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SPORTS 8
REDBIRDS START SEASON ON TWO-GAME STREAK
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ISU SALUTES SERVICE ON VETERANS DAY
THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019 Vol. 132 | No. 13
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‘I don’t have a favorite’ Normal’s Jared O’Brien brings term ‘super fan’ to new heights JONATHAN BARLAS Editor-in-Chief | @janveselybarlas
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ndlessly dodging raindrops and cold gusts of wind, the conditions at Illinois State University’s Homecoming game proved to be a survival of the fittest. Fans seemed to do everything they could to stay out of Hancock Stadium’s hurricane — stacked against the brick walls of the concourse and concession stands, coat and sweatshirt-clad to keep warm. Peeking through the edge of the west side tunnel, long-time Redbird fan and Normal resident Jared O’Brien, 33, stood bracing it all, immersed in the world he’s always known and cherished. Graduating from Normal West in 2004, O’Brien may be one of the most dedicated — if not the most die-hard — ISU fans the community has in stock. From basketball, football, cross country and women’s tennis to local politics, registered student organizations and everything else in between, O’Brien’s affection for Illinois State doesn’t just stem from its athletic department. O’Brien is a super fan in his own right. His social media consists of posts inviting endless scrolls of Illinois State sports and news as well as local and student-run media outlets. “I follow everything equally, I really don’t have a favorite,” O’Brien said. Falling in love with the university at a young age came with the joy of watching Illinois State football with his father. O’Brien still attends games with his family to this day, saying that he “wouldn’t trade that time away for anything.” “When my dad would ask me if I wanted to go to an ISU game when I was a kid, he could barely get the letters I-S-U out of his mouth before I said yes,” O’Brien joked. “It was always ‘Yes, right away’ when it came to anything related about ISU.”
Normal native, Normal West high school assistant football coach and die-hard Illinois State University fan Jared O’Brien, 33, stands idle outside a rainy Hancock Stadium during the Redbirds’ Homecoming game against Indiana State. O’Brien has been labeled as a “super fan” by his peers and dedicates his free time to promoting Illinois State related content on his social media profiles. Ali Rasper | Photo Editor | @alirasper4
PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
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NEWS IN BRIEF Accomplished author speaks on corruption
“I welcome everyone to join us for what promises to be an insightful look at what corruption r o f e s s o r of economics is and some of the ways that it Rajeev K. Goel, Ph.D., author affects our lives,” Interim College of Arts and Sciences of over 150 scholarly Dean Diane Zosky said. articles, 18 book chapters “Dr. Goel is a talented and two scholarly books, scholar, and we look will give the fall College forward to learning more of Arts and Sciences Lecabout this area of his ture at 7 p.m. Tuesday in research.” the Old Main Room of the Goel’s research often Bone Student Center. focuses on tobacco, and The lecture, “Corrupt Rajeev K. Goel he has been asked to serve (and not so corrupt) Ways on several research review to View Corruption,” will panels regarding tobacco. He has also focus on what corruption is and the been invited to serve on a corruption way daily life is affected by it. index panel developed by TransparA reception will follow the lecency International. ture. The event is free and open to ELIZABETH SEILS the public. VIDETTE NEWS EDITOR
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Normal calls for input on pedestrian plan The Town of Normal is in the process of updating its 2009 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan with anticipation to include public input on ways to enhance safety, connectivity and accessibility for the community through summer 2020. The goals of the plan update involve the evaluation of progress made on the current plan, the incorporation of the most recent engineering design guidelines and an examination of the bicycle and pedestrian project priorities. Normal is working alongside ALTA Consulting to revise the plan with the support of grant funds from the McLean County Regional Planning Commission. Thus far, the existing plan has already made progress through the expansion of the Constitution Trail, the addition of bike lanes, the development of new sidewalks and
Baby Fold Festival of Trees starts Nov. 22
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Uptown underpass underway
With the holiday season soon approaching, The Baby Fold’s annual Festival of Trees will be held Nov. 22-24. This year’s festival will mark the 26th year this family-oriented fundraising event is hosted. All the proceeds from the festival will go back toward the community, specifically the families and children that The Baby Fold helps to seek new opportunities. The event’s proceeds always
the organization of walk-and-biketo-school events. For now, the Town of Normal currently has an online survey open to the community until Dec. 31. Members can also be involved with the town’s open house at the Community Activity Center from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday. The open house will provide two brief presentations from project staff at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. This will be followed by an opportunity for attendees to talk to town staff and consultants about personal experiences in Normal as they travel by bike, on foot or a mobility-assistive device. Maps will also be given to those attendees for the purpose of showing town staff and consultants where they have had positive experiences walking and bicycling and the specific areas where challenges have been faced.
KELLIE FOY VIDETTE NEWS REPORTER
support the same sense of giving these community members a chance at a better life. All are invited to join the festival and are encouraged to enjoy the holiday spirit a little bit early this year. The event includes all things Christmas, from gingerbread houses to Christmas trees. The weekend-long event will also indulge attendees in other entertainment forms during the holly jolly event, making it suited for every age and taste in holiday spirit. HAILEY BIALAS VIDETTE FEATURES REPORTER
Courtesy of the Town of Normal
The Town of Normal received a $13 million federal grant to construct an underpass in Uptown Normal. The underpass will provide another route for crossing the train tracks that run past Uptown Station. There is no set timeline for when the project will be completed. Mayor Chris Koos said the project has been in the works for four years. The funds come in the form of a Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development grant. This type of grant provides a unique opportunity for the Department of Transportation to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives.
EXPANDED STORY @Videtteonline.com
TEDxNormal returns for fifth year Saturday
T
EDxNormal is returning residents and people from differto Illinois State Univer- ent backgrounds. sity; the event has been in TEDX are licensed by TED, but Normal for five years take place in differnow. ent communities all IF YOU GO across the world, such TEDxNormal is a locally organized event as universities. This WHAT: TEDxNormal consisting of various event is organized by WHEN: 9 a.m. speakers. volunteers who recruit Saturday This event will be 9 speakers who match WHERE: Center for a.m. Saturday in the their theme. Performing Arts Concert Concert Hall at the Guests will have an Hall Center for Performing opportunity to meet COST: $20 for adults Arts. speakers during coffee and $10 for students This year’s theme is hour before the event THEME: What does “What does it mean to and during breaks. it mean to be truly be truly Authentic?” Doors will open at 8 authentic? Julie Workman, a.m. Co-Chair marketing Tickets are $20 for of TEDxNormal, said the general public and she hopes people walk out with an $10 for students with proper ID. experience of a lifetime. Tickets are available in person “It’s about the speakers and at the Center for Performing Arts the people who we are really or online. hoping come to the event and “We hope attendees from the walk away with just having a event can walk away with some great experience,” Workman kind of helpful insight that they said. “Because there are some didn’t have before for them perreally talented people who have sonally, and what it means to be been working really hard on authentic and live their authentic their Ted Talks.” lives and who they want to be,” In the past, TEDxNormal has Workman said. attracted over 300 people in at KARINA LOPEZ VIDETTE NEWS REPORTER tendance with a mix of students,
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THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019
‘Boot Camp: A Century of Military Attire’ on display at Turner Hall RAFAEL MENCHACA News Reporter | @kuma_topics_
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Jennifer Haiden |Photo Editor
Brigadier General Mark C. Jackson speaks to a crowd that gathered in the Bowling and Billiards Activity Room Monday for Illinois State University’s annual Veterans Day ceremony. He has over 33 years of military service, including being commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1987, after completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps at ISU.
ISU salutes sacrifice
Annual Veterans Day ceremony honors all who served KELLIE FOY News Reporter | @kellie_foy
Illinois State University held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday in the Activity Room of the Bowling and Billiards Center. The event was sponsored by Veterans and Military Services, Illinois State Army ROTC, Veterans at Illinois State, Omega Delta Sigma and the Office of the University Registrar. The ceremony began with welcome and opening remarks made by Illinois State Army ROTC and CDT Kevin Leon. Leon also had the opportunity to introduce each portion and speaker of the ceremony throughout the event. The playing of the national anthem was sung by Illinois State College of Business student Jessica Lamberty. The Invocation followed the national anthem and was said by Illinois State Army ROTC and CDT Kyle Kiper. A moment of silence was taken for all veterans and was directed by Illinois State Army ROTC and CDT Nicholas Koval. Leon went on to introduce Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President, Dr. Brent Patterson, to conduct the recognition of all veterans portion of the event. Patterson mentioned Illinois State’s first president, Charles Hovey, and Hovey’s background with veterans along with former librarian Ange Milner’s involvement in World War I. He left his presidency to create the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also known as the Teachers’ Regiment. From there, he served as a colonel, was nominated a brigadier general and was brevetted major general. During Milner’s time, she had compiled a completed roster of men and women at Illinois State who served in World War I. The list included a total of 821 names and was known to be one of the most complete war rosters and files in Illinois by the state historical library. Patterson went on to explain each of the programs that are currently in place for students and veterans, highlighting the purpose and importance for each one. Following the recognition, Patterson mentioned the university’s background with the veterans programs in place. Illinois State has been named a Military Friendly School by
Jennifer Haiden | Photo Editor
United States Marine Corps and U.S. Navy military relics were on display at Illinois State University’s annual Veterans Day ceremony Monday. VIQTORY for several years and was recognized by the 2019 Military Friendly Schools list. The university has been known as a Silver Award university for the support of veterans’ education as a result. Illinois National Guard member and Brigadier General Mark C. Jackson was the guest speaker for the ceremony and followed Patterson’s speech and recognition of all veterans. Jackson has had over 33 years of military service and joined the Illinois National Guard in 1984. After completing the ROTC at Illinois State, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1987. Much of his speech honored all veterans dating back to World War II and the Vietnam War, emphasizing the importance of remembering those who have come home and those who never had the chance to come home. “This day belongs to all of the [veterans]. This day belongs to all of you who stood earlier,” Jackson said. He then went on to explain how many soldiers in Illinois and in America have gone on to fight,
highlighting Sept. 11, 2001. “Today, we honor those at home and around the globe,” Jackson said. He also highlighted deployment numbers and the values of a veteran’s experiences and put them into perspective for the audience. “They were warriors who believed in something greater than themselves,” Jackson said. The ceremony concluded with the Benediction recited by Kiper, followed by the closing remarks from Leon. Prior to the ceremony, veterans were able to pick up commemorative yellow ribbons. Due to the weather, the audience had the opportunity to stay indoors for the laying of flowers and the playing of Taps by CDT Colt Baker following the ceremony. Light refreshments were also served throughout and following the ceremony. KELLIE FOY is a News Reporter for The Vidette. She can be contacted at vidette_kafoy1@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @ kellie_foy.
“Today we honor those at home and around the globe ... they were warriors who believed in something greater than themselves.” Brigadier General Mark C. Jackson, veteran and ceremony speaker
llinois State University will have relics of the past displayed in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences over in Turner Hall. The exhibit will be on display until Jan. 30. The Lois Jett Historic Costume Collection (LJHCC) has several military uniforms on display for all to admire for the next few months. The uniforms range from different eras of the United States’ history. The uniforms are from World War I, World War II and different wars up until the current conflicts that are still going on in the Middle East. All the uniforms on display have been donated to the program. Some of the donations come from graduates of Illinois State University, like retired Lt. Col Frank Melchiorri (1980) who was a part of the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard during his career. Another uniform on display was worn by one local Metamora woman. Emma Sommer graduated from St. Francis College of Nursing in 1932 and she decided to enter the service due to a desperate need for nurses from 1944 to 1945. As every uniform has its own story about the one who wore it, the LJHCC has taken the extra step to have a small placard with some information about the owner. This makes both the uniform and the bio on the prior service member an educational moment, just as senior intern Daisy Oregon expresses. “Even if you aren’t interested in the military, maybe you can find the gallery informative,” she said. The LJHCC aims to properly preserve the uniforms by taking great care, and the program also attempts to make the display seem like an actual museum by the way they present everything. “We use standard mannequins to not stain the uniforms and we also try to be like an actual museum when we lay out all our displays,” Oregon said. The event does have scheduled hours of operation, but will make some exceptions for certain occasion, including potential incoming students wanting to check it out or donors wanting to see the final product. From 1-3 p.m. Sunday, the Boot Camp exhibition will open its doors for visitors, allowing more opportunity for the community to enjoy the display. RAFAEL MENCHACA is a News Reporter for The Vidette. He can be contacted at rmencha@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @kuma_topics_.
Viewpoint
PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE
VIDETTE EDITORIAL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019
Mental health’s impact is always important
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or those of you who may not be aware, the month of May is designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, but that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t talk about it every other month. As mental health awareness has taken a larger precedent in the medical field, at college campuses and communities nation-wide, it’s important to understand how large of a problem it truly is and how many people it affects. According to the American Psychology Association, 95% of college counseling center directors surveyed stated that the number of students with significant psychological problems is a growing concern in their centers or on campus. The same survey also found that anxiety is the top presenting concern among college students at 41.6%, followed by depression at 36.4% and relationship problems at 35.8%. Yet, the most worrisome and troubling part of the survey was that 19% of directors report the availability of psychiatric services on their campuses as inadequate. Now let’s do some
math: the survey had a total of a little over 4 million students participate in the study, so if we take the 19% of directors who stated their campus has inadequate mental health services and then take 19% of 4 million, we get about 800,000. That’s 800,000 students who aren’t provided the necessary mental health services they need to either seek help, get medication they need or literally not die.
To reiterate the point, that’s 800,000 students who may have suicidal thoughts or self-harm and not one person may even know about that individual’s mental illness. This also doesn’t take into account the type of insurance a student has. Do they have insurance through their university or through their parents? Perhaps their parents don’t have a steady income and they’re covered by Medicaid, which offers very little coverage or options to
seek mental health services. What if a student doesn’t know what helplines to call or are too afraid to call those helplines? Even worse, what if they don’t have an adequate or helpful support system of friends and family? Furthermore, even if a student does find a doctor or psychiatrist who is willing to help, they may not feel comfortable telling that physician their personal history and that’s completely understandable. Despite the stigma of being diagnosed with a mental illness or depression, it is OK to not be OK as long as you get the help you need. It’s difficult to tell someone who suffers from depression that it will go away eventually, but that is true if they get the proper medication to treat those mental illnesses. Please remember that you’re not alone. There are services out there for you and never forget that your physical and mental wellbeing are more important than anything else in this world. The scenarios just mentioned are the reality that many students face across the nation and here at Illinois State University. Editorial Cartoon by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director
EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by ANDREW DOUGHERTY, a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the University.
Christmas? It’s still November MY VIEW ELIZABETH SEILS | News Editor
S
now is falling. Sadly, the weather has cooled. My skin is dry no matter how hard I try. Truly, winter has arrived, creeping up on us earlier than in most years before, and with it comes the onslaught of Christmas. Starbucks recently released its new Christmas cups, cleverly decorated with “Merry Coffee” (cleverly is a word I use sarcastically, as “Merry Coffee” is one of the least creative advertising campaigns I’ve seen in a while).
But, this is just one of many leaps from Halloween to Christmas. Grocery stores are presenting a strange aesthetic of the oranges, blacks, purples and greens of Halloween next to the reds, whites and evergreens of Christmas. Stockings next to skeletons, cauldrons next to chestnuts roasting on an open fire, mass hysteria! Cats and dogs living together in peace and harmony! I’m not sure what it does for companies to start the Christmas cheer early, and there are of course people who are thrilled for the holidays to finally arrive. However, I find myself surrounded by holiday cheer for two months that by the time Christmas actually arrives, I’m sick of it. By Dec. 25, I’ve heard “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” so many times that I
Chicken Doodle Soup by Claire Wagner | Vidette Cartoonist
wonder if the charge would be involuntary manslaughter or reckless driving. I’ve also seen “Elf” so many times by this point that seeing a bare pile of spaghetti gives me a flashback to Will Ferrel shoveling chocolate sauce covered noodles into his mouth. I don’t say this to be a Scrooge. I love the holidays just as much as the next person, but I find the head-first diving into the holiday in November causes some of the magic to be lost. Additionally, it boils the holiday down from a chance to spend time with family to a chance to buy presents and fragrances. What happened to Thanksgiving? It perfectly transitioned from Halloween to Christmas. How should one go from frights and fall leaves to softly falling snow and sugar plums
dancing in our heads? With a holiday that celebrates the end of fall, and the beginning of holiday meals. Thanksgiving pays homage to fall, but also requires cozy sweaters and pie and turkey, staples of a holiday meal. Part of it I understand, I think a great deal of the holiday hysteria comes from the weather. As winter comes faster and faster, why shouldn’t Christmas? Or perhaps it works the opposite way around. Maybe the universe is bringing winter sooner and sooner as a way of rectifying the situation. You want Christmas early? Okay, here! Take the snow and brittle cold that comes with it. ELIZABETH SEILS is the News Editor for The Vidette. She can be contacted at elseils@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @SeilsElizabeth.
VIDETTE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Vidette welcomes letters to the editor, provided they are no longer than 250 words and are typed and double-spaced. Letters that exceed the 250-word limit can be published at the editor’s discretion,but shorter letters take precedence. Letters containing name calling and insults will not be published. Letters must be signed and contain the major or official title of the writer, the year in school if presently enrolled, address and a daytime telephone number for verification. Letters without phone numbers will not be considered for publication. Names may be withheld upon request, but only after approval by the editor. Letters are subject to editing for style and space at the editor’s discretion. Letters sent via e-mail to: vidette@ilstu.edu are accepted, provided they include a telephone number for verification.
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EDITORIAL BOARD JONATHAN BARLAS Editor-in-Chief @janveselybarlas GRACE BARBIC News Editor | @gracebarbic ANDREW DOUGHERTY Columnist | @addough ANDREA RICKER Features Editor | @ ricker_andrea ELIZABETH SEILS News Editor | @SeilsElizabeth
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019
‘Rewriting the narrative’ CJA drive helps former inmates one shirt at a time KELLIE FOY News Reporter | @kellie_foy
to think outside the box and utilize their talents, skills and majors to the best of i t h Thanksgiving and their benefits. fall break right around Within the criminal the corner, the month of justice Department, November can be seen as a time for everyone involved giving back. in the making of the Illinois State University studrive sees this as an dents all across the Department of opportunity for crimiCriminal Justice Sciences, Criminal nal justice students to Justice Association, Alpha Phi Sigma understand the reality and Breaking Barriers are currently of what these people living up to the idea of giving back go through after their through its second annual clothing release from jail. closet drive. “The mentality For the entire month, the departthat we are creatment is collecting men’s clothing ing and instilling in donations for the Sheridan Correcour students to look tional Center facility, including pants, at these people as shirts, jackets, coats and scarves. potentially employDonations must be new or gently ees of a community used and free of stains or holes. The or of a job is somedepartment also encourages students thing that is really to donate professional attire. Vidette Archive great because someThese donations can be delivered Blue bins are placed throughout campus to accept times we do have to the bins found in Schroeder Hall, donations. Some bins have been filled since a few that narrative or the ISU Police Department and the days after the drive began. they’re just going Campus Religious Center. to go right back “We’re going to try to make this [into jail],” Coan annual thing. It’s open for everyone, so if you’re an adviser of CJA Tamekia Bailey said. art major or theater major, you can most definitely get “Even having that mentality that they would do someinvolved, help donate and spread the word,” CJA Presi- thing better with their life and they will make better dent Helena Gill said. “The way you get things is the word choices this time around is a mentality that is good to of mouth basically. Everyone can get involved, have,” she continued. it’s community service.” While the drive includes students of all FAST Since the Sheridan Correctional Center is majors, the criminal justice department FACTS an adult male, medium security, 100 percent believes that this drive helps to reshape the drug treatment facility, many of the offenders WHAT: CJA clothing narrative of how people typically view those have four years or less remaining on their sen- drive who are just released from jail. tences before re-entering into the community. WHEN: From Nov. 1 For Bailey, the purpose of the drive and The purpose of the drive is to provide these to 30 seeing its overall outcome has changed her males within the facility with clothing and WHERE: Across mindset in a similar way. hope after they are released. “I think this [drive] created a whole new campus To Gill and the rest of the department, IMPACT: To help men narrative for me because I am new to the just a small donation of clothing can assist released from prison whole criminal justice piece. I think that the men to become valuable members of to wear clothing on the awareness that you can do something postsociety and to regain confidence to achieve way out instead of the release is something that I get excited about self-sufficiency. [and is] something that is the reason that I standard-issue gray “[We want to be able to help by] allowing sweatsuit. This helps jumped on board, as well as because of that them to be able to come home in clothing them to rehabilitate. reason of looking at it from post-jail,” Bailey instead of the regular gray jogging suits said. so they won’t have that label on them that For the department, the clothing drive goes they are just out of jail as well as clothing for inter- beyond just donating. views,” CJA Vice President Nastasha Powers said. To them, it’s about going above and beyond in order “[This will allow them] to be able to adapt to soci- to provide and give back as much as possible because it ety versus having that gray jogging suit which is a label makes that much of an impact on society. within itself.” “The sky is the limit. If you limit yourself to ‘well, I Some of the bins located throughout campus have can’t do this’ or ‘they will think this,’ you never know. already been filled with a variation in men’s cloth- This clothes drive, who would have thought about doing ing within the first few days of the drive happening. this? We can go read to people in the prison or go on a Those involved within the drive encourage those who tour, but giving back just a shirt can really make someare looking to get involved beyond just donating clothes one’s day. Just go out and do it,” Gill said.
W
“The mentality that we are creating and instilling in our students to look at these people as potentially employees of a community or of a job is something ... we do have that narrative or they’re just going to go right back [into jail],” Tamekia Bailey, Co-adviser of CJA
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Students react to burgers, Asian foods coming to Bone GRACE KINNICUTT Features Reporter | @gkinnicutt
and more. Star Ginger will have a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options. The recipes come from The milkshakes are going to award-winning chef Mai Pham. bring all the students to the Bone. “I think these restaurants will be Two new dining venues are being a good addition to the Bone. It adds added to the Bone Student Center. some diversified food choices on Timbers Grille and Star Ginger are campus,” freshman Connor Bland expected to open in spring 2020. said. “I myself am a big burger guy Timbers Grille will serve burgers, so I like to see a burger place comchicken sanding.” wiches, fries, Junior salads and Isabelle Mahr “I think these restaurants include an allexpressed will be a good addition to similar hopes day breakfast menu. for the new the Bone. It adds some “I’m excited dining venues. diversified food choices on for the burger “I hope they place with campus. I myself am a big have vegetarimilkshakes,” options that burger guy so I like to see a an junior Lauren are more than Goldberg said. just side orburger place coming.” “It sounds like ders. It would Connor Bland, ISU freshman a good alternabe nice if they tive to Steak had something N’ Shake without having to leave like tofu with stir fry or vegetarian campus if you can’t because you noodles,” Mahr said. don’t have a car or are too lazy to The new venues will be located go off campus.” on the second floor. The restaurants The grill will also serve handwill open as the third and final dipped milkshakes. phase of the revitalization project “I’m lactose intolerant so they finishes at the Bone Student Center. better have a dairy free milkshake,” senior Celina Aquino said. GRACE KINNICUTT is a FeaStar Ginger will serve a wide tures Reporter for The Vidette. She range of dishes such as authentic can be reached at gkinnic@ilstu. Pan-Asian dishes, Vietnamese pho, edu. Follow her on Twitter at @ stir fry, rice bowls, Korean barbecue gkinnicutt.
2019
Features
PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019
REVIEW
‘Living with Yourself’ ELIZABETH SEILS News Editor | @SeilsElizabeth
W The creation of the “Conspiracy” palette has been documented on Shane Dawson’s YouTube channel before its longawaited arrival. Jennifer Haiden | Photo Editor
Breaking the internet Jeffree Star, Shane Dawson ‘Conspiracy’ palette, is it worth the hype? HAILEY BIALAS Features Reporter | @ haileybialas
coming soon. It is clear that the hype around this product is massive, considering that the he newest craze in YouTubers took no time off the makeup world, on marketing and production, the “Conspiracy” so the hopes were high when palette, is on everyone’s it came to the actual quality Christmas wish list. of the product. Thankfully the The palette is part of over $50 product lived up to Shane Dawson’s collabothose expectations. ration with Jeffree Star. The well-known Jeffree Star The collection launched formula is a show stopper, on Nov. 1 and sold out making the colors of the palette online within a few hours. extremely pigmented, no pun The palette, which is intended. That, though, was the center of the colleca give in when it came to the tion, was a hot commodity product. The real question is: and was practically ripped how did Shane Dawson do? off the shelves as quickly The color story for the palette as it was stocked. really can suit every single Jennifer Haiden | Photo Editor makeup user’s desires, making The Morphe product Jeffree Star Cosmetics is known for was available on Jeffree it versatile and appropriate for pigmented eyeshadows, and the recent Star’s website and Morevery event. Where the real collaboration did not disappoint with phe stores exclusively, creativity comes in, though. is color payoff. and the traffic from the naming of the shadows. buyers caused the website to glitch. The entire The shadow names are what will call on Shane’s collection is sold out worldwide, with a restock fans to dive into the makeup world, because they
are truly reflective of his most iconic moments as an influencer. Names like “What’s The Tea?,” “Pigment,” “Illuminatea” and “Just a Theory” pay an amazing tribute to the legacy of the content creator. The packaging was also amazing. Compared to other palettes, the packaging is nothing close to simple. The product itself comes in its own spiraling white and gold protective packaging, which consumers can open to reveal the actual product. The palette itself is in a trunk of protection. It is a matte black leather vault-like box that will open by undoing the black metal clasps. Once the black pyramid-like spiral box is opened, with Shane’s logo in the center of course, all the colors and a crisp mirror are revealed for application. Overall, the hype was well deserved. The color scheme can create several looks. The colors are long lasting and abundant when it comes to amount of product in each pan. It was worth every cent. Plus, who wouldn’t want to give their money to these two influential stars?
O’BRIEN
sideline. He may be Mr. Redbird for [ISU and its students], but he’s more like Mr. Wildcat to us. He’s on our Wall of Fame as well as being a Wildcat super fan.” As an assistant coach for Normal West high school’s football team, he plays no favorites when it comes to his fandoms with no in between of who and what he supports. Fincham has been the head coach at Normal West for 13 years. Knowing him for the entirety of his time as head coach, not only does O’Brien serve as an ambassador for the Wildcats, he preaches positivity every chance he gets. “When you’re around him, his positivity kind of radiates off you,” Fincham said. “If the tennis team doesn’t play well, you’re going to know about it. He lives and dies on every moment of Redbird sports. We love having him as part of our program. It would be very difficult to imagine Normal West without him.” O’Brien doesn’t feel any pressure from supporting both programs, or even for the number of tweets he posts daily — feeling overly welcomed and appreciated. Even when RSOs, teams and students struggle in achieving their short-term goals, it seems as though O’Brien will be there to pick all of them right back up, rain or shine. “I’ve always wanted to go to Illinois State ... It was my dream school. But I feel like I’m living that dream out now through my fandom. Since I can’t give back from a money standpoint, putting out updates and promoting ISU-related things is what I do instead. Getting to know all of the past players and coaches, the way that they’ve treated me ... it’s been awesome.”
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Continued from Page 1
Whether it’s on campus or in Redbird Arena, throughout his life, O’Brien manages to keep a positive attitude toward everything he’s involved in — facing one constant adversity that he overcomes daily. “I don’t really like talking about it, but I do have autism,” O’Brien said. “When I was younger, everyone thought that I wouldn’t communicate well with others, but I know that I can. That adversity is what makes me stronger. The people who have been in my life have been really good to me every step of the way.” A super fan, by definition, is “a person who has an extreme admiration for a particular person or thing.” O’Brien embodies that spirit multi-fold, supporting ISU-related teams and organizations even when they think they are not being supported. Social media is a huge driving factor for O’Brien’s impact. School of Communication’s Director of Convergent Media Nathan Carpenter sees a lot of good for both O’Brien and ISU drawing from his posts. “He is the only one that I’ve seen with this level of Illinois State content,” Carpenter said. “I think the best way to think about him is as a super fan.” O’Brien’s Twitter account (@jaredObrien17) has a personal following of 347 followers (which includes Illinois State’s verified Twitter), racking up 54.8K tweets while following over 1,800 accounts. His tweets? All Redbird-based.
While to some, O’Brien’s volume of social media activity might seem like “bot activity,” Carpenter said “he’s following everything Illinois State related possible. I think that’s something we don’t see a lot of.” “I just like putting my stuff out there for everyone to see,” O’Brien added. “Sometimes my parents say I post too much, but they just joke with me. I appreciate that everyone says nice things back to me.” Along with his social media impact, Carpenter thinks that O’Brien’s importance to Illinois State extends far beyond the confines of Twitter. “The importance lies in taking an identity, and making it central to their general daily existence,” he said. “I think that’s a really special thing. He’s a tiny dot in the constellation of social media makeup, but he still helps draw page views to ISU content. And he spends his time doing it.” Not only does O’Brien continue to make an impact on campus, when he is not immersed within his Redbird fandom, he turns to support his alma mater. “He’s one of the coaches,” Normal West head football coach Nathan Fincham said. “He’s on our
HAILEY BIALAS is a Features Reporter for The Vidette. She can be contacted at hgbiala@ilstu. edu. Follow her on Twitter at @haileybialas.
hat would you do if you had to live with yourself? Not in the metaphorical sense, but in the literal, physical, you-have-aclone-and-it’s-you-but-better sense? A recent Netflix Original series seeks to figure that out, but it never really answers the question. What is most striking about the series is that it captivates you for the majority of it. It sets up a dark comedy that has value as an introspective drama, but ultimately takes those plot devices and ideas nowhere. The series stars Paul Rudd as disgruntled man Miles Elliot, who is dissatisfied with just about everything in his life. His job at an advertising firm bores him, and he finds himself lacking inspiration and creatively unfulfilled. His marriage with his beautiful wife Kate, played by Aisling Bea, is troubled and seemingly on the verge of divorce. Miles is wholly unsatisfied with every part of his life, and he becomes envious of his rival coworker, who seems smarter and happier than he used to be. At a celebratory party at TGI Fridays (which is frequented in the show), Miles’ rival recommends that he visits the Top Happy Spa, saying it was a life-changing visit. There, he is told he’ll feel like a new person. Miles falls asleep and then wakes up, shabbily buried in the ground and wrapped up in plastic. It’s discovered that Miles was not really rejuvenated, but rather he was cloned, genetically improved, and then his original self was dumped in the woods; he was supposed to be dead. From there the series follows Old Miles, played by Paul Rudd, and New Miles, also played by Paul Rudd, as they try to fit both of them into one life. The difference between original Miles and new Miles is done well, and Rudd is charming and wonderful as usual. There are significant costume changes to help the audience follow along with which Miles is which. You will find yourself picking a favorite between the two, and screaming at your TV that that’s the better Miles! That is the one who should stay! However, the following episodes of setup and growing drama ultimately come to an unsatisfying peak. The series ends abruptly, and insufficiently, leaving one to wonder what happens next. Where could they possibly go on from here? The credits will roll and you may stare blankly at your screen, wondering, “that’s it?” The most aggravating part is that the series is going somewhere until the last 10 minutes of the final episode.
EXPANDED STORY @ videtteonline.com
THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019
Q&A: Paul DeJong reflects on 2019 season’s success Compiled by JAKE SERMERSHEIM | Vidette Sports Editor
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his season was a year of firsts for Illinois State University product Paul DeJong. The third-year shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals experienced multiple firsts. His first all-star game selection, his first time as a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award and his first trip to the MLB playoffs. Jake Sermersheim: What were some goals you had entering the season? Paul DeJong: I had a few goals coming in. I wanted to be an allstar, a finalist for the gold glove and a playoff run. The playoff run was the best experience, it was
such an incredible experience to overcome and win the division and then beating Atlanta in the [National League Division Series], just a lot of emotions and meaningful. I really got a taste of what that celebration champaign was like. Just a great overall experience. JS: What were your emotions when you finally clinched a playoff spot? PD: It felt like a huge weight had been lifted. I felt like we all knew we were going to do it. In the end we got a little timid and tense. After it was finally clinched we loosened up and you saw that in the Atlanta series. JS: What was the atmosphere like in the playoffs? PD: I thought the atmosphere, especially in Atlanta, was super energetic. I really enjoyed the wave of emotions that was going on during the game and the way the fans were getting into it. We did not play very well in front of our home fans so I felt like they were a little lethargic. Overall I feel like playoff baseball was more intense than I expected.
JS: What was the most difficult part about the playoffs that you did not expect? PD: All the time in between. You really have to take care of yourself and your mind. Just to know when it is rest time, you need to rest, but being able to flip that switch on and off. JS: What was your reaction to being named a finalist for the Gold Glove Award? PD: I was pretty ecstatic. Shortstop defense has been something I have been working on pretty hard for the last two years now. For me to be able to prove that to the rest of the league and to myself that I am accomplishing a lot of things. I was not able to win this year but that is a goal of mine. JS: With six teammates up for a Gold Glove, what does that say about the Cardinals’ defensive philosophy? PD: Getting better at defense was a priority for us going into spring training. Kolten [Wong] and I were working in January taking groundballs. Goldy [Paul Goldschmidt] and Yadi [Yadier Molina] both showed up early. You know what Harrison Bader can do. I think that is a testament to our team.
EXPANDED STORY @Videtteonline.com
Loyola eliminates ISU soccer
REDBIRD RE PORT ISU women’s basketball loses by 17 to Marquette The Illinois State University women’s basketball team hit the road for the first time this season taking on Marquette. Both teams went scoreless until a lay-in gave Marquette the lead they never relinquished, winning 58-41. TeTe Maggett finished the game with 16 points.
“
Coach says I thought Marquette played well. They really took us out of what we were trying to do offensively. I thought we were bothered by their size and their pressure. I thought we did a great job on the boards. Our keys we did, we just didn’t score the ball. It’s tough to win when you score 41 points.” ISU coach Kristen Gillespie
BY THE NUMBERS
Ramblers beat ’Birds 2-0 for MVC Championship MATT KALINOWSKI Sports Reporter | @Mattkalinowsk8
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or the second time this season, the Loyola Ramblers defeated the Illinois State University Redbirds 2-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Soccer Championship Game on Sunday. The Ramblers secured an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Illinois State’s head coach Brad Silvey spoke about the difficulty of the game. “It was a tough game,” Silvey said, “We knew Loyola was going to be incredibly quick and strong, and athletic. We had a good game plan in place ... we weren’t able to execute the way that we needed to play in order to deal with the pressure that Loyola was bringing.” Loyola’s senior midfielder Sienna Cruz scored in the 40th minute to make it 1-0. At halftime, Loyola led in shots 14-2. The Ramblers also generated more corners (7-0) and forced ISU’s senior goalkeeper Haley Smith to make five first-half saves. In the second half, junior midfielder Lindsey Hardiman made the score 2-0 with a goal in the 55th minute. In the second half, both teams shot three times. Loyola again led in corners (3-1) and controlled the pace of the game overall. Illinois State finished the season at 14-6. Loyola finishes at 14-4-1 before its guaranteed trip to the NCAA tournament. Illinois State last made the NCAA tournament in 2016 where it defeated Michigan in the first round before No. 14 ranked Duke eliminated the ’Birds. “At the end of the day, really proud of this group,” Silvey said, “And what they accomplished this year. This senior class really did their part in terms of getting us back on ... a championship trajectory. To be in the championship game is a huge feat and a great accomplishment for this team and
Football Continued from Page 8.
Davis’ touchdown was a 12-yard pass to Tristan Bailey on the Redbirds’ first drive of the game. The catch was
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MVFC SCORES Illinois St. 27, S. Dakota St. 18 South Dakota 56, Youngstown 21 Southern Illinois 37, Missouri St. 14 North Dakota St 57, Western Illinois 21 Northern Iowa 17, Indiana St. 9
MVFC STANDINGS Conf Ovrl
Courtesy of Redbird Athletics
Abby Basler (22) keeps the ball away from a pair of Loyola defenders Sunday in the Redbirds’ 2-0 loss. for that senior class. ISU will lose a few key seniors after this season, including Smith and midfielder Kate Del Fava. “At the end of the day, hopefully, this serves as motivation for the future of our team,” Silvey said. “And for the future of our program, to do what we need to to be back here, and to get us a game farther next year.” The Redbirds improved a lot from last year’s 10-9-2 campaign. The team overcame many late deficits and competed in several close games. Illinois State’s defense will be remembered for its efforts and five-game shutout streak. The offense was explosive and had many breakout performances.
Bailey’s first. Davis also built a connection with tight end Tanner Taula who caught three passes for 47 yards, which led the Redbirds. “Both are really long athletes. Tristan is really athletic. Tanner is
CLASSIFIEDS SUBLEASE
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points from Jaycee Hillsman through two games for ISU. The senior transfer from San Jose State finished with 11 points against Belmont University and 12 against Little Rock.
Individually, Smith and Del Fava stood out. In addition to being named MVC Player of the Year, Del Fava led the conference in scoring; Smith won several MVC Defensive Player of the Week awards and captured the program’s career shutout record. “A lot of standout moments throughout the year,” Silvey said. “A lot of standout individual performances throughout the year that allowed us to get to this point within the season.” The NCAA tournament begins Friday in locations to be determined. MATT KALINOWSKI is a Sports Reporter for The Vidette. He can be contacted at mjkali1@ilstu. edu. Follow him on Twitter at @mattkalinowski8.
a really hard worker and tough; he deserves this good game, he is a great tight end,” Spack said. The win moves the Redbirds to 7-3 on the season and 4-2 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play. The
Redbirds have been strong on the road with a record of 4-1 away from Hancock Stadium. ISU will return to action at noon Saturday, where it will host Missouri State at Hancock Stadium.
North Dakota St. Northern Iowa South Dakota St. Illinois St. Southern Illinois South Dakota Youngstown State Western Illinois Missouri Statae Indiana State
6-0 5-1 4-2 4-2 4-2 3-3 1-5 1-5 1-5 8-1
10-0 7-3 7-3 7-3 6-4 4-6 5-5 1-9 1-8 9-1
Upcoming Volleyball ISU hits the road this weekend for back-to-back road games at Valparaiso and Loyola.
Football ISU comes home for the final time this season taking on Missouri State at noon Saturday.
Men’s basketball ISU welcomes University of Central Florida at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Women’s basketball
ISU travels to the University of Illinois at 2 p.m. Sunday.
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Sports
PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019
ISU scores stunner at No. 4 South Dakota St. JAKE SERMERSHEIM Sports Editor | @JakeSermersheim
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fter last week’s loss to the University of Northern Iowa, the Illinois State University football team badly needed a road upset over No. 4 South Dakota State. Thanks to four turnovers, the No. 11 Redbirds took down the Jackrabbits 27-18. Forcing SDSU’s quarterback Keaton Heide to make mistakes was the x-factor for the Redbirds; Heide turned the ball over three times. “It was a great bounce back,” ISU head coach Brock Spack said. “There were some big-time plays made, most of them by us. To win a big game like this on the road is great.” Junior ISU linebacker Dylan Draka placed importance on the five forced fumbles from the Jackrabbits. “During practice, we preach stripping the ball. We work on trying to get that ball away all week long and this week it worked out,” Draka said. “When we had the opportunity to make plays, we took them this week.” Coming out of halftime down by one (11-10), the ’Birds missed an opportunity leading to a Jackrabbits touchdown. On a scramble, SDSU quarterback Heide fumbled the ball after a hit from ISU defensive end Romeo McKnight. The Redbirds had the chance to recover — Tuvone Clark had his hands on the ball, but could not maintain possession. The Jackrabbits did not let the second chance go to waste as Pierre Strong Jr. leaped over the line for the 4-yard touchdown rush putting SDSU up 18-10. ISU followed that with a 32-yard field goal from senior Sam
Courtesy ISU Athletics
Members of the Illinois State football team celebrate during the Redbirds’ 27-18 upset win over No. 4 South Dakota State.
Fenlason. With time running out in the third quarter, Heide made the first of a series of bad turnovers. Heide threw an interception to Christia Uphoff, who returned it 20 yards. The Redbirds were unable to turn that into a touchdown, relying on Fenlason who split the uprights on a 32-yard kick. Fenlason was gold for the Redbirds, a perfect 4-4 on field goals ranging from the 37-yard line to 43 yards. Fenlason continues his strong season that has seen the senior miss just a pair of field goals (12-14).
With the Redbirds struggling to find the endzone, Fenlason’s kicking made a big difference. “Coming in I thought it was going to be a defensive game. In defensive games when offenses can’t find the endzone, kicks are huge,” Fenlason said. After Fenlason’s third good kick of the game, the Redbirds made a huge play. A big hit on the ensuing kickoff to Jaden Janke by Peyton Jones forced a fumble, giving ISU the ball back. The Redbirds did not squander the opportunity and found the endzone on a 1-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back James Robinson, pushing the ’Birds ahead 22-18. Looking for insurance points, the Redbirds went for two on the point-after try. Senior quarterback Brady Davis flipped the ball to offensive lineman Drew Himmelman who walked into the endzone untouched. “What an athlete he [Himmelman] is. They have been practicing that play all year; they were finally able to use it,” Spack said. Last week against UNI, Davis struggled mightily, completeing 13 of 28 (46.4%) passes for 135 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. But the senior found his footing, completing 11 of 17 (64.7%) passes for 165 yards, one touchdown and one interception. “There was not anything different about how I approached it last week and how I came in this week,” Davis said. “I knew I had to step up. I felt like I was the reason we lost last week and that really bothered me. Before this game it was still bothering me, now I feel good. We are rolling; we have two more big games and need to take it one at a time.” Continued on Page 7
Homecourt advantage
Illinois State opens season at 2-0 after home wins over Belmont, Little Rock BLAINE LEWALLEN Sports Editor | @blainelew3
What happened Illinois State University began the season on a positive note, as the Redbirds used impressive secondhalf runs in both contests of the opening week to start the season at 2-0. In the first game of the week, ISU defeated Ohio Valley Conference favorite Belmont 79-72 at Redbird Arena Wednesday before pulling-out a 75-70 victory over Little Rock on Sunday at RBA. In Sunday’s win over Little Rock, the Redbirds opened up a 10-point lead at 62-52 in the second half before the Trojans used a 14-2 scoring spurt led by 5-foot-7 guard Markquis Nowell to take a 66-64 advantage with 3:38 remaining in the contest. From there, a key three-pointer by senior guard Zach Copeland guided the Redbirds on an 11-4 run to close the game. Six three-pointers in the second half, including four by redshirt sophomore guard Dedric Boyd, were key for ISU. ISU had four players score in double figures in the contest. “Just a credit to Little Rock and their staff,” ISU head coach Dan Muller said. “That’s a really good team. They’re entertaining, they play hard, their length is crazy. I’m Jennifer Haiden | Photo Editor proud of the composure we showed. I’m disappointed about some of the Illinois State University senior guard Zach Copeland dribbles around Little Rock guard Ben Coupet Jr. in ISU’s 75-70 victory over the Trojans Sunday at defense, but I’m really happy about Redbird Arena. Copeland led the Redbirds with 19 points, four assists and two steals. His performance in ISU’s first two games led to him being named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week to start the season. the win.” After suffering a 100-89 loss What it means at Belmont at the beginning of last season, the ’Birds overcame a What’s next: For the first time since the 2012-13 season, ISU has started the season with a 2-0 12-point deficit to the Bruins en route to an impressive upset victory. The Redbirds are back mark against some impressive opponents. Little Rock came into Normal after defeating The Redbirds managed just 23 points in the first half while shootin action at 1 p.m. Missouri Valley Conference favorite Missouri State 67-66 on the road on a buzzer beating 31% from the field before exploding for 56 points in the second Sunday, when Central er. Despite being picked to finish 11th in their conference, the Trojans appear poised half behind nine threes, including a trey by redshirt sophomore to be an NCAA Tournament-contending team. Belmont is no pushover team either, as Florida comes to RedTaylor Bruninga to extend the ISU lead to five with 2:00 left in his the Bruins finished last season at a 27-6 mark. Despite losing its top two players from first game action in over a year. ISU was able to counter 20 points bird Arena. The Knights a season ago, Belmont returned 10 players from last season’s team that nearly upset from Belmont’s 6-foot-11 center Nick Muszynski with five players are coming off of a seaMaryland in the NCAA Tournament as an 11-seed. These wins give ISU some confiin double figures. In total, the ’Birds knocked in 13 threes (13-26) son in which they went dence before a tough slate of games in the coming weeks. and shot 47.6% from the field in the win (30-63). Belmont shot just 25-9, narrowly losing 28% from downtown (7-25). to top-ranked Duke in Player of the Week “Anyone who has watched can see the first half and the second the second round of Copeland was expected to be the top scorer for the ’Birds this season, and he has half were polar opposites. We need to work as a team to make sure the NCAA Tournament. lived up to the expectations thus far in two games played. Copeland dropped in 20 we don’t have a half like that again,” Muller said. “That second half UCF opened the season points in the season-opening win against Belmont before following that up with 19 was huge. One turnover, executing well and getting guys good shots with a 73-69 victory points against Little Rock. He also tallied six rebounds, five assists and three steals and paint touches could make this team a very good offensive team.” against Belmont and had four assists and two steals in the Little Rock win. over Prairie View A&M.