September 2024 by UE Crescent Magazine

2024 STAFF

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISOR

Tommy J Housman

Creative Directors

Auden Phillips

Nina Wilson

Designers

Abbey Kyle

Auden Phillips

Kennedy Kain

Konner Staley

Myia Payne

Allison Borchard

Nina Wilson

Ale Espana

Madison Adams

Editor

Collin J Wilson

Writers

Laiba Bashir

Rachel Hoke

Anonymous

Grace Burnell

Zorah Mehrzad

Madchen Fox

MJ Deghhan

Morgan Bassett

Grace Gleinser

Bev Rowley

Paris Himes

Myia Danek

Landon Amick

Stephanie Daughtery

Cameron Mitchel

Madison Adams

Gabriel Long

Tommy J Housman

Photography & Video

Madison Adams

Allison Borchard

Tommy J Housman

Illustrators

Tommy J Housman

CRESCENT MAGAZINE

is the University of Evansville’s student magazine. It is written, edited and designed by and for UE students and published six times during the academic year. Circulation is 1,500 distributed to 18 campus locations and housed online at www.cresceent.evansville.edu

The Crescent is funded through advertising sales and a subscription fee paid on behalf of students by the Student Government Association.

LETTER SUBMISSIONS:

Crescent Magazine welcomes letters from UE students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni, but material the CMEB regards as libelous, malicious and/or obscene will not be published. Letters should not exceed 250 words. For verification, letters must include the author’s name, class standing or title and email address. Crescent Magazine does not print anonymous letters or those that cannot be verified. Letters will be edited as needed.

The Real Cost of Mass Deportation - 1

Go Back To Your Country - 4

The Value of Studying Foreign Languages - 5

MIT Class of 2028 - 7

Social Media-Based News – 11

Yes She Can– 13

Voices of Social Justice - 14

EDITORIAL POLICY:

Commentary expressed in unsigned editorials represents a consensus opinion of the magazine’s Editorial Board. Other columns, reviews, articles and advertising are not necessarily the opinion of the CMEB or other members of staff.

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SOBA, University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47722

Editorial e-mail: th208@evansville.edu www.crescent.evansville.edu facebook.com/UECrescentMagazine twitter.com/crescentmagazi1 instagram.com/UEstudentmedia

The Kids Aren’t Alright– 17

Prevention or Cure for Disruptive Habits – 19

Healthy Eating Tips for College Students – 20

I Read 40 Books This Summer - 21

The Loop - 23

Womens Soccer Grabs First Win of Season – 25

The Harlaxton Haze – 27

Harlaxton Hijinks - 29

Grandma Was a Jedi – 31

Ordinary - 34

Cllege Mentors for Kids - 35

Event Finder - 37

Hot Thrifting Spots - 39

The Real Cost of Mass Deportation: Unpacking the

Tommy J Housman

Myths and Realities of Immigration

Immigration— It’s the political football of our time, kicked around in every debate, rally, and news cycle. Amid all that noise, the reductive rhetoric makes the solution seem simple. But, as with most things, it’s not. Donald Trump’s proposals, particularly the idea of mass deportation, are more than just economically disastrous—they’re morally bankrupt. It’s time to step back, sift through this noise Trump’s been peddling, and face the realities. Because let’s be honest—the stakes are just too high to get this wrong.

On the surface, Trump’s call for mass deportation might sound like a neat and tidy solution to undocumented immigration—get rid of the people, solve the problem. But dig a little deeper, and the economic folly becomes glaringly obvious. The most obvious are the astronomical costs: $400 to $600 billion over the next 20 years. And that’s just to get started and does not account the cost of executing the deportation of 10 to 12 million people. Imagine the impact on the industries that keep our economy humming—agriculture, construction, hospitality, manufacturing, and retail. These aren’t just job creators; they’re the backbone of our daily lives. The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that without undocumented workers, agricultural production could see an 18% reduction in its workforce, leading to a $60 billion hit every year. Construction and hospitality sectors could lose 15% and 14% of their workers, respectively, with corresponding GDP losses of $54.3 billion and $64.9 billion annually. That’s your food prices going up, projects slowing down, and, frankly, the economy taking a gut punch.

Trump’s plan to deport all undocumented immigrants could slash our GDP by a whopping $434 billion annually, with cumulative losses reaching $4.7 trillion over the next decade. Industries like manufacturing and retail, which might not be traditionally associated with undocumented labor, would still suffer significantly, with GDP losses of $73.8 billion and $50 billion respectively. This isn’t Monopoly money—it’s real cash that supports businesses, pays salaries, and keeps the wheels turning. Oh, and don’t forget the tax revenue. Undocumented immigrants contribute around $19 to $20 billion in federal, state, and local taxes each year. Take them out of the picture, and suddenly states across the country are scrambling to fill budget gaps. States with the highest numbers of unauthorized workers, like California, Texas, New York, and New Jersey, will experience the most significant economic impacts. For example, California could see an annual GDP drop of $103 billion, representing roughly a 5% decrease. The effects would ripple across all states, hitting

both immigrant-heavy and broader industries alike. But here’s where the issue gets even more complicated— and more critical. The U.S. is facing a demographic time bomb. Our birth rate has dropped to 1.6, far below the replacement level needed to sustain our population. In an aging country where the Social Security system is already under immense pressure, immigrants are a lifeline. Yes, including undocumented immigrants. They contribute billions of dollars into Social Security every year—money that helps keep the system afloat even though they’re unlikely to ever see those benefits themselves. Without these contributions, the financial future of Social Security looks increasingly dire. Simply put, mass deportation isn’t just an economic misstep—it’s a disaster that could accelerate the collapse of our social safety nets.

But let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about people, families, communities. Trump’s mass deportation policy wouldn’t just strain the economy—it would tear apart families, many of whom have lived in the U.S. for years, raising children who are American citizens. Imagine: a child comes home from school, expecting the usual routine, only to find that their parents have been taken away, with no promise of return. It’s a nightmare scenario that’s playing out far too often, leaving psychological scars that can last a lifetime. And, ethically, we’ve got to ask ourselves, what kind of society are we building if we endorse these policies? A society that values profit over people? That’s not the America most of us believe in. Trump’s mass deportation plan doesn’t just hurt those being deported—it erodes the very fabric of our communities, spreading fear and mistrust where there should be support and solidarity.

Despite what Trump might have you believe, immigrant workers—both legal and undocumented—are vital to the

American economy. They’re the ones picking our crops, building our homes, caring for our loved ones. They do the jobs that many Americans simply won’t do, and they do them well. Without these workers, our economy would grind to a halt. In agriculture alone, undocumented workers make up nearly half of the labor force. Trump’s plan to remove these workers would devastate the industry, leading to food shortages and skyrocketing prices at the grocery store. The construction and service industries would fare no better, with projects delayed and costs driven up as labor becomes scarce. Immigrants— including those Trump seeks to deport— are significant contributors to innovation and entrepreneurship in this country. They start businesses, create jobs, drive technological advancements. The idea that America would be better off without them? It’s not just misguided— it’s dangerous. We need to recognize their contributions, not demonize them for political gain.

Let’s also dispel another persistent myth: the idea that undocumented immigrants are draining public resources through government assistance. The truth is, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for nearly all federal public benefits, including welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid. Even legal immigrants face significant restrictions on accessing these benefits. The reality is that most immigrants, whether documented or not, contribute far more to public coffers than they ever take out. They’re paying into systems they can’t benefit from—essentially subsidizing the very programs they’re often accused of abusing.

Trump’s simplistic approach to immigration misses a crucial point: people don’t just pack up and leave their homes, risking everything to come to the United States, without a reason. The root causes of immigration are complex, often tied to the very policies and actions of the U.S. government.

Many immigrants are fleeing violence, political instability, and economic despair in their home countries. But where does this violence come from? The harsh reality is that many of the guns used by cartels and gangs in Latin

America originate from the United States. Weak gun laws and a thriving black market make it easy for these weapons to flow across the border, fueling violence and chaos that forces families to flee for their lives.

Then there’s the economic angle. The U.S. has an insatiable demand for goods like sugar, cocoa, and avocados—products that are often produced in countries where labor is cheap and regulations are lax. U.S. corporations, driven by the pursuit of profit, exploit these conditions, contributing to widespread poverty and inequality. Local citizens often find themselves with no access to their own resources, pushed into low-wage jobs or forced to migrate in search of better opportunities.

And let’s not forget the environmental impact. Deforestation, driven by the global demand for palm oil, beef, and other commodities, is devastating ecosystems in Central and South America. This environmental destruction is often linked to U.S. corporations and consumer demand. Climate change— largely driven by the industrial activities of wealthy nations like the U.S.—is making some regions uninhabitable. Rising sea levels, extreme weather, and shifting agricultural patterns are displacing millions, particularly in countries that have contributed very little to the problem.

The U.S. also has a significant role in the global drug trade. The demand for illegal drugs in the U.S. fuels a multibillion-dollar industry that empowers violent cartels in countries like Mexico and Colombia. These cartels, in turn, destabilize governments, corrupt institutions, and create a living nightmare for ordinary people caught in the crossfire. For many, fleeing to the U.S. is not just an economic decision—it’s a matter of survival.

When we talk about immigration, we must consider these factors. The people arriving at our borders are often fleeing conditions created or exacerbated by U.S. policies and corporate practices. But does Trump address these realities? No. Instead, he opts for fear-mongering and simplistic solutions that do nothing

to solve the problem. If we truly want to address immigration, we need to look at the bigger picture and understand our role in creating the conditions that drive people to our borders.

One of Trump’s most pernicious tactics is his use of fear to stoke antiimmigrant sentiment. He often links immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented, with crime, painting them as dangerous and a threat to public safety. But here’s the truth: study after study has shown that immigrants, both legal and undocumented, are far less likely to commit crimes than nativeborn Americans. In fact, immigrants are responsible for less than 1% of violent crime. Crime rates are down across the board, yet Trump continues to push the false narrative that immigrants are to blame for a supposed crime wave. This isn’t just a lie—it’s a deliberate attempt to invoke fear and play on the innate racism that still exists in parts of our society. By creating a scapegoat, Trump diverts attention from the real issues and rallies his base around a manufactured threat. But the facts are clear: immigrants make our communities safer, not more dangerous. It’s time we stop letting fear dictate our policies and start focusing on the truth.

If we’re serious about solving the immigration issue, we need to move beyond Trump’s divisive rhetoric and look at real solutions. This means reforming our immigration system in a way that is both humane and economically sound. We need a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrants who are already here, contributing to our economy and our communities. This isn’t about amnesty—it’s about recognizing the reality of the situation and finding a solution that works for everyone. We also need to address the root causes of immigration. This means reevaluating our foreign policies, investing in the economic development of our neighboring countries, and supporting efforts to combat corruption and violence abroad. Only by addressing these underlying issues can we hope to reduce the flow of immigrants seeking refuge in the United States.

Let’s also clarify the difference between aid and government assistance, especially when it comes to asylum seekers. Asylum seekers often receive aid such as legal assistance and temporary housing, but this is not the same as the broader government assistance programs available to citizens. Cities that host asylum seekers often have specific budgets and resources allocated to support these individuals, and though it seems altruistic—the long-term economic benefits of integrating asylum seekers into communities often outweigh the initial costs. These individuals contribute to the local economy, take on jobs, pay taxes, and help revitalize communities that might otherwise struggle with declining populations. We need to change the narrative around immigration. Immigrants are not the enemy—they’re our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends. They’re a vital part of the fabric of this nation, and it’s time we start treating them as such. Trump’s fear-based approach to immigration has done enough damage. It’s time for a new path forward, one based on truth, compassion, and common sense.

The complexities of immigration demand more than Trump’s oversimplified and fear-driven solutions. Mass deportation is not the answer— it’s an economic, ethical, and social disaster waiting to happen. We must look beyond the rhetoric and address the real issues at hand, from the root causes of immigration to the undeniable contributions of immigrants to our society. We must embrace the reality that immigrants are not only a vital part of our economy but also essential to the future sustainability of our social systems, such as Social Security. By integrating immigrants and asylum seekers into our communities, we strengthen the social and economic fabric of our nation. In the end, the choice is clear: we can either continue down a path driven by fear and misinformation, or we can choose a future where compassion, truth, and pragmatism guide our immigration policies. The latter isn’t just the morally right choice—it’s the smart one. It’s time to move forward, together, towards a more just and sustainable future for all.

GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY

My name is not important. My identity is one of many. We share a few things in common. I walk across the same halls as many of you. I take some of the same classes. I laugh at some of the same jokes. I cringe at faculty members trying to relate to younger students. I love coffee. I don’t like sweets (most of the time). I enjoy working out. I enjoy going out with my partner. I enjoy cozying up in front of the TV with a blanket, rewatching the same show for the umpteenth time. We are alike, you and me. We are the same but different. Different but the same.

I was taught to be grateful for living in the best country in the world—where education is available to everyone. I see the flag waving from many front porches as I run by. The same flag follows me as I drive to get my morning coffee before work, posted on even more porches, cars, and motorcycles. The flag is everywhere. It taunts me. I am from here. I was born here. But I learned fairly quickly that I am not accepted here.

How? There have been multiple experiences, but I want to share one particular moment that I will never forget.

I turned. My smile was gone. Confusion took over my face. Surely that wasn’t meant for me. I was born in the United States. What does that even mean?

Nope. There it was again.

“Go back to your country.”

I turned to see two tall men, looking directly at me. There was no mistaking who they were speaking to. My heart felt like it skipped a beat. I couldn’t breathe, but I did walk faster. We

my ears. I was alone. I remember thinking, We are alike. I was born and raised here. I am a U.S.-born citizen. I am a student here too. I want to create a career path for myself and be successful, too. We are the same but different. Different but the same.

I exited the stall once I thought they were gone. I looked in the mirror. I really looked. My eyes are dark, my hair even darker. My nose is a little crooked, and I have a mole on my face. I am of caramel complexion with a yellow undertone. I stared at my hands with a sense of betrayal.

“Go back to your country.”

I felt angry. I felt sad. I felt afraid to leave the bathroom. But why was I afraid? Why did those words affect me the way they did?

Now I was angrier. At them. But mostly at myself. And I didn’t understand why.

We are alike, you and me. You see, I like warm weather and sandals. I like a nice cold frozen coffee from Starbucks, too. I like sipping it while the cool wind hits my face. In my mind, on this random Saturday, I wasn’t just a student walking through campus. I was a model, and the campus was my catwalk. I laughed at my inside joke—a joke between me, myself, and I.

But then I heard it.

“Go back to your country.”

were the only three on this path. The faster I walked, the more it seemed to encourage them. I couldn’t make out their words, but their tone and laughter pierced my ears. I can still hear it now.

I was afraid. I didn’t dare breathe. I didn’t know what breathing would do, but I couldn’t breathe even if I wanted to. I ran into the women’s restroom and sat in a stall. I was alone. Afraid. I could still hear their laughter, their taunts.

“Go back to your country.”

The tears started flowing. I hugged myself. My heartbeat pounded in

Who did those boys think they were? What made them think they could talk to me that way? I was raised to be a strong and independent woman. How dare I let them instill this unknown fear in me? I grabbed my backpack and peeked outside. I heard no one. I saw no one. I practically ran to my car. Confusion, sadness, and anger clouded my thoughts and vision when I got home. I pulled my blanket over myself and plopped onto the couch as I turned on the TV. I reached for my mostly melted coffee.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take our country back,” said the voice on the TV. I turned to see the future leader of our country during his campaign for the 2016 election.

“Go back to your country.”

THE VALUE OF STUDYING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

By: Grace Gleisner

“People speak English there, so I think I’ll be fine.” I’ve heard this phrase many times from people before they travel abroad and, to be honest, I am guilty of saying it as well. However, while it is often possible to travel or study only in English, this phrase indicates a bigger problem: Americans fall short in the

realm of learning foreign languages.

The gap between language learners in America and those in Europe stems from differing education requirements. Because of national mandates and strong foreign language programs, roughly 92% of European

primary and secondary students study foreign languages. In contrast, the Pew Research Center found that the majority of states in America have no high school foreign language requirement and only 20% of American elementary and high school students study a foreign language. According to a study

conducted by a language learning platform called Preply, 31% of Americans who studied a foreign language only did so to fulfill a school requirement and less than 10% became proficient in the foreign language they studied. Nevertheless, 90% of those participating in the survey believed that learning a second language is important and 70% of those who did not learn a second language regretted it.

So what makes studying foreign languages so important? I have always loved studying languages, finding them enjoyable and valuable windows into other cultures. Nevertheless, I have often found myself unable to articulate exactly why I find languages so worthwhile. In the face of shrinking foreign language requirements and opportunities for many American students, I decided to research the benefits of foreign language study and found that they extend far beyond meeting academic requirements and facilitating travel abroad.

According to a Cambridge University article, languages are powerful because they have the ability to change the very structure of our brains. Anyone who studied a foreign language and achieved a substantial degree of competency or fluency will tell you that it takes time, repetition, and persistence - in short, lots of mental effort - to get there. Language study is one of the most complex mental activities possible, combining constant exposure to new material with the recollection and use of previously learned information. These qualities cause language learners to forge new connections in their brains as they study. As a result, language study improves literacy and all-around academic performance, increases concentration, strengthens short- and long-term memory, promotes empathy and communication skills, and fosters creative thinking and problem solving. These are effects that benefit everyone, regardless of study or career path!

Foreign language abilities also open up opportunities educationally, socially, and professionally. Even today, in the age of the internet and online translators, multitudes of scholarly books and articles are exclusively published or can be best understood

in a single language. Learning to read foreign languages expands scholars’ access to these resources. Socially and professionally, languages allow people to connect with a wider variety of individuals. Preply’s study found that, of those speaking only one language, 58% have been embarrassed by their incapability of communicating with those who don’t speak English and 21% have missed a career opportunity because of lack of second language skills.

Perhaps even more importantly, however, languages open the door to people and cultures that are different from our own. Learning a new language - seeing how members of another group express their beliefs or ideas in their own words - helps bridge the gaps of location, time, and background between people. Foreign language study is a major investment in time and effort, but one that can pay off through the cultural and historical awareness it brings. Few things have the power to connect people as quickly as discovering they can speak the same language. Whether it is only memorizing some basic phrases to facilitate studying abroad or learning a whole new language to communicate with friends, family, or c oworkers, learning to speak another language shows a dedication to understanding and respecting other people’s backgrounds and points of view. In many ways, communication has never been easier than it is today, but nevertheless does division between cultures and groups continue to grow. Taking the time to invest in and relate to another culture on a deeper level is an increasingly necessary tool to help individuals and groups move beyond cursory knowledge of each other to deeper understanding and empathy.

In America, a massive, mostly English-speaking country, we easily forget that in much of the world, people live surrounded by those who speak other languages. Secondary schools in America are cutting foreign language requirements (as my home state of Minnesota did a few years back) and college foreign language departments are shrinking and disappearing. Preply warns that, according to the American Council of Alumni and Trustees, only 12% of American colleges require

intermediate foreign language competency for graduation today. Additionally, the Modern Language Association found that colleges lost 651 foreign language programs between 2013 and 2016 alone. With so many advantages available for those who learn more than one language, our education system is setting many students up for less than success in this area. While it is never too late to learn a new language, the structure and accountability of high school and university classes facilitate the atmosphere and attitude necessary for making progress in languages, and listening to and speaking a language with a group is far more beneficial than studying it alone.

Meanwhile, other countries around the globe continue to advocate for and mandate foreign language study. As our world becomes progressively globalized and as traveling, studying, and working abroad increase in ease and popularity, our collective lack of preparation will prove harmful. Schools, universities, teachers, and advisors should recognize the benefits of foreign language study and encourage their students to enroll in these courses. Students should seek out opportunities for acquiring new languages, whether in school or not, realizing that they will never know when another language may come in handy. No matter how far our technology advances, nothing can or will replace the ability to communicate with others on a human, personal level. The rest of the world is charging ahead in language study. As Americans, we have to decide if we want to be left behind.

MIT’s Class of 2028: A Brief Glance at Academia Post-Affirmative Action

Zorah Mehrzad

On the 21st of August 2024, MIT published the demographics for their incoming class, the Class of 2028. Soon after, a post on X from Dr. Steven McGuire (@sfmcguire79), a journalist who also holds a position as the Paul and Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom, showed a table of the self-reported ethnicity statistics from the previous entering class next to the current one. This post has since garnered 3.3 million views and ignited a heated debate around changes in two of the six ethnicity categories presented: Black/African American and Hispanic/ Latine. Especially because of the caption McGuire write above the table, which read: “BREAKING: MIT has published the profile of its incoming class, the first admitted in the wake of the SCOTUS decision again[st] affirmative action.”

A Pew Research study done in 2023 revealed that eight-in-ten American adults are familiar with the term “affirmative action,” and 63% of those surveyed were in opposition to the removal of it1. At the same time, the conversation around affirmative action often quickly turns to discussions on “quotas” and “reverse discrimination,” despite the fact that no legal framework ever mentions nor requires a quota, and the latter simply doesn’t exist. Which begs the question: what exactly is affirmative action?

The basis of affirmative action, at least in university settings, is a series of laws and court cases around the subject of labor. As outlined in Cornell Law School’s history on affirmative action, the concept itself is defined as, “a set

of procedures designed to; eliminate unlawful discrimination among applicants, remedy the results of such prior discrimination, and prevent such discrimination in the future.”2 It first appeared in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy. “Americans and Affirmative Action: How the Public Sees the Consideration of Race in College Admissions, Hiring.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 16 June 20232 “Affirmative Action.” Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School who passed Executive Order 10925, which established the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. Under it, no employer could discriminate against any applicant on the basis of “race, color, creed, or national origin.”3 In the ensuing years of the Civil Rights movement, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 expanded that decree to include banning discrimination on the basis of sex.⁴ Many universities, as recipients of federal funding are required to fall into line with what the Office of Civil Rights enforces under anti-discrimination laws, which does include Title VII, therefore requiring affirmative action.

But then, if affirmative action most broadly means that no institution is allowed to discriminate on the basis of many factors beyond just race, it might seem odd that race is the only point being mentioned in many conversations. That is until you consider that many of the court cases surrounding affirmative action are centered on race. The very first of that list is the monumental Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which

ruled that “separate but equal” was unconstitutional, ushering in the era of desegregation. Reagents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) followed next, which banned universities from having racial quotas, and following court cases saw a stricter expectation of “scrutiny” when considering race as a factor in admissions. The University of Michigan was then involved in two cases in 2003, Gratz v. Bollinger (2003) and Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), that established schools could not have a points system in place that awarded students points on the basis of race (Gratz) but did allow for universities to consider race as one factor in a holistic assessment of a student’s profile (Grutter). A case against the University of Texas at Austin in 2016 came to a similar conclusion as the 3 “Executive Order 10925-Establishing the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.” Executive Order 10925-Establishing the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity | The American Presidency Project4 “Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” US EEOC Grutter v. Bollinger case, stating that if race was “a factor of a factor of a factor,” it fell under the requirement of “strict scrutiny.”5

So, while discriminating by race isn’t the only thing that affirmative action is meant to prevent, it’s clearly a very important part of it. Which brings us back to the post on X, wherein Black student enrollment was down 10% from the previous year and Hispanic/ Latine students dropped by 4%. (It is, of course, also worth noting that Native

Hawaiian/Pacific Islander representation in the Class of 2028 dropped down to 0% from 1%, though it was not a statistic that attracted as much attention as the aforementioned two.) This change, of course, follows on the heels of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023), the case that struck affirmative action down, on the basis of not following the rules of strict scrutiny set out by Bakke.6 A change that social scientists saw coming.

The day that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Students for Fair Admissions, Stanford University published an interview with members of its social sciences faculty.7 Some felt that the

decision undermined science that has existed for decades showing how important it is to racially diversify educational environments, others acknowledged that affirmative action was never meant to be a permanent system, but that it served an important part in the fight for an equitable society. Dr. David B. Grusky, a sociologist who serves as the Director of the Center of Poverty and Inequality, put it quite concisely when he said that the “decision rests on the pretense that we live in a colorblind world in which all children have an equal opportunity to build a resume that will appeal to elite colleges.” Because at the end of the day, the real issue of this ruling lies

in the fact that it ignores the very real forces of systemic oppression, and the fight against it that was supposed to be aided by the temporary band-aid of affirmative action. In ruling of Grutter v. ⁵ “Affirmative Action.” Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School ⁶ “Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.” Oyez7 “Stanford Scholars React to the End of Affirmative Action.” Stanford Report, 29 June 2023 Bollinger (2003), Justice Sandra Day O’Conner expressed a wish that “25 years from now, the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest approved today.”⁸ It was never a system that was made to last, but now it’s gone too soon.

¹ Gramlich, John. “Americans and Affirmative Action: How the Public Sees the Consideration of Race in College Admissions, Hiring.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 16 June 2023

2 Affirmative Action.” Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School

3 “Executive Order 10925-Establishing the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.” Executive Order 10925-Establishing the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity | The American Presidency Project

4 “Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” US EEOC

5 “Affirmative Action.” Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School

6 “Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.” Oyez

7 “Stanford Scholars React to the End of Affirmative Action.” Stanford Report, 29 June 2023

8 "Affirmative Action.” Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School

At Student Media, the possibilities are endless. With over 70 UE students contributing this semester from more than 15 different majors, there’s a place for everyone to get involved—whether it’s podcasts, radio shows, writing, editing, designing, photography, video production, or special projects. Crescent Magazine’s website, crescent.evansville.edu, garners 6,000 views monthly during the semester, while the newly launched Fireside Aces Radio is quickly catching up with 2,000 monthly visits and an app on the way. But it’s not just about what you can do at Student Media—it’s about what you can do for yourself. Here, you can elevate issues that matter to you, build a professional portfolio, and launch your career.

Just ask Arthur Hurst, who took his podcast from UE and turned it into a full-time gig after graduation. Want to learn more? Contact Student Media Advisor Tommy J. Housman at th208.

What’s going on with social media-based News Networks?

I, like many other people my age, use social media for a myriad of things. I can stay connected to my friends and family; I can engage with content that is specific to what I enjoy; and, at times, I use it to stay updated on news and current events. According to a study done in 2019 by Antino Kim and Alan R. Dennis at Indiana University, up to 62% of American rely on social media in some form to keep them updated and informed. While issues like misinformation (especially with the ever-increasing use of AI in journalism) could come along with this, if you follow the right publications, you can usually receive a good understanding of what is going on. Plus, social media can be a lot more convenient. I can be updated on real world events, ranging from international conflicts to presidential candidate statements, while still interacting with content I enjoy. However, recently, I've started to notice a trend across the board with a lot of these social mediareliant publications. They focus on quantity rather than quality, and the algorithm rewards them for it. I am constantly getting news about celebrities, but because I was on social media, where there is already so much exposure to such content, it was hard to stop and question it. Many of these networks would

prefer to please the algorithm than to continue posting news. Current events often include words that would be flagged by many of these social media sites. The algorithmic strategy pushed upon these accounts is dangerous and should be questioned on the basis of censorship.

Not until July of this year did I fully notice, recognize, and question this on one of the accounts I used most often. NowThis News, which, as of August of 2024, has 3.9 million followers on Instagram, has begun to do this. NowMedia, the broader network that controls NowThis and its branching accounts, claims to aim for “More than Reach, Resonance.” However, despite this claim, NowMedia lists its monthly reach as over 191 million people. They also state they have over 100 million active monthly users and over 90 million followers across their social media platforms. They are more than aware of the importance of their news, especially to those who use social media often. NowMedia states that NowThis “amplifies GenZ and Millennials’ purpose by activating their passions.” However, in February of this year, NowThis took a very strange turn. From the

usage of AI to make things no one was asking for — like Jason Kelce losing his Super Bowl ring in a pool of chili (this is a real post from April 19th, 2024) — to constant posts with popular buzzwords and any celebrity who is relevant at the moment. NowThis, months prior to this, was posting actual news. Information about lawsuits, major discoveries, and historical firsts were commonly seen on this page. They still featured pop culture elements, but much fewer than the amount they show now. I do think it is important to mention that NowMedia does have multiple accounts connected to it. NowThis, NowHer, NowFood, NowThis Impact, and NowEarth. NowThis Impact still posts news regarding current events, but, considering that they have 2.7 million fewer followers on that account, it remains a strange decision to end all current event news on their biggest main platform.

When looking into why this big shift even happened, I found out that NowThis had laid off around 50% of the people involved with the company. This is a growing theme within a lot of media companies. A larger look at media and tech companies done

Madchen Fox

by Variety Intelligence Platform Analysis in August of 2024 shows that many large media companies are undergoing mass layoffs. Some bigger names include Buzzfeed, who laid off 16% of their company; Paramount, who laid off 15%; and Pixar, who laid off 14%. Though never explicitly stated, I feel like it makes sense that the rising growth of AI usage in media and tech has led so many companies to switch their business practices. It is much cheaper to use AI than it is to keep people hired, and since all these corporations are focused on maximizing revenue, it is no surprise that we are seeing this shift.

Now, I do not want to come across as a conspiracy theorist, but considering how NowMedia is supported by two of the biggest companies which have

been boycotted by those in support of Palestine in the conflict between Israel and Palestine—Starbucks and McDonalds-- it isn’t that surprising that they would phase out news regarding these subjects. This, combined with Meta’s algorithm, which is proven to be censoring information regarding Palestine with shadow bans and content removal, makes it increasingly difficult to justify accessing news on social media anymore--especially considering decreasing media literacy rates and increasing AI usage in media. It can be hard to find a platform that is always what you want to read, but that might instead be a good thing. I think

but as a generation, we need to move beyond a preoccupation with what is always fun or enjoyable. Hopefully, as more legislation is proposed and adopted to fight against the rising threat of AI in the media, things will begin to settle down again. But as it stands, it is important for everyone, regardless of your beliefs, to stay wellinformed, especially considering the upcoming election. Sites like AP News can help provide better, more reliable news no matter where you fall on the political spectrum. If you can vote, it is your responsibility to ensure your decision is at least well-informed.

YES SHE CAN!

by: Paris Himes

After calls from Democratic Party leaders, the political world flipped when, on July 21, 2024, President Joe Biden announced his decision to resign from the 2024 Election. Biden’s shaky performance at the June debate with Donald Trump, the four-time indicted former president and current repeat presidential candidate, responded to calls from party leaders and donors to move President Biden aside. Donations began to dry up, and calls from the party, volunteers, donors, and activists— including George Clooney, Rob Reiner, and Susan Sarandon—loudly demanded that the Democratic Party make a change or risk losing the election up and down the ticket.

As the Democratic National Convention approached, the Democratic party, not known for staying calm amid crisis, panicked about who would be Biden’s successor strong enough to hold Trump’s feet to the fire. In recognition of the possibility of a divided convention and a whirlwind of uncertainty, President Biden endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, as his successor to carry the Democratic torch.

Under new procedures adopted by the convention’s rules committee in late July, candidates had until Tuesday, August 6, 2024, to declare their intent to seek the nomination and submit the 300 delegate signatures required to qualify for the roll call vote. According to a DNC statement, Vice President Kamala Harris was officially certified as the Democratic presidential nominee after receiving the majority of delegate votes (4,567 votes) in a virtual Democratic National Committee roll call that concluded on August 5.

After a whirlwind of speculation, Governor Tim Walz of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was chosen as Harris’ running mate. In 2019, Walz became the 41st governor of Minnesota. He is a retired U.S. Army and noncommissioned officer and former schoolteacher. On Thursday, August

22, 2024, Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination as the party’s presidential candidate. With the soundtrack of Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” and rally chants of “Not going back,” Harris and Walz plan to lead the nation to an opportunity economy in the shortest presidential campaign in modern history.

Kamala Harris and her sister were raised in a middle-class neighborhood by a single mother. Harris attended the historically black Howard University in Washington, D.C., while working parttime at McDonald’s. She is a historic black Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated member. After graduating from Howard, Harris returned to California and, in 1989, received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. In 1990, Harris was hired as the Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County, CA. In 2003, she was elected District

Attorney of San Francisco; in 2010, she was elected Attorney General of California. 2011, Harris was sworn in as the first female African American South Asian Attorney General of California. 2017, she was elected as a U.S. Senator from California. In 2023, as Vice President, Harris broke the record for the most tie-breaking votes cast by a vice president.

Today, 78% of Democrats are more enthusiastic about voting in the 2024 presidential election than their opposition. With a boatload of enthusiasm, a new sense of joy, a united party, and leads in the swing state polls, Harris, the first African American and South Asian woman nominated to lead the Democratic party, adorned with her sorority’s trademark pearls around her neck and with her favorite Chuck Taylor footwear, is touring with Walz across the country as they race to the White House with plans to take the nation forward.

Voices of Social Justice: Advocacy for Change

In this special section of the Crescent Magazine, we present impassioned letters from students at the University of Evansville who are actively engaging with pressing social issues in our society. These letters, directed to influential leaders and institutions, articulate deeply held beliefs and advocate for changes that could reshape our communities Through their words, these students not only challenge the status quo but also inspire others to join them in their pursuit of justice, equality, and human rights.

The following letters reflect the courage and conviction of individuals who are not just passive observers but active participants in the fight for a equitable and more just world.

Women Reproductive Rights

Dear Senator Young,

I am writing this letter to express my deepest concerns regarding the U.S. government’s involvement in women’s reproductive rights. As a female citizen, I am deeply committed to social justice and equality. I believe that every individual should have the autonomy to make decisions about their own body and reproductive health without interference or restriction from the government. I urge Indiana to reconsider the placement of the abortion ban and to lift it so that women may get access to the health care that they need.

Research shows that the banning of abortion does not decrease the number of abortions that occur but simply forces women to risk their lives and overall wellbeing by seeking unsafe

abortion care. This ban also greatly adds to the stress of those who seek an abortion and can have a significantly negative impact on their mental health. According to the World Health Organization, 23,000 women die from unsafe abortions each year and tens of thousands more experience significant health complications globally. Furthermore, research shows that restricted access to abortion is linked with negative social and health-related outcomes for pregnant women and can ultimately result in harmful birth outcomes such as: denial of emergency care in lifethreatening situations, increased rates of preterm births, and infant and maternal mortality. Imposing restrictions or limitations on access to abortion through reproductive health care services in Indiana is undermining

women’s rights to make informed choices about their own bodies and lives.

Through interfering with a woman’s reproductive rights, Indiana is perpetuating systemic inequality and reinforcing patriarchal structures that seek to ultimately control and regulate women’s bodies.

This violates the fundamental human rights principle as well as preserving a cycle of oppression and discrimination. It is imperative that Indiana respects and chooses to uphold woman’s reproductive rights as a fundamental human right. This would include ensuring access to intensive and thorough reproductive health care services such as contraception, abortions, and maternal care without discrimination or barriers. I urge you to take immediate action to protect and uphold women’s reproductive rights

by advocating for political policies that promote gender equality, bodily autonomy, and social justice. Therefore, I highly encourage you to support legislation that is for women and allows for the removal of the abortion ban.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue. I hope to see positive steps towards achieving reproductive justice and equity for the women of Indiana and ultimately nationwide.

Stephanie Daugherty

Hair Is Not Scary; It is Beautiful

Dear Members of the State Board of Education,

I am writing to request your support for the protection of minority individuals’ rights to don their natural hair and culturally significant hairstyles in educational institutions.

Although the State of Indiana has recently passed the H.R. 5309 Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of natural hair, there are still means by which the protection of these rights can be enhanced and sustained for individuals of different racial backgrounds. This can be initiated by calling for a careful revision of the state’s educational institutions’ policies and dress codes, with the aim of correcting outdated dress codes to reflect the passing of the CROWN Act and the ideal that hair-

based discrimination of any student donning their natural hair is intolerable.

Children and young adults in K-12 school systems who don natural hair and culturally significant hairstyles are often faced with harassment and bullying, discrimination, microaggressions, and demands to modify their hair so it will adhere more closely to Eurocentric hair standards. Some of these discriminatory practices go unnoticed and, therefore, unchanged. Without a federal passing of the CROWN Act, it is possible that statewide institutions may not recognize the merit of such an act being passed at the state level, therefore neglecting to revise dress codes and other policies accordingly. The Act may not be seen as enforceable, and loopholes are being found.

Anecdotes shared by those reflecting on their childhood experiences demonstrate the profound effect of such discrimination taking place in the school system, contributing to some students experiencing trauma when forced to change their hair or when harassed by peers. Because natural hair is not encouraged in school settings, many children who choose to don their natural hair or a culturally significant hairstyle face physical harassment from their peers, including other students pulling their hair to inflict pain or cutting braids/locs/knots/etc. Being forced to conform to Eurocentric hair standards can cause significant distress and threaten the student’s identity, cultural values, religion, or community norms. Self-image is heavily impacted by hair presentation, especially among individuals who place high cultural significance on their hair. Connections to culture and community painfully

rupture when students are forced to modify the hair that brings them status, respect, faith, protection, and more within their respective cultures. Concerns about hair-related discrimination affect some individuals’ productivity in the school setting. There are also biological implications. For instance, Black individuals forced to chemically straighten their hair to comply with Eurocentric hair standards experience an elevated risk of developing conditions like traction alopecia. Moreover, for many communities, hair remains a strong symbol, so the removal has severe implications. An example of this can be seen when considering cases of young Native American boys attending schools with Eurocentric standards. For these boys, having long hair or a braid is oftentimes a major status symbol, an extension of the self, the embodiment of wisdom and strength, and finally, an attempt to resist colonization. In order to avoid the historical trauma within their families that was caused and perpetuated by colonization efforts, these boys aim to maintain their hair as their right to dignity and connection to the culture that others are trying to erase.

These are only some instances of how hair-related discrimination persists in the school systems, but should indicate the presence of an issue that will perpetuate without calling for these revisions of relevant school dress codes and related policies. School systems in this state have the responsibility to take these matters seriously. Despite CROWN Act policy changes that have occurred in other states, students are still fighting for their rights. No student should be forced to fight a battle like this. I ask you, as leaders in the field of education, to consider what this kind of intervention might mean for the students in this state. Revisions of this nature will affirm multicultural student populations, providing them with the knowledge

that their identities are valued and now protected. It will reinforce the notion that individuals of all backgrounds can be represented in policies.

Your concern for the students in the State of Indiana is noticed and appreciated. The ongoing decisions implemented at the level of the State Board of Education set an important precedent for the progression, growth, and change in local school systems. I carefully urge you to consider this matter, as well. Your endorsement of providing fairness, justice, and cultural appreciation will have a profound impact and will be deeply valued. This will benefit many students and families.

Thank you for your time and your careful consideration.

Best regards,

Cameron Mitchell University of Evansville, PsyD in Clinical Psychology Program

By Grace Burnell

Mental health is a critical part of one’s overall health and well-being. For kids, it is becoming more of a struggle to think positively and manage their emotions. For decades, the rates of childhood depression have been on the rise, and it has prompted concern from parents and educators alike: Why? Why are young kids falling into pits of depression and wells of anxiety? Many parents claim social media as the guilty party, and while that might be so, is that the only cause? Some argue there is more to it, such as a lack of education and resources for children or the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the decline in children’s mental health, it has become more vital than ever for people to emotionally educate themselves and understand preventative measures for depression.

Depression is the most prevalent form of mental illness in both kids and adults. Mental Health America detailed in their 2023 State of Mental Health in America Report that more than 2.7 million American children live with severe depression, but 60% of them receive no mental health treatment. On top of that, they claim that about 13% of youth (12-17) reported they experience serious thoughts of suicide. The CDC reported that from 2008 to 2020, the suicide rates of people aged 12 and older increased by 16% overall. In a similar study, reported in the 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, they concluded that suicidal tendencies in high school students increased by more than 40% from 2009 to 2019. With these alarming numbers, it is clear that something has changed in the quality of children’s mental health.

The reasons behind this spike in depression vary from child to child. Genetics and family environment play a significant role in the development of children. Some children grow up more susceptible to melancholy depending on which side of their brain is more active, and the issue of family relationships and trauma is one of the most influential things that shape a person’s life. However, as mentioned above, the growing reliability of technology is also harming children. They have everything they could possibly want and everything that they don’t need to see equally at their fingertips. Ever since Adobe Flash Player shut down, kids have lost many spaces and games dedicated to them. They have been forced onto sites such as Instagram and X (Twitter), where they are exposed to content that is not necessarily age appropriate-not to mention how the isolation and forced internet connection during the COVID-19 pandemic affected their minds. Kids should not be forced to grow up through screens, but with the way technology is moving, it seems like that will continue to be the case.

Another considerable issue facing depressed children is the lack of resources and education on their emotional welfare and coping skills. If kids are more knowledgeable of what they’re feeling and why they’re feeling it, they can better regulate themselves. Daniel Goleman first introduced the idea of emotional intelligence in the 1990s as a way for people to understand and have the ability to manage their emotions and see their influence on the feelings of others. If more children had access

to therapy and effective couches, there might be a cap to these startling statistics. MHA’s youth data in 2024 cited Connecticut and the District of Columbia as the states with the lowest rates of mental illness and the highest rates of care access for youths. At the other end of the spectrum, Nevada is in 51st place. In the Midwest, Illinois came in at number 4, Indiana at 27, and Kentucky at 36. Mental health education and care should be an accessible part of healthcare. There is no reason for children to continue suffering because they can’t afford to seek proper help. Goleman encourages schools to create programs revolving around learning emotional intelligence and caring for each other in close communities.

Sensitive topics like this are challenging to discuss around children, because who wants to talk about such distressing stuff in front of a child? With these staggering numbers, though, it would be irresponsible not to have these conversations and risk waiting until it is too late. As the next generation of parents, educators, therapists, policymakers, and the like, it is essential to be educated and establish preventative measures for future children. It would be a disservice to future generations to let these confounding statistics continue to escalate.

Call 988 to access the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit https://www.cdc.gov/ reproductive-health/depression/ resources.html for more resources.

Prevention or Cure for Disruptive Habits

Despite many efforts to break unhealthy eating and sleeping habits, the pattern continues. While most selective eaters manage to include greens in their diet for half the year, they often become consistent victims of irresistible temptations like Wendy’s saucy nuggets and Culver’s burgers (my favorite!). The connection between eating disorders and disruptive sleeping schedules is, unsurprisingly, a tight-knit one.

The digestive system does most of its heavy lifting in the morning. So, when a person indulges in compulsive eating during the middle of the night, it’s no wonder that medical experts shy away from the unrealistic task of monitoring such impulsiveness. Medicines like Lisdexamfetamine provide a more pharmaceutical and pathologic approach to addressing binge eating, but even these aren’t a complete fix. Remember that old proverb: “Prevention is better than cure,” right? If that phrase makes you pause and think “No!” then maybe it’s time to ask the next person you meet about their comfort level with paying outrageous hospital bills on top of their tuition and car insurance.

So, what’s going wrong here? Pharmaceutical advancements

are clashing with mouthwatering commercials, creating a culture where it’s tough to maintain a nutritious eating habit that could prevent numerous health concerns and even lower mortality rates. It’s like two forces pulling in opposite directions, leaving us stuck in the middle.

This issue calls for a deeper, more physiological understanding of destructive eating habits. In her book

The Deepest Well, Nadine Burke offers a multidisciplinary approach to tackling health conditions and harmful behaviors. She suggests that traumatic events from the past play a significant role in creating adverse health issues. When our bodies are exposed to dangerous environments that activate our fight-or-flight defenses, they often start to malfunction. Instead of being adaptive, our bodies become threatened by unexpected circumstances. This overstimulation generates excessive adrenaline, making our heart race and increasing the chances of disruptive sleeping patterns and compulsive eating.

On top of that, excessive stress leads to the production of cortisol. A study by Jacqueline Bruce, Phil Fisher, and colleagues found a link between children from low-income families and dysregulated cortisol levels. It’s

not surprising when you consider that these kids are constantly exposed to health, wealth, and safety issues that mess with their stress responses during crucial developmental stages. This makes them victims of health concerns that go far beyond their “bad habits,” as leading experts Felltti and Anda would agree: “Bad behavior only constitutes 50% of diseases.”

So, it might not just be “you” or “them” falling off the wagon when it comes to a healthy diet and sleep habits. Instead, it could be the “past you”—the “ex you” that survived traumas and now carries PTSD or CPTSD. Human development is a blend of biology and experience, which highlights the link between PTSD/CPTSD and harmful habits. The first step toward recovery is to educate yourself. You could start by browsing the topic online or talking to someone in the health department, like Dr. Payal Patel-Dovlatabadi or William Miller. And if you’re not a fan of discussions, why not read a book like I did? The Deepest Well by Nadine Burke can offer a better understanding and help you appreciate yourself without harsh judgments—even if you do find yourself compulsively ordering from Culver’s every now and then.

Laiba Bashir

Healthy Eating Tipsfor College Students

Healthy Eating Tips for College Students

By Rachel Hoke

YYon your own away from home, and now you have to feed yourself; or maybe you have returned to campus and are tired of the dining hall and eating out—this is the article for wanting to cook more and to eat healthier, but that’s easier said than done. Through trial and error, I have arranged seven tips for healthy eating that the average college student should be able to follow.

ou’re finally on your own away from home, and now you have to feed yourself; or maybe you have returned to campus and are tired of the dining hall and eating out—this is the article for you. As a sophomore, I find myself wanting to cook more and to eat healthier, but that’s easier said than done. Through trial and error, I have arranged seven tips for healthy eating that the average college student should be able to follow.

1.Meal Prep

need or won’t use. Saving both money and time arep rioritiesf or a college student!

need or won’t use. Saving both money and time are priorities for a college student!

3.Keep a Water Bottle with You

Drinking water throughout the day will help you meet your necessary daily intake of water. Staying hydrated is important for many bodily functions, including digestion, and will help you feel your best!

4.Keep Fruits and Vegetables on Hand

Research recipes for some of your favorite foods or ask friends and family members for the recipes to some of your favorite homecooked meals. For the recipes that you decide to make, try sneaking vegetables or healthier alternatives into the recipe so you can have a more balanced meal while maintaining its taste!

7.Cook with Friends

This is such a simple idea but is still a real time-saver. At the beginning of the week or month, choose a few meals you can make in bulk and set aside some time on the weekend to cook or prepare these meals. If you have access to a freezer, you can freeze just about any meal and it will stay good for a couple of weeks Preparing meals means that you don’t have to cook every day and cleanu pt ons of dishes. Personally, I’ve meal-prepped frozen lasagna, enchiladas, and various kinds of soup! Just be sure to mark what day you made each meal, and look up how long the food should last, so you don’t give yourself food poisoning!

This is such a simple idea but is still a real time-saver. At the beginning of the week or month, choose a few meals you can make in bulk and set aside some time on the weekend to cook or prepare these meals. If you have access to a freezer, you can freeze just about any meal and it will stay good for a couple of weeks. Preparing meals means that you don’t have to cook every day and clean up tons of dishes. Personally, I’ve meal-prepped frozen lasagna, enchiladas, and various kinds of soup! Just be sure to mark what day you made each meal, and look up how long the food should last, so you don’t give yourself food poisoning!

Fruits and vegetables make for quick, easy, and healthy snacks Reaching for chips or ice cream when we start to feel hungry is easy, but choosing instead to have fruits or vegetables will help you need. Fiber is especially important for digestion and is something that college students might not get enough of.

Fruits and vegetables make for quick, easy, and healthy snacks. Reaching for chips or ice cream when we start to feel hungry is easy, but choosing instead to have fruits or vegetables will help you get the nutrients and fiber you need. Fiber is especially important for digestion and is something that college students might not get enough of.

5.Occasionally Indulge

One of the easiest ways to make cooking more fun is cooking with friends! Get a group together and make some meals together.Y ou can even split the ingredient cost and food preparation. This can be a way to hold yourself more accountable for the food choices you make while keeping yourself enthused about committing to cooking instead of eating out.

One of the easiest ways to make cooking more fun is cooking with friends! Get a group together and make some meals together. You can even split the ingredient cost and food preparation. This can be a way to hold yourself more accountable for the food choices you make while keeping yourself enthused about committing to cooking instead of eating out.

2. Make a Grocery List

Making a grocery list of ingredients you need, snacks you want, and even personal items will help save you time in the grocery store. Having a grocery list can also keep you from buying extra food you don’t

Thinking that you will eat healthily every day is unrealistic. Some or a sweet treat, and that’s OK! Eating out or eating an occasional sweet treat can still be part of a balanced diet. Eating these comfort foods can also help with your mental health and can serve as rewards for reaching academic goals.

Thinking that you will eat healthily every day is unrealistic. Some days, you will want Chick-fil-A, or a sweet treat, and that’s OK! Eating out or eating an occasional sweet treat can still be part of a balanced diet. Eating these comfort foods can also help with your mental health and can serve as rewards for reaching academic goals.

These were my seven tips for healthy college eating, but there are so many more out there! Looking at advice on the internet or asking the adults in your life how they manage their time with cooking can also be worthwhile. Learning how to take care of yourself isn’t easy, so give yourself some grace! I hope you try some of my tips, but still make sure to do what works for you. Try to experiment with what works best and turn what

6.Cook What You Like

If you are going to start cooking, cook what you like! If you don’t like eating salads, then don’t force yourself to eat salads every day.

Good luck!

I Read 40 Books This Summer: Here Are The 5 That Are Worth Your Time

Morgan Bassett

Title: None of This Is True

Author: Lisa Jewell

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Rating: 5 stars

None of This Is True is a thriller that follows Alix Summers and Josie Fair as Alix creates a podcast based on Josie’s strange life. As the book progresses, we learn that Josie’s life story may not be as it seems and that their podcast may actually fit under the true crime category. Alix must confront that she doesn’t truly know Josie or her extremely dark history. Instead of physically reading this book, I listened to it as an audiobook-this is one book I would recommend to only listen to the audiobook. Since the story is based around a podcast, the audiobook has moments where its production is just like a podcast. I felt like I was listening to a podcast but also hearing all the behind-the-scenes. Overall, the audiobook creates a great experience with its sound effects, unique structure, and great narrators. And, as is common to the thriller genre, the book ends with an amazing twist I never could have guessed. Although thrillers all feel similar, this one felt unique, and I think that Jewell did a great job of creating a realistic and original story. I would recommend this book to anyone who is new to audiobooks or is a lover of podcasts.

Title: James

Author: Percival Everett

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 5 stars

This book is a prime example of amazing writing and storytelling. Not only is it my favorite book of the year, but it may also be one of my favorite books of all time. James is a retelling of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim’s perspective. The only regret I have about this book is that I didn’t read Huck Finn beforehand. However, since the story was new to me, I devoured this book in almost one sitting. The way Everett writes is unique and touching--he manages to make his complex narrative accessible to any reader by writing in a simple yet beautiful way. Throughout Jim and Huck’s journey, I found myself laughing, gasping, and crying. I think this book is such an important companion to Twain’s original novel. I am not a fan of historical fiction, but this book changed my life and also my perspective on the value of reading about slavery in 2024. Although presented in different ways, many of the issues and conflicts Jim encounters still occur in modern society. If you are looking for an easy intro into historical fiction, are a lover of classics, or want a heart-wrenching story, I would pick up this novel.

Title: The Act of Disappearing

Author: Nathan Gower

Genre: Mystery/Historical Fiction

Rating: 5 stars

This is Nathan Gower’s debut novel, and what a fantastic debut it was. The story is told from dual perspectives. One is Julia White, an author who, in the present-day, tries to discover the story behind a photograph of a woman jumping from a train bridge holding a baby. The second perspective is set in 1960s Kentucky as we follow the family of the woman in that photo. This is not normally a book I would pick up--however, it is set in Henderson, Kentucky (my hometown), and the author went to the same high school as me! This story is gripping and tragic and there is really nothing upbeat about this story--I wish I could think of a way to make this it sound more fun. The mixed narrative of both Julia and the other characters is nothing short of mysterious, which I think is what made me enjoy it so much. Yes, the story was sad, but the mystery of who the woman in the photograph was and what led her to that bridge kept me on the edge of my seat. I also listened to the audiobook version of this book, and it was phenomenal. The narrators brought the characters to life, which really immersed me in both the present-day story as well as the 60’s. If you read the book, you can also drive about 15 minutes across the bridge to Henderson and see the bridge and town that the book is based on! I would recommend this book to fans of heartrending mysteries and anyone slightly familiar with Henderson, Kentucky.

Title: Project Hail Mary

Author: Andy Weir

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 5 stars

Project Hail Mary is yet another book I never imagined picking up. The novel is a sci-fi story that follows Ryland Grace, a teacher who wakes up in space and can’t remember how he got there. He quickly learns that his fellow crewmates are dead and that he must act fast to save the entire universe all by himself. The best part about this book is a second character that comes along. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil the story, but this character is what made this a 5-star read for me. Andy Weir has a way of writing his characters so that they all are lovable. Throughout the whole story, you want them to succeed in their missions because you can feel the stakes of their failure. Not only are the characters well-written, but so, too, is the suspenseful plot. Weir slowly reveals what Ryland is doing in space, how he got there, and what exactly he needs to accomplish. The story unfolds at a slow enough pace to keep you interested but the writing flows in a seamlessly rapid way that I found myself reading this book in almost one day. I was hesitant to read this book because I never read sci-fi novels but, because this book was recommended to me by so many people, I gave it a chance. Since then, I have found a love for science fiction stories. The setting feels far enough away such that you can escape real-world problems, though it is still close enough to home to make the story feel realistic and relatable. If, like me, you think you would never enjoy a sci-fi book, try this one. I would recommend this story to anyone who wants to try out the genre or who really loves a good friendship.

Title: Butcher and Blackbird

Author: Brynne Weaver

Genre: Romance

Rating: 5 stars

If you are on “BookTok”, you might have seen people talking about Butcher and Blackbird. This novel by Brynne Weaver is a dark romance in which two serial killers fall in love. The story is sexy, gory, funny, and suspenseful--you really get it all with this book. Romances are hit or miss for me; I am not a huge fan of sappy love stories where the couple breaks up five times and then ends up crying and kissing in the rain. This book was not that at all. Both characters were very lovable and didn’t have toxic traits like many romance main characters tend to have—except for the serial killer part. As to be expected in a book about two such people, this story was graphic. Killings and mutilations were described in detail, as well as multiple sex scenes. I will put a disclaimer on this recommendation and say that you should read and take into account the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. Overall, I thought the book was well written and had enough nonromance elements to keep me hooked while also producing a really nice love story. I never thought I would describe a gruesome story about two serial killers as sweet, but here I am, doing just that.

MIAMI: Oct 18, 19, 20 2024 Hard Rock Stadium NEW ORLEANS: Oct 25, 26, 27 2024 Caesars Superdome

INDIANAPOLIS: Nov 01, 02, 03 2024 Lucas Oil Stadium https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-taylor-swift-songs-top-100-hits/

Taylor Swift (2006)

The Tortured Poets Department (2024)

Fearless (2008)

Midnights (2022)

Speak Now (2010)

Evermore (2020)

Red (2012)

Folklore (2020) 1989 (2014)

Lover (2019)

Reputation (2017)

ERAS TOUR GUIDE

1. Make friendship bracelets.

2. Have a cute and comfortable outfit that makes you feel confident.

3. Practice the chants beforehand.

4. If you can, watch the Eras Tour movie on Disney plus so you know what to expect.

5. Explore the merch options before the show, and anticipate long lines.

6. If you bring a bag, make sure it is clear.

7. Bring back up shoes that you can jump around in.

8. Pack ear plugs and plan on wearing them.

9. Before arriving, drink plenty of water and eat a balanced meal.

10. Download your tickets, and have them ready to go.

11. Arrive 1-2 hours before the show.

12. Make a heart during her performance of Fearless, and double clap during You Belong With Me.

13. DO NOT experience the show through your devices. There are thousands of videos and pictures of the Eras Tours. Try to only take meaningful pictures and videos that you will actually look back on.

ERAS TOUR OUTFIT INSPO

Women’s Soccer grabs first win of the season vs Lindenwood (8/29/24)

Landon Amick

The Aces Women’s Soccer team secured a 2-1 victory over Lindenwood on the night of Thursday, August 29, under the lights at Arad McCutchan Stadium. UE came into the matchup desperately needing a bounce-back performance after a 4-1 road loss at the hands of Western Kentucky during their previous matchup. Evansville, demonstrating a collective effort from both young stars and veteran leaders, managed to outlast Lindenwood and come out on top after scoring two late-second-half goals.

The Aces were dealing with injuries coming into the Thursday night match from both Kaylee Woosley (Evansville, Indiana) and Emily Karr (Mooresville, Indiana), who were the starting center backs in the season opener against Lipscomb. Head Coach Chris Pfau turned to two true freshmen, Brielle LaBerge (Cumming, Georgia) and Lindley Amick (Las Vegas, Nevada), to fill the void at center back. The freshman duo started and stayed in all 90 minutes of the match, helping keep Lindenwood scoreless for 88 minutes. Evansville’s attack, on the other hand, started slowly, with no shots recorded on goal in the first half.

That changed in the second half, though, as the Aces finally broke

the 0-0 deadlock with a goal from junior forward Amy Velazquez (Avon, Indiana) in the 72nd minute—a goal set up by a through ball in behind Lindenwood’s backline from midfielder Ashlyn Koutsos (Cumming, Georgia). That was Velazquez’s second career goal for the Aces. Five minutes after that, senior forward Hailey Autenrieb (Cincinnati, Ohio) put the game away in the 77th minute by following the rebound of her initial shot off the post for an easy finish.

“Scoring my first goal of the season was a great feeling, but it felt even better knowing that I put our team in a better position to get the win,”

said Autenrieb after tallying her fifth career goal as an Ace.

Evansville surrendered a late goal to Lindenwood in the last two minutes, spoiling goalkeeper Myia Danek’s (Laingsburg, Michigan) second straight shutout bid. But their two-goal cushion proved to be sufficient, as the team was able to hang on to the onegoal lead and improve to 1-1-1 on the season. Junior outside back Isa Valdez (Phoenix, Arizona), who made her first start of the season and also logged a full 90 minutes in the match, had this to say after the game:

“It felt amazing to get our first home win of the season, especially in front of the crowd we had tonight. This is just the beginning for us, all the hard work we have put into training, lifts, and film sessions is translating into our game.”

Aces Women’s Soccer is looking to stay undefeated at home in 2024 as they return to Arad McCutchan Stadium on Thursday, September 12th, for senior night versus UT Martin.

The Harlaxton Haze

By: Madison Adams

Goodbye USA, Hello UK.

Let’s start at the beginning, Chicago O’Hair International ORD was our group flight. We all sat together in chairs and on the floor as we got to know each other, many new friends were made before even leaving the country.

We are one of the smallest classes to be at Harlaxton, only consisting of about 50 students. There are people from UE, George Washington, Des Moines, Indiana, Florida, and even more. Due to this the carriage house is not open to anyone, however that is no to say you can’t walk over to the house and peak through the holes in the doors.

The best places to take photos at Harlaxton Manor:

Front Oval

The Great Hall

The Long Hall

The Gold Room

The Conservatory

The Ceder Staricase

The Main Entrance

The Courtyard/Side Yards

Must Haves to Pack:

Travel Documents

Debit and Credit Cards, and UK Cash

2-3 Pairs of Shoes

Tennis Shoes, Dress Shoes, Shower Shoes, and or Casual Dress Up Shoes (Converse)

Water Bottle

Travel Bottles of Liquids 3.4 oz

Adapters Medicines

There are four houses at Harlaxton that imitate Harry Potter. These are Pegasus (Gryffindor), Gregory (Slytherin), Newton (Ravenclaw), and Mercia (Hufflepuff). I am a Gryffindor at Hogwarts but a Mercia at Harlaxton. We have had two house competitions so far, the first was volleyball where Pegasus won and the second was basketball where Mercia dunked on the competition. The next competition is on Monday the 9th as a quiz show. We had a great dinner full of Irish music, gorgeous food, fancy dress, and a procession that led into the Long Hall for us to find out houses by our table settings. You would have a menu in the house color as well as the napkin and drink. The drinks were offsetting at first as they bubbled and were colored. Mercia had sparkling lemonade, Pegasus had a blue raspberry sweet drink, Gregory had a cranberry juice, and Newton a Dr. Pepper. We are still unsure about Pegasus and Newton.

Don’t Overpack! You Can Buy These in Grantham during the first week:

Stationary

Laundry Soap

Dryer Sheets

Snacks

Sweatshirts/Pullovers

Bigger Liquid Bottles

Upcoming School Trips Include:

Lake District Trip CANCELLED (Did not meet 15 minimum)

London Weekend Trip, Sept. 6-8

Lincoln Day Trip, Sept. 13

Nottingham Day Trip, Sept. 14

Leicester Day Trip, Sept. 27

Chatsworth & Eyam Day Trip, Sept. 28

North Wales Weekend Trip, Oct. 4

York Day Trip, Oct. 12

Celtic Capitols: Belfast, Dublin, & Edinburgh, Oct. 18-26

Oxford, Bath, & Stonehenge Weekend Trip, Nov. 8-10

Stratford Day Trip, Nov. 1

Cambridge Day Trip, Nov. 15

Belvoir Castle Day. Trip, Nov. 16

Festive London Weekend Trip, Nov. 29

Independant Trips Students Planned:

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sept. 21

Paris

Greece

Germany

Spain

Madrid

As you explore the manor you will find those secret spots to relax and study or those little corners that give you peace of mind. Such areas could include secret doors and passageways in room that you discover as exploring, going though the stone corridors aka “peasant corridors” for fast travel and avoid people, the conservatory with breakaway paths, and even little couches and chairs placed throughout the manor in halls. As I've explored the manor my favorite secret spots are in the stone corridors by the cider staircase. It. has plants, cozy couch spots, and somewhere most people avoid making a quiet reserved spot for music and work. The other is in the

conservatory in the second breakaway with all the flowers and where it looks out upon the side yard. A surprisingly peaceful spot to cool off is the Sports Hall, it has three spots for workouts, downn the hall ground floor is the weight room where you’ll find Arjun and Gabe there many times a day every week. Next, is right at the enterance is the sports floor where you can do games such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, pickleball, etc. Then there is upstairs where you’ll find the cardio, yoga, table tennis, and workout guides. This building is peaceful, especially late at night or early in the morning where no one else is there to impose on your “gains”.

The first night the majority arrived at the manor we were all very social. Everyone would talk to one another and figure out who were their “mains” and who was going to be someone to talk to if alone. It took only a couple days for this separation to become finalized. Not to say everyone does not interact with one another but we all have our groups for hang outs and going out. Before we had these divides a big group of us went on quite the walk on the first day. We did the 2 mile walk from the manor to Harlaxton Village, saw Gregory Arms, the local store, a telephone booth, and many quaint houses. After we were done walking around the village we made our way back to the manor where we ventured into the woods, we were reassured earlier that day there were no dangers in the woods. We walked for about 1-2 hours during sunset on the trails and ended up on a farm going uphill in pitch black, half went up the hill while the rest oof us waited by the woods as to not impose on the farmers land (but the real reason was we were exhausted and needed to catch our breath).

Harlaxton Hijinks: Wales

By : Gabriel Long

I stood in line at the crowded Pub on a chilly Thursday night. Ian and AP flanked me, both just as thirsty as me for another pint. By this point of the evening, we had lost track of, and did not quite care, how many we had drunk. After all, we were drinking our sorrows away as, earlier in the day, the notification came to us that our train to Belgium had been cancelled.

So, we cursed the French (our train operators) and hoped our altered mental states would lend to new travel plans. Ian, in a stroke of genius, suggested Wales. Our friends would be there, and it was already on the boys’ travel list. Using our convenient apps, we booked a 10:00 a.m. train to Cardiff and what appeared to be a decent hostel. Pleased with our plan and our late departure time, we congratulated ourselves with a few more pints.

The next morning, after shoving a few sugary treats into our stomachs, we set out with all the enthusiasm of adventurous young lads. Despite the normal train troubles, we went from Grantham to London and finally to Cardiff, settling in for the long ride. Ian annoyed me, as usual, with his snacks, which seemed to have come from a magic bag. No particular reason caused my annoyance—although it did subside significantly when he shared said snacks. AP disappeared to a semi-empty car to call his lovely girlfriend, surely not to return for many hours. I enjoyed my novel on Edward I to pass the time. The Welsh countryside slowly grew closer through our double-wide windows as we neared Cardiff.

Arriving in the city, the sky seemed to grow gray, and we resisted the urge to enter the Wetherspoons right out of the station. Finding our hostel proved more difficult than usual, as it was nestled between the attractions of the main strip—though, using our eyes instead of Google, we managed to locate it. Stepping into our hostel, we were greeted by a half-tiled main room and a bubbling fountain popular in Chinese restaurants.

Behind a tall wooden counter, a man met us with an indiscernible accent somewhere between Indian and Welsh. Utilizing our language skills learned from “studying” abroad, we managed to pay and get our keys. After walking up a stairway straight from The Shining, I found our room to be like a ship hold with steel bunks and squeaky bed springs. Ian and AP took the top bunks, and I got the bottom.

After locking up our bags, we ventured back out onto the main strip. In front of us was a long cobble road flanked on both sides by bars and restaurants. Shoppers thronged the street while cars dodged through. At the end of the stretch sat a large castle of weathered stone with Welsh flags flying proudly from its towers.Intrigued by the castle, we decided to investigate. Arriving at its gates, we learned the unfortunate news that it had just closed and would reopen at 10:00 a.m. the next day. As a group, we agreed to visit it in the morning—I suggested that we should walk around the city and see if there was anything else interesting.

As a group, we knew very little about the city of Cardiff—we went there simply

because it was the capital. Such was the extent of our paleolithic thinking. To some credit, I knew it was a port city; this led to us trying to reach the sea. Though it can’t be true, I swear the sky was dark for the entire walk and it seemed we were strolling at midnight. Following the river (which would must lead to the sea), we twisted and turned through the streets.

At some point, after we had reached the harbor, AP suggested that we catch a bus back to the city center. I said, of course, but how about we go a bit further? I don’t know why I always insisted on walking more, but at least I lost weight in Harlaxton

The thing we didn’t know was that our further walking would lead us to bus stops that never headed back. After realizing this, we grudgingly trekked across a traffic-packed bridge. In that seemingly eternal night, we had grown increasingly cold, and our legs had practically disintegrated.

Limping through the final stretch, we arrived at a restaurant that Yelp claimed was the best around. I never found out if that was true, as they couldn’t get us a table for another hour. This simply wasn’t acceptable to our rumbling intestines, so we shuffled down the street to another place.

We barely spoke once we were seated, and struggled to not pass away before our food arrived.

Something to know about our group of three is that we were extremely tight with our money… unless it was spent on food or beer. I ordered an appetizer of

calamari which I, ever generous, shared with my comrades. I would claim that it was the best I’ve ever had; that could perhaps be attributed to our proximity to the coast or to my hunger. I could go on about the fine dining we had, but is it not written in the scrolls of our stomachs?

Now tramping back to our hostel with full stomachs and refreshed minds, we partook in deep philosophical conversations. Deciding that we were rather parched, the troops marched into a super Tesco and purchased a large bottle of gin which was accompanied by an inadequate amount of chaser. It would have been more than enough chaser if not for my weak teammates hogging it.

Smuggling the bottle to our room like vagabonds, we cracked it open, and the “real” party started. Our Australian roommate introduced himself and gave us a bit of background on his travels. He suggested the castle and said that, past that, we could see the city. When it comes to hostels, if your roommate isn’t an Australian, you are most likely in the Matrix.

Leaving our humble abode with a sufficient buzz, we ventured back out into the night. Under the neon moon, we sampled the best Wales had to offer beverage-wise. I switched intermittently between Gin and Tonic, Tequila shots, and beer. Ian and AP followed suit. We started in a dive bar that didn’t ID AP. This was important to the night out, as AP had lost his ID on a school trip and did not bring his passport; instead, he had brought a paper printout of a picture of his passport… Needless to say, AP had his fair share of heckling that night from us. In said dive bar, we found ourselves to be the youngest by about 40 years and felt quite out of place. In our travels, we had come across many situations where we were surrounded by the elderly in the bars, but we found that in Europe, they party harder than us! After listening to some classic music and having cougars eat us alive, we ventured back out on the strip.

Walking down the street with our still sure feet, we encountered several denials of entry due to AP’s lack of ID.

Of course, Ian and I were very kind and surely didn’t use many expletives to display our displeasure with AP. Rolling with the punches, we ended up at the best venue of the night: a rocking bar with live music. Walking in, we could see that it was quite the operation with a large, rounded ceiling like that of an aircraft hangar. At the end of the building was a giant stage stacked with amps and instruments, about which I proceeded to bore my friends immensely with my yammering about this speaker and that. Walking up the stairs to a separate sidebar, we grabbed our drinks and hurried back to the floor. Crammed against the stage, we about blew out our ears as the musicians attacked their instruments with swift strokes. We stayed for while until our hearing was almost certainly in real danger—using the bathroom before we left, which was always necessary as you never knew where you could find the next one.

We exited the rock bar and searched for our next thrill. Only a few minutes later, AP excitedly pointed out a Ballie Ballersons! You might ask: what is a Ballie Ballersons? Well, it’s only the best idea for bars since selling beer: a ball pit club! We had been to one in London and had a blast.

Determined to get in, we haggled the doorman until he let us in without paying the cover, and found our memories ruined. The one in Cardiff was as dead as a racehorse with a broken leg. That experience only reinforced the saying to never meet your heroes. With our spirits significantly dampened, we headed back to our hostel with the intent of calling it a night.

I haven’t mentioned Ian for a bit, which is a snub to the importance he held for the success of each trip. He is a goodnatured fellow, with a ready smile and kind words. He balanced my irritable nature and AP’s carefree manner. As we traveled from bar to bar, Ian always kept pace with the drinks and was willing to dance. Being curious and social, he would always make quite a few friends everywhere we went. Rest assured that, without Ian, AP and I would’ve most likely been dead by the end of the semester.

With that point made, I’ll continue with the fact that our responsible notions of an early night were dashed by jazz music. Being highly sophisticated gentlemen, we couldn’t resist carrying on when we heard a live jazz band playing up the street at another pub. Walking straight past our safe beds, we arrived to see string lights hung between both sides of the alley with a full brass band playing a swing tune. It couldn’t have been a better scene, and we were jumping to get in—but this was halted by the unfortunate fact that one of us was wearing joggers instead of jeans. At some of the “higher class” bars, you must wear jeans, which we all thought was quite inconsiderate of the traveler who values comfort and space in their bag.

With such bad news, we were determined to end the night on a high note. Walking just a few steps further, we came upon a local brewery with some silly name like Big Dog’s Brewing Company. I had a thick brew that was quite hard to put down, Ian passed on another (being smart), and AP accidentally ordered an IPA which he always does. Sitting on something akin to a park bench, lover boy called his girlfriend again, and I fell asleep.

Grandma Was A Jedi

Tommy J Housman

A

long time ago, I used to sleep really well. I sleep decently for a middle-aged man, but for a while, it wasn’t so. Racing thoughts, bouts with apnea, midnight snacking—I’ve experienced all the classic sleep disruptors. There are stories within stories if I ventured off track to talk about my sleepwalking days. Once, I went to the kitchen, grabbed two pieces of bread, poured sugar all over one slice, slapped the other on top, took a big bite, and then instantly spat it out as I awoke from the shock of a mouth full of dry sugar. Fun times, but

that’s another story. Oh yeah, I used to sleep really well.

When I was a toddler, Mom would say there was almost nothing that could wake me up. Maybe it was a defense mechanism, my mind’s way of keeping me safe. Wait! Off track again. Dad trauma is another story. Anyway, I was hard to wake up. Mom said she could vacuum the carpet around me, and I wouldn’t flinch or budge a bit. As a toddler, I assumed the most practical of sleep positions: face firmly planted on the floor, knees pulled to the chest, and my butt pointed straight up to the ceiling. When all that remained to be vacuumed was the child-sized spot occupied by my coma-like sleep, I could be picked up by the ankle and placed on the couch without waking. So, I am told.

I was born in 1976, Gen X, the bicentennial of our great democratic experiment. I suppose I never had a choice in a lot of this, but nonetheless, it makes for an interesting psychological analysis of the effects of a rapidly changing technological society on the developing mind. We had one of those big TVs with two dials on the side that sat like a monolith on the living room floor. This was my altar. Every day, I sat cross-legged in front of the beaming set like a dutiful parishioner absorbing all it had to offer. (Saturday mornings are definitely a whole other story.) When I turned five, we got cable TV, an Atari game console with all the accoutrements, a VCR, and… MTV. It was 1981. I’m told I saw A New Hope

and The Empire Strikes Back in the theatre, but I don’t really remember. It’s almost like the trilogy was always there—a folklore tale passed down as a generational inheritance ingrained in my very DNA. Obviously, to me, they are much more than just movies.

My Grandmother was special. That’s an understatement. I don’t know how to adequately put into words what a unique, kind, and amazing person she was. Like children do, I got sick and required antibiotics, and while with my grandmother, I had an allergic reaction. Anaphylactic shock, to be precise, so it was serious. When she took me to the ER, they directed us to the waiting room. She would have none of that. With me

cradled in her arms, she kicked through the swinging doors and demanded I be seen immediately. She probably saved my life. God, I miss her!

Though I don’t remember seeing the first two movies in the theatre, I do remember my first “That’s it?!” moment when watching The Empire Strikes Back at home on HBO. My first cliffhanger experience. Luke loses his hand and finds out the truth about Vader while Han is frozen in carbonite and whisked away to Tatooine, and the movie just ends! I do remember vividly May of 1983 when Grandma and Grandpa took me to see Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in the theatre. The conclusion to the stories that had been shaping my moral compass to the notions of right and wrong. I was seven.

I discovered Santa Claus was not real by having some of my first experiences with racing thoughts keeping me awake. Upon waking and hearing a ruckus, I lumbered into the living room, catching everyone placing the presents beneath the tree. I bawled for hours because the fabric of my belief system started to unravel. There’s no Santa Claus, love does not last, families separate, girls don’t like me, is the Easter Bunny fake too, is there no God? Wait! Is that a 12inch C3-PO figurine? Awesome! I’m fine, everything’s fine!

while handing them the book, they were impressed. I’m still impressed. It was analogue iTunes. Did I mention how much I miss her?

In 1984, my parents separated, so my brother, mom, and I moved into Grandma and Grandpa’s house for a while. This was an awkward time for me, and the trauma of this period is most likely something I’m still trying to process. But at the time, my dad, mom, and grandma knew how to temporarily soothe the shock of sudden and dramatic changes… Star Wars toys! I don’t blame my parents or grandparents for this behavior; I think it was a typical reaction, especially in the ‘80s. You put your kids through some tough shit, then buy them some toys and tell them to go play. Hell, it worked, I’m fine! I ended up with almost every Star Wars toy that existed. Few of my friends’ collections came close to what I had accumulated. During this transitional time living with my grandparents, I started to desire the attention of my female classmates and thought no one liked me. The first Christmas living there, I amassed the largest haul of my collection, including a life-sized R2-D2 toy box.

By 1986, my mom had remarried, and we moved into the house directly behind my grandparents. Grandma was my neighbor! Wait! Tommy and Grandma adventures are another story. Also, by 1986, all the Star Wars movies had been aired on HBO. Do you remember when I said we got a VCR? For those who don’t know, a VCR is a machine that plays VHS cassettes, and it is capable of recording video from the TV. The VHS vs. Betamax battle is worth mentioning, but in the interest of coherent thoughts, back to the subject at hand. Grandma had two VCRs, which meant she could record movies from HBO and then play those recordings on one VCR while recording them on another VCR to make duplicates. You get it, right? She had been doing this for a while. In her living room, she had two deep bookshelves on either side of the gas fireplace. In those bookshelves were VHS tapes, two rows deep, and she had handwritten on each one a number at the top with the titles of three movies below the number. A VHS could hold 6-8 hours of video. She had little notebooks, and on each page of the notebook, there were corresponding numbers to the VHS tapes with the movies listed on the page. So, if you wanted to watch a movie, no need to wait until HBO airs it again—simply pick up the notebook and read through the list of movies until you find one you want to watch. Note the number at the top of the page, then pull that VHS tape from the shelf. Of course, the tapes were kept in numerical order, and you were scolded if you didn’t put the tape back in the correct place. It was genius, really. Every time I had a friend over and asked if they wanted to watch a movie

When we were transitioning from my grandparents to the house directly behind them, we put several items in the garage as we decorated and decided the layout of furniture in the house. It made for a less cluttered environment. Well, someone noticed the movement of items from the garage to the house. The Atari and all the games we had accumulated over the years were stolen from the garage. When buying a new home, it is commonplace to purchase homeowners’ insurance. I wouldn’t know much about that—being a late Gen Xer with student debt, the unrealistic option of purchasing a home seems mythical at best—but apparently, it was and may still be a thing people do. So, when the Atari and all the games were stolen, my mom was able to make an insurance claim. Apparently, the resale value of the Atari was good, or my mom was just awesome; either way, my brother and I both got a Nintendo Entertainment System, a few games each, and a TV and VCR for each of us. Everyone, this is where and when lifelong habits are formed.

Shortly after we settled into the new house with our new NES, VCR, and TVs, Grandma made VHS tapes with all the Star Wars movies on one tape for every grandchild. I used to be able to sleep really well, and I know there are tons of studies about blue light, flickering light, and dynamic sound being disruptive during sleep. Pffft! I guess none of the people in those studies had racing thoughts, multitudes of undiagnosed and unmentioned disorders, and unresolved trauma. Almost every night, I would fall asleep while the tape played. I would usually nod off around the time Han and Luke meet Leia in the detention center of the Death Star. If I roused to turn over or reposition, I would hear the dialogue and vividly picture the scene in my mind. You don’t want to play Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with me. It’s pointless. This was the beginning of a long stretch of good sleep for me. These preteen years formed lifelong habits that still dictate how well I sleep.

I had a bout with apnea in my 30s, but until then, I was getting restorative sleep, and every night I would sleep while a movie played. After VCRs kind of went to the wayside, there were only a few ways to watch multiple movies back-to-back without having to wake up and start a new one. There were DVD players that could hold five discs, but they wouldn’t play the next disc by themselves. For a very long time, it was not possible to buy Star Wars movies on any medium. So, as an adult, I grew accustomed to watching other movies while falling asleep—any movie would do. My wife prefers it dark and quiet when we sleep, and for those with partners, you understand there are bits of compromise in successful relationships. This is one of those instances where I don’t want to compromise, but I do, even though occasionally, I throw a little fit and complain about it. In our compromise, the bedroom TV plays my favorite adult cartoons until I fall asleep. With streaming services, there is now no need to push play for every episode. We live in an attention economy, and they want you locked in. Once I fall asleep, she transitions the cartoon to my phone, turns the volume down, and places the phone screen down on my side table. Some nights it’s not enough to stop my mind from racing through everything I have ever done right or wrong, how to fix it, what I should have done differently, all the things I need to do tomorrow, how to craft a transaxle made from wood using a rudimentary lathe constructed from twine and counterlever pulleys—you know, the usual.

I have a musical eidetic memory. If I hear a song once, I can hum or whistle the melody verbatim. If only I could play it on an instrument or write down the notes. Do you know what it is like to have an awesome talent that is kind of useless? If I could play it on an instrument or write it down, that would be something, right? I can clunk it out on a keyboard until I have found it, but by the time I have it down, it’s almost unimpressive at that point. I can read music, I can play music, I can write music, but for some reason, I cannot do it in reverse even though I remember it perfectly. I can sing though, so I am able to recreate any melody I have

heard verbatim vocally if there is ever any reason or use for that. There is one benefit, though—there is always music in my head. I like having headphones and access to music, but I don’t need it. I can play a whole song in my head from memory. It happens a lot. Sometimes it is disruptive. That is why I am writing right now.

Last night, the chosen cartoon to fall asleep and listen to was Family Guy. The show has created several Star Wars parodies. Around 3 AM this morning, one of those parodies started to play. I could feel the synapses firing off in my brain as the first note of the Star Wars theme played. I also recognized that though it was the Star Wars theme, it sounded different—almost cartoony. Without skipping a beat, my brain understood what was playing, but then my brain wanted to play the full theme correctly. And then my brain wanted to think about all the Star Wars memories I have, and then all the family memories around Star Wars, and then I felt sad about Grandma, and then I started writing this in my head… OK! I will get up and write. So, I sat at the computer, pushed play on Empire Strikes Back because I watched A New Hope the other day, and as I am wrapping this up, Return of the Jedi is finishing as Luke stares off in the distance at the ghosts of his past and everyone else celebrates their victory over the Empire on the moon of Endor.

As I tie this all together, like Luke, I too am envisioning the ghosts of my past. I wish my experience was as tangible and visual as the young Jedi’s. There are so many more stories that exemplify my grandmother’s incredible presence in my life. When she was alive, there was hardly a day that passed without us speaking. To this day, nearly every thought I have about who I am as a person is intertwined with a story of her influence. So, when I wake in the middle of the night, disrupted by the myriads of issues that keep me from sleeping, my thoughts naturally return to why I am able to sleep at all—Grandma. Star Wars. A long time ago, I used to sleep really well. Then I didn’t. And then, somehow, I did again—at least most of the time. My Grandma was a Jedi. norma

october 13, 1935november 8, 2015

ORDINARY

JAVAD Dehghan, AKA MJ

“ORDINARY” IS A WORD THAT STIRS A deep unease in many of us. Why do we dread the thought of being ordinary, being just another face in the vast crowd of humanity? This fear stems from the unsettling realization that our lives, no matter how full of dreams and ambitions, might fade into the indistinguishable mass of existence. It forces us to confront the possibility that we may not be as unique or significant as we hope. If we are just one among many, does that lessen our value? Does it strip our lives of meaning? And if so, what, then, is the true essence of life? When we come to terms with our potential ordinariness, despite all our efforts to rise above it, we find ourselves at a crossroads. We face a choice: to surrender to despair, sinking into an existential slumber; or to rise with resolve, embracing life for what it is and finding contentment in simply being. But this brings forth an even deeper question: What, then, is there to savor in this existence? Where can we find joy?

What shoulder, what art, could twist the sinews of the heart?

Being young, I often find myself drawn into the labyrinth of introspection, questioning my life, my choices, my purpose. I spend countless hours wrestling with the complexities of existence, a process that often leaves me burdened with a persistent guilt, that lingers, no matter how hard I try to dispel it. There are times when all I long for is SILENCE, a silence so profound that it could drown out the clamor of the world, offering a respite from the vulnerability, fear, and confusion that so often overwhelm me.

But even in that silence, the questions remain: What am I truly seeking in this life? Do I want to be remembered as kind, wise, or great? What is the essence of the person I am striving to become? Is the path I am on truly my

own, and how can I ever be certain? Yet, in my search for meaning, I may have overlooked a fundamental truth: we are still young, adrift in a sea of aspirations and dreams, all while grappling with the ordinariness of life.

But what if life is, indeed, devoid of meaning? That thought is more terrifying than any other. In moments of fear and disorientation, where do we turn for solace? The question remains unanswered, lingering like a shadow on the edge of our consciousness, waiting to be acknowledged.

Beneath the shadows of creation, there lies a question: What force, unseen and untamed, dares to twist the sinews of the heart? What hand shapes the fierce and fragile, molding power and vulnerability into the beating core of life? In the quiet, a silent craftsman works, threading the unseen with strength and terror alike. We stand as both creator and created, wondering at the force that dares to shape us so.

Your pain is gone. Your stay was short. Will my memory last forever? You were touched by all and loved by all, but we are about to fall.

William Blake

COLLEGE MENTORS FOR KIDS CHAPTER: Mission, Goals, and Achievements

By: Javad Dehghan

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

John Quincy Adams

College Mentors for Kids is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that connects college students with elementary school children, aiming to inspire growth, learning, and leadership. The program facilitates meaningful, one-on-one mentoring relationships that help young children see their potential and envision their futures.

College Mentors for Kids operates chapters on college campuses, where college students volunteer to mentor elementary school children from underprivileged or at-risk backgrounds. The program focuses on engaging the children in structured, on-campus activities that foster personal, academic, and social growth. Each college chapter works closely with local schools to identify children who would benefit most from mentorship, providing them with opportunities to interact with college students who serve as positive role models.

College students, known as mentors, meet weekly with their assigned “little buddies” in a group setting, engaging in activities. Through these activities, children are exposed to

new ideas, encouraged to dream big, and shown that college and careers are attainable goals. The goals of the College Mentors for Kids chapter are multifaceted and focus on promoting the well-being of both the children and the college students involved.

The chapter aims to nurture the personal and academic growth of young children by providing them with positive role models who encourage curiosity, creativity, and self-confidence. One of the core objectives of the chapter is to help children see college as a viable and exciting option for their futures. By bringing children to college campuses and allowing them to interact with college students, the program demystifies higher education and plants the seeds of aspiration in young minds.

The College Mentors for Kids chapter aspires to make a lasting impact on both the lives of the mentees and mentors. For the college students involved, the chapter aims to provide a transformative volunteer experience that encourages personal growth, empathy, and a lifelong commitment to service. The chapter recognizes that mentoring is a two-way street: while the

children gain from the guidance and encouragement of their mentors, the college students also gain invaluable life lessons and a deeper understanding of their role in society.

To join our chapter, simply scan the QR code below to apply for a mentoring role. Stay connected and receive the latest updates by following our Instagram account. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make a meaningful impact!

September 2024

1.On The Roof Concert Series:

» Corduroy Orbison & Georgia Funkadelic (Sept 21) - Enjoy live music at this outdoor, all-ages concert at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana.

» Located on 212 Main Street, the Arts Council’s Rooftop Art Deck in Downtown Evansville.

» Takes place 7-10 PM

» Learn more at www.artswin.org.

2. Dog Day Downtown

is a popular annual event in Evansville, IN, and the 2024 edition is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, from 11 AM to 2 PM on Main Street (from 2nd to 6th Street). This event is all about celebrating our furry friends, and there are several activities planned:

» Dog Agility Course: An obstacle course for dogs of all skill levels.

» Dog Adoptions: Meet and potentially adopt a new furry family member.

By Myia Danek

» Bone Bar and Pup Cup Station: Free treats for dogs, including bones and “pup cups” (limited quantities).

» Foam Party: A new addition this year, allowing dogs to play in foam for a unique experience.

» Pet Pampering: Free nail trimmings, pet massages, and more.

» Photo Booths and Cuddle Stations: Capture memories and enjoy some snuggle time with your pet. event is free, thanks to sponsorship by German American Bank.

» Learn more at www. downtownevansville.com.

3. Parker McCollum Concert LIVE (Sept 27) - Country artist Parker McCollum comes to the Ford Center at 7 PM for his Burn it Down 2024 Tour.

» Ford Center, Evansville. 1 SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Evansville, IN 47708.

» Openers include Kylie Morgan and Chayce Beckham.

» Learn more on www.bandsintown.org.

October 2024

1. Haynie’s Corner First Friday (October 4) - This event features local art, music, and food in the Haynie’s Corner Arts District. This event kicks off the month from MayOctober and includes vendors for all ages.

» Adjacent to the Ohio River in downtown Evansville, Indiana.

» This event is in collaboration with The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana and Patchwork Central. This event highlight the creativeness and skill of local talent.

» Learn more at https://hayniescorner.com.

» A Halloween-themed art exhibit at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, showcasing spooky and whimsical art throughout the month.

» Whether you are an artist, or simply enjoy art, this event is for you.

» All entries must be pre-registered by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25th.

» Prizes awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place entries and are voted on my committee and viewers.

» 212 Main St, Evansville, IN.

» Learn more at www.artswin.org.

3. West Side Nut Club Fall Festival (October 6) – Each October the West Side Nut Club organizes the Fall Festival in Evansville, IN. This event takes place all week and has entertainment of all kinds for all ages.

» Food vendors, music, lights, games, etc.

» This event takes place on Franklin

Street and is one of the largest street festivals in the United States.

» 2201 W Franklin St #2 Evansville, IN.

» Learn more at www.nutclubfallfestival.com.

4. Giggles for Good: Comedy Show and Dinner Fundraiser (Oct 26)

» A night of comedy and dining, all in support of Parenting Time Center and the efforts to help children in high-conflict families.

» Located at Venue 812, the dinner begins at 6 PM, and the show follows at 7 PM.

» You can reserve tickets now online.

» For more information, visit https://parentingtimecenter.org/ giggles-for-good/.

2. 2024 Spooky Show (Oct 4-31)

Everybody loves a thrift store! From knick-knacks to vintage clothes and to affordable home appliances, there’s always something for anybody to enjoy. I recently explored some of Evansville’s hot thrifting spots to see what the thrifting scene is like here in the city. After spending way too much money, I compiled a list of some of my favorite spots.

World Wide Missions

Consignment Store

World Wide Missions is located beside Eastland Mall on the east side of Evansville at 304 North Congress Avenue. Their hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Easily the biggest thrift/consignment store in the area, it is filled with affordable clothes, home appliances, dishes, toys, and anything else you can think of. The store seems never-ending, as the close of one section opens the next for what feels like miles. Although upon first entry it may be overwhelming, taking time to sift through the items is completely worth the time. To top it all off, the entire store is always 50% off!

Looky Looky Vendor Mall

Located right next to UE beside CSL Plasma and 517, Looky Looky is a flea market so nice, they named it twice. The mall is filled with various knick-knacks and features collector’s items, including Pop Figures and action figures. They also have a large selection of DVDs, CDs, and even Wii games. Looky Looky is the perfect place to take a group of friends for an afternoon shopping trip. Walk under the Lloyd past Turoni’s, turn right, and you’ll see their large sign at the end of the shopping center. Please note that while bags are not allowed in the store, they do offer secure lockers to store bags in while you shop.

Abyssco

If oddities interest you, Abyssco is the place to visit. Found at 4597 Washington Avenue, Abyssco is open noon to 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Monday and is full of unique clothes and jewelry, funky décor, and interesting accessories. At one point, they had a crucifix kit for sale. They also offer cheap mystery bags and packages which contain knick-knacks or jewelry. You can follow them on Facebook at “Abys S Co”, where they post certain items for sale that can be claimed in the comment section.

Thrifting in Evansville is truly an adventure. From vendor malls to consignment stores, Evansville’s thrift scene has so much to offer. You never know what you’re going to find — treasures await you!

September 2024

2024 STAFF

CONTENTS

CRESCENT MAGAZINE

LETTER SUBMISSIONS:

HOW TO CONTACT US

The Real Cost of Mass Deportation: Unpacking the

Myths and Realities of Immigration

GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY

THE VALUE OF STUDYING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

MIT’s Class of 2028: A Brief Glance at Academia Post-Affirmative Action

What’s going on with social media-based News Networks?

What’s going on with social media-based News Networks?

YES SHE CAN!

Voices of Social Justice: Advocacy for Change

Women Reproductive Rights

Hair Is Not Scary; It is Beautiful

Prevention or Cure for Disruptive Habits

Healthy Eating Tipsfor College Students

Healthy Eating Tips for College Students

4.Keep Fruits and Vegetables on Hand

7.Cook with Friends

5.Occasionally Indulge

6.Cook What You Like

I Read 40 Books This Summer: Here Are The 5 That Are Worth Your Time

ERAS TOUR GUIDE

ERAS TOUR OUTFIT INSPO

Women’s Soccer grabs first win of the season vs Lindenwood (8/29/24)

The Harlaxton Haze

Goodbye USA, Hello UK.

Harlaxton Hijinks: Wales

Grandma Was A Jedi

ORDINARY

COLLEGE MENTORS FOR KIDS CHAPTER: Mission, Goals, and Achievements

September 2024

October 2024

World Wide Missions

Consignment Store

Looky Looky Vendor Mall

Abyssco