4-23-18 issue

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Softball demolishes Mississippi Valley State P 14

Millennials failing in financial literacy P 6

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

VOLUME 95 ISSUE 25

www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com

Don’t take a chance gambling, you won’t win P 4

A walk to remember Warhawk, mom to honor friend,

April 23, 2018

Zumbathon held for Autism awareness

P 12

bring suicide awareness through

march P 8

21 Savage raps to start Spring Fever Week

P 10

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 2

April 23, 2018

BRIEFS d

CALENDAR Monday, April Spring Fever Week

Tuesday, April Spring Fever Week

Wednesday, April Spring Fever Week

Thursday, April

23 24 25 26

Spring Fever Week Inaugural Mr. ULM Pageant in SUB Ballrooms from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday, April

27

Oozeball behind Warhawk Field from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Battle of Olympus Greek Step Show in Fant-Ewing Coliseum at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April No events planned

28

Sunday, April 29 No events planned

Check the ULM Hawkeye Facebook for the full Spring Fever Week Schedule

West Monroe

Baton Rouge

Pennsylvania

Cuba

The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy handed out nine licenses for medical marijuana pharmacies in different regions throughout the state last week.

Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, Houma and Lake Charles received their licenses Tuesday, while Alexandria, West Monroe and Shreveport received their licenses Wednesday.

In West Monroe, Greg Morrison and William Windham will put a pharmacy on Mcmillan Road and call it Delta Medmar LLC. The marijuana will be grown at the agricultural centers at LSU and Southern University.

Under current Louisiana law, medical marijuana will only be available to patients with a handful of serious conditions including cancer, HIV, AIDS, Wasting syndrome, seizure disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, Crohn's disease, muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis.

Also, the drug will only be available in certain non-smokable forms.

Another bill to allow teachers to pray with students in public schools was supported by Louisiana Senate members Thursday.

The original bill, Senate bill 253, was introduced in early April with similar intent. The current bill, Senate Bill 512, is on its way to the Senate after an education committee voted 5-1 in favor of it.

Current law allows school staff to participate in the gathering only if it occurs before or after the employee's work day. This bill would allow a school employee to participate in student-initiated prayer during the work day if participation does not interfere with their assigned work duties.

Both bills come after the parent of a 17-year-old girl filed a lawsuit against the Webster Parish School District over religious activities last December.

Temple University suspended one of its fraternities Friday as Philadelphia and campus police investigate at least two sexual assaults at fraternity parties. The fraternity in question is Alpha Epsilon Pi(AEPi), a Jewish fraternity founded in 1913.

Two of the alleged victims are 19-year-old Temple students.

The first victim was allegedly sexually assaulted at a party in February and reported the incident to police in April. The second alleged victim told police that she went to a party at the fraternity in March where she was given several drinks.

AEPi fraternity members said they are appalled by the allegations and that the behavior goes against everything they stand for.

They also said they had absolutely no knowledge of the actions alleged about their chapter.

Cuban lawmakers transferred power on Thursday to new President Miguel Diaz-Canel, marking a major generational shift on the island nation ruled for almost 60 years by the late Fidel Castro and his brother, Raul.

Diaz-Canel, a longtime stalwart of the ruling Communist Party, was heartily endorsed for the role by outgoing President Raul Castro, who led the country since his brother relinquished the top post 10 years ago. In a speech before Cuba's National Assembly, Diaz-Canel vowed to maintain "continuity to the Cuban Revolution," a theme that state media have repeatedly emphasized in recent days as the turnover in power approached.

Many Cubans have said they hope that a new generation of leaders will be more attentive to the needs of the nation's technologically savvy youth.

Marijuana licenses Bill to allow prayer Frat suspended over Castro resigns, new issued in the state in public schools alleged sexual assaults president takes over

d

QUOTE

WARHAWKS GET WET AND WILD!

“Cherish your human connectionsyour relationships with friends and family."

TODAY IN HISTORY

April 23

Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the U.S.

Front page credits: Main photo courtesy: Hazel Lewis Top sidebar courtesy: Prajal Prasai Bottom sidebar photo: Prajal Prasai Top left courtesy: Prajal Prasai Top right graphic: Ethan Dennis photo by Prajal Prasai Lauren Marker gets pegged by a water balloon at Wet and Wild Hawks, a CAB event hosted Saturday afternoon in Bayou Park.

1968: 1st decimal coins issued in Britain; five & 10 pence coins replace shilling and two-shilling pieces.

1972: Apollo 16 astronauts explores Moon surface.

1989: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar plays his last game as a Los Angeles Laker.

1991: U.S.S.R. grants republics right to secede under certain conditions.

1992: McDonald's opens its 1st fast-food restaurant in China.

2002: Pope John Paul II meets with U.S. Catholic Church leaders at the Vatican regarding sexual abuse of minors.

2013: The French National Assembly passes an amended bill legalizing same-sex marriage.

2015: The U.S. Senate confirms Loretta Lynch as the 1st African-American woman U.S. Attorney-General.

April 23, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

Awareness

PAGE 3

BRIEFS

Local

NFL Coach Pederson

attends ULM fundraiser

photo courtesy ULM Photo Services

WHOOSH: Pinwheel garden planted in Bayou Park for child abuse prevention month.

Pinwheel garden planted for child abuse prevention

Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana joined with other nonprofit agencies and local organizations Tuesday to raise awareness about child abuse prevention in Monroe. Among the organizations was ULM’s Student Social Work Association and School of Social Work who helped raise awareness by planting a pinwheel garden in Bayou Park.

The RSO sold pinwheels for a dollar alongside Dr. Pamela Saulsberry and Mrs. Andrea Black.

The pinwheels were later planted by fellow Warhawks, the Monroe mayor’s office and other community members. The pinwheel proceeds will go towards one child's tuition at Seeker Springs, a non-profit ministry in Eros, Louisiana.

Law enforcement officers reminded people that everyone has a moral responsibility to report

child abuse.

The pinwheel was introduced as the new national symbol for child abuse prevention by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA) in 2008. PCAA says the pinwheel has come to serve as the physical embodiment of whimsy and childlike notions. Today, it is the national symbol for happy and healthy kids, while April is national child abuse prevention month.

Other Monroe partners for the event include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Louisiana, the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, Families Helping Families, Families in Need of Services, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and Northeast Delta Human Services Authority.

The pinwheels will stay planted for about two more weeks.

ULM hosted its seasonticket sale campaign and fundraiser event "2018 Kickoff with Doug Pederson," Saturday, in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

This event was part of the “Hawkfest,” all-day event that happened over the weekend.

Pederson is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. In his second year coaching the eagles, he led his team to a Super Bowl and win.

The former Warhawk was a three-year starting quarterback from 1988-90. He ranks among ULM’s all-time top 10 in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards and TD passes.

Pederson discussed his journey from Ferndale, Washington, to his experiences as a student-athlete at NLU and later as a quarterback in the

NFL. He also shared his story of launching his coaching career at Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport and becoming a head football coach in the NFL. Hawkfest featured several activities throughout the day.

Starting early in the morning, fans flocked to the grove and began tailgating for the day.

At noon, fans watched ULM baseball take on Appalachian State at Warhawk Field.

By 3:30 p.m., Malone stadium opened for the public, and students and community members began to enjoy themselves at the Alumni Crawfish Boil.

The spring football scrimphoto by Prajal Prasai mage happened later that TAILGATIN': A young fan joins in on last weekend's tailgate in the grove. evening.

State

New fellows program launched in Louisiana government Last Thursday, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the start of the Governor’s Fellows Program in Louisiana Government.

This program provides an opportunity for Louisiana’s college and university students to experience policy making in action through participation in the state’s governing process.

Fellows will be assigned to cabinet-level agencies, and they will have the opportunity to observe first-hand how the governor leads and how policies are developed and advanced.

Fellows will also participate in a weekly speaker series and field trips designed to enhance the overall experience and understanding of Louisiana government and current affairs.

The governor encourages all university students to apply. He says it is a great leadership opportunity for students, especially ones interested in politics.

The fellowships are open to all students attending a Louisiana public higher education institution and Louisiana residents enrolled in out-

of-state public higher education institutions.

Fellows will be chosen based on the students’ commitment to leadership, public service and good government.

Participating students will receive housing on LSU’s campus for the duration of the fellowship, a stipend up to $1,500 and three credit hours through the LSU Public Administration Institute.

The application process will open on April 23 at noon and will be available here at www.gov.louisiana.gov/ fellows.

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 4

April 23, 2018

OPINION

HAWKEYE P.O.V. Our understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder can be improved Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that affects the way people communicate with others. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people.”

So, why are people with ASD treated differently?

ASD is a spectrum, meaning people with the disorder can fall into different levels of severity. Some people with ASD need support from friends and family but can live totally normal lives, by society’s standards.

Some on the spectrum may need more support and care, but nothing says they too can’t accomplish their goals.

It comes down to a person’s ability to care for another human being. Something can be learned from people with ASD. They desire connection. Where is our ability to sympathize, even if we cannot necessarily empathize with people with ASD? People with ASD may need a little more time to get the words out, but they are words that want to be said. They may not always understand emotional cues, but we can all miss the message at times.

ASD isn’t given the importance it deserves when one in 68 people are born with the disorder. Our understanding of this complex disorder must grow and evolve so that people with ASD feel more comfortable in their skin.

We are all human. We have all experienced pain and struggle at some point in our lives. But for some, communication is a natural experience. For others, communication is a mountain to climb.

It’s time to bridge the gap to better understand people with ASD.

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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?

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Contact the writers or the editor at adcoxrv@warhawks.ulm.edu

Gambling does not pay the bills

Samunda Aryal Today in America, gambling can be a matter of life and death.

Gambling is a unique form of entertainment and is popular in the U.S. People usually turn to gambling because they think it could be their one-way ticket to getting rich. However, it could also be their one-way ticket to poverty and debt.

It may be true that gambling helps the economy, but helping the economy is not worth someone’s livelihood.

Gambling may make a few people rich, but the fact that they inflict serious damage to a person’s personality is grounds for nationwide illegalization.

One of the main negative impacts of gambling is its effect on the gambler. Some examples of this are bankruptcy, divorce and suicide. Gambling addiction is an impulse-control disorder. People with gambling addiction have no, or very little, control over their actions. They may even realize the negative effects gambling has over their life but are unable to quit.

Gambling addiction places severe hardship on prison systems, public assistance programs and legal systems.

A person’s life is highly influenced by the habit. It can even lead to serious relationship issues followed by divorce.

Lying to your partner in order to further your addiction will only end badly for you. It isn’t worth a single penny won if you have nothing positive to show for it.

Gambling, although exciting, can negatively impact every other area in your life. Gambling can be the worst addiction and the toughest habit to break.

When a person is a compulsive gambler, the effects can be seen immediately.

Many addicts will use credit cards and debit cards to pay for their addiction. The result places them in debt to the point of losing homes, jobs, vehicles and even their families. Family problems are very common due to gambling addictions.

According to a survey from the National Gambling Association, almost 90 percent of gambling addicts have issues at home with family because of their addiction.

Lottery tickets, a “cheaper” form of gambling, are usually purchased at gas stations. This makes the habit of gambling that much easier to get. You have a very small chance of winning money from a scratch-off ticket.

Gambling is harmful to a person’s physical and psychological health. People dealing with this addiction suffer from depression, stress, headaches, intestinal disorders and other anxiety-related problems.

Any form of entertainment that affects a person’s mental health is not worth it in the long run.

Gambling is a menace to society. It is deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic and spiritual life. Gambling isn’t productive or positive.

Gambling can be fun, but it is better to apply other alternatives to your life instead of something that could turn into an addiction.

Working out, meditating or finding a hobby are all healthier options than gambling.

Solving the issue of gambling addiction is far more important than any loss in revenue. Gambling promotes the economy, so it would be hard to get rid of it completely. However, people should consider their privacy, family, relationship and society before hitting the slot machines. contact Samundra Aryal at aryals@warhawks.ulm.edu

April 23, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 5

OPINION

Data breaches are an invasion of privacy Bijay Giri Data breaches have been a major part of recent news. With more and more information being stored online, this problem is bound to increase if a solution is not found.

There have been approximately 17 major data breaches in the last 10 years, which includes data breaches from Yahoo, Equifax, Sony, JP Morgan Chase, eBay and an adult friend finder.

As can be seen from the list of companies affected from the data breaches, we can be sure that our data is not safe. Companies spend millions of dollars to protect user information, but more needs to be done. The information obtained from these data breaches includes the names, contact information, credit card information, employee information and even social security numbers of users on the site.

With all of the data that can be collected by third-party advertisers

during these breaches, it is clear that this is an invasion of privacy.

In addition to this, the companies who experience data breaches are not required to report the breach immediately. Equifax did not report its data breach to the public for two months, which raises some serious concerns about the companies.

Companies not reporting these breaches are suffering serious lash back from the public.

The government should have stricter laws in place in the event of a massive data breach. This can help the user know that their data has been compromised and act accordingly.

Facebook went through a data breach recently involving Cambridge Analytica, a politically influenced data firm.

Cambridge Analytica was able to collect information from more than 87 million people when only around 400 thousand people signed up to use its services.

By allowing Cambridge Analytica to have access to a person’s information through a quiz on the site, the original user’s friends were also targeted and had information stolen.

This was clearly an invasion of privacy, and Facebook deserved some blame. This incident shows that data privacy should be better handled by the sites that have our data.

It also shows how little, or no, control

we, as users, have over our own data.

As seen from recent data breaches, personal information stored online is not safe. Users should weigh the pros and cons of a site before giving up their information on the Internet. This can minimize the risk of privacy being violated.

The Internet is a remarkable place.

Without the use of the Internet, so many other technological advancements wouldn’t have happened. So, we must push towards more control of personal data rather than boycotting the services of the Internet. The government should amend privacy rules that companies must follow to ensure the privacy of individuals without hampering the function of the company.

In addition to these things, the companies should spend more resources to prevent future data breaches and immediately report breaches.

These data breaches are a serious invasion of privacy. But, with efforts from all parties, the number of data breaches that do happen can be minimized.

As the use of the Internet becomes an inseparable part of modern life, we have to walk through the obstacles faced when using it and try to make the experience better for all users. contact Bijay Giri at girib@warhawks.ulm.edu

graphic by Siddharth Gaulee

Electric cars are the future Niren Maharjan The excessive usage of gasoline-powered vehicles has caused an adverse effect on nature. Other alternatives are now being considered. The electric vehicle (EV) is one credible alternative because of its efficiency, increased driving range and environment-friendly nature.

Due to the effect caused on the atmosphere through burning fuel, replacing standard vehicles with EVs is the only possible way to make the Earth a better place for future generations. As people don’t like sudden change, it can be difficult to explain just how much non-electric vehicles are causing a negative impact on the environment.

But, due to the innovation and improvement regarding EVs in recent years, the way people think about electric vehicles is beginning to change.

EVs are a lot cheaper, reliable and safer than before.

Worldwide, people are coming to the realization that they are looking at the future, which is definitely electric.

Even still in the initial phase, EVs have progressed a lot.

Tesla, one of the leading electric manufacturing companies,

has contributed a lot since it was founded fifteen years ago.

The co-founder and CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, recognized the potential of electric vehicles from the beginning and worked hard to develop a better product. There is still more to be discovered when it comes to EVs, but Tesla has already made milestones in the field.

According to statista.com, a typical family in the U.S. owns two to three cars. The amount of carbon dioxide emission is increasing in the atmosphere, which is leading to global warming.

People should be aware that global warming can be slowed by changing the way we travel.

If conventional gasoline cars continue to operate, there will be serious damage to the atmosphere with the emission of carbon dioxide, which will disrupt the climate in the long run.

People should not forget that vehicles running with an internal combustion engine require lots of fuel to operate.

The amount of fuel burnt by the vehicles over the last few decades has increased exponentially. The U.S. spends a lot of wealth just to import and supply fuel to every consumer in the country.

This is the reason why electric cars should be taken into consideration as it helps reduce the demand for fuel.

One of the biggest fuel consuming sectors is the trucking industry. Around 80 percent of all cargo in America is still transported by trucks. To overcome this excessive use of fuel, electric trucks must be used instead of the traditional dieselpowered trucks.

Electric vehicles are safer than non-electric vehicles as they don’t catch fire in an accident. The auto-pilot system featured in EVs helps driving long distances.

The battery location in an EV is spread out throughout the vehicle, which will lower the center of gravity. As a result, the vehicle will have better control while steering on the road.

These accidents occur during sharp turns in the road. These type of accidents can be reduced if electric trucks replace conventional trucks.

Despite the features and fuel efficiency, people have not accepted electric vehicles as their daily means of transportation.

The number of electric vehicles seen on the road is nothing compared to gasoline vehicles. The society has abandoned electric cars even though they have the potential to replace nonelectric vehicles.

This may change as the improvements in the technologies used in electric vehicles will catch people’s attention. The price of EVs will also be cheaper in coming years, and general people would be able to afford them.

Electric vehicles are good and can be better in every possible way. Humans are relying too much on traditional gasoline powered vehicles.

It’s time to give EVs the chance they deserve by using them; otherwise, the results will turn out to be catastrophic. There will arise a huge non-renewable energy crisis in the coming decades if major steps are not taken.

Humans have to start thinking outside the box for the betterment of our future generations.

Just like electric bulb revolutionized the modern world by substituting traditional lantern, electric vehicles, without any doubt, will completely replace the internal combustion vehicle. contact Niren Maharjan at maharjn1@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 6

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

April 23, 2018

NEWS

WebMD vs real MD: Students self-diagnose before trusting doctors Who do you trust?

V/S

webMD

Doctors

graphic by Siddharth Gaulee

by Alfonzo Galvan

graphic by Siddharth Gaulee

Preparing financially for the present, future Money matters: credit, student loans, savings

of money they make, but there are ways to save with small income. Some young adult driven jobs allow their employees to start a 401k. A 401k is a retirement savings plan that lets employees save and invest some of their paycheck before

by KeEmma Everett A penny saved is a penny earned, but for many “broke college students,” saving may be the last thing on their minds. A study conducted by the “Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center” (GFLEC) said that only 24 percent of millennials expressed basic financial knowledge. Financial literacy is the ability to make informed decisions with credit and debt management.

Among the new found physical freedom, students have more financial freedom with credit cards.

While credit cards can be used to build credit, it can also be a dangerous responsibility. Thesimplydollar.com reports 30 percent of students have an “average credit card balance of almost $2,600.”

Credit card companies often target college students because of the lack of parental shadowing. Students fall victim to credit cards because of how easy it is to get approved.

However, credit cards can help build credit and create a safety net in case of emergencies, much like having a savings account.

Some college students feel saving money is almost impossible with the amount

Only 32 percent of Americans have a 401k info from U.S. Census Bureau.

taxes are taken out. 401ks also allows employees to pull money out early in case of emergency, but there is a federal tax penalty if a person withdraws money prior to age 59.

Freshman psychology major, Samantha Hammack, hadn’t thought much about expanding her financial knowledge.

“I only have a savings account and checking, nothing else. I should at least budget, because I run out of money,” Hammack, said.

“Budgeting just hasn’t been a priority because I didn’t have to before I came to college, but I see the need now,” Hammack continued.

According to studentloanhero.com,

the average student loan debt is about $37,000 since 2016. Some of the most common issues with student loan debt is not recognizing the interest and borrowing more than what’s needed.

Deferment also hinders students from getting out of debt because the interest is still tacked on daily.

“I have a son and I want to set him up financially,” Jada Hitchens, senior kinesiology major, said.

“I wanted to avoid student loan debt or try to minimize it, so I joined the army reserves to avoid debt,” Hitchens added.

There are now apps and websites that help students expand their knowledge beyond checking and savings accounts. Fastweb is one of the largest online scholarship databases that allows students to apply for any and every scholarship available. Money Under 30 website teaches young adults about investing, filing income taxes and money management.

“I’ve been looking into cryptocurrencies to invest in. I know it’s a risky thing, because it’s taken off so randomly. I’ll have to research more information to be sure though,” said Shrill Shrestha, freshman computer science major.

With new technology and apps, students can prepare for life after graduation.

contact KeEmma Everett at everetkn@warhawks.ulm.edu

As a student, you’ve had a bad cough for a few days and finally admit to yourself you’re sick. Doctors are a far reach away so you do the next best thing- self-diagnosis over the internet.

University students all over the country are quickly turning to self-diagnosis websites more often than usual for a variety of reasons. Students like junior toxicology major Trey Skains trusts websites like WebMD for a quick diagnosis before, or at times, even in place of going to see a real doctor.

“I’ll treat it with what I think will work. Like if I have a cold, I’ll take cold medicine, etc. If I do not get better after a week or so then I’ll go to the doctor. I just don’t see the point in going to the doctor if it’s not necessarily needed,” Skains said.

Skains does add that if he feels it’s something more serious than a minor cold or allergies, he will go to a doctor.

Money appears to be the biggest reason the use of self-diagnosis websites has risen, especially in the United States where healthcare isn’t free for all.

Here at ULM, students are encouraged to visit the on-campus clinic where the majority of services provided are free of charge.

With many students unaware of the free clinic on campus and low on money, self-diagnosis through websites like WebMD are the only option.

Cassidy Schexnaydre, a senior nursing major, discourages using sites like WebMD for self-diagnosis. She prefers the experience and knowledge of an individual over a computer program.

“The reason doctors’ offices, urgent care clinics and hospitals are so valuable is because the health care providers have gone through years and years of schooling to be able to accurately diagnose and treat you. Don’t rely on websites that have never laid eyes on you to diagnose you,” Schexnaydre said.

Caitlin Willson a senior nursing major agrees with Schexnaydre’s statement and adds even when you get a diagnosis, be it from a website or doctor, you shouldn’t be afraid to get a second or third opinion if you don’t feel like you’re being fully understood. Wilson isn’t totally against online medical research and sees it as a benefit in today’s world.

“The internet is such a great place to learn about healthcare and understand your own anatomy and physiology but only from certified, evidence-based, trusted and medically valid sites,” Willson said.

In the end, online healthcare is here to stay. Companies like Fitbit and Apple are periodically coming out with new products like smartwatches that can track your heart pressure. Nobody denies this, but a major concern to health professionals is the misuse or misunderstanding of information given to people through these services.

Students at ULM use a mix of both doctors and self-diagnosis websites when faced with a health concern, according to a poll done by The Hawkeye. contact Alfonzo Galvan at galvana@warhawks.ulm.edu

April 23, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 7

NEWS WRINKLE IN TIME: ULM alumni have dinner while celebrating the class of ‘67 and ‘68.

photos by Prajal Prasai

Golden Society honors 50-year graduates

by Alfonzo Galvan There’s been a change in name, a change in president and a whole lot of changes to the campus, but all the attendees at Friday’s Golden Society event agreed they still love their alma mater.

On Friday, the Alumni Association, with help from 31 Ambassadors, hosted its Golden Society Dinner honoring the 50-year graduates of the university.

The Golden Society Dinner held its event at the new Bayou Pointe Student Event Center.

All members of the Alumni Association and ULM graduates were invited to come honor the classes of 1967 and 1968 as they celebrated their 50-year graduation.

Former students of the university came from far and wide to reunite with their old classmates and get a glimpse into what became of their alma mater.

Ashley Hunter, a senior kinesiology major, says it’s a great privilege to be able to meet some of the alums.

“Sometimes, you meet people with great

connections, and you also get to hear about what their experience was like when they came to ULM,” Hunter said.

The evening was full of laughter and good times.

President Bruno made an appearance early on and stayed throughout the Dahal night mingling with the attendees.

Although lacking many students, Bayou Pointe had a packed house for Friday’s event.

The Golden Society Dinner honors 50-year graduates. Previous inductees to the society are also invited to attend the event.

Among the many reflections made, the number one comment was how much the campus has changed in 50 years.

The second favorite topic of choice of the Golden Society inductees was how much they’ve changed over the years.

Junior computer information systems major and 31 Ambassador, Pujan Dahal wasn’t able to participate with the rest of his organization,

but he strongly advocates students and alumni bonding.

“Having 31 participate in the Golden Society Dinner serves the purpose of letting students bond with our alums,” Dahal said.

All the members of 31 Ambassadors agree it’s their job to help bridge the gap between alumni, the campus and current students.

The attendees at the event went home happy, having reconnected with old friends and their old campus.

An added bonus to these events is the con-

Guest Writers Wanted

nections formed with newer students.

After discussing the ongoing changes made to the university, graduates and current students all agree no matter how much the place changes, it will always be home.

31 Ambassadors’ next event will be Oozeball, an annual university tradition that pits co-ed teams against each other in muddy volleyball.

The event will be held this Friday. contact Alfonzo Galvan at galvana@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 8

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

April 23, 2018

NEWS FREESTYLE

JOY ON THE TRACK: Semaj Lewis and Ava Paul all smiles during track practice.

photos courtesy Hazel Lewis

Semaj Lewis: gone too soon Mom, best friend planning, 'March for 'Maj'

by KeEmma Everett Sophomore Ava Paul didn’t know that the 4 a.m. call from her best friend, Semaj Lewis, would be the last time they would share laughs.

On Aug. 10, 2017, Semaj Lewis took his own life after battling with depression. He was 19.

Semaj Lewis was a well-known track star on ULM’s campus, described by many as the friendliest around. His outgoing personality sparked many friendships including marketing major Paul. In less than a year, Paul and Semaj Lewis were joined at the hip after meeting through a group message. They were rarely seen without the other.

“We would stay in commons lobby all night procrastinating, talking about everything under the sun. He was my best friend, my mentor, my headache. Just all in one,” Paul said.

Semaj Lewis' mom, Hazel Lewis, said that was

the type of person he was.

“He befriended everyone from the least of them to most of them,” Hazel Lewis said.

A business management major, Semaj Lewis wore many hats. He fixed phones, played football, ran track, painted and customized shoes.

Paul’s favorite pair of shoes are a pair of yellow vans. She once mentioned a pair of yellow vans to Semaj Lewis that she couldn’t afford. Semaj Lewis knew of some white vans she owned and painted them yellow as a gift to her.

“He used to always say 'I’m an entrepreneur Ava,' and I’d be like, 'you’re a hustler',” Paul said.

Suicide.org reports signs of someone being suicidal as exhibiting a change in personality, losing interest in most activities, withdrawing from family and friends and a host of other signs.

He never showed any signs of depression or feeling suicidal to his family or friend.

The day he died, Paul received a phone call from him at 4 a.m. They talked all summer, so it was nothing out of the ordinary to Paul.

“He told me he had saved all this money to buy a massage chair and an apartment all by himself. He was making plans for when we got back to school,” Paul said.

The conversation lasted for hours. Later that

afternoon, Ava received a call from a teammate asking had she heard from him. She told him that she had, and he said he’ll call her back later. Instead, she got a call from his mom telling her that he “felt his life wasn’t worth living anymore.”

“I didn’t really know that was his way of saying goodbye. It didn’t feel like a goodbye,” Paul said.

Hazel Lewis didn’t know either. She frequently replays conversations and his actions to see if there was a sign.

“I wonder did something happen. Was there something that I missed,” Hazel Lewis said.

He left a note revealing he had been dealing with depression for a couple of years, and he didn’t know how to deal with it anymore. Paul and Hazel Lewis had no clue that he was depressed. He acted the same. He spoke the same.

He didn’t switch routine.

The thought of possibly saving him crosses her mind often.

“What crushes me the most was for him to carry that depression by himself. He felt alone,” Hazel Lewis said.

She described their relationship as an open and honest mother-son relationship. They talked about everything.

What keeps Hazel Lewis going is knowing that his life touched people.

“I was angry at first, but I realized his life wasn’t in vain. His life was used to help others,” Hazel said.

Semaj Lewis loved jeeps and was about to receive one before he passed.

Since then, Hazel Lewis sees jeeps everywhere as if he’s reminding her that he’s still here.

To keep that memory alive, Paul is in the process of organizing a suicide and mental health awareness march called “March for ‘Maj” to honor his life and spread awareness.

She has spoken with the president of the ULM’s chapter of NAACP and is waiting for approval in parterning with the organization.

“No mother should have to bury their child.

It’s sad to know that people feel like that’s the only way out. It hurts families and friends,” Paul added.

Hazel Lewis and Paul continue to honor Semaj’s life by promoting seeking help, so that people won’t suffer in silence like Semaj Lewis.

If you or anyone you know are having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. contact KeEmma Everett at everetkn@warhawks.ulm.edu

April 23, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 9 NEWS

Dangers of trading mental health for likes

by KeEmma Everett If social media is a highlight reel, real life is the deleted scenes that didn’t make the cut.

Like there are two sides to every coin, social media has promoted good and bad in the world.

It has launched entrepreneurs, influencers and businesses.

However, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine conducted a study about the effects of social media habits on the moods of users.

Researchers found a linear correlation between social media usage and depression.

The study revealed that people who spend more time on social media are 2.7 times more likely to suffer from depression.

It’s been credited to many comparing their lives to what others post on social media.

“I do find the more time I spend stalking profiles on social media, the less I feel like I am enjoying my life,” said Samundra Aryal, a freshman computer science major.

Social media allows people to share what they

graphic Siddharth Gaulee

want the world to see.

What’s often seen is the positive in people’s lives.

Social media has become the replacement for face-to-face interactions.

Freshman biology major Rudhan Ghimire, said he lacks intimate relationships with people because of it.

by Misisipi Bhandari

Diet, depression may be linked

As the saying goes, “We are what we eat.” This is absolutely true as the nutrients we take from food forms our body. Our diet not only affects our body, but also our mental wellness.

Keeping track of what we take in every day is important. A lack of a balanced diet can lead to depression. Macro and micro nutrients found in foods have a profound impact in energy levels. Diet and depression can go either way.

Proper dieting could reduce depression, but being overly strict on a diet could lead to depression.

“Weight gain and poor body function make you more susceptible to depression,” said Mara Brown, assistant director of wellness at the ULM activity center.

A recent study posted by BMC Medicine demonstrated a group of people with moderate to severe depression improved their mood and signs of depression by maintaining a healthier diet.

“A proper diet definitely helps your body. I think it’s all about what you choose to eat and be happy," said Nishant Shrestha a junior mu-

“The size of people I know has decreased after I joined social media. A lot of the relationships are superficial, because we haven’t really gotten to know one another face-to-face,” Ghimire said.

A Forbes article said millennials are struggling to have face-to-face interactions and have been forming artificial relationships. sic major.

"I just avoid sugars in my diet. Other than that, I eat everything, and I am very happy about it! But for some people, it might be a different case. They might want a good physique but don’t want to go on a diet, and if they do, they might feel depressed about not eating what they want to eat,” Shrestha added.

“To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need to consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods, limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, added sugars and alcohol. I personally think eating healthy with the proper foods works best, but you will need to know your calorie intake,” added Brown.

A proper diet helps you reduce mental stress.

For many people, a diet means cutting off their favorite foods. Such an extreme change could easily depress people. In a study by the University of Montreal’s faculty of Medicine, researchers found that nutritional deficiencies and sudden nutritional changes in the body brought withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced by drug abusers.

These symptoms, if continued for prolonged periods of time, could lead to depression. A

Face-to-face interaction is crucial for building trust and accountability, according to eztalks. com.

According to statista.com, people spend almost two hours of their time on social media daily.

Techtimes.com reported that people surf social media the most right before bed. That has affected people’s sleep health.

Cyberbullying has become the byproduct of an increased use of social media.

The freedom of interacting has resulted in “internet trolls.” Internet trolls are people who leave negative comments under a person’s post.

“Social media can be a negative place if you allow it to be that way. I’ve seen some of my friends suffer and even get stressed behind it,” said Dipesh Tami, a freshman computer science major.

What the world knows to be true is that while social media has done an abundance of good in the world, there are consequences to the elevated freedom of speech. contact KeEmma Everett at everetkn@warhawks.ulm.edu

rapid change in diet may cause individuals to resume eating the unhealthy foods even more than before as they seek the pleasurable feelings it brings.

Destiny Carson, a senior marketing major, does not believe in dieting, because we eventually end up eating what we want. She points at her high school experience of dieting as evidence. She says that rather than being on a diet and restricting ourselves, physical exercise is more important for releasing toxins out of our body. That being said, Carson still focuses on not eating much unhealthy food, especially soda, which she sees as the most damaging food.

Following a healthy diet is extremely important for physical and mental well-being.

Gradually removing processed sugars and high-fat foods may help reduce some of the intense chemical changes in the brain that will be occurring as the body itself is changing.

With any sudden change in diet, it is recommended you see a doctor not only for the physical side effects, but also the mental. contact Misisipi Bhandari at bhandam@warhawks.ulm.edu

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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

April 23, 2018

FREESTYLE

photos by Prajal Prasai

TIME TO GET SAVAGE: (LEFT) 21 Savage performs at Spring Concert 2018 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. (TOP) Main Main throws candies at the crowd as part of his opening act at the concert. (BOTTOM) Crowd enjoys themselves at the concert.

Campus hosts rapper for annual concert

by Sisam Shrestha

The lights shut off, red smoke started filling the stage and a restless crowd cheered non-stop as 21 Savage entered the stage in Fant-Ewing Coliseum last Friday. The rapper performed as part of the annual spring concert organized by the Campus Activities Board (CAB).

The night started with an opening act from Main Main, real name Jonathan Commings.

Commings is a political science major at ULM. He got the crowd hyped up with songs like “Shimmy,” for which his sister performed on stage with him. Throughout his performance, there were beach balls and candies flying through the crowd.

Sydney Canfield and her sisters, who bought VIP tickets for the event, shared that they were very excited to see the rapper perform live.

“They (VIP tickets) sold out in like two hours.

I got them in 20 minutes of them (CAB) posting the tickets,” said Canfield, a political science senior.

Some attendees like Gaurav Phuyal, a biology sophomore, bought their VIP tickets from other people, since they got sold out so quickly.

Although not a huge rap listener, Phuyal said he bought the tickets to “see him (21 Savage) face to face and maybe get a picture with him.”

21 Savage started the night with “Dip Dip” from his 2015 mixtape “Slaughter House.” He kept the crowd entertained for about half an hour with singles like “Baby Girl” and his features with other artists like “Gucci On My.” The rapper also performed “Bartier Cardi,”

a feature with Cardi B. Phuyal’s favorite 21 Savage song, “Bank Account” was played later, during the end of the concert.

According to Canfield, one of her sisters is a huge fan of 21 Savage and knew each of his songs.

The Canfield sisters were at the very front row of the crowd. They even manage to take few selfies with 21 Savage performing in the background.

“My favorite performance was ‘Baby Girl,’ because it’s my favorite song, and he pointed at me during that song,” said Ashley Canfield, Sydney Canfield’s sister.

The stage lights changed with the songs and there were also points in the concert where the coliseum was lit by cell phone flashlights only.

Lazeria Cook, a medical laboratory science senior, said she bought the VIP ticket since

she was a huge fan of 21 Savage. Although his raps, sometimes, didn’t make any sense to her, she shared that she was prepared to shout “pull me on stage,” as soon as the rapper began performing.

The annual spring concert is open to everyone.

This year, it brought people together from places all over Monroe. Few sang all the songs word to word, while most of the others enjoyed the raps and cheered at top of their voices.

“I think events like these bring us all together.

I don’t even see half of these students. The fact that we can come together and party as one, I’m down for it,” Cook added.

VIP and floor tickets were sold out whereas general admission tickets were up for sale until the concert day. contact Sisam Shrestha at shrests8@warhawks.ulm.edu

April 23, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 11

FREESTYLE

Swedish musician Avicii dead at 28, cause unknown Avicii, born Tim Bergling, was found dead in Muscat, Oman, this past Friday. He was 28 years old when he passed away to an undisclosed cause of death.

According to a statement by Avicii’s publicist, Diana Baron, the family is devastated by the loss and won’t be providing any further statements.

The Swedish DJ, musician and record mixer started producing at the age of 16. He specialized in genres like Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and was known for his songs “Wake Me Up,” “Hey Brother” and “Lay Me Down.”

His debut studio album, “True,” was released in 2013. It topped charts in the U.S., Australia, Sweden and Denmark. The album came in top 10 in more than 15 countries.

In 2016, Avicii retired from his career as a travelling musician through a letter posted on his website.

“We all reach a point in our lives and careers where we understand what matters the most to us. For me, it’s creating music. That is what I live for, what I feel I was born to do,” said a statement in Avicii’s official website.

The young artist struggled with excessive drinking. He suffered from acute pancreatitis at the age of 21. In 2014, Avicii cancelled a series of shows to recover from an appendix removal.

In 2017, “Avicci: True Stories” was released.

The documentary showed the artist through his ups and downs in music, his struggle with fame and health scares.

In his short life, he released two albums: True (2013) and Stories (2015). True was a global sensation with “Wake Me Up,” a combination of country and EDM, that featured Aloe Blacc.

Avicii, along with his former manager Ash Pournouri, started House for Hunger in 2011.

The charity donated to organizations like Feeding America and The Feed Foundation in an effort to fight global hunger issue.

Celebrities, fans and fellow EDM artists flooded social media soon after the announcement of his death. Avicii is survived by his parents, a sister and two brothers.

photos by Prajal Prasai

SWAG SURFING: Ivania Vallejo (left) explores the bayou with her friends at the Wet and Wild Hawks.

Bayou surfing, water fights provide new weekend plans

by Rex Acharya

ON MY RADAR: Alexus Johnson aims a water balloon at the Wet and Wild Hawks.

It’s nearly finals week. The assignments are piling up. Due dates are quickly approaching and the library never seemed so pack. Among all this, Wet and Wild Hawks came as a muchneeded stress reliever for Tammy Ho and others last Saturday.

The event was organized by the Campus Activities Board (CAB). It was divided in two parts between the Wesley Foundation dock and the Bayou Park.

CAB brought out its peddle boards at the dock, from where students could take them for a ride on the bayou. The water games, however, took place at Bayou Park. Students enjoyed water fights with arsenals of water balloons and water guns provided by CAB. “I really like being part of this diverse community where I am able to help students enjoy in this stressful time,” said Kat Oubre, a CAB member.

According to Oubre, a risk management and insurance sophomore, the event aimed to bring happiness to students during stressful weeks before finals.

“The finals are coming, and the stress is mounting upon the students. I am glad that they are doing it now, because it really does take off a lot of pressure,” said Ho, a pre-dental

hygiene freshman.

“This is the first time I am experiencing this event and I am really enjoying it. I hope next time they can bring more people, the more the merrier,” she said.

Most of the students leave campus during weekends, which makes the campus look dead. The event gave students to do something on campus during the weekends.

“It’s a very fun event that involves the bayou, which is a unique part of ULM and we don’t really get along with it regularly. It is a great experience to be in the water and navigate through it,” Oubre said.

Oubre said that the event made students aware about the different activities that can be done in and around the bayou.

“I spend most of my weekends taking nap or studying. This was a breath of fresh air for a guy like me. I would love to see more events organized by CAB and other organizations over weekends so that we can get out of home and enjoy more often,” said Biebek Chamlagain, a computer science freshman.

Along with games and kayaks, the event also had sorbets from Eskamoe’s to fight the midafternoon heat. Overall, the event left many happy faces, even those who fell in the bayou. contact Rex Acharya at achary1@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 12

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

April 23, 2018

FREESTYLE

Local events this week

Fashion Fusion 2018

photos by Prajal Prasai

GOTTA KEEP UP: Participants follow the Zumba instructor at the Disney-themed Zumbathon fundraiser.

Catch the dancers from DBK Dance and Performing Arts as they pair up with local boutiques for a fashion show fundraiser this Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets start from $25 with a cash bar. Benefits from the event will go towards the Cancer Foundation League.

Charity Zumbathon brings supporters from out of state, raises funds

by Raven Adcox Minnie Mouse ears and brightly colored work-out gears were on display as people danced to raise awareness. Last Saturday, the Autism Center at ULM (AC-ULM) paired with Zumba instructors to host its annual Zumbathon fundraiser.

The event, held at the activity center, was created to raise awareness and funds for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates and interacts socially.

“This year, we had a Disneythemed Zumbathon,” said Stacy Gipson, a licensed Zumba instructor.

Gipson, who was also the host of the event, said that she came up with the idea after meeting a child with a severe case of ASD. “I saw how difficult it can be, for both the child and parents, and wanted to create a positive place for people to come together,” Gipson said.

Dr. Irwin, director of the speechlanguage pathology program and Autism Center, said that 100 percent of the funds raised will go towards the AC-ULM.

“With this year’s proceeds, we will be able to implement a parent support group at the center,” Dr. Irwin said.

The creation of the AC-ULM was a joint effort by the speech language pathology and occupational therapy programs on campus.

Instructors traveled from Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and across Northeast Louisiana to help participants let loose on the dance floor.

Vendors sold their works at the event and, in lieu of a vendor’s fee, 10 percent of the profits went directly to Autism research.

Valerie Drumgole, of 4everPrintz, created custom-made Autism awareness t-shirts that were featured at the event.

The universal symbol for Autism awareness is the puzzle piece, which according to autism-society.org, “reflects the complexity of the autism spectrum.”

Terry Jeanette, of TappingflamingoBling, was a first-time vendor at the event. She has two nephews with ASD and said she was excited to help raise awareness.

The AC-ULM is funded primarily through donations and grants. Just this year, the center was awarded a

Superheroes for Autism 5K The annual 5K run and walk benefiting Families Helping Families of NELA is back in town this Saturday.

This kid friendly event starts at 10 a.m. Tickets are $24 for individual participants. Ticket sale ends this Friday. On site registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

SHAKE IT: Participant dances during the Zumbathon.

grant of $32,000 by the Living Well Foundation.

This is the third time the foundation has given money in support of the AC-ULM. The AC-ULM’s mission is “to serve as a comprehensive resource that shall enhance the quality of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families.”

Keith McFarland, chef and owner of GiGi’s Kountry Kitchen and Katering, was a Zumba instructor but now cooks southern classics like stuffed

catfish and baked lasagna. He had his booth set up at the event, along with Delta Roux & Que, a family-run food truck specializing in cooked meats.

Mexican street corn and stuffed jambalaya burritos were on sale at the entrance of the building.

April is Autism Awareness Month.

Donations for the event were $10 for adults and $5 for ULM students or military with ID. Children got in for free. contact Raven Adcox at adcoxrv@warhawks.ulm.edu

The Veterans of Comedy: No Laugh Left Behind Want to end the week on a funny note? Head over to Flying Tiger Brewery as they host comedians William ‘Will C’ Clifton and Erik Knowles this Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $21.83 and part of the proceeds will go to OUR H.O.M.E. This non-profit organization helps veterans transition to a healthier lifestyle.

April 23, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

Crossword

Expect a personal breakthrough this week. The moon is helping to create peace and happiness within your relationships. Maybe you and your partner will finally set aside your differences and focus on building a more loving bond.

1 Attorneys’ degs.

4 Clipper or Laker, briefly 9 Up to now 14 Sup 15 Get up 16 Jigsaw puzzle unit 17 Norse war god 18 Ruthless adversary 20 Planting ground 22 Have debts 23 Joints often sprained 24 Words before card or lock 26 Precious 27 Serious software problem 30 “Rats!”

34 Hyundai luxury model 35 Victor’s cry 37 Besides 38 Actress Hagen 39 ‘60s-’70s “Hollywood Squares” semi-regular 42 __ bind: stuck

Down

1 One of two MetLife Stadium NFL teams 2 Belafonte hit 3 Erotic dance 4 “Platoon” war zone 5 WWI era English poet Rupert 6 High-flying battles 7 East, in Mexico 8 “Michael Collins” actor Stephen 9 Exhausted 10 Made a pig of oneself?

11 Have a hunch 12 Summit 13 Husband-and-wife creators of Curious George 19 Doctor House portrayer Hugh 21 Prevaricator 25 Lewis’ partner 26 Monastic hood 27 Flora’s partner 28 Ancient Mexican 29 Rodeo rope 31 Life-ending season

in Ecclesiastes 32 Socially insensitive, in a way 33 “__ your mother” 36 Tibet neighbor 40 More than a little risky 41 Mausoleum 46 1997 movie beekeeper 48 Tire type 50 Hardships 51 Letter-shaped shoe fastener 53 Line of shrubbery 55 Juan’s “Look!”

56 “Dedicated to the __ Love” 57 Grounded fast planes, briefly 58 Spartan promenade 60 Techie, stereotypically 61 Fifth Avenue retailer 63 Librarian’s rebuke 64 “Amen!”

Libra Flirty Venus has you chatting people up, smiling at cute guys or girls, and generally connecting with cool people around you. If you want to meet a soul mate, hang out in places where you are likely to meet others who share your interests.

Scorpio

The sun has moved into your sign, and the next four weeks will be your spiritual new year. Consider making a fresh start and letting go of bad habits.

You’ll be motivated to exercise more and to eat better. And you’ll be more choosy about who you spend time with.

With the sun moving opposite your sign for a few weeks, it’s best to take it easy. Don’t force an outcome in your romantic life. It’s important to remain patient. Otherwise, you could end up in a random relationship that has no real intimacy or meaning.

Air signs like you can be fickle about love. You have a lot of on-again, off-again friendships. But with Venus moving into your sign for a few weeks, you’ll bring a more focused energy to your relationships.

Enjoy some lovely moments with good people.

43 Video game letters 44 Circular imperfection in wood 45 Slip-on shoes 47 One with a killer serve 49 Wisenheimer 52 Obsessed whaler captain 54 Boating stopover 55 Half of the hip-hop duo Black Star 58 Certain NCO 59 Billions of years 62 Truth known only to a few ... and a hint to a word hidden in 18-, 27-, 39- and 49-Across 65 Agcy. with narcs 66 Mark with a sale price, say 67 Greek goddesses of the seasons 68 Vex 69 Airline seat choice 70 Hinged fasteners 71 McMahon and Sullivan

Courtesy of MCT Campus

Taurus

Gemini

Across

FREESTYLE

Horoscope Aries

PAGE 13

Cancer Saturn is occupying you with legal and financial details. Some of these might involve your romantic partner. Maybe the two of you need to come up with a better plan to pay your monthly bills. Perhaps you are making up a new child support agreement with an ex.

Sagittarius If you’re not careful, you could experience some miscommunication with your sweetheart. Venus has you rushing from one thing to another, and you might accidentally send out a text that wasn’t worded very nicely and create unnecessary tension with your honey.

Capricorn You’re experiencing some progress in your career, thanks to ambitious Mars. Don’t lose momentum. If relationships are a distraction, see if you can minimize their impact on you. Avoid dealing with friends whose lives are constantly chaotic.

Leo

Aquarius

Your social life is heating up, courtesy of the moon. You could be attending a mixture of professional and personal events. After doing some great business networking, you could find yourself partying with a fun group of friends.

Over the next few weeks Venus is going to bring a spirit of play to your social life. You’ll want to hang out with friends and share laughter as much as possible. If you’re spending time with a sweetheart, you’ll want to keep things light and cheerful. Just have fun.

Virgo Now that Mercury is out of retrograde, you’re feeling more focused than you have been in a while.

You’re getting things done at home and at work.

Meanwhile, whether you’re single or in a relationship, things are going better in your personal life.

Pisces A moon opposition could leave you a little confused. Maybe you’re not quite sure how to read your partner’s mood and intentions right now. Don’t panic. Spend some quality time together, but don’t have a huge agenda about it. Things will resolve soon.

PAGE 14

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

April 23, 2018

SPORTS SOFTBALL

18 runs lead to easy win

by Jerimee Washington

Leading to their 18-2 victory over Miss Valley State, the Warhawks let their bats do the talking.

It started in the first inning when Rochelle Roberts hit a single that led to sophomore Sydney McKay scoring the first run of the game.

ULM wouldn’t let up from there. They posted four runs in the first inning. It was looking like a blowout because of the way Sydney Wader commanded the strike zone.

She was giving Miss Valley fits by only giving up four hits. In her fifth win of the season, she threw four strikeouts and didn’t allow an earned run.

“Sydney pitched a good game, and it was nice to get another win in the books,” head coach Lyon said.

The Warhawks struck again in the third both teams. inning after going scoreless in the second.

The Rebels notched five runs in the fifth ULM opened the flood gates in the third inning to take a 5-0 lead. inning by scoring a season-high nine The Warhawks would be shut-out from runs. there, as they only recorded one hit all The bleeding wouldn’t stop there for game.

Miss Valley; they gave up five runs in the Paige Murray had a tough time confourth inning for a total of 18 runs heading trolling the strike zone. The team gave up into the fifth inning. eleven hits.

McKay, Roberts, Thibodeaux and Shaw The next home game for ULM will be all posted two hits each. Roberts led in on Tuesday, April 24, when they welcome RBI’s with two non-conference opponent Arkansas Pine “Today was a good team win,” said Lyon. Bluff.

“We were patient at the plate, put the ball This will be a double-header with game in play and ran the bases efficiently.” one starting at 4 p.m. and the next game For ULM, this is the highest run to- starting at 6 p.m. tal they have had since the 17-run game The Warhawks will finish their season against Arkansas Pine Bluff. It was a shoot- with a three-game series against Sun Belt out, but they won 17-11. conference foes Georgia State and ULL. In the same week, the Warhawks faced Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. Ole Miss got on contact Jerimee Washington at the board after a scoreless first inning for washinjd@warhawks.ulm.edu

photo by Prajal Prasai

SEND IT IN : Softball uses a bunt to put more runs on the board.

MEN’S GOLF

photo by Siddharth Gaulee

SWING FOR THE FENCES: Sophomore Joao Girao kicks off the tournament with his first tee shot.

Men shine on the fairways ULM swings into a 7th place finish

by Jerimee Washington

Men’s golf is slowly wrapping up its season as they competed in the Old Waverly Intercollegiate Championship.

As a team, ULM finished seventh with LSU winning the championship by thirteen strokes.

Sophomore Joao Girao had the best showing for the Warhawks.

He shot a 4-over-par in the match and he finished tied for 12th to help ULM to a seventh place finish.

With conference play coming up the Warhawks are looking for a strong showing in Destin, Flor.

“The guys competed well today,” ULM head coach Tim Baldwin said.

“We ended seven back of a top-five finish, so we’re bit disappointed, but we will use this as a momentum builder as we did a lot of things very well.

I’m proud of all our guys, as everyone contributed this week.

In the end, we dropped too many shots and didn’t make enough birdies to compete with the top teams this week,” Baldwin said.

We’re now looking forward to the conference championships and hope to peak at the right time.

For ULM it has been a good season.

They have finished in the top-10 in all of their tournaments.

At the Border Olympics in Houston, Texas, the team finished tied for third in its best showing of the 2017-2018 season. contact Jerimee Washington at washinjd@warhawks.ulm.edu

graphic by Siddharth Gaulee

April 23, 2018

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 15

SPORTS

TENNIS

Women fall to GSU in semi-finals

by Tristan McGowen

After taking down the number three seed Coastal Carolina in an exciting quarterfinals match, the Warhawks looked to keep their hot streak going heading into the next round of the Sun Belt Tennis Championships.

But despite their valiant efforts, ULM wasn’t able to conquer the number two ranked Georgia State, as they fell 3-4 in the semifinals to cap off their season.

The loss wasn’t delivered to the number six ranked Warhawks easily though.

After rallying back for the win in yesterday’s match, the Warhawks looked as if they were going to pull it off again.

We had a tough loss today and they were very competitive.

“We should have been more focused coming into the match to take advantage of every opportunity,” senior Stefana An-

drei said.

“I will be forever grateful for what my coaches did for me and for the chance of being a Warhawk,” she added.

After Florencia Salerno and Bianca Koen both picked up automatic walkover wins on courts five and six, the score was tied at 2-2 following a loss from ULM’s freshman Karolina Silwanowicz.

First-team All conference singles competitor, Stefana Andrei snatched the singles point from the 2018 Sun Belt play of the year, Kristin Rehse, in a 6-4, 6-1 victory.

The win gave the underdog Warhawks a 3-2 lead on the match and their first glimpse of glory as they stood only one win away from a trip to the finals.

However, a tight loss from sophomore Madalina Grigoriu in the next game would quickly tie things back up for GSU. With the match tied, everything came

down to the play of sophomore and second team all-conference singles player, Karolina Snita, as she took on Georgia State’s Daniela Ramirez on court number two.

The two battled back and forth as Snita dropped the first set 6-1, but came back to win set two with a score of 6-1 as well.

The final set was all Snita’s to win, with her up 4-1 on her opponent.

But a huge rally from Ramirez gave her the 6-4 set win and the overall match win for Georgia State, sending them to the finals.

The Warhawks finished their 2018 regular season with a positive record of 12-8, including a conference record of 4-2.

The ULM Tennis team will look to have another great year next season in 2019. contact Tristan McGowen at mcgowentk@warhawks.ulm.edu

photo by Siddharth Gaulee

GREAT SEASON: Freshman Teodora Radu puts some power behind her serve.

BASEBALL

Mountaineers climb past Warhawks

by Tristan McGowen

The Warhawks were only able to pick up one win this weekend in their home series against Appalachian State, dropping the series 1-2.

Their single win came in the first game of Saturday’s double header.

ULM won in dominant fashion as they shut out the Mountaineers 5-0 to pick up their seventh conference win on the season.

Eight hits from the Warhawks, including a three-run double and a homer from senior infielder Will Daniels, led the way to an easy win.

However, the ball wasn’t flying off of their bats the same for the Warhawks in their other two outings of the series.

ULM lost Friday’s game 1-4 and dropped the second game of Saturday’s double-header to the same score.

It seemed like the team ran out of gas heading into the second game of the double-header on Saturday. In the second game, both teams went scoreless through three innings until both teams put one run on the board. App. State would later take over the game in the sixth inning as they posted two runs. To add insult to injury, the Mountaineers scored

among the Sun Belt in total runs scored, stolen bases and runs batted in.

Big bats from senior infielder Johnny DeLaCruz and junior infielder Peyton Lacoste have been huge contributions to this year’s squad.

DeLaCruz leads the Warhawks in batting average with a .319 and also holds the top spot for total hits on the year with 45.

Lacoste is responsible for the most runs batted in on ULM’s roster with 30 while being tied for the most homeruns on the team with four long balls to this point.

The two have combined for 48 of the team’s runs batted in and 77 of the team’s total hits.

Their next series starts Friday, April 27, as the Warhawks will look to sweep Coastal Carolina on the photo by Siddharth Gaulee road in Spring Brooks Stadium.

With only a few games separating ULM from first place in the division, the Warhawks still have time to turn photo by Prajal Prasai things around.

MOVE FORWARD: ULM head baseball coach Michael Federico talks to his team about the next series of at bats.

With eight of the remaining 15 games coming at home, including the lone run in the eighth inning to bottom of the pack in the western di- this season has come from their two conference series with Georgia stretch their lead to four. vision of the Sun Belt conference with home play.

State and Troy, the Warhawks will look Despite ULM’s hot start to the sea- a regular season record of 18-21, inThey boast an impressive 12-6 to continue their home dominance to son, their flame has begun to dim out cluding a 7-11 record in conference home record while playing at Warrevamp their season. as the season nears the end. play. hawk Field this year.

The Warhawks have fallen to the One of the Warhawks’ strengths The team also ranks in the top five contact Tristan McGowen at mcgowetk@warhawks.ulm.edu

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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

April 23, 2018

SPORTS

SPRING INTO ACTION: ULM football concludes spring game with a great showing from the defense.

Football back on the bayou

by Kris Albert

Although the weather may not reflect it, it’s the start of spring, which means we get one step closer to the 2018-19 college football season. Teams around the country are highlighting their talent with spring games.

ULM put on their spring game Saturday afternoon, giving Warhawk fans a glimpse of what is to come for the upcoming season.

While there was no score kept, the action was easy to follow.

Junior quarterback Caleb Evans splashed onto the scene last year passing for 2,878 yards and 17 touchdowns. Evans also managed 573 rushing yards and another 13 touchdowns.

Evans was able to lead two strong scoring drives for the first team offense during the scrimmage.

He threw two touchdowns to senior Marcus Green, who had a strong performance last season as well. With four touchdowns receiving and three on returns, Green looks to bring the same explosiveness to the team.

His scoring ability helped last year, and based on the spring game, that will not change next year.

RJ Turner also looked impressive on the scoring drives. He will pair with Green once again to give Evans two major weapons at receiver. However, redshirt freshman Zachari Jackson put the crowd on notice.

Jackson caught passes of 60 or more yards on the day, as well as catching two long touchdown passes. The receiving core improvement makes it easy to believe ULM’s offense will look to dominate next season.

Last year, only 10.5 of ULM’s 22 sacks came from the trench-

es. The group has been showing up throughout the spring so far and look to keep the momentum.

Changes were made with the group. Only junior defensive end Donald Louis started every game last year and will return to the team.

The secondary has talent, but continuity remains a major issue. Luke Hedrick and Nick Ingram were held out of the spring game with injuries.

Senior Collin Turner is also coming off a season-ending injury. Rhoy Williams and Marcus Hubbard return to their true position of cornerback for next season. Williams was also held out due to offseason shoulder surgery.

The first-team defense allowed 14 explosion plays in the first scrimmage, but that number was cut to three during the spring game.

Corner Corey Straughter returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown. If the secondary can continue to get healthy, the only way to go is up.

The spring game offered the first glance at what the 2018-19 Warhawks will look like.

A strong offense looks even stronger as Caleb Evans gets another year to grow as a quarterback.

Having a dual threat like him makes the team dangerous.

If Evans can continue to lead an explosive offensive attack coupled with an opportunistic defense, the sky is the limit.

The first game of the season will be a home game against instate opponent Southeastern on Saturday, Sept. 1.

This will be the second time the Lions visit the Warhawks with ULM winning the first matchup 21-20. contact Kris Albert at albertkx@warhawks.ulm.edu

photos by Siddharth Gaulee