront would be a main store for her flower shop, and that she would still take the trailer to events during the weekend.

“I would love to get into the wedding industry and do wedding flowers. I think that’s so special,” Greenlee said. “Right now, I’m just trying to make a name for myself, put myself out there, get customers and start to make relationships with people.” @FaithDolanDT

PABLO MENA/The Daily Toreador

Fans of Greenlee’s The Flower Box can follow the traveling business on Instagram to find out about upcoming events.

tually in Utah for the game, and Emma called me and said, ‘Do you want to be in the parade?’”

Keli Thelen said. “And I’m like ‘Oh, stop pranking me, Emma.’

She’s like, ‘No, I’m serious, they want some moms to do it.’ And I’m like, ‘Well, of course, I mean it’s a definite yes.’”

Both Keli and Emma Thelen said they have experience learning dances on shortened time frames.

The choreography for their Macy’s performance was sent via video, Alvarado said, and the moms and daughters will work together to learn the line dance before their in-person rehearsals in New York.

In addition to the paired performance, the moms, Pom members and alumni present on the parade float will don matching outfits.

“Some of the moms get to wear our boots that we wear,” Emma Thelen said. “Coach has a couple extra pairs because they want us in our white boots, so I have an extra pair of boots to bring to New York for my mom.”

Though Keli and Emma Thelen have spent their lives

dancing, the chance to do so together, on such a large stage, is one neither of them ever expected.

“I think it’s cool because I don’t know when there’d ever be another opportunity like this to dance together,” Emma Thelen said. “And it kind of just happened out of the blue, randomly, which I think makes it even more fun.”

Keli Thelen, Emma Thelen and the rest of the Pom Squad performers will be in New York City beginning Nov. 22 at a Tech Centennial Times Square pep rally, and the mother-daughter pairs will perform Nov. 23, Thanksgiving morning, in front of a crowd of millions.

“I mean, it’s a special event, period. Like, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is iconic, and then for both of us to get to do it together, and then both representing Texas Tech, it’s just super special,” Keli Thelen said. “I’m excited to share this moment with Emma and the rest of the Pom team and the other moms.” @AynsleyLarsenDT

PHOTO COURTESY OF AALIYAH KIKUMOTO

Aaliyah Kikumoto (right) is a second-year business marketing major from Denver, Colorado. Her mom, AJ Kikumoto, danced for Boise State and the Denver Nuggets Dancers, and currently teaches at a dance academy in Denver.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAKENZI LAURITZEN

Makenzi Lauritzen (left) is a second-year human development and family science major from Gilbert,Arizona. She and her mom, Kristena Lauritzen, who danced in high school and college, will perform together Nov. 23 at the Macy’sThanksgiving Day Parade.

Tuxedo Junction of Lubbock

5210 82nd Street (806) 795-9331

Located inside Evergreen Cleaners

Page 6 Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023

SPONSORED

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com