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Thursday, December 18, 2025

Fernando Mendoza becomes 1st Hoosier to win Heisman Trophy

Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

By Jack Forrest

jhforres@iu.edu | @byjackforrest

As Charlotte Zietlow lay in hospice care, in the final days of her life, a nurse asked if there was anything she could do for her. The nurse told Rebecca, Charlotte’s daughter, that her mother answered in a rasp: “Absentee ballot.” It was not long before Election Day, 2025. Charlotte’s party, the Democrats, won big in high-profile races across the country — though there weren’t any in Bloomington. People told her about the results even when she was no longer conscious. Rebecca believes she understood. “I think that’s what many of us think: she was waiting for that,” Rebecca said. Charlotte died the next day, Nov. 5. She was 91. The family hopes to have a celebration of life in April. One consideration is finding a place to fit everyone who’d attend. Charlotte’s been named a community éminence grise, the grand dame of Monroe County politics and doyenne of Bloomington Democrats. Her political career started over 65 years ago. And in her last weeks — on her death bed — her commitment to politics and community never ceased. The Indiana Daily Student, intending to profile Charlotte, spoke to her twice in October at her home. The following is a portrait of the Monroe County matriarch whose name is etched into Bloomington history.

The enduring legacy of Charlotte Zietlow

‘Queen of Bloomington’

COURTESY OF MONROE COUNTY HISTORY CENTER

Charlotte Zietlow speaks into a microphone on Election Day in 1971. Zietlow was elected to the Bloomington City Council that year.

…

… Born in 1934 in Milwaukee, Charlotte’s path to politics wasn’t direct; her Minnesota high school didn’t even teach history, she said. She’d get her political jump in Ann Arbor while at the University of Michigan, where she received her master’s degree in French and German literature and doctoral degree in linguistics. After connecting with what then-presidential candidate John F. Kennedy had to say, she started door knocking for him. Many who answered said they wouldn’t vote for a Catholic. When Charlotte told them her father, a Lutheran minister, would vote for Kennedy, she was able to change some votes. “I thought, ‘I have to keep going, and I have to keep talking,’” she said, “because not talking means nothing happens.” It was in high school when she met her husband, Paul. They didn’t date before they went to separate colleges, but the pair stayed in touch. Eventually, Paul asked Charlotte to visit him at Yale. “I knew, and he knew, that we would be married and live happily ever after, just like that,” Charlotte said. They were married 58 years until Paul’s death in 2015. Rebecca said Charlotte considered marrying Paul her greatest accomplishment. They moved to Bloomington in 1964 when Paul was hired as an English professor at Indiana University. Charlotte, Paul and their children, Rebecca and Nathan, then lived in Czechoslovakia for about a year while Paul taught at a university there. Charlotte saw the Czechoslovakian government restrict free speech and dissent. When she returned to Bloomington, she saw a city council openly ignoring the public at meetings. With those experiences in mind, she ran for Bloomington City Council in 1971. Charlotte and a cohort of other Democrats won, flipping Bloomington government from a red majority to a blue one. She was the first woman to become City Council president. She embarked on a number of other political campaigns. Her U.S. House of Representatives runs in the ‘70s and Bloomington mayoral bids in 1975, 1987 and

political action committee to recruit and fundraise for Democratic women in local office. Charlotte went to every single meeting. She’d call Dee, get lunch with Regina. She’d have book clubs, cook dinners. Politics was a constant in everything. “That’s all there is,” Dee said. Dee and Regina went to a Monroe County Democratic Party dinner weeks after Charlotte’s death. Dee couldn’t help but look around for Charlotte, expecting her to be there. Regina was struck by the number of women up and down the program. Speakers, honorees, party leadership. She thought, for a moment, the work of the Democratic Women’s Caucus could be done. “No, we’re not done, because obviously things will resume back to the way they were,” Regina said. “But I think that people are now, without even thinking about it, looking at women in a different way.” The women at the dinner were standing on the shoulders of the women in politics that came before, Regina said. Charlotte was one of them.

IDS FILE PHOTO

Charlotte Zietlow, the founder of the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women, speaks during the group's 40th anniversary Oct. 15, 2014, at Bloomington City Hall. Zietlow's resume is seven pages long.

JACK FORREST | IDS

COURTESY OF MONROE COUNTY HISTORY CENTER

Charlotte Zietlow poses for a photo Oct. 8, 2025, inside her Bell Trace Senior Living Community apartment in Bloomington. Zietlow moved to Bloomington in 1964.

Charlotte Zietlow wears a “Goods, Inc.” apron. Zietlow founded the cookware store, now called Goods for Cooks, with friend and fellow politician Marilyn Schultz.

1995 were unsuccessful, but she became the first woman to join the Monroe County Board of Commissioners in 1980. The Zietlows had two newspapers delivered to their home, Nathan said, and he’d often see his mom’s name in the stories. She was always busy. Politics was everywhere. “That was the main dinner conversation, probably, you know, 95% of the time,” Nathan said. She made some of her most visible marks on the community while an elected official. She helped prevent the demolition of the Monroe County Courthouse. Amid a lawsuit over the county jail’s conditions, she spearheaded the creation of the current center now bearing her name. Alongside friend and fellow politician Marilyn Schultz, Charlotte opened the culinary ware store now called Goods for Cooks downtown. She embedded herself in all corners of Bloomington’s community even beyond her time in office. United Way of Monroe County executive director. IU adjunct professor. Administrative staff positions at Planned Parenthood and Middle Way House. Member of boards, commissions, committees and councils. She wrote two books of her own, chronicling her political career. She was particularly proud of her years of service as Indiana State University trustee. Her grandchildren were especially important to her, Nathan said. Charlotte’s resume is seven pages long. It lists each of her close family members by name, right

name is not serving its purposes, Charlotte said. But the proposed 400-to-500-bed facility with a price tag north of $220 million wasn’t the answer to her. She wanted to see the money spent in other ways, including on counseling, mental health services and work programs. “We’re not doing anything to move people forward, and that’s what we should be thinking about,” Charlotte said. Up through her time at Bell Trace, any given week was full for her. There was hardly an empty day in her calendar. “NAACP meeting — 6:30 Zoom.” “Rally against Racism 4:45.” Speech therapy without a set time. Meetings with Barb, Marty, Norm, Sandi. The flurry of phone calls, visits and meetings continued. Four people had signed in downstairs to meet her Oct. 2 alone. But much of her time and energy went toward the jail. She spoke to Jennifer Crossley, County Council president, in the weeks before the council would vote on whether to fund the property purchase for the jail. Jennifer sought her insight. Charlotte wanted to be involved. “‘Tell me how I can help,’” she’d tell Jennifer.

below her awards. … Charlotte was only at Bell Trace Senior Living Community for a few weeks, but the hat rack outside her door was a clear sign of her tenancy. Inside the apartment, on an early October day, the then-90-year-old sat in a chair in her living room. She was dressed in her favorite color. A purple gown. Purple shawl. Purple glasses. Her walker was purple. So was her purse. There was even a purple bruise under her right eye. The color of royalty. She’s busy this week. Why? “Partly, I’m trying to stir some trouble up,” she said. Charlotte was doing all she could to prevent the construction of a new Monroe County jail. County officials were in the process of moving the jail and circuit court to a site between Bloomington and Ellettsville. It came after years of delays and over a decade of complaints about the jail’s conditions beginning with an American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana lawsuit. With renewed pressure from the ACLU to press forward with construction on one end and unclear finances on the other, it was uncertain if it’d proceed as planned. Charlotte hoped it wouldn’t. Her work on creating the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center was a complicated process, she said, that shaped her perspective on what a jail should do: rehabilitate people. The facility bearing her

… In a booth at the westside Bucceto’s Pizza Pasta, Dee Owens placed a folder labeled “Charlotte” in faded cursive letters on the table. “I was lucky enough to have two mothers: a mother and a stepmother,” Dee said later. “And actually, I got an adopted mother, too. And

that was Charlotte.” The folder held a tidy, small stack of papers. One, an IDS clipping about Charlotte’s 1978 congressional bid, deemed her “a straightforward and articulate woman.” Another, a campaign flyer, read, “A woman’s place is in the House of Representatives.” Dee knew Charlotte since 1974, her first run at Congress. Dee was a student at Indiana State University at the time, president of the school’s College Democrats. Charlotte lost that Democratic primary but won it four years later, becoming the party’s candidate for the 7th District in 1978. It was then that Dee worked on her campaign, making phone calls alongside 10-15 other students. Charlotte endured sexist remarks — the “PhD housewife,” people’d call her — and ultimately lost the general election. But in Charlotte, Dee found inspiration. “I just remember thinking that — if this lady can do that, so could I,” Dee said. Around 20 years later, Regina Moore, another friend of Charlotte’s, became Bloomington’s city clerk. After she won re-election in 2003, she realized there wouldn’t be a single woman on the city council — for the first time since Charlotte had won her race. Regina and Susan Sandberg, who’d lost a council bid that year, began reaching out to progressive Democratic women to do something. Dee, now in Bloomington, was one of them. Charlotte was a given. Regina, Susan and others formed the Democratic Women’s Caucus, a

It was a different October day at Charlotte’s apartment. She’d been out at doctors’ offices. She was tired, deciding to skip an evening dinner event. But there was something she wouldn’t skip. One of Charlotte’s caregivers helped her from the living room into the bedroom. Campaign posters for John F. Kennedy leaned against the wall. She sat on a cushion in a chair in front of a computer, adjusting the height of the chair and desk until she could best see the screen: a video meeting to plan a panel opposing the new jail. She was tired, but she spoke her mind. She was against having breakout sessions at the event. She wanted the audience to leave with a better understanding of what’s wrong with the jail project. She’d handle reaching out to the media, she said, as well as the Democratic Women’s Caucus. She raised her hand when she had something to say. People listened when she talked. They listened when she came by her old store, current Goods for Cooks coowner Sam Eibling said. Around three years ago, Charlotte came into the store looking for a five-holed zester for lemons from a specific vendor. The store wasn’t carrying it, so she requested they order it. They did. “You order what Charlotte tells you to order,” Sam said. She maintained the same respect in her old stomping grounds of local government, often acting as a sounding board or resource. Steve Volan was a city councilmember when Charlotte invited him to lunch around 15 years ago. That began their friendship. She’d “summon” him to hear about the issues of the day. He’d seek her advice on another. They’d go out for dinner at Samira Restaurant or Sushi Bar. He edited her second book. He said he was just one of many who considered her a friend or at least respected her — “and that includes no small number of Republicans.” She was like the Herman B Wells of the city, Steve said. That community is what Charlotte loved so much about Bloomington, Rebecca said. After Paul’s death, she tried to get her mother to move closer to her. Charlotte wouldn’t leave. “I used to tease her and call her the ‘queen of Bloomington,’” Rebecca said. It was openness — from speaking to anti-Catholic voters to earning respect across the aisle — that Char-

SEE ZIETLOW, PAGE 4

Indiana Daily Student

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Dec. 18, 2025 idsnews.com

Editors Molly Gregory, Chloe Oden, Natalia Nelson news@idsnews.com

IU Turning Point membership surges Zoe Reed

reedzoe@iu.edu

Since Turning Point USA’s founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated Sept. 10, membership rates at Indiana University Bloomington’s chapter have increased from an estimated 180 students to 363, according to Interim Chapter President Jack Henning. Henning, a senior at IU, noticed the change in membership at a meeting Sept. 10, which took place the evening Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University on the first stop of “The American Comeback Tour.” “That night we had more members than I’ve ever seen at Turning Point meetings,” Henning said. “We had a lot more people that were interested in getting involved.” TPUSA, a nonprofit organization known for its conservative politics, was founded by Kirk in 2012. Since then, it has reached over 3,500 high schools and college campuses across the United States, according to the organization. The IU TPUSA chapter holds events including guest speakers, meet and greets with conservative figures and debates. It also offers in-

“You have a place here, you’ll always have a place here. We don’t discriminate against any viewpoints at all, we debate them. That’s what American democracy was built upon.” Jack Henning, Interim Chapter President of IU TPUSA

ternship opportunities. The group “aims to educate and empower conservative students to promote freedom, civil liberties, and conservatism” on campus, according to its beINvolved page. IU’s TPUSA chapter organized a vigil for Kirk on Sept. 14. Kirk had planned to visit IU on Oct. 21 as part of his tour. Conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson spoke in his place. Stella Ross, a senior and chapter member who volunteered at the event, said she appreciated that Carlson preserved Kirk’s vision. “It was really cool being able to both volunteer and get to meet Tucker,” Ross said. “It was really nice for him to keep the original format of how Charlie started Turning Point in the first place, having open dialogue with students.” Ross said Kirk’s assassination changed more than membership rates for TPUSA.

“I think that our club has kind of become a beacon for conservatives,” Ross said. “So, after his death, more people showed up, more people got involved, and it was really nice to kind of see a scene in the way people wanted to get involved.” The surge in membership at IU mirrors a national trend following Kirk’s assassination. According to TPUSA’s website, the organization received inquiries from more than 120,000 students hoping to launch new high school and college chapters in the weeks after Kirk’s death. Luke Snyder, a sophomore and chapter member, said the surge reveals something unexpected about IU’s political landscape. “I think IU is a lot more conservative than people realize,” Snyder said. “Indiana is obviously a very conservative state, so I wouldn’t doubt that that pours over into campus. I think we’re typically a little quieter with our

EMERSON ELLEDGE | IDS

A Turning Point USA volunteer holds the microphone as an audience member asks Tucker Carlson a question Oct. 21, 2025, inside the IU Auditorium. TPUSA at IU Bloomington membership increased by about 100% this year.

beliefs in the sense that we don’t advertise as well.” Kirk’s assassination also strengthened Snyder’s personal faith, he said. Snyder now attends church every Sunday and participates in Bible study at St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington. “I’m much more faithful, for sure,” Snyder said. “I mean I grew up Catholic.

But after that, I mean, I go to church every Sunday.” Following Kirk’s death, his wife Erika Kirk was appointed TPUSA’s CEO and board chair. In her first public remarks following the assassination, she vowed to continue his campus tours, podcast and radio shows. As TPUSA at IU grows, Henning said the chapter

hopes to position itself as a space for open discussion rather than division for all students. “You have a place here, you’ll always have a place here,” Henning said. “We don’t discriminate against any viewpoints at all, we debate them. That’s what American democracy was built upon.”

Bloomington program helps building owners, residents save on energy costs By Ella Curlin elcurlin@iu.edu

A city program launched Dec. 10 offers homeowners and building owners free guidance on how to implement clean energy solutions. Bloomington Energy Works funds energy usage audits and outreach efforts as part of a national program to build the market for clean energy projects like solar systems or electric vehicles that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Shawn Miya, assistant director of sustainability at Bloomington’s Economic and Sustainable Development Department, said the program will help the community save on energy bills while pushing Bloomington toward its Climate Action Plan goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 2018 emission levels by 2030. For the first stage of the program, Bloomington Energy Works hired energy development company Donovan Energy, which provides consulting services for businesses interested in reducing their carbon output and energy bills. Developers and large building owners who apply and are selected can receive free technical assistance, which could include an analysis on 12 months of energy usage data or an on-site visit to determine the best path to improving the building’s energy usage. Donovan Energy could also provide recommendations for specific clean energy projects or a financial analysis of potential solutions, including information on possible cost-saving measures like tax credits or incentives. The possible solutions

include measures like solar energy systems, optimized temperature controls, LED lighting and electric vehicle charging stations. To inform homeowners and residents on clean energy solutions, Bloomington Energy Works hired local green energy nonprofit Electrify Indiana to spearhead community involvement and outreach. Electrify Indiana is seeking adults and high schoolers to serve as “Energy Navigators,” who will give educational presentations or go door to door informing residents on solutions for energy efficiency and financial incentives or cost-saving measures for implementing the solutions. It is also looking for homeowners who have implemented electric energy solutions like induction stoves, heat pumps or solar panels to host a show-andtell displaying the technology. Building owners or homeowners in or near Bloomington can learn more on the Bloomington Energy Works website, or watch its launch webinar for detailed information. The City of Bloomington launched the program in partnership with the Indiana Energy Independence Fund, a nonprofit “green bank,” or financial institution that facilitates investment in green energy projects. IEIF paid for the project with a $250,000 Municipal Investment Fund grant, a funding opportunity designed by the Coalition for Green Capital, a national nonprofit green bank. ICLEI USA, a national chapter of a global network for sustainable urban development, awarded the funding to the IEIF with the intention of using it for Bloomington’s

Housing for EVERY lifestyle

ELLA CURLIN | IDS

Volunteers install solar panels on homeowner Amy Fender’s roof Oct. 4, 2025, in the Trail View neighborhood in Bloomington. Bloomington Energy Works launched free energy audits and guidance on clean energy solutions Dec. 10.

program. Through the MIF program, about 49 local and tribal governments and nonprofits have received $250,000 each to help create a list of potential public-private partnership plans. By April 15, Miya said Bloomington Energy Works plans to create and submit a public-private partnership plan for the second phase of the MIF program, which will select 10 of the original grantees for an additional $2 million in funding to further develop the project plans. The Coalition for Green Capital is partly funded with money from the National Clean Investment Fund, a program of the Inflation Reduction Act. Earlier this year, the Trump administration froze billions of dollars of that funding. In response, CGC filed a lawsuit against Citibank, the bank holding the grant money. CGC plans to build the funds for the next phase of the MIF grant through “philanthropic and private resources,” according to a statement from ICLEI USA in July. Miya said the outlook of what money Bloomington and other cities would get is uncertain.

“Everything is potential at this point,” Miya said. IEIF Executive Director Alex Crowley said Bloomington Energy Works plans to do its best with its current funding. “This is a great beginning, or down payment grant. We will optimize that, and then let’s set ourselves up to compete for whatever’s available,” Crowley said. If the next phase of the grant is able to be funded, Crowley said Bloomington Energy Works could be positioned to stand out against other applications. Indiana lacks tools like Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, a system for financing clean energy projects available in other parts of the country, and many Indiana counties ban solar energy installations. Monroe County allows rooftop and groundmounted solar installations that meet permitting and zoning requirements. Crowley said Bloomington Energy Works could help demonstrate green energy’s viability even in challenging regulatory environments. “If Indiana can do it, the Midwest can do it, and if the Midwest can do it, then the country can do it,” Crowley said.

MOLLY GREGORY | IDS

A sign welcomes parkgoers to RCA Community Park’s playground Nov. 15, 2024, in Bloomington. Monroe County said it will not clear the homeless encampment north of RCA Community Park for the time being.

Monroe County delays clearing of Thomson property By Grace Fridy gfridy@iu.edu

Monroe County government will not clear the homeless encampment located north of RCA Community Park for the time being, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners initially planned to clear the encampment Dec. 8, but after community backlash at a Dec. 4 board meeting, the eviction deadline was extended to Dec. 15. In a press release announcing the previous Dec. 15 deadline, the board said that “the concerned citizens group will actively work with the occupants of Thomson to secure housing” with the help of different community organizations. “There’s nothing planned in the near future that I’m aware of that would require our systems,” Lieutenant Colonel Randy Jacobs with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said. The encampment is located on what is known as the Thomson property on

South Rogers Street. It is designated as county property, giving the board control over the eviction. “There’s not been any official notice to us about a specific date, but I can say from watching some of the recent meetings that the commissioners had, I got the impression that they’re going to deal with it when the weather’s nicer, so in the springtime,” Jacobs said. County residents at the board meeting earlier this month urged the board to use Monroe County Code 257, which says that camping on county property is unlawful unless permission from the board is obtained, to postpone the evictions. The county commissioners did not ultimately use the code to grant anyone permission to camp. This decision comes after the City of Bloomington cleared an encampment in Brown Woods Dec. 8 following a one-month eviction notice. City officials attributed the eviction to safety issues, including first responder accessibility in case of fire.

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Dec. 18, 2025 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

Students compete in Fernando Mendoza lookalike contest By Natalia Nelson

nelsonnb@iu.edu | @natalianelsonn

Snow spiraled around the Showalter Fountain at noon Dec. 13, dusting the brunette hair of three men who stood in front of a crowd of about 30. Just one week after Indiana University redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza led the Hoosiers to a Big Ten Championship win, three IU students competed to see who looked the most like him. The competition was organized by IU Student Television’s show, “Not Too Late,” which hung posters on campus inviting people to sign up for the contest. “Find your future husband,” one sign read. “You + Fernando Mendoza lookalike contest”. Despite steady snowfall and 26-degree weather, an audience bundled in coats, scarves and hats gathered around the Fine Arts Plaza to see who would win a $30 BuffaLouie’s gift card, almost enough to buy two Mendoza Bros. Burgers from the restaurant. While 16 people signed up to compete, according to Delia Bratton, a “Not Too Late” writer, producer and director, only three contestants braved the cold and showed up. The students manning two or three cameras unfurled umbrellas over them, trying to keep the snow off. Bratton said “Not Too Late” contacted Fernando Mendoza’s team and messaged redshirt freshman quarterback Alberto Mendoza on Instagram but didn’t hear back. She didn’t expect them to show up, since Fernando is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy — an award that honors the top college football player. The Heisman Trophy Ceremony took place the same night in New York City. “Not Too Late” host and producer John Carter Krell got the idea after hosting two other competitions last school year, including a chicken-finger-eating contest and a pizza-eating contest. “It was sort of the first time that we got our series out there and in the public eye,” Krell said. “And I wanted to do something similar, not an eating challenge, just because I don’t know if my stomach could handle it.” After taking inspiration from a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest, they decided to host a competition more related to IU. Instead of being centered on who most resembled IU’s redshirt junior quarterback, “Not Too Late” focused the competition on three challenges — football-throwing, a race and a

Student orgs placed on cease and desist

Six out of seven organizations face hazing allegations By Maxine Cain maxcain@iu.edu

CHLOE LAVELLE | IDS

Sophomore Christian Stenger (left), senior Max Augustini (middle) and senior Rocco Jann (right) race during the Fernando Mendoza Lookalike Contest on Dec. 13, 2025, at Showalter Fountain in Bloomington. Max Augustini won the race.

mock interview. Sophomore Christian Stenger, senior Max Augustini and senior Rocco Jann lined up in front of the crowd shortly after noon, ready for the first round. Jann said his roommate, IUSTV’s entertainment director, brought him the flyer and encouraged him to sign up. “Fernando Mendoza is generally known as a pretty good thrower of the pigskin,” announcer JB Diehl narrated. Augustini and Jann were up first, but their throws didn’t go as far as Stenger’s, who managed to chuck the ball nearly the whole length of the Fine Arts Building and win the throwing part of the contest. Stenger said when his friend sent him a picture of the flyer, he knew he had to go. He said people come up to him on campus and tell him he looks like Mendoza. Next, the contestants had to run half the length of the circular road around the fountain to see if they could emulate Mendoza’s running skills. The road was powdered with snow and slush, but the men dashed around it without slipping. Augustini crossed the finish line first, with Stenger and Jann coming up behind him. Finally, the contestants had to give a 45-second pregame interview. “You’re waiting in the hallway 45 seconds before you walk out in the national championship game against Ohio State, a reporter comes up to you,” Diehl said. “She asks you, ‘What are you gonna do to win this game?’” “This is about Hoosier Nation, this is about LinkedIn,” Jann said, referencing Mendoza’s “HeisMendoza”

CHLOE LAVELLE | IDS

Attendees cheer for Max Augustini at the Fernando Mendoza Lookalike Contest on Dec. 13, 2025, at Showalter Fountain in Bloomington. The winner of the contest was decided by the amount of applause from attendees.

CHLOE LAVELLE | IDS

IU senior Max Augustini participates in a post-contest interview after the Fernando Mendoza Lookalike Contest on Dec. 13, 2025, at Showalter Fountain in Bloomington. After Augustini won the contest he had his photo taken and was interviewed.

LinkedIn account. “I’m ready to go against Buckeyes. Who’s Buckeyes? Who are they, bro?” Jann said his strategy going into the contest was to personify Mendoza’s positivity and optimism. He said he’s been told he talks in Mendoza’s speech pattern, but he knows his Achilles heel is throwing a football. Stenger gave his speech next. His strategy was to practice the speech a bit, trying to copy Mendoza’s voice. “All glory goes to God,” he said, calling back to Mendoza’s Big Ten Championship post-game interview. Augustini went the same

route, imitating some of Mendoza’s voice cracks from the Big Ten interview. “All glory to God, I’m excited to go out there, my brothers, my boys, get behind that,” he said. Laughter bubbled up from the crowd. The audience voted by cheering for their favorite Mendoza lookalike, and in the end, Augustini took home the gift card. He said five friends sent him a picture of the flyer and told him to go, and his family “bullied” him into competing. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Augustini said. “So I had to show out.” The episode can be found on the IUSTV website.

What’s going on with current campus construction?

Seven student organizations were placed on cease and desist during the Fall 2025 semester. Organizations on cease and desist cannot hold social events, recruit or host new member activities, according to university policy. The IU Office of Student Life temporarily barred all 27 Interfraternity Council fraternities from holding social activities Nov. 14 after several fraternities faced hazing allegations. However, it allowed fraternities in good standing with the university to resume activities Dec. 1. The initial blanket ban drew criticism from free speech by The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which said the prohibition unfairly affected organizations not accused of wrongdoing. The Office of Student Life defines cease and desist as an interim measure placed upon certain aspects of chapter operations when there is an immediate threat or ongoing investigation, according to its website. Palestine Solidarity Committee The Palestine Solidarity Committee was placed on cease and desist Aug. 15 for disorderly conduct, though committee members argue the reasoning for this status is unclear. Following the cease and desist, the organization made an Instagram post announcing it had cut ties with IU and changed its name to the PSC of Bloomington. The PSC helped organize the pro-Palestinian encampment in April 2024 in Dunn Meadow. The encampment lasted 100 days, and police arrested more than 50 protesters during the first three days. Alpha Epsilon Pi Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity was placed on cease and desist Oct. 24 for three hazing incidents which took place Sept. 20, Oct. 10 and Oct. 12. These incidents resulted in at least three injuries requiring medical attention.

By Grace Fridy

Editor’s Note: This story includes mention of potentially triggering situations, including hateful language and antisemitism.

LILY WELCH | IDS

The Bill Garrett Fieldhouse is seen under construction Sept. 15, 2025, in Bloomington. The fieldhouse and School of Public Health are expected to be under renovation until fall 2026.

site. The first phase included the renovations at Sycamore Hall, Morrison Hall and the Jacobs School of Music’s Music Addition. However, those renovations are all complete, according to IU Associate Vice President for Capital Planning and Projects Adam Thies. The project is now in its second of two phases, Thies wrote in an email, and will be completed in August 2026. “The second phase is on the School of Public Health,”

Thies wrote. “The Bill Garrett Fieldhouse is in the same project and same complex of renovations.” Both phases of the project are entirely state-funded, with a budget of $85.9 million, according to the capital projects website. While students prepare and study for finals before the three-week break, capital projects have worked to avoid getting in the way of community and student life. “All projects undergo efforts to minimize the dis-

ruption to our students, faculty and staff,” Thies wrote. “Undoubtably, construction does cause disruption, but our construction management team works to minimize those to the best of our abilities.” Additional work is being done outside of Beech Hall along East Seventh Street. However, Thies said in an email that this is utilities work, focusing on essential services for the building, like sewage and gas, and is not a significant capital project.

Tau Epsilon Phi Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity was placed on cease and desist Nov. 14 for hazing. The chapter agreed to a voluntary resolution with the Office of Student Conduct on Nov. 11 to address concerns related to alcohol use and risk management, with the agreement set to remain in effect through Jan. 16, 2026. Chi Phi Chi Phi fraternity was placed on cease and desist Nov. 16 for hazing less than a week after all ICF fraternities were barred from hosting social events. Beta Theta Pi Beta Theta Pi fraternity was placed on cease and desist Dec. 9 for hazing reported to IU Police Department eight days earlier. This happened two months after the fraternity’s suspension from social activities was lifted by the university. Hazing is illegal in Indiana and prohibited at IU. The university conducts its own investigations and disciplinary actions, which are handled by the Office of Student Conduct and the Office of the Dean of Students. IUPD launches criminal investigations for hazing reports and encourages anyone with information to call the department at 812-8554111 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-8477. If you or anyone you know has experienced hazing, you can report it using the anonymous IU Hazing reporting form.

Zachary Platter appeared in court Dec. 17

eaherron@iu.edu

Winter break is approaching, and students across Indiana University’s campus are preparing to travel. However, one thing that isn’t leaving school grounds is the construction. Renovations to IU’s School of Public Health and Bill Garrett Fieldhouse have been ongoing since fall 2024. These changes are designed to introduce new energyefficient electrical, plumbing and air conditioning systems, according to IU’s Capital Planning and Facilities website. This decision was made in order to combat the School of Public Health’s age of 79 and Bill Garrett Fieldhouse’s age of 97. Construction at the School of Public Health is part of a larger project, the Wells Quad and Public Health Renovation, which includes Sycamore Hall, Morrison Hall and the Jacobs School of Music’s Music Addition. This project focuses on heating and air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, fire systems and new mortar in the bricks in all of the buildings, as stated on the capital projects web-

Beta Chi Theta Beta Chi Theta fraternity was placed on cease and desist Nov. 4 for hazing, noncompliance with university directives and interference with the university conduct process.

Bloomington man cited after neoNazi protest gfridy@iu.edu

By Ethan Herron

Phi Kappa Psi Phi Kappa Psi fraternity was placed on cease and desist Oct. 25 for hazing incidents that occurred Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, resulting in two hospitalizations. Phi Kappa Psi was previously ordered to vacate its fraternity house and prohibited from holding meetings from 2015-17 following multiple hazing and drug use allegations.

On Dec. 6, Bloomington resident Zachary Platter was cited after participating in a neo-Nazi protest in Little Rock, Arkansas. The neoNazi group marched in front of the Arkansas State Capitol and Little Rock Central High School, a civil rights site. Platter, 36, is the only member of the group facing criminal offense, according to a police incident report. He drove the U-Haul box truck that transported members of the neo-Nazi group from the scene of the demonstration and was cited for allowing people to ride in space not for passengers, an unclassified misdemeanor. Bodycam footage from the stop shows police writing Platter a ticket and requesting that the men remove their masks and provide identification. During the stop, members chanted “Heil Hitler” and raised their arms in a Nazi salute.

Platter’s arraignment took place at 10 a.m. Dec. 17, during which he pleaded not guilty. Another Indiana resident was one of the group members in the truck, though he was not cited. The neo-Nazi group marched outside the capitol, then walked to the high school, where they carried a banner that said “race mixing is communism,” a phrase commonly used by Arkansas segregationists who were against the Little Rock Nine’s 1957 desegregation of the school. The neo-Nazi group, known as Blood Tribe, was founded by former U.S. Marine and Kentucky resident Christopher Pohlhaus in 2022. Pohlhaus was one of the 22 people identified in the Little Rock Police Department’s incident reports. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Blood Tribe is known for leading rallies against nonwhite immigration and for disrupting LGBTQ+ protests. The group also played an early role in promoting the claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating domestic pets. The false claim gained attention during the 2024 presidential election.

Dec. 18, 2025 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

» ZIETLOW

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 lotte said she wanted to be defined by. “I’d like to be thought of as somebody who’s fair, openminded and active and willing to go to bat for people as well as ideas,” Charlotte said. “That I’m strong and don’t shy away from controversy, but that I try to smooth it.”

ment virtually to read a statement he and Charlotte had written together opposing the jail. He asked attendees to hear it in her voice. “We two, John and Charlotte, haven’t always agreed during our combined nearly a century of activism and experience in local and state politics, but we do now,” the statement read in part. The council went on to vote unanimously against funding the jail purchase — a victory for Charlotte and her fight. Working with someone she’d butted heads with was one of Charlotte’s great strengths, Rebecca said. She didn’t know her mom had written the letter, but when she read about it in the obituaries, she loved it. Her mom had a motto: “Nothing doesn’t matter.” That’s one of the legacies Rebecca hopes Charlotte leaves behind. Every human interaction COURTESY OF MONROE COUNTY HISTORY CENTER Charlotte Zietlow speaks to a crowd. Zietlow was the first woman to join the Monroe County Board of Comissioners. matters.

… Charlotte was hospitalized after her physical condition worsened. She didn’t get to speak at the panel against the jail or attend another protest she’d planned to. Her wit stayed with her. Just over a week before she died, the council took the jail site funding to a vote during an hours-long meeting with numerous public comments. Among the speakers was former Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton. Charlotte, as she put it, did not get along with him. He took to public com-

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Indiana Daily Student

OPINION

Dec. 18, 2025 idsnews.com

Editors Eric Cannon, Jack Davis opinion@idsnews.com

JACOB’S JOURNAL

The alpha problem ( from a man’s perspective) Jacob Fry (he/him)

is a junior studying political science.

This story includes mention of suicide. If you are struggling with suicide or your mental health, you are not alone. Resources are available here:

If you’ve been on social media in the last few years, you’ve probably heard of or encountered someone who dubs themselves an “alpha male”— a man who believes they embody what it means to be a man by presenting as tough, strong and masculine. Many men might take the title because it makes them seem higher status or potentially better than others. The problem is that it’s not only false but also extremely harmful. The term “alpha male” comes from a 1970 book by biologist David Mech, in which he observed a wolf pack in captivity and found an alpha (the leader) and beta (the caregiver). The book became a bestseller and continued to be reprinted until 2022. However, there was one small snag in his findings. He was completely wrong. Years later, Mech found the pack structure was simply a family. He observed wild wolf packs in Canada and found that leadership simply came from cooperation. Mech has worked to correct his mistakes, but the media zeitgeist has restructured what it means to be “alpha.” There are reasons why men, especially young men,

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Brothers Andrew (left) and Tristan Tate (right) talk with Miss America 2025 Abbie Stockard on March 8, 2025, at UFC 313 in Las Vegas. Andrew Tate, a podcaster, has become a popular figure in the alpha male movement.

fall into the “alpha male” trap, from feeling lonely and lacking community to simply feeling lost and wanting answers on self-improvement. The issues these men face deserve attention, but the online spheres they end up in don’t help them improve. Despite science disproving this mindset, they continue to use it. The alpha male movement, or “manosphere,” has evolved over the last few years with the help o online figures promoting a regressive and strict form of masculinity. Podcasters including Andrew Tate, Brian Atlas of “Whatever” and Myron Gaines and Walter Weekes of “Fresh and Fit” preach certain worldviews where empathy leads to weakness, dominance ensures value, and women are adversaries under the mask of “selfimprovement.” These figures could seem “refreshing” or “honest” as they don’t sugarcoat their feelings towards others or themselves. They’re

confident in who they are, which is what they try to market. These podcasts use buzzwords such as “beta” or “simp” to describe men whom they perceive as inferior, things from not being able to bench a certain amount to having basic respect for women. They preach that men should practice isolation, not show emotion and trust no one, which is marketed as different than traditional loneliness. They degrade women who are what they call “low value” meaning they may be sexually active, work in certain fields, or not follow traditional gender roles. These podcasts and the “alpha” movement have manipulated and targeted young men into following their mindset. They target teenagers and young men who might feel lost and coerce them into their echo chamber, one where they feel welcome and not at fault for being rejected

or perceived a certain way. It tells these young men they are owed attention and status from women and other men through domination and aggression, not through merit and kindness. I’ve even noticed some men here at Indiana University who seem to share the same beliefs. They might not call themselves “alpha”, but the mindset they carry is reflective of what the manosphere preaches. One of the main faces of the manosphere is Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer and self-described misogynist. He’s a major face in the alpha male community who has garnered controversy from his extremely derogatory and hurtful views on women, consent and more. Separately from his platform, he and his brother were indicted and arrested for human trafficking in 2022. His views became concerning for many parents and teachers after kids began regurgitating his talking points. Despite bans from social media platforms

in 2022, his influence continued through TikTok fan clips and into the minds of young men. Rather than aiming to fix issues within our own community, such as promoting therapy, proper communication and empathy the manosphere chooses to demonize women, emotion and society instead of looking within. It claims men have a “male loneliness epidemic,” which is statistically somewhat true, but it calls the tools that could be used to fix it “weak” and “feminine.” The alpha male movement is not helping us become better; it’s making us worse. It’s reinforcing a radical version of masculinity and a fear that anything against it is seen as feminine and condemned by other men. It sells a belief that we are owed success because we’re masculine, we have money or we’re assertive. The issue is that it’s not true. Masculinity and femininity don’t even have proper

definitions. It was societally created based on what men and women were perceived to be. The alpha male movement pushes those stereotypes to the extreme, to their own detriment. The movement won’t save men. It won’t build healthy relationships. It’ll make men more isolated, separate them from people who can help them out, and make them more hateful due to a false sense of self-improvement. On average, men do struggle more with undiagnosed mental health issues, loneliness and suicidal thoughts. But finding a space that stigmatizes mental health awareness and deflects the blame onto the opposite sex instead of addressing the proper reasons only brings more harm. As a man, we need to provide better resources, better conversations about men’s mental health and root our masculinity in empathy, care and humility instead of success, status and suppression. We can do this by giving men the space to talk about their mental health without criticism. The media and IU itself could address these issues, too, by highlighting the dangers of the movement and showing why it’s bad instead of simply talking about it. The answer to stopping male loneliness isn’t by becoming an “alpha;” it’s by learning how to love yourself and find people and things that will get you there. Resources are available through IU to support men’s mental health, including TimelyCare and the IU Counseling and Psychological Services Center.

fryjf@iu.edu

LYON LENS

The ultimate gift-giving guide: No more microplastic, please! Odessa Lyon (she/her)

is a senior studying biology and English, pursuing a minor in European studies.

What’s worse than coal in your stocking on Christmas morning? More microplastics. Giving better gifts concerns more than whether the recipient prefers tartan or plaid; the right gift shouldn’t end up in the landfill or poison your loved ones. So, put down that silicone spoon and spatula set, printed with a festive AI-rendered Santa smiling up at you from the shelves of TJ Maxx. It will only shed harmful chemicals and microplastics for the rest of its non-biodegradable life. Instead, stop and think: If microplastics are already in our food, water and bodies, why would we want more items that release them gifted to us? Here’s what to know about microplastics. Because microplastics are simply plastics broken down into small particles, it’s important to define what plastics are: a group of materials called polymers, composed of repeating monomers, or a repeating chain of the molecules linked together to make one, larger molecule.

Polymers are strong and durable because of these numerous links. Think, chainmail armor! The first modern, massproduced, synthetic plastic was Bakelite, which constructed purses in 1907. As commercial production of new plastics developed, we got nylon toothbrush tufts in 1938, polyethylene tupperware in 1949 and cellulose acetate Lego blocks in 1958. By 1976, plastics became the world’s most used materials. Now, consumers buy plastic products en masse, often without a second thought. However, plastics are pervasive in more parts of life than acknowledged. They’ve been instrumental in medical advances — like artificial organs and prosthetics — due to their moldability and durability. But single-use plastics are excessive in health care and plastics unnecessarily present in homes. The fashion industry depends on these synthetic materials for its textiles, threads, buttons and zippers, padding, tags, linings, pockets, sequins and even vegan leather and faux fur.

Kitchen accessories — nonstick pans, silicone baking sheets, melamine dishware and flame-retardant utensils — are also overwhelming plastic. More than ever, we live in a Barbie world, but life in plastic isn’t as fantastic as Aqua made it seem. Plastic materials’ dominance is dangerous first for their environmental impact. Plastic pollution threatens both marine and terrestrial life and the planet, contributing to 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions — mostly due to converting fossil fuels into new products — and creating tens of millions of metric tons of plastic waste in the United States. In 2019, 86% of plastic waste in the U.S. ended up in landfills. Although recycling initiatives exist, only 5% of plastics actually get recycled. Second, the small particles plastics release directly impact human health. While microplastics can be as big as a pencil eraser at 5 millimeters, the subset of nanoplastics includes anything less than 1 micrometer and as small as 1 nanometer, which is 1/80,000 the diameter of a human hair shaft — too

small to see with the naked eye. Their size allows the particles to enter the human body through our skin, diet and air. One 2022 Environment International paper was the first to find microplastics in human blood. Researchers studied healthy adult blood samples, finding plastic particles in 17 of 22. “Half the samples contained PET plastic, which is commonly used in drinks bottles, while a third contained polystyrene, used for packaging food and other products,” Damian Carrington, environment editor for The Guardian, wrote about the study. “A quarter of the blood samples contained polyethylene, from which plastic carrier bags are made.” Since then, researchers found evidence of microplastics in human hair, bone, bone marrow, skin and other organs, bodily fluids, throat and airways and veins. While more research is required, studies have shown microplastics’ ubiquitous presence is detrimental to human and animal respiratory and cardiovascular health. Addition-

ILLUSTRATION BY ODESSA LYON

ally, we’ve seen plastic particles’ ability to absorb and then leach out toxic chemical pollutants into plants, animals, humans and Earth’s ecosystems. Yet, when you use that damaged plastic cutting board, steep that teabag or wash that polyester sweater, you’re spreading microplastics to yourself and your environment. The solution to the problem of microplastics is reducing exposure, as elimination is impossible at this point. The best way to work toward this ideal is to limit your plastics consumption. In general, the simple approach is to reduce and thus reduce waste:

less is more. But there are gifts to be given, no? This holiday season, think twice about what you’re gifting your loved ones. Pay attention to the materials; Pick up the wood cutting board instead of the plastic, loose-leaf tea instead of bagged, a festive cotton sweater, instead of synthetic. Read the care labels and if the words are gibberish, give it a quick search. But, if seeking out higher quality materials isn’t possible, avoiding plastic packaging, especially for food, is still a boon to the planet and everything that lives on it. oolyon@iu.edu

AINSLEY’S ANECDOTES

Open access research is the antidote to misinformation Ainsley Foster (she/her)

is a senior studying Elementary Education and Children’s Mental Health.

If you have ever had to cite scholarly work for a paper, you likely understand the frustration of finding the perfect article, only to discover that precious information is trapped behind a paywall. What’s even more frustrating is that you are already paying for it. This past fiscal year, $193.39 billion in federal taxpayer dollars was spent on scientific research and development. Nearly $60 billion of that, rightly, goes to universities conducting groundbreaking scientific research. It’s groundbreaking research that our current presidential administration then treats like it’s worth less than dust. It instead opts for nonpeer reviewed studies, such as the one cited in a memo released late this November by Dr. Vinay Prasad, direc-

tor of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. The purported internal review Prasad cites found that at least 10 children died “after and because of receiving” the COVID-19 vaccine. The memo, obtained by NBC News, hardly includes any information about these alleged deaths. None of the details that would allow journalists, clinicians or independent researchers to evaluate the claim are present. No age. No medical history. No chronology. No case files. No documentation. Not even the name of the vaccine manufacturer. Furthermore, The FDA’s findings have not been published in a peerreviewed journal. This is problematic for several reasons. In a digital environment already flooded with politically-motivated claims and viral distortions of scientific evidence, unclear or incomplete government statements actively fuel dis-

trust. When an administration feels so confident as to cite a sketchy review to justify a political agenda, the public needs reliable, unrestricted access to real research in order to evaluate those claims for themselves. This is precisely why open access to scholarly research is the antidote to challenge misinformation: it empowers citizens to fact-check, contextualize and challenge misleading or unsubstantiated assertions. Open access doesn’t just benefit academics. It empowers teachers, journalists, clinicians, policymakers and ordinary community members to see how evidence is generated and to evaluate claims on their own terms. But there’s a catch — in order for scientists to actually publish this research, they must submit it to a journal. In the age of the printing press, this was a very expensive process, but today, the inter-

net makes it much easier, and hypothetically, it should be cheaper to distribute scholarly work. However, this is not the case. With the current model, Journals are charging an outrageous amount of money, sometimes thousands of dollars, for access to scholarly work. Research from Brown University shows that journal prices have outpaced inflation by more than 250% over the last 30 years. But it’s not just vaccines that are being targeted by this administration. In May of this year, President Donald Trump released his final proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which includes a cut of almost $2.7 billion for the National Cancer Institute. That’s a cut of approximately 37.2% compared to the current fiscal year. According to a statement from the NCI, these cuts could “cost the United States its global competitive edge in biomedical

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s headquarters is pictured Nov. 10, 2020, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The director of the FDA’s vaccine division claimed in a November memo that an internal review found at least 10 children died because of the COVID-19 vaccine, a claim that has not been backed by a peer-reviewed journal.

research, turning back the clock on years of progress.” The fight for open access is, at its core, a fight for public empowerment. In a political climate where public trust in science is being intentionally eroded, scientific institutions are under attack and even lifesaving research is vulnerable to budget cuts, our democracy cannot survive unaffordable science. Open access strengthens our ability

to distinguish between evidence and opinion. It gives the public the tools they need to hold institutions accountable. If we want a society capable of resisting misinformation, supporting research and rebuilding public trust in scientific experts, open access isn’t optional; it’s imperative.

ainsfost@iu.edu

Indiana Daily Student

ARTS

Dec. 18, 2025 idsnews.com

Editors Lily Saylor, Ursula Stickelmaier arts@idsnews.com

COLUMN: What movies are worth waiting for in 2026 fan, Gunn’s “Superman” was a fun and exciting departure from what I have always considered to be a more needlessly gritty cinematic universe. While this upcoming “Supergirl” already seems to be a bit more intense than the 2025 film, I am excited to see what happens next, both for Kara and this new future for the DC universe.

By Ursula Stickelmaier ustickel@iu.edu | @urose_18

The year might not be over quite yet, but I am already making a mental list of all the movies I have to look forward to. With some major franchises making a comeback and a couple highly anticipated adaptations on the way, 2026 is sure to be a year of high expectations and packed theaters. Here are five movies I am looking forward to seeing in the new year. “People We Meet on Vacation” Kicking off the year on a romantic note, Netflix’s “People We Meet on Vacation” will release Jan. 9. Adapted from Emily Henry’s romance novel of the same name, the Netflix film will follow Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth), two best friends who took annual summer trips together until a falling out stopped everything short. Two years later, Poppy convinces Alex to take one more trip with her to try and salvage their friendship. What starts as a simple vacation becomes a trip down memory lane when the two travelers begin to realize there might be more to their relationship than friendship. Both Blyth and Bader have starred in book adaptations before. In 2023, Blyth stunned audiences with his portrayal of Coriolanus Snow in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” And just a year later, Bader first popped up on my radar in her funny and heartfelt role as Lady Jane Grey in Amazon’s “My Lady Jane.”

ILLUSTRATION BY EVELYN STRAUSS

As a fan of both of their work, I am eager to see how the two actors do in a more contemporary role and, even if it’s releasing in January, I am excited for the summer aesthetic the show will bring. “Scream 7” Neve Campbell will make her return as final girl Sidney Prescott in “Scream 7,” the latest installment in the “Scream” franchise set to release Feb. 27. This latest chapter of the slasher franchise will follow Sidney as she fights to protect her family from a new Ghostface killer targeting her daughter. She’ll be forced to confront her trauma head on or risk losing the nice, quiet life she’s spent years building. With familiar “Scream” stars, such as Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher, making a return to the series, “Scream 7” will hopefully revisit what made

the original movies such a classic. I like a lot of horror movies, but there are none I love quite as much as the “Scream” franchise. Not only was “Scream” the movie that introduced me to the horror genre, but it’s become the film I judge every other slasher movie against when deciding if I like it or not. Though the series has become a bit predictable after six installments, I am excited to see what new and terrifying adventures this return to its roots will bring. “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” Hide-and-seek gets even more deadly in “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” the second film in the “Ready or Not” franchise scheduled to release in theaters April 10. Picking up just moments from where the first film left off, the sequel will continue

to follow Grace (Samara Weaving) as she learns she’s now made it to the second round of the game she tried so hard in the first movie to escape. Now up against four rival families hunting her down, Grace must protect herself and her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton). I never thought children’s games could be deadly until I saw the 2019 “Ready or Not.” Though not necessarily the scariest thing I’ve ever seen, the film was a fun watch. Weaving did a great job in her role as Grace, who I was rooting for the entire time. From the looks of the trailer, Weaving is bringing that same final girl energy to this upcoming movie. “Supergirl” In July of this year, James Gunn’s “Superman” hit theaters and began a reboot of the DC cinematic

universe. Now, Superman’s famous cousin Kara ZorEl, otherwise known as Supergirl, will get her chance in the spotlight with Craig Gillespie’s upcoming film “Supergirl,” set to be released in theaters June 26. The film will follow Kara (Milly Alcock) after she teams up with Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley) to take down the notorious villain Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). While “Superman” only drew inspiration from the comics, the upcoming “Supergirl” will be a more direct adaptation of Tom King’s “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” series, which explores the darker side of the superhero and her story. The official teaser trailer for “Supergirl” was recently released and I could not be more excited. While I have always considered myself more of a Marvel movie

“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” When I wrote about Suzanne Collins’ “Sunrise on the Reaping” in December 2024, the book had been one of my most anticipated novels for the coming year. Now, almost exactly a year later, it’s not the book I am looking forward to anymore, it’s the film. Set to release Nov. 20, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” will take place 24 years before the original trilogy and follow a young Haymitch (Joseph Zada) as he competes in the 50th Hunger Games. Though fans of the series already know how Haymitch’s story will end, this upcoming film will give audience members a glimpse into his origins and what made him into the character we know now. As a longtime fan of “The Hunger Games” franchise, this movie may be one of my most anticipated films of the coming year. The trailer, which was released in November, only further confirms my confidence in the outcome of this movie. Though fans have almost a year to wait until “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” release, I know I will be counting down the minutes until I can see this film in theaters.

COLUMN: There may never be a good ‘Knives Out’ sequel By Sophie Albert soalbert@iu.edu

When I first watched “Knives Out” in 2019, I instantly fell in love with it. Its distinctive aesthetic paired with vibrant characters, social commentary and a twisty, gripping narrative made the film stand out within the whodunit genre. When I heard the film would be turned into a franchise, I was so excited because the first film provided so much potential for expanding the “Knives Out” universe. Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed with the second film, “Glass Onion,” as it seemed to lose some of the charm and singularity of the first film. However, I still hoped the writer and director, Rian Johnson, would make a much-needed comeback with the new installment, “Wake Up Dead Man,” which was released on Netflix on Dec. 12. To my great dismay, I was once again disappointed by this film and am now left thinking a good “Knives Out” sequel may be just as impossible as the murder within the movie. “Wake Up Dead Man” follows Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a priest who gets sent to work as an assistant pastor in a rural parish led by Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). After a seemingly impossible

murder, renowned investigator Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is called in to solve the crime. I’ll start with the things I liked about this film. Craig was once again phenomenal as Blanc; I loved watching him any time he was on screen. I also thought O’Connor really shone in this movie as Jud. He brought to life such a beautiful and funny character who really was the heart of this film. The movie is also visually stunning. The setting is beautiful and definitely captures some of the aesthetics of the first film better than the sequel did. There’s some beautiful scenery and I also loved the classic “murder mystery” cinematography used with dramatic zoom-ins and quick pans. The visual symbolism in the lighting and color was also done very well. There are some moments where the change in color grading and lighting is really apparent, and it does a great job of visually representing the different characters and their ideals. I also liked the themes explored within the film, especially those involving religion. The film essentially explores religion through three lenses: that of an extremist who uses religion as a means to control people, that of someone

who genuinely wants to help people through faith and that of a non-believer. These different perspectives do a good job of providing the audience with different views and facets of religion, which creates a holistic examination of the subject. I definitely thought the moments in the film in which they explored the help and harm of religion were the strongest and were the only appealing part of this film to me besides the cinematography. Now onto the things I didn’t enjoy about this film, because there’s a lot. The pacing throughout the film was so slow and left me feeling bored and uninterested for a majority of the time. I wish the film had started immediately with the murder, instead of spending nearly 30 minutes explaining the buildup to it before it actually happened, because it took a while for the plot to actually get interesting. After the murder finally happened, I spent the rest of the movie waiting to get to the meat of the investigation, but it never really did. Suddenly, near the end of the movie, Blanc explained everything that happened and the confession without much investigation work even being done. This brings me to my next point. This film really sidelined Blanc. He’s such

an integral part of this series, and while I like that they also focused on Jud, it seemed like Blanc didn’t really do anything the entire film. He just walked around places, being puzzled, not really investigating anything, but then suddenly he figured everything out. While I know Johnson likes to play with Blanc knowing more than he’s letting on in the other films, in this one it just felt too unrealistic, and I genuinely don’t understand how he figured out the crime. On that note, the explanation behind the murder plot was absolutely ridiculous. I spent the majority of this movie confused and when they finally explained what happened, I still left the movie bewildered. Again, I know a lot of the murder plots in this film franchise are convoluted, but this one was on another level. I think this movie falls into the problem of trying to throw the audience off so much by having unexplainable things happen that then when they are explained, it just doesn’t seem realistic. Additionally, I think something that always stands out to me in this franchise are the cast of characters who make up the film. That is, until this installment. While I think Jud’s char-

MOVIE STILLS DATABASE

Josh O’Connor (left) and Daniel Craig (right) act during filming of “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.” The film was released Nov. 26.

acter was strong and carried the film, all the other characters were so bland. They lacked so much personality and distinctiveness and quite frankly played such an unimportant role. Usually, the surrounding characters who become suspects all play such a vital role in the murder plot and constantly have you second guessing which one of them is guilty. But in this movie, it almost felt like they were just shoved into the film to have a bigger cast of characters, despite doing nothing for the plot. All in all, this film felt like

rage bait. This film franchise has so much potential, and I know Rian Johnson has the ability to create a story that’s just as good as the original film, and yet all these sequels end up falling flat. Johnson has stated that he has ideas for further sequels, but none have been announced yet. I think I have officially given up hope of ever getting an installment in the “Knives Out” franchise that even remotely lives up to the original, so I won’t even get my hopes up for the next one.

Constellation Stage presents ‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’ By Michael Sigal msigal@iu.edu

Constellation Stage & Screen’s production of “A Christmas Story: The Musical” at the John Waldron Arts Center opened Dec. 11. The show featured music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and was directed by Richard Roland. Adapted from the beloved film and Jean Shepherd’s book, the show is a musical retelling of the holiday spirit and familial connections that showcase what the holiday truly meant for the fictional Parker family in 1940’s Indiana. The mother, played by Constellation debut actress Cassandra Simons, served as the steady and loving center in a familial bustle.

Simons said she believes the musical format is essential to convey the depth of her character. “The songs are so wonderfully written that it just adds a whole element of storytelling,” Simons said. “It brings some really heartfelt moments to this sort of classic iconic Christmas movie.” This sincerity is present during one of Simons’ solo musical numbers, “Just Like That,” which is a quiet moment Simons wanted to land with an emotional force. A lyric emphasized in the number, “A moment comes, a moment goes, and just like that, the moment’s gone,” was meant to guide her son, Ralphie (Harvey Baggetta and Kyston Zeller), past scary thoughts to a brighter outlook. Simons said the song is

a big step in the mother’s journey toward realizing her son needs to slow down and look forward. “But really by the end of the song, I think she realizes that he needs to slow down and take a deep breath and really enjoy and savor these moments, even in the chaos, even in the mess,” Simons said. Simons, who is new to Bloomington, said the show is a “great community resource” that brings together Indiana University theatre students, Bloomington residents and longtime Constellation artists. IU musical theatre senior Lucy Ferguson played the exuberant Miss Shields — the teacher of Ralphie and the other kids in the story — in Constellation’s production. Ferguson, who

loved getting to watch the local youth ensemble grow through prior shows with the group, said playing this character is a personal reward. “It’s really exciting to get to play a principal (role),” Ferguson said. “It makes me see my growth and working with my directors from school is really rewarding to see that growth as being a senior now.” One of Ferguson’s high points is her tap-heavy “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” number, a moment that was met with audience laughter. The song included a transformation from the ordinary teacher to a dancing and glamorous teacher. “It’s from just plain, drabby, strict Miss Shields into over the top (Miss Shields), and the flapper

dress really makes the number come to life,” Ferguson said. Both Ferguson and Simons praised the intensive short-run months long-process of the show’s preparation. Simons noted the “really stellar team of technicians,” while Ferguson highlighted the resilience of the full cast, including the two casts of children, whose quick learning and “tight harmonies” presented a difficult task. The children in the production played Ralphie, his sibling Randy (Augustine Miles and Claire Lucas), his classmates as well as Scut (Leah Rodkin and Parker Parker) and Grover (Maddie Bishop and Sawyer Kimery) — the story’s central antagonists. Alongside the show, Constellation is hosting a

holiday market, decorations and a “Holiday Eye Spy” room, all adding to the Christmas festivities. Constellation is also hosting a food drive in partnership with the Community Kitchen of Monroe County and collaborating with Crumble Coffee & Bakery and Cardinal Spirits inside the arts center during the run of the show. “It’s something really special we don’t have around during the year,” Constellation Artistic Director Chad Rabinovitz said. “A Christmas Story: The Musical” runs through Jan. 4 at the Waldron Auditorium in the John Waldron Arts Center. Tickets range in cost from $25-59 depending on seat selection. More information can be found on Constellation’s website.

Dec. 18, 2025 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

COLUMN: The best movies of 2025

2025 brought many amazing movies. Here are my top five of the year By Sophie Albert

awe for the movie. While I know its chances of winning big during the upcoming awards season might be low, I’ll still be rooting for the film. I would especially love to see Ryan Coogler be recognized for his amazing directing and writing as well as the cinematographer, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, because the cinematography throughout the whole film was jaw dropping.

soalbert@iu.edu

This year has certainly been a memorable one when it comes to movies. We saw long awaited sequels like “Wicked: For Good” and “Zootopia 2.” We also saw the return of outstanding original films that took the world by storm like “Sinners” and “KPop Demon Hunters.” Throughout the year, people have come together to watch and celebrate these movies, creating global shared cinematic experiences. Here are my personal top five movies of the year. 5. “Zootopia 2” When reflecting back on movies I’ve seen this year, I realized this is one of the films I would want to rewatch the most. I’m a huge fan of the original “Zootopia” (2016), and I was nervous going into this film that it would suffer the same fate as most Disney sequels, where it ends up being so bad it then ruins the original. To my surprise, I really enjoyed this sequel. I think it managed to keep the original film’s same spark while also further building the world and adding new interesting characters. And of course, I loved all the moments Nick (Jason Bateman) and Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin) had together throughout the film, and I’m glad the filmmakers decided to make their relationship a focal point of the movie. I will say, this is the spot in my list I had to ponder over the most. I ultimately settled on “Zootopia 2” because of how enjoyable it was to watch. I wasn’t able to see every film that came out this year, so who’s to say if a more critically acclaimed film like “One Battle After Another” or “Sentimental Value” would have taken this spot instead, but as of right now, I think “Zootopia 2” feels the most right out

MOVIE STILLS DATABASE

Michael B. Jordan acts during filming of “Sinners.” The film was released April 18, 2025.

of my movie watching this year.

3. “Superman” (2025)

4. “Frankenstein” (2025) I know many people had looked forward to this film all year, but for me, I was never really too excited about it. I never read the book and assumed the darktoned, two and a half hour long film would just be long and boring. But when I sat down to watch the movie, I instantly fell in love with it. Guillermo del Toro brought this story to life so beautifully and perfectly displays to audiences the true meaning of humanity while also commenting on generational trauma and parenting. Everything from the writing to the set design to the costumes and acting was phenomenal, with Jacob Elordi somehow making me fall in love with a stitched together creature who gifts a girl a leaf.

This is another film that surprised me this year. I’ve been a Marvel fan for a while now but never really got into DC, so this film wasn’t even on my radar. When it started receiving good reviews, I decided to give it a try, thinking it would at least be better than the movies Marvel has been releasing in recent years, like “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”. Not only was it better than those films, I think it is one of my favorite superhero movies of all time. I loved all the characters, and it balanced all the aspects of superhero movies so well. There was action and epic moments, comedic moments and heartfelt moments that all worked together to make this movie soar. I also enjoyed that

the film didn’t shy away from using the superhero medium to make important social commentary, as I think this is a really important part of the superhero genre that has been left behind way too often. 2. “KPop Demon Hunters” This film instantly took the world by storm, and the moment I watched it, I knew it was for good reason. Not only are the songs all absolute bops, but the plot itself is rich and engaging with characters that feel real and vulnerable. This movie really reminded me of animated films I would watch during my childhood that all felt original and inventive, only with a more modern setting and themes. I think movies like this, and others that have been coming out recently like “The Wild Robot” and “Spider-Man:

Across the Spider-Verse,” prove animation as an art form is not dead and that they aren’t just movies for children. I love that these films are making more people appreciate animated movies, and I hope their success encourages studios to keep producing rich and inventive animated films. 1. “Sinners” When I first watched this film, I instantly knew it was a cinematic masterpiece. It has gorgeous cinematography, amazing songs and score and phenomenal acting. But I also think what makes this movie stand out is how original it is. I personally have never seen vampires used as an allegory for colonialism, and I thought it was a genius way to reinvent an often-used trope. I got the chance to see the film in IMAX 70mm film, and it further cemented my

2025 films: What’s the takeaway? While 2025 brought forth many great films, I think a big takeaway from this year is the value in original storytelling. Last year, the top 10 highest grossing films of the year were all sequels and adaptations, which displayed a concerning trend in the film industry of favoring these films over original ones due to the predictability of the market. While the 10 highest grossing movies of this year continue to be sequels and adaptations, I think this year proved that original stories can be just as successful. While “KPop Demon Hunters” only had a limited theatrical release and thus cannot compete with the highest grossing films of the year, I think this film arguably had the biggest impact globally, becoming the most streamed Netflix film of all time. Fans were also constantly engaging with the film online outside of just watching it. Before the release of the film, no one even really knew about it coming out; there was no anticipation built up to it, and yet it still managed to take the world by storm purely thanks to the brilliance of its storytelling. To me, the success of films like “KPop Demon Hunters” and “Sinners” shows original movies are indeed still needed in Hollywood and these are the films that will really stand out and stick with audiences for years to come.

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SPORTS

Dec. 18, 2025 idsnews.com

Editors Nathan Shriberg, Savannah Slone, Kasey Watkins sports@idsnews.com

FOOTBALL

QB Fernando Mendoza wins Heisman Trophy By Dalton James

jamesdm@iu.edu | @daltonmjames

Fernando Mendoza first entered the Heisman Trophy race when Indiana football thrashed then-No. 9 Illinois on Sept. 20. The redshirt junior quarterback thought it would be “cool” someday to tell his future kids he was once in the Heisman conversation. Now, Mendoza can tell them he won college football’s most prestigious award, as he was announced as the winner of the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 13. He’s the 39th quarterback to win the award and the first player from the Big Ten since Ohio State’s Troy Smith in 2006. Mendoza beat the other three finalists — Vanderbilt

University quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and the University of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love — as he earned 643 first-place votes. He became the first Hoosier to take home the Heisman after former running back Anthony Thompson finished second in 1989. Indiana notched its first 12-0 regular season and a victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game Dec. 6 during Mendoza’s first season as the Hoosiers’ signal caller. Mendoza completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards and a nationhigh 33 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He also rushed for 240 yards and six scores.

The Heisman Trophy is just the latest award Mendoza has taken home recently, as he was named the Walter Camp Player of the Year, The Associated Press Player of the Year, the Davey O’Brien Award winner and the Maxwell Award winner. Mendoza earned firstteam All-Big Ten honors last week while being named the Greise-Brees Quarterback of the Year and the GrahamGeorge Offensive Player of the Year. Now, Mendoza has etched his name in the history books. He’ll look to continue taking the program to new heights as the No. 1 Hoosiers begin their College JIMMY RUSH | IDS Football Playoff run in Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza (left) celebrates with senior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 in during the Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State on Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Pasadena, California. Indianapolis. Mendoza was awarded the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 13.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

COLUMN: Indiana can’t perform like it did in Kentucky loss and expect to win By Kasey Watkins kaslwatk@iu.edu

Indiana men’s basketball traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to take on the University of Kentucky in a renewed rivalry matchup — a contest between two blueblood programs. Historically, the Hoosiers have struggled on the road against the Wildcats, winning just three games in Lexington all time. Yet, this matchup was different. The Hoosiers were not tasked with a typical top 10 Kentucky team. They weren’t tasked with even a top 25 Kentucky team. They instead faced a struggling Wildcats squad seeking its first win over a power conference program. Indiana’s overall performance, which was plagued with poor offense, turnovers, undisciplined

defense and a lack of rebounding was not enough to take down Kentucky and resulted in a 72-60 loss on Dec. 13 inside Rupp Arena. “Yeah, I thought the turnovers; it was a combination of things,” head coach Darian DeVries said postgame. “I thought, you know, we left our feet a few times. I thought we just got on our heels a little bit and didn’t play as disciplined as we needed to.” All season long, the Hoosiers’ identity has been selfless play and sharing the ball. Yet against the Wildcats, Indiana recorded a season-low eight assists. The Hoosiers were not sharing the ball, and as a result, they were not generating good offense. Indiana scored a seasonlow 60 points and made just 15 field goals on the night. The Cream and Crimson

have been dangerous from the 3-point line all season long but were only able to sink four shots from beyond the arc — another season low. While some of this can be credited to the Wildcats’ defense, Indiana did not make good shot selections, and the lack of ball movement could be just as much of a reason to blame. Some nights, the offense will have its struggles, and the shots won’t fall. Yet against Kentucky, the offensive struggles were not the only thing plaguing the Hoosiers. The Hoosiers played undisciplined defense which resulted in careless fouls and 14 offensive rebounds for the Wildcats. Fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson, who Indiana has relied on all season long, was sidelined for nearly nine minutes of the second half after committing

his fourth foul of the game with 17:58 remaining. With Wilkerson out, Indiana allowed Kentucky to go on a 17-9 run and take its first lead of the second half. Despite Wilkerson being subbed back in with nine minutes remaining, Indiana was unable to get a stop on the defensive end and allowed the Wildcats to extend their lead to 11 points with five minutes remaining. During the Wildcat run, Indiana wasn’t getting a stop on defense and gave up costly turnovers. Throughout the game, the Hoosiers turned the ball over a seasonhigh 18 times, compared to the Wildcats’ four. While shots falling is not always in a team’s control, disciplined defense, rebounding, ball movement and taking care of the ball is. Despite the Hoosiers being in control for much

SOPHIA KAPLAN | IDS

Redshirt senior guard Tayton Conerway is helped up by teammates redshirt senior forward Tucker DeVries (left) and redshirt senior guard Conor Enright (right) on Dec. 9, 2025, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers fell to the University of Kentucky 72-60 on Dec. 13 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

of the game, that kind of performance cannot earn a win against Kentucky in Rupp Arena. That kind of performance can’t win them a lot of games against a lot of opponents. Indiana will need to clean

up its game before getting into the heat of conference play. The Hoosiers will host two more non-conference tune up games before facing Washington on Jan. 4 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.

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Dec. 18, 2025 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

VOLLEYBALL

Indiana’s experience gap leads to semifinal loss to Texas By Savannah Slone

srslone@iu.edu | @savrivers06

The NCAA Tournament regional semifinal is the farthest Indiana volleyball has advanced in program history. It’s a stark difference to the University of Texas at Austin, which the Hoosiers played on Dec. 12 at Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Texas, in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals. Ahead of the Dec. 12 match, Texas had 35 regional semifinal appearances compared to Indiana’s one, which came in 2010. Texas has one of the most prestigious volleyball programs in the nation. Along with its 35 regional semifinal appearances, it’s also had 29 regional championship appearances, 15 tournament semifinal appearances and four national championships before its contest against Indiana. The Longhorns never dropped below No. 4 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s poll throughout the season and

earned one of the four No. 1 seeds in the tournament. The discrepancy in the program’s experience was clear in the Hoosiers’ 3-0 loss to the Longhorns on Dec. 12. Indiana struggled to generate offensive power, which has typically been its strong suit throughout the season, against a relentless Texas’ block. “I think experience is something you get right after you needed it. Does that make sense?” Indiana head coach Steve Aird said after the match. “So, at times we’ve got four and five or six freshmen out there. I thought they all played well. I thought they all competed.” The Hoosiers’ young roster was another element where Indiana had a disadvantage against the Longhorns. Against Texas, six total freshmen saw time on the court for Indiana, compared to the two who saw time on the floor for the Longhorns. And even for the Hoosiers veterans, the NCAA Tournament is a new place

for them, as this season marked Indiana’s first appearance since 2010. While the coaching staff has experience to lean on from other jobs or playing careers, the environment and excitement of tournament matches is new for the players. “I think with the top teams that are used to playing deep in the tournament, they’re a little bit more at ease with the environment and the event,” Aird said. The quality of the Hoosiers’ opponents, Aird said, gave the team confidence heading into the match. The Hoosiers went 14-6 in the Big Ten this season, which saw nine teams make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. However, even Aird admitted that his team hasn’t had the best showing in those road conference environments, citing the youth and inexperience of the Hoosiers. Despite the differences in experience, Indiana still came into the match confident it could knock off

Texas in the Longhorns’ home gym. In a press conference before the match, Aird, freshmen outside hitter Jaidyn Jager and middle blocker Victoria Gray exuded a belief that their squad was qualified enough to beat Texas. They packed their bags for a weekend of matches they expected to win. They trusted their game plan. It was a confidence the entire staff and players felt ahead of the match, but it didn’t translate against one of the winningest programs. “We would have had to been really spectacular, and they would’ve been down a peg for us to try and steal it,” Aird said. “But there wasn’t one person in the entire program that didn’t believe that we were gonna do that, and I think that’s why it hurts more.” The loss to Texas dropped Indiana to a 25-8 overall record and ended the Hoosiers’ historic season. And while Indiana’s inexperience hindered its performances at times, the returning players now all

EMERSON ELLEDGE | IDS

Senior middle blocker Madi Sell and freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager prepare for a rally against the University of Colorado Boulder on Dec. 5, 2025, at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers fell to the University of Texas at Austin on Friday in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals.

have a whole season of experience to build on. That fact combined with the Hoosiers’ “connectivity” instilled confidence in senior outside hitter

Candela Alonso-Corcelles, who played her last match for Indiana on Dec. 12, for the future. A future where Indiana can win a national championship of its own.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Kadlecova returning to Czech Republic to play professionally The sophomore guard did not play in the Hoosiers’ win over Eastern Michigan University

By Savannah Slone

srslone@iu.edu | @savrivers06

Indiana women’s basketball sophomore guard Valentyna Kadlecova will return to the Czech Republic to play professional basketball, per a statement Dec. 15 from Indiana head coach Teri Moren. The

Kadan, Czech Republic, native averaged 5.4 points off 35.7% shooting this season. “Indiana women’s basketball sophomore guard Valentyna Kadlecova informed the program she will return home to the Czech Republic to play professional basketball,”

BLISS

the statement from Moren read. “This was a decision Valentyna made with careful consideration, and we wish her the best in her next chapter.” Kadlecova’s decision was announced a day after the Hoosiers’ 74-67 win over Eastern Michigan University on Dec. 14. Kadle-

HARRY BLISS

cova, who started in 10 of Indiana’s 12 games this season, was listed as out in Dec. 14’s contest. Moren said after the game Kadlecova was out for “personal reasons.” In the two games Kadlecova did not start, freshman forward Maya Makalusky slotted into the starting

CROSSWORD

lineup for the Hoosiers. Makalusky scored 22 points against the University of Louisiana at Monroe on Dec. 11 and nine points against Eastern Michigan. The departure of Kadlecova is another blow to the Hoosiers’ depth, which has been an area of concern for Indiana to start the sea-

son. Five players, including Kadlecova, have missed at least one contest this season. The Hoosiers will now prepare for their final nonconference game of the season against Western Carolina University at 1 p.m. Dec. 21 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.

LA TIMES

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Indiana Daily Student

PHOTO

Dec. 18, 2025 idsnews.com

Editors Briana Pace, Jimmy Rush visuals@idsnews.com

Best of 2025 Best of 2025 2

3 LILY WELCH | IDS

1. Dancers perform April 24, 2025, at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington. “The Choreography Project” was the final ballet performance of the season by Jacobs School of Music students. JIMMY RUSH | IDS

2. Redshirt sophomore defensive back Anthony Chung runs out of the tunnel with teammates before the Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State on Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers became 13-0 with the win. CHLOE LAVELLE | IDS

3. Two runners of the Jill Behrman 5K Walk/Run emerge from the blue color zone Nov. 1, 2025, outside the Student Recreational Sports Center in Bloomington. While many participants wanted the color powder thrown on them, there were also color-free lanes for those who did not. JACOB SPUDICH | IDS

4. A newborn orangutan clings to his mother’s side Feb, 25. 2025, at the Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis. The orangutan was born Feb. 20 at the Indianapolis Zoo. SOPHIA KAPLAN | IDS

5. Redshirt senior guard Conor Enright finishes a layup during Indiana’s exhibition match against Baylor University on Oct. 26, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers defeated the Bears 76-74. BRIANA PACE | IDS

6. Redshirt freshman quarterback Alberto Mendoza (right) puts a Big Ten Championship hat on his brother, redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza (left), after the game Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers defeated the Buckeyes 13-10.

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Presbyterian Church (USA) Trinity Reformed Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Rose House LuMin & St. Thomas Lutheran Church 3800 E. Third St. 812-332-5252 Stlconline.org lcmiu.net Instagram: @hoosierlumin facebook.com/LCMIU facebook.com/StThomasBloomington Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. @ St. Thomas Lutheran Church 3800 E. Third St. Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. Dinner & Devotions @ Rose House LuMin 314 S. Rose Ave. Rose House LuMin and St. Thomas Lutheran Church invite you to experience life together with us. We are an inclusive Christian community who values the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people. We seek justice, serve our neighbors, and love boldly. Rev. - Adrianne Meier Rev. - Lecia Beck Rev. Amanda Ghaffarian - Campus Pastor

United Methodist St. Mark’s United Methodist Church 100 N. State Rd. 46 812-332-5788 smumc.church facebook.com/BloomingtonStMarksUMC instagram: @stmarksbloomington Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Service Mon. - Fri: Office: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. St. Mark’s United Methodist Church of Bloomington, Indiana is an inclusive community, bringing Christ-like love, healing, and hope to all. We embrace the United Methodist ideal of open hearts, open minds, and open doors by welcoming those of all races, cultures, faith traditions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Rev. John Huff - Pastor Rev. Mary Beth Morgan - Pastor

2401 S. Endwright Rd. 812-825-2684 trinityreformed.org instagram.com/trinityreformed facebook.com/trinitychurchbloom Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Sunday Bible Classes 10:30 a.m., Worship We are a Reformed Protestant church on the west side of Bloomington with lively worship on Sunday mornings, Bible classes beforehand, home groups, and a college age group called The Mix (a group of young adults who are both attending college and beyond). Jody Killingsworth - Lead Pastor Max Curell - Shepherding Pastor Stephen Baker - Discipleship Pastor Philip Moyer - Worship & Youth Pastor

Christian Science Christian Science Church 2425 E. Third St. 812-332-0536 bloomingtonchristianscience.com facebook.com/e3rdStreet Sunday: 10 - 11 a.m., Service Wednesday: 7 - 8 p.m., Testimony Meeting Mon. - Fri: Noon - 2 p.m., Reading Room

Interested in spirituality and healing? We welcome you to our church to explore how you can address issues spiritually and experience healing.

Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m. Redeemer is a gospel-centered community on mission. Our vision is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ transform everything: our lives, our church, our city, and our world. We want to be instruments of gospel change in Bloomington and beyond. Chris Jones - Lead Pastor

United Methodist Jubilee 219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396 jubileebloomington.org Facebook: First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, IN Instagram: @jubileebloomington Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Classic Worship 11:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., College & Young Adult Dinner Jubilee is a Christ-centered community open and affirming to all. We gather on Wednesdays at First United Methodist (219 E. 4th St.) for free food, honest discussion, worship, and hanging out. Small groups, service projects, social events (bonfires, game nights, book clubs, etc.), outreach retreats, and leadership opportunities all play a significant role in our rhythm of doing life together. Markus Dickinson - jubilee@fumcb.org

Unity Worldwide Unity of Bloomington A Center for Spiritual Growth 4001 S. Rogers St. text/call: 812-333-2484 unityofbloomington.org IG: @unityofbloomington facebook@UnityofBloomington Sunday Celebration: 10:30 a.m. Discover a vibrant, welcoming community at Unity of Bloomington – “a positive path for spiritual living”. Our center offers a space for spiritual growth; embracing all with open arms. We proudly affirm and welcome the LGBTQ+ community, fostering love, acceptance, and inclusion. Join our loving congregation, where everyone is valued and encouraged to explore their spiritual journey. At Unity of Bloomington, all are welcome and together we thrive! Minnassa Gabon - Spiritual Leader Phyllis Wickliff - Music Director

Dec. 18, 2025 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

9 CHLOE LAVELLE | IDS

7. An attendee reads the name written on a paper poppy during the Vigil for Gaza on Oct. 8, 2025, at the Conrad Prebys Amphitheater in Bloomington. Attendees laid the flowers at the front of the amphitheater and laid still-lit candles beside each flower. LAUREN MCKINNEY | IDS

8. Little 500 riders crash into each other during the 2025 women’s Little 500 on April 25, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. The crash took place in the fourth lap. JIMMY RUSH | IDS

9. Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza holds up an award after the Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State on Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mendoza had 222 passing yards in the game. CHLOE LAVELLE | IDS

10. A model swishes her dress at the Fashion Design B.A. Fashion Show on April 10, 2025, in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union in Bloomington. The models struck poses that reflected the theme of each collection. JIMMY RUSH | IDS

10 Check

11. An Alpha Kappa Psi racer looks back at another cyclist during the men’s Little 500 race April 26, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. This was the ninth time Alpha Kappa Psi competed in the race. KATHERINE MANERS | IDS

12. Ballerinas perform at the Jacobs School of Music Fall Ballet on Oct. 22, 2025, in the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington. The ballet featured a live orchestra.

the IDS for your directory of local religious services, or go online anytime at idsnews.com/religious For membership in the Indiana Daily Student Religious Directory, please contact ads@idsnews.com.

Society of Friends (Quaker)

Non-Denominational

Bloomington Friends Meeting

Christ Community Church

3820 E. Moores Pike bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org

503 S. High St. 812-332-0502 cccbloomington.org facebook.com/christcommunitybtown Instagram: @christcommunitybtown

Sunday (in person & by Zoom): 9:45 a.m., Hymn singing 10:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship Children’s program available We practice traditional Quaker worship, gathering in silence with occasional Spirit-led vocal ministry by fellow worshipers. We are an inclusive community with a rich variety of belief and no prescribed creed. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns. Rex Sprouse - Clerk rsprouse@iu.edu

Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour 10:30 a.m., Worship Service We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town. Bob Whitaker - Senior Pastor Adam deWeber - Worship Pastor Dan Waugh - Adult Ministry Pastor

Bahá'í Faith Bloomington Bahá'í Community and Bahá’í IU Association 424 S. College Mall Rd. 812-331-1863 bloomingtoninbahais.org facebook.com/Baháí-Community-ofBloomington-Indiana-146343332130574 Instagram: @bloomingtonbahai Sunday: 10:40 a.m., Regular Services, Devotional Meetings. Please call or contact through our website for other meetings/activities The Bahá'í Association of IU works to share the Teachings and Principles of the Founder, Bahá'u'lláh, that promote the "Oneness of Mankind" and the Peace and Harmony of the Planet through advancing the "security, prosperity, wealth and tranquility of all peoples." Karen Pollock Dan Enslow

Independent Baptist Lifeway Baptist Church 7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 lifewaybaptistchurch.org facebook.com/lifewayellettsville Sunday: 9 a.m., Bible Study Classes 10 a.m., Morning Service 5 p.m., Evening Service *Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church. Student Ministry: Meeting for Bible study throughout the month. Contact Rosh Dhanawade at bluhenrosh@gmail.com for more information. Steven VonBokern - Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade - IU Coordinator 302-561-0108 bluhenrosh@gmail.com

Great Harvest Ministry Center (GHMC Family) 1107 S. Fairview St. 812-325-2428 (GHMC) ghmcfamily.org Sunday: 10:30 a.m. GHMC Family is a small church with a big heart. We follow Jesus and not a religion. We believe God’s Word as written for real people living in a messy world. We are a family of believers — your home away from home. Casual, welcoming, and here to support each other through life’s challenges. Come grow with us! Tony Taylor - Pastor

Christian Student Fellowship 1968 N. David Baker Ave. 812-332-8972 csfindiana.org Instagram: @csfindiana office@csfindiana.org Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) exists as a Christ-centered community focused on helping students truly know Jesus Christ. Our ministry hub is located on campus at the last stop on the B bus. Reach out to schedule a tour, or join us for our 8 p.m. Thursday night worship service (Encounter)! Ben Geiger - Lead Campus Minister Stephanie Michael - Campus Minister Nick Conrad - Associate Campus Minister

United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches-USA

First United Church 2420 E. Third St. 812-332-4439 firstuc.org facebook.com/firstuc instagram.com/firstuc2420 youtube.com/@FirstUCBtown Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Worship Monday: 10 a.m. via Zoom, Bible Study We are an Open, Welcoming, and Affirming community of love and acceptance dedicated to welcoming the diversity of God’s beloved. We exist to empower, challenge, and encourage one another to live out Jesus’ ways (compassion, truth, and justice) authentically as human beings in community to create a better world. Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai Senior Minister

Nazarene Bloomington Eastview Church of the Nazarene 4545 E. Lampkins Ridge Rd. 812-332-4041 eastviewnazarene.org Facebook - Eastview Church of the Nazarene Sunday: 9 a.m.: Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m.: Sunday School 10:30 a.m.: Worship Service 3 p.m.: Cedar Creek Worship Wednesday: 10 a.m.: Bible Study Join us at Bloomington Eastview Church of the Nazarene, where faith meets community! Connect with fellow students through engaging worship, meaningful discussions, and service opportunities. Discover a supportive space to grow spiritually and make lasting friendships. Everyone is welcome - come as you are and be a part of our vibrant family! Rev. Bruce D. Yates - Pastor Alicia J. Dollens - Facility Manager

Unitarian Universalist Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington 2120 N. Fee Ln. 812-332-3695 uubloomington.org facebook.com/uubloomington Sunday: 10:30 a.m. via in person or livestream

We’re a multi dynamic congregation actively working towards a more just and loving world. We draw inspiration from world religions and diverse spiritual traditions. Our vision is “Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World.” A LGBTQA+, Dementia Friendly, Welcoming Congregation to all ages and groups and a Certified Green Sanctuary. Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray

Episcopal (Anglican) Canterbury Mission 719 E. Seventh St. 812-822-1335 IUCanterbury.org facebook.com/ECMatIU Instagram: @ECMatIU Youtube: @canterburyhouseatiu9094 Sunday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Mon., Wed., Thu.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday: Noon - 8 p.m. Fri., Sat.: By Appointment Canterbury: Assertively open & affirming; unapologetically Christian, we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, equality, peace, love and striving to be the change God wants to see in our world. Ed Bird - Chaplain/Priest

Baptist Emmanuel Church 1503 W. That Rd. 812-824-2768 Emmanuelbloom.com Instagram & Facebook: @EmmanuelBloomington Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Fellowship Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship Groups: Various times Emmanuel is a multigenerational church of all types of people. Whether you are questioning faith or have followed Jesus for years, we exist to help fuel a passion for following Jesus as we gather together, grow in community, and go make disciples. John Winders - Lead Pastor

Second Baptist Church 321 N. Rogers St. 812-336-5827 sbcbloomington.org facebook.com/2ndbaptistbloomington youtube.com/@secondbaptist churchbloomington Sunday: 10 a.m., Service (In house and on Facebook/YouTube) Sunday School: 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Bible Study: Available In House and on Zoom Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Thursdays, Noon Please come and worship with us. We are in training for reigning with Christ! Need a ride? Call our Church bus at 812-3271467 before 8 a.m. on Sunday Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose - Pastor David Swayze - Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. William Vance - Associate Pastor Tallie Schroeder - Secretary

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