THE
alestle
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 Vol. 79 No. 9
THE student voice since 1960
EDWARDSVILLE CELEBRATES 250 YEARS OF AMERICA WITH FIREWORKS, MUSIC, MARKETS PAGE 8 BEHIND THE COVER What to know about new federal student loan rules PAGE 2
Come sample some of the berry best smoothies around! PAGES 4-5
Kids experience college life at SIUE sports camps PAGE 7
Gavin Rask / The Alestle
STAR-SPANGLED SKY: The Edwardsville fireworks show and festival to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence was held at American Legion Post 199. The festival had food trucks, games, rock climbing and a Clydesdale horse named Ace.
PAGE 2
Wednesday, 07.08.26
alestlelive.com
Changes to federal student loan repayment: What to know KATY ARTERBURN reporter When paying for college, many students turn to federal loans for lower interest rates and the possibility of loan forgiveness. Because of this, key changes to the federal loan repayment system, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will affect students and alumni with existing loans, incoming students and families across the nation. Many changes went into effect on July 1, but the government will fully implement plans by 2028.
For current undergraduates
According to NPR, students who will graduate with federal student loans will have to choose between the Repayment Assistance Plan and the Tiered Standard Plan. The Repayment Assistance Plan is the new income-based plan. Monthly loan payments are calculated based on your income bracket. For example, someone making $30,001-$40,000 per year will pay $75-$100 a month. This plan comes with a principal-matching payment, meaning if you pay, the amount remaining on the loan will go down every month, guaranteed. Unlike older plans, though, R AP requires that borrowers pay for 30 years before
loan forgiveness is possible. As of now, the payment index does not account for inflation. As your income increases over time, your payments will too. The Tiered Standard Plan, like the old Standard Repayment Plan, takes the loan amount and breaks it into monthly bills. One difference is that larger amounts will take longer to pay off. Someone with less than $25,000 of debt will pay for 10 years. Someone with more than $100,000 will pay for at least 25 years. There is a third option for borrowers. SIUE alumna Lauren Brown chose Pay-OnYour-Own. This gives borrowers freedom to pay as much as they want, as long as they keep up with repayment. “When you graduate, you have to go through exit counseling. It goes over all the payment plan options,” Brown said. “If you’ve ever taken out a loan, in order to start paying back, you should go through exit loan counseling.”
For graduate and professional students
“Graduate and professional students will experience some of the most significant changes, including the elimination of the Graduate PLUS Loan program,”
Jason Rock, the associate director for Federal and State Compliance in the SIUE Student Financial Aid office, wrote in an email to The Alestle. “Federal student loan borrowers now have a lifetime aggregate loan limit of $257,500. Graduate students have an annual Federal Direct Loan limit of $20,500, and a $100,000 borrowing limit,” Rock wrote. For degrees in “chiropractic, clinical psychology, dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, podiatry, theology and veterinary medicine,” however, the limit is $50,000 per year. Graduate PLUS Loans will not cover the rest. Current graduate students with existing loans can reference the FSA website or customer service for information on loan limit exemptions. Lyn Dixon, a sophomore psychology student, hopes to go to graduate school but has reservations about the new limits. “Even if you are a first-generation, low-income student, you have the chance of getting financial aid, but that doesn’t always work out. Sometimes, loans are your only option,” Dixon said. “If they’re putting a cap on it, that could completely deter someone from even
having the ability to go into graduate school.”
For alumni with loans
Any Americans on the Saving on a Valuable Education plan are on a deadline. Borrowers on SAVE must switch to the Repayment Assistance Plan or the Tiered Standard Plan within 90 days of their first notice. Otherwise, the U.S. Department of Education will automatically place them on the Tiered Standard Plan, which could lead to higher monthly payments. Students and alumni should update contact information in their FSA account to ensure they will receive notices. The other pre-existing repayment plans will remain active until 2028. “Students can usually change repayment plans at any time, but they need to work with their loan servicers to make those changes,” Rock wrote.
For families
Parents or guardians wanting to help their undergraduate student pay for college with loans will be limited to $20,000 per year. Previously, Parent PLUS Loans could cover the whole cost of tuition. The Department of Education will no longer offer income-based repayment or loan
forgiveness for these plans. The federal government implemented the loan repayment changes in an attempt to “rein in student loan debt, which stands at almost $1.9 trillion.” “Most borrowers are expected to see an increase in their monthly student loan payments under these changes. For example, the $0 monthly payment option for low-income borrowers is being replaced with a $10 minimum monthly payment. The exact impact will vary based on each borrower’s financial circumstances, but experts generally expect monthly payments to increase,” Rock wrote. While these changes may pose challenges to those pursuing a higher education, SIUE offers support to students navigating their repayment process. “SIUE Student Financial Aid can provide counseling and resources to assist students in understanding and choosing a payment plan. Ultimately, the borrower will need to determine which plan will work the best for them,” Rock wrote. “If a borrower isn’t sure what plan to use or what options are available to them, we also strongly recommend they contact their loan servicer as well. They can find their servicer information on studentaid.gov.”
Transferring to SIUE: Programs, benefits, resources LILY BERKENBILE reporter With 23 partnerships in the United States and more than 30 formal partnerships internationally, SIUE boasts a variety of opportunities and unique experiences for current SIUE students and students looking to transfer in. For domestic students aspiring to come to SIUE, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is staffed with coordinators who work with a variety of schools and regions to ensure a smooth, effective transition process. “If I compare SIUE with a lot of our competitor schools, I would say one of our advantages is that we’re pretty transfer-friendly,” Brooklyn McMahon, transfer admission coordinator for the Chicago/Northern Illinois area, said. “We don’t have a maximum on the amount of credits a student can transfer in … A student can transfer whether they’re one semester in at a community college or they’ve been taking three years of college classes.” Students from institutions that have partnerships with SIUE can view curriculum guides specific to their school and, in the case of Pathway Programs for community colleges, tailored toward particular bachelor’s degrees. According to McMahon, Pathway Programs allow students to take two years of coursework for their intended major at a community college, then transfer to SIUE to finish the degree in the next two years. Pathway Programs usually work best for students who decide on what to do with their college journey at the beginning of college or earlier, according to McMahon. Students of Lewis and Clark Community College and Southern Illinois College have the option to apply for Dual Admission, defined by SIUE as a partnership where a community college student can apply for guaranteed admission to a four-year institute while getting a
transferable associate degree at a community college. Applications must be completed in the first year of attendance at both Lewis and Clark and Southern Illinois College. However, transferring students are not obligated to use the programs or attend a partnership school. Dillon McGinnis, a senior mechan-
“
I just didn’t see myself attending Mizzou for the next four years — it wasn’t a future I wanted to be a part of … I’m happy with my decision [to have] transferred.” Dillon McGinnis Senior Mechanical Engineering Student
ical engineering student at SIUE, attended the University of Missouri as a freshman. Although SIUE does not have a partnership in place with the university, McGinnis had no issues transferring to SIUE. “There was definitely a lot of emailing back and forth with advisers and working [with them] to make sure I had the proper documentation and transcripts … It wasn’t too terribly difficult,” McGinnis said. “I just didn’t see myself attending Mizzou for the next four years — it wasn’t a future I wanted to be a part of … I’m happy with my decision [to have] transferred,” McGinnis said. “I would not trade [coming to SIUE] for anything.” When transferring without a clear path, McMahon believes it is pertinent to keep an eye on which credits will and won’t transfer. It is possible that not all of them will, which was the case for Moriah Davenport, a senior environmental science student at SIUE but previously a Lewis and Clark student.
“Most of my credits transferred over ... [but not] all of them did. I definitely took some classes at Lewis and Clark I didn’t need to,” Davenport said. Regardless of a national student’s credits or chosen method of transfer, McMahon recommends actively working with an adviser to get oriented to what SIUE offers. All domestic students transferring to SIUE have access to SIUE’s Course Equivalency Calculator and can also utilize Transferology, a nationwide network of college credit transfers. McMahon said she recommends both resources. International students studying in and nominated by one of SIUE’s more than 30 international partnership schools will be able to go through SIUE’s Study Abroad program. Current SIUE students looking to add onto their educational experience may also go through the Study Abroad program. According to Study Abroad Specialist Ryan Donald, the Study Abroad program allows students to take a hands-on approach to exploring aspects of other parts of the world and attend classes in one country that will transfer back home once they’re completed.
Donald believes that the program is made possible by collaboration and communication by departments on campus, as well as SIUE’s international partnerships. “By engaging with international partners, we can offer our students exciting opportunities to experience different cultures and unique learning environments,” Donald wrote in an email to The Alestle. “With the dual nature of international mobility, this happens both with the students we send out into the world and with the international students we welcome here at SIUE.” Transfer students, just like any SIUE student, can use the Study Abroad program. Donald said that international students enrolled at SIUE looking to study abroad may need to consider visas beforehand. Domestic students must ensure they have a secure passport. SIUE students can find Study Abroad programs on the Study Abroad application website. Nominated international students can find further information on SIUE’s International Admissions website. International students who are coming to SIUE for longer than a semester can learn more on SIUE’s International Admissions website.
lifestyles
THE ALESTLE WILL PUBLISH ONLINE 7/29.
contact the editor: lifestyles@alestlelive.com (618) 650-3528
alestlelive.com
Wednesday, 07.08.26
PAGE 3
SIUE Summer Theater brings ‘The Addams Family’ to life AUDREY O’RENIC sports editor SIUE Summer Theater is giving a new life to the horror-comedy classic “The Addams Family” next week in the Dunham Hall Theatre. Based on characters created by Charles Addams, the musical follows the eccentric Addams family when 18-year-old Wednesday falls in love with a “normal” man from an ordinary family. When the two families get together for dinner one evening, secrets are revealed, family relationships are tested and chaos unfolds in the classic Addams family fashion. Director and Assistant Professor of Theater and Dance Brandon Riley said the musical was selected because it appeals to a wide audience — from those who loved the original black-and-white television series to those who are just being introduced through Netflix’s “Wednesday.” “‘The Addams Family’ is a multigenerational production,” Riley said. “It’s a really nice middle ground for everyone.” While audiences might recognize familiar characters, Riley said this particular production stands out because of its diverse cast and talent range. “Our cast is different from many of the casts that we’ve seen — in age, identity and eth-
nic background — you name it,” Riley said. “We have folks that would consider themselves dancers first, folks that are vocalists first and actors first.” Junior musical theater student Robert Williams, who
“
Things are tense outside of the world of theater right now. We want folks to leave on an upbeat, leave with smiles and leave a conversation to be able to have between parents and kids and all the ages in between.” Brandon Riley Director and Assistant Professor
portrays the lovable Uncle Fester, said working alongside performers from different backgrounds has made the production feel closer to a professional theater experience. In addition to a dynamic cast, Riley said this production is distinct because of the larger role the
Morticia Addams (Isabella Henning, left) and Gomez Addams (Reginald Coleman II, right) introduce the rest of the Addams family through a grand musical number. | Audrey O’Renic / The Alestle “The Addams Family” ancestors play in telling the story. Sophomore theater and dance student Cayley McReynolds, who plays one of the ancestors, said the group serves as a bridge between the audience and the imaginary world. “We’re in between the audience and the Addams world,” McReynolds said. “We help a lot with the [scene] transitions and we add a lot of extra vocals. I think the ancestors bring a lot more — ironically — life to the show.” Kaylee Anthony, a sophomore at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, also
plays one of the ancestors. She said she enjoyed being able to create her own character and getting to know the other cast members in her first college production. “All of [the ancestors] got super close really fast, andi t ’ s been such a blast to just joke around with everybody, learn all our dances together, do our mini ad libs together and just make a bunch of really stupid choices together,” Anthony said. Through comedy and spooky musical numbers, “The Addams Family” explores family relationships, acceptance and the embracement of individuality. Riley said he hopes audi-
ences will leave the theater with something positive. “Things are tense outside of the world of theater right now,” Riley said. “We want folks to leave on an upbeat, leave with smiles and leave a conversation to be able to have between parents and kids and all the ages in between.” SIUE Summer Theater’s production of “The Addams Family” will run July 15-19 in Dunham Hall. Shows begin at 7 p.m., with the exception of Sunday’s 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets range from $13 to $21, with student tickets at $16. Tickets are available for purchase at the online SIUE Box Office.
Outdoor staycation destinations to fill your summer KATY ARTERBURN reporter Whether you’re enrolled in classes, working or just looking for some local fun, these outdoor staycation ideas can fulfill your longing for a summer vacation without shifting your schedule.
MERAMEC CAVERNS The Meramec Caverns are in Stanton, Missouri, an hour and a half from Edwardsville. Visitors can take tours through the site’s unique cavernous rock formations. Besides cave tours, Meramec Caverns has light shows, rock climbing and ziplines. For a water adventure, you might reserve a canoe, kayak or raft for a float trip down the Meramec River. They also have riverboats for those who want to stay dry. Overnight guests can stay at the Meramec Caverns Motel or its campground, both in La Jolla Natural Park.
Eureka, Missouri Eureka is known for Six Flags St. Louis — soon to be renamed Mid-America at Enchanted Parks — a great outdoor park for thrill seekers. But the area also has plenty of natural tourist attractions. The
Endangered Wolf Center rehabilitates wolf populations. Visitors can register for tours or events like the Wolf Howl, where they can learn about wolf communication. At Lone Elk Park, in the neighboring town, visitors can follow the park’s two hiking paths to see bison, wild turkey, water fowl, elk, deer and more. Fishing is permitted with a Missouri fishing license. After a day of adventures, the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts adjacent to Six Flags offers family fun, tent camping sites and cabins for overnight stays.
Carlyle Lake Visitors can swim, fish and build sandcastles at McNair Beach, Coles Creek Beach, little-known Keyesport Beach and more. The West Access Marina rents pontoons, tritoons and kayaks. Renters must take the safety course listed on the marina’s website. For those wanting to stay overnight, nearby Mariner’s Village offers hotel rooms and rustic cabins. Several campgrounds are available near the lake as well.
Forest Park For a more urban adventure, you might visit St. Louis. Besides pathways for
walking, running, skating and cycling, Forest Park has the St. Louis Zoo, The Muny — an outdoor theater — the St. Louis Art Museum and several summer events listed on the St. Louis Calendar website in the “Forest Park Events” section. The Missouri Botanical Garden is a short drive away. On Saturdays, Tower Grove Park, a smaller urban park nearby, hosts 120 vendors in their farmer’s market.
berries are available. In the Belleville area, visitors can walk through the Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park. A portion of the reserve has been turned into an exploration garden full of native flowers, wildlife and educational exhibits. After a day of exploring, the Skyview Drive-In offers a relaxing movie-watching experience under the stars… or the roof of your car if you’re in need of some air conditioning.
Elephant Rocks State Park Elephant Rocks in Belleview, Missouri, was named for its giant boulders that look like circus elephants. At this state park, visitors can hike around and climb the boulders. The Braille Trail was specially designed to be accessible to visually and physically disabled people. It is the easiest way to get to the rock formations. A separate trail will guide visitors to the Engine House Ruin, the remnants of a train repair station from the 1800s.
Belleville, Illinois Belleville, just a half-hour drive from SIUE, has several outdoor activities. Eckert’s Belleville Farm allows visitors to pick their own fruits and vegetables from their orchards. This summer, peaches and black-
Gavin Rask / The Alestle
alestlelive.com
PAGE 4
Wednesday, 07.08.26
Hello Juice & Smoothie more of an acquired taste DYLAN HEMBROUGH editor-in-chief
Dylan Hembrough / The Alestle
Hello Juice & Smoothie in The Grove is a little shop in a residential neighborhood that sells smoothies, juice and various other health-conscious products. I wasn’t upset with my smoothie, but I would get something else if I went again. On the way in, I noticed a poster with a Pride flag displayed next to the door, and it said something along the lines of, “Everyone is welcome here.” So, I felt safe going in and appreciated that detail. Inside was a much different world from the hot summer afternoon. It was cool and much more spacious than it looked from the outside. There were plant decorations and a very clean and relaxed atmosphere. Both of the bartenders were great as well. They greeted me when I walked in and helped me through the menu since it was my first time there. Frankly, the number of in-
Orange
gredients in eachff5400 smoothie scared me a bit, so I was hesitant to make a decision. There Pink were plenty of non-smoothie items as well, Dc0073 but I was here for a smoothie. After the bartender explained the drinks Teal to me, I ended98b9ab up choosing the Vanilla Dream. This smoothie contains mango, baBlue nana, vanilla protein, 6665dd cold-pressed orange, coconut milk and a garnishing of bee pollen. Purple It was $12.34 after tax. 841f7a It wasn’t what I expected. It was extremely rich, but I tasted the pollen more than anything else. The drink was a yellowish-orange color when they finished it, so I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I couldn’t taste any vanilla in it. It was still decent, but I couldn’t get past the taste of pollen — or the aftertaste. I don’t want to pass judgement on all of their options based on one smoothie, but it wasn’t for me. But, I’m sure there are better things on the menu.
La Casa de Los Jugos: A healthy taste of Cherokee Street KATY ARTERBURN reporter
Katy Arterburn / The Alestle
As one of the first shops in the Cherokee Street District, La Casa de Los Jugos perfectly captures the appeal of the neighborhood’s Latine culture. Outside, bilingual signage markets juices, smoothies, acai bowls, salads, sandwiches and paninis. Inside, the words manifest in delicious dishes and drinks. The employee was very kind and recommended several menu items. I ordered a 20-ounce Wildberry Fusion made with blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, agave and almond milk for $9.94. I also ordered their popular Turkey Avocado Panela Cheese panini with a side of fruit for $15.25. The Wild Berry fusion was great as a simple smoothie, but I would go for one of their more unique options next time. I’m
Orange
certain that a more complex smoothie could ff5400 make up for the cost. Pink The turkey panini Dc0073 was incredible. The panela cheese and turkey paired very well Teal with the chipotle 98b9ab mayo and the crunchy spinach. At first, I feltBluethe price was a bit steep, but the panini was6665dd fairly large and came with a generous portion of tropical fruit. Purple 841f7a While the experience was fantastic, the shop seemed understaffed when I visited. One employee took orders, prepared food and drinks, served and cleaned. Several customers came in and left before ordering, but the experience is well worth the wait. The best part of my visit was seeing the employee light up when speaking in Spanish. This restaurant aims to share Mexican culture. Through decor, food, and language, La Casa de Los Jugos does just that.
The perfect smoothie experience awaits at B Juiced ASHTON STANBERRY copy editor
Ashton Stanberry / The Alestle
Located in Ferguson, Missouri, B Juiced is a Black women-owned business that boasts delicious smoothies and a love of community through healthy, organic ingredients and a comfortable atmosphere. I was recommended several different smoothies, including Peace & Lavender, Summer Love and B’s Protein Fav. I chose B’s Protein Fav. This drink was delicious. It contains banana, blueberries and strawberries, as well as spinach, cinnamon, vanilla protein and coconut water. I didn’t expect the vanilla-cinnamon flavor to go so well with the fruit in the drink, but it ended up tasting both fresh and hearty. I definitely wasn’t disappointed, and I absolutely recommend it. The atmosphere and service were both
very pleasant andOrange friendly. The decor was ff5400 relatively simple and modern, and the pictures of fruits onPink the walls made the place Dc0073 feel fun and inviting. There were lots Teal options, which were of barstool seating 98b9ab surprisingly comfortable. Bluethat took my order was The employee 6665dd very welcoming. She noticed that I was with Purple a friend and offered to split my drink, which 841f7a I accepted, and it was ready within only a couple of minutes. All of the smoothies were around $10, which was a little pricey but definitely worth the flavor and experience. B Juiced also offers smoothie bowls, juice and some food options, like waffles and toast. My favorite parts of this experience were being able to try a completely new flavor and learning about the business from a conversation with the employee.
TO ADJUST FILE > PAGE > CUSTOM
MULTIPLY ORIGINAL DIMENSION FOR HIGHE QUALITY
DRAG HALF OVER BLUE FOR HALF-R
“TOTAL”, RA AND STAR GRAPHIC W LIKELY NEE CHANGED P RATING
GOLD COLO DARK YELL
BLUE COLO LIGHT BLUE
CONVERT C HEX AND IN CUSTOM CO PICKER
DO NOT ED TEMPLATE
TO ADJUST FILE > PAG > CUSTOM
MULTIPLY ORIGINAL DIMENSION FOR HIGHE QUALITY
DRAG HAL OVER BLUE FOR HALF-
“TOTAL”, R AND STAR GRAPHIC W LIKELY NEE CHANGED RATING
GOLD COL DARK YELL
BLUE COLO LIGHT BLU
CONVERT HEX AND IN CUSTOM C PICKER
DO NOT ED TEMPLATE
TO ADJUS FILE > PAG > CUSTOM
MULTIPLY ORIGINAL DIMENSIO FOR HIGH QUALITY
DRAG HAL OVER BLU FOR HALF
“TOTAL”, R AND STAR GRAPHIC LIKELY NE CHANGED RATING
GOLD COL DARK YEL
BLUE COL LIGHT BLU
CONVERT HEX AND CUSTOM C PICKER
DO NOT E
alestlelive.com
Wednesday, 07.08.26
PAGE 5
Everbowl serves superfood smoothies worth the splurge Orange
AUDREY O’RENIC sports editor
Audrey O’Renic / The Alestle
Known for their customizable menu and nutrient-dense ingredients, Everbowl in Edwardsville offers high-quality smoothies that are worth the high price tag. Located at the Edwardsville Crossing Shopping Center, Everbowl is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. I went on a Wednesday afternoon, and the store was quiet and clean. I ordered a 16-ounce “Nanaberry Bliss” off of their signature smoothie menu — a blend of their vanilla base, strawberries, bananas and almond milk. With tax, the total came
ff5400 out to $10.78. The staff were super friendly, Pink and I got my smoothie within three minutes Dc0073 of ordering. Teal The smoothie 98b9abitself was thick and creamy, and not Blue too sweet like other straw6665dd berry-banana smoothies I’ve tried. It was rePurple freshing and a great quick lunch for me. 841f7a In addition to smoothies, Everbowl offers a variety of acai bowls, toasts, coffee, lemonades and matchas. While I really enjoyed my smoothie, Everbowl is definitely a “treat yourself” place because of how expensive it is. My favorite part was how fresh and creamy the smoothie tasted.
Source Juicery: Plain atmosphere, but tasty MATTHEW WOLDEN copy editor
Matthew Wolden / The Alestle
Source Juicery, a local business on Main Street in Edwardsville, though a tad pricey, has quite an extensive selection. The items I got were genuinely really good. I highly recommend going once just to taste the drinks. The building itself is nothing special. It has white walls and a black ceiling with plain tables and some plants. There was also a brick wall that did not look like it was in the best shape. They had a wide selection from coffee to smoothie bowls. They had three different specialty coffees, which was more than I expected from a juicery I figured focused on smoothies. The drinks here were amazing. I tried the Honey Graham Latte, one of the specialty coffees, and the Appleberry Bliss, one of
Orange
the smoothies on ff5400 their menu. The $7.50 smoothie was sweet but tasty Pink with some of the Dc0073 berries and yogurt put in it. It contained apple juice, which is where I Teal think most of the 98b9ab sugar comes from, but the Greek yogurt, strawberries and blueberries Blue do the drink justice. 6665dd Their $6.25 coffee had foam at the top Purple of the drink that 841f7a was reminiscent of a graham cracker. It was a perfect mix of bitter and sweet where neither overwhelmed each other. It was perfect to me. The service was good, though it seemed like there weren’t too many customers at the time I went. That said, the workers were very nice and quick to help if I needed anything. There wasn’t much I needed, though it was nice to have. My favorite thing here was definitely the coffee.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe: A blend of disappointment DESTINY ALBRECHT lifestyles editor
Destiny Albrecht / The Alestle
Stopping into Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Edwardsville, I was hoping to escape the scorching summer with a refreshing drink. Instead, the experience felt like anything but a break. The shop itself was clean and bright, with trendy music and plenty of seating. The menu was extensive too — smoothies, acai bowls, wraps, flatbreads, quesadillas, salads and more. But despite the inviting setup when I walked in, there wasn’t a single customer nor employee in sight. When someone finally did appear, the interaction was minimal. The woman who took my order didn’t greet me or offer any
Orange
guidance, and she ff5400 disappeared to the back as soon as my drink was Pink made, leaving the front Dc0073 empty again. Teal The pricing didn’t help the experience. 98b9ab Tropical Smoothie Cafe only offers one drink Blue size, and at nearly 6665dd $9 with tax, it felt steep — especially since I couldn’t finish the quantity Purple 841f7a most of it away. and ended up throwing As someone who loves fruity drinks, I was disappointed by the lack of flavor in a place built around smoothies. I ordered the Jetty Punch, a strawberry-banana blend, but it didn’t taste strongly of either fruit. Overall, I don’t think I’d return. Edwardsville has plenty of local spots that serve fresher, more flavorful drinks, and I’d sooner choose them before coming back here.
TO ADJUS FILE > PAG > CUSTOM
MULTIPLY ORIGINAL DIMENSIO FOR HIGH QUALITY
DRAG HAL OVER BLU FOR HALF
“TOTAL”, R AND STAR GRAPHIC LIKELY NE CHANGED RATING
GOLD COL DARK YEL
BLUE COL LIGHT BLU
CONVERT HEX AND CUSTOM C PICKER
DO NOT E TEMPLATE
TO ADJUS FILE > PAG > CUSTOM
MULTIPLY ORIGINAL DIMENSIO FOR HIGH QUALITY
DRAG HAL OVER BLU FOR HALF
“TOTAL”, R AND STAR GRAPHIC W LIKELY NE CHANGED RATING
GOLD COL DARK YEL
BLUE COL LIGHT BLU
CONVERT HEX AND I CUSTOM C PICKER
DO NOT ED TEMPLATE
TO ADJUS FILE > PAG > CUSTOM
MULTIPLY ORIGINAL DIMENSIO FOR HIGH QUALITY
DRAG HAL OVER BLU FOR HALF
“TOTAL”, R AND STAR GRAPHIC LIKELY NE CHANGED RATING
GOLD COL DARK YEL
BLUE COL LIGHT BLU
CONVERT HEX AND I CUSTOM C PICKER
DO NOT E TEMPLATE
For more Metro East Eats, visit alestlelive.com or scan this QR code:
Check out Metro East Markets, visit alestlelive.com or scan this QR code:
THE ALESTLE WILL PUBLISH ONLINE 7/29.
OPINION
Share your thoughts: opinion@alestlelive.com (618) 650-3527
Wednesday, 07.08.26
alestlelive.com
PAGE 6
DYLAN HEMBROUGH Editor-in-Chief
GAVIN QUINLAN Managing Editor
DESTINY ALBRECHT Lifestyles Editor
AUDREY O’RENIC Sports Editor
SOPHIE HAWKINS Online Editor
MADISON STEFFEN Opinion Editor
GAVIN RASK Multimedia Editor
SAM MUREN Graphics Manager Podcast Producer
Katy Arterburn Lily Berkenbile Reporters Leila Brown Ashton Stanberry Matthew Wolden Copy Editors
Hector Chaidez Jaiyla Owens Photographers Tammy Merrett Program Director Destiny Albrecht Front Desk Circulation
HAVE A COMMENT? Let us know by scanning here: Campus Box 1167 Edwardsville, Illinois 62026-1167
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY: The editors, staff and publishers of The Alestle believe in the free exchange of ideas, concerns and opinions and will publish as many letters as possible. Letters may be submitted to: The Alestle Morris University Center Room 0311 All hard copy letters should be typed and double-spaced. Letters should be no longer than 500 words. Include phone number, signature, class rank and major. We reserve the right to edit the letter for grammar and content. Care will be taken to ensure that the letter’s message is not lost or altered. Letters to the editor will not be printed anonymously except under extreme circumstances. We reserve the right to reject letters.
The name Alestle is an acronym derived from the names of the three campus locations of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Alton, East St. Louis and Edwardsville. The Alestle is published bi-weekly, alternating between print and online-exclusive issues during the fall, spring and summer semesters. Publication dates in summer are on Wednesdays. For more information, call 618-650-3527 For advertising, email advertising@alestlelive.com
view United States visa policy stopping World Cup from achieving full potential THE ALESTLE STAFF editorial board
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is substantially larger than past World Cups and has subsequently broken a few records even before its conclusion, including having the most overall attendance of any World Cup in history. Yet, United States immigration policy has significantly disrupted what could have been a groundbreaking development in the world of sports. The 2026 World Cup is the first ever to be hosted by three different countries, with 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States hosting matches between 48 different teams, the most in a World Cup yet. This display of international unity isn’t without its challenges, however. Players, spectators and staff alike are being detained, deported and searched for purely political and cultural reasons, with the government citing the
ASHTON STANBERRY copy editor Over the past year, I’ve decided to put down my phone and spend more time reading. Now, I have more energy, engaging in my classwork is easier and my mood has improved. As a kid, I remember priding myself on being a bookworm, someone who saw the monthly Scholastic book order delivery day as a holiday. I would bring a book to every appointment and car ride and proudly owned one of those bookmark-timer-flashlight gadgets signature to the 2010s. Around the age of 12, when my parents bought me my first phone — albeit a flip phone probably rescued from the ‘90s — that love of reading started to slip away. I didn’t even notice it happening.
potential for terrorism from cit- has publicly suspected the Iraniizens of countries with large an team of “abusing” the World Muslim populations such as Iraq, Cup to “sneak terrorists into the Senegal and Somalia. United States under false preDetentions and deportations tenses.” While security concerns are primarily the result of the cur- during a time of war are valid, this rent administration’s immigration is not the way a team of civilian and visa policies. 11 of the 48 athletes with no proven malicious participating countries have visa intent should be treated by a forrejection rates higher than 40 per- eign country, especially when they cent, with four countries having have already overcome their own complete bans on visitor visas for country trying to prevent them fans and players. from playing in the World Cup. Furthermore, this is the first Of course, it was impossible World Cup to be hosted by a for FIFA to know that these polcountry actively at war with an- icies would have such an effect other participant, which provides on the tournament when it voted an opportunity for international for North America to host the cooperation and bonding despite 2026 World Cup in 2018. Howpolitical factors preceded only by ever, despite these issues being the Olympics. foreseen more than a year ahead Yet, Iranian players and staff of the tournament, FIFA and the have been denied visas, fans have United States refused to address been kept from spectating due to them, with FIFA President Gianni ticket allocations being pulled and Infantino — a self-described the Iranian team was forced to friend of President Donald Trump move their base camp from Arizona — repeatedly dismissing concerns. to Mexico. Had the United States takThe U.S. Department of State en measures to ensure a smooth
tournament for players and fans alike, the 2026 World Cup could have achieved a level of international cooperation and friendly competition on par with its prestigious credentials and broken records. The economic benefits of hosting the World Cup are already known, and this year’s tournament could have proven how those could be expanded to benefit more countries and make the requisite hefty investment even more lucrative for potential hosts. Likewise, the expansion of the field could have encouraged more countries to participate in soccer, but only if those countries didn’t have to fear rejected visa applications and unjust security searches. Unfortunately, the United States government’s unsportsmanlike behavior has let this opportunity be taken for granted.
to read “regularly,” we only read about 5.8 books last year on average. Obviously, reading as a hobby isn’t taking up a substantial amount of our daily lives. The truth is, the “stress relief” I was used to required literally no physical or mental effort, so even more rewarding hobbies took more work and felt like too much when I was already exhausted. But 30 minutes of scrolling often ended up feeling like not enough and suddenly turned into an hour, and then a few hours — and I still didn’t feel completely satisfied. I’m sure you know the feeling. Eliminating that “easy fix” and reintroducing something that was, at first, slightly harder but certainly more rewarding has changed my life for the better. Because I am constantly aware
of how much time is passing while I read, I don’t get swept up in the loss of it. My days feel longer and more fulfilling now. The last couple of hours at the end of a long day don’t feel like filler time that flies away in pursuit of some arbitrary idea of relaxation. There are countless reasons I think my life is better now that I’ve reintroduced books into my everyday routine. I sleep better, focus better in my classes and have an easier time reading the long chunks of text that are required for my education. If you notice the hours slipping away with no sense of fulfillment, I encourage you to push past the discomfort of slowing down and pick up a book. Like I did, you might rediscover a part of yourself.
Reconnecting with my childhood love of reading
To the credit of my parents, they were always very proactive about my screentime. But children are sneaky, and screen addiction is compelling. Reading started to feel like a chore more than an easy, carefree way to pass the time. In high school, along with most of the other kids my age that I knew, I was anxious, tired and rarely felt satisfied with the ways I spent my time. But after long days at school, hours at my job and a constant worry about the state of the world and my future, an hour or two scrolling on TikTok felt like the least taxing activity I could do. After spending a couple of months at college, I knew something had to change. I still considered myself to be someone who read for fun, but I hadn’t finished a book in over a year. I wasn’t alone. Although 83 percent of Generation Z claims
sports
contact the editor: sports@alestlelive.com (618) 650-3528
THE ALESTLE WILL PUBLISH ONLINE 7/29. PAGE 7
alestlelive.com
Wednesday, 07.08.26
Cougars sports camps in full swing this summer
Hector Chaidez / The Alestle
With college sports on pause for the summer, the SIUE Cougars kept up the action. The Cougars held various camps across sports such as basketball, soccer, and wrestling. Lead by coaching staff and student-athletes, campers got to engage in college-level drills and exercises at a top-tier NCAA facility.
Team USA, podium powerhouse SAMUEL MUREN graphics manager In the spirit of the United States’ 250th anniversary, this is a reflection of some of Team USA’s greatest achievements. The United States is represented across many sports throughout many eras. Here are just a few moments worth remembering — times of great American pride and moments we can all celebrate together.
2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup
The World Cup is not quite over yet but has already shown great signs of promise. The United States Men’s National Team has rallied the nation to their support with their recent successes. The U.S. is one of the three host nations, and this is only their second time hosting the tournament. The USMNT went 2-01 to win the Group D round robin stage. Since then, they have defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the
Round of 32. The team is led by the talents of forwards Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun.
2026 Winter Olympics
The United States dominated the Winter Olympics. That story of success began in Milan. Team USA won a total of 12 gold medals — their most at a Winter Olympics to date. Youth injected throughout many of the teams pushed the Americans into major success across several sports. Names like Breezy Johnson, Alysa Liu, Jordan Stolz and others will be an athletic inspiration for generations to come. Team USA also defeated Canada at their own sport in both men’s and women’s ice hockey, as well as Paralympic ice hockey. A thrilling golden goal scored by Jack Hughes has become an iconic moment for U.S. sports. Megan Keller scored the golden goal for Team USA in the women’s finals against Canada. The success story continued when Jack Wallace banked a 3-goal performance to edge Canada 6-2 for gold.
1936 Summer Olympics — Jesse Owens A major political statement for Team USA came from the athletic achievement of one man — Jesse Owens. He was a runner, and he was a track star. The 1936 Berlin Olympics was exceptionally contentious with the oversight of the Nazi Party — infamous for their belief in the superiority of the so-called “Aryan race.” Prior to the start of World War II, these games were a major political win for the United States. Owens historically won four gold medals, setting Olympic records in each event he ran. He, an African American man, defeated all of Germany’s esteemed “Aryan” competitors in front of Adolf Hitler himself — truly a magnificent athletic and political spectacle on display by Team USA.
1938 Heavyweight Boxing Champion — Joe Louis
Another esteemed American athlete, also African American, Joe Louis won the day against Nazi Germany in the boxing ring.
A fight between Louis and Nazi-favored Max Schmeling took place at Yankee Stadium. The two historically fought in 1936 — resulting in Louis’ first recorded loss. The rematch in New York drew high anticipation for political perseverance, as Germany began its motion into World War II. Louis knocked out Schmeling in the first round, claiming retribution for his prior loss and winning another match for freedom against the Nazi regime.
2008 Summer Olympics — Michael Phelps Michael Phelps swam his way into being one of Team USA’s greatest athletes in history. The legendary swimmer participated in five Summer Olympics and in several Olympic events. Phelps is the all-time leader for individual Olympic medal winners. He holds 28 total medals and the most gold medals with 23. In 2008, Phelps traveled to Beijing on a mission, where he set the record for most individual medals earned with eight gold medals in one Olympic showing.
1980 Winter Olympics — “Miracle on Ice”
The Winter Olympics in 1980 is the single greatest moment in Team USA’s history. The men’s hockey team clinched their second-ever gold medal in ice hockey after defeating the world’s greatest hockey team in the semi-finals. This milestone has so much significance to it. There is the political element of beating the Soviet Union. The team itself was constructed of young college-aged hockey players that were facing grown men in a sport the U.S. did not typically compete well in. Their story and the aforementioned events should be a reminder to everyone that when we unite and strive for goals, we can achieve anything. The American sports story is one that should reignite patriotism for all who live in this nation. These are only a few of the moments in our young 250-year history. It will be fun to watch the next age of American sports history for the next 250 years.
PAGE 8
Wednesday, 07.08.26
alestlelive.com
Edwardsville Celebrates
GIDDY UP!: Ace, the Clydesdale, was dressed in red, white and blue to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. | Gavin Rask / The Alestle
SLIPPIN’ AND SLIDIN’: Hayden Vu checks out one of the many attractions for kids including a slide, a rock wall, archery and other various games. | Gavin Rask / The Alestle
FESTIVE FAIR: Edwardsville celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States with a market for small businesses to attend. Jewelry, fruit, flowers and other items | Hector Chaidez / The Alestle were sold, providing a variety of things to choose from.