The Daily Egyptian - March. 4, 2026

Daily Egyptian

InsiDE

Ebony Ball coverage | Page 5

SIU alumna Hilla Medalia nominated for Academy Award

When Hilla Medalia earned an athletic scholarship from SIU, she had a plan: stay in Carbondale for just a year, strengthen her English,

compete in the triple jump and major in something fun. Now, in less than two weeks, she’ll be sitting at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the Academy Awards, a nomination under her belt.

“I always loved film, but I didn’t think of being a filmmaker actually,” Medalia said in a Feb. 24 interview with the Daily Egyptian and River Region News. “You know, some people have a dream to be a

Keeley Whitmer inspects the cable housing of a donated bicycle Feb. 18, 2026 while volunteering with the Recycle Your Bicycle program at SIU’s automotive facility in Murphysboro, Illinois. Whitmer joined the program in 2023 and is now the volunteer coordinator. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

filmmaker. I didn’t have this dream, I just really loved film. As part of my going to a college adventure that I thought would be very short, I said, ‘you know I’m just going to do something I love.’ And then I stayed

and I graduated and I went onto my master’s, and then I had quite a somewhat fast beginning.”

The Israel native studied radio and television during her undergraduate

MARIAH FLETCHER mfletcher@dailyegyptian.com

The telephone was invented before women were able to vote in the United States. The hit musical “West Side Story” has been on and off Broadway longer than women have received equal pay to men. The film “The Godfather” has been playing on screens longer than women have been able to acquire their own credit card.

Considering the grander historical context, Western women have only recently been able to break free from patriarchal prohibitions through financial independence, education and careers. Because of the women that fought for suffrage in the 1900s, the modern woman is able to

build a career and stability that was inaccessible to her before.

Kailey Sneed, a Public Relations student at Southern Illinois University, is the first in her family to do many things. Sneed was the first and youngest member of her family to move away from her hometown. She was also the first to pursue a university education and live financially independent without a man. She says this is because of her dedication to breaking cycles. Sneed said that moving away from her hometown made her feel lighter, and like more opportunities were on the way. A place of her own was so much more than just an apartment –it was a doorway to a new beginning.

Carbondale dedicates stage to Robbie Stokes, approves property sale for police training center

TREVOR JOHN tjohn@dailyegyptian.com

The Carbondale City Council on Feb. 24 voted to name the new Washington Street stage after musician Robbie Stokes and approved the sale of cityowned property on Bigler Road for construction of a regional law enforcement training center.

The council also renewed its

contract with Veo Mobility to expand the scooter and bike fleet to 650 devices and introduce AIassisted parking enforcement.

The council named the stage at the Washington Street Concert Venue

Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage. The complex, located at the intersection of Washington and Walnut streets, will be called New Era Events Plaza.

Stokes, who died on May 14,

2023 at age 73, was a musician, sound engineer and storyteller in Carbondale. Peyton Blewett, who performed with Stokes as lead singer and rhythm guitarist for 41 years in the band Four on the Floor, described him as a “Carbondale icon on the wheel” and referred to him by his nickname “Robbie Rocker” during public comments.

Councilman Adam Loos said

during the meeting that the Council sought input from the community before making the decision. Some residents expressed disappointment when other naming suggestions were not selected.

Brandon Gill, a performer in Carbondale’s rock music scene, said during public comments that most sound engineers in Carbondale worked with Stokes.

“If you’ve met any sound person in this town, but without exaggeration, like 90% of them worked for or with Robbie,” Gill said.

Phil Bankester, who described himself as a professional successor and direct admirer of Stokes, called Stokes a caretaker of the Carbondale music and arts community.

“I can’t think of an individual who

Contact Us

Email: editor@dailyegyptian.com

Editor-in-Chief: Carly Gist cgist@dailyegyptian.com

News Editor: Jackson Brandhorst jbrandhorst@dailyegyptian.com

Design Chief: David Starr-Fleming dstarrfleming@dailyegyptian.com

Photo Editor: Emily Brinkman ebrinkman@dailyegyptian.com

Ad Chief: Samantha Barnhill sbarnhill@dailyegyptian.com

Senior Editor: Lylee Gibbs lgibbs@dailyegyptian.com

Digital Editor: Peyton Cook pcook@dailyegyptian.com

Faculty Managing Editor: Alee Quick aquick@dailyegyptian.com

Business Manager: Amy Dion businessmanager@dailyegyptian.com

About Us

Published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a weekly basis in print, and every day on dailyegyptian.com. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Carterville, and Springfield communities.

Mission Statement

The Daily Egyptian, the student-run news organization of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is committed to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues affecting their lives.

Publishing Information

The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and functions as a laboratory for the School of Journalism in exchange for the room and utilities in the Communications Building. The Daily Egyptian is a non-profit organization that survives primarily off of its advertising revenue. Offices are in the Communications Building, room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., 62901.

Copyright Information

@2026 The Daily Egyptian. All rights reserved. All content is property of the Daily Egyptian and may not be reproduced or transmitted without consent. The Daily Egyptian is a member of the Illinois College Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers Inc. and the College Business and Advertising Managers Inc.

Submissions

Letters and guest columns must be submitted with author’s contact information, preferably via email. Phone numbers are required to verify authorship, but will not be published. Students must include their year and major. Faculty must include rank and department. Others include hometown. Submissions should be sent to editor@dailyegyptian.com

Meet Silver, a gorgeous Husky from Texas with striking looks and an even more remarkable personality. He was lovingly surrendered when his elderly owner could no longer care for him, and now he’s ready to start a new chapter with a forever family. Silver is wonderful with other dogs — even small ones — and has a playful, joyful spirit that shines brightest when he’s running and stretching his legs. He walks well on a leash, making him a great companion for daily strolls or outdoor adventures. After playtime, Silver is more than happy to relax on the couch and enjoy some well-earned downtime with his people. He is crate trained, well-mannered, and truly an exceptional dog who will bring love, fun, and loyalty to any home lucky enough to have him.

Contact us at:

BASEBALL

Dawgs split four games at home

NOAH PETSCHKE npetschke@dailyegyptian.com

After coming off a slow start on the road, Saluki Baseball returned to Itchy Jones Stadium on Feb. 25 to play a game against the Redhawks of the University of Miami Ohio. After dropping the game 11-0, the Pirates of Seton Hall University came into town, and the Salukis snagged the first two games, winning the three-game series.

FEB. 25: MIAMI (OH) 11, SIU 0 SIU sent pitcher Blake Kimball to the mound to start the game. The righty swiftly surrendered a pair of runs to the RedHawks, marking the beginning of the high-scoring affair for the opponents.

Right fielder Kye Watson came up in the bottom half of the inning and tallied the first hit for the Dawgs, but was not cashed in.

The Salukis put two runners on base in the fourth inning, but couldn’t notch a run. That would mark the best chance the

Salukis had all game to get on the board.

The RedHawks piled on the runs and gained an 11-0 lead in the top of the seventh inning. The Dawgs, failing to score despite a single by catcher Andrew Savage, fell victim to the mercy rule, and the game concluded early.

FEB. 27: SIU 5, SHU 3

After a day’s rest, the Dawgs were ready to kick off the weekend action with a night game against the Seton Hall Pirates. After giving up three runs in the first three innings, the Saluki offense took charge and won the game by a score of 5-3.

Pitcher Andrew Evans started for the Salukis and, similar to the last game, gave up early runs.

The Salukis scored their first run of the homestand on an RBI single off the bat of shortstop Tim Simay.

Simay cashed in the second run of the game with another RBI single. The Salukis cashed in another run on a throw down to second base, while Centerfielder Julio

Guerrero bolted home.

The scoreboard did not change until the bottom of the seventh inning when Simay knocked in his third RBI single of the game. Right fielder Kristian Sprawling drove in a run and reached base on a fielder’s choice, giving the Salukis a 5-3 lead.

That was the end of the scoring, and the SIU bullpen mowed down the rest of the Pirates, giving the Dawgs their first home win.

FEB. 28: SIU 7, SHU 4

Looking to start a win streak for the first time this season, the Dawgs and Pirates met again for a Saturday afternoon game. In another comefrom-behind affair, the Salukis came out victorious by a score of 7-4.

Troy Shepard was the starting pitcher for the Salukis. The senior slinger gave up a run in each of the first two innings, but kept the damage to a minimum.

Designated hitter Michael Mylott came up with two runners on and smoked a ball

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP

over the left centerfield wall, giving the Dawgs a 3-2 lead in the second inning.

Second baseman Henry Kufa knocked in a run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to give the home team some insurance.

The Pirates answered in the top of the fifth with a run of their own, but the Saluki offense was firing on all cylinders. The Dawgs put two runners on and gained another run on a double play. With two outs and nobody on, Simay, already having a productive series, lined one over the centerfield fence, upping the lead to 6-3.

Each team got one more taste of scoring, the Pirates with an RBI single, and the Salukis with an RBI sacrifice fly from third baseman Jaden Flores.

Pitcher Jack Macintosh shut the door on the Pirates by tossing a scoreless frame, and SIU coasted to a 7-4 win.

FEB. 29: SHU 4, SIU 2

The Salukis were on the verge of sweeping the Pirates as they walked into

the stadium on Sunday. However, the SIU bats could not match Seton Hall’s offense, and the third game ended 4-2.

Pitcher Gavan Wernsing toed the slab for the Dawgs and gave up another firstinning run.

The Pirates tacked on another with a home run to left field in the second inning. The Salukis couldn’t get the bats going and found themselves down 4-0 in the fourth inning. Guerrero plated two runs with a line-drive double in the gap.

Both teams pitched well for the remainder of the game. The Salukis could not get a rally going and dropped the final game of the series 4-2.

After these four home games, the Salukis now hold a record of 3-7. To round out the homestand, the Dawgs welcome the Bison of North Dakota State University for a two-game duel on March 2-3.

Sports Reporter Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.com

Salukis go 3-2 at Purple and Gold Challenge

AARON CARNAHAN acarnahan@dailyegyptian.com

The Saluki Softball team hit the road to Nashville, Tennessee for a fivegame weekend series against Western Carolina, Purdue and Lipscomb. After winning three and losing two, the Dawgs now sit at 11-9 on the season. Junior Sydney Potter had a weekend, tallying her home run count to 11 and 27 RBIs for this season. Her home run total puts Potter in a tie for fourth in the nation for home runs, as well as top 20 in the country for RBIs.

FEB. 27: SIU 6, WCU 5

The Lipscomb Purple and Gold Challenge kicked off with SIU facing the Western Carolina Cattamounts (WCU). After Potter went yard in the top of the second inning, SIU led WCU 4-0. In the bottom of the second inning the Cattamounts hit a double that scored two runs, bringing the score to 4-2. A sac fly by Western Carolina shaved the Saluki lead down to one run heading into the third inning.

Junior Mikaela Coburn and the rest of the Saluki offense kept their foot on the gas pedal. Coburn singled to center, scoring co-captain Erin Lee and reestablishing the Dawgs a 2-run lead. Center fielder Charley Pursley hit into a fielder’s choice that scored co-captain Hailey Wilkerson, leaving the Salukis ahead by a score of 6-3.

Pitcher Emily Delgado entered the game in the bottom of the third inning following the 3-run second inning by WCU. Delgado pitched three scoreless innings only surrendering 1 hit and didn’t walk any WCU hitters.

Freshman pitcher Brooklyn Danielson relieved Delgado in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Danielson scuffled to start, committing an error and then allowing a 2-run dinger that made it

a 1-run contest. However, Danielson was lights out after that, striking out four in just two innings and locking down the victory for the Salukis. Potter contributed defensively as well, throwing out two runners on the base-paths.

FEB. 27: PURDUE 12, SIU 2

The Salukis were out-hit in this match up against the 8-6 Purdue Boilermakers by 14 hits. Purdue totaled 19 hits in this matchup compared to SIU’s five hits. The difference in this game was the ability to get hits with runners in scoring position. The Salukis left 10 runners on the basepaths in this contest. The game began with a 3-run homer in the top of the first inning from the Boilermakers. The Dawgs scratched out a run an inning later in the bottom of the second thanks to an RBI double by Wilkerson. Southern Illinois held Purdue for two more innings and tacked on another run when Pursley took a base on balls with the bases loaded, scoring junior Emily Williams.

The score was 3-2, Purdue on top. Purdue exploded in the top of the fifth scoring 4 runs and taking a 5-run lead in the game. Purdue wasn’t done there and ripped off 2 more runs in the top of the sixth as well as three more in the seventh. On top of the explosive scoring, Purdue shut down the Saluki offense and didn’t allow a run the rest of the contest. The final was 122, Purdue picking up the victory and jumping to 9-6, as SIU lost the second game of the Purple and Gold Challenge, and slid to 9-8.

FEB. 28: PURDUE 10, SIU 0

The Saluki offense continued to struggle the following day against Purdue. The Boilermakers jumped out to a 4-run advantage after the first inning. The only Salukis to get hits in the contest were junior

Amanda Knutson, junior Moleah Blomankamp, and Coburn. Southern Illinois couldn’t get hits with runners in scoring position and ended up being shut out for the third time this season.

After a rocky first inning, the Saluki starter Delgado settled in and set down the Boilermakers in the second, third, fourth innings. Delgado surrendered seven hits and allowed five runs, all earned, in four innings of work throwing 83 pitches in her outing.

Junior Kiana McDowell relieved Delgado in the fifth inning. Purdue scored 2 additional runs, before putting up 4 more in the sixth and keeping the Salukis scoreless to win the game in six innings. Purdue defeated the Salukis 10-0, dropping SIU to 9-9 and improving Purdue to 11-6.

Southern Illinois Head Coach Jen Sewell addressed the loss saying,“We are an offense based on discipline. And we haven’t been disciplined. We are swinging at pitches we shouldn’t be, and taking pitches we should be swinging at.”

FEB. 28: SIU 5, WCU 1

The Salukis faced-off with the Western Carolina Cattamounts in a rematch from the previous day. Southern Illinois pitching held the Cattamounts to just 1 run and three hits in seven innings. Danielson started the game in the circle, pitching three and a third innings allowing two hits and just one run while striking out five.

WCU struck first in the top of the inning with an RBI single. The scoring would end there for WCU with Danielson closing out the third inning and only allowing the single run. Pitcher Hailey Lucas relieved Danielson with one out and nobody on base in the top of the fourth. Lucas took charge and only allowed three baserunners on two walks and a hit

in her three and two-thirds innings of work. Lucas kept the Cattamounts scoreless from the fourth inning to the end of the contest.

The Saluki offense showed more discipline at the plate and took the lead in the bottom of the third thanks to a Blomenkamp double that scored Pursley. This hit has Blomenkamp picking up her seventh RBI of the season. As well as a sacrifice fly from Potter to put the Dawgs in front 2-1. Potter has 28 RBIs on the year after her sac fly in the third.

Sophomore Hayden Kurtz provided a superb spark off the bench. Kurtz pinch hit in the fifth inning with a runner on first and one out. With one strong swing Kurtz went yard to left field for her first-career home run. The 2-run blast put the Salukis up 4-1 after the end of the fifth inning.

Baserunning added an insurance run in the sixth inning, with Pursley hustling home to score after a wild pitch by WCU. The Dawgs were able to ride the 5-1 lead all the way to victory.

MARCH 1: SIU 5, LIPSCOMB 3

The Salukis took on the struggling Lipscomb Bison to conclude the weekend series. The Bison came into Sunday on an eight game losing streak. Southern Illinois wasted no time and continued to show discipline at the plate with an umpire who had an inconsistent strike zone all game long.

Williams singled in Blomenkamp in the first inning to jump ahead by a run. The Salukis kept the line moving and Kurtz stayed red hot, picking up another RBI on a single to center that brought Williams home to score the second run of the ball game.

SIU pitching was solid in the first two innings. Danielson started in the circle for SIU, and faced some trouble in the third inning. Back to back

Bison home runs erased the Saluki lead. A two-run home run, followed directly by a solo shot the next at-bat gave Lipscomb a 3-2 advantage after three innings. Pitcher Delgado entered the circle in the fourth inning and proceeded to throw four innings of scoreless softball. Delgado surrendered three hits and struck out four Bison batters throwing 57 pitches.

The Saluki offense continued to fall short by one big swing, leaving eight runners on the basepaths through the first six innings. The Dawgs found that big swing in the seventh inning, Coburn began the inning with an infield single. Potter reached first on an error and Williams followed Potter with a single.

However, Coburn was caught too far off third base and was thrown out. Leaving the Salukis with runners on first and second and one out. Grann walked to load the bases, bringing Kurtz to the plate. Kurtz came through in the clutch yet again, sending a ball over the head of the Bison left fielder, scoring two runs and retaking the lead. Knutson grounded into a fielder’s choice advancing Kurtz to third. Kurtz’s big weekend continued, coming around to score on an error by the pitcher trying to throw out Knutson at second. The Salukis were now up 5-3, a lead which they maintained all the way to victory.

The Salukis moved to 11-9 on the season and finished the Lipscomb Gold and Purple Challenge with a 3-2 record. The Dawgs finally return home to Charlotte West Stadium to kick off MVC play against the Valparaiso Beacons on March 6 and 7.

Sports Reporter Aaron Carnahan can be reached at acarnahan@dailyegyptian.com

Illinois officials come together to discuss homelessness in Carbondale

ORION WOLF owolf@dailyegyptian.com

A listening session was held by the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness on Feb. 18 at the First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale.

Different people from all walks of life, state representatives, city council members, local non-profits and citizens attended the meeting and voiced their concerns on reliable data, assistance barriers and mental health for the homeless community.

Other listening sessions were previously held in both Alton and Springfield to address homelessness in southern Illinois.

This office was created by an executive order issued by Gov. JB Pritzker in 2022, seeking to focus on efforts to increase the resources and conditions for those who experience homelessness with state resources to assist these communities.

In 2023, Pritzker signed a bill to ensure the office stayed even after his term, and would also require from the office an annual report on the progress they had made.

The listening sessions were led by the Chief Homelessness Officer, Christine Haley, who said the most recent annual report on homelessness in Illinois.

“In 2024, 25,787 people

experienced homelessness on any given night across Illinois,” Haley said.

Haley shared that there is a large racial disparity in the homeless population. In Illinois, Black individuals are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than their white counterparts. This is twice the national average.

Haley also said that The Department of Homeless Services granted Good Samaritan Ministries $150,000 to keep the warming center open 24/7 for the rest of the year.

The state’s plan for homelessness includes four pillars: affordable housing support, safety nets, financial stability and closing the mortality gap between housed and homeless residents.

“Addressing homelessness is a collective effort across communities,” Haley said.

The information the office has received from these listening sessions will be discussed on the state level on March 11. Individual departments will be required to implement the agreed upon changes on July 1.

Carbondale City Council member Nathan Colombo said that the city is not the only group trying to help the growing homeless population.

“It would be helpful to have a clear needs assessment from the state with

expertise to direct us where we should go at a local level,” Colombo said.

“The city tries to be a good partner to the many various players trying to address homelessness,” Colombo said.

Colombo said that as of right now, there’s no full picture to address homelessness correctly, based only on estimates from different sources.

Haley also discussed how the office only had the January 2025 data on how many homeless people were in Carbondale. The delayed information on population counts contributes to this confusion.

Several people during the listening session alleged that other representatives from nearby communities drop off homeless people in Carbondale. This could mean the data isn’t entirely accurate.

While Carbondale has three mental health advocates in the police department, another main complaint was that it wasn’t enough.

“People on the street need help. It’s time for Illinois to invest in mental health instead of shunning it,” Adam Ware, a local resident, said.

“As we begin to see what future resources look like in Carbondale, it’s clear that those resources should have low access barriers to ensure as many people can be served as possible,” Colombo said, referring to how existing shelters and support systems

Christine Haley, chief homelessness officer for the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness within the Illinois Department of Human Services, addresses attendees during a town hall meeting Feb. 25, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale, Illinois. Amilia I. Estrada | aestrada@dailyegyptian.com

in the area may rely on completely clear drug tests, cannabis – which is legal in Illinois.

Verlinda Newton, a pastor at Eagle Nest Watch Ministry in Carbondale, was also in attendance. She discussed how she spends a lot of time in the local homeless encampments speaking to the people there.

“When something happens, they want someone to be there for them. Some of them aren’t comfortable going into churches,” Newton said.

Newton suggested that the homeless receive a church to call their own, and others suggested a centralized location for homeless individuals to get what they need.

“The city doesn’t have many resources, but our ability to be a focal point for coordination is reasonable. Being a leader in coordination is a possible way forward,” Colombo said.

News Reporter Orion Wolf can be reached at owolf@dailyegyptian.com or orionwolf6 on Instagram

career at SIU. In addition to track and field, she was a member of Alt News and River Region News. Her fast beginning, however, was kickstarted by her graduate thesis project — a documentary from Tel Aviv about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2002, Ayat al-Akhras, a 17-year-old Palestinian girl, detonated explosives in front of a supermarket in Jerusalem, killing herself, a security guard, and a 17-year-old Israeli girl named Rachel Levy.

“They kind of looked alike,” Medalia said of al-Akhras and Levy. “They both had long black hair, about the same height. They actually wore the same dress, were the same age. So the film is kind of a journey of the two mothers, the mother of the Palestinian girl, the mother of the Israeli girl, where at the end, they met. And it’s a real reflection of reality back then, and unfortunately still today.”

Jan Thompson, director of the Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and then-Medalia’s professor, said Medalia raised money on her own to travel to Israel. Alongside two other students, Medalia traveled to the Middle East to interview the mothers of the girls.

“Hilla was able to go get really compelling interviews and to be able to craft a story that won awards and then open doors,” Thompson said, adding, “This was a huge story, because it was international, and, you know, she’s coming from Little Egypt (southern Illinois), and they’re going to Israel.”

Medalia’s documentary, then called “Daughters of Abraham,” was picked up by HBO, becoming “To Die in

Jerusalem.” The parents of the two girls ended up meeting in the version she worked on for HBO, but Medalia said the film still included most of what she did in her thesis project. The documentary won a Peabody Award in 2007.

But before HBO and the Peabodys came around, Medalia’s film went through many extensive edits, Thompson said.

“I think students today need to know that anything is possible, but it’s not handed to you,” Thompson said. “I don’t know how many cuts or takes I saw, but we knew it was going to be special when she came back and we started seeing the interviews and the type of footage.”

Since “To Die in Jerusalem,” Medalia has worked with HBO, Paramount+, Netflix and other streaming platforms in the United States. She said she spent seven years in New York making films, earning six Emmy nominations. She

also started her own company, Medalia Productions.

Today, Medalia lives in Israel, and she still credits SIU for her start. She recalled speaking about this with another alum recently.

“We were talking about how the university really allowed us — the geeks that wanted to make a lot of films and wanted to go out and shoot an experience –- gave us the opportunity to do that,” Medalia said. “Unlike many films where a student works for one project, we actually did quite a lot while in my years at SIU … They really pushed us and allowed us to dream, so I think that was incredible and it was a great time.”

Medalia said she has lived in Tel Aviv for 13 years now, and that the last two years have been extremely difficult.

Although the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has been occurring since 1948, it was intensified on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamasled militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s initial response to the Oct. 7 attack.

On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel began attacking Iran, leading to a death toll of over 500, 10 of which were in Israel, according to a live tracker from Al Jazeera as of Monday, March 2.

“I keep asking myself, you know, what’s my role as a documentary filmmaker? What kind of story should I tell? What is my responsibility? How do I not become complicit? If I want to make a change, how can I make it?”

Medalia said.

Medalia came across a vigil in Tel Aviv

in March 2025, in which several women stood silently in a public square, each holding a photograph of a child killed in Gaza, with the child’s name, age, date of death and the words “was and is no more.”

“When I came across this vigil and these activists who are so brave, and so encouraging, and also that there is real power of silence with what they do, it really struck me,” Medalia said, adding, “I experienced the vigil, and I was so moved by the power of silence.”

Medalia said she began working on a film about the vigils in June 2025. By Sept. 23, the documentary “Children No More: Were and Are Gone” was being screened in Los Angeles. The film premiered in November at DOC NYC, an annual documentary film festival in New York City. Each year, DOC NYC releases predictions for awards seasons, and “Children No More” was listed. In December, the film was then shortlisted for the Academy Awards, and in January 2026, it was nominated.

“What’s really meaningful to me in the process is that people are curious,” Medalia said. “So I get an email from my friend who is doing a semester in Michigan, in Ann Arbor, and she wrote to me, ‘I went to the theater, suddenly I see your film.’ So it’s really available to people all over the country, and hopefully all over the world. So for me, beyond the joy and the achievements, what’s most incredible about being nominated is that the film came really out of our hearts, and out of our need to get the message out, and to give a voice to these children, and to talk about the activists. This really gave us an opportunity for more people to watch it.”

Medalia said she thinks the documentary impacts people differently

in different places.

“For example, in Israel, we don’t see in the news what you see in the United States, so we don’t see what happens in Gaza,” Medalia said, adding that there is commonly self-censorship of journalists and outlets. “The whole vigil came to bring into this massive anti-war, antigovernment protest that has happened for a very long time, very massive in Israel.

“But the protests weren’t to bring the hostage back, to stop the war. It was never about to stop what’s happening in Gaza. So the activists are bringing the voices of those children from Gaza into the public space in Israel. And that’s extremely important. We need to crack the denial. We need to be able to face the truth and what’s happening in our name.”

Medalia said the documentary also highlights the power of protest and how it works to combat division.

“The other thing is the divide,” she said. “There is a big divide in Israel, but that’s also in the United States, when we disagree politically. Of course, about Israel and Gaza, but about everything else. You are pro-Trump, you’re against Trump, and then we can’t talk to each other.

And there is this big gap. And, what’s so incredible with these activists is how they’re able to listen and to take in, even if they want to kill the person who’s screaming at them, and then engage in conversation. So I think there is a lesson to learn from them, for everyone, and I think also that’s partially why we got so far in the race.”

The Academy Awards will be held on March 15, 2026. Editor-in-Chief Carly Gist

SIU hosts Ebony Ball to close Black History Month celebration

TREVOR JOHN tjohn@dailyegyptian.com

Southern Illinois University’s Black Affairs Council hosted the 2026 Ebony Ball on Feb. 28 at the Student Center Ballrooms, marking the conclusion of the university’s Black History Month events.

The event, themed “Beauty in Black,” began at 7 p.m. and attracted enough attendees to leave the ballrooms at capacity. The program included an opening performance by the Joyful Noise choir, a formal dinner, a second musical performance and an awards ceremony.

KaMahri Scott, a junior and coordinator of registered student organizations for the Black Affairs Council, said the Ebony Ball began in 2022 to replace high school proms canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since become an annual event recognizing Black students and alumni at SIU.

“Traditionally, Ebony Ball was because people didn’t have prom during COVID,” Scott said. “But this year, we honor not only our Black students but the Black alumni that have poured into us as students.”

Scott said the event’s theme was selected to provide a positive space for students.

“The time that we’re in, we hear a lot of backlash of being Black people,” Scott said. “There’s real beauty and camaraderie in being Black. So that’s why we wanted to focus on that being the theme this year.”

The program recognized alumni who have supported current students, including 2016

SIU graduates Allen Shelton and Desmond Walker. The two alumni founded Narratent, a digital marketing company. Scott said she believes it’s important for Black students to see Black graduates doing big things.

“We also appreciate the fact that beyond just doing the work, we’re also here to show others what’s possible as well, and to lower that barrier for others to walk in alongside us,” Walker said. “And show that entrepreneurship, show that ownership, and overall just doing something incredible is possible within everyday people.”

Attendees wore formal attire, with some coordinating their clothing with campus organizations. Mr. BAC SeniorE ris Golden, a public relations major, wore colors representing his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi.

“I decided the colors off of my fraternity,” Golden said. “I’d like to think that I dress up pretty well usually, but I wanted to try something different, so I got some new shoes. I wore a bowtie today.”

Golden said attending the event was one of his final community activities before graduating.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing student involvement. Journey Short was named Miss BAC Senior. De’ayjannay Miller was named Miss BAC Freshman, and Antwan Thornton was named Mr. BAC Freshman.

Miller said she campaigned for the title to increase her participation on campus.

“I was just trying to find a way to get more

involved on campus,” Miller said. “I wanted to be a part of a Black student union.”

Thornton said he plans to use his position to represent his peers.

“It feels pretty good,” Thornton said. “I tried to put out my best image to people. I want to get the students’ voice heard more, take their opinions, and go based off that.”

The event ended at 9:30 p.m. Scott said the

primary objective of the night was to foster connections among attendees.

“I want people to leave with a sense of being proud that they’re Black,” Scott said. “Even though we’re on this predominantly white campus, it feels nice to know that we have a community.”

Staff Reporter Trevor John can be reached @tjohn@dailyegyptian.com

How one SIU flight instructor is helping women earn their wings

Carly Gist cgist@dailyegyptian.com

Editor’s Note: This story was produced for JRNL 412: Intermediate Photojournalism.

Growing up in Jos, Nigeria, Bisola Saliu often watched planes from a nearby airport fly past her home. While she admired the job of pilots, she didn’t think much of it at the time. In fact, she graduated high school and went on to study chemical engineering. Two years later, she finally realized her true calling.

“I was good at it, but I didn’t like it,” Saliu said of engineering. “So I told my mom that I think I want to pursue aviation as a career.”

Saliu said that her mother was hesitant at first. There were no pilots in their family, and aviation can be expensive. But her mother ended up reaching out to her sister, who lives in Denver, and she invited Saliu to move to the U.S. and stay with her. Saliu said she began looking at large schools to attend like Embry-Riddle and the University of North Dakota, but ultimately decided to attend SIU because the school gave her the most financial support.

“I came here, and I actually don’t regret it at all,” she said. “My first semester, I lived in the LLC (Living Learning Community), so I had all aviation floor roommates and suitemates, and they were also women of color. So that was my first introduction to like, ‘Yeah, women can be pilots too.’ And I was like, ‘This is awesome.’ My journey here has had its ups and downs, but I had people to encourage me.”

Throughout her undergraduate journey, Saliu joined various organizations, where she said she found mentorship and

sisterhood. She was a member of SIU’s chapter of Women in Aviation, which she still helps out with, and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, which she’s now the faculty advisor of. She credits her former suitemate too, for introducing her to the group and being a supportive friend.

“Before coming to America, I knew I was a woman, I knew I was Black, but it wasn’t really part of my identity. I was just Bisola,” she said. “But then, here in America, I got classified as a Black woman, and sometimes it’s a really good thing and sometimes it’s a not so great thing. And so I and other professional women are trying to create that narrative that Black women are professional, we’re here and we belong. And with the support of our white counterparts, too. We have people who support (us).”

Saliu said staying at SIU to work after graduation was a no-brainer. Today, she serves as a flight instructor, working one on one with students who want to become pilots. Sometimes, she spends the class blocks in the plane with them, other times she spends them in a simulator or in her office.

This semester, she has six students, half of which are women.

“That’s been fun. At first, I was scared about that, but I’m actually happy that I have female students, because I get to teach them and I can be that voice of reasoning,” she said, adding that the field can be hard, “so sometimes just having a familiar person, familiar gender could also help.”

Editor-in-Chief Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@dailyegyptian.com

‘Without passion, there is no point’

How Keeley Whitmer fell in love with automotive engineering

2026 for the Recycle Your Bicycle volunteer program at SIU’s automotive facility in Murphysboro, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

Keeley Whitmer changes the break cables of a bike Feb. 18, 2026 at SIU’s automotive facility in Murphysboro, Illinois. Whitmer had no previous knowledge of working on bicycles, but her engineering and automotive background helped her catch on. “I learned straight from scratch,” she said, adding, “If you can fix one thing, sometimes you can just fix it all.” Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

Keeley Whitmer takes apart a miniature engine to add grease to it Feb. 26, 2026 in the engineering building on SIU’s campus in Carbondale, Illinois. She is conducting paid research to build magnetic gears that reduce the amount of maintenance an average car needs. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

OLIVIA LUESING oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

Editor’s Note: This story was produced for JRNL 412: Intermediate Photojournalism.

SIU student Keeley Whitmer invests her academic career in the engineering and automotive programs, two fields where, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women are underrepresented.

But this fact does not deter Whitmer from pursuing her passions.

“My engineering and automotive brothers are like my family,” she said. “When they see that you’re passionate about it, and you see that they’re passionate about it, we’re a team.”

Growing up, Whitmer recalls having interests that most girls do not share.

“I didn’t want to play with anything that the normal girls would want to play with,” she said. “I wanted to play with cars and monster trucks.”

It was not until her high school years when Whitmer realized she had a passion for automotive and engineering. She remembers attending an automotive camp with her grandpa and falling in love with it.

“I thought, ‘this is it. This is what I’ve been missing,’” she said.

Whitmer has completed the coursework for automotive technology and is on an accelerated master’s program

in electrical engineering. She is also pursuing three minors, completed the requirements for the university honors program and was awarded the L.D. Willey Outstanding Student Award for automotive technology in 2025.

Whitmer is the volunteer coordinator for the Recycle Your Bicycle program, a volunteer group that refurbishes donated bikes to give out to SIU students in need. She is also conducting paid research funded by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, where she is developing magnetic gears for cars.

Whitmer is heavily involved in maledominated fields, which she describes as having a brotherhood. But there’s something special about the bond between women.

“Whenever you meet those women who are really passionate in this field and actually care, it’s a tight-knit sisterhood,” she said.

Whitmer loves the different perspectives that diversity brings to her field, but that’s not her number one value.

“We need passion more than anything,” she said. “Without passion, there’s no point.”

Staff photographer Olivia Luesing can be reached at oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

while attending their senior design course at SIU’s campus in Carbondale, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com

Southern Illinois high schools celebrate National FFA Week

CARMEN TAPLEY ctapley@dailyegyptian.com

Last week, southern Illinois high schools traded every day routines for a week of advocacy, appreciation and organized fun to participate in National FFA Week.

Since 1948, schools have been celebrating National FFA Week with recognition for George Washington’s legacy as the father of America and an extensive agriculturalist. The National FFA Board describes this week of celebration as “a time for FFA members to host activities that raise awareness about the role the FFA plays in the development of agriculture’s future leaders and the importance of agricultural education.”

Local FFA chapters from Carbondale, Du Quoin and Anna-Jonesboro highlighted and celebrated the agricultural organization.

Michelle Buchheit advised the Carbondale FFA Officers in planning their week around advocacy. The themes for each day sourced around wellness and need. On Monday, Feb. 23, the chapter supported the mental health of their staff and students by inviting their counseling and social work department to interact with the students throughout the day. They provided coloring sheets and sensory stickers along with having someone to confide in.

One student, Ame Heath, shared her perspective on the importance of advocating for mental health within agriculture.

The rest of their week was followed by Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday, Bee Day on Wednesday, Keep Carbondale Beautiful partnership on Thursday and Hunger Action Day on Friday.

Advisers of the Du Quoin FFA Chapter, Ann Pertrowski and Sarah McKinnies, helped the officers in planning a day of service outside of school hours to get involved in their community.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, members from the chapter visited residents of Du Quoin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The members aided the residents in crafting spring themed doorhangs and socialized with them, connecting the elderly and youth.

Chapter reporter and FFA officer Reese DeHart shared her mindset behind getting involved with the community during National FFA Week.

“We knew that it would be a good idea to reach out to the older members of the community and build connections with them and get them involved with the FFA. It’s important for us to be connected to our community,” DeHart said.

The chapter began their week with Camo

“Mental health is very important because we have to protect our farmers,” Heath said. We have to protect people that are involved with agriculture, especially in mental health, because it is just not as talked about as physical health. Especially in situations where stereotypically there’s this false idea that you have to be rough and tough in agriculture; you can’t talk to anyone, you gotta get the job done, you gotta get the beans planted, it doesn’t matter what you feel.”

Day on Monday and an elementary Meet and Greet on Tuesday. They closed out their week with Dynamic Duos on Thursday with a schoolwide rock, paper, scissors competition, and a “Student Teacher Feed” on Friday with a traditional fishfry.

Anna-Jonesboro FFA Chapter Officers flew solo on planning their week of celebration around their school’s traditions from previous years. Their advisor, Dalton Browning, let the young leaders play the role they have been learning and put all faith into their planning. Friday, Feb. 27. he stepped in to find a local farmer willing to provide a piglet for their Kiss the Pig fundraiser.

Several teachers from Anna-Jonesboro High School agreed to be candidates for the fundraiser contest. Throughout the week students would put money in the jar for their teacher of choice. The teacher who had the most money in their jar by Friday had to kiss the week old piglet in front of the student body. All proceeds donated went to funding the chapter to attend upcoming contests, conferences and conventions.

Chapter Reporter, Addison Bonner, presented the piglet to the winning teacher. The new band and choir director of Anna-Jonesboro, Ashley Followell, won the contest. The students erupted

in cheers seeing their teacher be initiated and kiss the adorable piglet.

Followell did not originally plan to participate, but failed to opt-out of the contest and decided to join the fun anyways.

“I’m a first year teacher here, I’m building that legend of myself a little bit of, yes, this is the band director who is not going to be squeamish, not gonna be caught off balance. I just take things and roll with it,” Followell said.

The chapter began their week with Camo Day, and a cornhole tournament that would last throughout the week where the winners played against each other on Friday for the final victory. On Tuesday, the students and teachers swapped outfits and dress as one another, and a three-day long scavenger hunt would ensue around town. Wednesday, the students dressed up for Farmers Day Off and sported their pajamas at school if they paid a dollar. Thursdays’ Thank a Farmer Day had students dress as farmers or their future career to conclude their week until the main events that were hosted on Friday.

Staff Reporter Carmen J. Tapley can be reached at ctapley@dailyegyptian.com

“Watching the struggles that other women went through made me want to work harder,” Sneed said.

While there is not yet a complete statistic of how many first generation college students are Generation Z, it is estimated by WifiTalents, an independent market and industry reporter, that 60% of first generation graduate students are women. It is also estimated that about 1 to 5 college students are first generation, according to a 2026 report by WifiTalents.

In 1837, women were finally allowed to pursue an education at Oberlin College. At this college, the first education available to women was the “Ladies Course.” This education did not provide a degree, but instead taught women about religion, history, literature and moral philosophy. The goal of this course was to encourage women to want to pursue careers as teachers and missionaries. It was not until the early 1840s that women could pursue, somewhat, the same education as men at Oberlin College.

The journey for Sneed did not come easily. To be able to break cycles, she had to be a full-time employee as well as a full-time student. She is a dorm mother to nine neurodivergent girls at a boarding school. Sneed said she is proud of being able to work herself out of her hometown, and doesn’t feel guilty for leaving, because she is setting herself up for a better life.

With consumer expectations of the economy having stayed below recession warning levels for over a year now, many Gen Z women are choosing to move out of their hometowns, pursue an education and work. Nearly 69% of adult-status Gen Z are living independently or have

STOKES

CONTINUED FROM 1

played a more significant role in supporting the Carbondale music scene over the past several decades,” Bankester said.

The Council approved selling city-owned property on Bigler Road to the Southern Illinois Criminal Justice Training Program, known

moved away from home, according to a study done by PPRI, a team of research and communications professionals.

Sneed said she feels motivated to be a full-time worker in college because her job is so rewarding.

“The girls are all teenagers, so I get to help them build self confidence,” Sneed said. “I love to help teach them how to build that… It makes them feel beautiful at the end of it.”

Sneed said she also helps the girls build independence.

“I teach them things they can carry with them for the rest of their lives,” Sneed said. “Independence is the most important skill girls can learn now that we do not have to rely on a man.”

In April 2024, Qualtrics, on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma, surveyed 2,027 adults in the U.S. ages 18 and above who identify as women. The study found that 47% of women consider themselves financially independent. Within this study, 30% of women say their biggest goal is not to be married or have children, but to be debt free. Gen Z is also the generation that strives to become “DINKs,” which refers to couples with dual incomes without kids, according to the study. GenZ is the most likely generation to become DINKS, with 32%. Millennials follow at 18%, Gen X at 19%, and Boomers at just 11%.

Gen Z is not the first generation to break cycles – Millennials and Gen X women began prying open the door.

Tali Myers, a healthcare leader who oversees patient care, is a first generation graduate in her family. Myers said she graduated at the top of her class in 2016 because of her dedication to stability.

“Although I felt that I had accomplished something, the gravity of the fact that I was the first woman in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s or a master’s was a little

as MTU15, for the construction of a regional law enforcement training facility. Bilger Road is just north of Giant City State Park and 10 minutes south of Southern Illinois University Carbondale

The center will serve approximately 151 agencies representing 1,500 officers across 27 counties, according to city documents.

lost on me at the time. I did not see the accomplishments of the other great women in my family to be any less than what I had accomplished,” Myers said.

According to a long term study by the National Library of Medicine, Millennials, compared to Baby Boomers and Generation X, have the largest number of first generation college graduates. According to the study, 26% of Baby Boomers attended college, while 34% of Gen X and 44% of Millennials do.

Because women acquired financial independence in the ‘70s with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, it became much easier for female students to take out student loans. When Millennials were coming of age, there was also a cultural shift due to the economy. According to Cambridge University, the United States shifted into a knowledge based economy, which is where information and education were important to obtain a job. When the economy stopped rewarding physical labor and started rewarding knowledge, degrees and communication, women were included.

This cultural shift was because of Title IX, which was passed in 1972. Title IX guaranteed equal access to education regardless of sex. By removing institutional barriers, it allowed more women to attend college, enter professional fields and build financial independence. This created more opportunities for the generations that followed.

Myers’ decision to seek independence and an education didn’t just change her life, but also helped shape her children’s future, bringing college and financial independence within reach.

“I would never say in absolute terms that I set them up for a better future. What I can say is that being financially more

Councilwoman Clare Killman was the only member to vote against the sale. Killman requested a separate vote on the item but provided no comments during the meeting.

Jeff Davis, financial director in the Carbondale city government, said MTU15 will finance operation and maintenance of the facility, with the city providing a small

secure than what my parents were as I grew up has allowed for a longer period of time assisting them in meeting their goals,” Myers said.

While Myers has accomplished her goals, she says that every goal comes with its own set of rules and challenges – like being a mother while simultaneously getting an education.

“Raising children and going to school, being present and also healing myself through the years. Being independent comes with its own set of rules for loneliness. While I pride myself on my independence, it also is a lonely world because extreme independence is also

portion of funding.

Loos said the transition from farmland should not create environmental concerns because city police firing ranges are already located on the property.

“That’s already where the city police firing ranges are,” Loos said.

“The people out there are used to hearing it.”

The Council renewed its contract with Veo Mobility to expand the scooter fleet from 450 to 650 devices and operate yearround. The program will introduce artificial intelligence-assisted parking enforcement.

The program had approximately 7,000 unique users in 2025, representing a 10% increase over 2024, according to a presentation by Reed Neal, a Veo policy and partnerships manager.

The AI technology requires riders to photograph their parked vehicle at the end of a ride. The system evaluates whether the vehicle is upright and not obstructing sidewalks. If the AI determines

mistrust in a costume,” Myers said. Myers said that having children and keeping her promises to them is what drives her. Myers’ son, Joshua, died at just 6 months old in a “tragic” nursing accident. She said this is what motivates her with her career in health care and family – even when everything seems unstable.

“I would always help people no matter what. I have called it Joshua’s promise,” Myers said. “When I didn’t think I could –I did it anyway. I did it scared, I did it sick, I did it lonely, I did it anxious, I just did it.”

Staff Reporter Mariah Fletcher can be reached at mfletcher@dailyegyptian.com

the parking is not compliant, users must reposition the vehicle.

If a user leaves a scooter improperly parked without ending the ride through the app, the meter continues to run for approximately 30 minutes, increasing the cost to the rider.

Neal said the AI requires training to understand Carbondale’s infrastructure.

“It obviously won’t be perfect at rollout,” Neal said. “The AI requires training, but once it fully gets up to speed, we’ve deployed this in other markets, and we’ve shown an increase in ADA response compliance.”

The Veo Access program offers a $4.99 monthly subscription that waives unlock fees for individuals on Medicaid, SNAP or those eligible for discount utility bills.

The City has formal impoundment rights over devices that are improperly parked or abandoned.

Staff Reporter Trevor John can be reached at tjohn@dailyegyptian.com

Salukis’ path to Arch Madness crown is crowded, but plausible

ELI HOOVER ehoover@dailyegyptian.com

Going into the final day of the regular season, only two of the 11 teams in the Missouri Valley Conference knew when they were going to play in their first game of Arch Madness, the Missouri Valley Conference’s St. Louisbased tournament to decide who gets to go to the NCAA men’s basketball Tournament.

Once the dust settled and everyone had their matchups, fans of just about every team were convincing themselves that they had a chance to be the final team standing, but knew that they could be knocked out in round one. Vance Sawyer, SIU Alumni Association board member and March to the Arch podcast co-host, is no different.

“I’ll put it this way: I’m packing four Saluki outfits to take to St. Louis in case I need them all,” he said in a message to the Daily Egyptian. “I expect to wear two of them, I’d be ecstatic if I wore three, and cloud nine if four.”

Noah Lerch, co-host of the Dawgs

Basketball podcast that follows the SIU men’s basketball squad, put it as concisely as possible.

“Worst case scenario is losing the first game of Arch Madness on Thursday. Best case is getting to Sunday because this team has gotten hot and has the talent to beat anyone,” he said in a message to the Daily Egyptian.

To Lerch’s point, the Salukis are currently on a four-game win streak, and three of those wins have come on the road. On the other side of the coin, the Dawgs also have a fourgame losing streak on their resume, and two of those losses were at the Banterra Center.

The path for the Salukis is littered with roadblocks, but many of those roadblocks are ones the Salukis have pushed aside once before already this season.

Their first opponent are the Drake Bulldogs in the very first game of the tournament on Thursday, March 5. SIU comes into the tournament as the eight seed, with the Bulldogs coming in as the ninth seed.

Those seedings would make it

seem like the Dawgs are favored in that matchup, and they should be. Two weeks ago, the Salukis beat the Bulldogs 66-61 in Des Moines. In the first matchup between the two teams, Drake stole a game out from underneath SIU in a 76-73 overtime decision at the Banterra Center Jan. 14. The Salukis did, however, hold a 17-point second half lead in that contest.

If they get past the Bulldogs, they’ll be rewarded with a date with the regular season champion Belmont Bruins the next day. The Salukis are one of five teams that can boast a victory over the Bruins this season, a 68-67 win in Nashville Jan. 4. The key to that victory was holding sharpshooter Tyler Lundblade to only one 3-point make on four attempts.

In SIU’s 73-68 loss to the Bruins Jan. 17, Lundblade went 0-6 from distance. If the Salukis can replicate that defensive effort, which is very likely given how historically unforgiving the Enterprise Center rims are, they have a decent chance at making it to Saturday for the first time since 2023.

If they do make it to Saturday, They take on either fourth-seeded Murray State Racers or fifth-seeded Illinois-Chicago Flames, two teams the Dawgs went a combined 0-4 against. That’s not to say that either would be an impossible mountain to climb.

Despite going 0-2 against the Flames, the Salukis can take solace in the fact that they were able to build a 17-point second half lead before it slipped away in a 68-66 home loss on Jan. 31. That and the fact that SIU has been able to claim at least one victory over UIC every year the Flames have been in the MVC should give Salukis fans comfort that they’d have a fighting chance in round three.

The Racers seem to have the Salukis’ number, but both games have been a dogfight. Outside of the first half of the two teams’ Feb. 6 matchup, the two teams are separated by only four points in 60 minutes of play.

Then if the Dawgs get to Sunday, there are six different teams they could play. In their 12 regular season matchups against

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

that group of six teams, they went 8-4, with their only 0-2 blemish being against the second-seeded Bradley Braves. That means they have the in on how to beat five of their six possible championship game opponents. Now, that’s not to say any of this is going to, or even likely to, happen. It’s just as possible Drake takes the old adage “It’s hard to beat a team three times” to heart, and dashes SIU’s hopes Thursday afternoon. It’s just as possible Lundblade finally finds his shot against the Salukis, or the Racers continue their recent dominance of the Dawgs.

Anything can happen in March, but it’s going to be a tough mountain to climb for the Salukis. They start their Arch Madness journey at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 against the Drake Bulldogs at Enterprise Center in St. Louis. For live coverage from St. Louis, check dailyegyptian.com or the DE social media pages

Sports Reporter Eli Hoover can be found at ehoover@dailyegyptian.com or on Instagram @hoovermakesart

Women’s Basketball continues to skid, loses to Redbirds and Bulldogs

The Saluki Women’s basketball team came into the week with a 9-16 overall record and a 6-10 record in the MVC. Southern Illinois had four games remaining in the regular season. The Dawgs hit the road and took on the Illinois State Redbirds in Normal, Illinois on Thursday, Feb. 26. Beginning the first of the last four games on the regular season schedule.

ISU 78, SIU 60 Southern Illinois came out strong in the CEFCU Arena on Feb. 26 as they faced off against the Illinois State Redbirds on the road. After a first quarter where the Dawgs were outscored by seven, a strong second quarter saw theSalukis taking a seven point advantage into the locker room after the first half. SIU outscored ISU by 14 points in the second quarter, holding the Redbirds to just 10 points.

The Saluki defense caused the Redbird offense to shoot a lowly 30% in the second quarter. The perimeter defense from the Salukis was particularly powerful, causing ISU to shoot just 1-8 from behind the 3-point line in the first half. The offense was effective as well, shooting 61% in the second quarter to help build a 7-point lead on the dominant second quarter. Free throw attempts were a big disparity that would

become larger in the second half. In the first half the Salukis only attempted one free throw, while the Redbirds shot nine free throws.

It was a tale of two halves in Normal when the Redbirds came out of the locker room and outscored the Salukis by 15 in the third quarter. A poor fourth quarter from the Dawgs saw the Redbirds putting up 10 more points than the Dawgs in the final quarter. A second half in which the Salukis were outscored by 25 points in total. Free throws continued to be an issue for the Dawgs in the second half. The Red birds attempted 11 more free throws in the second half , The Salukis only shot seven free throws all games, Illinois State made 12 more free throws than SIU attempted.

The Salukis had some key players get into foul trouble with guard Alayna Kraus and forward Indya Green both had to take seats on the bench due to foul trouble. Green had a large offensive impact, scoring 24 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, while shooting 75% from the field. Kraus was the second leading scorer behind Green, adding 12 points and a steal to her statline. Overall the enormous free throw disparity and a lack of scoring in the second half sunk the Salukis ship, and after the horn sounded ISU had pulled away to win by a final of 78-60. The Salukis dropped to 9-17

overall, and 6-11 in MVC play. DRAKE 83, SIU 68

It was a game of boards at the Banterra Center on Saturday as Southern Illinois hosted the Drake Bulldogs for their final home game of the season. SIU got outrebounded 42-29 and gave up 19 second chance points in what would be a 83-68 loss to the Bulldogs from Des Moines.

The Salukis returned home from a two game road trip to square off against Drake on Feb. 28, falling short of making their final home game a success in losing to the Bulldogs

The Dawgs controlled the ball off the jump and recorded the first bucket of the game when guard Kayla Cooper made a pull-up jumper. Cooper scored 7 points in the first quarter, leading the team.

A pair of assists for guard Tkiyah Nelson contributed to the Saluki offensive output as well. Center Carmen Morales scored an and-one bucket in the paint that swung the momentum in SIU’s direction.

Senior guard Karris Allen made her presence felt with 4 first-quarter points, making some tough shots. However, Drake cleaned the glass, grabbing 12 rebounds to the Salukis 7. Drake’s secondchance points kept them just ahead, and when the buzzer sounded to end the first quarter, the Bulldogs led the Salukis by 3 points.

The second quarter plagued Southern Illinois. Drake went on a 5-0 run to open

the quarter and continued to control the rebounding in a big way. Allowing second-chance points remained an enormous problem for the Salukis.

The rebounding deficit grew, and Drake was outrebounding SIU by 7 total boards at halftime. The offensive rebounding led to wide-open threes for Bulldog players, and Drake had knocked down five three-pointers by halftime. Drake also was spreading the ball around the court more efficiently, totalling 13 assists to Southern Illinois’ eight.

Saluki Guard Alayna Kraus had 4 points in the quarter, which were her first points of the game. Guard Jeniah Thompson ended the Drake run to open the quarter with her second bucket of the game. Thompson scored 4 points in the second quarter and entered halftime with 6 points.

SIU came out of the locker room with some renewed energy. The Salukis were able to get within 6 points of the Bulldogs to start the third quarter. Nelson scored 7 points in the quarter and was attacking the paint often.

Cooper continued her scoring output, finishing the quarter with 5 additional points, giving Cooper 14 for the game. By consistently attacking the paint, the Salukis were able to get into the bonus with three minutes remaining in the quarter. The free throws helped SIU outscore Drake in the third quarter.

Every time the Salukis seemed to get some momentum, it would quickly be squashed by Drake. Cooper continued to knock down shots from behind the arc in the fourth quarter and after a basket from Kraus, it was a 7-point game. Drake responded immediately with an 8-2 run and snuffed out the momentum created by Cooper and SIU.

The Bulldogs grabbed 13 more total rebounds than the Salukis – 17 of which were offensive. Drake dominated the glass, and even with SIU getting into the bonus, the Salukis never cut the lead below 10 during the latter half of the fourth.

Thompson finished the game with 10 points and 5 rebounds, forward Indya Green contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds, and Kayla Cooper dropped 20 points to lead the team. SIU hit four 3-pointers as a team, and Cooper accounted for all four of them. After the horn sounded, Drake had defeated SIU 83-68.

The Salukis fall to 9-18 and 6-12 in MVC play, while Drake improves to 10-18 and 9-9 in MVC play. A quick turnaround has the Dawgs traveling to Nashville to play against the Belmont Bruins for their penultimate game of the regular season. The game will tip off on Monday, March 2, at 6:30 p.m.

Sports Reporter Aaron Carnahan can be reached at acarnahan@dailyegyptian.com

ACROSS

1- Gentle beast

5- Porgy’s woman

9- Jobs for a band

13- Jai ___

14- ___ hand: as the first option

16- Bryce Canyon locale

17- UK city associated with Robin Hood

19- Capri or Skye, e.g.

20- Goddess of wisdom

21- Left motherless

23- German spa

25- Grassy plain

26- Colossal

31- Winged

33- “Halt!” to a sailor

34- Cara of “Fame”

36- Hornswoggled

38- Bringing up the rear

39- Invertebrate’s lack

40- Galileo’s birthplace

41- Biblical verb ending

42- “Steppenwolf” author

43- Roadside eatery

44- Sea duck

46- Bermuda ___

48- Christmas songs

50- Halloween mo.

51- “Hamilton” character Schuyler

54- The Continent

59- Decomposes

60- 1976 Bob

Seger hit; or, how each of the circled 5-letter entries might be derived

62- Auth. unknown

63- Spiny evergreen shrub

64- Soften

65- Crooked

66- Mom’s mom

67- Atlas stat DOWN

1- Superboy’s girlfriend

2- Bunches

3- S.A.T. section

4- Take the bait

5- Good friend, in France

6- H.S. subject

7- London district 8- Tangle 9- French ___ (neighbor of Brazil)

10- No problem!

11- Strong wind 12- Outbuilding 15- Get on

Sluggish

Egg-shaped

Man on a bill

Plus-or-minus fig.

Stuff for the mill

32- Artist’s stand 35- First month, in

Have the nerve 39- Creator of “The Twilight Zone” 40- Wrestler’s goal 42- Command to a dog 43- Single fact 45- Crime ___ pay 47- Summer cooler

49- Offshoot 51- Riyadh native 52- ___ of the above

Pearl Mosque locale 55- Tomato type 56- Done with 57- Brazilian soccer legend 58- “Como ___ usted?” 61- QVC rival

*To play Sudoku, fill a 9x9 grid with digits 1 through 9 so that each row, each column, and each 3x3 subgrid contains each number exactly once.

STEVE STONE

“To know Casey VanWinkle professionally is to have faith in the profession. He is the consummate professional. Being capable, considerate and kind without compromising in one’s oath and duties to one’s client is rare. In a world of egos, Casey is humble, decent and true. Should the voters of Jackson County elect him, the Bench will be enriched, but the Bar will miss him.”

ANDREW KOVACS

“I have practiced against Casey for two decades. He is knowledgeable about the law, he has excellent people skills, and is as honest as the day is long. He will make an outstanding circuit court judge.”

MOLLY DEARING

“Having worked with Casey, I am confident that he would be a fair, diligent, steadfast, and conscientious judge. He would be an asset to the judicial system and to the people of Jackson County.”

JAMES KEEFE, JR.

“I have had the privilege of practicing law with Casey Van Winkle for over 15 years. He has always demonstrated an understanding of many different areas of law. Casey is fair, hardworking and has the perfect temperament to serve as a Jackson County Circuit Court Judge.”

JANET WILLIAMS

“I have known Casey professionally for many years and have always found him to be a consummate professional and the voice of reason.”

BRIDGET LAWLER

“I highly recommend Casey Van Winkle as an exemplary candidate for the judgeship in Jackson County, known for his dedication to justice and exceptional legal expertise. I have personally seen his commitment to fairness and integrity.”

JOHN WINTERSCHEIDT

“Having practiced law for over thirty-five years, I have interacted with countless judges. Sitting in judgment requires not only a comprehensive knowledge of the law but must also include a person of character and integrity. I have known Casey VanWinkle both personally and professionally for decades, and he is my clear choice for judge in Jackson County.”

GREGORY KELTNER

“Over the course of several years, I’ve appeared opposite Casey in court. His calm demeanor and measured temperament would serve the public well from the bench.”

KIM PARKS

“I think you will make an excellent judge. In our professional interactions over the last several decades, I have always found you to be honest, straightforward, and transparent, all qualities which make you especially suited for the bench. In the workers’ compensation community, you get to know your opponents, and for me, the first thing I look for when I open a new file is who the attorney is on the other side. When I see your name, I know the case will progress with no drama, and everything will go smoothly. Having said that, you always represent your client and allow me to represent mine, without taking it personally. You are always an advocate for your client, but you advocate in a professional and claim manner.”

DEVON JONES

“Casey has been a colleague and friend of mine for 20 years. I know him to be a man who has the legal skill to handle difficult cases and the compassion to be fair minded. That’s why I believe he would be a great judge for the people of Jackson County.”

DON MURPHY

“I have the good fortune of having many cases with Casey over the last 25 years. He is a man of character and will make a great judge.”

STEVE MCMANUS

“I have had numerous cases with Casey over the years. He has always been a worthy opponent. He zealously represents his clients’ wellbeing, honest and straightforward with the Court and myself.”

ERIC KIRKPATRICK

“I can’t think of a better candidate for judge in Jackson County. Casey has the knowledge, ability and disposition to be an effective judge.”

MIKE KEEFE

“I have had the privilege of practicing law with Casey VanWinkle for over 20 years. He has always been a worthy adversary and demonstrated a deep understanding of the law. Casey’s most useful skills, however, are his common-sense approach to solving problems, fairness, and hard work. He would make an excellent Jackson County Circuit Judge and possess the necessary judicial temperament needed in our legal system.”

NEIL GIFFHORN

“I have known Casey professionally for 25 years, and I think he would make a good judge.”

ANDY KEEFE

“I’ve know and handled cases with Casey for nearly two decades. He is a consummate professional and possess unwavering honesty, fairness and integrity that’s makes him an ideal candidate for the bench.”

JOHN PALOMBI

“I heartily endorse Casey VanWinkle for Judge. I have known Casey for more than 25 years as a lawyer on the other side. He is honest, knowledgeable, and diligent on his cases and will bring that same integrity to the bench.”

JACOB SCHNEIDER

“Casey has been a compassionate advocate for his clients and a congenial professional to work in all my interactions.”

STEVE KLYCZEK

“With his legal experience and fair demeanor, I believe Casey will be a great asset to the People of Jackson County when elected to the bench of the Circuit Court.”

ELVIS CAMERON

“I have known Casey VanWinkle for over 20 years and found him to be an effective attorney who has always been honest and trustworthy in my dealings with him. He would be a fair judge.”

MATTHEW ROKUSEK

“Casey brings a sense of professionalism and humanity to an adversarial process that will benefit the people of Jackson County for years to come.”

PAT KEEFE

“I have had the opportunity to handle cases with Casey as opposing counsel for at least the last 25 years. During that time, he has always conducted himself in a professional, cooperative, and congenial manner while staunchly representing his clients’ interests. There has never been any question as to his honesty and integrity, nor has there ever been any concern that you could not trust his word.”

SHELLY A. WILSON

“Casey is a capable and trustworthy lawyer who approaches his work with integrity and sound judgment. He’s also someone people genuinely enjoy working with, which speaks to his temperament and fairness.”

DYLAN ZIPPAY

“I personally have had the opportunity to work both with Casey and against him in the legal field. In my experience, Casey has demonstrated all the necessary qualities to sit on the Bench: preparation, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law. I believe he would excellently serve Jackson County as Resident Circuit Judge.”

MARY SABATINO

“I have had cases against Casey Van Winkle for years, and he has always been knowledgeable, respectful, and highly professional-an excellent advocate for his clients while remaining thoughtful and reasonable in resolving cases. He brings strong legal acumen and integrity to eve1y matter, and I believe he would serve with distinction on the bench.”

KEVIN MECHLER

“Casey Van Winkle was a frequent opponent of mine in our niche practice area of workers’ compensation law. He is knowledgeable in that practice area and handled his cases with insight and ability. In fact, he prevailed in the last case we tried together, even though I hoped I would win. More importantly, he handled himself with courtesy and professional consideration. These have become rare qualities in the practice of law.”

JULIE HOVERMALE

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Casey Van Winkle for over 20 years. We have been opposing counsel on many cases together. Casey is not only a great attorney with a firm grasp of the law. He is a respectful advocate for his clients. Casey has the knowledge, attitude, and demeanor to perform the duties of a judge.”

DAMON YOUNG

“I have known Mr. Van Winkle for over 18 years. I have found him to be a man of integrity and strong advocate for his clients. I know he will make an incredible and compassionate judge.”

CHRIS CRAWFORD

“I have had several cases with Mr. Van Winkle over the last several years. I believe he has the requisite temperament and skills to be a judge who will be fair to all parties, whether a claim be tried or resolved through compromise.”

KENT SCHULTZ

“I have known and had cases against Casey for 20 plus years and have found him to be honorable, responsive, and a great advocate for his clients.”

NOAH HAMANN

“I have known Casey as an opponent on numerous cases over the years, and he has always struck me as fair and able to approach complicated situations with common sense.”

BRIAN MCGOVERN

“I have known Casey for many years and have been able to see his legal skills and temperament. He is always ready and prepared, but also calm and steady. He will be a fine addition to the bench.”

RICK A. DAY

“I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Casey Van Winkle for almost 20 years. Although we have been adversaries on cases, I think Casey is fair-minded and a fervent advocate for the clients he represents. He is a consummate professional and would be an excellent choice for a judgeship.”

THOMAS J. PETTIT

“I have worked with attorney Casey VanWinkle for over 20 years. I have always found him to be an honest, well prepared attorney who handles matters with professionalism and respect. He has the character and temperament you want in a judge.”

JAMES CLUNE

“I am proud to have known Casey VanWinkle for his entire career ( 23 years), representing injured workers in Southern Illinois. While his courtroom ability is stellar, what I find most revealing is that Casey is an honorable man. His word is his bond. You cannot ask for more from a lawyer or judge. Casey has my unquestionable support in his endeavor for judicial office.”

JOSHUAA. HUMBRECHT

“I heard you are going to run for judge in Jackson County. Just want to wish you the best. You have been a great colleague, demonstrating great advocacy, professionalism, and collegiality over the years. Our firm ce1tainly wishes you the best as you move forward with this endeavor. Good luck to you.”

JAMES EGAN

“I have found Casey to be an honorable and knowledgeable member of the bar. I have regular dealings with Casey for at least the last fifteen years.” “I have had many cases with Mr. Van Winkle over the years, and I know him to be a knowledgeable and hard-working attorney who handles his cases with honesty, integrity, and professionalism. I believe he would make an excellent judge for Jackson County.”

ANDREW J. SHEEHAN

“ I’ve worked with Casey for the last 10 years, and he’s not only proven to be a great advocate for his clients, but a great person. He treats everyone with respect and professionalism, which are qualities that would serve him well on the bench.”

BRENT M. NEUMEYER

“I have had many cases with Mr. Van Winkle over the years, and I know him to be a knowledgeable and hard-working attorney who handles his cases with honesty, integrity, and professionalism. I believe he would make an excellent judge for Jackson County.”