Full Issue 03/22/2021

4 things to stream Georgia State for Women’s goes down with History Month one-hitter P6

P 8

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

VOLUME 99 ISSUE 8

www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com

March 22, 2021

Was shortening spring break the right choice? P 3

Former football player dies in car accident P 4

Students, faculty are ‘All In’ at Casino Night P6 Student revives Republican group on campus P 4

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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

March 22, 2021

BRIEFS CALENDAR Monday, March

22

Campus Activities Board movie night, 7 p.m., the Hangar

23

Tuesday, March Free meal, 11:30 a.m., Whites Ferry Road campus house

Wednesday, March

24

Blanket and sock drive, 11 a.m., library overhang

25

Thursday, March Easter egg hunt, 7 p.m., the Baptist Collegiate Ministry

26

Friday, March No event planned

27

Saturday, March No event planned

28

Sunday, March No event planned

QUOTE

United States

Lafayette

Louisiana

California

Teen attempted to murder gay men

All essential workers Child taken into eligible for vaccines elephant enclosure

Vaccine rollout to be racially equitable

KNOE- A federal indictment details a dark scheme allegedly planned by a Louisiana teen to “kidnap and murder gay men whom he met online.”

Chance Seneca, 19, from Lafayette, La., is accused of kidnapping two gay men he met through a dating app called Grindr in June of 2020. Seneca attempted to kidnap one other person but failed during that same time period, according to the Department of Justice.

Seneca allegedly sent an 18-year-old to the hospital in critical condition after stabbing him in the neck during one of those alleged attacks.

That teen told other Louisiana media outlets he "suffered from strangulation that popped nearly every blood vessel in his face, six stab wounds to the neck, blunt force trauma to his head and cuts so deep to his wrists that his hands were nearly sawed off.”

KNOE- All essential workers will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Louisiana on March 22, Governor John Bel Edwards announced during a news conference.

Essential workers included are those in food service and grocery stores, manufacturing, construction, clergy, etc.

Those newly eligible also include postal, transportation, judiciary, and media workers, as well as faculty and staff of higher education institutions and front-line government workers.

This group is called Priority Group 1-B, Tier 2 and covers essential workers not previously eligible.

“This is likely the last expansion of vaccine eligibility in Louisiana before we make the shots available to everyone 16 and older, which we are targeting for some time in April,” Edwards said.

MCT- President Joe Biden promised that COVID-19 vaccine distribution would be equitable, but health officials realized days into the new administration that they had a problem—the race and ethnicity of half the people who received the shot during the first month was not known.

They also learned that a small percentage of those who had been vaccinated were recorded as Black—a demographic group disproportionately affected by the coronavirus.

Working with states that have a patchwork of laws on the collection and reporting of demographic data, the administration says that information on race and ethnicity has improved.

All but two states—Texas and Vermont—are said to be providing the information.

MCT- San Diego police arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of child endangerment after he allegedly carried his 2-year-old daughter into an elephant enclosure Friday afternoon at the San Diego Zoo, police said.

It happened about 4:20 p.m. at the world-renowned zoo in Balboa Park, according to San Diego police Officer Darius Jamsetjee.

The father apparently dropped the girl as he was trying to climb back out, but eventually got himself and the child out uninjured, police said.

The elephants in the enclosure were unharmed, James said, adding that police are now handling the matter, and zoo officials “will follow their guidance.”

Police said zoo security immediately called police officers, who made contact with the family and eventually arrested the father on suspicion of child endangerment.

TODAY IN HISTORY

TRY YOUR LUCK

“The function of freedom is to free someone else.”

March 22

Toni Morrison ,

1622: First Native American massacre of Europeans.

author

1765: First British direct tax, the Stamp Act, on American colonists.

1832: British parliament passes the Reform Act to change electoral voting system.

1954: Northland Center, the world's largest shopping mall at the time, opens in Oakpark, Michigan.

Front page credits:

1965: The U.S. confirms its troops used chemical warfare against the Vietcong.

Main photo: ULM photo services Top sidebar photo: ULM athletics

2018: Former President Donald Trump imposes $60 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese imports.

Bottom sidebar graphic: Kaitlin Maness Top right photo: ULM athletics

photo by Calli Sinclair

Students, faculty tried their luck at Casino Night hosted by the Campus Activities Board last Thursday. Many prizes were given away like an air fryer, AirPods, a Keurig and others.

March 22, 2021

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 3

OPINION

HAWKEYE P.O.V.

Shortening spring break is for the best Spring break is the break students all look forward to. We are mentally and physically exhausted from the spring semester and need a week off. However, this year we don't get a week long spring break because of COVID-19.

It sucks that we don't get a full-length spring break, but it is for good reason.

When the pandemic first started, no one knew how aggressive it would be or how long it would last.

Therefore, the school calendar was made to reflect the worst conditions. At the time, there wasn't a timeline as to when classes would resume normally or when vaccines would be administered.

We see now that it's much sooner than they initially predicted.

Although it sucks that we have shorter breaks, it's for the best.

COVID-19 is still very unpredictable right now. After Christmas and New Years, it's no telling what spring break could have done to COVID-19 cases.

Many students look forward to spring break because of how much fun it can be. Even though it's shortened, you can still have fun. It'll just be in a new way.

We would all love to go to Florida right now or go on a road trip.

However, we are stuck at home or in our dorms.

Keeping people safe during a global pandemic is a lot better than a trip to Florida. Once this is all over, you can take as many trips as you wish. But for now, shortened spring breaks will help keep us safe.

Stubbs 131 700 University Avenue Monroe, LA 71209 Editor-in-Chief - Kaitlin Maness Co-managing Editor Design - Sunil Bishwokarma Co-managing Editor News - Loryn Kykendall Opinion Editor - Chloe Chapel Freestyle Editor - Uchechi Owunna Sports Editor - Cameron Jett Copy Editor - Carley Nail Multimedia Editor - Saugat Shrestha Photo Editor - Calli Sinclair 318-342-5453 ulmhawkeyead@gmail.com

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.

Faculty Adviser Dr. Christopher Mapp 318 342 5454 mapp@ulm.edu Assistant Director: Courtney Collins 318 342 5450 ccollins@ulm.edu Feedback 318 342 5453 newsroom 318 342 5452 fax ulmhawkeye@gmail.com

Don’t agree?

Let us know!

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

Activism

Minneapolis police reform: Black lives still matter

Chloe Chapel Through every protest, no matter what the topic is, we want change. And in Minneapolis, change is the plan.

A new citizen petition, written by Yes4Minneapolis has arose in Minneapolis. It asks for the replacement of the current Minneapolis police department with a new public safety department that aims to integrate a public-health approach to safety.

According to CBS Minnesota, members of the Minneapolis City Council introduced a similar proposal, that will go to the city’s charter commission, which is expected to give a recommendation to the city council by July, allowing enough time for the city to put the amendment on the November ballot.

According to the Sahan Journal, the charter can be amended in three ways: through the Charter Commission, the City Council or through a citizen petition, which would require signatures from at least 5% of Minneapolis voters.

Minneapolis citizens would vote on a proposed amendment that gets onto the ballot through one of

those three avenues.

Corenia Smith, the campaign manager for Yes4Minneapolis, said in an interview with Sahan Journal that “until this happens, the organization will begin canvassing for support of its own community petition.”

Even though there is a chance this amendment won’t pass, it is the first step to change.

In June of 2020, millions of people gathered together to support the Black Lives Matter movement after the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

Even though protests are over, we must continue to demand change.

After months of protesting, national polls show that the support for the movement has drastically decreased, according to the New York Times.

Just because some changes are slowly being made doesn’t mean we can forget about the movement until the next tragic incident happens.

Think about the 9-year-old girl pepper sprayed by police during a mental health crisis. She needed help not punishment.

We must demand change in police departments.

Minneapolis is heading in the right direction, but we can’t be satisfied until there’s change everywhere—even here in Monroe.

Out of sight, out of mind doesn’t work in this case.

We must continue to stand together even when we aren’t in times of tragedy. That is when we will get things accomplished. contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu

COVID-19

Tax the rich: Americans need pandemic help

Caitlyn Cullen During the pandemic, we all struggled. Businesses were forced to close. Many were left unemployed. And families struggled to make ends meet.

Over the course of a year, the U.S. government gave citizens three stimulus checks that totaled $3,200.

While we were struggling to make ends meet, billionaires in America were getting richer by the day.

According to Business Insider, billionaires made a combined total of $1.3 trillion during the pandemic. That’s far too much.

To put this into perspective, $1.3 trillion could have paid for stimulus checks upwards of $3,900 for each person in the U.S., according to Inequality.

Some congressional Republicans dubbed the stimulus checks we received as “too costly.” I would argue that nearly 100,000 permanently closed businesses, 18 million collecting unemployment and 12 million losing employer-sponsored health insurance is far more costly for the country.

Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos made $75 billion alone in 2020, according

to Business Insider. Bezos, who began 2020 as the richest man in the world, is now hoarding 2.7 million times the U.S. median household income.

That’s a lot of money considering how much many Americans were suffering—especially college students.

Many college students did not receive stimulus checks. They were just left to struggle with debt, rent, food and other bills.

ULM signed with the U.S. Department of Education to provide COVID-19 Emergency Relief funds to eligible students. According to ULM CARES Act Reports, it included four phases of COVID-19 relief.

The most recent phase, phase four, occurred this month. This phase included aid for 553 of their 8,000+ undergraduate and graduate students and totaled $69,932.

That means each of the 553 students got around $131 each. That is barely enough for two weeks’ worth of groceries, much less rent and other expenses.

America failed its next generation of workers. It forced them to struggle while billionaires doubled their worth.

To help the working class through the panemic, we must tax the rich.

Taxing the rich will allow more funding to go to Americans during hard times like the pandemic.

It will also prevent billionaires from doubling their wealth while everyone else struggles.

We all struggled through the pandemic. COVID-19 was hard for everyone—except for billionaires.

But wealth shouldn't be the factor that made COVID-19 easier. contact Caitlyn Cullen at cullenck@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 4

March 22, 2021

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

NEWS

In Memory

Student, former football player dies in car accident Deyonte Roberts from Cabot, Ark. died March 17 in fatal crash

by Kaitlin Maness

Dayonte Roberts, a former defensive lineman for the Warhawks, died March 16 in a car accident while he was on his way to work in Texarkana, Ar. Roberts was a good person and a great teammate—that’s what his friends on the ULM football team said they will remember most about him.

“He was a great defensive lineman for ULM and an even better teammate,” said Kevin Pointer, defensive tackle.

Pointer met Roberts in high school where they first played football together. Then, they played football together at ULM. Pointer Pointer said although Roberts didn’t talk much, he always left a posiphoto courtesy ULM athletics tive impression.

A TEAMMATE TO ALL: Dayonte Roberts, 21-year-old former defensive lineman, died in a car crash And when he did talk, he always made people March 16. He came to ULM in 2016 and was going to earn his bachelor’s degree in general studies. laugh and smile.

However, Roberts’ quietness didn’t equal shyness. Roberts was bold when it came to his talent in football.

Evan Henry, offensive tackle, said he admired Roberts’ confidence in his abilities. That is what originally drew him toward Roberts. Then, his tough love is what solidified their friendship.

Henry Once, as a freshman, Henry experienced a late hit during a game. In the next play, Roberts lined up in front of Henry and knocked him down. But then, he lent him his hand.

“He was an awesome playmaker for our team,” Henry said. “[Roberts] lent me his hand and told me to play the game the right way or don’t play at all.”

Originally from Cabot, Ar., Roberts enrolled at ULM in 2016. He was receiving his bachelor’s degree in general studies.

In 2019, Roberts appeared in four football games. He was credited with five tackles and recorded a season high of three solo tackles.

Roberts opted out of football after 2020 spring practice. contact Kaitlin Maness at manessk@warhawks.ulm.edu

Politics

College Republicans returns to campus

by Loryn Kykendall

The conservative perspective will soon be brought back to ULM’s campus with the return of College Republicans. The organization disbanded in 2019 because of low membership, but next fall it will be up and running again.

Ethan Estis, a sophomore political science major, decided to re-form College Republicans when friends started telling him he should. Estis has always been very involved in politics. At just 15, he was an intern for Luke Letlow in former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s district office.

College Democrats already exists on ULM’s campus, and Estis thinks it’s important for both of the two top parties in the nation to be represented on our campus.

“It’s important for everyone’s Estis voices to be heard on campus, regardless of party,” Estis said.

BACK IN BUSINESS: College Republicans will be back next semester after they disbanded in 2019 due to lack of membership. Members will have opportunities to get involved in state and local politics.

And there’s already a long list of student signatures hoping to be part of the organization.

Adam Craig, a graduate public administration student, is one student who’s already signed up. He said a lot of students don’t understand

political issues and he hopes College Republicans will have positive outreach on campus.

Matthew Gore, a senior business administration major, wants College Republicans to level out political ideologies on campus.

“College campuses tend to be more liberal in their views,” Gore said. “Republicans should have a voice just as much as any other political group.”

While many students who’ve signed up are lifelong Republicans

like Gore, some aren’t.

Michaela Weeks, a junior political science major, was a member of College Democrats when she first Weeks transferred to ULM. While Weeks agrees with conservative views on most issues, there are some she doesn’t. She wants to join so she can learn more about other students’ political views and share hers with them.

According to Estis, there aren’t any events currently planned for next semester, Gore but members will have the opportunity to get involved in state and local politics and serve on campaigns. contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu

March 22, 2021

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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

NEWS

COVID-19

Normal campus operations to resume next semester Face to face classes, campus events, activities will return this fall

by Morgan Andrews

Waking up to a blaring alarm clock at 8 a.m. and opening your laptop to a Zoom class is what most students around the country are used to by now.

Nonetheless, going back to faceto-face classes and events has always been the goal for educational institutions. And next semester, it looks like we’re going to reach that goal.

ULM released a statement March 11 saying we will proceed with inperson classes in the fall of 2021.

Shane Dykes, the environmental health and safety officer at ULM, said there’s no way of Dykes knowing what the case count this fall will be.

But we can safely assume the amount of positive cases will con-

photo courtesy ULM photo services

SLOWLY BUT SURELY: ULM released a statement last week saying that we will return to in-person classes this fall and there will be less restrictions on campus events, including athletics.

tinue to decrease while the amount of people vaccinated increases.

To transition back safely and carefully, ULM will abide by the

information that the CDC, the UL System and the state of Louisiana issue concerning COVID-19.

John Herrock, a toxicology in-

structor and EHS officer, is ready to get back into the classroom.

“I have no issues with teaching face-to-face during the fall 2021

semester,” Herrock said. “I enjoy interacting with students in the classroom. I feel very engaged with the students that attend face-toface.”

Herrock also believes that the class average grades for his exams will rise back up similar to how it was Herrock pre-COVID. Ever since he began lecturing on Zoom, he’s had low class average grades.

Alfred Henderson, a junior prenursing major, is ready to be back in the classroom too. While he’s skeptical about how safe it will be, he’s interested to see how next semester will resemble fall 2019.

“I’m excited to go to on-campus events, but I am cautious about how safe it will be,” Henderson said.

According to Dykes, wearing a mask, getting a vaccine and continuing to social distance can help maintain and decrease the number of COVID cases that may arrive on campus.

ULM will continue to administer vaccines when more are available on campus through the College of Pharmacy clinic. contact Morgan Andrews at andrewmr@warhawks.ulm.edu

Campus Crime

Students arrested for posession of marijuana, intent to distribute

by Chloe Chapel On March 18 at approximately 9 p.m., ULM’s police department got an anonymous complaint on the ULM Safe App that said Kenya Cobbs was allegedly selling marijuana in room 110 of Madison Hall.

The complaint stated that there had been heavy foot traffic in and out of the room between 7 and 9 p.m. and drug activity was possible.

Officers were able to identify the room as Kenya Cobbs’ dorm room. They began reviewing the cameras around the area and saw seven people going in and out of Cobb’s room between those hours, which validated the complaint.

Officers then went to the location and made contact with Cobbs and his girlfriend, Beverly Campbell.

They were both advised of their Miranda Rights before officers began questioning

them.

Cobbs invited the officers into his room because he did not want other students to hear the conversation.

Once in the room, Cobbs and Campbell both admitted to selling marijuana out of the room.

From there, they directed officers to the closet where they found 147.8 grams of marijuana, three scales, twelve empty packs of cigarillos and a blue and silver hookah.

Cobbs and Campbell were both arrested, handcuffed and taken to Ouachita Correctional Center where they were booked on the charges of possession with intent to distribute/marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cobbs bonded out at 1:37 p.m., March 19.

Campbell bonded out at 1:32 a.m., March 20. photos courtesy Ouachita Correctional Center

contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu

ANONYMOUS: It was reported on ULM Safe App that there was heavy foot traffic in and out of Kenya Cobbs’ dorm room. Police found marijuana and arrested Cobbs and his girlfiriend Beverly Campbell.

PAGE 6

March 22, 2021

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

FREESTYLE

Campus Event

Awards Commentary

Warhawks ‘cash out’ at Casino Night 2021 Grammys

by Adrena Williams

Imagine walking into a 1920s casino. The air is thick with excitement, nervousness and tension. Some people win money while others lose what little they have to a blind bet. That is what Casino Night felt like last Thursday.

Casino Night, hosted by the Campus Activities Board, allowed students to take a break from studying for a couple hours while also having the opportunity to win amazing prizes and groove to some good music while eating and drinking.

Jacobe Boston, a senior toxicology major, attended Casino Night to connect with the campus Boston more.

“I attended the event because it’s a time where the ULM community comes together to have a great time, make memories, and win great prizes,” Boston said.

Different card games were laid out on tables with multiple CAB

members directing the games.

Many students turned out to the event, lining up around the table to play and win coins.

This is typically how Casino Night goes except for last year.

Last year, CAB had to cancel the event because of COVID-19. This saddened some students that were looking forward to attending the annual event.

Vincent Wilson, a senior Kinesiology major, was one of the saddened students.

“I missed having Casino Night Wilson last year because it forced us to miss out on making memories with friends and also on the prizes we could have won,” Wilson said.

Everyone who played the games either won or lost coins. Once the games were over, they had to turn in the coins in exchange for tickets. The tickets got dispersed in separate bowls for each prize.

The students got to choose which bowl they wanted to put their tickets in. Then the host of the

fails to impress

photo by Calli Sinclair

WARHAWKS’ ACE IN THE HOLE: Students try their luck at poker and other games for a chance to win any of the prizes provided by CAB.

event, Erick Burton, announced the winners.

Ty’Leshia Brown, a CAB member, was one of the lucky ones who won a prize. She won the Keurig.

“I’ve been wanting a Keurig for so long and I am happy I did not have to buy it myself,” Brown said.

“I won it with my friends around me.”

Sadly, some students who put their tickets into the bowl did not win a prize.

Jaden Saunders, senior psychology major, tried to win the AirPods, but it did not work out in his favor.

“With this being my third time

attending Casino Night I know I cannot win every time,” Saunders said. “It is slightly disappointing not winning the AirPods, but I enjoyed the time I spent here playing the games.”

CAB did not let students down with the prizes provided Thursday night.

They gave out two ULM backpacks with supplies inside, a Yeti cooler, an Apple Watch, AirPods, a Keurig, a Roku TV, a Bluetooth speaker and an air fryer. contact Adrena Williams at williaaj@warhawks.ulm.edu

TV Recommendations

Women make history in movies, shows

“The Queen of Katwe”

“Scandal”

“Ratched”

“Mulan”

This movie is based on the true story of a young girl, Phiona Mutesi, from the slums of Uganda. Phiona, portrayed by Madina Nalwanga, dreams to become a grandmaster in chess after discovering she is highly skilled in playing the game.

With help from a chess coach and support from her family and town, Phiona realizes the real queen is not the one she plays on the chessboard, but the one she sees in the mirror.

Discover your inner queen with “The Queen of Katwe” on Disney+.

“Scandal” is a political drama starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, a crisis management consultant.

Each episode is filled with draw-dropping stories of Pope and her team of misfit associates helping powerful world leaders overcome and sometimes cover up any crises that may ruin their status or reputation.

Pope’s life is not perfect either.

She is constantly caught up in scandals of her own. She is having an affair with the U.S. president and invovled in crime.

You can watch this on Hulu.

As nurse Mildred Ratched, played by Sarah Paulson, enters Lucia State Psychiatric Hospital to apply for a job in 1947, the horrors of her past walk along with her.

At first, she gives off the impression of being the perfect nurse and the hospital seems like a normal facility.

However, bizarre and cruel experiments are conducted on patients, patients are being killed and the real reason Ratched wanted to work at the hospital is shocking. This suspense-packed show is a Netflix original.

Growing up, Mulan was always known as the girl who never conformed to traditions in her village.

In Disney’s live-action remake, Hua Mulan, portrayed by Lui Yifei, enlists in the Imperial Army disguised as a man to help fight off northern invaders in China.

During training, she is praised as being the greatest soldier her trainer has ever seen, but her secret of being a woman complicates the true meaning of loyalty and bravery. This remake is available on Disney+.

Ashlyn Dupree Interesting, but disappointing. That’s the best way to describe the 2021 Grammys.

This year, the Grammys’ viewership was the lowest it has ever been with it falling 51% below average, according to Billboard.

One of the highlights from the Grammys was Beyoncé’s four Grammy awards which broke the record for most Grammy wins by a female artist. In one night she surpassed Alison Krauss’s 27 Grammy awards by bringing hers up to 2.

Beyoncé’s win was an empowering moment that inspired women to pursue their dreams and break the glass ceiling. Maybe one day Beyoncé can beat Georg Solti, who holds the record of 31 Grammys.

Another memorable moment was Megan Thee Stallion’s dress. Her stunning bright orange dress fit her beautifully. Her shocked look as she won Best New Artist was unforgettable. She remained shocked as she stood on the stage to give her speech. You could see how grateful she was for a monumental award.

Stallion took home three Grammys that night.

One of the best performances of the night was HAIM. While it was a simplistic set-up for the band, the execution was excellent. Danielle Haim, one of the sisters in the band, grabbed your attention by switching from drums to guitar while singing. For those looking for something other than rap, this is a performance to watch again.

While there were entertaining performances like Cardi B’s “WAP,”others like DaBaby’s “ROCKSTAR” did not hit the bar. DaBaby sounded awful compared to the recorded version.

While there was diversity in music performed, it felt overrun by rap. Having a couple of performances from each music genre would have provided a more well-rounded group of performers. This could have brought the Grammys ratings up.

Another disappointing feature of the Grammys was Billie Eilish’s Record of the Year win. Instead of accepting her Grammy and appreciating her talents, she praised Stallion and said she deserved the award more than her.

Stallion created enjoyable music this year, but Eilish’s was just as deserving. She needs to find confidence in herself and her music. Eilish’s music is relatable to her audience which is why she won this award.

In parts, the award show was entertaining but seemed to fail to bring in an audience who enjoyed it overall. contact Ashlyn Dupree at dupreeaf@warhawks.ulm.edu

March 22, 2021

PAGE 7

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

FREESTYLE

Feature

Student banks on passion for cars Kade Malone supports education with auto detailing business

by Alexis Page

Kade Malone is your typical southern guy–cargo shorts, a southern twang in his voice, dirty blonde scruff and rustled hair covered with a cap. You can imagine him swerving through traffic in a jacked-up Chevrolet pickup. That’d be right up his alley, too.

He’s been harboring a fiery, lifelong passion for the boastful, supercharged car culture. Malone also studies biology. Strange variety of interests, isn’t it?

Malone is a junior microbiology major with a chemistry minor. He’s 21 years old and lives in West Monroe.

His down-to-earth demeanor meshes with his sociable nature. He spends time with friends in his studio working away on cars. Other times, he usually is sipping beer and eating pizza with them.

He doesn’t do much else besides his car detailing business and studying.

Such is the life of a college student who owns a small business. “[Social life] doesn’t exist,” Malone said. “I average about 24 hours of sleep a week.”

Since high school, he loved washing people’s cars and the smiles they gave him. When he was 15 and got his driver’s license, something clicked inside his head.

“I’m gonna use all the money I saved up to finally buy a car,” Malone said.

Malone’s hustle is his car detailing service, Grade A Detailing. It pays for his bills and education.

“I started my business in October of 2018 to help pay for what my financial aid and grants weren’t able to cover,” Malone said.

His services range from exterior and interior washes, to paint corrections, carpet extractions, headlight restoration and more.

He and Cameron Stewart, a close friend and coworker, meticulously rejuvenate customers’ cars with high-quality products.

“Kade’s a good guy,” Stewart said.

photo courtesy Noah Perez

photo courtesy Kade Malone

BRING OUT YOUR CAR’S A-GAME WITH GRADE A DETAILING: With his friends, Kade Malone works on cars to restore them back to the way they looked when they were first purchased.

“I’ve known him for a long time. He has a big passion for cars, especially modifying and working on Stewart them. He’s a great detailer and taught me a lot.”

What exactly is car detailing? Unlike your local automated car wash down the street, the goal is to restore a vehi-

cle to like-new condition.

Detailing can help increase your car’s value and life by destroying corrosive materials. It is done by hand with tools such as hoses, polishers, waxes and paint clay.

Monroe Midnight is Malone’s student-based car club and more proof of his vehicular obsession.

He started it with best friend Nicholas Gomez, who works for Weekend Warrior Detailing in West Monroe.

“We started the car club together in our first semester of college in our biology class,” Gomez said. “We have Gomez been very close since.”

The club has about 30 members.

However, it’s not just sitting and fanboying about cars all day.

“We often do collaborations with other car clubs, particularly in Ruston,” Stewart said. “Our meets generally have a high turnout.”

Malone studies microbiology aspiring to be a virologist–a scientist that specializes in the study of viruses. He hopes to focus on AIDS research.

He also wants to use his chemistry minor to create detailing products for customers.

He sees life from a do-it-yourself perspective and the potential expansion of his business.

If you feel unmotivated about reaching your goals, take a page from Malone’s book.

He follows the traditional conservative mindset of the baby boomer era.

“If I don’t work today, I don’t get it,” Malone said. “You can’t just dream about it. In America, you can do anything with hard work.”

Some college goers may be thinking about starting a business. Malone’s advice is to do right by the customer.

“Don’t worry about being better than the competition,” Malone said.

“Be the best you can be for your customers. If your customers are happy and leave with a smile on their face, you’re doing the right thing.”

You can book an appointment with Grade A Detailing by calling (318) 557-1645.

contact Alexis Page at pagean@warhawks.ulm.edu

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March 22, 2021

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

SPORTS

Football

Trio highlighted at NFL Pro Day

Baseball

ULM takes down #9 Oklahoma State

by Jonah Bostick

by Cameron Jett

With the NFL draft just a month away, three ULM athletes had one final chance to win the interest of an NFL team.

The three seniors, RB Josh Johnson, TE Josh Pederson and DB Corey Straughter were visited by scouts from 25 NFL teams.

“All three of us will be on a team next season” Johnson said after his pro day workout. Johnson has used his offseason to rehab from an injury that sidelined him for the second half of his senior campaign.

Johnson mentioned that his pro-comparison is former Sun Belt sensation Aaron Jones,who has become one of the league’s premier running backs. He mentioned that one skill he has not showcased at ULM is his receiving abilities, a skill that is vital for RB’s in a pass-heavy league.

Johnson rushed for nearly 1,300 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in his 2019 season.

Pederson’s pedigree garnered him most of the media attention. His father, Doug Pederson won two Super Bowls, one as a player for the Packers and one as a coach with the Eagles.

Pederson put up his best numbers in his 2019 season. He posted nine touchdowns on 42 receptions in a run-heavy offense. He admits his skills have not been utilized due to the offense ran during his time at ULM. Pederson said he is willing to play for any of the 32 teams who could draft him, even the Eagles, where his dad was recently released.

Straughter, a Neville High School alum and Monroe native has been in contact with several NFL teams, including the New Orleans Saints.

Straughter posted a career-high five interceptions in his junior year.

If a Warhawk’s name is called, they will be the first since Marcus Green in 2019 to be drafted.

It also would be the first year since 1999 where multiple Warhawks were drafted. contact Cameron Jett at jettcm@warhawks.ulm.edu

The ULM baseball team was faced with another top-25 challenge Tuesday night. This time, they matched up against the Cowboys of Oklahoma State.

The Warhawks were going into the game with momentum, as they upset #4 Ole Miss on Sunday, and were looking for their second straight win versus a ranked opponent.

The Warhawks were able to gain experience on a professional field, as the game was played on Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home of the MLB’s Texas Rangers.

“That mound, the ballpark, everything gets you up for a big game,” said starting pitcher Nicholas Judice.

The Warhawks got off to an early lead in the first inning. Andrew Beasley scored off a wild pitch to

first base from Eric Walker after a sacrifice bunt from Travis Washburn. With the bases loaded and one out, Trace Henry hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Washburn to score. Micheal Cervantes hit a two-run double, and the Warhawks were able to score four runs in the first.

The Cowboys responded in the bottom of the second, with a sacrifice fly hit by Jaxson Cruil scoring a run.

In the third inning the Warhawks would fire back with three runs. The runs would come on RBI doubles hit by Danny DeSimone, Henry and Logan Wurm. The score after the third was 7-1.

With the score at 8-2 going into the top of the seventh, the Warhawks would put the game away with five runs. The first run came on an RBI single hit by Ryan Humeniuk. DeSimone and Wurm would each hit two-run homers

photo courtesy OKST athletics

UPSET ALERT: Pitcher Nicholas Judice helps lead the Warhawks to back-to-back wins against nationally ranked teams.

to right field, and would make the game 13-2 at the end of the seventh.

Despite four runs scored by Oklahoma State, the Warhawks would hang on and win the game with a 13-6 blowout.

Judice earned his first win of the

season, as he allowed one hit, no runs and recorded seven strikeouts with five innings played.

The Warhawks improve to 7-6 on the season, carrying momentum going into Sun Belt play. contact Jonah Bostick at bostickjm@warhawks.ulm.edu

Softball

Softball rallies to take doubleheader

by Maggie Eubanks

ULM (10-12) traveled this weekend to take on the Georgia Southern Eagles (6-10) in their second week of conference play.

Coming off a successful opening weekend with the series win against Coastal Carolina, the Warhawks looked ready to continue their recent success.

ULM started the first game off strong with a first-inning home run off the bat of junior outfielder Korie Kreps.

Georgia Southern quickly responded by tying the game in the bottom of the inning. The game would stay deadlocked until the bottom of the fourth when the Eagles, capitalizing off of a Warhawk error, would score two runs to take the lead 3-1.

ULM’s offense refused to be kept at bay, mounting a seventh-inning rally scoring four runs off four hits and one error. This late boost would give ULM the win 5-3.

Murphy Williams would

photo courtesy ULM athletics

SLUGGER: ULM softball’s offense has been white hot, winning seven of their last eight games. They have scored six or more runs in five games.

take the win in the circle for the Warhawks after pitching six innings, allowing two runs off five hits, walking two batters and striking out four.

The second game turned

out to be an extra-inning thriller as ULM prevailed 11-9.

The Warhawks started strong once again, scoring two runs in the first inning off a single from senior

Jayden Mount and a sacrifice bunt from freshman Madelyn Fletcher.

ULM would continue the offensive show, scoring four more runs in the second off a dou-

ble from Kreps and a two-run home run from Mount and three runs in the fourth off a single from Fletcher and a double from junior Kennedy Johnson.

This would put the Warhawks up 9-1. Georgia Southern’s offense would not come alive until the bottom of the fifth.

With the game on the line, the Eagles scored two runs in the fifth and three runs in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game 9-9. ULM would take the victory after scoring two runs in the eighth after capitalizing on an error by Georgia Southern.

ULM improves to 4-1 in conference play and 10-1 overall.

The Warhawks will look to continue this winning energy with a match up against the Southeastern Lions this Wednesday at 6 p.m.

contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.