Issue 21, Volume 118 -- March 15, 2023

TODAY’S

Campus Life:

Anessa Bryant crowned Miss Essence 2023

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Sports: Softball wins against Kansas Jayhawks

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YouTuber’s detainment causes training for CPD

BY MILO STRAIN Entertainment Editor

Lifestyle:

Alumna artist Bri Peterson uses bugs for queer art

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to understand that they need to articulate a crime that they suspect me of committing for them to get my ID legally,” MacHenry said.

German shooter kills 6, injures 8

Six were killed after suspected gunman Phillip F., 35, stormed his former Jehovah’s Witness Hall in Hamburg, Germany, and then shot himself March 10. Eight people were injured during the shooting, including a pregnant woman who lost the baby. German offcials said Phillip F. had left the congregation voluntarily a year prior. Hamburg Police have not released a motive, but they received a tip claiming the shooter had previously shown anger toward Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Teen’s murder solved with genealogy data

The 1970 murder of 16-yearold Pamela Conyers was solved March 10 with DNA analysis and investigative genetic genealogy. The Anne Arundel County Police Department and the FBI identifed suspect Forrest Clyde Williams III using crime scene evidence to build a DNA profle and then comparing it to genealogy databases. Police Chief Amal Awad said Williams would have been charged with murder, but he died in 2018.

California floods cause evacuations

Over 8,500 people in Northern California were under evacuation orders March 11 after an atmospheric river, a channel of wind that moved water vapor from the tropics, breached and fooded the Pajaro River’s levees. The breach, about 100 feet wide, affected the Latino farm community of Pajaro. First responders rescued over 50 people from the foodwaters. A Monterey County offcial said the damage will take months to repair.

Teen found dead by Mississippi road

A missing person case turned into a homicide investigation after Fredarrious Wilson, 18, was found dead March 8 in a forest near Coffeeville, Mississippi. He was last seen March 5 in West Memphis, Arkansas. Investigators from the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Offce and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation helped ping Wilson’s phone, and then found his body on the side of a rural road after searching for over six hours.

EDITOR INTERNATIONAL Davis, SGA, faculty, staff give March 16 campus talk

The Conway Police Department opened an administrative inquiry and is working on additional training for their offcers after a man was handcuffed because he refused to identify himself at the post offce at 1060 Hogan Lane.

Lacey Kanipe, public information offcer for the Conway Police Department, said a supervisor at the post offce called CPD on Justin MacHenry for flming in the post offce lobby and refusing to leave Feb. 14.

MacHenry is a 37-year-old construction project manager and Conway resident.

Offcers Chris McGary and Colton Antone responded to the call and Antone, 21, placed MacHenry in handcuffs after MacHenry refused to hand over his ID.

The offcers eventually let him go without arresting him, but MacHenry said they violated his constitutional rights.

“He [McGary] didn’t seem

MacHenry was at the post offce to perform a First Amendment audit, where a person tests their right to photograph or record video in a public area, such as a government building or police station.

In the incident report, McGary said “Justin advised me that he was there conducting what he called a First Amendment audit. I wasn’t really familiar with what a First Amendment audit was so I asked Justin to tell me about it. Justin advised me that he was there at the post offce to video record inside the post offce to see if anyone would violate his rights.”

“How many people know their rights?” MacHenry said. “Most don’t. And if you don’t know your rights, you don’t have any rights.”

The phenomenon has been gaining popularity on YouTube in recent years, where videos of audits from all over the United

$1,295,497

BY MIA WADDELL Editor-in-Chief

UCA’s 2023 Day of Giving total was its highest in the fundraiser’s history, coming in at $1,295,497 from 1,894 donors in 32 states and 80 countries. The 24-hour fundraiser’s previous highest total was $1,126,580 in 2020.

President Houston Davis described looking over the numbers the night before the announcement and knowing it would be big.

“When we were sitting around $850,000 or so in the system last night … it was ‘OK, we’re defnitely going to go over.’”

The total brought the UCA Now campaign to $93,000,900. The campaign has a $100 million goal.

Davis recognized Haley Fowler, senior director of annual giving, for her work on UCA’s ninth Day of Giving, alongside Vice President of University Advancement Mary Lackie.

“This is my dream job,” Lackie said. “I’m also incredibly proud of Haley. You don’t see all the behind-the-scenes that happen to get the website to work, to get all the emails out, to get the mailings done. There’s a lot of work that goes on.”

Of the $1.2 million raised, UCA’s Student Government Association matched student donations for the frst $3,000. The

given to UCA

Day of Giving sets new record with

total was donated to the Annual Fund, which “provides unrestricted support for areas of greatest need,” according to UCA’s website.

Last year, SGA donated the $3,000 matching donation to the African/African American Studies program.

The Bear Essentials Food Pantry raised just over $10,000, more than doubling the amount it received last year — $4,872.

The pantry made waves across campus when it posted its empty shelves on Instagram in November 2022 and pleaded for donations, “Please help! Our shelves are almost bare.”

During the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, emcee and associate professor of public relations Riva Brown encouraged all in attendance to donate.

“Your voluntary monetary donation will help the UCA Bear Essentials Food Pantry keep its shelves stocked so our students can study and succeed on full stomachs,” Brown said.

President Davis said the total number was exciting, but he was more interested in the total effort from the university.

“I’m really excited about the number of departments and organizations that had an offcial effort — 90 groups. It’s no wonder that we have a big number,” he said.

During the Friday, March 10

Experts share tips for tornado season

BY THOMAS STAAB Sta

Writer

Tornado season is offcially upon Arkansas, and with 39 tornadoes occurring in 2022 in the state alone, tornado safety is a top priority this spring.

The National Weather Service sends out information and briefngs several days prior to severe weather, but it is always best to have a plan in place when a tornado warning occurs.

‘ e Big Event’ sends UCA students across Conway for volunteer work

BY MARY LESIEUR Assistant Sports Editor

UCA rallied student volunteers to take part in the yearly “The Big Event” program, with over 400 attendees at this year’s March 11 event.

The student-led program helps those in the Conway community with volunteer tasks through acts of service.

This year, they volunteered through organizations like The City of Hope Outreach, Children’s Advocacy Alliance and Community Connections.

President Houston Davis made an appearance at the event, alongside Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry, thanking the students for their hard work and help.

The Big Event was adopted by UCA in 2014 but has been practiced since the 1980s when Texas A&M started the program.

The organization has focused on outdoor projects only since COVID-19. They aid the community through yard work, small renovations and painting at no cost to the recipients.

Big Event Director GleeAnna Housely said giving back is important in paying it forward.

“It’s our goal to give back to Conway because Conway gives us so much. We have a lot of alum that live in Conway, so we really just like to give back to them.

“I’ve seen a lot of awesome people being like, ‘Oh my gosh. I would not have been able to get all this work done without you guys,’” Housely said.

The event itself handed out drinks and snacks before sending volunteers to their sites.

Annabell Van Asche, a senior volunteer, enjoyed volunteering.

“It’s a lot of fun because a lot of people were going to individual’s

homes and places where they might not be able to afford to get their yard done, or they might be older people and they can’t physically do it themselves. So it’s just really rewarding to help members of our community,” she said.

With a quick introduction and thanks, the organization sent the volunteers their separate ways to aid organizations and families of Conway.

Volunteer Coordinator for the Big Event Cori Cullen encouraged students to volunteer.

“I would just say that it’s been a rewarding experience to give back to the community. So I would recommend it just because of the feeling you get at the end of the day.

Many of the residents in Conway attended UCA and they pour into us, so it’s a really great experience to get to pour back into them,” Cullen said.

“No matter where you are, whether you are stuck in the offce or driving home from work, people always need to be thinking about where they would seek shelter from violent weather such as a tornado,” Little Rock NWS meteorologist-in-charge Jim Reynolds said.

Tom Brannon, the chief meteorologist at THV11 said having a plan is top priority.

“The overall best safety tip I have regarding tornado shelters is a 1A and 1B situation. Obviously, a storm shelter is going to provide the most protection. If your home doesn’t have a storm shelter, a basement is the next safest place to be. Anywhere underground is a great option,” Brannon said.

If you don’t have access to an underground shelter or basement, Reynolds recommends fnding a room in your house with no windows and a solid structure.

“You want to get into a room with four walls that are very close together, a closet or bathroom for example,” he said.

Reynolds and Brannon each said it is key to know when a potentially dangerous tornado is in the area, but both meteorologists brought up scenarios where a tornado occurs late into the night and people may be asleep.

“In Arkansas, it is common for tornadoes to happen at night, so having a weather app on your phone with a distinct alarm that will wake you up in the middle of the night is a great safety precaution to take,” Brannon said.

Reynolds suggested a radio as his top pick for staying alert during the night, saying: “If you are about to fall asleep and concerned about a tornado, the best thing I would recommend any person to have is the NOAA Weather Radio.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric

photo by Madison Ogle

photos by Madison Ogle

(Left) A student trims vines from a metal fence at Oak Grove Cemetery. (Right) Students paint a wall at the Creative Institute of Central Arkansas at 1100 Oak St.

screenshot from ‘The Random Patriot’ YouTube channel

Ofcer Colton Antone holds 37-year-old Justin MacHenry’s ID while MacHenry sits handcufed in the back of a police vehicle. In the incident report, Antone said he “found his ID in his wallet,” which Antone used to identify MacHenry.

Senior Director of Annual Giving Haley Fowler shows President Houston Davis documents in a binder before his March 10 announcement. Davis said the 24-hour fundraising event raised the most it ever has in its nineyear history, with over $1.2 million raised, and saw over 90 groups help raise money.

Police Beat

Student drops pot while eeing truck

Student Travis Reed was arrested for fleeing after he and student Tedarian Blair were pulled over by officer Kaylob Boykin for no turn signal March 10 near Christian Cafeteria. When Boykin asked Blair for his license and registration, Reed jumped out of the passenger side and ran toward Hughes Hall. He passed officer Rodney Purvis, who chased him. Reed changed directions and eventually fell facefirst near Snow Fine Arts. Purvis caught up to Reed and threatened to taser him if he did not comply. Reed was arrested for fleeing and charged with drug possession because he dropped 7.5 grams of marijuana on the run. Blair was given a drug violation and Boykin thanked him for not fleeing.

Police:

Student busted for weed, pills, scale ‘Nervous’ student gives up his weed

Student James Day was arrested for two felonies for drug possession March 7 after officer Skyler Cox pulled him over for driving with no headlights at night. Cox said when he pulled the white Kia over in front of the Farris Center, he smelled marijuana coming from the car and did a probable cause search. Officer David Stone stood with Day and his passengers, students Mason Sierks and Wilson Laporte. Cox found 0.6 grams of marijuana, two containers of THC wax, five white pills, five green and white capsules, a black scale, a brown grinder and two smoking devices. Day was arrested for possession, and Sierks and Laporte received drug violations.

Student Andrew Knipper received a drug violation March 8 after being pulled over by officer Rodney Purvis for “defective equipment” on his white Tacoma truck. Purvis said he smelled “a strong odor of marijuana” and Knipper appeared nervous when Purvis approached the truck. Knipper told Purvis there was marijuana in the center console of the truck, so when officer Kaylob Boykin arrived, Purvis searched the truck. He found 1.3 grams of marijuana, a pack of nicotine vape pods, “drug transportation baggies” and a black leaf-shaped marijuana pipe. Knipper received a drug violation and was given a verbal warning for the defective equipment.

Chief Tapley sends letter to man about inquiry

4 Continued from page 1

States get millions of views.

MacHenry said YouTube videos of people doing frst amendment audits inspired him.

“I’ve watched a lot of these videos online,” MacHenry said. “It’s something I’ve been interested in for a long time.”

Considered controversial by some, auditors argue that it’s a form of government accountability.

“It’s journalism,” MacHenry said. “I feel like auditing plays a part in that.”

MacHenry uploaded his footage of the incident, as well as the bodycam footage to his YouTube channel, “The Random Patriot.” As of March

13, MacHenry’s YouTube channel has 178,740 total views. A TikTok account with the username @copsktll reuploaded a clip from MacHenry’s video, where it has 2.9 million views. The Conway Police

Department initiated an administrative inquiry after the incident.

“We are aware of this incident. Once we became aware, we initiated our own administrative inquiry which has not been concluded at this time, so we cannot comment on that,” Kanipe said.

Kanipe also said offcers would receive more information about identifcation.

“Our training division is working on additional information to disseminate to our offcers about when identifcation is required as it relates to criminal conduct,” Kanipe said.

MacHenry said the response from the Conway Police Department made him “feel proud.”

“I feel like it’s a positive direction and it makes me want to keep living here,” MacHenry said. MacHenry said he received

Donations:

4 Continued from page 1

announcement, Davis brought to mind a saying from basketball player Kobe Bryant to highlight how individual efforts help the group’s impact.

“Somebody said, ‘there’s no I in team’ and he said, ‘yeah, but there’s an M-E in that,’” Davis joked. Davis refected on the many campus projects that

Davis thanks donors

have received funding through special Day of Giving initiatives such as the Windgate Fine and Performing Arts Center.

“All of these milestones of success and many, many more are the result of your support. Because of your engagement, our students’ lives are being changed forever, and Arkansas is made stronger by the UCA

Weather:

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a call from Sgt. Jeremy Holliman on March 13 about the status of the administrative inquiry.

“I just got a call from internal investigations saying they have found themselves in the wrong, they have disciplined their offcers, and all offcers should have went through additional training by the end of the month. He is supposed to send me an email stating all that soon,” MacHenry said.

MacHenry also received a letter from William Tapley, chief of police, about the inquiry.

“The results of the investigation have been reviewed, and the complaint has been classifed as ‘Substantiated.’ This means that evidence to prove the complaint was identifed,” Tapley said in the letter.

Administration Weather Radio is a 24-hour network of FM weather radio stations in the United States that broadcast information directly from a nearby NWS offce. Reynolds dismissed the myth that Conway is a geographically safe area when it comes to tornadoes. “There is nothing safe about Central Arkansas with regard to the formation of tornadoes. They will go over mountains, over water, there is nothing safe in this state from the threat of

graduates with the knowledge and creativity needed to build strong communities and a modern economy.”

For a full list of Day of Giving funds and totals, visit https://connect.uca. edu/s/1618/DoG/home.aspx ?sid=1618&gid=1&sitebuilder =1&pgid=1232.

Conway is not safe from tornadoes

tornadoes.”

Both Reynolds and Brannon stressed having a rescue/safety kit readily available during severe weather. The contents of the kit should include fashlights, batteries, bottled water and nonperishable food items.

Brannon said, “Having some emergency equipment, something as common as a fashlight and a frst aid kit, either by your bedside or in your basement could really make a difference in surviving a severe

ATHLETICS

tornado.”

The NWS advises against having candles in your rescue kit, as they bring a risk of fre.

To stay safe while on the road, The NWS warns against drivers parking under an overpass to take shelter, as overpasses provide a point for funneling air that will make winds speed up. More information regarding tornado safety can be found on the National Weather Service website.

UCA to hire salaried head coach for female sports team STUNT

BY JULIA TRANTHAM Assistant Campus Life Editor

UCA is adding STUNT to the variety of varsity teams already established on campus.

STUNT will be UCA’s 19th sport (11 women’s and 8 men’s), adding to the extensive list of teams. Placement tryouts for the sport are already being considered.

Director of Athletics Brad Teague released a statement announcing the team’s creation on UCA Sports on March 2.

“We will continue to have a cheer and dance squad. STUNT will add 30 to 35 new students with a new head coach,” Teague said.

The new coaching position salary will be $40,000, with a preference of a master’s degree.

UCA Sports said in the statement that STUNT is based on aspects of cheerleading, but operates differently.

“The sport focuses on the technical and athletic components of cheer, including partner stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, group jumps and tumbling,” UCA Sports said. “Teams compete in short routines head-to-head on the foor at the same time and the

team that executes the skills best wins the round and the point can determine which routine level will be called next.”

STUNT is traditionally broken up into four quarters: partner stunts, pyramids and tosses, jumps with tumbling and combined routine.

The new team will hold practice in the Prince Center.

Teague said that the sport’s popularity inspired his department to bring STUNT to campus.

“STUNT is popular in Texas and Oklahoma,” Teague said.

“This gives us a great space for recruiting. Many [Division I] universities sponsor STUNT.”

STUNT is currently thriving in the realm of female sports throughout the country. It is governed by USA Cheer, with over 60 universities around the country including NCAA and NAIA varsity teams, along with club teams participating and competing in the sport.

STUNT will allow students to use their cheerleading skills in a different format.

“This is a great opportunity to provide more access to Division I competitions for female student-athletes. This sport will enhance our offerings

BY TORRIE HERRINGTON

Assistant News Editor

SGA motioned March

13 to allocate $5,494.06 for oversized lawn games proposed by the Student Resources Committee. The vote, which was tabled at the last meeting, passed with 30 yeses, one no and one abstention.

The original motion was to spend $10,277 on outside board games. However, Senator Makenna Goss motioned to allocate up to $5,494.06.

Goss said the lower cost is to accommodate the games being stored on the second foor of the Ronnie Williams Student Center.

“This new motion, and changing the allocation to a cheaper version of the Connect Four that folds up and goes into a case, is just a lot more simple and convenient for students,” Goss said.

Senator Takari Glover said that for the games to be checked out in the student center, a written agreement will need to be made between SGA and the student center. They are also working with UCAPD to set up a camera to monitor the games.

Senator Annabelle Van

Asche said she is in opposition to the lawn games, as some of the logistics are still not worked out.

“I think the agreement should defnitely be made and signed before we purchase this, just in case anything falls through,” Van Asche said.

“Also, just getting the camera because I’m assuming we might have to purchase that.”

Glover said students will be able to leave their ID to check out games.

Senator Shelby Morris said the student center could use Fusion to check out the games, similar to how the HPER Center checks out equipment. She said this could be an alternative to both the ID exchange and the camera. “I’m thinking it might be benefcial if you could look into using Fusion in the student center as well,” Morris said. “It is an inventory system where students have accounts in the HPER and can check something out.”

Morris also said that Fusion would not cost additional money because UCA already pays for it. Goss said that if SGA wants to have the games before the end of the semester, it needed to

vote on it now.

“In addition to getting the games in, we have to hire out a contractor to pour the concrete slab, have it painted, and wait for it to dry,” Goss said. “With only four to fve weeks left in the semester, if we’re going to do it this year, we need to do it as soon as possible.”

Senator Hannah Walker said she supports the oversized board games because the Student Resources Committee has worked hard on the motion.

“I just feel like the things they still have left to do are easy fxes, and they can get it done super quick,” Walker said.

SGA President Courtney Clawson said the motion was just to allocate the money, and some logistics can be fgured out later.

“This is just voting on the money to allocate to the games,” Clawson said. “All the policy and stuff can come after we allocate the money.”

SGA voted unanimously to approve the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee’s fall 2023 allocations.

Senator Mary Amoaning said voting for next semester’s SGA executives will take place April 12-14.

at Central Arkansas and add to the campus as a whole,” Teague said. The search for a head coach to lead the team is in progress, with the desired start date being April 1.

“We are excited to hire our leader of this new sport and will do so in an effcient manner,” Teague said.

Freshman Emma Palmer is currently on the cheer team and wants to try out for STUNT.

“I found out about the STUNT team from a notifcation from the UCA Athletics app,” Palmer said. “To my knowledge, there is still not a coach and there is not a tryout date. There is not a set team yet.”

Palmer said that cheer and STUNT are closely related.

“By observation at other schools, there is a lot of crossover from the cheer team to the STUNT teams, so I assume that the programs will be pretty close,” Palmer said. Palmer said that she is excited about the upcoming season and what it will bring.

“I am very excited about the opportunity that UCA has presented for female athletes and can’t wait to see where the program goes,” Palmer said.

SGA

Student Resources Committee’s oversized games receive $5,494

photo by Madison Ogle

SGA’s Vice President of Finance J’Lun Herron claps alongside UCA staf and faculty during the March 10 announcement of the fundraiser’s totals. The Bear Essentials Food Pantry received $10,066, more than double what it received in 2022.

Campus Life

Around Campus: Arrive Alive driving simulator

From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, March 16, Student Activities Board will be outside of the Ronnie Williams Student Center educating students about the dangers of texting and driving, drunk driving and drugged driving. Arrive Alive Tour uses a high-tech simulator impact video and other resources to help spread awareness to students about these dangers as they are entering their spring break.

High Table: Conversations on civic engagement

From 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 16, the Honors Center Society will be in Doyne Health Science Center auditorium 141 with guest speakers Chris Jones and Jerry Malone. Speakers will host an open discussion where diversity of thought is encouraged as well as the discussion of how they are a crucial element. Students will speak from their perspectives to create solutions or at least the next steps to making society a better place for the future.

Sig Tau St. Patty’s Day

From 8-9 p.m. Thursday, March 16, Sigma Kappa and Sigma Tau Gamma will be in the Sigma Tau Gamma house celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day.

UCA Dance Marathon push day

From 12-3 p.m. Friday, March 17, Dance Marathon will be in the Ronnie Williams Student Center lobby recruiting students to join the cause. Dance Marathon will be raising money for Children’s Hospital at a big event on April 15.

Is time managing you?

From 6-7 p.m. Monday, March 20, residents of Bear Village Apartments are invited to the Bear Village Clubhouse to learn about how to develop time management skills. The skill of time management will help students apply it to various areas of life for the rest of their lives.

Turn up the Music

From 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, State Hall will be in the lobby showing residents how important music is tied to a person’s identity. This event will also be a place where students can share their musical interests with others.

Anti-study night

From 12-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 222, New Hall residents will be invited to join New Hall staff to take a chance to decompress and have some fun in the midst of the semester and midterms.

Art Competitive rewards student art

BY C OURTNEY S HEPHERD Lifestyle Editor

Not only does the annual Student Art Competitive provide every student on campus with a venue to show off their artwork, it also equips them with experience in gallery preparation and in receiving feedback on their work.

Ask Lenora Rowe, the senior who took home the grand prize along with $500 from Blick Art Supplies on March 9, for her piece titled, “Perception of the Self.”

“Art is determined by how people interact with it and perceive it. I love seeing people interact with my art, it’s so cool. And seeing it up in a gallery space? Well lit?” Rowe said, excitedly.

Rowe created the piece in her experimental drawing course. “It took me probably two and a half months to work on the actual drawing portion. Then, it took me two and a half months to work on the screen.

“It’s kind of a dual-purpose piece. It was partially an exploration into the study of how toned color materials, like Vellum or Cellophane, affect how much you can perceive value on paper. So, it’s a traditional charcoal drawing, but this material is toned with colors. It changes vastly how you perceive the color and the value of each of the different panels,” Rowe said.

Conceptually, Rowe said “Perception of the Self” was an exploration, as well.

“The conceptual purpose of the piece was to explore how people perceive you and how even though you might be really close to people around you, no one’s gonna be able to see a truly authentic version of yourself because the only person who can really perceive that is

you.”

Rowe said the screen of panels creates a physical barrier between the viewer and the charcoal drawing, preventing an

authentic view of the self-portrait.

“Even if we were to cover it on the side, the light cast onto the piece alters how you see it,” Rowe said.

Student art will continue to line the

Lauren Frihauf performs in Student Center amphitheater

BY M ILO S TRAIN

Entertainment Editor

The sound of music flled the air at the amphitheater in front of the Ronnie Williams Student Center March 7, when indie singer-songwriter and former “The Voice” contestant Lauren Frihauf performed a mix of covers and original songs.

Switching between playing keyboard and an electric hollowbody guitar, Frihauf serenaded passersby and the small crowd that gathered at the amphitheater with her soulful originals and solo renditions of songs like Radiohead’s “High and Dry” and The Killers’ “When You Were Young.”

Frihauf said the concert was her frst time visiting Arkansas, fying from Colorado just for the show.

“It’s beautiful,” Frihauf said. “Thank you for having me, I love Arkansas.”

Based in Denver, Colorado, Frihauf released her debut EP last year with friend and fellow Coloradan musician Ben Suyat, titled “The Latona EP,” and recently fnished recording for her debut album, titled “Shadows in the Soul Machine.”

“My friend Ben Suyat and I wrote several songs together in high school and recently recorded them and released them,” Frihauf said.

CD copies of “The Latona EP” were available for free at the concert, and several attendees grabbed one after the show.

Besides Radiohead and The Killers, Frihauf said Joni Mitchell, Emily King and Allan Stone were infuences on her work.

“I’m also a really big fan of Hiatus Kaiyote,” Frihauf said.

Frihauf was a “Top Shelf” fnalist in National Public Radio’s 2022 Tiny Desk Concert — an open contest where NPR picks an artist to flm a Tiny Desk Concert, a popular YouTube series on the “NPR Music” YouTube channel — for her song “Fragments of a Stranger.”

She played “Fragments of a Stranger” — which Ashley Pointer of NPR called an “honest confrontation about being lost and not knowing who you are” — before closing her set with a soft cover of Harry Styles’ 2022 hit “As It Was.”

A contestant on season 19 of “The Voice,” which premiered October 2020, Frihauf said she got to meet all the celebrity judges and coaches, such as Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson, and work closely with John Legend and Gwen Stefani.

“It was pretty crazy,” Frihauf said. “Considering it was ‘The Voice’ and it was also during COVID, it was a really weird experience … but a lot of fun.”

Back in Colorado, Frihauf has been building a reputation around Denver with her shows

from a young age.

“She’s had ticketed shows in Denver,” Shelley, Frihauf’s mother, said. “Before she was professional, she’d done Red Rocks [Amphitheatre] with the School of Rock.”

Shelley said School of Rock — a company that teaches children how to play instruments and showcase their skills in concerts, with two Arkansas locations — gave Frihauf many

opportunities to perform from a young age. Frihauf is signed to Houla Entertainment, an entertainment booking company with a focus on college markets, which sends her all over the country to perform at different university campuses. She has several upcoming shows in Colorado, as well as a couple of one-off shows in Pennsylvania and Montana.

walls of Baum Gallery until March 22 through a variety of mediums, something director Brian Young described as a “rise in new media.”

“We have Lenora’s work,” Young said, referring to Rowe’s selection of colorful pieces displayed in the competition. “Which has fber mixed media. We see people kind of mixing those things up, and I think that’s a trend that’s going to only get stronger.

“Every year it’s just a slice of the contemporary art world,” Young said. “Collectively, all the professors of the art department, myself and people in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences — we’re aware of art trends, and sometimes that flters down to the students. It’s interesting to see how they then give it back.”

A handful of students received awards for their art at the competition. Awarded honorable: Evan Gilliard, Brynn Ward and Jacob Miler each received $50 from Blick Art Supplies.

Ward also received an Award of Merit, taking home another $100 for her piece titled, “Don’t Stop.” Two Awards of Excellence were handed out to Jasmine Miller (“Self-Portrait”) and Kaitlyn Maxwell (“Untitled”) for $200.

“It’s a great place for anybody to showcase their work,” Rowe said. “I wish it was something that was more common knowledge because there’s so many spectacular artists on UCA’s campus that are maybe not art majors or minors. But, it’s defnitely an excellent opportunity for people who are interested in gallery work.”

“Congratulations to everybody who got into the show,” Rowe said. “If not, don’t beat yourself up. There’s tons of opportunities at UCA and around Conway for people to display their work.”

DONATION

Cinderella’s Closet gives girls opportunity to shop dresses

BY G RETCHEN B ULLIN G ER Staff Writer UCA’s

Panhellenic Council’s annual Cinderella’s Closet event was met with success for a good cause.

On Sunday, March 12, girls of all ages came to the Ronnie Williams Student Center Ballroom where they were greeted with hundreds of dresses and smiling faces.

The girls were presented with dresses ranging not only in different colors but also in many different sizes, making it a shopping experience for everyone. Each dress was donated not only by students but by people in the community and outside of it as well.

With the theme “Say yes to the dress,” many girls were able to do exactly that and fnd the perfect dress.

Each girl who found a dress was also able to walk on stage and strut their stuff to see how they felt in the dress before they bought it.

Kylie Garritty, the vice president for Development in Panhellenic Council, said that most of the dresses had been sold only 40 minutes after the event had started.

Dresses cost $10 and all proceeds from the event will be going towards the B+ Foundation.

The Panhellenic Council recently changed its charity of choice to the B+ Foundation due to its message about cancer awareness.

“We have a lot of different sisters in our different sororities who have battled with cancer, so that spoke to a lot of us on the council,” Morgan Trent said, who is on the Panhellenic Council.

The B+ Foundation was created by a boy named Andrew

who was diagnosed with and overcame leukemia because he happened to have the B+ blood type and matched with other donors that had the same blood type, Trent said.

Now the foundation works with many other childhood cancer patients and their families to ensure they get the coverage and help they need, according to their mission statement.

Almost 200 girls had picked out their dresses only thirty minutes into the event, which was a much bigger turnout than last year, Garritty said.

“We were in room 214, which is very small, and only had around 100 people show up to last year’s Cinderella’s Closet,” Garritty said.

Garritty also said that this year brought in the most dresses she’s seen since helping out with Cinderella’s Closet.

“I would say around four or fve hundred dresses were donated this year alongside our backstock making almost one thousand dresses available,” said Garritty.

While the main crowd was high school-age girls looking for prom dresses, the event was open to people of all ages and events.

The turnout this year could be due to more events opening up with the slow decline of the pandemic and the incline of dress costs, Trent said.

“People are ready to hang out with their friends and now they’re not going to have to spend so much to be able to enjoy themselves,” Trent said. Social media was another key resource to getting the event out there which could also explain the increase in donations, Trent said.

Cinderella’s Closet is hosted around the same time each year and with this year’s massive increase in customers, the closet expects growth.

SINGER

photos by Madison Ogle

(Top) A man looks at the gallery. (Bottom left) A Lenora Rowe discusses her sculpture “Coin Purse.” (Bottom right) A woman takes a picture of “Perception of the Self.”

graphic by Mia Waddell, photo by Milo Strain

(Top) A graphic illustrates Lauren Frihauf. (Bottom) Frihauf sings at the Ronnie Williams Student Center amphitheater.

graphic by Julia Trantham

Miss Essence 2023 crowned at annual pageant

BY A S HLYN L ITTLE

Staff Writer

Forty-six years of tradition, culture and confdence flled Reynolds Performance Hall as eight women competed to express their idea of “the essence of a woman.”

The annual Miss Essence pageant, hosted by Students for the Propagation of Black Culture, made its reign Saturday, March 11. The scholarship pageant showcased contestants’ talents, accomplishments, advocacies and beauty.

SPBC president Adreana Jones said the competition gives women opportunities.

“We are so excited to keep this yearly tradition alive because it serves as a platform for young women on the UCA campus to embrace who they truly are. It is a time for them to step into their confdence and showcase their beauty as well as what’s in their hearts.”

The eight contestants were junior Andrea Stevenson, freshman Cyn ‘Nae Weston, junior Anessa Bryant, junior Bailee Crawford, senior Takayla Dunn, sophomore Neiya Howell, sophomore Mariuna McClenton and sophomore Briance McBroom.

After the contestants performed their individual pieces, along with performances by Miss Essence 2021/2022 Jada Simpson and the Dancers United group, a winner was

fnally announced.

Anessa Bryant became the new Miss Essence 2023 and received a $1,000 scholarship and a crown almost as sparkly as her gown.

“I was really shocked,” Bryant said, “I didn’t think that I had won, but it was a really good feeling. This was a really great experience… I would like to thank SPBC, all of the other contestants and my family,” Bryant said.

Receiving frst runner-up and a $500 scholarship was McClenton. Stevenson was recognized as second runner-up and was awarded a $300 scholarship. Dunn was the third runnerup, receiving a $150 scholarship.

The pageant had four categories — interview, talent, social impact and evening wear — with winners in each respective category.

Bryant took home awards for both the interview category and the social impact category, in which she expressed her concern for the lack of minority representation on college campuses and won an additional $100 on top of her scholarship. She also won the people’s choice award — an award voted on by audience members prior to the pageant — and the award for most ad sales for the pageant.

In a powerful poem about being an educated black woman, McClenton dazzled both the audience and the judges, taking home the overall talent award and $100 for her spoken word presentation.

McClenton was also recognized as Miss Congeniality, an honor voted on by her fellow contestants for being both friendly and helpful during the pageant process.

Dunn was dressed to impress, and she did just that, winning the overall evening wear award.

Dunn also received the most likes on her headshot on the SPBC Instagram page, winning the social media award.

McBroom was awarded the overall highest GPA award, which was based on standings at the end of the fall 2022 semester. Being honored as Miss Essence comes with much responsibility.

“Being Miss Essence means representing minorities on campus and really using my platform to give other minorities on campus the same opportunities,” Bryant said.

As Miss Essence, Bryant will compete in the Miss UCA pageant in the

BY SYDNEY AMBRUS

fall, representing SPBC.

Jada Simpson, the reigning Miss Essence and 2023 Miss UCA was at the pageant to crown Bryant.

Simpson competed in the Miss Essence pageant in November 2021, and a year later took the stage at the Miss UCA pageant where she won and is currently serving her reign as Miss UCA. Simpson expressed at the pageant that the Miss Essence stage is just the beginning, as it was the frst pageant she competed at, but is now preparing to compete in the Miss Arkansas pageant in June.

The emcee for the pageant, Tajaro

Hudson, who is a UCA alum and currently serves as the associate director of the Offce of Diversity and Community at UCA said, “The past two Miss Essence winners have gone on to win the Miss UCA pageant.”

Hudson reiterated the importance of the Miss Essence pageant and how it was a stepping stone for the young women competing.

The eight women who competed each shared their own gifts and ideas with the audience, and in their own ways represented what the “essence of a woman” truly is.

Anthony Williams Jr: Alpha Phi Alpha brother and campus leader

Sta Writer Anthony Williams

Jr. is a senior with strong academic values and a passion for leadership. Williams is from West Helena, Arkansas majoring in interior design, which allows him to showcase his creativity. He is the president of the Theta Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, co-director of the Minority Mentorship Program and parliamentarian of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

This semester, Williams was accepted into UCA’s Purple Society, which recognizes and awards outstanding students who are leaders around campus. He also received a scholarship for having the highest GPA among all the males in the NPHC. After graduation, Williams plans to move to Dallas, Texas and pursue a career in the fashion industry.

Why did you choose UCA?

“I chose UCA because it’s a very family-oriented school that wasn’t too far from home. I’m very glad I did because this institution gave me many opportunities

and relationships that will last a lifetime.”

How did you feel when you found out that you got accepted into UCA’s Purple Society?

“Being accepted into the Purple Society was a major accomplishment for me and I am beyond grateful. It made me realize that people are looking at my hard work and truly appreciating it. I love being involved on campus and serving as a great leader.”

You also received a scholarship for having the highest GPA amongst all NPHC males. How did that make you feel?

“Being awarded the NPHC scholarship was such an amazing feeling. I was always raised to take my academics seriously and I will continue to uphold those values in life.”

How do you manage all your clubs and organizations while being a successful student?

“Maintaining a job, my mental health, organizations and school is a lot but I don’t regret it. To stay on top of

STUDENTS SAY:

things, I typically use my planner for everything and my frat brothers and sister hold me accountable for all of my actions and procrastination.”

What inspires you to keep going?

“My grandparents defnitely keep me going in life. I stayed with them for a bit of my childhood and as I got older I was always visiting them and taking them to their doctor appointments, et cetera. When I left for college, it really made me grind harder because I want to give them the world someday. My grandparents are my pride and joy and I want to make them so proud in life and provide them with the amount of love and support they have always shown me.”

What’s your favorite memory at UCA?

“My favorite memory at UCA was defnitely joining Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and participating in my frst homecoming show. Alpha has brought me many brothers, personal growth and opportunities that I am extremely grateful for.”

“What

Shamal Sullivan graduate student

Toshiki Takayama junior

Anessa Bryant struts the stage of Miss Essence. Bryant was crowned Miss Essence Sunday, March 11. Along with the crown, Bryant received a $1,000 scholarship.

photo by Madison Ogle

photo by Madison Ogle

Anessa Bryant (left) is crowned Miss Essence 2023 by reigning Miss Essence Jada Simpon (middle) and UCA alumna and pageant emcee Tarajo Hudson.

photos courtesy of Anthony Williams Jr.

Anthony Williams Jr. is involved in multiple campus organizations and has gotten many awards and scholarships for his academic and social work. He is a senior majoring in interior design and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and was recently accepted into the Purple Society.

Sports

March 15, 2023

Softball dominates 13-0 Bears claim wins at Jayhawk Invitational

BY BLAKE WEAVER

Sta Writer

Softball Bears dominated Kansas during the Jayhawk Invitational.

The Softball Bears recovered from a tight loss in the Jayhawk Invitational on Friday and played a dominant game against the Kansas Jayhawks in game two of day one.

Friday morning the Softball Bears (15-6) faced off against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (1410) softball team.

Both teams would only allow 1 runner on base for the first inning and a half.

The Bears would hold the Jackrabbits at bay until the bottom inning when South Dakota State hit 3 home runs, bringing the final score of the first game to 3-0, Jackrabbits up.

The second game of the day found the Bears on top.

UCA came out the gate swinging and maintained a commanding lead.

UCA junior outfielder Tremere Harris began the first inning with a double down the left-field line. Harris’ double would be followed by a single hit by sophomore infielder Kylie Griffin. Redshirt junior infielder Madi Young was walked, loading the bases.

UCA put their first two points on the scoreboard with a single hit to left field by redshirt junior infielder Mary Kate Brown, allowing Griffin and Harris to run home. The Jayhawks, down by two, finally got their first strike out against redshirt senior infielder/pitcher Jaylee Engelkes.

One strikeout didn’t stop the Bears’ momentum. By the end of the first inning, the Bears scored two more runs by Young and Brown, bringing the score to 4-0.

The Bears took out all three Kansas players at bat at the bottom of the first, maintaining their established lead going into the second inning.

At the top of the second inning, the Bears loaded two players — Young and Brown — on the first and second bases.

The Bears’ third to bat, redshirt junior infielder Morgan Nelson, sent those runners home with a dinged homer to center field, bringing the game’s score to 7-0.

Kansas saw no runs by the end of the bottom of the second with two

Upcoming Games

Track and Field

March 17-18, Richard Jr. Invitational at UCA

Beach Volleyball

March 17-18, Austin Peay Tournament, in Clarksville, TN

Baseball

March 18-19 vs. North Alabama

Softball

March 18-19 vs. North Florida

Men’s Golf

March 20-21. Missouri State Intercollegiate, in Springfeld, MO

Trojans battle baseball Bears

BY BRENNA METTS Sta Writer

After a neck-and-neck battle between the UCA Bears and Little Rock Trojans, the Bears lost 3-2 after a walk advanced the Trojans in the ninth inning.

Baseball coach Nick Harlan said that during such tight matches, mental strength is key.

“We spend time training the mental game. You have to control your attention, being present and focusing on the task at hand,” Harlan said.

strikeouts and one hit grounded to UCA’s pitcher.

The third inning saw a similar story, UCA scored two more runs, bringing the score to 9-0 UCA. All three of the Jayhawk’s batters failed to take any bases from UCA’s field by the end of the bottom of the third.

The Bears continued to build their lead in the top of the fourth inning with three more runs, bringing the score to 12-0. The Bears denied the Jayhawks any runs in their half of the inning and only allowed one base hit.

The Softball Bears would end the game by the fifth inning with a single by Engelkes, allowing one more run for UCA by redshirt junior outfielder Jenna Wildeman.

UCA sealed the deal on the game by allowing no runs for Kansas —ending the game with a score of 13-0.

The Softball Bears will be up

at bat against North Florida in a 3-game series on March 18 and March 19 in Farris Field. Gepford, and Garmon. Oravec and Griffith defeated Tusculum 21-15 in the first set, then 21-16 in the second match.

Up next, was Gepford and Garmon, with a winning first match of 21-14 and a winning third match of 15-10.

“The Tusculum University

beach volleyball team finished up the Tiger Beach Challenge on Sunday (Mar. 5), winning the opener 3-2 against Central Arkansas,” Tusculum Sports said on it’s website. Regardless of win or loss, the Bears are one step closer to their next tournament against Austin Peay, Lindenwood and the University of Tennessee at Martin, on March 17 and 18th.

Baseball Bears swoop 2-1 win in series against Skyhawks

BY ELLIE ALBANY Sta Writer

UCA Bears Baseball (7-8) stole a series win against the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks (512) on March 10-12.

The opening game was Friday March 10. The Bears won 10-6.

The Skyhawks gained the lead by the fourth inning 5-4. The game remained stagnant until the eighth inning when both teams started scoring points again.

The Bears made a comeback by scoring four runs in the final inning, giving them the first win of the series. All four points happened when UCA graduate first baseman Evan Hafley scored a home run which helped junior catcher Hayden Seldomridge, senior outfielder Kolby Johnson and sophomore second basemen Tanner Leonard score runs.

The second game was Saturday, March 11, and The Bears grabbed another win 11-1.

The Skyhawks weren’t able to score a single run until the eighth inning.

UCA junior pitcher Jesse Barker pitched 109 pitches in the game. Junior pitcher Spencer Nelson took over for Barker in the fifth inning. It wasn’t until the Bears switched pitchers in the eighth inning from Nelson to junior pitcher Brady Walker, that the Skyhawks were able to score a run.

UCA Coach Nick Harlan said, “Barker did great. He pitched through the elements really well. That was tough.”

Both Skyhawk pitchers had a hard time pitching in the rain.

UT Martin senior pitcher Jordan Armstrong and junior pitcher Eli Martin hit UCA batters four times in the game. Armstrong hit sophomore second baseman Tanner Leonard twice in the first half of the game.

In the second inning, junior left fielder Mason King hit a home run allowing Leonard and senior catcher Noah Argenta to score runs.

The Bears fell flat in the final game against UT Martin, ending with a score of 5-3.

Sunday’s game wasn’t a good offensive day for the Bears.

Even though the team struggled to get any points in the beginning, Harlan said its defense was doing phenomenal.

UCA junior third baseman A.J. Mendolia said, “I think some of the defensive double plays that we have were really good for us.”

Mendolia said his team is ready for conference play.

“Oh, Heck yeah, I think we’re ready. With North Alabama coming into town, and we have a Tuesday game to help prepare for it, yeah, I think we’re ready.”

The Bears next game is at home, at 6 p.m., March 17. They will take on the North Alabama Lions.

“One of the hardest things to do in baseball and life is to manage emotions. The ability to choose your response rather than reacting to the circumstance takes discipline and training.”

Harlan said that the team’s main strategy involves staying consistent.

“Throw strikes, play catch, have quality atbats, and run the bases smart and aggressive: doing those fundamental things well gives us a chance regardless of who we play,” Harlan said.

While in the first inning, both the Bears (78) and Trojans (9-4) got hits from their three lead hitters, but no player from either side made it on base.

During the second inning of the game, UCA junior third baseman A.J. Mendolia was able to get a single after a hit to right field and then advanced to second after senior left fielder Dylan Cyr was hit by a pitch. However, the runners were thwarted by a double play made by sophomore shortstop Alex Seguine, junior second baseman Skyler Trevino, and junior first baseman Noah Brewer from the Trojans.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Bears retaliated with a double play made by sophomore second baseman Tanner Leonard, junior shortstop Mason King and junior first baseman Jack Angus, getting out Trevino and Brewer.

The game entered the third inning with no runs on the board.

The Trojans made the third consecutive double play of the game at the top of the third when UCA’s junior outfielder Drew Sturgeon hit a ground ball to Seguine at shortstop who then forced out Leonard at second and then threw to first to get out Sturgeon.

At the bottom of the third inning, Trojans’ junior left fielder Ben Harmon got the first run of the night after Seguine hit a double to right center. Seguine would then proceed to get a second run for the Trojans after he was hit in by senior center fielder Tyler Williams.

The Bears immediately answered in the next inning when Mendolia was able to bring both senior right fielder Kolby Johnson and King home after hitting a single to right field with the bases loaded.

Harlan said the team continues to improve.

“We believe there is no circumstance we cannot overcome if we continue to play hard and as a team. It is a collective effort from coaches, guys in the lineup that day, and the dugout. Our team is tough and fights for every pitch regardless of the score.”

After the bottom of the fourth inning, the teams got caught in a stalemate, with each play made by one team getting thwarted by the opposition.

Junior pitcher Oliver Laufman who subbed in for senior Cade Fenton in the bottom of the fourth inning would achieve a career-high during the deadlock after striking out six Trojans.

During the stalemate, both teams would also attempt to bunt, but only Cyr was able to succeed when he was able to advance Mendolia on a sacrifice bunt.

The Bears faltered in the bottom of the ninth inning when a walk, a passed ball, a wild pitch and an intentional walk led to the Trojans loading the bases. Sophomore Tate Busey would sub in as pitcher for the Bears during the final batter, but a final walk would result in Trevino scoring the third point for the Trojans thus concluding the game.

The Bears will appear in a three-game series against North Alabama starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 17 in Bear Stadium.

(Top) Redshirt junior infelder Mary Kate Brown makes her way past the Jackrabbits after singling to center feld. (Bottom left) Senior utility Morgan Curley pledges allegiance before the game. Redshirt junior pitcher Kayla Beaver stands proud on the mount, having struck out 5 players in the game against Kansas University

Senior outfelder Kolby Johnson focuses while at bat. Johnson scored the Bears two runs throughout the series.

photos courtesy of UCA Sports

photo by Mary LeSieur

you want to skip every Thanksgiving dinner.

“Do you have a special someone yet?”

No, I don’t. And that’s OK.

As a 20-year-old woman, I’ve been questioned about my relationship status more times than I can count, especially around this time of year.

As Valentine’s Day passed, I refected on my romantic life and the lack thereof. I’ll out myself real quick; I haven’t had an *offcial* boyfriend in almost 15 months.

While I used to be embarrassed by my extended period of singleness, I’ve decided to be loud and proud about it.

I’M SINGLE, AND I LIKE IT!

Society has been cramming the idea of women being “housewife material” down our throats since we were little girls, but I want to put an end to this. There are so many more important things for us to strive for, especially at the ripe ages of 18 to 24.

BY HANNAH ROHRER Sta Writer

The other day, one of my friends was explaining her fve-year plan to me. The frst two items on her agenda were 1. Get a boyfriend in 2023 and 2. Be married by 2025.

She’s 20 years old, but her priorities are completely set on getting married.

I’m not bashing her or anyone whose life goals are similar to hers. My aim here is simply to help you see that there’s someone else more important that you should be worrying about — you.

Put your time and effort into YOU. Stop spending valuable time looking for that perfect

In my senior year of high school, I faced the summer with a new job: being a babysitter for a new family.

I had recently been working in retail and at a restaurant in my hometown but needed a change.

I’m the type of person that hates routine and desperately needed a new challenge.

With the summer approaching, alumni of my small private Catholic school reached out to the students, explaining their need for a babysitter willing to work all summer and I immediately replied.

I interviewed for one or two different positions and found no luck with those families.

That was until a friend told me she was leaving her babysitting job for the summer, and they needed a reliable replacement.

In the past, my babysitting experiences have been good, but there were inconsistencies in when I would work, making it hard to only rely on one job.

Fast forward to a few weeks later when I interviewed with the family, and I completely fell in love with them. There were three children: two girls, and a boy.

I didn’t know anything more than their ages and schedules, but that changed quickly.

The oldest is a cheerleader with an interest in theater and singing, and she’s a fantastic cellist.

She plays the big sister role daily and is my righthand girl. The middle child is the comedic relief of the bunch. He’s the best ten-year-old golf player I’ve ever seen, and he loves to read.

It’s hard to get him to do anything other than read, but playing Roblox is his second favorite activity. The youngest is the sweetest child you’ll ever meet, and I see myself in her free spirit.

Her Calico Critters and stuffed puppy are her

The Voice LEARNS

Don’t let Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ LEARNS Act, which was signed into law March 8, fool you with its $50,000 minimum salary for all teachers —- the bill is still a disaster for Arkansas’ racial and political climate.

Let’s start with its premise: LEARNS stands for literacy, empowerment, accountability, readiness, networking and school safety. The act is meant to overhaul the Arkansas education system by implementing a voucher program to provide parents with more school choice, drastically increasing teacher salaries and improving state literacy requirements, according to KARK.com. Now let’s work our way down to the destruction it will cause all schools: private, public and charter.

sorry. If you’ve always wanted to learn to knit, do it. Learn to do a cartwheel. Try a new skincare routine. Have more girls’ nights. Travel. Go on a walk — lots and lots of walks. Do things that shape you into the kind of person you admire.

I’m not an expert on self-improvement, but I’m on the same journey as you.

I’m also not saying you should break up with your signifcant other or completely stop trying to date. In fact, I encourage you to date. Go on many dates and discover what you do and do not like in a partner. I speak for every woman when I say that we put enormous pressure on ourselves to fnd love, so much so that we can’t even appreciate the lesson of a relationship that doesn’t work out. We force ourselves to stay with someone we know we aren’t meant to be with because we would rather be unhappy with someone than be alone.

Life is all about trial and error, so don’t be afraid of the errors. But please don’t take away from my main point — it’s OK to be single, it’s OK to spend Friday night with your friends instead of a guy and it’s OK to focus on yourself.

Cue Bebe Rexha’s “Meant to Be” and listen to it about three times; let it sink in.

There may even be a few someones that come and go, or there won’t be. Either way, keep on moving. Continue to grow, adapt, change and learn about yourself every single day. Be selfsh, I beg you. Do more things for yourself, because you’re the only one who gets you through the day, every day.

best playmates, and her creativity is admirable and adorable.

As time passed, we all warmed up to one another through giggles and new adventures.

No day was alike, one day we were rained in playing board games or drawing, then the next we’d have a Chick-fl-A lunch date and a pool day.

It was the best job, and it made my summer before college stress-free and fun.

The summer before college is supposed to be a time when you have fun, and this job gave me that every day. They were well-mannered and shared a great sense of humor with one another.

Babysitting them didn’t feel like work, it felt like being in Disneyland every day.

It felt amazing to be around three little humans with such a great outlook on life, and they flled every moment with joy and laughter.

They live every day with happiness, something I feel dwindles as children become adults.

The most rewarding part of the job is the ability to see these precious humans grow into the people they’re destined to be.

With every moment, they fnd ways to amaze me and make me laugh like I haven’t before.

They remind me daily that there is so much more to life than a paycheck, and they’re the best job I’ve ever had.

It’s an almost stress-free job, and I get to spend an entire day with remarkable humans!

I was able to babysit for them over Christmas break, and it was so special to see them again. I look forward to more summer days with them and all the new adventures we will encounter.

I urge anyone to take a job babysitting because you will fall in love with the children you look after.

There’s not one day I look back on and regret with them, and it’s a job that will never disappoint you.

The executive order will ban the teaching of critical race theory, even going as far as to call it “indoctrination.” The bill says, “The secretary shall ensure that no public employee or public school student shall be required to attend trainings or orientations based on prohibited indoctrination or Critical Race Theory.” CRT changed the educational landscape. It presented an undeniable truth about racism and how it’s woven into the fabric of America. It recognizes systemic inequalities and provides a voice for Black students, who have long been shielded from the academic sphere. Critics of the bill also argue that it could potentially and accidentally create more school segregation.

Hundreds of Little Rock Central High students performed a walkout to protest the bill Feb. 28, according to ualrpublicradio.org. The LEARNS bill will distribute “education freedom accounts,” which provide families with “up to 90% of the annual per-student public school funding rate for use on allowable education expenses, like private school tuition and homeschool costs.”

During their protest, the Central High students noted the parallels between this and the 1957 desegregation crisis. The Little Rock School board “created attendance zones and allowed mainly white high schoolers to transfer to schools of their choice.” Putting more money into private and charter schools will not improve public education. Even several Republicans like Jim Wooten have expressed their concerns about “the impact diverting public money to private schools could have,” according to apnews.com.

The LEARNS Act also prohibits discussion of gender identity, sexual orientation and sexual reproduction in the classroom before ffth grade. It is dystopian and arguably against free speech to hide topics like these from students, which often become prevalent before the ffth grade.The bill will repeal the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act, which requires a teacher to receive written notice of any nonrenewal, suspension or termination. Then, that teacher can either accept and resign or request a hearing in front of the school board. Reversing an act like this will create more dysfunction within schools and lessen transparency for teachers. Senator Reginald Murdock (D), who represents District 9, said it best: “we’ve never put this many important topics into one piece of legislation and voted on it with one vote.”

Sanders’ LEARNS Act has a surprising number of redeemable qualities, such as offering upward of $10,000 in bonuses to teachers who commit to teaching in areas of high need.

However, the aforementioned issues are potentially poisonous for schools of every background.

act is destructive to every school

New This Week

Movies

March 17— Shazam: Fury of the Gods (PG-13) Directed by David F. Sandberg. Starring Zachary Levi, Grace Fulton, Asher Angel. Theatrical release.

March 17— Inside (R) Directed by Vasilis Katsoupis. Starring Willem Dafoe, Eliza Stuyck, Josia Krug. Limited theatrical release.

Copycat shake is easy and cheap

March is the month of all things green: leprechauns, four-leaf clovers and McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes, a fast food staple since 1970.

However, the iconic milkshake is not worth the midnight trip to McDonald’s when considering the cost and taste of a homemade version.

Making one at home is quite simple, and you may already have some ingredients on hand.

March 17— Wildfower (R)

Directed by Matt Smukler. Starring Alexandra Daddario, Kiernan Shipka, Chloe Rose Robertson. Limited theatrical release.

Television

March 15— Ted Lasso Season 3 (Apple TV+)

March 17— Agent Elvis (Netfix)

March 17— Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)

March 17— Swarm (Prime Video)

Music

March 17—100 gecs—10,000 gecs [Atlantic]

March 17—M83—Fantasy [Virgin]

March 17—Unknown Mortal Orchestra—V [Jagjaguwar]

March 24—Lana Del Rey—Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. [Interscope]

March 24—JPEGMAFIA, Danny Brown—Scaring the Hoes Vol. 1 [Peggy]

Video Games

March 17—WWE 2K23 [2K] PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

March 24—Resident Evil 4 Remake [Capcom] PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

March 28—MLB The Show 23 [Sony] PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

Top 5 Colleen

Hoover books

Japanese animation studio MAPPA has taken a step up with “Attack on Titan”’s newest episode, arguably the most emotional addition to the series yet, with fans impatiently waiting several months for the fnale.

Originally airing in 2013, “Attack on Titan” focuses on the defense of humanity from Titans, giant man-eating monsters, with multiple layers of walls of the city Shiganshina. These Titans eventually broke through each wall and slaughtered the humans, causing catastrophe and havoc.

The hit anime returned with an international release March 3 — March 4 for Japan — with one episode split into two chapters, breaking its nearly 11-month-long streak of no content. Thankfully, the episode was an hour long, so the wait wasn’t just for a 20-minute episode. Although the wait was inconvenient for many, it was well worth it.

Fast-forward to the fourth and fnal season, Titans are an even larger issue.

In addition to the newer threat of human-led war that originated from Titans themselves, the main protagonist-turned-antagonist, Eren Jaeger, begins The Rumbling: A catastrophic event where titans kill humans around the world in order to protect the people of Shiganshina.

Jaeger’s companions — Armin Arlert and Mikasa Ackerman, alongside others — attempt to contact Jaeger multiple times before and during The Rumbling, and attempt to get him to come to his senses before eliminating the human race.

The Rumbling really kicks in with the newest episode, where the focus is Eren’s mass genocide. The remaining members of the Scout Regiment fght against time to catch up with The Rumbling and attempt to stop it before all of humanity is gone.

In this newest addition to the dark fantasy series, MAPPA has put more effort into the animation style and other elements to tie each minute detail together.

The opening scenes of the horrifc episode did justice to the manga, maintaining its classic style. Compared to the manga panels, there was slightly more censorship for the more gruesome and bloody scenes.

The horror-movie-esque opening scene, as well as the rest of the episode’s music selections, are eerie, terrifying and perfect. After winning multiple awards for the music score in the past,

1. All Your Perfects All Your Perfects earned its spot at the top of the list for various reasons. First, the emotional damage this book had on me for weeks after I read it was unreal. The story covers a couple who struggle with infertility and are fnding their marriage in shambles. Throughout the book I was crying, fuming or cursing. The struggle between the two main characters is so gutwrenching that it’s diffcult to fnish the book. Every chapter is an extra pinch of salt to the wound, but the ending is so amazing you feel stupid for doubting the storyline.

Blend two cups of ice cream, three-fourths of a cup of milk, a quarter-teaspoon of mint extract and green food coloring to achieve the desired color as instructed by food blog dinneratthezoo.com.

Of course, there’s no shame in an extra scoop of ice cream or two.

Last, top the homemade Shamrock Shake with a hearty serving of whipped cream.

The favor is immaculate — it’s cool, creamy and minty.

According to mcdonalds. com, the Shamrock Shake is a blend of vanilla reduced-fat soft serve ice cream; Shamrock Shake Syrup, an ominous title for mint syrup; and whipped light cream.

Also, the Shamrock Shake stood no chance against real ice cream. Soft serve is lighter and softer, but It’s also cheaper and contains less milk fat than regular ice cream.

The store-bought mint extract tasted less artifcial, and unlike the McDonald’s shake, the bitterness of food dye didn’t meet the tongue.

McCormick green food coloring costs roughly 10 cents, and the mint extract costs 0.10 cents.

Finally, the whipped cream costs 53.6 cents.

Add it all up, and there’s a stark contrast in cost, considering a large McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is $5.19, and the homemade rendition is $1.64.

MAPPA took it another step further and created an intense combination of horror with sound, tying it together beautifully.

Compared to previous seasons, the episode’s production is improved, with smoother animation and the overall plot moving along in a more digestible format.

Voice actors displayed a large amount of emotion as usual, allowing viewers to key in on the fnest details and infections in voice. Specifcally, in the opening scene, Yūki Kaji, voice actor for Jaeger, executes the raw emotion he feels exceptionally.

Weirdly enough, Great Value whipped cream is miles ahead of McDonald’s whipped cream. It makes McDonald’s whipped cream seem unpleasantly buttery as opposed to fuffy and creamy.

This may explain why the original taste drastically differs from the homemade one.

The favor of reducedfat ingredients, while usually decent, never quite compares to the lusciousness of its fullfat friends.

Grab a pen, paper and a calculator. It’s time to tap into your inner mathematician.

The Walmart website says a tub of Great Value vanilla ice cream is $2.48, which is 5.2 cents per fuid ounce.

If one cup is equivalent to eight fuid ounces, and the recipe called for two cups, that means the price of ice cream in the milkshake is 83 cents.

Great Value milk is 2.8 cents per fuid ounce; the recipe called for three-fourths of a cup. Do some conversions and multiplication and boom … 17 cents.

While this may be one lighthearted example of the value cooking at home yields, this applies to most other fast food products or dine in restaurant meals.

Eat smarter, not harder. Next time your stomach takes you to the drive-thru, consider the cost more — you’ll end up more satisfed and less broke.

Although the homemade Shamrock Shake may not be complete without a serving of golden, crispy fries, it’ll do your wallet and taste buds a favor.

Season 3 of ‘ e Mandalorian’ action-packed

“The Mandalorian,” starring Pedro Pascal, started season three with lots of action on Mandalore from the Mandalorian and his old friend Bo-Katan Kryze, played by Katee Sackoff.

“The Mandalorian” has one really cool production feature about it that you don’t see very often. They use LED walls to project the background that is seen in the released episodes. The actors get to see what the scene looks like as they are flming, which helps make it more realistic.

This comparison does not include the dialogue between characters throughout the episode. After the frst 20 minutes, up to the last ten minutes of the episode is flled with more overall scenery, action and less conversation between characters. However, it is acceptable for this to be lacking. Due to the intense emotional strain warfare each character had been facing, the choppy, short dialogue seems reasonable.

Although this tough-towatch episode was longer than average, the painfully abrupt, and unfortunately common, ending left more to be desired.

With the direction of the storyline, it is questionable whether the anime will directly follow the ending shown in the manga. Regardless, MAPPA is on the road to exceeding expectations and has set the bar ridiculously high for the fnale.

The Final Season of “Attack on Titan” comes to a close in fall 2023. “Attack on Titan” is available to watch on Crunchyroll, Funimation and Hulu.

2. Verity

While “Verity” is much different from any of her other books, it’s impossible to put down. I fnished this book in less than six hours, it was so addictive. The storyline is amazing and it’s her best mystery novel. Throughout the 336 shocking pages I was panicking, smiling and cringing — in a good way. The ending is as mysterious as the entirety of the book, yet the reader is still left to sort through the pieces of the story. “Verity” is a good CoHo book to start with.

If a green screen were used instead, the editors would need to revolve most of their designs based on where the actors are looking, which adds an extra challenge. Avoiding the green screen helps get rid of that aspect, which is really cool.

The frst episode sets up the background details for the season. Not much really happens in these frst episodes outside of that.

Once the details are set in place, the action starts.

In these frst two episodes, The Mandalorian, lesser known as Din Djarin and played by Pedro Pascal, visits a few old friends such as Greef Karga, played by Carl Weathers, and Bo-Katan Kryze with little Grogu by his side.

Previous seasons were centered around Grogu, but this one is quite the opposite so far. This season is set up to be centered around the ways of the Mandalorians. Lots of discoveries about their home planet, Mandalore, are found.

The series has had two different composers for the

3. Ugly Love

“Ugly Love” would be higher on the list if the main male protagonist was less of a douchebag. The novel is based on two neighbors with a steamy, no-strings-attached relationship that foreshadows an even greater plot twist. This defnitely is not a book you can put down, but Hoover doesn’t write many that you can leave untouched. It’s tragic toward the end, but the book fnishes with a perfect ending. If you’re looking for a book with lots of spice, yet a great plot, this is a book for you.

music used in the series. This is happening in many of the other Disney+ original shows such as “The Book of Boba Fett.”

The original composer, Ludwig Goransson, left the series after writing music for the frst two seasons to work on “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

The music for season 3 was written by Joseph Shirley. He also worked on “The Book of Boba Fett” with Goransson.

4. Reminders of Him

Hoover gave me mental and emotional damage from this book, yet it is one I hold near and dear to my heart. The story follows an ex-inmate fghting for a chance to reconnect with her daughter, but the plot thickens when she meets the love interest. The book dives deep into a “forbidden love” theme, leaving the reader guessing for the entirety of the novel.

I spent an entire afternoon consuming this novel, and it left me to pick up the pieces of my own heart. Just like almost every CoHo book, it will make you sob. It’s one of her more popular books, as well as a favorite among her fans.

I am curious to see the progression of the score in this season compared to previous seasons. There were some progressions and changes in the second season’s score — but the music remained recognizable. I hope the score continues to be recognizable while also having some fresh sounds added to it.

New episodes premiere on Disney+ every Wednesday.

5. It Ends With Us

“It Ends With Us” would be a better read if it weren’t for certain circumstances surrounding the main characters. The book honestly requires a trigger warning but shows a good amount of personal growth from the main character. It follows the story of a young woman, mourning the loss of a former lover but enamored by the introduction of a new conquest. I would rate this book so much higher if the main male character was a true man, but once again, Colleen Hoover doesn’t always write about good men. Defnitely a good read, but tread lightly if it’s your frst CoHo book.

First part of ‘Attack on Titan’ nale here a er 11-month wait

photo by Anna Yanosick

The horror movie-esque opening scene as well as the rest of the episode’s music selections are eerie, terrifying and perfect.

On the left is the Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s, on the right is the homemade version. The homemade version costs signifcantly less.

photo courtesy of crunchyroll.com

One of the promotional posters for the fnal season of ‘Attack on Titan.’ The frst part of the fnale aired in the U.S. on March 3.

photo courtesy of disney.co.uk

Pedro Pascal stars as “The Mandalorian,” seen holding Grogu in a promotional poster. Season 3 premiered on Disney+ March 1.

BY BRENNA METTS

Brianna “Bri” Peterson uses art to explore the human experience through themes of nature and sexual identity.

Peterson’s work often populates the galleries and shops of Little Rock, such as Bella Vita Jewelry and Gifts and Acansa Gallery. Peterson has contributed art to the Drain Smart Project and has a mural within Cafe Bossa Nova, a Brazilian restaurant in Little Rock.

Inspired by the only piece of artwork she owns from her father, a woodburning of two horses on a slice of wood, Peterson’s work is typically done with mixed media on natural surfaces. Her work contains motifs of nature — especially bugs — and the human fgure.

Peterson, who identifes as queer, is currently working on a series that highlights LGBTQ individuals with Arkansas roots. She will be joined by other LGBTQ artists at the Acansa Gallery in North Little Rock to display the works June 16th from 5-8pm during Pride Month.

Peterson said that being raised religious in the south created many hardships for her as an LGBTQ person. “My coming out story wasn’t easy and was met with resistance,” Peterson said.

“I identify as queer and hid that for years of my life out of fear. In many ways, I

Bri Peterson honors LGBTQ community through artistry

UCA alumna finds inspiration in nature, bugs

still don’t feel safe, especially politically. However, I have learned to not let fear overshadow parts of my identity.

“Although I have faced adversities because of my sexuality, they’re the same adversities that have instilled my empathy for others,” Peterson added.

In June of 2022, Peterson contributed art to a group exhibit called “Queer” at Fenix Gallery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She said that the exhibit explored what it means to be queer in the South.

Peterson said individuals who were moved by her work approached her to share their own stories.

“I’ve viewed art and have listened to music that has brought me to tears, but I have never had someone share that vulnerability with me while viewing my artwork. During the opening reception, I had two people approach me to share their stories while holding back tears. That hit me on a completely different level,” Peterson said.

Peterson’s fascination with insects and nature is another aspect of her identity that shines through in her art.

As a child, she was deeply fascinated with insects and would imagine them living lives parallel to humans and would sometimes wear cicada brooches to try and scare her mother.

In college, Peterson reignited this fascination and began a collection of cicada shells which she would draw through observation.

“As my collection of bug carcasses grew, so did my interest in Entomology,” Peterson said. “Each classifcation has unique routines, survival mechanisms and mating rituals that precisely coincide with their outward appearance. Researching these creatures allowed me to peer inside the varying miniature worlds surrounding us that frequently go unnoticed,” she said.

Besides having her own artistic career, Peterson is also helping to educate the next generation of Arkansas artists as a high school art teacher.

This passion to be an educator was inspired by the teachers that helped Peterson succeed in her youth.

After moving to Arkansas at a young age, she struggled academically. Her mother, who observed this but saw Peterson’s passion for the arts, transferred her to an artfocused magnet elementary school.

Peterson continued her education across magnet schools and took art classes to build educational confdence.

In high school, Peterson worked part-time at Camp Aldersgate, a camp for

children with disabilities, which she said taught her “compassion, patience and a love for helping others.”

After her experiences in education, Peterson said was certain about her desire to teach about art and be a support system for students — just as her teachers were for her.

Despite this passion for teaching, Peterson said she felt limited fnancially and did not think that college would be an option for her.

However, after encouragement from her high school teachers, Peterson went on to apply for the UCA Windgate Scholarship.

“When I received the phone call that I got the scholarship I broke down in tears. It provided me with the fnancial means to pursue a degree in Art Education,” Peterson said.

Peterson graduated from UCA in 2010 and now teaches painting, drawing and 2D design for 10-12th grade high school students.

“I know students enter my class with a range of interest or lack of interest in art. My goal isn’t to force the subject, but rather use it as a tool for selfexpression, creativity, and an understanding of others,” Peterson said.

More of Peterson’s work can be found on her Instagram @bumble_bri_ artwork.

Central Arkansans get lucky with annual St. Patty’s Day parade

BY THOMAS STAAB Sta Writer

Copious amounts of green beer, bead throwing and Irish jigs embodied the 22nd annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in North Little Rock that took place on Saturday, March 11.

The Parade was coordinated by the Irish Cultural Society of Arkansas as a fun, free and family-oriented community service event for the residents of central Arkansas and is intended to celebrate cultural diversity.

Founded in 1996, the Society provides programs demonstrating aspects of the culture of Ireland for the education of Arkansans, many of whom have ancestors from one of the seven Celtic nations; Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales and Galicia.

The Grand Marshals of the parade were longtime ICSA members Mike and Gerri Spillane.

“Mike and I are honored to be chosen.

e participated in the ery frst t. Patrick’s Day parade in Little Rock and have been actively involved in the parade planning and execution through the Irish Cultural Society of Arkansas since its inception many moons ago. We look forward to representing the ICSA in this parade and sharing our love of all things

Irish with the people of Arkansas,” Gerri Spillane, secretary of the ICSA said.

To say the presence of the Irish community was felt during the parade would be an understatement, as Sixth and Main street in downtown North Little Rock were lined with people

accessories followed close behind.

The shining star of the parade, however, was undoubtedly the ‘Irish Rover.’ The rover was a 20-foot-long at ed trailer that had e erything. t included a four person and, a ag from each of the Celtic nations, and of course, a leprechaun.

The parade route began at Sixth and Main in downtown North Little Rock, traveled through the Argenta Arts District, crossed the Arkansas River via the Main Street Bridge, traveled east on President Clinton Ave. through the River Market District, then turned south on River Market Ave. and ended at Third and Cumberland in Little Rock.

Patrick’s Day green, readily awaiting the beads being tossed from the oats.

oc own istillery s oat led the pack during the parade, featuring numerous leprechauns, balloons and a large ag of reland. ot to e outdone, a fretruc from the North Little Rock Fire Department aunting some t. Patric s ay themed

Some of the best viewing spots for the parade were the Argenta Arts District, the River Market District and Third Street near Dugan’s Pub. The entertainment did not come to an end after the oats fnished their route, howe er, as “Dancing at the Crossroads” took place shortly following the parade. This event featured musical performances by marching pipe and drum bands and traditional Irish dance performances by the McCafferty Academy of Irish Dance and the O’Donovan School of Irish Dance. The ICSA throws the parade on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day every year, in an attempt to publicize the presence of an active Irish community in the Little Rock area.

photos by Thomas Staab

Sta Writer