Issue 5 | Volume 107

Single Copies Free March 3, 2026

Guest Artist Recital at GCSU

Featuring

internationally recognized violinist and GCSU instrutor

Jillian Thompson Staff Writer

A Guest Artist and Faculty Recital featuring violinist Ari Streisfeld and pianist Lev Ryabinin, a staff accompanist and piano instructor at GCSU, was held Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in Max Noah Recital Hall.

Ari Streisfeld, the guest violinist, is an internationally recognized performer who has

played in major concert halls and festivals around the world. He currently serves as a professor of violin at the University of South Carolina.

Lev Ryabinin is GCSU’s own collaborative pianist and instructor. Ryabinin has performed internationally and earned his Doctor of Music Arts from the University of Iowa.

The program explored

GCSU’s Senior

Night celebration

Bryan Cade Sports Editor

GCSU men’s and women’s basketball teams faced off against the University of North Georgia (UNG) on Wednesday, Feb. 18, commemorating both teams’ seniors before each contest.

Most of the seniors provided quotes to the GCSU Athletic Department following their senior nights, reflecting on their time on the team.

The women’s team defeated the UNG Nighthawks to open the day, winning 67-65 as senior

guard Deshona Gaither put together a 25-point performance to fuel the GCSU offense. Gaither, following the contest, explained not only how GCSU athletics helped her during her time on the team, but also how it will prepare her for what comes afterwards.

“Balancing academics and collegiate basketball taught me leadership, perseverance, and the value of hard work,” Gaither said.

See SENIOR NIGHT | Page 6

the stylistic range of European violin music from the early 20th century through the post-war period, highlighting works rooted in Jewish spiritual tradition, modernist experimentation and Romantic expressiveness.

The recital opened with music from Baal Shem by Ernest Bloch, a Swiss-American composer, including “Vidui,” “Nigun” and “Simchas

Torah.” Streisfeld explained that the final movement draws inspiration from Jewish celebration, particularly the holiday marking the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle.

“It’s a moment of great joy and love for the text,” Streisfeld said. “That movement really captures that passion and excitement.”

Daughter of Civil Rights leader visits Albany Civil Rights Institute

Kate Walker A&L Editor

As part of the city of Albany, Georgia’s 2026 Black History Month theme, “Past, Present & Purpose,” Reena Evers-Everette visited the Albany Civil Rights Institute on Wednesday, Feb. 18, to speak about civil rights legacy, leadership and historical preservation.

Evers-Everette is the daughter of Medgar Evers, the Mississippi

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) field secretary who was assassinated in 1963 for his efforts to end segregation and expand voting rights. Today, Evers-Everette serves as executive director of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, where she promotes civic engagement, education and social justice.

During her remarks, Evers-Everette shared personal memories of her parents’ activism

and urged continued efforts to preserve civil rights history. In coverage of the event, the Albany Herald reported that she emphasized the responsibility of places like the Albany Civil Rights Institute to safeguard historical truth.

“We have to make sure that in this building we collect all of our history, we collect the truth of our history so that the [young] generation I just spoke about will be aware,”

Evers-Everette said.

Evers-Everette also emphasized the personal value of preserving her parents’ legacy.

“Our roots are critical,” Evers-Everette said.

“In the world, my parents are frozen…documentaries, some sound bites, speeches…but to me it’s the [story] of their love. It’s the knowledge, it’s the security knowing they will always be with me, no matter where I go.”

See ALBANY | Page 3

“The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson Musical” preview

Sydney Williams Asst. A&L Editor

With opening night just days away, students at GCSU are entering their final stretch of rehearsals for “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,” a stage adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel.

The cast returned to campus a week before the spring semester began to start rehearsals. Since then, they have practiced almost daily, balancing coursework with choreography, vocal rehearsals and technical run-throughs. The schedule demands consistency and discipline, especially for a musical that shifts rapidly between settings and emotional moments.

Gabriel Pergham, a sopho-

Directed by Amy Pinney, the production runs March 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and March 7 and 8 at 3 p.m. in Russell Auditorium. While audiences will see two hours of music and mythology on stage, the work behind the scenes has been underway since early January.

more mass communications major who plays Luke, said stepping into the story requires reconnecting with a younger perspective.

“To step into the world of Percy Jackson is to step into the world of a middle schooler or something like that,” Pergham said. “For Luke’s case, he’s a big brother to a middle schooler for the entire time he’s there. I’m also an older brother myself, so reflecting that and giving the best performance possible takes a good bit of commitment.”

See LIGHTNING | Page 10

03.03.2026

ALBANY

Continued from page 1

Evers-Everette connected the preservation of Black history to present-day challenges, noting the importance of protecting it for future generations.

“This is the 100th year of the celebration of Black history,” Evers-Everette said. “Black history is all of our history. Over the years, I’ve talked about how important it is not to be racist. We are now again in the fight of (the) erasure of Black history.”

The event was hosted at the Albany Civil Rights Institute, a museum and research center dedicated to commemorating the 1960s civil rights movement in southwest Georgia. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, the institute includes the Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church, the site of the first mass meeting of the Albany Movement.

The movement later drew support from

the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Congress of Racial Equality and the NAACP in a sustained effort to end segregation in Albany.

Part of the institute’s mission is to collect oral histories from participants in the Albany Movement and partner with the school system in Dougherty County and Albany State University to create educational resources using the museum’s database of memorabilia, photographs, documents and recordings.

According to the institute’s website, “[The Albany Civil Rights Institute] brilliantly captures the stories of ordinary people who became effective change agents in their community.”

At the event, Albany mayor Bo Dorough presented Evers-Everette with a key to the city,

VOLUME 107 | NO. 5

Editorial Board

Mary Ciucevich..............

Editor in Chief

Amelia McEwen.............

Julia Jensen......................

Jane Carr............................

Annalie Parker.................

Bryan Cade.......................

Joseph Palmese..............

Kate Walker...............

Sydney Williams.............

Isabella McComis..........

Reaghan Shehee............

Rebecca Ocampo..........

Haley Quimby..................

Mikkel Christensen.......

recognizing her contributions and her family’s enduring legacy.

On GCSU’s campus, Dasia Brown, a junior English creative writing and philosophy aesthetics double major and president of the Black Student Alliance (BSA), said the organization continues to promote that legacy through programming and advocacy.

is recognized as a unique call to action, specifically inciting activist movement within the student body,” Brown said. “The

BSA continues this legacy by maintaining a discernible mission to keep Black history and culture alive and prevalently represented in a predominantly white campus and atmosphere.”

“Medgar Evers’ legacy

Managing Editor

Art Director News Editor

Asst. News Editor

Sports Editor

Asst. Sports Editor

Arts & Life Editor

Asst. Arts & Life Editor

Digital Media Editor

Digital Media Editor

PR Manager

Ad Sales Manager

Faculty Adviser

Brown said the organization works to keep

civil rights history visible by hosting activities and events, inviting speakers, organizing field trips and creating a safe haven for students of color and their allies.

“Beyond fun membership activities, the BSA ensures that the legacy placed during the civil rights movement is shared openly and positively across campus,” Brown said.

Even for students who were unable to attend the event, Brown said visits from the descendants of civil rights leaders can serve as a reminder to continue the efforts for justice that those leaders began.

According to Brown, Evers-Everette’s visit serves “as a reminder that past struggles connect to our present purpose, in which the work is not done, injustice still exists today. For students who did not attend this event, you can still examine the history she comes from and inspire students to carry on that torch when these moments reveal themselves.”

To learn more about local civil rights history, visit the Albany Civil Rights Institute’s website at downtown.albanyga. gov/Attractions/Albany-Civil-Rights-Institute or connect with BSA on Instagram at @gc_bsa.

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Georgia Attorney General investigates Roblox

Jane Carr News Editor

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has opened a formal investigation into the popular online gaming and chat platform Roblox, citing repeated reports that predators are using the service to exploit children, according to a press release from his office.

Carr’s announcement on Tuesday, Feb. 17, said the probe will examine whether Roblox is violating Georgia’s consumer protection laws by exposing minors to abuse, trafficking and sexual exploitation. It marks one of the most forceful state actions yet against the gaming platform, which is widely used by children and teenagers.

The attorney general’s office said it has issued a civil investigative demand seeking internal records and communications on age verification procedures, the effectiveness of parental controls, chat moderation capabilities and reports of harm involving Georgia users. The move aims

to determine whether the company has taken adequate steps to safeguard its youngest users.

“Predators are using online platforms like Roblox to go after our children, and we’re fighting back,” Carr said in the release. “As a father and Attorney General, keeping kids safe will always be my top priority, and any company that exposes them to harm will be held accountable.”

The investigation follows several troubling incidents that state officials said originated on the platform. According to the press release, earlier this year, the Georgia State Patrol located two missing Florida girls who had been communicating with a 19-yearold stranger they met on Roblox. The suspect is now facing kidnapping and related charges. In a separate 2023 incident, an adult posing as a child allegedly coaxed a 12-year-old boy into sending explicit photos.

In addition to the investigation, Carr’s office highlighted other recent actions targeting online

threats to children. This includes the conviction of a Hart County man who trafficked a 16-yearold after contacting her on social media.

Concerns about Roblox’s safety have resonated with GCSU students who say children frequently encounter inappropriate con-

explicit photos, or even money,” Brown said.

She added that while some older players enjoy the game, “this is an app that should be a safe space for the majority of users, those of whom are children falling between 7 and 14.”

Grayson Riggott, a senior middle grades edu-

tent and solicitations when using the app.

Emma Brown, a sophomore criminal justice major, said her sister regularly plays Roblox and has experienced unwelcome interactions.

“My sister is 10 and is in the 5th grade, and I have seen people who have friended her on the game reach over private chat to ask for more personal information,

cation major and student teacher, said some of her fifth-grade students have expressed unease about their experiences with the platform’s communication tools.

“Whether it is in the form of inappropriate language or explicit messages, my students have voiced their concerns on the increasing issue,” Riggott said. Carr’s investigation

also relates to a broader legislative effort in Washington to bolster protections for children online. He has joined a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general urging Congress to pass the Kids’ Online Safety Act, a Senate-backed bill designed to require online services used by minors to adopt stronger safety measures.

The bill, known as KOSA, would compel platforms that are likely to be used by individuals under age 17 to implement safeguards to prevent harm, such as harassment, exploitation and exposure to harmful content. It would require companies to provide robust default privacy settings for children, tools for parents to monitor and control minor accounts and mechanisms for reporting harmful interactions. Platforms also must exercise reasonable care in the design of features that could increase minors’ online activity and offer transparency about how they address risks.

Riggott said she

supports the federal bill, noting that stronger standards could help platforms like Roblox become safer.

“This act not only protects children from receiving any explicit messages or comments, but it also keeps Roblox accountable for what they need to do to change their program,” Riggott said.

Roblox, which markets itself as a safe environment for children to create, play and socialize, has faced criticism from parents and child safety advocates who say the company’s existing tools and moderation efforts are insufficient.

Although the platform employs automated filters and human reviewers, incidents of abuse and grooming have persisted, raising questions about the efficacy of its protections.

Carr’s office said the inquiry is ongoing and could lead to further actions if the evidence shows the company has neglected to protect young users.

18-year-old Georgian charges U.S. Capitol building

Lily Mahaffey Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, 18-year-old Georgia resident Carter Camacho was arrested in Washington, D.C., after authorities say he tried to charge at the Capitol building’s Lower West Terrace with a loaded shotgun.

According to the Department of Justice, Camacho was charged with unlawful possession of a gun on Capitol grounds. His next court date is set for March 2. As the investigation continues, questions remain about what may have influenced Camacho’s actions and how similar situations can be prevented in the future.

He arrived in a white Mercedes SUV, jumped out and ran toward the building. He was wearing a tactical vest and had a loaded shotgun in his possession. While being handcuffed, he stated he was there to talk to the members of Congress.

Officers were on standby and defused the situation quickly. No injuries were reported, and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Many GCSU students have recognized an increase in political violence in recent years. Camacho’s arrest has added to that growing discussion.

Rory McIllis, a senior political science major, shares her observations regarding this topic.

“Since the Jan. 6 insurrection, some individuals may view political violence as less shocking than it once was,” McIllis said. “Respectful debate is rarely modeled in today’s media environment.”

When respectful political discussion is replaced with aggressive actions, it can contribute to heightened tensions surrounding national issues. It can also deepen division

between communities and increase distrust between people with opposing viewpoints.

Incidents like this raise security concerns around the U.S. Capitol. Even though no one was harmed during the charge, approaching a government building while armed is an example of expressions regarding ongoing tensions tied to political spaces.

“I don’t know what his motivation or goal was, but I do trust our law enforcement,” said Isabelle Gonzalez, a senior political science major.

With the suspect being only 18 years old, conversation has been sparked on campus re-

garding maturity and accountability, highlighting how young adults have recently been engaging in politically motivated actions while still developing judgment and mental control.

“18 is such a pivotal age with a lot of societal pressure, so it makes sense why he would feel strongly enough to act out in a manner that’s more emotionally charged than logical,” Gonzalez said.

Camacho getting involved in an act tied to political violence at 18 demonstrates the rising abundance of incidents of early political beliefs and social pressure intersecting with account-

ability under law..Gentry Lee, a junior political science major, believes that change and compromise are the path to reducing political polarization and violence.

“I think we need to be able to hear each other’s opinions in a healthier way to diffuse heated interactions,” Lee said.

As of right now, an investigation is underway to determine the motive behind Camacho’s actions. Regardless, GCSU students agree that there is a better way to go about expressing concerns and feelings.

“Disagreement can often lead to achievement if both sides work together peacefully and don’t feel

pitted against each other,” Lee said. “I think the way we communicate and interact needs to change because incidents like this, or worse, will keep happening.”

As the younger generation becomes more active in politics, how they choose to react and communicate may be the shifting factor in the way political engagement will proceed moving forward. Community leaders’ responses to moments like this can influence broader political violence. It encourages reflections on everyday interactions, public actions and civic responsibility that contribute to the tone of political conversation.

SGA elects new members

Maggie Scarbrough Staff Writer

GCSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) held its elections from Feb. 18 to 20, announcing its new officers on Feb. 21 at the Homecoming Men’s and Women’s basketball games at Centennial Center Complex.

The 2026-2027 executive board includes President Sam Samiya, Vice President Samuel Kleppinger, Secretary Mary Ward and Treasurer Blair Bodell.

Serena Semere, a senior criminal justice major, served as the SGA President for the 2025-26 academic year. She believes SGA has a significant impact on student life and engagement.

“On one hand, I think that we have created a lot of change for students,” Semere said. “On the other hand, there are still lots of opportunities for us to continue to improve the everyday life of a student on campus.”

Semere believes her role as President helped her facilitate the connections to prepare the next executive board for success.

“The executive board continues that legacy of listening to things where we may not know that’s an issue,” Semere said. “I hope that they continue the same relationships to participate in creating through the student government and with the alumni association.”

SGA is a university-wide organization that was founded in 1936 on GCSU’s Milledgeville Campus. Its purpose is to allow student representatives to address concerns within the student body by creating a diverse community where all students feel welcomed, heard and supported. SGA is made up of the Executive and Legislative branches, as well as a Conduct board and Cabinet.

Sam Samiya, a sophomore data science major and SGA’s next president, shared her thoughts on SGA’s significance on campus.

“I believe SGA has a strong and meaningful impact on the student body,” Samiya said. “Much of this work happens quietly, but its effects shape the everyday student experience in ways that matter.”

Samiya believes that through various committees

and outreach, SGA can be an accessible and student-driven organization. She hopes that student engagement will contribute to SGA’s personal and professional development.

“As I step into the presidency next year, my focus is on strengthening trust, amplifying impact and ensuring that student leadership continues to evolve alongside the needs of our campus,” Samiya said.

Both Semere and Samiya have high expectations for the future of SGA and its presence on GCSU’s campus. Students who voted have an equally important role, as their vote determines who will fulfill these responsibilities.

Lorren Connelly, a sophomore psychology major, shared her knowledge of SGA and how she feels her vote made a difference.

“My general understanding of SGA is that they are relatively in charge of the budgets and laws of the clubs on campus,” Connelly said. “I think they are beneficial to the school, especially if you are a part of the other clubs.”

Connelly voted in the past two elections and re-

ported a positive experience.

“Overall, I would say it is very easy to find all the information to vote. You can also look up the people you want to vote for,” Connelly said.

Like Connelly, students from all majors and backgrounds come together to vote for SGA. Connelly’s vote was one of many that had an impact on the results revealed at the Homecoming game.

The event is an example of the power student voices have in clubs and organizations. By sharing their opinion, students have the opportunity to support their peers and represent their community.

Although the voting period has ended, students and faculty alike can look forward to SGA’s newest Executive team starting in the fall of 2026. The 2026 Fall elections will be held within the first 28 days of the fall semester, and candidates will be notified of the results no later than three school days after the close of the polls.

The positions fulfilled by this election will be those of the Senate, which includes all senators and the President Pro-Tempore (PPT). For more information, students can refer to the SGA Code of Elections on the GCSU website.

STEPHEN COLBERT RESPONDS TO CBS NETWORK

James Cordero Contributing Writer

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert posted an interview to its YouTube channel just recently, following newly implemented rules at the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), causing the network to later issue a statement addressing claims about the decision, and host Stephen Colbert responded on air.

Colbert interviewed Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a candidate for U.S. Senate. Because of the equal time rule, which CBS said applied in this case, the interview did not air on the broadcast.

The equal time rule requires broadcast stations to provide comparable airtime to political candidates. The rule historically has not applied to late-night or talk shows, which have operated outside its scope since the format’s rise in the 1960s. However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr recently said he was thinking about applying the rule to talk shows.

After Colbert posted the interview on YouTube on Tuesday, Feb. 17, CBS said in a statement that he “was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview” and that the network “presented options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled.”

Colbert responded the following night, saying the rule was newly applied and that his material is reviewed by attorneys.

“Every word of my script last night was approved by CBS’s lawyers, who, for the record, approve every script that goes on the air,” Colbert said.

Late-night television has seen declining viewership as audiences increasingly turn to social media for a mix of news and entertainment. According to Variety, an American trade magazine, Colbert averaged 3.17 million viewers in 2015, compared with 2.69 million currently.

“Late-night shows aren’t what they used to be,” Creel said. “Their viewership numbers are now quite low. I think your average late-night

“I think it’s highly probable that the equal time rule would not survive a legal challenge to the Supreme Court today,” said Nicholas Creel, a GCSU associate professor of business law. “It is incredibly problematic from a First Amendment perspective.”

show probably gets less than maybe a third of your more popular Fox News audience.”

The YouTube interview has garnered more than 8 million views. Some observers said the controversy surrounding the equal time rule likely amplified its reach.

“People are definitely watching [late night shows] a lot less and finding their information and entertainment through other forms of media,” said Jackson Boyle, a freshman political science major. “I don’t think the interview would have gotten the same amount of attention if not for the situation.”

Colbert has previously hosted Rep. Jasmine Crockett, though she was not an active candidate during those appearances. Colbert has said he decides which guests to feature.

“I am well aware that we can book other guests,” Colbert said. “I didn’t need to be presented with that option. I have had Jasmine Crockett on my show twice.”

Some argue Colbert should be free to host guests of his choosing and express his views.

“[Posting the interview online] is well within his rights, and he is allowed to have his opinion on his show,” Boyle said.

Colbert’s response drew at-

tention not only for addressing CBS but also for raising broader concerns about corporate influence and media censorship. By posting the interview online rather than airing it on broadcast television, Colbert sidestepped the network’s interpretation of the equal time rule. The move raises

level can shape what audiences see, and don’t see, across platforms. Students can follow updates from national outlets, review FCC policy discussions and engage in campus conversations about media literacy and First Amendment rights.

broader questions about how, and whether, such regulations should apply to modern entertainment programs.

For students at GCSU, the controversy serves as a reminder of how media policy decisions made at the national

“I’m not even mad,” Colbert said. “I really don’t want an adversarial relationship with the network.… I’m just so surprised that this giant global corporation would not stand up to these bullies.”

Student media organizations attend national conference

Mary Ciucevich and Amelia McEwen The Editors

GCSU’s own student-led television newscast and radio station, GC360 and WGUR, attended the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference in New York City from Feb. 19 to 22, winning and being nominated for multiple awards in recognition of their dedication to student media.

The IBS conference is held annually, recognizing outstanding college media outlets since 1940. Broadcasting students from schools across the country are invited to network

Andrew Brown, a senior mass communications major and executive producer of GC360.

Select GCSU students have attended this conference on and off over the past decade. This year, WGUR was recognized as finalists, placing in the top 10% of all their categories and receiving four nominations.

This student media organization was nominated for, “Best Live Music Broadcast Radio,” “Best Community Outreach Event” and “Best Production Director.” It was also nomi-

with industry leaders and share their work during the event.

“I feel like if you’re somebody in media I think it’s important to go to one of these things at least once, and to just be in the city because there’s so many cool opportunities.” said

RECITAL

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nated for “Best Live News Interview” for its interview with the founder, Frank Howell. Howell founded GCSU’s radio station 50 years ago, but graduated before seeing its first broadcast. During their interview, WGUR students

Streisfeld followed with the Sarabande from Partita No. 2 in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, using the Baroque work as a stylistic contrast to the 20th-century pieces on the program. He later performed Grażyna Bacewicz’s Sonata No. 2 for Solo Violin, a technically demanding piece that reflects modernist trends in violin writing.

“She treats the violin in very novel ways,” Streisfeld said. “It’s less about melody and more about color and texture. The last movement is very physically demanding, but once you find the flow, it becomes about creating a sound world.”

The recital concluded with Violin Sonata in E minor, Op. 82 by Edward Elgar, a work Streisfeld described as particularly meaningful to him.

Ryabinin said that Elgar’s sonata is written as a true partnership between the piano and the violin rather than as a solo with accompaniment.

“It’s not piano accompanying violin,” Ryabinin said. “It’s two equal partners. The music is like a dialogue between us, which makes it fun to perform.”

For some students, the recital offered an experience that they may have previously felt unapproachable.

Lauren Rodgers, a junior psychology major, believes that events like these are underattended by students outside the music department because most students are not made aware of them.

and Howell reminisced about his lifelong passion for radio, the steps he took to found the station and the importance of college radio today, ultimately leading to this nomination.

GC360 was also recognized by IBS for its work over the past year, receiving finalist nominations for “Best Variety Show,”

“Best College TV Station” and “Best Social Media Director (TV).” News Director, Madelyn Agostini, and former Executive Producer, Erin Finnegan, took home awards for the “Best News Director (TV)” and “Best Station Manager (TV).”

Agostini expressed her surprise and pride in receiving the award, noting the competition GC360 was up against.

“The other two nominees were from Syracuse University and Auburn, and they were nominated for everything,” Agostini said. “Their TV broadcast station is crazy impressive.”

Sessions of all varieties, some of which included discussion of the music industry, news reporting, station PR and audio visuals, were present. This allowed for a range of media students to collaborate.

Kellen O’Neil, a senior mass communications major and the general manager for WGUR, described her conference experience, detailing the importance of building connections

“They’re not well-advertised outside the music community,” Rogers said. “When non-music majors do hear about them, they often don’t feel like events we’d naturally be interested in. But once you attend, the performances are often much more intriguing than expected.”

Rogers said that although she attended the performance because it was required for a class, she ended up more engaged and impressed than she expected.

“The artist’s stage presence was very welcoming and humble,” Rogers said. “He explained his personal connection to the pieces in a way that was easy to understand without feeling condescending.”

Streisfeld said he hopes that students and audience members walked away feeling emotionally impacted by hearing the music live.

“Music has the power to bring us to emotional places we didn’t even know existed,” Streisfeld said. “If I’m enjoying myself on stage and showing how much I care about the music, the audience will feel that.”

Ryabinin encouraged students to continue attending concerts across different styles, noting that appreciation grows with exposure.

“The more you listen, the more your ear develops,” Ryabinin said. “You’d be surprised how your soul opens up.”

For students wanting to attend a future recital, visit the GCSU Music Department’s official page for information regarding the season.

and learning new things outside of your range in media.

“These conferences are really important for so many reasons, they help us improve our stations as student media groups, we get to see how other stations function, how their organization is structured, and learn from them,” O’Neil said.

Brown also highlighted the conference’s collaborative atmosphere by emphasizing that the sessions available were beneficial to GC360, despite the heavy focus on the radio stations rather than television newscasts.

“It’s very eye-opening to talk to other people who do things in a different way, or might use different techniques and equipment.” Brown said. “Even for us if there wasn’t a ton of specifically aimed at what we were doing, that doesn’t mean there

wasn’t things to pick up from other people in the industry,”

WGUR and GC360 returned to Milledgeville on Wednesday, Feb. 25, with WGUR by plane and GC360 by train. The students returned with stories to tell, especially the GC360 students who travelled 19 hours by train due to the recent blizzard that struck New York City.

“I think it made for an interesting trip and a really good story,” O’Neil said.

The Colonnade will embark on a similar journey to New York City, instead attending the College Media Association Conference. Select members of the executive board will travel to the city on Wednesday, March 4, participating in the conference’s exclusive networking events.

SENIOR NIGHT

Continued from page 1

The GCSU women’s team and its five senior players have been through ups and downs throughout the seniors’ four years on the team, and, coming into the season, also had a brand-new coaching setup. Those same seniors, even through hardship, have stepped up immensely during their final season.

Gaither led the GCSU team with 359 points in the regular season, while Natalia Bolden placed third in points on the team with 222, and Bailey Vick approached the century mark with 95 points as well.

Following her career at GCSU, Vick shared with the athletic department advice for upcoming collegiate athletes.

“I would say to enjoy every moment and opportunity you are given,” Vick said. “Not everyone is given the chance to play a college sport, so enjoy it while it lasts.”

Rose Bone, who was unable to play due to a season-ending injury early in the season, still stayed on the side-

lines throughout the year in support of the team. The final women’s basketball senior commemorated was multi-sport athlete Hayley Shepherd, who was celebrated during women’s volleyball’s senior day and also received a nod of appreciation for her efforts in helping the basketball team.

The final games of the women’s basketball seniors’ season will be during the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, as Gaither and Bolden teamed up for a combined 42 points, helping GCSU take down Flagler College, 7163, and secure a spot in the tournament.

The men’s team fell to UNG 80-79 on senior night. Senior forwards Oscar Lynch and Tony Carpio had 14 points and senior guard Aidan Kudlas contributed a pair of points as well in his limited time.

Following the conclusion of the men’s basketball senior night, the senior players reflected on their time as Bobcats.

During his time at GCSU, Oscar Lynch contributed in multiple ways to the GCSU athletic de-

partment. Not only was he a force to be reckoned with on the court, but he also provided photographs of multiple GCSU sporting events.

After senior night, he spoke about his time at GCSU.

“I have absolutely loved my time at GCSU,” Lynch said. “Being a part of the basketball team, being involved with Campus Catholics, making so many

Kudlas commented to the athletic department about what basketball meant to him.

“All the memories and lessons I could have ever imagined,” Kudlas said. “How to be a teammate, leader and competitor. How to win with humility and fail without giving up. It has given me the ability to know what true hard work is. It has been my outlet,

amazing friendships, enjoying the academics of the CoBT (College of Business and Technology) and so much more.”

Carpio, Lynch and Kudlas sit at fourth, fifth and sixth in scoring for the Bobcats this season, with 189, 169 and 145 points, respectively.

emotionally and physically, all my life.”

The final games of the men’s basketball seniors’ season will be during the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, as the Bobcats fell to Flagler College, 75-57, leading to the clinch of the sixth-seed position in the tournament.

Pickleball at GCSU Homecoming Basketball

Joe Palmese

Asst. Sports Editor

Pickleball courts are beginning to crowd around Milledgeville again as GCSU students await the return of warm weather to play.

Over 36.5 million people have played pickleball in the U.S., and Milledgeville has seen the effects of the growth in the game.

Students can find courts to play on at GCSU’s Wellness and Recreational Center and other public courts.

Walter B. Williams Park and Baldwin County Pickleball complex offer about 40 courts between them, giving students multiple options to play.

GCSU has seen a growth in the participation of pickleball, similar to the state of Georgia.

There are now over 3,000 pickleball courts in Georgia, compared to around 500 courts in 2021. In the past five years, participation has increased nearly 300% around the country. This makes pickleball the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.

“Pickleball has become a constant part of my friend group in the past couple of years,” said Robert Long, a senior accounting major. “I started playing my senior year of high school. It’s

been cool to see a bunch of people kind of flock over to pickleball because of what it has to offer.”

GCSU has adapted to the surge in the growing sport. Pickleball is now offered as an intramural sport in singles and doubles. GCSU has created a club pickleball team that travels to other universities to take on other club teams, they practice every Wednesday evening in the spring semester.

“I would say that our club team serves as a safe space for anyone to come out and just play some pickleball,” said Clay Braswell, a senior business major. “I joined the team my sophomore year and it’s been a very stressfree environment and I have created a bunch of cool relationships too.”

For many students around campus, the

is made for anyone.

“I think pickleball is the best way to get active and have fun at the same time,” said Tate Hunter, a senior management major. “You can almost guarantee that there is a group of five plus people almost every day here in the spring that want to play after class. I love it.”

For some students, it is all about winning. For other students, it is a way to socialize and provide a mental break from school. As the seasons continue to transition, pickleball courts in Milledgeville are filling up fast.

Pickleball is slowly easing itself into a part of GCSU’s culture, as it becomes a lifestyle for some.

For more information regarding the club

pickleball courts serve as a home away from home. Unlike tennis, pickleball requires less movement, making it more accessible to people of all ages. With quick games and a smaller court size, the game

pickleball team, please visit @gcsupickleball on Instagram. For information regarding Intramural pickleball, please visit www. gcsu.edu/recreational-sports/league-rules.

GCSU basketball vs. Georgia Southwestern

Annakate Cox Staff Writer

On Saturday, Feb 21, the GCSU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams faced Georgia Southwestern State University in the homecoming games and their final home contests of the regular season.

The women’s game started the doubleheader and set the tone for the afternoon. With just 28 seconds remaining in regulation, the Bobcats scored and sent the game into overtime before later pulling away to earn a 65-50 victory over the Georgia Southwestern Canes.

Deshona Gaither, a senior guard and Peach Belt player of the week, led the women’s game with an impressive 28 points.

“I am most proud of our overall effort as a team. We were ready to battle from start to finish,” Gaither said. “Even when the other team went on a run, we kept our heads up, stayed together, and continued to fight and believe in one another.”

During the break between the two games, GCSU honored and recognized alumni who were members of past championship teams, bringing a sense of history, pride, and tradition to the homecoming celebration.

Gaither describes how the recognition of alum did not go unnoticed by the current

players, and the moment added extra meaning and motivation to the games.

“We wanted to show up and get the win for our alumni and also for everyone who came before us.” Gaither said.

“The crowd gave us an extra boost of motivation and helped keep our energy high throughout the game,”

The men’s game followed the women’s intense matchup, and the energy in Centennial carried seamlessly into the second half of the doubleheader. Feeding off the lively atmosphere, the Bobcats claimed another victory against the Georgia Southwestern Canes with a final score of 75-68.

C.J. Jones, a sophomore guard, led the men’s team with 18 points, providing a steady defense throughout the game.

“Our game plan was to cut back on the turnovers and just play solid defense. Georgia Southwestern is really good in transition.” Jones said.

“But I felt like we did a really good job handling that and simply controlling the game.”

After highlighting the team’s defensive discipline and teamwork,

players also credited the homecoming atmosphere for fueling their strong performance.

Khalil Green, a sophomore guard, describes the impact of having students’ support for such big games.

“It always means a lot to see everyone come to Centennial to support us,” Green said.

“Seeing all of the alumni, students, families, and everybody coming together gave us energy for the game.”

With the men’s and women’s teams closing out their home schedules on a positive note, the homecoming victories not only strengthened their conference standing but also celebrated the tradition and community that define GCSU basketball.

The Bobcats now turn their focus to key matchups against Lander University and Flagler College. As the race in the Peach Belt Conference tightens, both teams will look to carry the momentum from their homecoming victories into these upcoming games and continue building confidence and motivation as they head into postseason play.

GCSU baseball struggles to open season

Annalie Parker Asst. News Editor

Since their opener on Jan. 30, GCSU’s baseball team has struggled, beginning their season with a 1-10 record and 0-3 in conference play.

Multiple injuries across the team have led to shifted positions and disarray on the field, namely the starting Friday night pitcher, Christian Donaldson, being out of commission after an injury that occurred in the second inning of the season opener.

The current roster consists of many younger players who are newly starting out, which creates some difficulty when adjusting for these absences. In addition, the coaching staff has seen

multiple recent replacements and additions, including head coach Jeff Pelkey, assistant coach Jaiden Warde and graduate assistant Jackson Hoshour.

As the Bobcats adjust to abrupt changes in their lineups, players are working hard and feeling hopeful about the season’s future. Jake Beaver, a senior exercise science major and left-handed pitcher, attributes the team’s early struggles to the current instability of positions but shares an optimistic outlook on the efforts made to combat these obstacles.

“We’ve got a good core group of guys, but we can only pitch so much,” Beaver said. “Gavyn Seitz had a really good start last Sunday, so he, I think, is going to be our Sunday guy going forward, which then gives the pitching staff more stability.”

Beaver named several other pitchers included in the new routine, including Keaton Prior, Owen Thomas, Griffin Davis, Caden Tillman and himself. He hopes the establishment of this new schedule, as well as continuing to work hard in practice, will provide the consistency the team needs in order to get back on its feet.

“We’ve worked a lot in practice on fixing the little things and han-

dling stuff we can control, and then just trying to show improvement every day and every week,” Beaver said. “Getting the guys rolling and getting a kind of routine on when we’re going to throw and just stability, I think is the biggest thing, so we’re getting there.”

Keaton Prior, a junior business management major and right-handed pitcher, believes the claims regarding the team’s pitching so far to be an oversimplification of its broader adversities.

“I think we have the talent, we just need to figure out how to play together as a team,” Prior said. “We can be better at pitching, but I think if we play together as a team there’ll be more competitive games, and overall everything will kind of work itself out when we’re just playing better baseball.”

Despite their rocky start to the season, the baseball Bobcats are increasing their effort in preparation for the rest of their season. Harding Dennis, a freshman exercise science major and left-handed pitcher, hints at behind-the-scenes adjustments to the team and to practices.

“We practice every day that we don’t have a game, and play four games a week,” Dennis said. “With almost a full week off from games, our coaching staff has been given time to evaluate and

USA hockey wins gold at the Olympics

Joe Palmese Asst. Sports Editor

For the first time in Olympic history, both the U.S. women’s and men’s hockey teams won the gold medal in the same Winter Olympic Games; each defeating rival Canada 2-1 in Milan, Italy.

al game on Sunday, Feb. 22, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) stated that it averaged more than 18 million viewers, resulting in the most-watched sporting event in U.S. history that started before 9 a.m. Eastern time.

Keller’s game-winning goal on Thursday, Feb. 19,

a history professor at GCSU. “As someone who served in the armed forces, I will always cheer on whoever it may be in whatever way. I was super happy to be able to witness both the men’s and women’s teams bring home the gold.”

The Americans never gave up in the men’s gold medal

pinpoint the main weaknesses and focus on those for this week’s practices.”

Between daily training and working to find their rhythm as a team, the players believe GCSU students have a lot to look forward to for baseball this year.

“We’ve got a great group of guys that love each other, and we work

hard,” Beaver said. “Obviously we’re not happy with the start of the season, but we’re gonna do a whole lot better and hope we can catch more people at some games, so it’ll be fun.”

Students who want to witness the Bobcats’ comeback firsthand can both view their schedule and purchase game tickets at gcsubobcats.com.

them beat Canada for a gold medal was something special.”

Jack and his teammate and brother, Quinn, indicated that he wanted to be a difference maker. The night before the gold medal game, Jack told Quinn he was dreaming of scoring a game-winning goal.

Canada and the U.S. have

but I made sure to watch the gold medal hockey games.”

After the men won, they celebrated emotionally on the ice. They celebrated by bringing out a former teammate’s jersey, Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau was killed last year after being struck by an al-

For the men’s team, this is their third gold medal, their first since the 1980s, “Miracle on Ice.” The women’s team secured their third gold medal and first since 2018. Both victories came in overtime.

Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal in overtime for the women’s team on Thursday, Feb. 19, while Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal for the men’s on Sunday, Feb. 22.

During the men’s gold med-

drew an audience of around 7 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s Olympic hockey game.

Both teams won with a final score of 2 to 1. This marks the first time ever in Olympic history that the same two nations faced off in a gold medal game with identical scores.

“I am really proud to be an American and to be able to celebrate these athletes’ accomplishments,” said Chris Reed,

game. Canada attempted 42 shots compared to the U.S.’s 28. The American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck saved 41 of the 42 shots. The U.S. was an underdog going into the game.

“I feel bad for anyone who didn’t get to watch that game,” said Roscoe Conrad, a freshman business major. “That was a moment that I will remember exactly where I was at a point in time. I’m not a big hockey fan, but watching

never gotten along on the ice, as the U.S.’s “biggest” rival would be Canada. The U.S. lost to Canada in overtime in the gold medal game in 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. 16 years later, the script flipped.

“It was a really cool moment to watch,” said Katie Long, a junior nursing major.

“The women’s and men’s teams deserve so much praise for their accomplishments. I have barely watched the Olympics

leged drunk driver. The U.S. hockey confederation made sure that Johnny’s family was present in Milan. Johnny wasn’t out there on the ice to celebrate a gold medal, but his jersey and spirit were.

The U.S. finished the 2026 Winter Olympics with a total of 33 medals, second to Norway’s 41. For information regarding the Olympics, visit www.olympics.com.

GCSU hosts Southern Gothic Lecture

Rosalyn Chapman Staff Writer

GCSU’s Flannery O’Connor Institute for the Humanities hosted its second annual installment of the Southern Gothic Lecture Series on Thursday, Feb. 26, in the Pat Peterson Museum Education Room.

The lecture, delivered by Kendra Hamilton, was titled “Hoodoo, Voodoo and the Gullah Geechee People at the Nation’s Founding,” and examined the historical and cultural significance of spiritual traditions in the context of early U.S. history.

The event concluded with a signing of Hamilton’s book, “Romancing the Gullah in the Age of Porgy and Bess,” exploring the romanticization of the Gullah Geechee culture and exposing the misrepresentations of the lifestyle.

Currently, Hamilton is an associate professor of English and the director of Southern studies at Presbyterian College. Her research on this subject began when she was a graduate student studying the history of her hometown, Charleston, South Carolina, and the Gullah Geechee Coast.

Her lecture began with an explanation of the true

meanings of Gullah and Geechee, focusing on the differentiation of the two words.

“What surprised me from learning about the origin of these words is that it had anything to do with me,” Hamilton said. “When I grew up, we used the word ‘Geechee,’ but there are parts of the coast in which ‘Gullah’ is more frequent.”

In her book, she aimed to reveal the true cultural history of the Gullah Geechee Coast.

“Scholarship can take something that’s as familiar to you as your own family and make it so that you can’t even recognize it,” Hamilton said. “In my book, I wanted to set that story straight so that people would be able to recognize themselves in their culture.”

In her lecture, she addressed the misconceptions of the Vodun religion and the Hoodoo spiritual practice. In early America, these were practiced in New Orleans and the Lowcountry coast, which originated in West African countries.

According to Hamilton, common misconceptions of the Vodun religion are that it is about worshipping the devil and practicing black magic, when it is actually a religion that developed in Haiti, blending

spirituality with Catholicism.

“The word Voodoo is a slur,” Hamilton said. “The actual religion is called Vodun.”

Similarly, Hamilton said that common misconceptions of the Hoodoo spiritual practice are that it is the same as Vodun and it is witchcraft, when it is actually often practiced with Christianity and rooted in ritual practice.

“Hoodoo is about a celebration of life, not death,” Hamilton said. “It is certainly not about Satan since people who practice this don’t actually believe in Satan.”

Katie Simon, interim executive director of the Flannery O’Connor Institute for the Humanities, introduced Hamilton before her lecture commenced.

Simon commented on her book regarding how it has impacted her.

“So far, I’ve read about half of it; it’s really quite a read,” Simon said. “I will be reading more because I have assigned a chapter to my students to read that we will be discussing in class.”

Upon understanding Hamilton’s research, many faculty and students said they were amazed by what she was able to uncover.

“She does primary and secondary research as well as interviews,” Simon said. “She’s covering a lot of ground that

where you honor the dead, but we have so much in our popular culture that sort of vilifies it.”

One student in atten-

is literary and historical.”

Simon intends to read Hamilton’s book at a slow pace to fully grasp its message.

“I’m working my way slowly through the book because it’s a lot to digest,” Simon said. “It’s also so beautifully written and deeply felt that it’s a book to be reckoned with because there isn’t one like it.”

Before hearing Hamilton’s lecture, Simon said she felt like she was someone who misunderstood the Vodun religion.

“I had no idea what Voodoo was,” Simon said, “It feels like any other kind of practice

dance, Charlotte Aexel, a graduate student earning her master’s degree in English, is the graduate assistant for the Flannery O’Connor Institute for the Humanities.

“I was impressed by all of her research,” Aexel said. “I think that she makes a really important point about the commodification of African American culture.”

For those interested in learning more about the Gullah Geechee, Hamilton’s book is available for purchase through Amazon, Target and the University of Georgia Press.

Milly bucket list: things to do before graduation

Lillian Winn Staff Writer

While college life can be filled with deadlines, discussion posts and 8 a.m. classes, students sharing their GCSU bucket-list items indicated that the best college memories are rarely made in the classroom.

Students say that Milledgeville is full of local favorite spots, spontaneous adventures and bucket-list-worthy traditions that are imperative to the full college experience. While preparing for graduation and next steps, seniors reflected on their time spent at GCSU.

In regard to everyday life and spending time with friends, Macey Ainsworth, a senior psychology major, shared her favorite pastimes during her time at GCSU.

“I think one must-do experience in Milledgeville that every stu-

dent should try before graduation is going to play pickleball … then from there either going to Cookout or Bucky’s,” Ainsworth said. “Just something fun and spontaneous and random.”

Ainsworth gave insight into her favorite moments spent on campus, getting a specialty coffee at the local coffee shop, Morning Grind, and exploring new cuisines with the multitude of restaurants in Milledgeville. She mentioned local favorites such as Shima, Huey Magoo’s and El Amigo.

Along with local food options, downtown Milledgeville is filled with shopping and dining opportunities that are close to campus and convenient for a quick breakfast. Madason Clarke, a senior marketing major, praised Local Yolkal for its well-known breakfast favorites and

welcoming atmosphere.

“The food is so yummy and everyone there is so nice,” Clarke said.

“ My favorite food off the menu is the biscuits and gravy with the home fries or the

favorite student events.

“Midnight Breakfast happens every single semester during finals week, and it’s just so much fun,” Thompson said. “You go with a group of your best friends

stuffed French toast.”

GCSU campus hosts a multitude of engaging events for students during the year. Karmen Thompson, a senior nursing major, gave insight into one of her

and y’all get to share a meal together and enjoy that time together before the semester ends.”

Along with organized university events, students said local organizations and stu-

dent ministries enrich their daily lives through meetings and gatherings throughout the semester.

“I love when BCM does our front campus worship night,” Ainsworth said, as she reminisced on her time involved in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

“That’s always a really sweet and special time and a good time to bring in the community as well.”

Though the campus is full of activities, Milledgeville hosts a multitude of outdoor opportunities that emphasize Georgia’s natural beauty.

According to Thompson, the next location on the bucket list is further out from the GCSU campus. Sunset Fields, a local hot-spot for students, hosts various walking trails, frisbee golf courses and fields for many types of sports.

“Sunset fields is so beautiful, I love going

out there and throwing a football or a frisbee and walking around the track,” Thompson said. “Some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen are when I go out there.”

With the multitude of activities and events occurring daily on campus, students aren’t able to attend them all. Ainsworth shared a seasonal event that she regretted not attending.

“Lockerly during Christmas time,” Ainsworth said, referring to the annual holiday light display at Lockerly Arboretum, a local botanical garden.

While balancing the college workload, these students have chosen to make the most of their experience at GCSU. Their insight into various aspects of Milledgeville helps create a bucket list of activities and experiences for current and future students.

ARTS & LIFE

Warm weather at GCSU brings students back outdoors

Maggie Hinton Staff Writer

After weeks of colder temperatures, warm weather has returned to Milledgeville, bringing students back outside and boosting energy and motivation across GCSU’s campus.

Life is returning to campus as students head outdoors to study, relax and spend time with friends in the sun. The front lawn has filled with people lying out on blankets, working on assignments and talking with friends, while winter layers have been replaced with shorts and T-shirts.

Many students said the warmer temperatures have had a noticeable impact on their mood and daily routines. Lily Kenyon, a junior marketing major, said the sunshine makes a difference in how she starts her day.

“I’m always happy when the weather heats back up,” Kenyon said. “It’s a big contributor in helping me get out of bed in the mornings.”

Outdoor spaces across campus have quickly filled up, with students choosing to study, talk with friends and unwind in the warmer air.

“My favorite spot on campus when it’s sunny is in one of the rocking chairs outside of Atkinson, which can double as one of my favorite places to get in some studying,” Kenyon said.

BriAnna King, a freshman marketing major, said the warmer weather has changed the way she approaches her day, affecting both her mood and her motivation.

“The warm weather has definitely positively affected my mood, and I feel overall happier,” King said.

The change in temperature has also shaped how some students move through their day, making it easier to stay active and productive between classes and other responsibilities.

“I definitely feel more motivated,” King said. “I think the sun energizes me and gets me outside. Getting outside always makes me get more things done throughout the day because my body is warm and moving.”

With clearer skies and comfortable temperatures, students are finding small but meaningful ways to enjoy time outside between classes. Whether it’s choosing to walk instead of drive or bringing

homework outdoors, the warmer weather has shifted how many students are spending their free time.

“I have gone on so many walks around West Campus, car rides with the windows down and blaring music and sitting for hours doing homework on Front Campus,” King said.

As the temperature rises, many students across campus seem to experience a boost in energy. The warmer afternoons lead to more move-

Vegan Fest 2026

Elizabeth Kohler Staff Writer

On Feb. 24, GCSU students and faculty attended Vegan Fest to learn about the benefits of veganism and aspects of the Jainism religion with an open buffet featuring plant-based foods catered by Sodexo.

This event was created as a way for the community at GCSU to learn about the environmental benefits of veganism and share plant-based foods such as seitan cutlets, Indian stir-fried rice, vegan stuffed grape leaves (dolmades), pita bread, hummus and vegan chocolate chip cookies.

The event was sponsored by GC-

SU’s Jain Studies Program, the Department of Philosophy, the Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies Program and the Rural Studies Institute.

Sunita Manian, the chair of the philosophy, religion and liberal studies departments, organized the event because she wanted to raise awareness and cultural understanding in the GCSU community about different practices surrounding food and its place in various lifestyles and religions.

“[It is important for a liberal arts education] to know about different ways of living [and] different religions — not because you want to become that, because that’s not the point — but to have a broad-based understanding of different perspectives of the world,” Manian said. “This would be one of the many perspectives I would love for students to know about.”

Caley Smith, assistant professor of religious studies, and Mark Causey, senior lecturer of philosophy and religious studies, spoke about the non-violent, or Ahimsa, concepts of Jain traditions and veganism’s role in sustainability.

According to Smith, Jainism is an Indian religion dedicated to teaching a path to spiritual purity through non-violence to all living creatures. Jainists believe that every living thing has a soul, and by consuming these be-

ment and more time outside, leading to a noticeable shift in how students approach their day.

“My energy during summer is always significantly higher than that of the colder months,” King said. “So the sun coming out recently has positively affected my energy and, in return, my work ethic at school, home and my job.”

Olivia Icaza, a freshman pre-nursing major, said she has also noticed a shift in campus energy.

“The warm weather has made me want to be outside more, and it makes me feel more motivated to sit in the sun on Front Campus and study, which is what I’ve been doing a bit more,” Icaza said.

The difference in campus life is noticeable not just in how students feel, but in how they are using campus spaces. Areas that were once quiet during colder days are now active throughout the afternoon, with students spreading out across Front Campus to study, talk and take breaks between classes.

“I noticed there were a lot more people also enjoying the sun, and the energy on campus has definitely increased with most other people either playing or studying outside,” Icaza said.

For many students, the return of warm weather feels like a reset after the slower pace and heavier feeling of the winter months. Outdoor spaces that may have been quiet during colder days are once again filled with conversation, music and study sessions.

As the semester continues, students are embracing the sunshine as both a break from routine and a boost in motivation. Whether it’s studying in a rocking chair, walking around West Campus or lying out on Front Campus with friends, the warmer weather is helping bring renewed energy to campus, just in time for the busy weeks ahead.

ings, karma is released, which clouds the soul and keeps it from enlightenment. As a result, Jainists try to minimize their consumption of living creatures by only eating plant-based foods.

According to Causey, veganism is a philosophy and lifestyle that seeks to reject, as much as possible, the exploitation and cruelty of animals for food and clothing. The vegan lifestyle aims to be more ecologically friendly by reducing the environmental effects caused by the meat industry.

“To produce one pound of meat, we are using 16 pounds of food grains, so we are using a lot of land to produce food to produce meat,” Manian said.

Leah Bartleson, a junior environmental science major, has been a vegetarian for six years. She became a vegetarian after reading a book in middle school titled “Chew On This: Everything You

Don’t Want To Know About Fast Food,” by Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson, which she said brought to light some of the dark secrets of factory farming.

“I think everyone should try it or at least be ‘flexitarian’ and educate themselves on the harmful effects of meat factories and what it does to the environment and the ethics of it, and should try to eat less meat,” Bartleson said.

Sodexo urges students to fill out feedback forms if they would like to see more vegan options on the menu or other diet types. The feedback form can be found at Sodexo’s website: https:// georgiacollege.sodexomyway.com.

GCSU’s Vegan Fest began as a free dinner in April of 2025 to introduce students to veganism and Jainism, and has since become an annual campus tradition, with the next Vegan Fest scheduled for spring 2027.

GCSU celebrates “Hannah Montana” 20th Anniversary

and said it had an immense impact on her childhood.

The “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” hits Disney+ on March 24, 2026, and features Miley Cyrus in conversation with Alex Cooper, the host of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast.

The reunion will feature interviews with Miley Cyrus, reflecting on the experience that launched her career into stardom and influenced Y2K pop culture.

It will also likely look back at popular and impactful moments from the show, which first aired in 2006. The show produced hit songs like “The Best of Both Worlds,” “Nobody’s Perfect” and “The Climb,” sung by Miley Cyrus. The show also inspired and fed Y2K fashion and culture.

The news of the reunion is gaining traction on social media and the reunion is being coined with the hashtag, “#Hannahversary.”

Many fans are excited to watch the reunion and reminisce on fond memories of childhood and adolescence.

One of those fans is Madison Henning, a freshman political science and sociology major. She grew up watching “Hannah Montana”

LIGHTNING

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“I want to watch [the reunion] because I think it’ll be really cool and also make you feel a little old when you realize it was 20 years ago,” Henning said.

Tara Middlebrooks, a freshman marketing major, also grew up watching “Hannah Montana.” She said the reunion is bringing back the nostalgia of watching the show in her childhood.

“It was always on when I came home from school,” Middlebrooks said. “The show kind of teaches us to not hide who you truly are.”

A central theme in “Hannah Montana” is identity and duality, resonating with young viewers because they are growing up and trying to figure out who they are.

“I loved it my whole childhood,” Henning said. “I would watch it all the time. It was something that I really, truly enjoyed.”

Sarah Crowder, a senior criminal justice major, also grew up with the show “Hannah Montana.”

“‘Hannah Montana’ shaped my childhood by just making me feel like I could be myself, and be who I am and love my-

That commitment extends beyond learning lines. Actors must coordinate with lighting cues, set transitions and sound timing, all while maintaining energy through musical numbers. The technical team works alongside them to ensure each mo-

ment lands clearly for the audience.

Ethan Rogers, a junior theater major and assistant technical director, said one of the biggest challenges has been adapting the many settings of the show to Russell Auditorium.

“These places that the characters were traveling through the show have

self for that,” Crowder said.

Crowder also mentioned how she planned her sorority’s big-little reveal with a

with my family,” Henning said.

“At one point I even wanted my name to be Hannah because I loved it so much.”

“Hannah Montana” theme.

“The theme was ‘The Best of Both Worlds,’” Crowder said. On the box, I wrote, ‘Jayden, you and I are The Best of Both Worlds.’ I was [dressed as] Miley, and then she was [dressed as] Hannah.”

Hannah Montana was influential in many merchandising opportunities, from toys to clothing.

“I had a Montana trivia board game that I would play

to be able to be represented by just what we have here, and not constantly changing scenery, because we don’t have the ability to do that with how our theater is set up,” Rogers said.

Because the show travels across multiple mythological locations, the design team had to think carefully about how to suggest new environments without relying on large-scale scene changes.

“Trying to figure out how we can best adapt the space that we have and to represent all those places in the show has sort of been one of the more difficult processes,” Rogers said.

Instead of depending entirely on visual transformation, the production leans on collaboration between departments.

“Thankfully, it is able to be compensated with the actors, things like props, choreography, blocking and dialogue, so that we’re not having to rely as heavily on making the audience believe, visually, that they’re in a new spot,” Rogers said.

Lighting is central to the performance. Lauren-Avery Jones, a senior theater major and the production’s light designer, said much of her work shapes the audience’s experience in

fashion that they grew up with and younger fans appreciate the nostalgia and aesthetic.

“[Y2K] evokes this youthful feeling and trends tend to come back around and we’re in that period right now too,” Henning said.

The return of Y2K contributes to the cultural trend cycle, where media and trends from the 2000s are being rediscovered.

As for Alex Cooper hosting, there are various opinions. “Call Her Daddy” is known for candid conversations and raunchy relationship advice. Cooper is reportedly Spotify’s highest-paid female podcaster.

and culture.

“People wore whatever they wanted, like mix-matched outfits, whatever’s comfortable, that’s also cute and fun patterns and colors,” Crowder said.

The reunion comes after a reemergence in Y2K fashion trends: low-rise jeans, chunky belts, layered tank tops, baby tees and flared jeans. Older fans are reminiscing on the

ways they may not consciously notice.

“So much of the work is behind the scenes, and obviously, not discrediting actors, but there’s so much that’s just not seen because it’s behind,” Jones said. “Everybody works hard. It’s just that some of the jobs are more visible than others.”

From adjusting color palettes to programming cues that match shifts in music and blocking, Jones said lighting helps define each setting and guide the audience’s focus. The coordination between actors and crew becomes especially visible during technical rehearsals, when timing is refined and transitions are practiced repeatedly.

After weeks of rehearsals and

technical preparation, Pergham said the collaboration between cast and crew is what stands out most to him.

“I feel like a lot of people say that there’s kind of a magic in the theater space and it’s so true,” Pergham

“I don’t really know much about her,” Henning said. “In general, I know she’s very big. I’m not really a podcast person, but I think it’ll probably be good.” Cooper is also known for her candid and unfiltered interview style. Audiences believe her content to be more mature than “Disney Channel.”

“I’ve only heard of ‘Call Her Daddy’ for controversial reasons, but I’m sure it’ll be okay,” Middlebrooks said.

Many GCSU students are excited to tune in to the “Hannah Montana” reunion on March 24, 2026, on Disney+.

said. “I hope audiences just get to see everything we put together and it’s really just a lot of combined work to make something cool. It’s something we worked really hard on. I just really hope that they enjoy it.”

As the cast and crew prepare for their first audience, the final days are focused on polishing details that most viewers will never directly see. The result, they hope, will be a performance that feels seamless, even if the process behind it has been anything but simple.

Tickets to see “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” can be purchased at tickets.gcsu.edu.

The Caterwaul

CATERWAUL: a shrill howling or wailing noise like that of a cat; commonly associated with a bobcat

“Tiger

in a Museum”

By: Annalie Parker

She stands frozen behind glass

Foam where her heart used to be

With plastic orbs for eyes

Unlucky to be stuck here

Lucky enough to be behind the glass

Blind to her own reflection

She’ll never know her true face

It was taken from her long before

And shaped to be more entertaining

They gawk and stare and judge

They would touch if they could

Thrilled by her helplessness under their hands

She’s either hideous because she’s frightening Or beautiful because she’s still

Her skin and fur are all that are her own

Even if her heart was still beating

Its rhythm would fall on deaf ears

She would be treated the same, only With blades and bullets in place of camera flashes Kindness was always out of the question

Frozen in her last moments of fear

Stuffed and stuck cowering

Was she a formidable predator? A mother? A runt?

Only what’s written on her exhibit

Her height, her weight, how she was caught

Boiled down to thirty words

Written only when her eyes had lost their light

She was free and wild once before

Unbothered by anything but rain

Now posed to resemble a cartoon

Depending on who you ask and how much they’ll admit

She can’t even dream of escaping it

The memory of a life before escapes her first

As far as she knows she was born to stand there Worth no deeper consideration

She would rip them all to shreds

To be stuffed in the case with her

Posed in her jaws

But she now only resembles a living thing

As powerless dead as a woman feels living

Nature’s cruelty is kinder than man’s gaze

Both are displays of natural history

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