The Index Vol 114 Issue 11

mystic Kirksville location are you?

Professor makes a difference on and off campus,

Golf graduates seven players, page 12

Exciting spring for Missouri sports fans, page 10

MICROCREDENTIALS PROGRAM TO BE IMPLEMENTED

Truman State University students will soon be able to enhance their skills and resumes with the new microcredentials programs. There will be five in design, five in biology, one in Spanish and two in business to be available next fall.

Associate Provost Kevin Minch, said microcredentials have an emerging definition. They are shorter than a minor and a certificate. They typically will be three or four courses clustered around development of a particular skill or set of skills needed for the workplace.

The microcredentials discussion at Truman has been ongoing for several years, but the University began eliciting proposals during the fall.

The provost’s office created an incentive program to get departments to think more seriously about developing [microcredentials] and compiling them, said Minch.

Minch said the office is still developing the details of the programs, but they recently passed at the Faculty Senate and will appear in the catalog for next fall.

“The tradition of going to college for four years, going out into the workplace and not having to go back to school is going out of the window,” Minch said. “Technology is changing at a rapid pace … and there’s going to be a need for lifelong learning.”

Campus coordinates efforts for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

GRACE POTTER Staff Writer

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Truman State University organizations are coordinating events to raise awareness and show solidarity with survivors.

“Their lived experiences are different than mine, but an open mind, respect and decency go a long way,” said Ryan Nely, Title IX coordinator and institutional compliance officer.

Nely works closely with Alex Zelk, Student Government’s sexual assault prevention designee, to plan several events throughout

April. April 12, one of Nely’s law school classmates will speak to the Truman student body about her time as an attorney working with women and children who were victims of violence.

In an attempt to talk to students face to face, Nely said he will be tabling in various places around campus, like the Student Union Building or the Quad. At the tables, there will be an array of ribbons for students to wear to represent their support and solidarity for those struggling with mental health or survivors of violence.

“[Tabling] allows me to get out here and talk to people,” Nely

TMN receives state awards

GENEVIEVE TLUSTOS Editor-in-Chief

Truman Media Network took multiple awards at the Missouri College Media Association annual conference and the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association annual conference April 1.

“I’m so proud of all the work that the Truman Media students have put in this year,” said Lukas Pierce, KTRM-FM station manager. “We couldn’t do any of this without the hard work and teamwork of everyone involved.”

Four TMN staff members attended the conference on Southeast Missouri State University’s campus in Cape Girardeau. At the conference, incoming Index Editor-in-Chief Sydney Ellison was elected vice president of MCMA. TMN is advised by communication department professors David Price and Don Krause.

For a full list of awards, check out page 3

said. “I’d like to make talking to me less intimidating.”

April 26 is Denim Day, a national and campus-wide event that urges all students to wear any type of denim to show support of sexual violence victims. There will be stickers circulating saying, “Ask me why I’m wearing denim,” and Nely hopes the day will help students start conversations surrounding difficult subjects like sexual violence.

See AWARENESS page 5

Truman class helps local immigrants adjust

SETH JARVIS Staff Writer

Sue Thomas, Truman State University president, and Tyana Lange, vice president for enrollment and marketing, are leading a class for the Kraft Heinz Company workers housed at Truman.

The class is meant to help integrate the workers into the wider Kirksville community and occurs Fridays at 8 a.m. Thomas and Lange lead an informal discussion with students centered around a specific topic for the day.

March 31, class discussion centered on the u-curve of cultural adjustment that deals with the phases that come with moving to a new environment.

See CLASS page 5

OLIVIA MANN Staff Writer

Students have a discussion during HIST 3415. 13 microcredentials from various departments will be available in the fall.

Photo by Emily Collins

Several Kraft Heinz workers from Guam and Hawaii are living in Centennial Hall until they find permanent housing. The one-credit hour class to help them adjust is also in Centennial. Photo by Emily Collins

Greek Week raises $23,500 for the Adair County Library

Members of Alpha Sigma Alpha spell out “FSL.” Fraternity and Sorority Life participates in a week of fundraising activities each spring.

Photo by Alexander Walcott Above:

Photo by Alexander Walcott

Photo by Emily Collins

Right: Phi Lambda Phi President Clayton Caprogilone attends the closing ceremony. Caprogilone shaved his head during an event to raise money for the library.

Photo by Emily Collins

MICROCREDENTIALS | Program will include digital badges managed using a third-party platform

Continued from page 1

Microcredentials are not limited to undergraduate students, as alumni who graduated may want to come back and learn these skills because they know the Truman brand and trust it, said Minch. The microcredentials could grow Truman’s enrollment.

Rusty Nelson, professor of art and design, said it’s much simpler to deal with a microcredential than a minor.

He said while many students declare minors, the completion rate isn’t as high as declared majors.

“I think [the microcredentials] will probably have a higher completion rate than minors,” Nelson said.

“We’ve got all of our classes to where you can come in with an interest, jump in, start learning software and start being creative,” said Nelson.

Every microcredential will include a digital badge, which will be managed using a third party platform, said Minch. It’s essentially something students can export to a LinkedIn profile, or other similar tool, that shows they have earned this particular credential or accomplishment.

Joyce Patrick, assistant professor of biology, said the goal of biology’s microcreden-

Cardinal Key, Blue Key host blood drive

STAFF REPORT

Cardinal Key and Blue Key Honor Societies are hosting a blood drive 11:30-5:30 p.m. April 18-19 at Truman State University.

“Cardinal Key and Blue Key love hosting this blood drive,” said Madison Post, Cardinal Key blood drive chair. “We think this is a really great way to give back to the community.”

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skills on any Alexa or Echo device.

Donors are encouraged to complete a RapidPass online health history questionnaire to help speed up the donation process. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states — 16 with parental consent where allowed by state law — weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

tials is to give students specific training to be laboratory technicians.

“We also think these microcredentials will appeal to students in other fields besides laboratory technicians. For example, we have a microcredential in plant care and one in animal care, so a student who is going to work at a veterinary clinic or going to veterinary school could say … ‘I’ve got this credential, and I’ve learned these specific skills that are applicable to this job or this career,’” Patrick said.

Microcredentials can be important for a resume, said Nelson, allowing employers to know which applicants have knowledge about certain topics or have certain skills.

The added benefit of being able to find jobs more easily and get the attention of employers is huge, Minch said.

“I’m excited to get students enrolled and see how the programs are going to work,” said Patrick. “I think it’ll be helpful to many of our students.”

Minch said microcredentials are still in their infancy at Truman. There are lots of questions that need to be figured out, he said, but it’s exciting to see it start.

“The possibilities are still not fully known but probably endless,” Minch said.

2022 MCMA Awards

• Sports column - First Place: Athletes tranferring is good for Truman, Steven Findley Jr.

• Entertainment review - First Place: “Blonde” is a bleak, exhausting vehicle for actor de Armas’s career-best, Joey Dougherty

• Story Illustration - First Place: “The French Dispatch” is Wes Anderson at his best, Jinyu Li

• Photo Page - First Place: Students celebrate at Oktoberfest, Matt Frank and Oliver Malone Website - Second Place: Truman Media Network, Daniel Harper

• Advertising Design - Second Place: Newsie Ad, Rebekah Nelson

• Editorial Writing - Second Place: Where are the precautions? by the Index Editorial Board

• Information graphic - Third Place: Commencement during COVID-19, Rebekah Nelson

• Editorial/Op-Ed Page - Third Place: Vol 114, Issue 5, Page 4, Sydney Ellison Feature Page - Third Place: Top 5: Tips for staying safe in the snow, Rachel Becker and Rebekah Nelson

• Feature Writing - Honorable Mention: Truman community members foster children, Alyssa Rzany

Professor Tim AuBuchon teaches a class. The new microcredentials will be helpful to many students, said biology professor Joyce Patrick. Photo by Alexander Walcott.

Participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month events

In Grace Potter’s story about Sexual Assault Awareness Month this issue, Ryan Nely, the Institutional Compliance Office coordinator, spoke about the various events happening during April. We, the Index Editorial Board, encourage community participation in these events to increase support for sexual assault survivors and promote education about the topic.

Events like Denim Day, tabling and speakers with expertise on the subject will help lower fear of talking about sexual assault. We hope these events strengthen the community and create a safer space, and participation in these events is crucial to their success and continuation.

We hope to see the Institutional Compliance Office continue events like these beyond April, as it could help lower a stigma we’ve seen on campus around talking about sexual assault. Continuing to educate students and staff on how to seek help about sexual assault would be a wise and helpful action to take.

For example, freshmen hear about sexual assault awareness when they first arrive at Truman during Tru-

man Week. This is an important, and hopefully preventative, action to take. We believe there should be yearly presentations on the subject for other classes of students. These could be in many forms, like a speech for the other three classes, a video sent out over email or tabling in populated campus areas at the start of the school year.

Continuing the discussion of sexual assault past freshman year serves as a reminder of how to get help and increases the chances of someone asking for help.

We also support the Institutional Compliance Office’s efforts to get a closer Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for Truman students. Since the current closest SANE is at the University of Missouri, having a closer SANE would much improve the processes for sexual assault survivors.

We are grateful to the Institutional Compliance Office for their efforts and hope this is not the last we see of this kind of effort for the year. We encourage student, faculty and staff participation during the events held throughout April.

At a university of about 3,000 students like ours, finding others outside of your immediate group or club with the same interests or passions can be challenging. It’s easier to stick to your own routine than it is to discover new ideas or even how others accomplish similar tasks in a different way. This makes it all the more important to pursue what ever opportunities you can to find inspiration.

April 1, at Southeast Missouri State University, Managing Editor Sydney Ellison and I attended the Missouri College Media Association awards. At this conference, we learned about the

stories other colleges were writing, saw the types of pages they were designing and discussed common challenges.

My first impression was how similar our challenges were at the collegiate level. At a leadership roundtable, we discussed how staffing had been an everincreasing issue, as many colleges see declining enrollment and engagement after the pandemic. Getting students to care is hard, especially as many collegiate newspapers struggle with low funds.

I also realized how easy it is to stay very internally focused at the Index. How are we doing compared

to the beginning of the year, are we covering the right things, how do our photos look? In doing this, we forget how vast the world is outside of the Index and Truman. College newspapers across the state are doing incredible things – reporting breaking news on administration embezzlement, writing bold opinions articles and blending online and print content. In whatever field you are in, whatever you are passionate about, I would encourage you to stay engaged with your peers outside of school to remain inspired and generate fresh thoughts.

While I learned a lot, I mainly left with a sense of gratitude – for an adviser who cares not only about the newspaper but about us as students and as people. For alumni who stay connected to the Index and offer advice, and even other students willing to help us with our weaknesses. For an editorial board that is so supportive and generous with their time and for other KTRM-FM staffers who care so deeply about what they do.

I am grateful for the people here.

The lessons I learned can be applied to any career, passion or hobby. Know that many others likely face the same challenges as you and learn how they have worked to overcome them. See what your peers are doing. In this, be grateful for what you have, and draw inspiration without becoming envious. While you may not have a conference that makes this easy, there are numerous options available to you on the Internet. Join a Facebook group, look at articles or on Pinterest. Connect with others on LinkedIn and send them a message. You have little to lose and much to gain.

In whatever you do, I encourage you not to be so focused on your past steps, current steps and steps ahead that you forget look at others around you for new thoughts, for support and guidance.

EDITORIAL POLICY: e Index is published ursdays during the academic year by students at Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501. e production o ces are located in Barnett Hall 1200. We can be reached by phone at 660-785-4449. e Index is a designated public forum, and content of e Index is the responsibility of e Index sta . e editor-in-chief consults with the sta and adviser but ultimately is responsible for all decisions

EDITORIAL POLICY:

The Index is published Thursdays during the academic year by students at Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501. The production offices are located in Barnett Hall 1200. We can be reached by phone at 660-785-4449. The Index is a designated public forum, and content of The Index is the responsibility of The Index staff. The Editor-in-Chief consults with the staff and adviser but ultimately is responsible for all decisions.

Opinions of e Index columnists are not necessarily representative of the opinions of the sta or the newspaper. Our View editorials represent the view of the Editorial Board through a two-thirds majority vote. e Editorial Board consists of the editor-in-chief, managing editor, section editors, copy chief and assistant copy chief. e Index reserves the right to edit submitted material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter, libelous content or any other reason the editor-in-chief deems appropriate. Submitted material includes advertisements and letters to the editor

Opinions of The Index columnists are not necessarily representative of the opinions of the staff or the newspaper. Our View editorials represent the view of the Editorial Board through a two-thirds majority vote. The Editorial Board consists of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, section editors, copy chief and assistant copy chief. The Index reserves the right to edit submitted material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter, libelous content or any other reason the Editor-in-Chief deems appropriate. Submitted material includes advertisements and letters to the editor.

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LETTER POLICY: e Index welcomes letters to the editor from the University and Kirksville community. Letters to the editor are due by noon the Sunday before publication and become property of e Index upon submission. Once submitted, the letter is subject to editing for grammar and spelling errors

LETTER POLICY:

The Index welcomes letters to the editor from the University and Kirksville community. Letters to the editor are due by noon the Sunday before publication and become property of The Index upon submission. Once submitted, the letter is subject to editing for grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.

660-785-4449

Submissions must contain a well-developed theme and cannot exceed 500 words except at the discretion of the opinions editor and/or editor-in-chief. Submission does not guarantee publication. Letters containing personal attacks, libelous attacks or inaccurate information will not be published. All letters to the editor must be typed and submitted by email to index.opinionseditor@gmail.com or online at tmn.truman.edu Include the words “letter to the editor” in the subject line of the email. Letters which are not submitted digitally will not be taken in consideration

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GENEVIEVE TLUSTOS

Editor-in-Chief

“Know that many others likely face the same challenges as you and learn how they have worked to overcome them. See what your peers are doing. In this, be grateful for what you have, and draw inspiration without becoming envious.”

CLASS | Kraft workers from Hawaii, Guam adjust to life in Kirksville

Continued from page 1

Thomas said it is normal for individuals to experience stress and home sicknesses after moving to a new environment. During the class, Thomas asked students to share their experiences and the stresses they have gone through since moving to Kirksville.

Thomas also encouraged students to share a previous assignment with the class to describe where they wanted to be in a year later. Most students discussed wanting to achieve financial security for themselves, securing a home in Kirksville and creating a large amount of savings. In addition, other students hoped to see their families join them in Kirksville to live with them in the community.

Lange said discussions began with Kraft Heinz to house and educate workers during early fall 2022. Kraft Heinz specially decided to work with the University because they needed help to hire workers for their facility. Lange said the unemployment rate

in Kirksville is extremely low, and there simply are not enough people in the town to staff Kraft Heinz.

Lange said it is incredibly important for Truman that Kirksville succeeds. If Kraft Heinz cannot hire enough workers and leaves the community, it would also greatly harm the University. The University is working with Kraft Heinz to house workers who hope to make Kirksville their home.

Lange said the workers were largely recruited from Hawaii. Kraft Heinz specially focused on recruiting workers from the state because of its high cost of living relative to Kirksville. After applying, workers went through an extensive background check before they were allowed to go through the program at the University. Kraft Heinz is covering the costs of the one-credit hour course along with the cost of housing. Lange said the students will be housed by the University for four months before they move out into Kirksville.

Lange said the class focuses on various financial literacy skills along with other elements needed to integrate them into the area. Their next class will be focused on assisting them with finding rental properties. Lange said there have also been classes that assisted the students with other aspects of life, such as signing up for healthcare.

Lange said the students come from a diverse range of backgrounds. There

are students from American Samoa, the Philippines and Micronesia. There are also students born in mainland United States. Lange said she expects the next group of students, which will number between 10 and 25 students, to have the same degree of diversity.

“I am so thankful that I have an opportunity to be a part of teaching this first class,” Lange said. “I have gotten to know the nine of them very well. If you spend any time with them, you will see how appreciative they are of this opportunity, how excited they are to use this as a way to change their lives and not only their lives but their family’s lives. Many of them are talking about having extended family that want to come in [and] take advantage of the same program.”

Nicholus Tuioletai, a worker in the program, said he was motivated to take advantage of the program because of the high cost of living in Hawaii. Tuioletai said

he has always wanted to live in the mainland, and a large amount of his family lives across the mainland United States. `

Tuioletai said he has seen many of his family achieve prosperity and happiness across the mainland United States.

“We all go on zoom on Sunday and everytime I talk to them, everytime I see them, I see them living that American dream,” Tuioletai said. “Even cousins that are my age, they got their own place, so when I saw this opportunity, I pictured that, and I want to give that to my family.”

Tuioletai said he wants to give his family a prosperous life. His wife and four kids still live in Hawaii, and he hopes to see them join him in Kirksville. Tuioletai said he has loved living in Kirksville so far. He comes from a small town in Hawaii, and before that he lived in a small village in American Samoa. Tuioletai said he enjoys meeting people and how welcoming the community has been to him so far.

AWARENESS | StuGov and Nely hope to make longerlasting changes

Continued from page 1

The two days before Denim Day, depending on the weather, Nely will be on the Quad or in the SUB with posters for Truman students to sign and write encouraging words for struggling students to be uplifted by. The messages will be displayed somewhere on campus, and Nely hopes for a rather large turnout.

Zelk and Nely hope to implement longer-lasting changes on campus to better Truman’s support for victims of sexual violence and possibly bring justice to perpetrators.

Currently, the closest Sexual Assault

Nurse Examiner is located at the University of Missouri. This means students who have been assaulted must drive about two hours, and any victim seeking a SANE nurse must stay in the clothes they wore when the assault occurred. Zelk said Truman should have SANE nurses on campus because not only would the care be much more accessible for the victim, it could help bring the offender to justice.

Zelk and Nely said a SANE nurse would improve Truman’s Sexual Assault protocol. They say the goal could take a while to come to fruition, but the benefits it will bring are worth the wait.

Students painted and signed denim jackets for Denim Day last year. This year the two days before Denim Day Institutional Compliance Officer Ryan Nely will be tabling with posters for students to write encouraging messages on.

Submitted photo

The class for Kraft Heinz workers from outside the mainland United States takes place in Centennial Hall. The class covers topics such as finding rental housing and getting healthcare. Photo by Emily Collins

“Even cousins that are my age, they got their own place, so when I saw this opportunity, I pictured that, and I want to give that to my family.”

-Nicholus Tuioletai, student of the class

Graphic by Maddie Morris

life

Professor makes an impact on and off campus

to connect with students on many different levels.

really enjoy and want to do in life.

Elizabeth Naranjo Hayes, a foreign language professor at Truman State University, has been making waves not only on campus, but in the surrounding community.

Naranjo Hayes started at Truman during August of 2022 as an associate professor of Spanish and currently teaches multiple French courses as well.

Naranjo Hayes’ love for romance languages started young, as her father’s side of the family were French immigrants to Mexico.

“I wanted to get back to my roots, so I did my junior year of high school in France,” Naranjo Hayes said.

After studying abroad, Naranjo Hayes returned to the United States, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Spanish and French and then graduate degree in Spanish at San Diego State University. Naranjo Hayes earned her PhD. in Spanish and French at the University of Alabama during 2022 and started at Truman soon after. Following graduation from her master’s program, Naranjo Hayes joined the military as an active duty army officer in Georgia, serving a full tour from 2006 to 2008.

Naranjo Hayes said she has always been passionate about teaching.

“When I was little I wanted to be a teacher,” Naranjo Hayes said. “I would round up all the neighborhood kids and teach them stuff. They would sit there and listen to me, I loved it.”

Naranjo Hayes has taught at a K-12 school and many different colleges, including Columbus State University, Georgia Military College and Central Texas College, the largest college on U.S. Army Fort Benning, where she served her fellow soldiers, veterans and their dependents.

Naranjo Hayes’ impressive background allows her

“I have a wide array of experiences and because of that I can tell students, ‘I’ve gone this route and I’ve gone this route, and that one and that one too,’” Naranjo Hayes said.

Junior Alyssa Rzany has Naranjo Hayes for two classes this semester. One of the classes, SPAN 455 Introduction to Translation, allows students to gain hands-on experience translating documents to Spanish for people in the local community.

“We translate stuff in class in no-pressure situations and it’s super helpful,” Rzany said. “When we get to practice I find it really helpful and feel like I’ve gotten a lot better at translating.”

The SPAN 455 class works consistently with elementary schools in the Northeast Missouri region, translating important documents into Spanish for the large Spanish-speaking population.

Naranjo Hayes says her class enjoys helping, and it brings her a lot of joy as well.

“Seeing all these students whose parents are immigrants reminded me of growing up and that large disconnect,” Naranjo Hayes said. “I asked myself, ‘Why am I here if not to help them?’”

Naranjo Hayes said she and her class are the first people to help translate for the surrounding communities since 2020.

Rzany said Naranjo Hayes is a low-stress professor that allows students to learn and get back what they put into the class.

“When I’m done with class I see her [Naranjo Hayes] talking to all the students and professors that she can,” Rzany said. “She always pops her head into classrooms to say hello. I haven’t seen a professor that charismatic before.”

Naranjo Hayes said she wants all students to take advantage of their education and find out what they

“I also keep snacks, coffee and tea in my office, for whoever wants to come by and chit-chat,” Naranjo Hayes said. “Come sit in my fluffy chair and chat, door’s open.”

Students do big service work at Big Event

Top left: Liv Overton partipates in the big event by raking leaves for a member of the Kirksville community. The Big Event service project took place April 1. Photos by Megan Nesbitt

Top right: Keegan Bird rakes leaves for a member of the Kirksville community. Over 75 locations were impacted through this event.

Left: Participants rake leaves into a bag. Nearly 300 students participated in this year’s Big Event.

MEGAN NESBITT Staff Writer

Photo from Truman State University

‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’

JOSEPH DOUGHERTY Staff Writer

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is the first venture into video game adaptations for gaming powerhouse Nintendo since 1993’s “Super Mario Bros.,” a film which received universal hate for its bastardization of the source material and single-handedly convinced Nintendo to abandon filmmaking efforts altogether. So, when it was announced a few years ago that the company was partnering with Illumination to produce a new adaptation of the beloved Mario franchise, many were understandably skeptical but otherwise excited to see how the medium of animated film could serve the series. During 2023, 30 years after the disastrous first film, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was released to theaters, carrying with it the opportunity to restore faith in the world of Nintendo video game adaptations.

Like the various games, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” follows Mario and Luigi as they endeavor to defeat the evil Bowser, King of the Koopas, before he can marry Princess Peach and lay waste to the Mushroom Kingdom. Upon traveling to the Mushroom Kingdom through a labyrinth of pipes beneath the streets of Brooklyn, Mario and Luigi become separated and must reunite to stop Bowser. Mario’s efforts to find his brother bring him to Peach’s castle, where the princess convinces him to join her in defeating Bowser and rescuing Luigi on the way. Thus begins a worldwide journey that will take Mario and Peach to several exotic locations where they meet iconic characters from the Mario franchise to recruit them in defeating Bowser.

What should be said upfront is that “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is a film made for children that parents should be able to enjoy. The film lacks the layers of, say, most Disney/Pixar films, and opts to lean into jokes and one-liners rather than relatable moments of thematic nuance. This is not to say it is not a good film — far from it. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is consistently entertaining, its visuals and scenes of action especially engaging. It just probably won’t be that funny for anyone over the age of 10, and you’d be pressed to find a message beyond

“never give up.”

The story is likewise bland, but one does not exactly expect a riveting plot from a video game series that largely lacks one entirely, so a lack of originality in this arena is certainly forgivable.

As mentioned, where “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” succeeds is in its visuals. Here is a film that is always beautiful to behold. Illumination did an excellent job in adapting the endlessly creative art and setpieces the series has become known for.

Brian Tyler’s score is a genius arrangement of classic themes by video game composer Koji Kondo, blending nostalgia with clever layering perfectly. Unfortunately, the film also intersperses these excellent tracks with some ill-timed, poorly selected songs — often 80s rock music — that only cheapen the experience.

The most controversial aspect of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” leading up to its release was the casting. Opting to cast famous Hollywood actors in lieu of the voice actors who have played these characters for years, Nintendo and Illumination faced fan backlash. Voice acting ethics aside, though, the cast is largely fine. Chris Pratt surprises as Mario, delivering a solid performance despite fans’ concerns. Other standouts include Charlie Day as Luigi, perhaps the strongest performance of the film, and Jack Black as Bowser, who brings an appropriate degree of unhinged energy to the often purely evil character. Sadly, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach often falls flat and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad is given too little screen time to really shine.

Overall, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is a harmless film that, despite its flaws, certainly puts Nintendo on the right track for future video game adaptations. Given the company’s myriad properties, such a future only makes sense. The film is entertaining and visually gripping, ultimately shining through as a love letter to the franchise from which it came.

‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ gets 3/5 golden stars

Photo illustration by UniversalPictures©.

New movie is a flawed love letter to the Mario franchise

Graphics by Maddie Morris

Quiz: What mystical Kirksville location are you?

SYDNEY ELLISON Managing Editor

Sometimes, living in this town, there are certain places I visit and feel as though I’ve found a place that couldn’t exist anywhere other than Kirksville. These places help me appreciate the town I have been living in for the past two years. My top four other-worldly spots are Hidden Treasures, the train bridge, the labyrinth and the porta potty graveyard. Keep track of your answers and use whatever letter you have the most of to find out what mystic location you are.

1. What is your attitude toward sleep?

A) Stay up late, sleep in late

B) Anytime is sleeping time

C) Not getting sleep is a form of discipline

D) When the sun rises, so do I

4. In your free time, what are you most likely to do?

A) Contemplate the meaning of life

B) Befriend the local stray cats

C) Get a tattoo

D) Find the perfect sunny spot for a picnic

Questions

2. Which song are you most likely to listen to on a walk?

A) “Almost (Sweet Music)” by Hozier

B) “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy

C) “Too Many Nights” by Metro Boomin, Future, Don Toliver

D) “Moonlight” by Kali Uchis

5. Favorite season?

A) Winter

B) Fall

C) Summer

D) Spring

6. What color are you most likely to paint your kitchen?

A) Black

B) Sage green

C) Navy blue

D) Yellow

Answers

If you answered mostly B: the labyrinth

3. What “Winnie The Pooh” character do you most identify with?

A) Eeyore

B) Piglet

C) Tigger

D) Winnie the Pooh

7. What method do you use to remember your random thoughts?

A) A well-loved notebook

B) A new note in your disorganized notes app

C) Forgets both the thought and where you wrote it down

D) An organized planner

If you answered mostly A: train bridge

Those who answered mostly A often find themselves staring at the moon and stars. The train bridge is a quiet location off highway 63 and it is a decent place to look at the stars and think. These people keep to themselves but aren’t afraid to speak their mind. They are stubborn in their opinions and unmoving to outside forces. A good book or movie and a warm drink are all they need to have a good day.

If you answered mostly C: porta potty graveyard

An amusingly named location along W Northtown Rd., people who get the porta potty graveyard as their result have a variety of interests to share. They find a good time anywhere they go and are as exciting as the brightly colored plastic walls of the porta potties. These people keep group chats fun and make the best DJs at gatherings.

Nestled on top of a hill by Spur pond, the labyrinth is a place you can walk around while letting go of the day’s stressors. These people often keep to themselves and enjoy the mindfulness that the labyrinth offers. They are closed off at first, but as time passes they become more vocal in their thoughts and feelings. Others likely come to this group for advice or homework help.

If you answered mostly D: Hidden Treasures

The most well known location on this list is the antique store Hidden Treasure in Downtown Kirksville. Those who get Hidden Treasures are sure to have a long list of people they call friends. Kind and charismatic, these people are likely to be found having solo dance parties or trying out a new craft. Like the walls of Hidden Treasures, these people seek out beautiful items to make their lives brighter.

Graphics by Heather Beard

Questions on the Quad

What is your favorite guilty pleasure movie?

Clayton Capriglione junior “I’d have to go with ‘Superbad.’ Reasoning is McLovin, enough said. Also, Michael Cera and Jonah Hill’s acting is phenomenal. The movie perfectly encapsulates high school.”

“My favorite guilty pleasure movie is ‘After.’ I love cheesy romantic comedies.”

Juvia Duran freshman

“My favorite guilty pleasure movie is ‘Twilight.’ While it’s super cheesy at times and the acting is a little silly, it’s one of my go-to comfort movies. If you can look past the cringe it is actually a very fun watch.”

Opinion: An exciting spring for Missouri sports fans

Fanning both earned third team allGLVC. With several records set and numerous individual and team achievements earned, this was an incredible season for the Truman women’s basketball program.

MICHAEL LAKEY Staff Writer

When I said in the Jan. 26 issue this spring would be an exciting time to be a sports fan in Missouri, I never thought it would be this exciting.

The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl in spectacular fashion Feb. 12, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35. Patrick Mahomes put on a legendary performance leading his offense up and down the field with a sprained ankle suffered just weeks earlier. His herculean effort earned him his second Super Bowl MVP to go with his second NFL MVP award for the regular season. These achievements put him firmly in the conversation with some of the game’s greats, such as Tom Brady, Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw. As long as Mahomes is healthy, the Chiefs will be perennial Super Bowl contenders.

The Truman State University women’s basketball team made history in several ways this season, though it ultimately ended in disappointment with a loss to Lewis University in the GLVC tournament. Senior guard Hannah Belanger leaves Truman ranked third on the all-time career scoring list. Belanger racked up honors this season, earning the first GLVC player of the year in Truman history as well as a unanimous all-conference first team nod, first team all-Div. II Midwest Region, an academic all-American and all-American honors from both the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association and the Div. II Conference Commissioners Association. Along with Belanger, senior forward Ellie Weltha earned a first team all-GLVC honor, and sophomore guard Gracie Stugart and senior forward Alex

The University of Missouri-Columbia men’s basketball team seemed primed for a deep March Madness run when they faced 15 seed Princeton University in the second round, but they were upset and their season ended. Despite the disappointment, Mizzou turned in one of its best seasons in recent history, winning 25 games and winning an NCAA tournament game for the first time in five years.

The two new expansion franchises in St. Louis this spring, the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks and the Major League Soccer side St. Louis CITY SC are on fire. CITY won its’ first five games in club history, good enough to be the best start for an expansion franchise in the history of MLS, before losing its sixth game. The team plays a high-pressing, aggressive attacking style referred to as “energy drink soccer” that has proven to wear down other squads as they get deeper into matches. Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel built the team using the tools given him by MLS, such as designated player and homegrown roster spots, to their maximum advantage. CITY plays

an exciting brand of soccer that has tapped into an existing passion for the sport of soccer in the city. They have sold out each of their first three home games, showing why St. Louis is a great sports city.

Just a few miles to the east, the Battlehawks sit at 5-2, firmly the second best team in the XFL. Their performance has been excellent, but what is far more thrilling is the atmosphere at their home games.

When I saw pictures from the home opener of fans tailgating for several hours beforehand and heard the noise level in the stadium, I knew I had to go to the next game. Growing up in St. Louis, I loved going to Rams games growing up. The crowd was intense even though the team usually was not very good, and I always had a great time at games. Walking into The Dome at America’s Center and seeing the field for warmups for the first time was surreal. I felt like I was transported straight back to 2015, and I could not have been happier to be in that arena. The game itself turned out great, and

even though the Battlehawks lost, the crowd was loud and intense right up to the end. It was a captivating experience that I am ecstatic to have witnessed.

The Battlehawks play in The Dome, built to house NFL football and abandoned since the Los Angeles Rams and Stan Kroenke spurned the city of St. Louis for a palace in Los Angeles during 2016. Originally, the Battlehawks only opened the lower seating bowl, but demand has been so high that they opened upper levels. Now nicknamed The Battledome, the team could probably sell the entire place out, but the XFL does not employ enough gameday staff to cover the whole building. At their first home game, they sold over 38,000 tickets for a league that averages 11,000 tickets per game. St. Louis loves sports.

Missouri has proven itself a hub of professional and collegiate sports over the last few months. Chiefs fans are some of the most passionate in the NFL, and Battlehawks and CITY games have shown that St. Louis knows how to show up for its teams. MLB opening day showed that even further, with a sellout crowd that amassed three hours before game time in St. Louis, March 30. Local collegiate basketball has shown great performances from players. This spring has delivered on the hype I gave it during January, and I can’t wait to see what the summer holds.

Truman sports standings: Week of April 13

Junior thrower Jake Morris broke another school record at the Southwest Baptist Invite March 31-April 1. Morris threw a 60.01m hammer throw which broke the 1994 record held by Geoff Heskett of 57.36m. Morris is ranked first in the GLVC in discus and javelin, second in hammer and fourth in shot put. In Div. II he is first in discus and seventh in hammer. Morris’ success has earned him GLVC Athlete of the Week for two consecutive weeks, making it his fifth in his career, and fourth this academic year.

“Walking into The Dome at America’s Center and seeing the field for warmups for the first time was surreal. I felt like I was transported straight back to 2015, and I could not have been happier to be in that arena.”

Graphic by Maddie Morris

Senior tennis player Kennidy Shirey throws the ball up for the serve. The Bulldogs are 10-9 this season. Photos by Emily Collins

Senior outfielder Dakota Spicer hits the ball against the University of Missouri-St. Louis, April 8. Spicer went 2-4 in their fourth game against the Tritons.

Senior pitcher and outfielder McKenzie West runs the bases after her home run against Southwest Baptist. West had four RBIs in the first game against the Bearcats. The Bulldogs won both games in the double header 7-6 and 6-5, April 8.

GOLF GRADUATES SEVEN PLAYERS

the spring season at the collegiate level has been an adjustment, Stovall said.

“I’ve never had to be fresh and 100% as soon as it was warm outside,” Stovall said.

The Truman State University women’s golf team has 10 players, seven of which are graduating this spring.

Five seniors, one junior and a fifth-year will say goodbye to Truman golf after this season is over, senior Natalie Fatka said.

The team will be led by junior Catherine Salem and freshmen Ana Gonzalez and Reese Stovall. The Bulldogs will be joined by three incoming freshmen, Salem said.

“We won’t have too big of a team, but that’s okay because you don’t want to have super big classes,” Salem said. “Then you have seven people leaving and then you’re down to three, like we have this year.”

The Bulldogs only bring the top-five players with them to each tournament, and then they use the topfour scores, Salem said. Some teams can take more than five players, but 10 players are still on the larger side for a team.

Stovall said she is excited to be able to take on new leadership roles this upcoming season.

The team still has the GLVC Championships to look forward to April 21-23. Their goal is to continue to improve and have a good showing, Salem said.

“With our top five, any one of us can shoot a low number any day, and it’s very rare that any of us would have a bad day on the same day, which is great,” Fatka said. “I think we do a really good job at picking each other up as a team and also just keeping a positive attitude. I don’t think people realize that golf is 90% mental and only like 10% skill.”

Salem said the team has been doing a good job staying positive and taking what comes with the day. At a high school level, playing takes place in the fall and the spring is for training and preparation, so

The team trains during the winter seasons. The Bulldogs have an indoor simulator they are able to use.

This spring, the Bulldogs played in three tournaments and are now preparing for the GLVC tournaments. The first, the Emerald Coast Classic, hosted by University of Missouri-St. Louis acted as a warmup for the team, Fatka said. The Bulldogs placed last out of 14 teams. In the following tournament, Midwest Intercollegiate, hosted by University of Central Missouri, the Bulldogs placed seven out of 14 teams.

In both tournaments they faced teams not in the GLVC, but rather in the MIAA which is more competitive, Fatka said. It made it even more impressive that the team was in contention for fourth place, but ultimately placed seventh when it came down to a couple of strokes. Fatka is confident in the squad she will leave behind and knows they have the ability to continue to perform well going into next season.

“I’m very excited but also very sad because the people that are leaving have been my closest friends for the past three years,” Salem said. “I’ve gotten to know the freshmen a little bit this year so that’s good, but it’s definitely going to be very hard doing golf and not having them there next year we’ll be ok, we have to grow up and move on.”

“I’m very excited but also very sad because the people that are leaving have been my closest friends for the past three years.”

-Catherine Salem, junior golfer

LILLIE MORISAKI Sports Editor

Left: Head golf coach Clint Fitzpatrick talks to senior Kara Hunt. Hunt will say goodbye to the golf program after four years playing for Fitzpatrick. Photos by Timothy Barcus

Above: Senior Natalie Fatka swings at the Midwest Classic hosted by Northwest Missouri State. Fatka said she is confident in the team she will be leaving behind.

Left: Senior Jordan Marshall lines up her swing at the Wildcat Classic hosted by Culver Stockton College. The Bulldogs took second and third place out of six teams, April 2-3.