3 26 18

find us

Casino Night brings the 90s back P 7

Hicks steps up to help the homeless P 11

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

VOLUME 95 ISSUE 22

www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com

You shouldn’t be afraid to sext

March 26, 2018

P 5

Gun awareness raised through forum, march P 8, 9 NFL scouts drill football players at pro day P 16

Homeless shelter needs funding to continue P 10

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 2

March 26, 2018

BRIEFS d

CALENDAR Monday, March

26

AKA Week: Kasual Konversation, Mental Health Awareness forum at 7:08 p.m. in Stubbs 100 International Week Events

Tuesday, March

27

AKA Week: Girl Talk forum at 7:00 p.m. in SUB Ballrooms International Week Events

Wednesday, March

Women's Symposium in Bayou Pointe event center from 12- 7 p.m.

International Week Events International Week Events

29 30

Friday, March Good Friday

Saturday, March

West Monroe

Washington D. C.

France

The ULM Hawkline competed in the 2018 National/International American Dance/Drill Team Competition over the weekend.

The competition took place at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. At the competition, the Hawkline won first runner-up in the Division 1A collegiate team category for hip-hop; they also won first runner up overall in their division. There was a total of eight D1A schools there.

Four dancers also competed in the solo category. These girls were Sarah Ford, Ashlee Hughey, Regan Howard and Miss ULM 2018, Hagen Campbell.

The ULM Hawkline performs jazz, hip-hop, pom and other styles of dance throughout the year for different functions.

They started their journey to Nationals by inviting everyone to see their National’s routine last Wednesday in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

Five arrests have been made in connection to alleged prostitution at two massage parlors in the West Monroe area.

The arrests were made last Tuesday after several months of investigation.

Employees at the China Massage and Spa on Blanchard Street and Shangri La Spa in the 1400 block of North Seventh were taken into custody.

According to the arrest report, Lijuan Yang, 37, Yuangiao Han, 44, Haiyan Liu, 45, and Huan Yuan Dong, the only male involved, were arrested and charged with several charges including pandering, promoting prostitution, prostitution by massage and criminal conspiracy.

The owner, Han, also sent employees to another business she ran in California.

The five suspects were booked into Ouachita Correctional Center early Tuesday evening.

President Trump signed a spending bill Friday, hours after threatening a veto that would have triggered a government shutdown.

The $1.3 trillion omnibus legislation passed both chambers of Congress after lengthy negotiations between leaders of both parties.

Trump tweeted that he was considering a veto, because the bill does not fully address his immigration priorities.

But hours later, the president backed down and signed the bill.

Aides had been insisting Trump would sign the measure, because it authorizes tens of billions of dollars in additional military spending.

The president complained that he was forced to go along with higher spending on domestic programs in order to win Democratic support for the bill but insisted he would not do so in the future.

Armed police killed a suspect who shot and killed three people in a series of attacks in southern France.

The heavily armed gunman hijacked a car and took hostages at a supermarket in the town of Trèbes.

The man, Redouane Lakdim, 26, said he was fighting on behalf of the Islamic State group.

He is believed to have killed and wounded his victims in three separate incidents which began in Carcassonne, a 15-minute drive from Trèbes.

The French president later said that 16 people were injured in the attack.

The suspect is said to have been demanding the release of Salah Abdeslam, the most important surviving suspect in the Nov. 2015 attacks in Paris which killed 130 people.

Hawkline places Five arrested in Trump signs bill, Gunman killed 28 at competition prostitution ring shutdown prevented after killing three

AKA Week: Kookout with the AKAs in Bayou Park from 4-7 p.m.

Thursday, March

Monroe

31

No planned events

Sunday, April 1 Easter Sunday Check the ULM Hawkeye Facebook for the full International Week Schedule

d

QUOTE

“I'll tell you what freedom is to me: No fear. I mean really, no fear!"

BYE BYE BIRDIE

March 26

Nina Simone, American Singer Front page credits: Main photo by: Siddharth Gaulee Top sidebar courtesy: Killian Hicks Bottom sidebar courtesy:

Siddharth Gaulee Top left photo courtesy: Prajal Prasai Top right photo courtesy: ULM Athletics

TODAY IN HISTORY

photo by Prajal Prasai Conrad Birdie, played by Jace Cascio, angrily stares at Albert Peterson, played by Gray Hall, in ULM's production of Bye Bye Birdie.

1951: U.S. President Truman officially adopts United States Air Force flag.

1970: Golden Gate Park Conservatory made city landmark in San Francisco.

1976: Queen Elizabeth II sends out the first royal email.

1989: 1st free elections occur in the Soviet Union; Boris Yeltsin wins.

1995: The Schengen Treaty went into effect and abolishes boundaries between 26 European countries today.

1997: 39 bodies are found in the Heaven's Gate cult suicides in California.

2006: Scotland prohibits smoking in all substantially enclosed public places.

2017: Carrie Lam becomes first woman chief executive of Hong Kong.

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

March 26, 2018

BRIEFS

PAGE 3

NEWS Inequality

Crime

WMPD Officer Wall arrested for sharing sexual videos The Ouachita Parish Sherriff’s Department arrested West Monroe police patrol officer Dennis Wall on suspicion of non-consensual disclosure of a private image.

Dennis Edward Wall, 42, was booked at Ouachita Correctional Center on the charge. Wall was arrested, because two videos and/or images depicting him and a woman having sex were sent by text message to several people.

The investigation began in late 2017 after a complaint was submitted by the victim and her boyfriend, Danny Jones.

Danny Jones’ ex-wife, Michelle Jones, had sent a sexually inappropriate image and/or video to Danny Jones, Danny Jones’ son and several employees at United Home Health Care, according to the warrant for Wall’s arrest.

Danny Jones owns United Home Health Care. Around the same time, an unknown individual also sent the image and videos to several people, including threats to the victim and her boyfriend.

In late Dec. 2017, the victim informed investigators that Wall was the only person who had the video.

The victim also informed investigators of an incident where Wall showed up at the victim’s home, demanding to speak to her and refusing to leave.

Michelle Jones and her attorney met with investigators Jan. 11 and admitted to sending the sex videos to her ex-husband. She said she received the sex videos from Wall via text message. Wall then admitted to sending the sex videos to Michelle Jones.

Wall is currently on paid administrative leave pending an Internal Affairs investigation.

Education graphic by Siddharth Gaulee

Gender pay wage gap continues

by Kandace Moss

photo by Siddharth Gaulee

ULM to host third annual Women's Symposium As part of International Women’s History Month, ULM is hosting its third annual Women’s Symposium in the brand-new Bayou Pointe student event center.

This year, the committee will be honoring their first ULM undergrad student- senior education major Nirali Patel. Patel will be the first ever recipient of the Emerging Student Leader Award.

This student is an individual who contributes to the empowerment, motivation and encouragement of fellow peers and fosters positive change.

The recipient of this award shows exemplary leadership qualities through student organizations, academic excellence and community service.

Throughout her years at ULM, Patel has been involved in several leadership organizations which include Campus Activities Board, 31 Ambassadors, Student Government Association and Up-til-Dawn.

The Women’s Symposium will feature discussions in a panelist/ moderator format.

Panelists include university faculty, staff and prominent leaders within the community.

Some of the topics will include financial health, diversity and cultural awareness, social media consciousness, overall health and self-care, authentic leadership and negotiations and communication.

The theme of the Women’s Symposium this year is WINGS: Women Influencing the Next Generation of

Success. The mission of the symposium is to empower, motivate and encourage girls and women from all backgrounds and all educational and professional levels to pursue their passions and seek leadership roles in their desired career paths.

The event starts at noon on Wednesday, March 28, in the Bayou Pointe Event Center. Registration for students is free. ULM faculty register at a discounted rate of $20, and everyone else registers at the original $35 price.

Registration occurs through the following link: www.eventbrite. com/e/2018-ulm-womens-symposium-tickets-43169935439. For any questions, email Meredith McKinnie at mckinnie@ulm.edu or Rebekah Barnes at rbarnes@ulm.edu.

As the late Notorious B.I.G quoted in his 1997 song, “Mo money, mo problems.” According to the American Association of University Women, women wanting to make more money still causes more problems.

Although the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was a labor law intended to stop gender-based wage discrimination in the U.S., as of 2017, women still make 80 cents for every dollar paid to men This amounts to an annual gender wage gap of $10,470.

Asking for higher pay may be the key to solving the equal pay problem, according to English professor Jaleesa Harris.

Harris believes that female students and young professional females can combat this by learning how to become comfortable with asking for their worth.

“When you get that job and the decision of salary is discussed, you are now powered with the extended knowledge that equips you to contribute to this conversation,” Harris said.

She said that before going to a job interview, students should research the job, find out what their annual salary is and what that salary is in relation to that specific living area.

She says financial literacy is important when it comes to women negotiating for pay, because that is

how jobs and huge companies are able to not pay women the amount they are supposed to earn.

In Louisiana, these statistics are the worst. The largest gap in the U.S is located in this state, where women were paid 70 percent of what men make.

The median annual pay for a woman who holds a full-time, year-round job is $33,832 while median annual pay for a man who holds a full-time, year-round job is $49,730.

This means that women in Louisiana are paid 68 cents for every dollar men earn.

“I’m disappointed, but not surprised,” ULM alum Devin Mcmullen said.

The marketing graduate said that the only way she would know she was making less at her job is if she asked.

Mcmullen works at a local bakery in Shreveport and said that talking about her job pay is frowned upon at work.

“I got a raise recently, and my manager told me it’d be between us,” Mcmullen added.

She plans to move out of state when she gets her new job, but wherever she goes, she will ask for higher pay if she finds out she is making less.

If progess continues at the slower rate seen since 2001, the wage gap won't completely disappear until 2119. contact Kandace Moss at mosskv@warhawks.ulm.edu

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 4

March 26, 2018

OPINION

HAWKEYE P.O.V.

My top 5 rappers of all time

Common Sense Should Be Used When Smoking When something is uncertain, caution should always be used when making that decision.

Collectively, people are aware that cigarettes can cause longterm damage health-wise.

However, the uncertainty of other smoked substances like marijuana is something to consider as well.

So, why do people still throw caution to the wind?

Cigarettes were once sold under the guise that they promoted a happier life. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.

When people were made aware of the dangers of smoking cigarettes, what did they do? They threw a fit, accused cigarette companies of lying and kept smoking. Slap a label on something saying, “This product may kill you,” and everyone is suddenly fine with killing themselves, as long as they aren’t being lied to.

The same mindset can be seen now with other smoked substances.

When we get down to the bottom of it, the answer is simple.

Smoke is bad... on its own. Whether it comes in the form of a bonfire, a carton of Marlboros or yes, marijuana.

Common sense must be used when deciding which habits to pick up.

Cigarettes have been legal since the 1900s, and marijuana is legal in several states now. However, just as we know excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver failure, it is now certain that inhaled smoke is horrible on the lungs.

Once more research has been done on marijuana, the certainty of whether or not it is as harmful as cigarettes and alcohol when not smoked can be determined. Until then, just know that if you are smoking... it is affecting you negatively.

Stubbs 131 700 University Avenue Monroe, LA 71209 Editor in chief - Ethan Dennis Co-managing editor design - Siddharth Gaulee Co-managing editor news - Alfonzo Galvan Co-managing editor news - KeEmma Everett Opinion editor - Raven Adcox Freestyle editor - Sisam Shrestha Photo editor - Prajal Prasai Sports editor - Jerimee Washington Writing coach - Kandace Moss Advertising director - CJ Nash 318-342-5453 ulmhawkeyead@gmail.com

Jimmon Felton The best thing in life is someone’s opinion, which they stand behind firmly. When it comes to my opinions, I always stand behind them because it is the right thing to do. The two biggest things that are debated amongst peers are sports (LeBron James is still not in my top five) and music. When it comes to music, I understand it is a broad subject even if it is a specific genre such as hip-hop.

When it comes to having talks about music, the question is going to come up, who is your top five rappers right now? I have heard some lists that have made me question what people consider good music these days. I have a list that is going to be questioned, but the people on my list make real music… none of that Lil Pump “Gucci Gang” crap. People overhype this kind of music all the time, calling it the future of music.

My list consists of J. Cole, Big Sean, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Kevin Gates. This is not in order, either. You can debate my list all you want, but the beautiful thing about opinion is that no matter what, it is technically not wrong.

J. Cole is one of the top rappers of this era because, as everybody knows by now, he went double platinum with no features with his album “Forest Hill Drive,” in 2014.

His best project is “Born Sinner,” which he dropped back in 2013. The project had the hit songs “Sparkz Will Fly ft. Jhene Aiko,” “Born Sinner” and “Let Nas Down.”

When I’m listening to Cole’s music, these songs just don’t get skipped.

Big Sean is another artist that I would put at the top of my list. Big Sean is a rapper from Detroit who loves to embrace his past, which has helped him have a successful career thus far. Big Sean’s best project was his “Dark Sky Paradise” album, but his versatility is what gets me.

He also did a collab album with Jhene Aiko called “twenty88” to make one of the best albums I have ever heard.

“Twenty88” hit songs were “Talk Show,” “London Bridges” and “Two Minute Warning.”

Drake is a T.V. star turned hip-hop sensation and since that transition, he made “Nothing was the same.” The former Degrassi star turned hip hop icon took the world by storm when he released the albums “So Far Gone” and “Take Care,” a certified classic the world has not stopped playing ever since. The top songs on “Take Care” would be “Marvin’s Room,” “Crew Love” and “Headlines.”

Kendrick Lamar, who also goes by King Kendrick, reminds all that listens to him that he is the greatest to pick up the mic. He has released four albums, and every time you say this is Kendrick’s best album, he drops another great album. Instead of naming the top songs off Kendrick’s best album, I am just going to name his albums.

They are Section.80, GOOD KID M.A.A.D CITY, To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN. Last, but not least, is the Louisiana native, Kevin Gates.

Kevin Gates raps from the heart, and since he is from Louisiana, I can relate to him a tad bit more than those previously named. Kevin Gates is more of a mixtape artist than a mainstream artist with only one studio album.

His mixtapes, however, are better than most artist ‘s albums. His album “Islah” peaked at #2 on the U.S. charts with the top songs being “One Thing,” “Ain’t Too Hard” and “Thought I Heard (Breadwinners Anthem).”

When it comes to the top five rappers of today, there they go… those that sit higher than the rest. contact Jimmon Felton at feltonjj@warhawks.ulm.edu

The opinions expressed in personal columns are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of the editors, staff, adviser or the university.

Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Hawkeye’s editorial board, but not necessarily the opinions of the adviser or the university.

The Hawkeye (USPS #440-700) is published weekly except vacation, exam & holiday periods

by The University of Louisiana at Monroe, 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209.

Annual subscription price is $15.00. Periodicals Postage Paid at Monroe, LA 71203.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hawkeye, 700 University Ave., Stubbs 131, Monroe, LA 71209-8832.

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Don’t agree?

Let us know!

Contact the writers or the editor at adcoxrv@warhawks.ulm.edu photo courtesy of MCT Campus

March 26, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 5

OPINION

This country has failed the homeless,

more should be done to help

Misisipi Bhandari The United States is the leading country in resources, arms and ammunitions in the world, and has a population of 327 million according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Though it is highly modernized and urbanized, not all citizens live a luxurious life here. Many people do not have a physical address to live in, no good food, education or other basic needs.

They are the unrecognized part of the population.

They are homeless.

Homelessness has always been a serious issue in the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses a narrow definition, largely limited to people living in shelters, transitional housing and public places.

According to it, at least 2.5 to 3.5 million people sleep in places like these. This number is outrageously high.

The country has neglected this issue.

It is hard to imagine a day without shelter and security, while people like us are helpless. The root cause of this issue is that many people cannot afford housing.

There is a limited scale of housing assistance programs available to people. The

housing that is available is also highly expensive. If housing is so expensive for an average earning person, then it certainly isn’t affordable for those who do not have a stable job. The other possible reasons for homelessness are divorce, domestic violence and unemployment.

Many efforts have been made across the country to help the homeless with shelters.

Homeless service providers and the Federal government have reduced chronic homelessness among veterans with targeted efforts like the HUD-VASH program.

It provides special sections of housing for veterans, which I believe is extremely important.

Similarly, laws were created to provide equal opportunity for free public education to homeless students. It is supposed to break down all the barriers such as residence restriction, medical record verification and transportation issues.

These efforts are not enough to resolve the problem of homelessness.

Still the 1996 Urban Institute findings of the National Survey of Homeless assistance providers and clients (UIHAC) shows that 53 percent of homeless people have less than a high school education.

There are several complications in being homeless. Lack of stability and consistency can be detrimental to young kids.

Many homeless people are deprived of good education. Those who live in shelter houses, such as foster kids, become homeless after they are 18. Lack of funding leads them to wander around, because many do not get adopted.

They suffer from disproportionately high rates of poly substances abuse, mental illness and physical health problems.

Lack of health insurance, Social security card and permanent address prohibit many

homeless people from receiving care.

Homeless people are overlooked by society.

They are suspected to be criminals, but they are the real victims, especially of hate crimes.

According to National Coalition for the health (NCH), there were 109 attacks on homeless people.

This number increased by 24 percent last year.

Amidst the terror of being unsecure, how can a homeless person thrive and work for his/her life?

There are shelter homes in the country, but they are not in good condition. Many run on donations made by the public and state government.

However, they are not receiving the proper amount in funding for it.

When the asylums and mental institutions all closed down over two decades ago, most of those people became homeless.

Dealing with the pressures of mental illness and not having access to medically prescribed drugs can cause homeless people to use illegal drugs to cope.

The announcement that the Desiard Street Shelter House is planning to stop its night shelter services due to economic instability hits home about this issue.

Have we ever wondered what might happen to the innocent lives that rely on these shelters? It is easy to ignore people when you are better off than them but that doesn’t make it right. We have to be better.

We, as a community, should work collectively to save the shelters for the helpless.

The people in authority should realize this issue and work out solutions to give a better life to the homeless.

Kris Albert Sexting, it’s a topic that has been heavily discussed since the emergence of new technology. I distinctly remember a high school assembly my sophomore year at Benton High School.

The overall message was that sexting was horrible. It could lead to you being on an expose page, having your junk sent around the school or worse… suspension.

Even my mom gave me the sexting

Bibek Shrestha

because you may not have established trust in the receiver. Some say take that risk, live life on the edge.

Maybe that person you just sexted is your future wife/husband. That person could also be your future ex, but who cares? Sexting is a tool that can be used to evaluate people’s intentions.

Personally, I’ve never exposed anybody for sexting me, because I’m an adult with integrity and have never felt the need to air personal business in public.

Sexting, like everything else in life, carries its positives and negatives.

It is up to everybody to evaluate the risk involved and if it is worth it.

Sexting carries a stigma that I feel it should not, because it can potentially do more good than harm.

So, I say go for it.

Reality shows, a popular genre of television, still have a number of subgenres within it. With some hit shows like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “American Idol” and “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” which has been running for a decade, reality TV has expanded a lot. Reality shows have been around for a long time, and now it is impossible to decide which show to watch.

Although people love reality TV, some of the shows don’t quite follow the definition of it.

Many shows are scripted and fabricated.

Contestants having body doubles for stunts, creating fake affairs and relationships, and producers eliminating contestants are a few of the secrets about reality TV that viewers aren’t aware of.

Hope Solo, a soccer goalkeeper and former contestant of the show “Dancing with the Stars,” wrote, “I started out thinking I was in a competition, but the longer I lasted, the more I realized that it wasn’t really a competition.”

Reality shows were intended to show real people’s everyday life, but now it’s more about gaining viewers. This is done by adding fake twists and scenes to make it more dramatic.

Some reality shows do have a bitter truth, but it is not the same for all reality shows. Despite all these facts, I think reality TV is worth watching because it has been a great source of entertainment for a huge number of people.

Whether it is a real, fabricated show or some mix of the two, it is providing a daily dose of enjoyment. Some people use reality tv to connect with other people by watching the same shows they watch, while most others watch just because they find the show interesting.

There are reality shows that encourage people in many ways and help them mentally and physically. For example, Ellen from “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” has encouraged thousands of people to be kind and helpful to each other and has changed people’s lives with her kindness. The reality talk show has been running for fifteen years. Ellen was also awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Likewise, there are many other shows that motivate viewers to work toward positive health or social change.

Most of the reality TV viewers are of ages 18 to 34. There are some reality shows that made ordinary people, with little or no talent, stars in television, or shows with unrealistic lifestyles.

These kinds of shows do have some bad influence on society, and it affects teenagers.

But, every show has some positive message to deliver to its viewers, and it gives life lessons to us. There are many talented artists who get inspired by reality shows and make their dreams come true.

Having its negative impact, reality TV has made viewers laugh, inspired them, made them forget about their bad day, satisfied them and, most importantly, entertained them, which is why it is the most popular television genre.

contact Khris Albert at albertkx@warhawks.ulm.edu

contact Bibek Shrestha at shrestb@warhawks.ulm.edu

contact Misisipi Bhandari at bhandam@warhawks.ulm.edu

Sexting: Respect those who aren’t interested, don’t bash those who are speech, talking about how bad and disgusting it was. But, I never thought of it like that.

In my opinion, everybody should sext.

Why not?

I understand the main problem of being exposed and this new thing called “revenge porn,” whatever that is.

However, the real problem is not sexting itself, but putting your trust in the wrong people. If two people are in a healthy relationship and are comfortable with each other, sext away.

What is the one thing people look for in a relationship? Well, I can’t speak for everybody, but being spontaneous is something most healthy relationships have.

Nothing is more spur of the moment than a nude picture or cheeky text. It can brighten up the other person’s day tremendously. Getting a notification, opening it and then realizing the gloriousness inside is something that can’t be described.

Sexting for single people may be riskier,

REALITY TV NOT REAL, CAN BE ENJOYED

PAGE 6

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

NEWS

March 26, 2018

Marijuana smoke: Three times more harmer than cigarette

by Arohan Rimal

website, in the state of Louisiana, a minor or a person under the age of 17 who passes a sexually explicit image of themselves to another minor will have to attend mandatory counseling.

Minors found guilty of sending or possessing a sexually explicit image could receive up to 10 days in jail and up to a $250 fine for the first offense.

Sending indecent images are considered misdemeanors.

According to the criminal defense lawyer website, an adult or a person 17 or older, convicted of a sexting-related crime with a juvenile as a first-time offender “faces up to $50,000 in fines and between five and 20 years in prison.”

JAMA researchers continue to research non-consensual sexting that would lead to privacy legislation.

A recent study by a University of California San Francisco (UCSF) professor has concluded that marijuana smoke is three times more harmful than tobacco smoke to the arterial system.

Matthew Springer, a professor in the division of cardiology at UCSF conducted a research on rats to observe the effect of secondhand smoke on their blood flow. His research demonstrated that second hand smoke hinders the blood flow in rat arteries.

Springer believes that society has been convinced that tobacco is harmful, because many different researches on the harmful effects of tobacco have been conducted and publicized. However, such researches have not been done with marijuana smoke. He started this research to break this trend.

Students at ULM also tend to believe that smoking marijuana is healthier than smoking cigarettes.

“There is a common belief that marijuana comes straight from the plant, so it does not contain many chemicals. It is also believed that there is no nicotine in marijuana,” sophomore communication major Destinee Andrews said.

Andrews says that most people talk about nicotine as the bad guy of smoking.

“Since people believe that marijuana does not have nicotine and it gives the sense of being high unlike cigarette, people who do not smoke cigarettes are willing to smoke marijuana if it was legal,” she added.

Sophomore computer science major Anusha Adhikari said she has always had a negative attitude towards marijuana, because she thinks of it as an entry level drug.

“However, people who do not do other drugs smoke marijuana, because they think it has mild effects on physical and mental health. Some even believe that long term use of marijuana has medicinal value,” added Adhikari.

Springer said that highly regulated doses of medicinal marijuana may have less chemical additives than cigarettes.

“People say marijuana is ‘natural,’ because the actual plant contains less toxicities compared to the synthetic forms,” third-year pharmacy Susan Egbert said.

Egbert said that use of marijuana should be allowed for people who need it for medicinal purposes, but the amount should be regulated.

Since marijuana is illegal and cigarettes are considered unhealthy, many people indulge in smoke-free e-cigs and vaping devices as alternatives.

However, Springer points out that even they release a cloud of aerosolized chemicals that are harmful for us.

Junior toxicology major Darrell Mabou agrees. He says that just because marijuana is medicinal for someone, it does not make it beneficial for all people.

“Smoke is smoke. All kinds of smoke contain particulates, polycyclic hydrocarbons which are harmful. People seeking recreational and even medicinal use of marijuana should find other ways than smoking it,” he added.

Legalization of marijuana has always been a debate with fierce responses from both sides.

Springer will continue to further his research.

contact KeEmma Everett at everetkn@warhawks.ulm.edu

contact Arohan Rimal at rimala@warhawks.ulm.edu

photo by Callie Shermer

FUTURE WARHAWKS: Incoming students and their families were welcomed to ULM on Thursday.

Banquet honors incoming students

by Alfonzo Galvan The spring before their first semester at ULM, a select group of freshmen and their families were invited onto ULM’s campus.

These Emerging Scholars are invited on campus for a banquet.

Honored and presented a scholarship in front of their soon to be peers, students and their families wait in anticipation for this event.

“All week I was pumped for the event. I even bought a new outfit and everything just for tonight,” said Jasmine Thenekhamsyharath, a senior from Glenmora High School.

Thenekhamsyharath, accompanied by two of her friends from high school, made the trek all the way up from Glenmora, Louisiana.

Dravyn Sumbler and Braxton Stalsby, with Thenkhamsyharath Thenekhamsyharath, were like fish out of water on campus. Hailing from a town of just over 1,500, ULM comes with a huge change of scenery for the three in-

coming freshmen.

“The event was wonderful, very classy and well-coordinated,” Sumbler said.

Current PREP staffer and freshman communication major Jacy Oliver was happy to welcome many familiar faces back to campus.

“We’ve done Browse on the Bayou with them and are happy to see many of them come back,” Oliver said.

Oliver and the other members of the PREP staff welcomed new and old faces to Bayou Pointe for the Scholars’ Banquet.

“We’re here to welcome home the committed, incoming freshmen and present them with their scholarships and introduce them to the ULM environment,” added Oliver.

Before receiving their scholarships, attendees enjoyed food with family and friends. Photographers were also on hand to take pictures of the new Warhawks.

For the full story visit: www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com

contact Alfonzo Galvan at galvana@warhawks.ulm.edu

Teen sexting increases

by KeEmma Everett The influx of storage technology created an area that breeds an increase trust in sending explicit images and texts among teens.

Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit photos, videos or messages via cell phones.

According to Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), sexting has increased over the last eight years with 27 percent of teens receiving sexts and almost 15 percent of teens sending them.

The concern is that 12 percent send sexts without consent and 8.4 percent have received sexts without giving their consent.

“I feel like if you trust the person you’re sending it to and you’re comfortable, then do it. We’re old enough to know the risks and consequences with doing it,” freshman early childhood education major Tarvie

Wilson said.

JAMA analyzed 39 longitudinal studies spanning 26 years with over 110,000 people.

It was revealed that one in four youth have received sexts. One in seven reported sending them.

According to the cyberbullying website, 61 percent of participants from the ages of 18 to 30 admitted to sharing nude photos of themselves with someone else, and 23 percent had been victims of revenge porn.

Despite the consequences, some have found loopholes into not getting exposed or caught with images.

“Don’t ever put your face in that because some people will expose you”, freshman elementary education major Brandon Williams said.

“If your face isn’t in the camera, no one can identify who you are. It’s less risky that way,” Williams continued.

According to the mobile media guard

March 26, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 7

FREESTYLE

90s make comeback at annual Casino Night

by Alfonzo Galvan

“Backstreet’s back! Alright!” With those words, the Campus Activities Board brought back the 90s during its annual Casino Night last Tuesday.

For three hours, attendees at the new Bayou Pointe student event center enjoyed free food, candy and a variety of casino games.

Black Jack, poker, roulette and many other popular casino games were available and free to play for students.

“The night was hectic. I’d be ripping and running, making sure everyone was happy. The music was good and the food was good,” said Hillary May, a senior biology major and CAB’s committee head for Casino Night.

Once signed in, students were given $1000 in fake chips to gamble to their hearts’ content. At the end of the night, they were allowed to trade in their winnings for raffle tickets.

Prizes for this year’s raffle included a Keurig coffee maker, Beats wireless headphones, a fitness tracker and a Bluetooth cooler among other items.

The 90s theme brought an added mix of fun. The night’s wardrobe came straight out of the end of the millennia itself.

Attendees paid homage to some of their favorite childhood shows and movies like “The Fresh Prince of BelAir,” “Clueless” and “Friends.”

Others drew inspiration from popular 90s musicians like Tupac, the Spice Girls and the Backstreet Boys.

Following the night’s theme, May dressed as one of the main characters from the 1997 film “Good Burger.”

Casino Night, an annual favorite among students, is always a highly attended event.

Due to the increasing participation each year, this year’s event was moved from its usual spot on the second floor of the SUB to the Bayou Pointe student event center. It was also the first time many students got to see the new event center.

Tyler Gunn, a junior psychology major, played Black Jack throughout the night and was happy with the returns he got from his bets.

“I’m just glad I got to come out here and have fun,” Gunn said.

“I played Black Jack, made a few good bets, got some tickets in and learned to play a few games as well.”

Railyn Woods, a senior nursing major, didn’t plan on going to Casino Night but was talked into it.

“My friend Tyler made me come. I was going to go to the library to study but decided to come here for 10 minutes. It turned into three hours,” Woods said.

At the end of the night CAB officers pulled tickets and announced the winners of the raffle. Woods was among the few lucky winners. She went home happy with a new Go Pro camera.

There was also a costume contest for group and individual categories.

photo by Prajal Prasai

GAMBLING IN STYLE: (TOP) (left to right) Lieke Rolvers, Toni Corso and Nicholas Green pose for a 90s styled picture at Casino Night.

(BOTTOM) Jacob Holland (second from left) celebrates after winning a round.

contact Alfonzo Galvan at galvana@warhawks.ulm.edu

31 Ambassadors build campus pride one t-shirt a time

Orign Bank RiverMarket 316 S. Grand St. Monroe, LA 71201

by Rex Acharya

Coffee & Tea Festival A Love Your Community Event

April 7 10am-4pm $10 Tickets: Eventzilla.net

Who doesn’t love a free t-shirt in exchange of an old one? The answer was clear as students lined up, even before the starting time for 31 Ambassadors’ biannual t-shirt swap last week.

“We generally have a lot of students lined up before noon. If they don’t arrive by then, they won’t get any because we run out of the t-shirts by that time,” said Allison Willard, a biology senior and secretary of 31 Ambassadors.

T-shirts this year had the sketch of ULM library along with elements of the bayou like the egret, turtles and cypress, all inside the Louisiana state map. Last semester, the t-shirts only had the new ULM logo.

As per the rules of t-shirt swap, a

student could exchange up to two old t-shirts from any other university for brand new ULM t-shirts.

According to Willard, the rule was in place to help minimize number of students wearing other universities’ tshirts.

“Also, we donate these t-shirts to people going on mission trips. We have contacted the Wesley Foundation too,” Willard said.

“I live in Baton Rouge, so I didn’t find it difficult to get another university’s t-shirt,” said Brynn Castagnetta, a dental hygiene junior.

T-shirts this semester came in two colors: Baby blue and grey. A total of 725 t-shirts were exchanged at this two-day event. contact Rex Acharya at acharyr1@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 8

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

March 26, 2018

NEWS FREESTYLE

LET'S END GUN VIOLENCE: Students display their signs, expressing their desire to end the ongoing school shooting that have plagued the nation.

photos by Siddharth Gaulee

Class project advocates for social change

by Raven Adcox

NO SMILES: Students from local high schools share their concerns.

The ULM Chi Beta Chapter of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society, along with students from SOCW4016: Practice II, were tasked with bringing awareness to a current social issue in society. Increased awareness of school shootings with a focus on preventing gun violence in schools was chosen as the topic, and the students got to work. The panel was held on Monday in the student center building on campus.

UPD and MPD were invited to the panel to explain what to do in the case of an active shooter on campus. Different examples of how to stay safe on campus were presented, but the most popular piece of advice was awareness. After the presentation, an open discussion followed where students could ask questions about what they’d learned.

“We promote students being aware of their surroundings, and if they see anything that is not right or something that does not belong, CALL THE POLICE, We strongly advocate ‘see something, say something,’” said assistant director of the University Police Department, Mark Johnson.

He also brought up the Warhawk Alert app, which sends out mass texts to the student body when an emergency takes place. Unfortunately, use of the app is very low, ranging between 30 to 40 percent.

Johnson also discussed the ways to report crime on campus.

“ULM PD has multiple ways to report activity through phones, calls boxes and confidential silent witness emails where concerns can be provided to ULM PD without ever giving an identity,” he said.

A PowerPoint made by the social work students was

shown at the panel. According to the presentation, there have already been eight school shootings in 2018. Since the infamous Columbine High School Massacre on April 20, 1999, there have been over 200 school shootings.

When assigned the job of bringing light to a current social issue, ULM social work students didn’t shy away from the challenge. On Saturday, ULM students joined Neville High School and Monroe City in a march to help bring awareness to gun violence on school campuses. The march began at Neville High School and ended at Monroe City Hall.

Associate professor in social work, Dr. Jennifer Savage remembers practicing safety drills as a kid. The threat of a nuclear attack was a frightening possibility during that time.

“Surely, we should be as aware of threats that actually are happening and what to do 'in case of,' with school shootings averaging about once a month now,” Savage said.

The project started as an assignment for class but turned into a real conversation about safety. The march was an extension of other peaceful protests taking place across the country in the wake of the Parkland, Florida school shooting.

The Chi Beta chapter and social work students aren’t stopping after the march either. Contacting legislators is on the to-do-list as well. At 9 a.m. on April 20, there will be a school walkout for 17 minutes in honor of the lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

“I march for my grandchildren and all other students who deserve better protection--who shouldn't have to be scared of their campuses,” Savage said. contact Raven Adcox at adcoxrv@warhawks.ulm.edu

March 26, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 9

NEWS

Marching for our lives, future

by Alfonzo Galvan There is strength in numbers. That is the saying that drew people out Saturday morning for the “March for Our Lives” event outside the Monroe Civic Center.

Graduating seniors from the ULM social work department joined forces with students from Neville High School in Monroe and gathered early Saturday to voice their opinions regarding rising gun-related violence happening in schools throughout the country.

Emely Portillo-Segovia, a senior social work major, accompanied by friends and classmates attended the march.

“This march coincided perfectly with our service project for Dr. Savage's class in which we held a panel on behalf of the ULM Social Work department, ULM Police department and Monroe Police department to discuss procedures and trainings that have taken place in order to keep us all safe here at ULM,” PortilloSegovia said.

Marches like the one in Monroe went on around the country.

In Monroe, the march became a rally due to the potential of bad weather.

Cassidy Kunicyn, a senior finance major went with Portillo-Segovia and other ULM stu-

dents.

“I went to the event because I feel very strongly for gun control. I'm from Canada, a country that has gun control and I've seen it work. Not saying we're perfect, but gun control has still helped. I just wanted to see how many people were going to show up,” Kunicyn said.

Another distinguished guest at the event was Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo.

Mayor Mayo spoke in front of those gathered at the march and even took it upon himself to speak to a concerned high school student from Neville about a safety concern that the student said wasn’t handled properly.

“It was very important to come out and support our kids as they march for their lives because that is a serious issue across America and as a parent and grandparent myself we all are concerned about our kids,” Mayo said.

The crowd gathered outside the civic center was predominantly young women. photos by Siddharth Gaulee Girls like Sahar Yusuf, a junior from Neville CONFLICT AT EASE: Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo addresses a concerned student during the march.

High School, said by rallying in such high numbers nationwide lawmakers will have to take families these voices will surely help eliminate Celebrities like Paul McCarthy and politinotice of the issue at hand. this epidemic or bring to light the problems cians like former Vice-President Joe Biden also “What brought me out today was the daily in- that we are facing,” Yusuf said. joined in on the march. justices I see on the news every day. The gun While official numbers haven’t been reviolence epidemic is growing stronger, and I leased, it’s estimated that thousands of people contact Alfonzo Galvan at galvana@warhawks.ulm.edu feel like the voices of students, activists and marched on Saturday nationwide.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION Election date: April 11 & 12

Applications due in the SGA Office March 29

PAGE 10

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

March 26, 2018

NEWS

photo by Siddharth Gaulee

A PLACE FOR MY HEAD: Left: DeSiard St. Shelter in entrance. Right: The shelter has provides three meals a day for the people in need.

DeSiard Street Shelter on verge of shut-down

by Misisipi Bhandari

Monroe’s homeless may have to brave the heat for the upcoming summer nights.

The DeSiard Street overnight homeless shelter will have to close its doors because of a lack of funding.

The homeless shelter will have to stop providing its overnight services in less than two weeks.

The shelter is the only one that has provided overnight housing for the homeless and has been providing services for more than 20 years.

It has also been a replacement for many seeking housing after the Salvation Army closed down in August.

“It is the symbol of service for me. We are here to serve people, and what service could be greater than giving a empowered life to a

homeless. This should concern the whole city and community, not only the DeSiard Shelter,” Varner said.

DeSiard Street shelter director, Billy Varner, said the shelter usually receives 65 people for the overnight stay.

After the Salvation Army closed its doors, DeSiard Street partnered with the First Baptist Church and the Rays of Sonshine.

Rays of Sonshine houses and serves women recovering from substance and chemical abuse.

The shelter is considered a non-profit organization, so they are funded by the community, the government and private foundations.

However, the shelter hasn’t been able to accept federal or state funds.

“Those funds require a lot of paper work and many homeless people do not have their prior

history of living or state identification,” Varner said.

Volunteers of the shelter said they may be lacking donations because people have yet to realize their work.

“Until you’ve been in their shoes or our shoes working here helping these people, you really don’t know,” case manager Ellie Wheaton said.

However, some students were aware and have started their own fundraising initiatives.

Many local organizations have partnered with the shelter to provide an array of services.

The United Way of Northeast Louisiana has been working with the shelter to help find permanent housing for the homeless.

Family Promise of Ouachita also partnered with the shelter to help families get on their feet with life skill classes, day centers, trans-

portation, temporary housing and fellowship.

The Wellspring Outreach and Christopher Youth House helps people receive matching funding for long term housing.

According to the HOME Coalition of Northeast Louisiana, it costs nearly $1.6 million in federal funding to serve the 1,850 homeless in NELA. “Imagine if every church in this community would just put $10 or a dollar. We need all the help we can get in this community. It’s our job as a community. That’s our job as human beings,” Varner said.

Although the DeSiard Street shelter is shutting down their overnight housing, they will still provide shelter and meals during the day. contact Misisipi Bhandari at bhandam@warhawks.ulm.edu

Sexual assault, are you at risk?

by KeEmma Everett The #MeToo movement sparked many intersectional sexual assault conversations across the world, specifically college campuses.

Students are gearing up for sexual assault awareness month in April with the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” event on April 12.

ULM has had their bout with sexual assault. Last fall, a freshman ULM student was charged with 2nd-degree rape after the female victim reported she was raped in the offender’s dorm room to UPD. According to justice.gov, sexual assault is any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. Sexual assault includes “sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling and attempted rape.”

“No means no. If you wouldn’t want it to happen to one of your loved ones, then why do it to someone else’s,” senior kinesiology major Eryn Robertson said.

College campuses have been a breeding ground for many sexual assault incidents Rainn.org reporting almost 11 percent of all students experience rape or sexual assault on college campuses.

“Sexual assault on and off campus is absolutely unacceptable to me. If a person is able to commit such a horrible act that that person should receive full psychological evaluation and punishment,” senior kinesiology major Tommy Garcia said.

Drinking is a college pastime, but it has also been the source of many non-consensual sexual incidents.

According to campussafetymagazine.com, 43 percent of sexual assault victims involved alcohol.

“I feel like if anyone is approached by someone who may seem intoxicated they should do their best to help that person or lead that person to a friend so they can make sure they are in safe hands, not take advantage of them because if I was in that situation that would be exactly what I will do,” Garcia

continued.A little over 9,000 students attend ULM, so comparing that statistic to rainn.org would mean about 900 students would have been sexually assaulted.

Of that 900, 54 percent would have not reported they have been victimized. So, for every 10 people you pass, one of those would have been a victim of sexual assault and a about half of them wouldn’t have reported it to the police.

“It’s more common than people think and the biggest problem is that people don’t speak up about their experiences,” senior communication major Aisha Harbor said.

Students are privy to information concerning reported incidents under the Jeanne Clery Act through UPD’s annual crime reports.

The Clery Act requires the university to comply in sharing crime and safety reports, including sexual assault. contact KeEmma Everett at everetkn@warhawks.ulm.edu

March 26, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

Q&A with Killian Hicks: Warhawk works to save local homeless shelter

PAGE 11

FREESTYLE

by Sisam Shrestha Killian Hicks’ normal week used to consist of attending classes, hanging out with friends and working at a local sports shop.

Over the last few weeks, junior history major Hicks has been busy handing out empty jars to businesses around Monroe and West Monroe to support Desiard Street Shelter as part of his #SpareSomeChange initiative.

Q: Why did you start the initiative?

A: I read a local news article about the shelter closing. I volunteer at the shelter, so I know other workers and have had friends who have lived at the shelter before. I do the breakfast serving from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. before my first class at 11 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

My initiative was the fact that people have been saying they have been giving, yet the shelter still has money issues. I wanted to take some action and start something on my own that I could guarantee went to the shelter and help out.

Q: How does “#Spare Some Change” work?

A: #SpareSomeChange is a campaign where I take mason jars to 23 different businesses around town to collect extra cash that is given to the shelter.

In the first three days, just at my business alone, I raised $161. I haven’t been by to collect from the other 22 businesses, but I have heard good reports. The public’s response has been absolutely wonderful. I have had 6,600 views on my first video and hundreds of responses for donations and questions about volunteering. I have to deliver more jars this week.

Q: No new initiative is always welcomed with open arms. Have you faced any backlash?

photo courtesy Killian Hicks

A: I sent out the offer to help to local churches in my initial video, and none have responded.

I have received negative comments on my first post challenging mega churches in the area. I called them out on the size of their buildings that they keep building while the homeless shelter crumbles.

The people at these places obviously didn’t like being called out. Some said I’m the one who doesn’t really give or do anything. I do not respond to anything negative. This campaign is completely positive. Any negativity or arguing or fight is not welcome in the #SpareSomeChange campaign.

Q: How to you plan to use the funds, and what else can people do to help the shelter?

A: 100 percent of the funds go to the shelter, and they use it for repairs, food, the overnight program and helping people get their documents. You can donate directly to the shelter on its Facebook page or website or volunteer at the shelter. You have to contact and meet with the shelter before you can volunteer.

Food distribution and office work is the main volunteer work.

They also accept clothing and goods donation.

Q: Has being involved in this project affected your academic or social life in any way?

A: The collection of the fund has been the difficult part.

Weekly, I have to try to get to each jar and collect. I just have a small amount of time. I only will have people I truly trust help me as collectors, because I don’t want anyone to be able to accuse me of stealing donations. My academics are fine, and honestly, I’ve been able to meet so many new people and make connections with wonderful people who really want to change the way things are.

You can help Hicks’ initiative by going to his Facebook page and requesting a mason jar. contact Sisam Shrestha at shrests8@warhawks.ulm.edu

Did you know?

Total Homeless Population in Louisiana: Unaccompanied Young Adults (Aged 18-24) Experiencing Homelessness:

3,305 236 graphic by Siddharth Gaulee

PAGE 12

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

March 26, 2018

FREESTYLE

Spring art fest blossoms in West Monroe Local

events this week

Festival mixes different walks of life

by Raven Adcox

Music filled the air and art filled Antique Alley at this year’s Downtown Spring Art Festival. Last Saturday, downtown West Monroe hosted local artists, groups, organizations and food vendors. The event was free to the public and featured over 60 booths, each different from the last.

Heather Gill, featured artist at the festival and a ULM alum, was working the event with her family and friends. Her unique wooden dinosaurs caught the attention of many.

“My favorite part is seeing how my dinos bring out the ‘nerd’ in people, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. For instance, there was a young kid who properly identified the four different dinos I had on display, then proceeded to tell me a fact about each one. I love that stuff,” Gill said.

Gill, who received her Bachelors in Fine Arts with a concentration in ceramics, hasn’t touched clay since graduating.

“My passions lately have been wood-working and sewing,” she said and although some might not consider that to be fine art, Gill begs to differ.

“The same decisions and principles of design are utilized,” Gill said.

ULM art and honors students

photo by Raven Adcox

BRINGING BACK THE DEAD: ULM alum Heather Gill sits next to her wooden dinosaurs at the Spring Art Festival in Antique Alley.

made up the staff at the festival.

Decked out in #ArtFest318 shirts, they helped with arts and crafts booths, face-painting stations and welcomed people to the festival with a map of every booth.

Sophomore graphic design major Angelica Luttrull worked at the “KID CRAFT” station at the festival. She helped kids make spin drums out of beads, twine, cardboard and popsicle sticks.

“I think the art fest went beautifully. I loved seeing so many creative people in one spot. It’s a positive atmosphere for the community to get to know each other,” Luttrull said.

Richard Tosh and Pat Pingel travelled all the way from Ithaca, New

by Biebek Chamlagain

Recital duo enchants crowd

Steinway artist, Tania Taschkova and associate professor Scot Humes took over the stage in Bierdernharn hall last Tuesday. Pianist Taschkova and clarinetist Humes performed “duo per se,” a recital duo.

“It is unbelievable how the two artists managed to keep this big audience enchanted for two hours.

Honestly, the music was so pleasant to my ears that I wished the performance had lasted even longer,” said Sujata Guatam, a pre-nursing freshman.

Being an avid music enthusiast, she has been regularly attending the recitals organized by the school of Visual and Performing Arts.

York to volunteer at the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Tosh, who worked a booth for the refuge, was happy to be out of the cold. As a retired pastor, Tosh said he felt compelled to help with the “stewardship of the earth.”

Pingel, an avid bird and flower enthusiast, spent her time at the festival informing people about the different kinds of wildlife found in Louisiana.

Some of the vendors included: Caster & Chicory Beignets, Cajon Corndog, Southern Mixing Pot, Hot Diggity and Rustique Gator.

Art students from ULM and LA Tech were allowed to sell their works at the festival, which is important for young artists to gain exposure.

“After a long day of study and work, nothing can be more soothing than music. Live performances cannot be Gautam compared to the music that you listen on earphones,” Gautam said.

She encourages every student to attend the recitals once in a while since they provide “energy and optimism.”

The recital began with “Premiere Rhapsody” followed by other five repertoires. One of the featured repertoires, “I saw a Man in the Woods”

The art community in this area is thriving because of local interest and support. The art festival wouldn’t have been possible without the support of its sponsors, several of which are artists themselves.

The Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group, CC’s Coffee House, Monroe Renaissance, ARROW Public Art and Centurylink were among some of the sponsors.

Other than the occasional runaway tents from wind, the art festival went smoothly. Family and friends browsed the booths and stores, made art, ate good food and listened to live music.

15th Annual Smokin on the Bayou Rib Cook-off The 15th Annual Smokin on the Bayou Rib Cook-off is this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Over 40 teams will be competing at the annual competition. Visitors can purchase seven sampler tickets for $10 and vote for their favorite teams. There will also be an on-site Easter egg hunt for kids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

contact Raven Adcox at adcoxrv@warhawks.ulm..edu

was composed by associate professor Melvin Mobley. It was the composition’s world premiere.

Sophomore music education major, Joshua Huff attended the event to learn more from the two artists.

“Both of them are professional performers. I want to go to a graduate school and get my doctorate degree in music. Attending performances like today, you learn so many things that are not possible inside a classroom,” Huff shared.

The “duo per se” has previously performed recitals at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington DC, 92 Street Y in New York and Henri Selmer Hall in Paris, France.

Sujata Gautam

contact Biebek Chamlagain at chamlab@warhawks.ulm.edu

Landry Vineyard’s Concert Need a date idea? What better than wine, music and food to swoon your lover? Catch Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas as they play Cajun music at the Landry’s Vineyard this Saturday. Entrance is $10 for adults and $5 for children between 13 and 18. The event will also have four types of boudin, wine bellini’s and drinks for purchase.

March 26, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

Crossword

Someone could declare mad passion for you.

Maybe a co-worker has been nursing a huge crush on you. Or perhaps a new friend is starting to get extremely attracted to you. The sun says be open to exploring any and all new opportunities.

Down 1 Bit of heckling 2 Aptly named fruit 3 Horseplay 4 Infielders

5 Autumn mo.

6 Fraternity counterpart: Abbr.

7 Nursery bed 8 Like some military housing 9 Literary postscripts 10 Makeup tables 11 “Chocolat” actress Lena 12 Royal flush card 13 Second lang., for some 19 Wisc. neighbor 21 Stuck-in-the-mud gear 24 University VIP 25 AFB truant 27 Broken pottery piece 28 Helga’s Viking husband, in comics 29 Extremely impressed 30 Bargain hunter’s mecca 31 Spanish “I love you” 32 Astronomical red

giant 37 More than dislikes 39 Not barefoot 40 Old audio system 43 Includes in the poker game 45 Sci-fi weapons 48 Tiny fraction of a min.

49 Adage 50 One in Paris 53 Therefore 54 Opposite of hor.

55 Kathryn of “Law & Order: C.I.” 57 Appropriate room for the sequence comprised of the starts of 18-, 27-, 47- and 59-Across 58 Legal suspension 59 Family room 60 Soda container 61 Do-over on the court

Libra There’s a full moon in your sign, and this will bring any pent-up feelings to the surface. If you’ve been stressed out, you’ll need to release tension. If you’re falling in love, you’ll want to make a romantic confession to someone.

Scorpio

Venus will be in your sign for several weeks. This will bring an increased spirit of fun to your love life.

If you’ve been single, you’ll start meeting fabulous people right and left. If you’re involved with someone, you and your honey will experience a second honeymoon feeling.

Venus is moving opposite your sign, so you could be getting some mixed messages when it comes to love. Maybe you’re attracted to someone, but you and this person have very different views in certain areas. Don’t jump to conclusions just yet.

You’ll feel more comfortable sharing your feelings with your honey now. An emotional moon is helping you to get over your usual shyness about revealing personal stuff. You and your partner could have a beautifully intimate pillow talk session.

drive 41 Senate slot 42 Rose (up) on hind legs, to a cowhand 44 Beat to a froth 46 Doctor’s org.

47 Wry wit 51 “¿Qué __?”

52 Jazz singer Krall 53 Curse-inflicting stare 56 Some Balkanites 59 Opera house section 62 Kit __: candy bar 63 Everglades wader 64 Pro basketball player, briefly 65 H-like letter 66 “Think again!”

67 Decent chaps 68 “Give __ thoughts no tongue”: “Hamlet”

Courtesy of MCT Campus

Taurus

Gemini

Across 1 Stick (out) 4 Chocolate syrup choice 9 Call to mind 14 Self-image 15 Chipmunk’s morsel 16 “America by Heart” author Sarah 17 Good name for a tree-lined street 18 Controversial coalextraction process 20 Long gun 22 Really mad 23 __-Loompa: fictional chocolate factory worker 26 Bagpiper, often 27 Buy lots of presents for 33 “2001” computer 34 Cinematic shootout time 35 Monica of tennis 36 Allowed to ripen, as cheddar 38 Kind of card or

FREESTYLE

Horoscope Aries

PAGE 13

Cancer Mars opposite your sign could drain your physical energy a bit. Don’t pressure yourself to accomplish a million things at once. You’ll need some down time away from intense personal interactions and work stress. Try to rest and recharge your batteries.

Sagittarius Be open to receiving some enticing propositions.

Maybe a sexy colleague will invite you out for dinner. Perhaps an old friend will stop by and want to get a little frisky with you. Venus is likely to create some surprising yet entertaining interactions.

Capricorn You’ll want to get some things off your chest this week as the moon increases your desire to share your truth. Schedule a dinner with a close friend and talk about your recent adventures. Or share your fears, hopes and dreams with your significant other.

Leo

Aquarius

You could be getting closer to someone as the sun creates some warm moments of connection with your honey. You’re feeling better about the direction that a relationship is headed in. Enjoy a period of openness and trust in a romance.

Be gentle on your honey. A moon opposition could create a communication glitch or two. Don’t assume you can read your partner’s mind. And avoid jumping to conclusions. It’s best to work at being clear and kind with your language.

Virgo Stand up for yourself more, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Mars is urging you to be more assertive, especially if someone has been taking advantage of you. Maybe you need to stand up to your boss. Perhaps your sweetheart needs to be more attentive to your needs.

Pisces Jupiter is creating some delays, so be patient if you are seeking specific results with something.

Keep doing the tasks that are required at work. Stay on target with handling your personal and financial responsibilities. And be patient about your romantic situation.

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 14

March 26, 2018

SPORTS OPINION

Outgoing seniors leave positive vibe on men’s basketball program

Kris Albert The men’s basketball team enjoyed a bounce back season this year. ULM finished a respectable 16-16 and earned fifth place in the Sun Belt. They were eliminated from the Sun Belt Championship after losing to Georgia Southern. The Warhawks did win a game, however, defeating Arkansas State in the first round. ULM earned a CIT Tournament bid but were unsuccessful losing at Austin Peay in the first round.

A disappointing end to the season doesn’t diminish what the team was able to accomplish. With feats like hitting the most threes in school history (288), this Warhawk team left an imprint.

After improving on a 9-24 record last year and being picked to finish last, ULM should be proud of this season.

Sun Belt freshmen of the year Micahel Ertel and junior Travis Munnings played major roles for the team this year. Ertel managed a solid stat line (11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists) while Munnings led the team in scoring, rebounds and steals. These players deserve a ton of credit, but the leaders of the team were the seniors.

Lance Richard had an amazing career for ULM playing for his father, head coach Keith Richard. Richard started on senior night and brought amazing energy to the team. Point guard Jordan Harris led the team in assists (average of 3.3 per). He played great in his role scoring and looking for open teammates. Harris was involved with the dangerous five-guard lineup ULM employed.

ULM’s lineup was essential to the season. It opened up space, allowed five offensive threats on the court and allowed more switching on defense. Marvin Jean-Pierre was key to this lineup’s success. Not only was he an offensive threat, Jean-Pierre was also solid defensively. He could hang with the big men down low and often grabbed important rebounds in games down the stretch.

Jean-Pierre paired with Ertel to form an intense backcourt duo that gave plenty of teams problems.

The true heartbeat of the team and arguably its best player was Sam McDaniel. Hailing from Australia, McDaniel has a little Ben Simmons to his game. Finishing only .04 points away from leading the team (15.4). McDaniel was a constant scoring threat.

McDaniel finished second on the team in rebounds (5.7) and fifth in assists (2.1).

Sam McDaniel was also tremendous on the defensive end as well. Normally playing center in the lineup, he constantly was battling with the opposing big man. He was winning more than he was losing. If you look up versatility in the dictionary, you’ll see a picture of McDaniel.

McDaniel and Jean-Pierre were huge pieces to the Warhawk’s puzzle this year. The pair were asked to do multiple jobs on the court on a nightly basis, needing to score and provide defensive intensity.

ULM is in good shape now and look to earn a NCAA tournament bid next year for the first time since 1996. This senior class helped lay that foundation. contact Kris Albert at albertkx@warhawks.ulm.edu

MENS GOLF

photo courtesy ULM Athletics

ONE SHOT: Sophomore Guillaume Fanonnel watches as the ball travels down the fairway.

Men finish in 6th place

by Tristan McGowen

ULM men’s golf has been on fire lately, getting their eighth top-10 team finish of the 17-18 season on Tuesday.

Placing sixth and finishing with an 8-over-par in the final round of the Lone Star Invitational, the Warhawks boasted an overall two-day score of 12-over-878 (294-288-296) at the Briggs Ranch Golf Course in San Antonio.

“Overall, it was a pretty good week for the guys,” ULM head coach Tim Baldwin said. “We beat several teams inside the top 100, but it was a bit of a struggle today.”

“Our next event is the Mystic Creek Match Play next Sunday (March 25) against Louisiana Tech, Arkansas State and Little Rock.

This will be a good tune-up for the conference championships later in April.”

The Warhawks had good performances all around. Sophomore Guillaume Fanonnel led the way, picking up ULM’s top score of the tournament.

He finished with an impressive 3-over-par

219 (77-68-74) for a six-way tie for 18th place.

Fanonnel managed to keep pace with the tournament winner, Oklahoma’s Brad Dalke, finishing only 11 strokes behind him.

Another big performance came from sophomore Andoni Etchenique, who picked up the lowest final-round score of any Warhawk Tuesday afternoon with a six-over-par.

He also managed to finish in a three-way tie for 34th overall to boost ULM’s team score.

Sophomore Joao Girao finished just behind Etchenique after making the second largest jump of the day. He climbed thirteen spots to finish 37th overall. He finished with a seven-over-par and a score of 223 (76-74-73).

The Warhawks will tee off next at the Gary Koch Invitational, whch will be held on Monday and Tuesday, April 9-10.

The Warhawks will look to pick up their eleventh top-10 team win on the season. The tournament will be held in Gastonia, North Carolina, at the Gaston Country Club. contact Tristan McGowen at mcgowetk@warhawks.ulm.edu

graphic by Siddharth Gaulee

March 26, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 15

SPORTS

ULM TENNIS

STRIKE ZONE: Top left: Freshman Teodora Radu follows through after hitting the ball back. Top Right: Sophomore Karolina Snita focuses as she returns the ball to serve it back over the net. Bottom Right: Sophomore Madalina Grigoriu starts off her match with the first serve.

Women lose at the end despite early success

ULM gives up a 3-1 match lead in 4-3 loss to UTA

by Jerimee Washington

The ULM tennis team had a chance to close out the match early in their sets. It was a windy day for both teams as it affected the direction of the ball for most of the game.

The team raced out to a 3-1 lead with home court advantage on their side. After getting out to a comfortable lead, ULM relaxed and let UTA come back.

All the momentum was on the Mavericks’ side as they tied the match at three. UTA came through with a clutch performance in the deciding match.

In the tiebreaker for the doubles competition, sophomore Madalina Grigoriu and freshman Bianca Koen came up short after getting off to a good start.

“It was a close match, and we made it hard on ourselves by starting 0-1 in singles after losing the doubles point,” Bianca Koen said.

She also said being more focused on the court and taking chances to go up on a match is important.

We’ve been trying our best and making sure we do what is expected of us.

Senior Stefana Andrei shined in singles competition by winning her match 6-1, 6-4. In doubles action, her partner, sophomore Karolina Snita cruised to a 6-2 win.

They made it look easy as they controlled most of the sets and put the match away early. To put more pressure on UTA, Karolina also won her singles match by a score of 6-3,6-3.

“I think this year all of our matches come to the doubles point and if we don’t win that, then it’s hard to win four singles every time,” said Karolina Snita. Our top lineup is very strong, but people at the fifth and sixth spot have to step up and help the team out.

She also said that the team should get closer, and all of them should work for the same goal, which is winning the Sun Belt conference title.

The team is young, and we have five freshmen on the team who aren’t experienced enough. I feel like they should buy into the system more.

The next game will be at Tulane on Friday, March 25. The match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. in New Orleans, LA. contact Jerimee Washington at washinjd@warhawks.ulm.edu

photos by Siddharth Gaulee

PAGE 16

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

SPORTS

photo courtesy ULM Athletics

PERFORM: Top: Senior linebacker Caleb Tucker runs his 40-time while scouts watch. Right: Senior receiver Brian Williams goes up for a catch while reaching for the ball at its highest point.

Once in a lifetime 6 seniors and 1 junior showcase their talents at pro day

by Jimmon Felton

It is almost that time of the year where college football players go out and put their skills on display for NFL scouts. Hopefully, the end result is getting the call that they have always dreamed of.

With the NFL draft a little over a month away, now is the time for the players to dig deep, catch that extra wind and show everybody why they are better than the rest of the competition.

With ULM recently having its annual pro day, there are some exceptional talents that could have their name called at the draft and if not drafted, have at least a tryout with a team.

The pro day had 14 different team representatives to see the athletes showcase their skills.

There were 15 out of 32 NFL scouts at the event.

ULM had six players participate in the pro day. Brian Williams was the lone receiver, Frank Sutton was the only O-Linemen, Roland Jenkins, Juwan Offray and junior JJ Dallas showed up for the defensive backs.

Caleb Tucker participated for the linebackers group and Luke Hutchinson for long snapper.

Also at pro day was Jalen Tolliver who played wide receiver at University of Arkansas Monticello where he owns every receiving record.

Tolliver ran a 4.58 40-yard dash and had a 37.5-inch vertical jump. Among the ULM prospects, Offray had the fastest 40 time with a 4.66.

Dallas had the top vertical and broad jump with a vertical of 33.3 inches and a broad jump of 9 feet 11 inches.

Caleb Tucker had the best day on the

bench press, hitting 22 reps on 225 pounds.

The old saying “go big or go home” is what comes into play when you are participating in an event of this magnitude.

“I felt it was a good experience, blessed to be apart of it, and it was a big eye opener to the business side of things,” said Frank Sutton when asked about his performance.

“I feel I stand about even with other players at my position, but I feel my height will give me a better chance,” said receiver Brian Williams.

Standing at 6 foot, 4 inches, would be a huge advantage when the average height of a NFL receiver is 6 foot 1.

“On my pro day, I got everything out of it that I wanted. I only wish I could have ran faster than a 4.6, but that is still good for my size,” linebacker Caleb Tucker said.

The NFL draft will be held April, 26 through the 28 at AT&T Stadium.

contact Jimmon Felton at feltonjj@warhawks.ulm.edu

March 26, 2018