Full Issue 03/29/2021

Sock, blanket drive extended to next week

Demi Lovato docuseries gives unfiltered truth P 6

P5

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

VOLUME 99 ISSUE 9

www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com

March 29, 2021

Do social media movements count as activism? P 3

Audit suggests ULM didn’t protect student data P4

Hawkline wins 1st at national competition P 4

Lions push past Warhawks 2-1 in 6th inning P 8

PAGE 2

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

March 29, 2021

BRIEFS CALENDAR Monday, March

29

Gator Girls lunch social, 11 a.m., Bayou Park

Tuesday, March

30

Grad finale, 2 p.m., ULM bookstore

Wednesday, March

31

Feminine products drive, 12 p.m., the Wellspring and Desiard Homeless Shelter

Thursday, April

1

No event planned

Friday, April

2

Spring break starts

Saturday, April

3

No event planned

Sunday, April

4

No event planned

QUOTE

Lake Charles

Nebraska

United Kingdom

Decriminalization proposal approved

Man faces child porn, Supreme court allows Queen to appoint diversity officer abuse allegations same-sex adoption

KNOE- Shreveport City Council members met on March 23, to make their final vote on the marijuana decriminalization proposal. The proposal was passed during the meeting, with only two council members voting against it.

During a virtual town hall meeting held on March 22, Shreveport District A Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor and District C Councilman John Nickelson answered questions and broke down details about their proposal to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana within city limits.

Both council members said they have received a lot of support for the proposal thus far.

The proposal states that people age 18 or older in possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana will be fined $50 or tasked with community service.

KNOE- A Louisiana man is accused of manufacturing child pornography as well as sexually abusing an animal.

Cody Romero, 20, faces more than 100 counts of child pornography.

The Beauregard Sheriff’s Office received a complaint on March 9 that Romero was manufacturing child pornography, according to information from the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Lindsey Miller contacted Romero and took his cell phone through a search warrant, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Det. Toree Simmons then obtained a search warrant Romero was arrested on Wednesday, March 17.

The Sheriff’s Office said it is working to identify all victims in the recovered evidence. More charges are pending.

Romero is being held without bond.

MCT- The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Friday that a same-sex married couple is legally allowed to adopt a child.

In a unanimous decision, the court overturned a lower court ruling that had barred two women from adopting the 3-year-old girl who had lived with them since she was born.

In May 2020 they sought to adopt the child, but Dixon County Judge Douglas Luebe denied the petition, saying that he had no jurisdiction to grant their request, because a law dictionary defined the term “wife” as “a woman who has a lawfully living husband.”

The state’s top court disagreed, ruling that the plain language of the state law does permit “a same-sex married couple to adopt a minor child,” Justice William B. Cassel wrote.

MCT- Changes could be in store for the British royals following Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Queen Elizabeth II is looking into adding a diversity officer after Meghan told Winfrey she was made aware of concerns within the palace about “how dark” her son Archie’s skin might be ahead of his birth in 2019, People reports.

Following the highly publicized interview, which aired earlier this month, Winfrey shared on “CBS This Morning” that Harry said the Queen and Prince Philip weren’t “part of those conversations” about Archie while Markle was pregnant.

Harry and Meghan left their senior roles in the United Kingdom last year and have since moved to California.

They are expecting a second child.

Shreveport

TODAY IN HISTORY

GOING UP

“Don't give it five minutes if you're not going to give it five years.”

March 29 1795: Ludwig van Beethoven has his debut performance as a pianist in Vienna.

Meghan Markle, duchess of Sussex

1799: New York passes a law aimed to gradually abolish slavery in the state.

1936: Nazi propaganda claims 99% of Germans voted for Nazi candidates.

1951: American citizens Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are sentenced to death for conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union.

Front page credits: Main graphic: Sunil Bishwokarma

1961: An amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, allowing Washington, D.C. residents to vote in presidential elections.

Top sidebar photo: Hawkline Bottom sidebar photo: ULM athletics Top right photo: Kelly Morgan

photo by Calli Sinclair

An elevator pitch contestant has 90 seconds to convince the judges he is right for the job. The annual competition is hosted by the Career Center.

1986: Beatle records officially go on sale in Russia.

March 29, 2021

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 3

OPINION

Global Issues

#NotAllMen: Stop punishing women, educate men Chloe Chapel I can’t get gas alone. I can’t go to the store alone. I can’t eat go eat alone. I can’t walk alone. Why? Because I’m a woman.

Women have to learn how to stay safe around men—keep pepper spray, hold your keys between your fingers, share your location. The list is endless. Men get to just float along.

Sarah Everard went missing on March 3 in London. She did everything women are told to do—walked on a well-lit road, called her boyfriend, wore bright colors and came home early. However, she was found dead by police a week later, according to the New York Times.

Everard was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a police officer.

In response, police advised women to stay home and be extra vigilant, according to a report by The Sun. This sparked controversy and protest around the world, which to led Baroness Jenny Jones proposing a 6 p.m. curfew for men that would “make women a lot safer."

Some men began to use #NotAllMen to explain that not all men are bad, so they shouldn’t all be punished for one man’s action.

Women suffer in silence daily. Yet, when men are slightly inconvenienced by a curfew, it’s a problem.

Men have no right to be mad when 97% of women in the UK aged 18 to 24 have been victims of sexual harassment in public spaces, according to a report by the United Nations.

If you think it’s just a problem in the UK, you’re wrong.

Women aren't safe anywhere—even here at ULM. One example is when many female students were approached on campus and through social media by a man named Vincent Robinson.

Robinson asked female students if he could go to their dorms to shower.

This freaked female students out

because they knew he had bad intentions.

Robinson had been arrested and banned from ULM’s campus multiple times between 2017-2020 for trespassing and failure to register as a sex offender or child predator, according to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.

However, many students had no idea this happened.

Women don’t feel safe on the street, in stores, at restaurants or at school.

Therefore, men have no right to be upset about a curfew.

A curfew is only the tip of the iceberg.

We must demand more.

Men should be punished for their actions instead of women.

Men need to be taught from a young age what makes women feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

Women can only do so much.

It's time for men to own up to their mistakes, educate themselves and change.

Stop punishing women for the actions of men. Educate men to be better men not women to be safer women. contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu

photo coutesy Rheutrers

Political Movements

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 should go further than social media posts

Kaitlin Maness In recent years, social media has played a huge role in furthering political movements. We’ve all seen the hashtags— #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, #TakeAKnee.

But in most cases, these displays of activism are entirely performative. Would celebrities post about these issues without the push from their PR teams or fandoms? Probably not.

Not only are these social media movements performative, they don’t help the causes much. Yes, it’s good to spread awareness. But at some point, actual work needs to be done.

To protest racism and police brutality, people created #BlackoutTuesday last summer. On Blackout Tuesday, nonBlack supporters of BLM posted black squares to Instagram.

Then, they were not supposed to post for the rest of the day. The idea was to amplify Black voices.

In reality, it gave white people an easy out. Post a black square so you won’t be seen as racist. Then, you don’t have to do any

real work to support the movement.

After the Atlanta spa shooting that left eight Asian Americans dead, people attempted to create a movement similar to BLM and Blackout Tuesday—#YellowLivesMatter. Supporters of the movement were to post yellow squares to bring awareness to the rise in Asian American hate crimes.

Yellow Lives Matter didn’t take off like BLM did. A yellow square used to represent the skin of Asian Americans did not sit well with people. And although I agree it's an issue, it’s not the one that stands out to me. Once again, people could participate in YLM without doing anything to better the situation.

These social media movements are activism without the action. People in the U.S. are aware of sexism, racism and police brutality. Now, something needs to be done.

Instead of taking the easy way out with meaningless squares on Instagram or retweeting links to information you didn’t even read yourself, take direct action.

Donate to families who have been ripped apart by police brutality. Sign petitions to enact change in your community.

Call or email local politicians to let them know which issues you care about. Join an organization that supports movements you’re interested in. Participate in protests and if there isn’t one to participate in, create one yourself.

It’s easy to not hold yourself accountable with social media movements. But these are real issues that involve real people who need real help. So, we need to make real change. contact Kaitlin Maness at manessk@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 4

March 29, 2021

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

NEWS

Athletics

Hawkline wins 3rd consecutive national championship

by Loryn Kykendall

Three months—of practice, of stamina training, of early morning workouts, of multiple injuries. And it all comes down to a two minute performance.

The ULM Hawkline team learned a dance routine at the beginning of the spring semester and they’ve been perfecting it ever since.

It all paid off this last weekend when they won their third consecutive national championship title at the American Dance/Drill Team Nationals.

The team traveled to Dallas, Texas and competed against some of the best teams in the country, including Texas Christian University and Texas A&M. Bennett And out of everyone, they were the only hip-hop team.

According to the Hawkline head coach Sonni Bennett, winning first place with a hip-hop routine when

photo courtesy ULM Hawkline

ON A ROLL: The ULM Hawkline team traveled to Dallas last weekend to compete in the American Dance/Drill Team Nationals. This marks the third year in a row the team has won the overall national championship title.

everyone else is competing in jazz is a hard thing to do.

“They gave it 110% every single time,” Bennett said. “I truly believe this team is the definition of a champion.”

Daija Essien, a third year member, has been on the team for the past three wins. But that didn’t make

this one any less special. In fact, she cried when they announced ULM as the winner.

“I’m more than thrilled to be a part of this team,” Essien said. “I wouldn’t regret any of the obstacles that came my way on the road to success.”

In the week leading up to the com-

petition, the team practiced almost every day. They performed their routine at Northwood High School and Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

Second year member Valerie Paige said all their hard work over the past few years has been worth it.

They got to walk in and out of the competition with everyone know-

ing who they are, all because of the tireless effort they put in to be great.

Kaylee Nolan, a first year member, said all those months of practice made their win feel even better.

“Winning tonight made everything worth Essien it,” Nolan said.

“It felt good to know that all of our hard work had paid off.”

Bennett said this team is positive, hard working and motivated.

She, like Essein, was also in tears when she found out they won.

“This year’s team is truly Nolan like no team I’ve ever had,” Bennett said. “They’re resilient, but most importantly they are truly a family.” contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu

Data Security

ULM fails to meet federal cyber safety requirements Audit reports student privacy may not be adequately protected

by Kaitlin Maness

photo courtesy MCT campus

INFORMATION SAFETY: A recent audit discovered that ULM’s precautions to keep students’ information safe may not be enough. However, no allegation of a student data breach has been issued.

In its most recent audit, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor discovered ULM may not have done enough to protect student privacy.

Although no allegation of a student data breach has been issued, ULM doesn’t meet federal requirements set by the GrammLeach-Bliley Act in 1999.

The act requires financial institutions to explain their information-sharing practices to their customers and to safeguard their data.

ULM already has safeguards in place through Banner and annual employee training. However, the safeguards have yet to be formally identified.

According to the LLA report, ULM must submit “a formal documented risk assessment” to meet the requirements.

Before the LLA report was issued, ULM contracted an external independent firm to conduct the missing risk assessment, according to Vice President Michael Camille of Information

Services and Student Success.

The assessment should be complete by May 31. Camille ensures ULM will “go over the recommendations in the report and address every risk.”

ULM’s Office of Information Technology collaborates with other universities in the Louisiana System to choose the best practices for securing student data, according to Camille.

Also, systems used by the university, like Banner, are monitored by multiple outside security authorities.

Chance Eppinette, the director of Information Technology, said he thinks the university’s current safeguards are strong enough but the final risk assessment report is needed to be certain.

Eppinette “ULM is always looking to identify new opportunities to enhance our security methods,” Eppinette said.

The decision to add new security precautions will depend on the results of the assessment, according to Eppinette. contact Kaitlin Maness at manessk@warhawks.ulm.edu

March 29, 2021

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

PAGE 5

NEWS

Women’s History Month

Symposium recognizes women in leadership

by Alexis Page

Empowerment, motivation and encouragement for girls and women. This was the intention Kristin Chandler had when she conceived the idea for ULM Women’s Symposium in 2016.

The symposium is a yearly program where women who hold leadership roles gather to share their ideas and inspiring words with others.

The fifth annual symposium celebrated Women’s Chandler History Month virtually last week.

The program featured speakers who hold leadership roles in their careers and communities.

Jaleesa Harris, chairwoman of the Women’s Symposium, kicked things off with her thoughts on why the symposium is important.

“We all have a story to tell,” Harris said. “[About] lessons of triumphs and failures that can help the next person.”

A few women won awards for their achievements in leadership.

Sue Nicholson, the recently retired president and CEO of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, won the Legacy Award.

And Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, president of Edward Via College, received the Lisa Miller Distinguished Leader Award.

They also discussed the painful reality women face during the pandemic.

According to the National Women’s Law Center, women lost more than five Nicholson million jobs during 2020, which is almost one million more than men. And Black and Latino populations suffered the most.

Three different workshops engaged students and hosts in topics ranging from personal growth to gender roles to cultural awareness. Participants discussed their flaws in the workplace and how to better them.

Although Harris has taken over from Chandler Tooke-Rawlins as chairwoman, she said nothing has changed. She and the board plan to continue engaging audiences in female stories throughout Monroe. photo courtesy Women’s Symposium

contact Alexis Page at pagean@warhawks.ulm.edu

STORIES TO TELL: Women in leadership roles gathered last week to discuss their achievements and issues in the workplace, and inspired each other through their own stories.

Donation

Sock, blanket drive has low turnout, continues this week

by Loryn Kykendall

Socks and blankets—they’re things most of us have and use daily without thinking twice about it. But for some, they’re hard to come by.

Some people in need in the Monroe area find these items at Grace Place Ministries, a nonprofit that has a soup kitchen and clothing closet.

When members of 31 Ambassadors volunteered at the soup kitchen recently, they were told a lot of people come there for blankets and socks.

So 31 Ambassadors decided to hold a sock and blanket drive on campus last week.

They asked students to donate Gilmore any socks and blankets they could spare to be donated to Grace Place.

But only two students donated.

So this week at the t-shirt swap, 31 Ambassadors will be accepting

photo courtesy 31 Ambassardors

THE PURPOSE IN SERVICE: 31 Ambassadors held a sock and blanket drive last week and will give the donations to Grace Place Ministries. This Wednesday at the t-shirt swap, students can exchange socks or a blanket for a ULM shirt.

socks and blankets in exchange for a t-shirt.

Destiny Gilmore, one of the members who worked at the drive,

said it’s important for students to donate because every student calls Monroe home at least temporarily, and people should help out others

in their community.

“It’s important for us to give back to our community and leave an impact wherever you are no matter

how long you may be here,” Gilmore said.

Karen Che, another member of 31 Ambassadors, said donation is not only helpful to the people on the receiving end, but to those giving as well.

Che said a person can find their purpose through service.

“Donation is part of service, it’s something everyone should Che do,” Che said.

If you missed out on donating last week, the t-shirt swap is March 31 under the library overhang from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You can swap another college’s shirt, a pair of socks or a blanket in exchange for a ULM t-shirt.

“Monroe is very fortunate to have a university that has students who are willing to take time out of their schedules and help out the community,” Gilmore said. contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu

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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

March 29, 2021

FREESTYLE

Documentary Review

Demi Lovato docuseries: Honest look at addiction, healing

by Kaitlin Maness

If you were born in 1998 or later, chances are you grew up watching or listening to Demi Lovato.

Entering the spotlight at age seven, Lovato was on “Barney & Friends.”

However, she didn’t become a household name until her Disney Channel debut.

Lovato starred in “Camp Rock” and “Sunny with A Chance.” Then, she become an international pop star.

For the past decade, Lovato has struggled with an eating disorder and addiction. She first entered rehab in 2011.

After that, Lovato pioneered the mental health movement.

Lovato has released two fulllength documentaries, “Stay Strong” and “Simply Complicated.”

Both cover heavy topics like mental health, addiction and body issues. But none of them even come close to being as honest as her most recent release, “Dancing with the Devil.”

“Dancing with the Devil” is a YouTube original docuseries. The first two episodes aired last week. There will be two more episodes before the docuseries is complete.

She also released a spine-tingling single of the same name to accom-

pany the docuseries.

In episode one, “Losing Control,” Lovato, along with her friends, family and team, give an unfiltered take on the past few years of her life.

In 2018, Lovato overdosed on heroin and was hospitalized. No one outside her inner circle knew how severe the overdose was until the docuseries aired.

Lovato suffered two strokes, a heart attack and brain damage. She permanently impaired her vision and can no longer drive.

She was also sexually assaulted the night of her overdose. Lovato was on the brink of death—mentally and physically.

Lovato revealed she never meant to become an icon for the mental health movement in episode one.

But now that she is, Lovato said she feels a responsibility to be honest about her journey.

In past documentaries, she has tried to cover up the severity of her issues.

In “Dancing with the Devil,” Lovato is done keeping up walls. This series, addressing such raw and vulnerable topics, brought down any barriers that existed between fans and the truth.

By doing so, Lovato not only created a stronger bond with her fandom but also helps those who need

to know healing isn’t linear.

One thing that the docuseries does well is making sure not to blame her loved ones.

In episode two, “5 Minutes from Death,” Lovato makes it clear that she developed the ability to hide her addiction well. She was able to seem fine so that her family and friends wouldn’t worry.

The episode recounts the story of the day before and the night of her overdose.

This series also teaches the audience how to identify the warning signs of addiction.

It also can help addicts feel understood. Here is someone, Lovato, who seems to have their life together but is also struggling.

Although Lovato never purposely tried to become a key figure in the mental health movement, she is.

Her willingness to be vulnerable in such a public way has helped and will continue to help those who currently deal with the same issues.

Lovato is also working on a new album titled “Dancing with the Devil...the Art of Starting Over.” The album will be released on April 2.

It will cover the same topics as the docuseries and feature many popular artists like Ariana Grande. contact Kaitlin Maness at manessk@warhawks.ulm.edu

Lifestyle

3 tips to improve daily mental health

by Lauren Weeks

As your weeks are about to be filled with more essays, exams and projects, your stress and anxiety levels will skyrocket. Everyone deals with stress in different ways. The Counseling Center at ULM is a great resource if you would like to talk to someone. However, there are other ways you can reduce stress by simply changing some things in your daily life.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you stay relaxed over the next few stressful weeks left in the semester.

Go outside Let us talk about the importance of going outside. Everyone knows exercising is good for your mental health, but research has suggested that working out outside improves the results even further.

While we are in nature, our brain work a little differently. There are changes in emotions and a decrease in anxiety. While going outside is not going to solve all your problems, it can boost your mood for the day.

According to UNC Health Talk, going on daily walks outside does not only benefit those with diagnosed anxiety but also those who simply get stressed out here and there. Doing this can also help prevent anxiety and depression.

Sunshine is a great source to improve your mental health. When you are in sunlight, your brain releases a hormone called serotonin.

Serotonin helps with boosting your mood and helping you feel calm and focused, according to Healthline.

Even walking or sitting in the sun for 15 minutes a day can help you feel relaxed. Just remember to wear your sunscreen.

Find your creative release There is a positive relationship between having a safe, creative outlet and your overall health, according to a study performed by the American Journal of Public Health. Having a creative outlet can lower your stress levels.

A creative outlet can be anything that allows your mind to be innovative. These activities can include hobbies such as painting, dancing, photography, journaling, yoga, playing an

graphic by Sunil Bishwokrama

instrument, scrapbooking or singing.

You do not have to be good at these things for it to be a hobby. The goal is to release yourself from every day stressors and enjoy a little time being creative.

Get some good sleep This next one is either your favorite or least favorite—sleep. Lack of sleep for an extended period can cause you to feel groggy and not your best.

To train your brain to sleep well at night. You can create a bedtime routine you can follow five nights out of the week. Your brain wants to do the same thing every day. You can develop

this pattern by dimming the lights, taking a warm bubble bath or reading a book before bed.

Limit naps throughout the day. Try not to take more than a 30 minute nap each day. If you like naps, avoid taking them in the late afternoon. Morning or early afternoon naps won’t disrupt your sleep when you try to go to bed at night.

Third, keep coffee and caffeine just for the mornings. Avoiding caffeine at night will make sure you are not alert when you should be preparing to go to sleep. contact Lauren Weeks at weekslc@warhawks.ulm.edu

March 29, 2021

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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

FREESTYLE

Holiday

Show Commentary

Warhawks share ways to spend spring break Anime ‘attacks’

by Caitlyn Cullen

While outside on a beautiful day, it occurred to me how people don’t take time to relax on campus. Many might not know how to relax in what seems like such little time between classes.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed many students’ way of life. Two of the biggest changes people had to make was how they gathered and traveled.

A year later, students are still struggling with how to decompress and have fun on their days off.

Kaelyn Randall, a freshman psychology major, suggested some fun ways to destress while also being COVID-safe.

Randall “Some good ideas would be to take a nap, read a book, go on a picnic or spend time with your family,” Randall said.

Spending time with friends and family has proven to be common stress-relievers. Depending on what you do in that time, it can be easy to comply

graphic by Sunil Bishwokrama

with pandemic guidelines.

Randall also suggested outdoor activities. Being outside is shown to improve mental health and encourage your body to relax.

Sydney David, a senior toxicology major, weighed in on what she would be doing during spring break to relax from the stress of school work.

“I’m going to be going home.

I’ll probably tan, get my nails done, eat some Easter candy and prep for the last few weeks

of my classes,” David said.

David also stated that going for a hike would be a great, COVIDfriendly way to tackle break.

Though this year’s spring David break is a lot different than usual, that doesn’t mean it should be any less rewarding.

Spring break follows a week of

midterms, and students should take advantage of the short break from school.

Spring break comes at a time where a lot of college students begin to feel burnt out. After being in rigorous classes, it is natural for your body to demand a short break. With the weather warming up, your brain and body want to soak up vitamin D and fresh air.

Matthew Lantz, a freshman criminal justice major, gives ideas on-campus students can do to take breaks. He states that kayaking is one of his favorite things to do at ULM. “Kayaking with friends is always a nice break from my school work,” Lantz said. “I love to spend time on the water, in the sun.”

Whether your spring break is spent on-campus, at home or traveling to see family, it is important to give your body a break.

Although the pandemic is not yet over, there are still many ways to soak up the sun and have fun. contact Caitlyn Cullen at cullenck@warhawks.ulm.edu

Audiobook Recommendations

Madness, romance: Books to ‘tune in’ to

by Alexis Page

Perhaps you’re not an adventurous spring breaker. You would rather cozy up to a good book. I sprinkled some mystery, thriller, psychological and a pinch of romance on this brew of recommendations. Now you can listen to your favorite book genre as you drive, cook or workout. Don’t forget to breathe as you listen to these spectacular audiobooks.

“The Girl in the Letter” Mother-and-baby homes were playgrounds for torment and abuse. Unmarried mothers were sent here as “punishment for their sins.” Emily Gunnis details an investigative journey through painful pasts and timeless vendettas. The protagonist, Sam, is a journalist down on her luck. She finds letters from the 1950s about a victim of sinister St. Margaret’s. Sam must race against time to unleash the secrets behind this hellhole before it’s demolished—and

bodies start piling.

“The Silent Patient” Alex Michaelides’ debut novel is an awesome psychological mystery laced with twists and lies. A psychotherapist tries to help a widowed artist whose husband was murdered. There’s one problem—she refuses to speak. You’ll be scratching your poor scalp numb trying to predict what happens next

“The Nightingale” Kristin Hannah mixes the dehumanizing Nazi occupation of

France, life-threatening drama and a broken family fighting to survive in their unique way.

No matter how emotionally wrecked you get, you won’t be able to sleep until the book is done. Stories like these define why happy endings are never certain. War stories aren’t exactly known for being Disney material.

“Behind Closed Doors” Life seems good for Grace.

She has a handsome lawyer for a husband and a posh lifestyle that was once foreign to her.

Absolutely perfect, right? What lies behind this privileged British couple is nothing short of psychotic. One lesson you’ll take from author B.A. Paris is to be careful who you marry.

“Letters to the Lost”

This is another World War II story like “The Nightingale” but not nearly as depressing. Jess hides in an abandoned home from her abusive boyfriend. She finds and lives vicariously in a pile of old letters. These letters detail a love affair tested by war, faith and time itself. Iona Grey grips your heartstrings with a romance filled with forbidden love, tragedy, hope, longing and bitter-sweetness. Be warned: tears will fall.

contact Alexis Page at pagean@warhawks.ulm.edu

real youth issues

“Attack on Titan” is an anime about a group of teenagers living inside cities surrounded by three gigantic walls that save the last of humanity from humanlike giants called Titans who devour humans. The walls had kept humanity safe from Titans for about 100 years. But one day, the wall was breached by the Colossal Titan. This breach let all the Titans inside.

Lots of people die, including the mother of Eren Yeager, the protagonist.

This show is a Shonen anime, this type of anime are targeted toward teens and young adults. The show, “Attack on Titan,” reflects the struggle adolescents face mentally, academically and socially.

The show follows Eren as he joins the military and vows to kill all the Titans he can find. Some humans that survive the attack join him to fight against the Titans and preserve humanity.

The story quickly develops into a bleak world with humanity struggling to fight the unfolding of truth while navigating the unexpected twists and turns.

Every episode will keep you on a hook in this wellwritten story about the crude, the dark and the scary side of survival.

The series has breathtaking graphics with every character, scene and sequence being carefully detailed. The action is exhilarating and the fluid camera-work makes you feel like you are at the center of it.

The soundtrack is truly magnificent as well. It takes you into the innocence of the powerless, the madness of the mighty invaders, the sadness of horror and the rage for vengeance.

This show is good because it lacks the usual tropes of anime. First-time viewers do not have to worry about being familiar with Japanese culture or anime in general.

It is set in what looks like medieval Europe and is a well-thought review of our humanity and history.

It’s not just survival or heroes defeating villains. Be prepared to exercise your brain to grasp the complicated events in the series.

The unique characters are also a selling point of this anime. Eren Yeager’s character development is one of the best in all of Shonen anime.

I leave you with the quote from Eren. “The people who push themselves into hell see a different hell from the rest of us. They also see something beyond that hell. Maybe it’s hope. Maybe it’s yet another hell. The only people who do know are the ones who keep moving forward.” contact Usha Gyawali at gyawalu@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 8

THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE

March 29, 2021

SPORTS

Softball

Baseball

Warhawks fall behind Lions 2-1

Rematch lost versus Louisiana Tech

by Maggie Eubanks

RUSTON, La. — ULM (10-9) took a short trip to Ruston last Tuesday to take on in-state rival Louisiana Tech (16-6). This matchup looked set to be a good one as ULM was fired up after having just beat #9 ranked Oklahoma State. They now had the chance to take down another ranked opponent in #21 Louisiana Tech. Tech took the win earlier in the season 3-10.

“We just had to realize it was another faceless opponent,” said Warhawks right fielder Trace Henry. The game would not play out in favor of the Warhawks, as the Bulldogs took the 9-7 win. However, the Warhawks are poised to do well in district play.

“Conference play is a different animal, and we are looking forward to keeping some momentum into this weekend against Texas State,” said Henry. ULM won the

first game against the Bobcats but lost the second in extra innings.

ULM started the game off on the wrong foot as La. Tech was able to score two runs in the first inning off three walks and a hit by pitch.

This bad luck seemed to continue for the Warhawks as Tech was able to plate another run in the second to go up 0-3.

ULM finally got a run on the board in the top of the fourth after a double by senior Ryan Humneniuk brought in fellow senior Andrew Beesley. La Tech quickly answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to make the score 1-4.

The top of the fifth started strong for the Warhawks with a single by Henry. He was able to score after a fielder’s choice RBI off the bat of Beesley, who was able to score himself after an RBI double from Humeniuk. ULM would finally even things back up in the top of the sixth after a sacrifice fly from

photo courtesy LA Tech athletics

OUT OF THE PARK: ULM 1B Danny Desimone hits a home run into the stands, scoring three runners on the play.

junior Grant Schulz.

La. Tech would retake the lead in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs to go up 4-6. ULM answered big in the top of the seventh after junior Danny Desimone went yard with a three-run home run to give the Warhawks the lead at 7-6. Un-

fortunately, this lead did not last long as Tech plated three runs in the bottom of the inning to go up 7-9. This would be the final score as ULM would take the loss.

Cameron Jett at jettcm@ warhawks.ulm.edu

contact Jonah Bostick at bostickjm@warhawks.ulm.edu

NFL legend Drew Brees retires

photo courtesy New Orleans Saints

THE LAST RIDE: Drew Brees gives a final farewell to fans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the venue he called home for the past 14 seasons.

MVP in a 31-17 win over Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts.

“There are very few people who show the passion for the game like Brees did,” said freshman

speech pathology major Mckenzie Watts. “I’m just glad he was on our team.”

Brees chose the Saints after the Miami Dolphins and head coach Nick Saban were afraid to commit

to him as he after an injury and surgery in his throwing arm. Saints owner Tom Benson was contemplating relocation to San Antonio, the team’s home for much of the

by Jonah Bostick

contact Jonah Bostick at bostickjm@warhawks.ulm.edu,

Football

Jan. 17 will be a day that the state of Louisiana will always remember. Saints legend Drew Brees played his final game in a 30-20 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brees gave the MercedesBenz Superdome one last look before going into the locker room, and the Who Dat Nation realized that part of the journey is the end.

“Although his career has ended, our love for him never will,” said Elisa Castillion, a freshman pre-med major from New Orleans. Brees brought hope to the city in a time of doubt. He signed with the Saints a year after the city was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. He and first-year head coach Sean Payton quickly turned the team around, advancing to the franchise’s first NFC Championship game in their first season. Three seasons later, Brees was named Super Bowl XLIV

REVIVED: Korie Kreps helped save the Warhawks season, winning seven of their last nine games.

The ULM softball team faced a home matchup against in-state rival Southeastern last week.

The Warhawks came into the game winning seven of their last eight games and were only two games below .500. They aimed for their 11th win of the season.

The game started off silent, remaining scoreless throughout the first three innings of play. However, the Warhawks would break the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kennedy Johnson, with a runner on third base, produced an infield bunt single that brought in Jayden Mount for the run.

The game would remain at a 1-0 score up until the top of the sixth inning. After base hits from Audrey Greely and Aerial Mass, two runners were in scoring position. Then, after an error at third base, the two runners were able to score, and the Lions took the lead 2-1.

The runs were scored with two outs in the inning.

The Warhawks were unable to answer, and they would lose the game 2-1, dropping their record to 10-13.

Despite losing the game, the Warhawks were able to record more hits than the Lions, with their six hits compared to Southeastern’s three. However, the only error of the game was the sixth inning miscue. It would cost them the game.

Starting pitcher Adrianna Chavarria was given her third loss of the season. She gave up two runs on three hits, while recording eight strikeouts and pitching for 5.2 innings.

The Warhawks schedule does not get easier, as their next game features a trip to Baton Rouge to take on the #11 ranked LSU Tigers in another in-state matchup. The Warhawks have yet to defeat a ranked team this season.

contact Maggie Eubabanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu

by Jonah Bostick, Cameron Jett

photo courtesy ULM athletics

2005 season.

“He always gave us hope each year that we could make a Super Bowl,” said Christian Cage, a freshman atmospheric science major. The Saints had a top-10 offense every season with Brees. Analysts and announcers would often compare Brees’ record setting passing accuracy to a surgeon or a laser’s level of precision.

The future hall of famer set numerous records in his career. He holds the record for most passing yards of all-time with 80,358. He had five seasons with 5,000 or more passing yards, whereas no other quarterback in NFL history has more than one such season. Brees also holds the record for consecutive games with 54.

Brees has the top-three most accurate seasons for a quarterback and holds the career completion percentage record.