Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022

Headed for the holidays

What’s inside: Native Heritage Month, Housing crisis, 5 ways to stay motivated, Midterms analysis, Soccer recap and more

Caroline Connelly (left) and Jessie Foley (right) smile while walking to class, despite cold rain on Tuesday, Nov. 15. (Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon)

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Letter from the Editor: Honoring Native Heritage

Shawnee peoples and Tsoyaha peoples (Yuchi, Muscogee).

Land acknowledgements like these are starting places on the path towards greater awareness of Native history and life. They are a push that leads us to deeper places of knowing. There is beauty in coming into contact with the ancientness of this land on which we live and study and form connections with one another.

There is also power in considering the many centuries that this land was inhabited before Blount College was established in 1794.

much the same. However, hundreds of objects have been removed from view as the museum works to return ancestors and their sacred objects home.

Lisa King, an associate professor of English at UT who specializes in Native rhetorics through museum spaces, received a grant from the Luce Foundation to work on a new exhibit on the history of the mound and the presence of Native peoples in the area to this day.

DANIEL DASSOW Editor-in-Chief

As we enter this Thanksgiving season, a time when indigenous history in the United States is often misremembered or trivialized, we should be mindful that November is Native American Heritage Month.

For those of us who live and work at UT, Native American heritage is not distant or inaccessible. It is at all times in walking distance. When I first learned that the oldest structure at UT is a Native American burial mound on the agriculture campus, erected sometime between 600 and 1000 C.E., I went out looking for it.

From old photos online, you cannot tell where the mound is exactly. In the photos – which probably should not exist since the site is designated by tribes as sacred – there are few glimpses of buildings, giving the impression that it stands in quiet isolation from the bustle of campus.

I thought maybe the mound rested in the peaceful woods behind Morgan Hall. I thought maybe it was located near UT Gardens. After a fruitless walk to these places, I asked a staff member at Pendergrass Library where I could find the sacred burial site, and I got an answer that shocked me.

The mound is sitting right near a heavy construction zone on the busy corner of Joe Johnson and E.J. Chapman Drives, with nothing to protect it but a small metal fence and its placement since 1978 on the National Register of Historical Places.

If you walk behind the mound, you’ll find a path where plants and trees are labeled with their Cherokee names. There is a memorial and a plaque that provide context for the mound’s history. But from where most people pass by the small hill, there is nothing to designate it as ancient or sacred.

The site, then, is more than an important indigenous space. It is also a symbol of the placement of Native history on campus, geographically and historically central and yet marginalized within a story of growth and success.

The land over which UT is rapidly reproducing itself is part of the traditional territory of the Aniyunwiya peoples (now Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians),

The indigenous population at UT is very small. According to data from the university, 12 of this year’s record-breaking 6,846 incoming freshmen identify as “American Indian or Alaska Native,” or roughly 0.00175%.

Though indigenous people make up a tiny percentage of the entire UT community, their stories are increasingly visible, thanks in large part to the work of the Native American Student Association (NASA) and the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture. These groups have created ways for the wider community to engage with Native heritage this month.

In a small step towards deeper awareness, students, staff and faculty can follow the work of NASA through the organization’s Instagram acount, @utknasa. Through this account, NASA shares information about events like its indigenous art showcase, “We Are Still Here,” hosted on Nov. 11.

Students can also visit a newly reimagined exhibit at the McClung Museum titled “Repatriation of Archaeology & the Native Peoples of Tennessee,” which opened in August and will remain until June 2024, when it is set to be replaced by an exhibit on the burial mound.

The exhibit explains the process of repatriation, where funerary or sacred objects are returned to tribal nations through a law called The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

For those who visited the longstanding exhibit on “Archaeology & the Native Peoples of Tennessee,” the layout of the space will look

Through the process, King, alongside museum leadership and Ellen Lofaro, director of repatriation at UT, have met with tribal representatives to design a space that honors the continued presence and dignity of Native peoples.

The repatriation exhibit makes public what is often a private process, thereby including the broader community in mindfulness of Native heritage and our collective responsibility in the face of systematic dispossession. Students can visit the exhibit for free Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

These are starting places offered for free to the UT community, and November, a season of thankfulness for the blessings of land and of each other, is a perfect time to explore the indigineity of this space we inhabit.

As I reflect on what this season means, I am reminded of the words of Joy Harjo, former professor of English at UT and three-term Poet Laureate of the United States, who served as commencement speaker in May for the College of Arts and Sciences.

In her address, Harjo, an internationally renowned writer and performer who is member of the Muscogee Nation, spoke a prayer fitting for a time like this.

“Pray thankfulness for this earth we are,” Harjo said. “Pray thankfulness for this sun we are. Pray thankfulness for the songs we are. Pray thankfulness for these waters we are. Pray thankfulness for this love we are.”

With Harjo’s prayer at the ready and a beautiful landscape around us, may we enter Thanksgiving with honesty and care for this indigenous land on which we walk each day.

A participant climbs the Rock to paint it for Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 10, 2022. Photo courtesy of McClung Museum

‘I don’t have a backup plan’: Struggle to find student housing continues

ABBIE SMITH Staff Writer

In recent years, universities across the coun try have been experiencing housing crises due to their over-enrollment. Universities have put forth solutions by offering financial incentives to delay enrollment and converting buildings on campus into temporary residence halls as they draw up plans for new halls. In other areas, administrators have not been able to find a so lution, leaving students to put their life plans on hold because they cannot afford a place to live.

The University of Tennessee is currently fac ing a similar problem. After admitting about 6,800 incoming students in the fall of 2022 - the largest class recorded in UT’s historystudents have been faced with difficulty when trying to find housing for the 2023-24 school year. Even though UT is renting out a Holiday Inn and apartments at Quarry Trail, students are still struggling to find housing.

Jaxx Fox, a first-year graduate student pur suing a master’s in information sciences ex plained their feelings about the situation.

“The university is absolutely not handling incoming freshmen appropriately and just shrugging when they voice their struggle with housing and cost of living. For some of y’all, you can pay your way out of it, but a lot of students can’t and end up in awful financial situations themselves or with their families,” Fox said.

Fox has had a unique experience with UT housing. They moved to Knoxville in 2008 to attend UT and graduated in 2012. Since then, they have stayed in Knoxville and now own a house in the area. Fox noted how times have changed since their undergraduate time at UT.

“I remember when upperclassmen could be in dorms. My husband, who graduated from UT

the same year as me, moved off campus as a ju nior and then moved back as a senior to focus on his studies,” Fox said.

Though upperclassmen are still able to live in dorms, students are facing more and more difficulty finding a room with the policies that UT has begun using. Last year, UT implemented the “lottery system” where students submit their requests for housing and those who re ceive housing are picked at random.

Many students believe this system to be un fair, especially upperclassmen who are looking to continue living in Laurel or Vol Hall. In the past, UT has used a “same room, new year” method for providing housing to their students, but due to high demand, that is no longer guar anteed.

Just ten years ago, Fox’s husband was able to live off campus and return to campus because it allowed him to better focus on his studies. This is not an option for some students, however, as they must live on campus in order to maintain their enrollment. Many students utilize their financial aid and scholarships to pay for oncampus housing. One of these students is junior Madeline Sims, majoring in social work.

“My financial aid pays for my housing. Without it, I cannot afford to attend UT,” Sims said. “Part of the stipulation for my financial aid is that I live on campus. If I don’t receive the aid, then I can’t live in Knoxville. I can’t pay for it.”

With the “lottery system” UT has put in place to determine the availability of housing for upperclassmen, many students have been left to find housing off campus. Some students are even camping outside of popular apartment complexes near campus in order to find hous ing.

“I waited to get a lease at the TENN for, like, twenty hours, and luckily I got it. Before I got my lease, it was stressful and I did not know what to do. Housing in Knoxville is expensive

and scarce, so I am lucky that I know where I am living,” Riley Brennan, a sophomore majoring in marketing, said.

Not every student can say the same as Bren nan. Michela Campe, a sophomore studying business analytics and management, signed a lease at an apartment complex near campus for the upcoming school year, but received an email after signing saying that her signed lease did not guarantee housing.

“(The email) said, ‘having a signed lease does NOT guarantee your placement at this time due to the volume of applicants.’ Like, why are you even giving out leases then? They did this to tons of kids,” Campe said. “I waited too long to resign at my current complex and the price went up almost $300 from what I pay now. It’s absurd.”

There are still students on the waitlist for on-campus housing, and it is evident that not all of them will receive housing. Students who already live off campus are suffering from in creasing rates and limited space at their current complex, so they are continuing to search else where.

There are off-campus housing options available, but some of these options have now become fully leased, so they are no longer avail able to students. There are currently availabili ties at Flagship Kerns, Knox High Apartments, The Orchard of Knoxville, Barclay House, Ma

plehurst Park and some URE Housing proper ties.

If a student is looking for housing, these properties are worth researching and touring. Other than that, there’s not much to be done except sit and wait.

Sitting and waiting is not an option for some students, like Sims.

“I don’t have a backup plan. I have a meeting next week with my advisor about switching into the College of Social Work’s online bachelor’s program,” Sims said.

Not all students have the time to wait 20 hours for a lease, like Brennan. If housing isn’t even guaranteed for those who signed leases off-campus, like Campe stated, then it leaves students feeling confused and helpless.

“UT has been so focused on their incoming classes that they’ve forgotten about their up perclassmen. We’re just as important as the in coming freshmen for enrollment, so it feels un fair that we’ve been stiffed this way,” Sims said.

As part of a solution for this housing crisis, UT is planning to build two new residence halls as part of their master plan for housing, though the timeline for construction is currently un clear. As the plan currently stands, one of the halls will house about 525 beds and the other, about 750. The finished product cannot come soon enough in the minds of upperclassmen who are frantically searching for a place to live.

A view of Volunteer Hall on Oct. 18, 2022. Hayden Formica / Contributor

Lizzo, self-love pop sensation, to headline Volapalooza 2023

(CEB) through the Center for Student En gagement.

Lizzo, the viral pop and rap sensation be hind songs like “Truth Hurts” and “About Damn Time,” will headline Volapalooza on Friday, April 21, 2023 in Thompson-Bol ing Arena on a stop of “Lizzo: The Special 2our.” She will be the biggest name and the first female solo artist to headline the an nual end-of-year concert for UT students in its 20-year history.

With the prestige comes a price tag. Lizzo will be the most expensive artist for an event that began as a free concert with smaller artists. Though the concert will be open to the public, a limited number of student tickets available to all current UT students for a discounted rate of $30 will go on sale soon, according to a press release from the university.

Students can expect two emails from Thompson-Boling Arena in their inboxes soon. The first email will provide detailed instructions on how and when to purchase student tickets. The second will include a unique link to purchase discounted student tickets. These tickets will only be available through the link from the arena.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on

Nov. 18 and any student who does not secure discounted tickets may purchase general public tickets. Though ticket prices for the singer and rapper are unpredictable due to her rapid success, they currently start as low as $69 for her American stops.

Lizzo became an international name with the release of her platinum 2019 album “Cuz I Love You,” featuring singles like “Juice,” “Tempo” and “Truth Hurts,” which in stantly became staples of self-love dance

pop. Her brash lyrics are famous for cutting through misogyny and body shaming with a unique brand of humor. Her most recent album, “Special” was released in July.

The fun-loving star is also a classically trained flutist, and inspired headlines and thousands of memes in September for play ing James Madison’s crystal flute onstage in Washington, D.C.

Volapalooza is hosted for students in partnership with the Campus Events Board

“The Campus Events Board (CEB) is so excited to welcome Lizzo to Rocky Top for Volapalooza 2023,” Emma Nair, senior and CEB Entertainment Committee president, said. “It’s been a dream working with the folks at Thompson-Boling Arena and Live Nation because they have been able to help us support award-winning artists coming to campus at a great price for students. A concert like this helps to further the CEB’s mission.”

Volapalooza has grown far beyond its in die beginnings in Circle Park and Fiji Island. The concert, which began in 2003 as a way to celebrate the end of the year, quickly grew to be the largest student-produced event on campus.

Historically, Volapalooza has brought in mostly alternative rock bands, cover bands and rap artists. As it moved around from Circle Park to Fiji Island to World’s Fair Park and now to Thompson-Boling, the event has featured groups like Passion Pit, Gym Class Heroes, Lupe Fiasco, Tyga and, most recently, Wiz Khalifa.

For many students, this Volapalooza will be only the second in their time on campus, since the event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor, candidate Greg Kaplan targeted on heels of antisemitism report

AURORA SILAVONG Staff Writer

compiled in Tennessee, provides a breakdown of antisemitic activity in the state encompass ing everything from vandalism to terrorism. It also sheds light on other activity in the area that is of concern to the Jewish community including white supremacist gatherings and anti-Zionist protests.

The report identified “extremist actions by known US-based groups” as a factor for the rise in antisemitic incidents nationally.

Although much of the report focuses on Middle Tennessee and the Nashville area, it does address antisemitic and extremist activ ity that occurred outside of that area, including some occurrences in East Tennessee. It specifi cally named the arson of the Knoxville Planned Parenthood building, as well as an incident where a UT student discovered antisemitic messages scrawled on their car’s windshield.

“I was dismayed that my opponent’s cam paign was attempting to shift the focus away from the important issues by spreading false hoods about me,” Kaplan said. “At the same time, I was determined not to let these attacks distract my campaign from promoting the is sues that were and that continue to be impor tant in the district and throughout Tennessee.”

The advertisement was condemned by many in the community, including the Knox ville Jewish Alliance. Kaplan’s Republican op ponent, Elaine Davis, said she had no role in the creation or distribution of the mailers.

Despite this experience and having observed antisemitic incidents at UT in years past, Ka plan says he does not believe that antisemitism is actively cultivated on campus.

hit universities across the United States and Canada beginning in fall of 2016,” Helene Sin nreich, associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies, said. “The result was that for a time our campus — and specifically our defaced Rock — became a symbol of antisemi tism on college campuses.”

Although UT has not seen another major incident like the vandalism at the Rock since 2019, student organizations have recently played host to a number of speakers and orga nizations who have been associated with white nationalism and antisemitism.

Greg Kaplan, a professor of Spanish, was targeted by what many believe was an an tisemitic mailer during his candidacy for the Tennessee House of Representatives. File / The Daily Beacon

In September, Nashville-based publication

The Jewish Observer released a report chroni cling approximately 111 instances of antisemi tism in Tennessee over a period from 2021 to the middle of 2022.

The report, which is the first of its kind ever

Only a few weeks after the report, Gregory Kaplan, a Spanish professor at UT and a can didate for state representative in the midterm election, found himself front and center on a controversial mailer distributed by the Ten nessee Republican Party. The advertisement featured a distorted picture of Kaplan, which was perceived to be feeding into negative ste reotypes of Jewish people.

Kaplan, who is Jewish, said he was disap pointed that his opponents would choose to attack his identity instead of civilly addressing their differences.

“After nearly three decades as a professor at UT, I continue to believe strongly what I said in article published in 2017, namely, that I have ‘not noticed a culture of anti-Semitism on UT’s campus’ and that ‘it’s not a topic that comes up on campus unless it’s being brought from out side,’” Kaplan said.

In 2018 and 2019, the Rock was defaced with antisemitic messages and symbols multiple times. On one of those occasions, a swastika appeared on the beloved landmark following a vigil held there after the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

“Unfortunately, our university was ... tar geted in a wave of antisemitic incidents which

On Nov. 14, far-right influencer John Doyle participated in a debate hosted by Uncensored America at UT. Doyle is affiliated with Nick Fuentes, another controversial influencer who has expressed white nationalist, antisemitic and Holocaust denialist views.

Another recurring guest of student organi zations on campus is the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, the group responsible for anti-abor tion displays on Pedestrian Walkway. The or ganization is notable for appropriating Ho locaust imagery and comparisons to further their cause.

The university offers a variety of resources to students, faculty and staff who have ex perienced antisemitism. These include Hil lel at UTK and the Office of Equity & Diversity. Another resource in the Knoxville area is the Knoxville Jewish Alliance.

Lizzo will headline Volapalooza 2023, bringing the biggest name in the student-led event’s history. Treefort Music Fest / Creative Commons

Future of Tennessee marijuana law unclear as Biden shifts policy

FRANCES SEITERS

Contributor

On Oct. 6, President Biden announced his plan to pardon minor federal marijuana con victions and encouraged governors to do so on the state level. Despite this suggestion, Gov. Bill Lee has chosen not to take Tennessee in this direction.

The federal pardon will affect approximately 6,500 people across the country, but not many people are convicted for only simple drug pos session, as they also have additional convic tions such as drug distribution and gun charges.

“There are a few, if any, people in federal custody for simple possession of marijuana,” Troy Lane, chief of the University of Tennessee Police Department, said. “Likewise, not many people are in state prisons for only marijuana possession. Typically, individuals face prison time for marijuana related charges only when habitual or related to other — more serious — offenses.”

Biden is also asking the U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reclassify marijuana. It is currently identified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance, which is the division that includes heroin and fentanyl.

Drug scheduling originated during the “War

on Drugs,” which started in 1971 under the Nixon administration. The controversy sur rounding the legalization of marijuana has changed drastically as more and more states are decriminalizing the drug.

Dwight Aarons, a professor of law at UT, ex plained how he expects public opinion of the drug to change in the future.

“I think this is 2022,” Aarons said. “By 2042, I will be surprised if this is even a controver sial issue to deal with people who have simple possession of marijuana, even for recreational use.”

Davidson and Shelby counties have tried to decriminalize marijuana by issuing cita tions to avoid criminal offenses on marijuana charges. The General Assembly of Tennessee backtracked this action by passing a law saying

Maintaining Motivation

Staying focused within the final stretch of the semester is crucial to a student’s success. With nearly four weeks left in the semester, it is important to outline some tips for staying consistent until finals week.

CHRISTIAN KYLE Staff Writer

1Create a routine

Routines can create success ful atmospheres for people, especially students. Most people have a routine, but creating one specifically catered toward the end of the semester could be beneficial.

A good idea might be to write down every assignment they have due, and then incorporate that into a weekly plan where they can successfully execute work while remaining productive with their own per sonal life.

A balanced routine also goes a long way, meaning if you balance between your personal obligations and your academics, you will ulti mately be operating within a space where productivity is at a maximum.

Coalition and Tennessee Growers Coalition.

If Gov. Lee were to follow Biden’s action, he would have to initiate an irreversible executive order which could result in pushback from oth er Tennessee politicians. In the past, there have been Republican politicians that have tried to block any legalization of recreational marijua na through the state constitution.

Brett Levin / Creative Commons

police departments are not able to use the law to take that action.

“There is actually a law passed a few years back that basically says that the local govern ment, whether it is county or city, any laws they have that conflict with state policy are deemed invalid,” Aarons said. “This says that police cannot legally authorize that.”

This means the police have no legal autho rization, but a police chief or police officer can decide how to act in this type of situation. Aar ons stated it is the matter of priorities and what the police chief decides is worth their time and what isn’t.

There are a couple of movements across Tennessee that support the legalization of marijuana such as the Tennessee Medical Can nabis Trade Association, Tennessee Cannabis

The Tennessee General Assembly is made up of the Assembly Senate and the Assembly House of Representatives, which are both Re publican dominant. Aarons stated if Gov. Lee was to pass the order, he would break the ties he has with the Republican party.

Aarons doesn’t believe that Gov. Lee would benefit from the decision to follow Biden’s or ders.

In comparison to the other issues that Ten nessee has, simple marijuana possession falls very low on the list of priorities because it af fects a small number of people in federal prison from the state of Tennessee.

As midterm election results trickle in, it looks like Democrats might lose their House of Representatives majority control to Repub licans.

It is unclear what this shift means in the pro gression of policies for marijuana.

Aarons stated that the controversy is so out dated that even Republicans could vote in favor of progressive policies.

4

Nutrition goes a long way in the grand scheme of life and your day to day energy levels. It is important during this busy time of the aca demic year to prioritize food that will fuel your body and mind so you can perform to the best of your ability.

When you eat better foods, you will feel better, and when you feel good, you are more likely to put forth more energy toward everything you pursue.

2Nutrition 3

Find a study buddy

Working with friends can sometimes be very distracting if a student is try ing to complete all of their work by a certain point. With almost four weeks left, there is not much time for procrastination, however. It could be helpful to find a person or friend that works well with you in quiet envi ronments and create a study pact.

Having company present while working on an assignment can create a watcher effect, in which people get things done more efficiently because they are being “watched” by someone else. A study buddy also provides relief if you need to take a quick break from your work. Just make sure you work with some one who motivates you to get your work done and not the opposite.

Make a playlist

Music can inspire, direct and change the mindsets of people. So create a playlist for these last few weeks that will get you up on your feet and ready to work.

People sometimes forget the power of music and its effects on the brain, but it can certainly propel a student into produc tivity if the music choices are right. I would shamelessly recommend “About Damn Time” by Lizzo if you really want to get yourself up and moving with your day.

5

Make studying fun

This may sound simple, but if you find a study tool that makes the experience more enjoyable for you, then this will help immensely with the studying process. You really will get into the process of studying and not even realize you are because you are putting your mind to work and staying busy.

Whenever you engage with material, find a way to make that material more ap plicable to you. For example, if you have a presentation to finish for a class, you could pretend you are giving a TED Talk and present it as if it were not for school.

You would be surprised how far that could take you.

Knoxville Transit Advocacy Group aims to address transportation issues

AURORA SILAVONG Staff Writer

the UT community.

Sophomore geography major Nathaniel Pfeiffer founded the Knoxville Transit Advo cacy Group (KTAG) to connect students who want to advocate and address issues surround ing transportation and infrastructure in the greater Knoxville area.

“I noticed a large number of students who were unhappy with the current system of traf fic and parking passes,” Pfeiffer said. “And I also noticed that these problems all have bet ter sustainable solutions than building more parking lots, selling more parking passes and pretending like this is not an issue affecting students.”

Pfeiffer also cites urban infrastructure You Tube channel “Not Just Bikes” as an inspira tion for starting the organization.

“(Their) video essays are extremely eyeopening about how much of our current in frastructure is badly designed with conscious intent, how we can make actionable change to move away from these patterns of living and how these improvements are much better off for everyday people,” Pfeiffer said.

A new student group hopes to spark conver sation about the transportation crisis gripping

Pfeiffer and his executive board said they intend for meetings to serve as an open forum for students from different organizations and diverse backgrounds to come together to bring about meaningful solutions to problems they

see in their communities.

“Long term, we would like KTAG to be a gathering place for multiple campus organiza tions,” sophomore finance major and KTAG’s outreach coordinator Dalton Brown said. “KTAG is not geared solely to engineering, business or political science majors. We want KTAG to be a voice for everyone, of all walks of life.”

“I started KTAG also as a general advocacy group, to encourage all students and members of the community to become invested in these discussions about car-dependency, as they are the ones who pay the price for our current ways of transportation and living,” Pfeiffer said.

KTAG’s goals do not stop at raising aware ness. They said they hope to see their work influencing policy, both on campus and in the broader community.

“Our short-term goals are increasing awareness about these issues among the stu dent body and getting more students involved in these discussions,” Pfeifer said. “Long term, we hope to see that the advocacy we plan to do is reflected in the policy decisions of UTK and the city of Knoxville, while also hopefully showing people that we can take these things seriously and shift away from car-dependency sustainably.”

KTAG is new, so plans for events are still up

in the air. They hope to hold events in the fu ture to help familiarize students with the city’s public transportation system, as well as invite guest speakers. The organization is also work ing closely with the Bicycle Advisory Commit tee at the Office of Sustainability.

NATHANIEL PFEIFFER

Due to scheduling conflicts, in-person meetings have been placed on hiatus. How ever, those interested in joining KTAG are en couraged to join the Discord and the GroupMe, which can be found on the KTAG Instagram page.

Library hosts annual short story contest to promote creativity

ABBIE SMITH Staff Writer

On Nov. 9 around 6 p.m., a group of students waited outside room 209 in Hodges Library. No, they weren’t on the wrong side of the hall and mistaking a study room for the Starbucks Coffee across the way – all these students were gathering to take part in UT’s annual short story contest.

The contest is in its fourth year and is the passion project of commons librarian Alex Bo ris.

“Writing is important in college,” Boris said. “I wanted to see more or promote more creative writing in the library because students can be so frustrated with papers and assign ments. The goal of the contest is to let students write freely and really enjoy what they’re writ ing.”

Modeled similarly to National Novel Writing Month, a challenge to write 50,000 words in one month put forth by a nonprofit, this con test hopes to encourage writers to complete a story and have fun with it.

When they arrived, each student received a piece of paper with three prompts and the gen eral guidelines of the contest on it. The prompts are as follows: (1) “The garden is being in fested by a particularly troublesome family of gnomes,” (2) “You open a book and a note with

a letterhead falls out. At the top it says: ‘If you are reading this …’” and (3) “Looking through old family photos, multiple generations back, you notice there is a cat in almost every group photo. The same cat – color and pattern: the cat that is currently purring on your lap.”

Students can choose any of these three prompts, and as long as their short story is around 1,000 to 1,500 words, they are good to go.

The students are given one week to perfect their story. Most students are using this fivehour event to write out a good chunk of their story.

“I’m going to write as much as possible tonight and then refine it,” freshman Reese Chicktok said. “I’ll turn it in when I’m sure it’s perfect.”

“I’ll see what I get done today and finish it

later,” Grace Bass, another UT student, said. “Then I’ll edit it over the next week. I’ll prob ably turn it in on the last day possible, to be honest.”

Some students, however, have a schedule for this contest, one of them being junior Law ton Keeran.

“I’m going to work on this for an hour or an hour and a half, then work on it in increments over the next week,” Keeran said.

About half the students attending this event aren’t English majors, either. There were po litical science majors, history majors and com puter science majors littered throughout the room who shared that they were attending this contest because they loved to write.

“That’s what’s so great about this contest,” Boris said. “It’s nice to see students writing be cause they want to write. This is probably the

chillest event I do, and one of the best parts is getting to see a community of people with like interests come together.”

There is an incentive for the three winners of the contest: first place wins a $50 gift card to Amazon, or something of the like, and the same is true for second and third, though the amount of money on the gift card will be less. However, the students aren’t in it for the prize.

“I would love the fame, glory and cash of winning,” junior Natalie Dale said. “But I’m really here because I want to write, and this is a good challenge. I only started writing last year, so I’m only elbow-deep, but I think this will be really fun.”

Additionally, snacks and free books were provided to students who decided to attend this event, which were very popular. The free book table was nearly surrounded when the doors opened and each student had signed in, ready to participate in this contest and reap the benefits.

The students have the opportunity to write a story that is almost guaranteed to be published. These stories can be found under the “Speak ing Volumes” page on the library website or in a research guide. The easiest way to find these stories is to search “nanowrimo utk” on Google.

This year’s submissions are due on Nov. 16 and will be posted shortly after, joining their brethren from years past in the eternal world of UT’s library database.

“I noticed a large number of students who were unhappy with the current system of traffic and parking passes.”

Sophomore, Geography major

Cars parked along Clinch Avenue. File / The Daily Beacon

Students study on the third floor of Hodges Library on Aug. 29, 2018. File / The Daily Bea con

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ review: Brutal but beautiful

AURORA SILAVONG Staff Writer

At long last, the sequel to Ryan Coogler’s 2018 masterpiece is here.

Loss is a central theme in “Wakanda Forever.” Loss of loved ones, home and power, but also the loss of “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman. The film is a heartfelt tribute, not only to the character of T’Challa, but to the talented actor who portrayed him and whom the world lost far too soon.

Boseman’s sudden death from cancer in 2020 threw the film’s production into a tailspin. Although the script was completed by that time, it never occurred to writer-director Coogler to recast the role, nor did he and his team consider using a CGI version of T’Challa.

The only option that remained was to incorporate the king’s death into the movie. It is dealt with at the beginning of the film, but it continues to play an important role in the story. Boseman appears throughout the movie through archival footage from previous appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“Wakanda Forever” lacks some of the qualities that made its predecessor so great. Its biggest weakness is its pacing. Clocking in at almost three hours, the first half of the movie feels quite sluggish compared to the last half, which almost feels too fast.

Additionally, some plot points, such as the U.S. government’s proposal to destabilize Wakanda (yes, really), are never addressed again in the film and are left unresolved by the end of the film. These story beats are likely being preserved for Disney+ content and future movies but having them lead essentially nowhere lends a messy quality to the movie.

Though the movie suffers from poor pacing, it is nevertheless a worthy follow-up that balances its emotional beats with spectacular action sequences and breathtaking set pieces. With the introduction of the underwater city of Talokan, the movie manages to seamlessly blend new Mesoamerican influences with the Afrofuturist aesthetic of the previous film.

The cast, which features both familiar faces and newcomers, give compelling and memorable performances. The movie’s main villain, Namor, is simultaneously chilling and charming, thanks to “Narcos: Mexico” actor Tenoch Huerta Mejía.

Another strength is the movie’s excellent music and sound design. The film’s soundtrack is a fantastic mix of music from African, American and Latin American artists across a variety of genres spanning from rap to traditional folk songs. Pop sensation Rihanna provided the vocals for the film’s end credits song “Lift Me Up,” which is a powerfully-emotional ballad that became the most-added song in U.S. radio history upon its release.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” premiered in theaters worldwide on Nov. 11. It will eventually be made available for streaming through Disney+, but as of writing, there has not been a confirmed release date. There is one mid-credits scene but no end-credits scene.

4 out of 5 torches

‘Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me’ review: Raw look into personal struggles

CAITLIN MULQUEEN Staff Writer

On Nov. 2, Selena Gomez’s documentary, “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me,” was released on Apple TV+. Since then, clips from the film showing the reality behind the scenes of ma jor moments in pop culture and her career have taken the Internet by storm. The tear-filled documentary has been going viral due to the unexpected darkness but beauty in the struggles Gomez is willing to discuss.

The film begins in 2019 when she reads a di ary entry. “Everything I’ve ever wished for I’ve had and done all of it, but it has killed me because there’s always Selena.”

As the story of her career and time in the spot light unfolds, the viewer begins to learn exactly what this means.

The documentary then moves back to 2016 when she began to take her career in a separate direction from acting and made a committed move towards capturing success as a singersongwriter. With the release of her second studio album, “Revival,” the true tones and direction of the film begins to reveal itself as she prepares and eventually begins touring the record.

“Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me” gives view

ers a glimpse into her obsessions with appear ance, her lack of confidence in the direction of her career and life in general as well as the everrelatable fear that trying your best just is not good enough.

Formerly an actress in many of the most popular Disney movies, and one of the most popular Disney shows of all time, “Wizards of Waverly Place,” there are few college students right now who don’t recall sitting around a TV and laughing at the charisma and wit of her character Alex Russo or glancing at the magazine covers for tweenagers in the grocery store teasing new updates about her on-again-offagain relationship with Justin Bieber.

For many young adults today, Selena Gomez was a staple of our youth through the many projects she has been a part of both on the big screen, small screen and the radio. So, it was shocking to hear her say “I want nothing

more than to not be my past.”

Her distaste and complicated relationship with her past reveals how the many issues Go mez dealt with were more than just a product of fame. Her unconventional upbringing brought out a work-a-holic habit in her, beginning work at seven years old and not letting up since. The film show cases her burnout as well as a sense of reigniting in the end.

Although her struggles with mental health were a central theme of the film, her physical health re vealed difficulty as well. Throughout the film there are hints and glimpses inside her battle with Lu pus, a chronic disease that causes bodily pain that ul timately led her to require a life-saving kidney trans plant operation in 2017.

Gomez seems to be aware of the contrived and artificial aspects of her life, though it is the gray ing line between personal and professional life

that seemed to lead to her breaking point. Her life being in the tabloids and juggling with her public perception remained an overwhelming weight throughout her years.

Still, though so much of the film is filled with a feeling of sadness and overwhelming incom prehensibility to the average viewer that isn’t a worldwide superstar, Gomez’s central message is about recovering from mental health crises.

Gomez is blatant about having bipolar disor der, anxiety and depression. She is also adamant about the importance of seeking help through relationships and professionals. In 2020, Go mez created the Rare Impact Fund, raising $100 million to provide free mental health resources for young people as well as met with President Joe Biden in May of this year to discuss making mental health education compulsory in schools.

She explains in the film that at this point she is less concerned with being a superstar and more so with using her power and the reach of her voice to help others that might be going through what she has.

“Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me” is a raw look into someone’s personal struggles. The open ness with which Gomez discusses some of the uglier parts of dealing with emotional conflict is bound to help and inspire the many that watch her story.

10 attractions that make Knoxville more than a college town

ELLA BLAIR Contributor

Though Knoxville becomes the beloved home of around 30,000 students each year from Au gust to May, one fact still remains the pride of every Knoxville native — this is more than a col lege town. Full of unique attractions that have earned UT’s home nicknames such as the Marble City, the Scruffy City and more, Knoxville holds an endless amount of fun opportunities for stu dents to enjoy.

Here are 10 local attractions that make Knox ville unique.

1. Blue Plate Special

WDVX’s Blue Plate Special is the perfect op portunity to watch live music on a college stu dent’s budget: it’s completely free. The live per formance radio show happens six days a week inside the Knoxville Visitors Center, and anyone is welcome to come and enjoy the tunes and their lunch. Many famous artists have graced the Blue Plate Special stage, and there is no telling who might be next.

2. House Mountain

UT was nicknamed “Rocky Top” for a reason. Located about 25 minutes from campus, hiking House Mountain offers a breathtaking view of the thriving natural beauty of Knoxville. A 3.7mile loop to the highest peak in the county, this hike is a workout friendly to both beginners and experienced hikers.

3. Bowling at Maple Hall

A fun experience with both new friends or visiting family, Maple Hall is an upscale bowling alley with delicious food and an exciting atmo sphere. Conveniently located on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville, Maple Hall is the perfect place to bowl in style.

4. The Sunsphere

Without a doubt the most noticeable part of the Knoxville skyline, the Sunsphere simply cannot be ignored. The observation deck of the one-of-a-kind 1982 World’s Fair structure of fers a 360-degree view of the city of Knoxville and a look into the city’s eventful past. The ori gin of Knoxville’s Scruffy City nickname even lies within.

5. The Knoxville Ice Bears

Hockey fans might be interested in the Knox ville Ice Bears, Knoxville’s very own professional hockey team. A member of the Southern Pro fessional Hockey League and four-time SPHL champions, the Ice Bears are a delight to watch.

6. The Tennessee Theatre

The Tennessee Theatre has been an iconic part of the Knoxville community since it first opened its doors in 1928. Full of historic beauty and home to the Mighty Wurlitzer organ, the theater has something for everyone. The the ater hosts countless shows and performances throughout the year, and students can purchase tickets to see everything from Broadway shows to symphonies to concerts to movies.

7. The Blount Mansion

For those interested in Tennessee history, the historic home of William Blount, territorial governor of Tennessee and the first man to ever be impeached by the House of Representatives,

stands within sight of UT’s campus. Blount even played a role in the formation of the University of Tennessee: it was his Blount College that evolved into the great university that stands today. Tours are offered four days a week.

8. Cruze Farm

When it comes to soft-serve ice cream, noth ing beats the delicious flavors swirled at Cruze Farm. Both the downtown and Asbury locations of the ice cream shop spawned by a local dairy farm serve up a rotating menu of ice cream. The Asbury location, though farther from campus, is especially exciting, as the ice cream shop often hosts drive-in movies throughout the year.

9. Mead’s Quarry

Another unique opportunity in the Marble City for those wishing to enjoy the outdoors can be found at Mead’s Quarry. Once valued for its marble, Mead’s Quarry is now home to swim ming, paddling and more in its waters. Myste rious and beautiful, Mead’s Quarry is a place no student should leave Knoxville without visiting.

10. Ice Skating in Market Square

One special winter tradition that will grace Market Square soon is ice skating. Typically opening the day after Thanksgiving, skaters can bundle up and ice skate on the rink nestled be tween the bustling shops and cozy restaurants the square is home to.

The Blue Plate Special offers live music in the Knoxville Welcome Center. File / The Daily Beacon

Maple Hall bowling alley provides an upscale dining experience. File / The Daily Beacon

Courtesy of IMDb

East Tennessee Maverick: Disappointed, but not surprised

WALKER KINSLER Columnist

While it was a stunning midterm election throughout the country, it was more of the same here in Tennessee.

Tennesseans last Tuesday came out to vote for governor, all nine U.S. House members, 17 state senators, all 99 state house members and four constitutional amendments.

Despite refusing to expand Medicaid, ignoring Tennessee’s rural hospital crisis, working against the state’s labor movement and attacking the right to choose, Bill Lee cruised to re-election by over 30 points on election night.

His challenger, Dr. Jason Martin, was a critical care physician who witnessed the depths of Lee’s flawed COVID-19 response that would cost many preventable deaths. Martin had especially decried the anti-abortion bill signed by Lee that shifted burden of proof to the doctor when defending against performing an abortion. Now many doctors across the state are fearfully hesitant or ask for legal guidance before performing crucial operations.

Dr. Martin also supported several measures that are popular with Tennesseans, such as legalizing marijuana, improving health care and paying teachers a fair salary. He requested Lee to debate him several times.

Lee, on the other hand, largely ignored discussing key policies and refused to debate Martin. This record of cowardice has infected his political duties as well, such as when he let a bill making homelessness a felony become law without his signature. Lee has never vetoed a bill he has disagreed with. Despite this, Lee’s crafted TV image of being a conservative family man was enough to win over his heavily red voters.

The U.S. House races in Tennessee were marked with the ugly gerrymandering by the Tennessee state legislature. Earlier this year, Nashville was carved up from being in one congressional district to three, all including heavily Republican counties. The GOP, the party that claims to be for small government and freedom, had tyrannically stripped away Nashville’s right to choose who represents them.

Now, residents of Nashville are given a Republican representative for them. The fifth District, long a Democratic stronghold and one of only two in the state, was flipped to Republican Andy Ogles. Urban voters and neighborhoods of color in Nashville were discriminated against by the state legislature, plain and simple.

Ogles also closely followed Lee’s cowardly example. Ogles refused to debate his Demo-

cratic opponent, Heidi Campbell, and chose to be interviewed by largely conservative outlets. Ogles is also an election denier, attacked samesex marriage and has spoken against exceptions for rape and incest in Tennessee’s antiabortion law.

The GOP’s gerrymandering also sowed confusion into Nashville’s voting system, with the AP reporting that over 430 voters were given the wrong ballot prior to election day. This kind of confusion only does one thing: suppress the vote. It seems that the GOP has harkened back to a time of disenfranchising certain types of voters.

Of the eight other U.S. House seats, seven were won by their incumbent Republicans. All seven of these incumbents had voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results without any evidence. That is not being a public servant, that is being an insurrectionist. One of whom, Tim Burchett, beat Democratic challenger and UT professor Mark Harmon.

Democrat Steve Cohen kept his ninth District seat in Memphis, which was spared any disastrous redistricting.

Of the 17 state senate seats, only 10 were contested, and of the 99 state house races, only 45 were contested. Tennessee’s very polarized rural-urban divide continues to show the complete lack of competitiveness for opposing parties outside of their respective geographic strongholds.

The state legislature will maintain a com-

fortable Republican majority, with the GOP holding 27 of 33 senate seats and currently 75 of 99 state house seats. The General Assembly consistently makes national (and sometimes international) headlines for egregious bills, including book banning, restricting topics college professors can teach and allowing permitless carry for handguns. The aforementioned anti-abortion bill is particularly appalling in that it has no exceptions for rape or incest.

In Knox County, despite the state legislature gerrymandering the only two Democratic state house seats into one, Gloria Johnson and Sam McKenzie were both able to win their respective elections. McKenzie kept his seat in the redistricted 15th, and Johnson won the 90th after previously being in the 13th. Democrat Greg Kaplan, also a UT professor, lost to Republican Elaine Davis in the 18th.

All four of the proposed constitutional amendments for the state constitution passed. Amendment 1, which was opposed by labor organizations leading up to election day, passed with nearly 70% approval. Amendment 1 enshrined “Right to Work” in our state constitution, banning workplaces from requiring union membership as a condition of employment.

This was a preemptive move by the state GOP to quash the growing labor movement in Tennessee. The amendment was championed by billionaire governors Bill Haslam and Bill Lee as being “beneficial” to the working class. Never let billionaires tell you what’s best for

your labor rights. The intentionally misleading “Right to Work” campaign appears to have worked.

Amendment 2, which creates a gubernatorial line of succession and defined the roles of in such a case, passed with nearly 75% approval. This amendment was by far the longest and most confusing to the average voter. It does clear up confusion in case of the governor’s incapacitation, which had been lacking in the state constitution.

Amendment 3, which removes slavery as a criminal punishment, passed with the highest approval of nearly 80%. Slavery as a punishment is what fueled Tennessee’s heinous convict-lease system, and its removal acknowledges its racist, painful history. But the fact that nearly 20% of Tennesseans voted to keep it is disheartening. Though some of that 20% may have been from confusion, there are still people who believe that breaking rocks with the chain gain is still an acceptable sentence for convicts.

Amendment 4, which removes language banning clergy from serving in the General Assembly, passed with the lowest approval at 63%. This ban had not been enforced in decades, and its removal was mainly symbolic. Most of the opposition seems to come from the support of the separation of church and state, though this would hardly apply. The legislative session only lasts for a few months, and people have a right to be involved in religious positions outside of the General Assembly.

While the national midterms saw a surprising, sharp rebuke to Trumpism and losing the constitutional right to abortion, Tennessee voters decided to approve the decaying status quo. Tennesseans overwhelmingly voted to keep anti-democracy candidates, election deniers and those who have shown hatred for the LGBTQ community in office.

With many parts of the country showing a willingness to progress on election night, Tennessee showed its reactionary attitude to hunker down. We shouldn’t be focused on persecuting others for culture wars and keeping those who abuse democracy for Trump. We should be focused on making Tennessee work for all its citizens. Everyone deserves an equal chance in life.

We should live up to our name and volunteer for those who can’t stand up for themselves. Be better Tennessee.

Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.

Jason Martin, Democratic candidate for Tennessee governor, speaks at the United Campus Workers rally at the Torchbearer on UT’s campus on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2022. Edward Cruz / The Daily Beacon

Walker Kinsler is a sophomore at UT this year studying political science. He can be reached at wkinsler@vols.utk. edu.

Time and Place: A look into the drastic potential makeover on the Strip

KENDALL WILLIAMS Columnist

might look like to me in 10 years coming back as an alumni.

Both WBIR and WVLT news stations lay out the actual proposed plan of developers. This plan consists of four major apartment buildings and a 10-story parking garage. This new development is called “Hub on Campus.” Just the central building would take the place of Stefanos, Jimmy Johns and the beloved University Liquors, popularly known as ULiq.

The second building would go in place of the Shell and include a Taco Bell because of how well business has gone for it. Building three would be where Mellow Mushroom, Victor’s Tacos, Cook Out and Insomnia Cookies are currently. The parking garage would go behind the first central building. In just a simple first look, it sounds like the Strip is getting a complete makeover. All of the iconic places that the students of UT frequent would be gone.

top of that. The hope of developers is that these new additions to the Strip will provide more options for people closer to campus.

When compared to developers, it seems like students have mixed reactions to this proposed plan. Some agree with developers about the need for more housing, while others view these changes to be completely remodeling the Strip. The current business owners on the Strip are concerned about their businesses, where they would move to or if they are next on the list to be taken down. Some of the businesses that would be uprooted have been there for decades and have catered to everyone at the university.

student culture at UT.

The proposed plan could also be moved somewhere else. If there is one thing I learned while apartment hunting near UT, it is that while closer is better, people will live further away and drive to school if the apartments have amenities and are reasonably priced. It also begs the question, why over admit if there is literally no room for students?

The Strip looks to house new apartment complexes and parking garages in the coming years Edward Cruz / The Daily Beacon

The rumor floating around UT campus is that the Strip might be getting a huge makeover. This rumor suggests that current buildings on Cumberland Avenue would be torn down, and in their place, apartments and parking garages would be built. There are multiple speculations, and personally, I keep wondering what the Strip

In my three years of college, I have been to each of these establishments many times, and these plans are very shocking. There are mixed feelings about this “makeover” from current students, business owners and the developing company.

From the developing point of view, this plan allows for more apartments and living spaces to be available. Anyone looking for housing near campus knows it’s hard to find a place to live right now — and somewhere decently priced on

The pros and cons of the overhaul must be more strongly weighed. If this plan actually goes through and more buildings get torn down on the Strip, what will be left? It seems as though the only memorable sites would be from 19th to 17th street. It would get rid of half of the restaurants and bars that people frequent. It would limit the options for off-campus food nearby and make getting food less convenient.

While there is huge appeal for more housing, especially as someone who has to look for housing off campus, it eliminates half of what Cumberland Avenue is. The Strip is the place to go for students who live on or off campus. It gives us the option to walk a few blocks and have a wide variety of options, but if the makeover is followed through with, it would further eliminate

We have so few options that living across the river or towards Sequoyah Hills is now a norm. The developers could play to this need without taking out half of the Strip and move this project anywhere within reasonable distance and still get business. The integrity of what the Strip is today should try to be preserved for future students to enjoy. It would be a really sad day to come back after graduation and not see the places that I have so many memories of and that have shaped my undergrad experience at UT.

Kendall Williams is a junior double majoring in forensic anthropology and sociology with a minor in journalism. She can reached at kwill194@vols.utk. edu.

Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.

The Wellness Formula: Why men’s health awareness is critical

SANA BOGHANI Columnist

be diagnosed with depression,” outcomes may be more severe in men since they tend to use drugs and alcohol to cope with their symptoms and have higher suicide rates.

On the other hand, if you believe that men have better overall health than women, your answer may be just as valid. For instance, one could argue that about 55,000 more women have strokes annually in the United States than men. When women experience changes in estrogen levels, particularly after menopause, these changes contribute to an increase in blood clots - a major risk factor of strokes.

The fact of the matter is this: both men and women have unique health risks amidst overlapping diseases due to biological and sociological factors that vary by sex and gender, respectively. Societal norms about gender and the portrayal of masculinity vs. femininity further complicate the gender health gap.

as this issue is typically blurred by traditional gender norms and stereotypes as mentioned. Therefore, I want to lay out some of the fundamental ways in which men’s health is impacted and how it can be properly addressed.

Psychological Factors The pandemic has taught many of us about the downsides to social isolation. On the other hand, strong interpersonal relationships and reliable social support networks are known to reduce the risk of many physical and emotional problems. However, women usually have larger and more consistent social networks compared to men.

Do men hate going to the doctor? Before I am accused of almost making a hasty generalization, I cannot overstate how many studies have shown the lack of male individuals visiting the doctor for regular check-ups as well as when a medical issue arises. Once again, women are more proactive when it comes to obtaining regular health checkups, and they are more prone to being mindful about their health.

Who tends to have better overall health - men or women? If you say “women,” your answer may be legitimate. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, women continue to live longer than men, even with the rising increase in longevity for both genders.

As of data from 2017, women in the United States lived about 81.1 years on average compared to about 76.1 years for men. Additionally, while psychiatry professor Dr. Phillip R. Muskin claims that “women are about twice as likely as men to

For instance, the stereotypical image of a man being physically and mentally tough, aggressive and dominating is still prevalent in many societies around the world, including the United States. Unfortunately, an article published by Harvard Medical School attributes behaviors like stress, hostility and anger to heart disease asserting that “these traits tend to have a higher prevalence in men than women.” However, the “angry man” stereotype among others does not lay out the full picture.

As someone who is close to my father, I deeply value the importance of men’s health, especially

Because men are generally more restrictive about expressing their emotions, they may be less likely to disclose their emotional troubles to friends, family and other trusted individuals. This goes back to the masculine stereotype of appearing invincible, even though all of us, regardless of our gender, could benefit from assistance ranging from an open mental health conversation with a parent to a session with a professional therapist.

Physical Factors A study from the Journal of Men’s Health and Gender claims that women have a higher awareness of nutrition compared to men, and their attitude toward food is more skeptical rather than pleasure-oriented. The increased prevalence of body image issues in women may be associated with this trend, but whatever the case may be, many men might reconsider transitioning from red meat and high sucrose foods to more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

How can men better improve their overall health? The answers to this question are not just applicable to men, but also to women and other genders. Get regular checkups, make healthier food choices and build and maintain an effective support network.

Whether you form or join a sports team, spend quality time with friends and family or partake in a student organization, know that you are not alone in taking care of your health and well-being. Furthemore, the Student Counseling Center is a resource for campus students to obtain additional guidance for managing stress and building resilience over the long-term.

Sana Boghani is a freshman at UT studying communications and global studies. She can be reached at sboghan4@ vols.utk.edu.

Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.

Will Mazur leads the men’s 1500m race at the Tennessee Challenge on May 7, 2002. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / Daily Beacon

Basketball preview: Starting lineup shakes up as No. 22 Vols face FGCU

ERIC WOODS Assistant Sports Editor

No. 22 Tennessee is set to face off against Atlantic Sun opponent Florida Gulf Coast at home on Wednesday.

The Vols (1-1) are looking to get back on track following Sunday’s loss to Colorado where they shot an abysmal 25.4% from the field and 27% from 3-point range.

“I can’t say much about it,” Barnes said. “You look at the shooting numbers, with our guards and their turnovers, it’s just a bad day for us. But again, I don’t want to take anything away from Colorado. They deserved to win. I thought they controlled the game pretty much from start to finish.”

Rick Barnes says to expect some changes in the starting lineup as a result of the loss. Josiah Jordan-James was not among the starters against the Buffaloes due to his injury and will likely move back in, it’s just a matter of time.

The decision making out of the guard play left Barnes with more questions than answers. Santiago Vescovi struggled early and let it affect him the rest of the game.

Zakai Zeigler was much the same.

“Tonight, he was out of control,” Barnes said. “He was totally out of control to the point where I’ve already told him ‘you’re not start-

ing’ because him starting the game hasn’t worked very well in terms of the way we want to get started. So we’ll have to make a decision on how we want to go that way.”

Zeigler came off the bench last year behind Kennedy Chandler and was an instant spark plug for the Vols’ offense. During SEC Media Day, Zeigler actually asked Barnes to keep him

in that same role, and perhaps he will return to last year’s production with a switch to the bench.

Barnes will likely have to adjust without starting center Uros Plavsic, as well, who left early against Colorado with an ankle injury.

The Vols will look to use the matchup with FGCU to fine tune some things and figure out a

rotation before the highly anticipated Battle 4 Atlantis next week.

Tennessee has never faced the Eagles, but is 19-1 all time against A-Sun opponents, and Rick Barnes is a perfect 10-0 against them.

FGCU is 2-1 coming off a 105-61 win over Ave Maria of the NAIA, where they knocked down a school record 17 threes. The Eagles are under new head coach Pat Chambers, who coached Penn State from 2011-19 to 2019.

Barnes has never lost to a team from Florida at home during his tenure with the Vols. Tennessee hasn’t only been good against Florida teams in TBA, either. The Vols are riding a streak of 19 consecutive wins at home, dating back to Feb. 20, 2021 against Kentucky.

Tennessee has no plans to end that streak, and is looking to prove itself after Sunday’s performance. Now that the Vols have seen that talent alone isn’t going to win games, expect them to come out hungry for the win.

“It’s a long basketball season and I’m just excited to see how this team will respond,” James said.

The Vols didn’t really shine in any category against Colorado and Barnes and his squad know that needs to change. Tennessee will look to use its matchup with FGCU to improve in all facets of the game and find an identity. Tip-off in Thompson-Boling Arena is set for 7 p.m. EST.

Soccer recap: Lady Vols fail to live up to expectations in Joe Kirt’s first season

KEANE MCKENNA Staff Writer

later. The side was up 2-0 thanks to goals from Jaida Thomas and Taylor Huff, though three late goals from the Blue Devils left the Lady Vols winless from their first three games.

The Tennessee soccer 2022 campaign has finished with the Lady Vols ending with an 11-6-2 record, unable to achieve the heights of last season’s success under new head coach Joe Kirt.

Coming off the 2021 season, the Lady Vols won their fifth SEC Tournament title and the first since 2008. Tennessee had finally reached the pinnacle of SEC soccer under the 10-year tenure of head coach Brian Pensky.

The shock resignation of Pensky back in April left Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White with the task of finding a new head coach.

Tennessee began the season at No. 11 in the United Soccer Coaches’ preseason rankings and was picked to repeat its SEC glory after being voted the conference favorites by the league’s 14 head coaches.

Kirt and the Lady Vols started their season off with tough opening fixtures, playing three ranked sides to open a new era for Tennessee soccer.

Tennessee was no match for the No. 10 North Carolina in the season opener in Chapel Hill losing 3-0 to the Tar Heels. The Lady Vols almost got their first major win under Kirt when they faced No. 5 Duke in Knoxville a week

The beginning of fall saw the rebirth of the Lady Vols’ season with Kirt’s team winning their final four non-conference games. The Lady Vols were firing on all cylinders scoring a total of 22 goals and keeping clean sheets in all four games.

A trip to Gainesville started the Lady Vols SEC portion of the season. Two first-half goals from Mackenzie George and Claudia Dipasupil were enough to give Tennessee the perfect start but it was senior goalkeeper Lindsey Romig who stole the headlines recording a career-high nine saves on the night and earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

“(That) was a great league win for our program on the road,” Kirt said. “Our team put in a gutsy, hard-fought performance anchored by Lindsey in the goal.”

The Lady Vols’ five-game winning run came to an end when the undefeated No. 6 Crimson Tide came to Knoxville and secured their third consecutive win over Tennessee. The Tide finished off the Lady Vols with a fourth goal in the second half to leave 4-2 winners.

Tennessee quickly bounced back with backto-back away wins against Kentucky and undefeated No. 13 Ole Miss. The lone goal from Thomas ended the Rebels’ undefeated start

and put the Lady Vols back in the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 for the first time in over a month.

“(That) was an inspired performance from our team against a talented, organized and undefeated Ole Miss team,” Kirt said. “We competed at a very high level in all positions. They were disciplined, competitive and composed. It (was) great to get a Top-15 win on the road.”

The Lady Vols continued their good run of form winning the next three out of the four to go undefeated away from home the entire SEC regular season. A 6-1 loss to third-place South Carolina in the second-last game of the season threatened the sides’ chance of claiming their third straight SEC East Title.

With the SEC East Title coming down to the final game of the season, Tennessee overcame first-place Vanderbilt 2-0 at home to win the program’s seventh SEC East title.

“That’s a credit to those guys (for) moving forward and getting back to who we are and really dialing into what makes us great,” Kirt said.

Facing Georgia in the quarterfinal of the SEC tournament, Tennessee was stunned by the Bulldogs, ending the Lady Vols’ title defense earlier than expected. Georgia scored two first-half goals leaving the Lady Vols to chase the game but a quieter day from the Tennessee attack meant the Bulldogs would advance and Kirt’s side left backing and heading home.

The Lady Vols were looking for a fresh start when they got a home game against Xavier in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. The No. 6 seed Tennessee got off to a great start with an early goal by Thomas. Xavier knocked back the Lady Vols and took the game to overtime, where the Musketeers scored three unanswered goals to record its first win in Knoxville since 2000 and end Tennessee’s season.

“For us, it’s about continuing, going forward in the process and getting better,” Kirt said. “That’s what we talk about all the time, consistently getting better and being the best version of ourselves. We have got to get better, and that’s what we’re gonna do.”

Zakai Zeigler, No. 5 and Kennedy Chandler, No. 1, celebrate a 76-63 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in Thompson-Boling Arena on Feb. 15, 2022. Alexandra Ashmore / The Daily Beacon

Jenna Stayart drives toward the ball in the Lady Vols’ match against Xavier University on Nov. 11, 2022. Edward Cruz / The Daily Beacon

Tennessee looking to handle atmosphere, build momentum against South Carolina

ANDREW PETERS Sports Editor

No. 5 Tennessee (9-1, 5-1 SEC) is on the road for its final two games of the season, first taking on South Carolina (6-4, 3-4) on Saturday in Columbia.

The Vols used last week’s game against Missouri to remind the College Football Playoff committee that they have one of – if not the best – offenses in the country. Tennessee toppled the Tigers 66-24, breaking the program record for total yards in a game.

Vols’ head coach Josh Heupel faced criticism for piling on another touchdown late in the game, but for him, it was more about just playing football than it was about making a statement.

“For us at the end of the day, our two’s were in the football game when the ball went down to the 1-yard line or whatever it was,” Heupel said. “(Kneeling) absolutely went through my mind.

“I don’t know what the right thing to do is in that moment at the end of the day, but our guys continued to play football.”

The Vols’ offense wasn’t the only thing that shined Saturday. The defense allowed just two trips to the redzone on Saturday.

“When it is going good, all 11 are operating as one, you are playing gap sound, you are tackling well,” Heupel said. “But that happened because you are in good body positions because your eyes take you to the football.”

Heupel and his team now shift their focus to South Carolina, which has had a shaky season, but ultimately boasts a solid team and a loud environment at Williams-Brice Stadium.

“We’ve seen what it was like at Georgia and moving forward, we know what to expect,” Vols’ quarterback Hendon Hooker said. “Anytime going into an environment like this, you want to prepare and do different things to get ready for that environment, so crowd noise at practice is a thing.

“But really just going out and locking in and communicating at a high level is what we need to do.”

The Vols are focusing on one game at a time, but it’s impossible to ignore the fact that Tennessee will need to play its best football to continue to impress the CFP committee. The Vols did it against Missouri, but any slip ups against South Carolina won’t go unnoticed.

Individual awards are also something that can’t be ignored. Hooker was firmly in the driver’s seat for Heisman, but a rough outing against Georgia meant the race was still on. Hooker is focused on winning first, but he still needs a few good performances to secure the coveted Heisman Trophy.

“He is playing at as high a level as I have ever had anybody, and I’ve had Heisman guys,” Heupel said. “He is in complete command of what we are doing.

“We don’t look like we do offensively without him. He certainly is deserving of being in that conversation.”

Tennessee has made sure it doesn’t look over any of its opponents, and the Vols won’t look over South Carolina. This week, the Vols are making sure to stay locked in to control the Gamecocks tough offense.

“For us, we have to do a great job of controlling first and second down and then play with discipline,” Heupel said. “You can’t let their tight ends or their wideouts run free. We have to match things out extremely well.”

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Kailee Harris Digital Producer (34-21)

Andrew Peters Sports Editor (31-24)

Jack Church Contributor (41-14)

Josh Lane Former Sports Editor (31-24)

Bella Hughes Design Editor (35-20)

Eric Woods Asst. Sports Editor (40-15)

Hendon Hooker picks up yards on the ground in No. 5 Tennessee’s win over Missouri in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Kailee Harris / The Daily Beacon