The Reveille 10-6-25

Kyren Lacy’s lawyer alleges he was wrongfully blamed for fatal car accident.

EVERYONE

AT THE TABLE

LSU’s student body president and vice president want to get more students involved.

OPEN CONVERSATIONS

Student body president and vice president outline their plans for the year

BY MORGAN VANNOSDALL Staff Writer

Student Body President Lavar Henderson and Vice President Abry Layrisson are looking to have open conversations with students during their term with a focus on listening, kindness and giving back to the campus community.

Lavar Henderson

From a first generation college student to student body president, Lavar Henderson hopes to highlight campus voices from all different backgrounds throughout his term.

“I think an important piece is making sure that you have everyone at the table, listening to their concerns and seeing what they think,” Henderson said.

Henderson, a native of Houma, Louisiana, was named student body president in May after a whirlwind election. He plans to engage and support the student body as he works to make their lives more “convenient” going forward.

The political communication senior has been an active member in Student Government throughout his four years at LSU. This year he served as a student member to the LSU Board of Supervisors.

Henderson wants to focus on inclusion by listening to students and trying to meet their needs. He emphasized that not everyone may like or agree with a decision but that it is important to him to listen to their concerns.

He expressed the importance of doing the work and having these conversations. He explained these are 50/50 situations, half being having the conversations and the other half being taking action. He says this will be his philosophy for his entire term.

“In the Student Government world, sometimes we get lost in our own priorities, so we are trying to put more of an emphasis on that everyday student approach,” Henderson said.

Abry Layrisson

From a small town to student body vice president, Abry Layrisson has plans for kind contributions during her term.

Layrisson is a Ponchatoula native and a political communication senior. She joined Student Government her sophomore year when Henderson encouraged her involvement. The two hit it off and worked on initiatives in the Student Senate together which ultimately led to their partnership in office.

“We work super well together, our personalities mix well, and it’s almost like a really good balancing act,” Layrisson said.

Layrisson is in the Tri Delta sorority at LSU and is a former member of the Public Relations Student Society of America. She was also a member of the Student Philanthropy Council, a strong passion of hers. She expressed her excitement about getting involved in the community and how this position will allow her to achieve her goals on a bigger scale.

“We have some really fun things we want to do, just like a challenge to raise money for a good cause,” Layrisson said.

Goals for the year

This year, Henderson and Layrisson plan to bring back the president’s cabinet. This is a way for different organizations to meet and converse with the president and vice president to achieve their goals.

Leadership among campus organizations would be part of the president’s cabinet, including Greek Life, student media and other groups.

Henderson also prioritizes getting the Tiger Trails bus system to run in a more timely manner, which he noted is important with the changes to parking this semester.

Henderson noted the inconvenience students face when they can’t find parking or when students are trying to schedule classes and the system keeps crashing. He highlighted

these as things he would like to work on for the student body.

Henderson and Layrisson are also working closely with university administration to find solutions for disability services. The goal is to make sure those services are easier and more accessible for students that need them.

SG has been working closely with Interim President Matt Lee, Dean of Students Fran’Cee Brown-McClure, Interim Provost Troy Blanchard, the Board of Supervisors and others in order to accomplish their goals. He acknowledged they have been great partners so far in his term that all share the goal of getting students what they want and need.

“It really shocked me because you don’t really see people talking, especially in these positions, taking vested interest in your students like they do,” Henderson said.

Regarding athletics, Henderson’s goals are more focused on students’ experiences. He wants to accomplish initiatives like getting mobile ordering into Tiger Stadium and accessible golf carts around campus for gameday. In addition to these, SG launched the Tiger Lounge this semester, a Parade Ground tailgate for students with free food, non-alcoholic drinks and fans.

Alongside these new initiatives, SG will be establishing a new task force for students to join to get involved. This task force will be committed to philanthropic service throughout the LSU and Baton Rouge communities.

Layrisson is excited about the Department of Philanthropy within the executive branch. Their goal is to promote a “culture of giving” on LSU’s campus and organize a group for students who are unable to get involved in SG but still want the op-

portunity to volunteer on campus and around Baton Rouge.

“Whether helping with the Food Pantry or the Tailored Tiger, I really just want to promote a culture of giving and leave my mark in that way,” Layrisson said.

A new department Layrisson is excited about is the Department of Workforce Development. It’s a partnership with the Career Center that will provide resources to students for their post-grad life.

Layrisson understands that students have immense pressures to decide their direction in the world. Her and Henderson want to acknowledge this and allow for as many students as possible to take advantage of the opportunities LSU offers.

“It’s a lot of pressure on mental health for seniors figuring out what you wanna do for the rest of your life, even though in reality it’s not like that, it can feel that way,” Layrisson said.

Layrisson announced their exciting plan to bring back Tigercast. Tigercast is a news broadcast in partnership with Tiger TV to raise money for the Student Emergency Support Fund. This fund supports students who have been affected by fires, floods and other disasters.

Layrisson and Henderson are also looking to host more events and have been working closely with the dean of students. They are planning events like helping the student body get to know LSU’s administration and pie-ing student leaders in the Quad.

“My goal is to promote a community of giving and being kind to people even if it’s just giving a smile on your face,” Layrisson said. “I really want everyone to feel welcome here.”

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CLUBS

NEWS Club runs for breast cancer awareness

BY KALEY MELANCON Staff Writer

Ready, set, geaux: an LSU club hosted a breast cancer awareness run and fundraiser Saturday at the UREC.

On a relatively cool Louisiana morning, the On Geaux Run Club teamed up with Omega Psi Phi to ‘Think Pink’ and run for a cause. Members showed up ready to raise awareness and donations for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Vice President of the Run Club Diamond Spence said they plan to donate $1 for every person who showed up. The funds will be given to Breast Cancer Now, a research and support charity for anyone affected by breast cancer.

“Any little bit of money that can go towards breast cancer research helps out a long way,” Spence said.

Spence, a co-founder of the club, said she wanted to create a space that got the community outside. She said the club is all about building healthy relationships with other students and their bodies.

As the wave of pink rolled in, participants prepared with music, stretch and prayer. Gathered in a circle, a member led the group with a few stretches and then prayed for a safe and fun race.

Those who came out mainly did it for the community. Run Club member Lea Leduff said she saw the club as an opportunity to

PROGRAMS

STUDENT RELEASED

Arrested LSU student protester recounts time in custody

BY LIV TEES Deputy News Editor

The Students for a Democratic Society held a press conference Thursday morning to share updates on Gabriela Juárez, the student who was arrested and sent to East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Wednesday afternoon after protesting at the school’s presidential search committee meeting.

Juárez was in attendance and shared details on her experience in custody.

Juárez was released on bond around 1 a.m. Thursday with a court date on Jan. 5. She is not allowed to enter the LSU Foundation building or leave the state of Louisiana until her court date.

According to SDS, people across Louisiana and the country called into the prison demanding that Juárez’s charges be dropped. SDS is asking students to call the

LSUPD to demand the charges for the other six student protesters who were arrested be dropped.

LSU has not yet followed up with any disciplinary action toward the students who were arrested and has not responded to a request to comment on if it intends to do so.

In an interview with the Reveille, Juárez said she was first placed in a holding cell alone where she overheard LSUPD officers talking about the six other students they had arrested.

Juárez alleges she heard the officers saying “we need to figure out what we are charging these kids with.”

Margo Wilson and Enola Guyer, two students who were also arrested but released shortly after, were held in an interview room together and alleged that they heard the officers say they were using ChatGPT and AI summa-

Naturally Talented Program teaches students about science through art

BY ALAYNA FORD Staff Writer

The LSU Museum of Natural Science kickstarted the Naturally Talented Program, a new initiative for students to learn about science through art, on Thursday.

The woman behind the idea is Outreach Coordinator of the LSUMNS Irene Martí Gil. She has wanted to create a program to bring art, science and community together since her first month in her position in 2023.

“Ever since the museum was conceived in the 1920s, one of the goals was to reconcile the world of science and arts,” Marti Gil explains. “With the over-specializa-

tion of the departments, that link has dissolved little by little. What I’m trying to do here is bring that back.”

Marti Gil’s personal background with both science and art and her anthropology doctorate from LSU were the main motivations for her to design a program that welcomes everyone.

“Whether you are from the humanities world or the science world, here you have a space to reunite both worlds and grow,” Marti Gil says. “No questions are silly, no art made here is bad art.”

Art After Dark is a once-a-month workshop where studentscan create art while also learning about different types of natural science. On the opening night, people heard from Jennifer Kluse, the collections manager on the herbarium staff at LSU.

ries to figure out what they would charge the students with.

“That leads us all to the belief that they really just grabbed everyone and then had to figure out last minute what they were charging,” Wilson said.

LSU told the Reveille Thursday that the protesters’ “arrests were processed according to law and LSUPD policy.”

Juárez was officially charged with resisting an officer and interfering with educational practice.

Juárez thought she would be released like the other six students, but instead she was transported to the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and told she would likely spend the night in jail. She went through central booking and was forced to strip naked and was searched in the medical section, she said.

She was put into a female cell alone and said she never had ac-

VOLUNTEER

cess to a phone to call anyone.

Juárez fell asleep for about three hours and awoke to find that her bond was set for $1,000 and that it had been signed for, meaning she would be released shortly. She said she never had a bond hearing but later learned that a public defender on the outside coordinated the bond.

Juárez told the Reveille Thursday after the press conference that she had full confidence in the charges against her being dropped by the time of her court date.

“I also felt very strong in my conviction that I was doing something right and that I was participating in a struggle for something better,” Juárez said. “So that allowed me to feel a lot of peace with where I had ended up, even though, of course, it was scary and nerve wracking and degrad-

BREC program clocks 1,700 volunteer hours

BY EMILY BRACHER Staff Writer

The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, better known as BREC, maintains over 180 parks.

With the help from the Green Force, BREC employees have an easier time maintaining trails, fishing ponds, gardens and more in 12 community parks, five conservation areas and conservation lands in neighborhood parks.

Lydia Nichols-Russell said within Green Force, all of the volunteer activities are geared towards sustainability.

The Naturally Talented Program has three core components: Art After Dark, the Poet’s Corner and the Naturally Talented Award.

Students were able to learn about invasive species in Louisiana and then were able to apply what they learned with an art lesson from Leslie Koptcho. Koptcho is an arts and printmaking professor for the College of Art & Design. Students learned about making paper out of invasive species.

“Honestly, I just love doing arts

“It’s a lot of time in the field and our main goal is to kind of conserve natural landscapes and make that accessible for people as an educational tool and a recreational opportunity to get into nature,” Nichols-Russell said.

Last year, the Green Force documented 1,772 volunteer hours, 36 new members and 131 volunteer events.

Volunteer events include their Catfish Rodeo and Privet Pullooza. Beyond organized efforts, see AWARENESS, page 4 see ARREST, page 4

Founded in 2017, the Green Force is a conservation-focused volunteer program that currently has 90 active volunteers. BREC natural resource manager

AWARENESS, from page 3

learn and know more about the people on campus.

Leduff said she’s getting back into running after stopping because of the stress with school. She said she chose to come out to support the cause with the added bonus of pink being her favorite color.

“It’s just a way to release your mind from all the stress,” Leduff said.

On the count of three, the group began the three-mile journey. The run started along the University Lakes and Sorority Row until it made its way back to the UREC for a complete lap.

Spence said the club is open to all run levels, including those who want to walk. This was music to Omega Psi Phi member DJ Rowland’s ears. Rowland said he’s

ARREST

, from page 3 ing.”

Juárez told the Reveille that she felt that the police arrested her and sent her to prison as a means of intimidation because she is a “high-profile activist.”

“I believe that the police officers targeted us with force and did not go through the proper legal avenue or give any kind of actual order of arrest simply because they were outraged,” Juárez said.

SDS said it has no plans to stop protesting the search committee until it fulfills their three demands to make the selection process more inclusive of student opinion.

“It is the most important time to be using our voices directly and to not allow shows of force like this to scare us into submission,” Juárez said. “Because the fact of the matter is that they cannot and will not arrest all of us.”

Scott Ballard, the Board of Supervisors chair, said to the Reveille Thursday that he hopes the criminal charges are dropped against the students but that the university should take proper disciplinary action.

“She does need to be held accountable through the school process for that conduct,” Ballard said.

not much of a running person, but wanted to come out anyway.

Some of the fraternity members got together and bought matching breast cancer shirts for the run.

Rowland said the organization collaborated with the run club because it wanted to get everyone active.

While some members may not be able to keep up with the fast group, jogging is a big step up.

Arielle Zephirin, an art and design junior, said she was setting herself new goals for this run.

Zephirin said this was her third run as she tries to push herself out of her comfort zone. She said she wants to work on building her endurance and getting fit. Her plan was to make it at least five minutes without stopping.

After about 30 minutes, members started circling back and fin-

GREEN FORCE

, from page 3

once volunteers complete their yearly training they are able to help with efforts specialized to their desires. This can be taking the time to help with fallen trees in nature trails, removing invasive species from parks or attending a monthly gardening at one of their pollinator gardens.

Nichols-Russell called the Green Force an extra set of eyes for BREC employees. She said that with their help in efforts like their monthly Ardisia removal, BREC is able to eliminate more of the invasive species.

“We have limited staff, so even just our capacity to be able to handle that on the over 300 acres of conservation land that we have in the parish is a lot and

MUSEUM, from page 3

and crafts,” said freshman math and secondary education major Jane Alphonse. “The Art After Dark really brought me in, and almost everything I do art-related is nature themed as well. So it seemed like a perfect match for me.”

Poet’s Corner will be a rotating feature in the museum where writers can show off their narratives or poems connecting art and nature.

The winner of the Naturally Talented Award, the program’s annual award given for outstanding creative contributions with scientific or environmental themes, will be featured in the Poet’s Corner. The current feature is Louisiana poet Brandon Kilborn.

This program also was created with the purpose of being community-orientated and judgement free.

“We’re all stressed, we all have struggles,” Marti Gil said. “I believe exploring new skill sets and finding new hobbies will have a beautiful impact on mental health.”

Katie Walker, a sophomore studying environmental science, was able to unwind during her informational visit on the program’s first day.

“Its been relaxing. I learned a lot,” Walker said. “And invasive plants are something that, honestly, I learned about for the first time in high school, but this is a nice way

ishing their run. A quick catch-up and cool down were held before participants started dispersing and said goodbye.

Many members were proud of themselves for completing the race. Zephirin said she was able to keep up her momentum like she wanted and said she can feel herself building endurance and getting better each time.

In addition to self-development, Zephirin said she met a lot of new people and got to donate $10 herself, which made her feel good.

Zephirin said she was able to accomplish what she set out to do. She said her small win is amplified by those fighting breast cancer.

“If I can get through this little jog and they’re getting through such a battle, it’s worth it,” Zephirin said.

probably physically impossible,” Nichols-Russell said. “Having the extra help there really is a huge asset.”

Assistant director of resource management at BREC Sharon King said the main difference between the Green Force and regular volunteers is the depth of their training as well as their focus on conservation.

Training shows them how to use specific gardening tools, classroom skills and invasive species removal so they can execute these needs without the presence of a BREC employee, King said.

King said that without the Green Force, there were times in the past few years that trails would have needed to be shut down due to employees’ atten-

to learn more about them than ‘we just need to get them out of here.’”

Marti Gil said the program is possible because of support from the museum’s director, Prosanta Chakrabarty, and a $5,000 grant from the LSU Family Council.

In the future, Marti Gil hopes the program will expand on a wider-scale level. Future collaborations with campus organizations, local artists and even translation projects to make the museum’s materials accessible in Cajun French are on the horizon.

“In five years, I hope we can establish it as a solid, campus-wide, Baton Rouge-wide program,” Marti Gil said. “My goal eventually is to become that platform where we can highlight amazing people in our community and create synergy.”

tion being on other projects and them only being able to be at one place at a time.

“The Green Force, it’s the people who really enjoy being outdoors and are really dedicated. They show up all of the time,” King said.

A word King used to describe Green Force volunteers is “warrior,” one of them being Nathaniel Klumb.

On top of a full-time job with the East Baton Rouge school board, Klumb volunteers hundreds of hours every year and has been returning as a Green Force volunteer since 2020.

Klumb said being outdoors, working on hiking trails and occasionally pushing down a rotten tree is a passion of his, which was a major part in his decision

to join. He said he felt that not only was he doing something he enjoyed, but he knew that it was for a good cause.

“The requirements are basically utterly trivial and the opportunities are vast,” Klumb said.

One of their upcoming volunteer events is the Catfish Rodeo on Oct. 18. The event allows anglers of all ages to come fish and learn about sustainable fishing.

On Nov. 22, they will be hosting another volunteer event, Privet Pull-ooza, where they will be removing invasive privet from Bayou Manchac Park to restore the natural habitat.

The next biannual Green Force training will be on Dec. 13. For more information or to register for any of these events, check out their website.

ENTERTAINMENT

Students share thoughts on Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

BY LEXIE WARE Entertainment

After weeks of coded lyric teasers and sparkly website countdowns, the world has finally heard Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated twelfth album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” As has become customary for Swift, the album quickly shattered sales and streaming records within mere hours of its release.

Countless LSU students joined in on the festivities with orange feathers and glitter on Oct. 3, proving that not even the Tigers are immune to Taylormania. Many students, including those in the LSU Swifties club, attended “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” in theaters throughout Baton Rouge.

Maggie Dunn, a communica tions disorders major, said she and her roommates celebrated the album’s release with a dorm listening party, complete with themed snacks and drinks. She said that turning Swift’s music into a fun event has helped to create a sense of community for her on campus.

“It really is a celebration of womanhood and togetherness,” Dunn said. “That’s really what Taylor has become for me, at least, as a Tiger.”

English major Caylie Seidel said that after participating in a listening party for Swift’s 2022 album “Midnights,” she was drawn to the fandom on LSU’s campus. She feels that becoming a Swiftie has been an incredibly positive experience and especially enjoys discussing Swift’s music with others.

“You can dig deep into it if you want to,” Seidel said. “You can just love the vibes if you want to. Being on an SEC campus with college football, it’s not as intense as that, but it can be if you want it to be.”

LSU Swifties club advisor Lisa

Fisher feels that Swift’s motivational messages throughout “The Life of a Showgirl” are perfect for any students who may be struggling, whether academically or personally.

“It’s all about claiming your power back and just having a good time,” Fisher said. “And understanding that even if you’re in a dark spot, you can find light in something.”

This sentiment, according to Fisher, is echoed throughout LSU’s campus.

“LSU’s such a good family place and such a great community that this album just matches the vibe of campus,” Fisher said.

However, what screen arts major Iris Cavazos is most excited for is Swift’s return to what she calls ‘true pop.’

“I love albums such as ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ but I think I’m just loving her going back to the pop-y, meaty music,” Cavazos said.

As usual, Swift left Easter eggs throughout the release of the album for her fans to find. Her intentional placement of the tracklist to mimic the stage for “The Eras Tour” did not go unnoticed for Dunn, who said that the songs flowed very well when listening in order.

“It was very clear that everything was very carefully placed,” Dunn said.

Dunn said it was difficult to choose just one favorite song from “The Life of a Showgirl,” but eventually settled on lead single “The Fate of Ophelia.”

“I feel like that was such a perfect opening track,” Dunn said. “It really encompasses how far she’s come as an artist.”

Another track that was consistently mentioned as a favorite by LSU students was “Opalite,” the third song on the album. Marketing major Mattie Baker said she simply could not stop listening

PUZZLES

to it, which was a sentiment that Cavazos and Seidel enthusiastically agreed with.

Baker also noted that Swift’s sound consistently evolves with each new album, most notably within the past five years with releases like “Evermore” and “The Tortured Poets Department.”

“The folk music into pop, I’ve loved to see over the past couple years,” Baker said. “It shows her range.”

Seidel is grateful that Swift opted to work with producers Max Martin and Shellback for the album, therefore creating a different sound than her more recent works. She believes that Swift was likely inspired by Swedish pop group ABBA while making “The Life of a Showgirl.”

However, these positive opinions were not shared by all students. Business major Isabella Cerniglia had a ‘wi$h li$t’ for “The Life of a Showgirl” that Swift did not meet, especially with Swift’s lyricism. She remarked that the lyrics often felt recycled and repetitive compared to previous albums, especially on tracks like “Wood” and “Actually Romantic.”

“I think ‘Showgirl’ had some good moments, but overall was a cringey album that still doesn’t feel like Taylor Swift,” Cerniglia said. “Personally, I think it just seems to lack the same artistic drive that Taylor maintained throughout her previous albums.”

Her criticism does not mean that there were no standout tracks for Cerniglia. She shares Baker’s love for “Opalite” and likened the song to characters from popular romance novel “Fourth Wing.”

Regardless of any criticism both on-campus and online, “The Life of a Showgirl” is a new favorite of Seidel’s.

“I’m a yes man,” Seidel said with a smile. “I love Taylor Swift. I’m going to find joy in whatever she produces.”

Sam Morrow’s bassist sings and plays.

George Porter Jr.’s drummer plays.

The Captain Legendary Band’s frontman sings and plays the guitar.

A child plays with a toy from the vendor alley.

Numerous music artists performed live at the third annual Federales Fest at Live Oak at Cedar Lodge on Oct. 4 in Baton Rouge, La.

College Radio Day brings radio stations and artists together

BY MIA HATTAWAY Staff Writer

On Friday, Oct. 3, the sound of live music echoed through Beauvoir Park long before you could see the stage — a sure sign that College Radio Day was back and better than ever.

College Radio Day is an annual event hosted by KLSU, with the recent addition of The Bluff, to spotlight local musicians, artisans and of course, radio.

As an outdoor venue, Beauvoir Park is a fitting space for an event like this. The Crosscut Stage is the first thing you see when you make it in. The wooden platform is decorated with license plates, murals and LED lights, creating an eclectic but cozy vibe. Two rows of park benches provided seating for spectators, making the concerts feel all the more intimate.

In the open grass, several groups, including the KLSU staff, gathered on picnic blankets. Soft chatter and laughter provided a natural accompaniment to the live music.

Surrounding the exterior of the space were the vendor booths, including KLSU, LSU’s Gumbo, Southern University’s The Bluff, as well as artists, thrifting pop-ups and food from Sushi Iku.

Art vendor Gianna Militana has been attending the KLSU event since 2019, when she worked for the radio station as an undergraduate student. She is the creator of Art By Gianna.

“Honestly, it’s been very cool to see so many new musicians come and get to know new bands that form, you know, new DJs that come in, all the people that enter this little creative community that we have,” Militana said. “You know, I feel like it is a cool community to have little reunions for.”

Militana shared that the turnout for her business is always good when she does pop-ups at College Radio Day.

“I feel like this event specifically has so many fun, artsy, young people that really resonate with what I do,” Militana said.

René, the creator of Godchild Jewelry, found out about the

event through Militana this year.

“I just went down this huge rabbit hole, like going through [KLSU’s] stuff and looking at the music [they] play on the station,” René said. “I didn’t even know College Radio Day was a thing, so I was like ‘Let me get on board and see what it’s about.’”

First to perform at 5 p.m. was Acath, a synth-y punk rock band from Lafayette, Louisiana. Its ethereal sound was captivating, and as band members plucked their last few chords in the rays of the setting sun, its moody sound became even more otherworldly.

Next to take the stage at 6 p.m. was Whisper Party! Transitioning the event into the night,

this NOLA-based band brought all the dreamy rock vibes. Whisper Party! welcomed the growing crowd with a vibrantly pulsing sound and violet-toned stage.

As the night started to wind down, NeoSoul500 brought up the energy with their eclectic, jazzy R&B music at 7 p.m. As the Baton Rouge group performed, you could practically feel the crowd stilling to watch the jam session.

Last up was Southern University student DDR Rage at 8 p.m. The Louisianan rapper delivered an intimate yet lively performance, bringing the event back to its community roots.

KLSU chief announcer Ruby Nethercutt (DJ Ziggy) shared that College Radio Day is an opportunity to support local music and uplift radio to the larger Baton Rouge population.

“It’s such a good local event,” Nethercutt said. “KLSU has been my favorite place to make new friends, find new music and just have new experiences.”

KLSU marketing director Elaya Newman appreciates College Radio Day for the exposure it provides to radio, saying the medium often “gets overlooked.”

Southern University made their College Radio Day debut this year with its newly founded radio station, The Bluff. Jodeci Ashford, also known as FxreverMyLady, is the first host of The Bluff.

“It’s our first time sharing the spotlight with KLSU,” Ashford said. “It is super amazing, so I’m

just so excited to be here and, of course, meet so many people.”

Caitlin Russell, KLSU’s station manager, mentioned that the feeling is mutual.

“Collabing with Southern was such a huge deal for us and we’re so excited to be here with them,” Russell said.

Alex Sheesley, a sports reporter and specialty DJ, known as DJ Junior, described the community that the annual event draws in.

“We have a bunch of people here. Fans of the station for one, but also alumni of KLSU,” Sheesley said. “Obviously everyone on staff currently is talking to each other, but it’s someone who graduated last year, two years ago being like, ‘Hey how are you? How have you been?’ And I think that’s something really special to see.”

Sarah Rice was one of many students manning the table for Maison Du Tigre, LSU’s fashion magazine. Rice shared that a vital part of college is finding a place where your creativity can shine.

Reagan Wheeler, KLSU’s content manager, says that the station may be the very place to inspire you.

“If you want to expand your music taste or you want to get more into alternative music, we’re your people,” Wheeler said.

With another successful College Radio Day wrapped, it is clear that college radio continues to be important to locals and students alike in Baton Rouge.

Musical Theatre Club shoots for the stars with annual Cabaret

BY LAURA ALLEN Staff Writer

LSU Musical Theatre Club is dreaming big with its first show of the season, sending a message of hope and perseverance to audiences.

MTC is kicking off its 20252026 season with its annual Cabaret showcase, directed by junior music therapy major Kaleb Dobbins and sophomore music composition major Nai Brewer. This year’s theme is “Shoot for the Stars: A Showstopping Cabaret,” featuring a variety of songs from musical theatre characters who dared to dream.

“I really want everyone to walk away with a piece of, like, anything that you dream has to start with you, here, first,” Dobbins said.

True to its title, this year’s Cabaret is certainly a showstopper. With songs from hit musicals like “The Greatest Showman,” “Newsies” and “Footloose,” audience members will definitely be singing along in their seats.

“Shoot for the Stars” is also a dance-heavy showcase. Choreographers Stephanie McCandless and Theresa Whitaker have choreographed the show to be just as visually interesting as it is mu-

sically captivating. “King of New York” from the Disney musical “Newsies” is just one of the numbers that lets the actors show off their dance moves.

“‘King of New York’ is my favorite number, because I really love all the dancing in it,” said Abbey Mohr, a sophomore communication disorders major. “I’ve always wanted to be in ‘Newsies,’ so kind of getting to be able to do that on a smaller scale it’s so much fun to get to dance in that one.”

However, the production has not been without challenges. With only a month of rehearsals, the cast has had to learn about eight weeks worth of material lines, lyrics, choreography, blocking and quick changes in only five weeks. But even with such a tight time crunch, Dobbins said everyone on the team was willing to step up and put in their all to finish the show on time.

What is especially rewarding for Dobbins is not just getting to see his vision come to life, but also seeing the cast members come out of their shells and become the dreamers they are portraying.

“It’s literally one of the best casts of Cabaret that I’ve ever

been a part of, energy-wise,” Dobbins said.

What makes this year’s Cabaret a little different from past years is how broad the theme is. The past two Cabarets have had fairly narrow themes — Dobbin’s freshman year production featured the nostalgic tunes of Disney, while his sophomore year production took on a more sinister tone in honor of Halloween. This year, MTC was able to pull songs from all different directions.

“The board has really allowed us to take a different direction to more broader things,” Dobbins said. “So we’re not shoehorned into a specific niche.”

For Mohr, the message of “Shoot for the Stars” is so compelling because she sees it reflected in every one of her castmates.

“I know a lot of people have come into this club, and this is their first time doing the show here,” Mohr said. “So kind of being able to see them all put faith in themselves and execute that has kind of led to the theme of the show, which is ‘dream it, believe it.’”

Dobbins hopes that the message will also get through to audiences. In such uncertain times, he said, it is important not to lose

hope.

“It was really important to me to tell everybody that it’s okay to dream, and it’s okay to have high hopes,” he said. “It might not happen today, but you still never stop working. It is definitely

something that you can achieve.” “Shoot for the Stars: A Showstopping Cabaret” will show on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the LSU Digital Media Center. Admission is free.

SPORTS

What ‘the crown’ means in women’s sports

BY RAMI BURKS Staff Writer

Women’s sports are growing significantly every year, and LSU takes that to a whole new level.

LSU gymnastics was the team to debut the crown. It was placed on the head of a gymnast after receiving a perfect 10, but it originates from the “stick crown” tradition as far back as 2018.

In 2024, the gymnasts brought home the crown and a national title from Fort Worth, which has helped shape the idea that the crown belongs to the Tigers.

It wasn’t just used in gymnastics. Also in 2024, the softball and women’s basketball teams donned the crown in fairly successful seasons.

To join the camaraderie that LSU gym started, the softball team began wearing a crown when one of the players hit a home run. First to be crowned was former utility Raeleen Gutierrez.

The team mantra for the season was “deal us in,” but the goal was perfection from the Bayou Bengals from all sides of the ball. The crown just helped drive the point home.

The women’s basketball team leaned into the crown as well, but in a different way than the others. The crown was used in promotions for star player Angel Reese.

Instead of using it for the team like gymnastics and softball, basketball used it to hype up the fans. The use of the crown brought attention to Reese outside of her stardom on the court.

Even if you didn’t follow the 2023 women’s basketball season,

see THE CROWN, page 10

VOLLEYBALL

NEW DETAILS

Attorney alleges Kyren Lacy was not at fault for accident that led to his arrest

BY ROSS ABBOUD Staff Writer

In an interview with HTV 10, the attorney representing former LSU football star Kyren Lacy disputed Louisiana State Police’s statements that his client was at fault in a deadly crash in January.

Lacy was arrested in January for charges of negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle after police said he “recklessly passed multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed,” resulting in a head-on collision and the death of 78-yearold Herman Hall.

Lacy took his own life while driving in Houston on April 12, two days before he was set to appear before a grand jury.

Lacy’s attorney, Matt Ory, provided the findings of the Lafourche Parish district attorney’s office compared to the surveillance footage and the state police’s report of the accident in the interview.

Ory disputed the fact that Lacy is at fault for the accident. He said that Lacy did pass four vehicles in a no-pass zone, but Ory claimed Lacy returned into the lane about 90 yards behind where the crash happened.

“He was 72.6 yards [away] be -

fore they collide. He is almost a football field away back in his lane. You can see another car come to a stop and then Kyren Lacy come to a stop,” Ory said.

LSP issued a statement to media regarding the new claims.

“Investigative findings revealed that Mr. Lacy’s reckless driving while approaching oncoming traffic led to the events of the crash. The findings were presented to the 17th Judicial District Court, which approved an arrest warrant based on the evidence collected. As with all investigations leading to arrest, the subjects of the investigation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” the statement said.

LSP also said it doesn’t dispute that Lacy was behind the crash scene, but said “his swerving, passing cars and reckless operation caused the series of crash events.”

Ory claimed that Lacy was too far away from the crash to fit the definition of him actively passing at the time of the crash.

“In the conclusion of the district attorney’s report, [state police] gave the impression that Kyren Lacy was actively passing vehicles when the crash occurred, which is incorrect,” Ory said.

Ory also said the driver of the second vehicle involved, which was the one that hit Hall’s vehicle, gave statements saying she tried to avoid a gold truck she was behind rather than Lacy’s green Dodge Charger.

Ory provided bodycam footage of a law enforcement officer speaking with the driver of the gold truck. The footage shows the trooper asking the driver to write a written statement and include that “you had to slam on your brakes to avoid that Charger.”

The gold truck’s driver said the woman driving the car behind him caused the wreck when she pulled into the other lane to avoid hitting the back of the truck.

The officer’s body cam was also turned off as the driver wrote his report, Ory said.

Ory said Lacy had a passenger in his vehicle at the time of the crash that the LSP failed to bring in for questioning.

“There was another passenger in Kyren Lacy’s car. They knew this. They have video footage of this individual getting out of the car. Why didn’t you ascertain his identity? Why would you not want to hear the person with one of the best views of this incident? Why would you not bring him in for questioning?”

A guide to Louisiana hockey teams

BY GABBY GRAY Staff Writer

The falling of leaves, the breeze in the air, the early sunsets — October is officially here, which means two things.

It’s the start of the holiday season, but it’s also the start of ice hockey season.

If you’re new to Louisiana or to the sport itself, you might be wondering how you can keep up with the game here in the bayou.

While Louisiana isn’t a part of the National Hockey League (NHL) and LSU doesn’t have an NCAAsanctioned team, there are still ways for hockey fans to stay on top of the ice in south Louisiana.

Baton Rouge Zydeco

Within the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) is a home team competing in the boot of Louisiana, the Baton Rouge Zydeco.

Ranked No. 7 in the Continental Division of the FPHL, the Zydeco was established in 2023, with its first season of play starting last year.

For its season opener, the Zydeco will be traveling to Monroe, Louisiana, to compete against the Monroe Moccasins on Oct. 18.

As far as its home opener, Halloween and hockey come together for the puck drop on Oct. 31 in a game against the Columbus Water Dragons at the Raising Cane’s River Center Arena.

If you’ve never heard the word “zydeco” before, you’re probably wondering what it means and how it relates to the team.

The word zydeco is rooted in Louisiana tradition, defined as a blend of tunes that combines waves of French origins and Caribbean music to form a rhythm of blues.

“By choosing the name Zydeco,

GUIDE, page 10

This volleyball player began her career with Houston softball

BY RAMI BURKS Staff Writer

Sometimes the most kismet moments in life come in the form of second chances.

LSU volleyball transfer sophomore Emilee Prochaska came from the University of Houston, but she didn’t play volleyball. Prochaska played softball at UH, and when she entered the transfer portal after her freshman year, LSU volleyball found its way into consideration.

“I wasn’t looking to play volleyball whatsoever,” Prochaska said. “I mean, it was a thought in the back

of my mind. Honestly, my parents, my mom, really knew that I was always happy with volleyball and that I should try and play it, because she thought that’s what I wanted.”

So, Prochaska listened to her mom and reached out to the Tigers’ volleyball program. She said she fell in love with LSU’s campus when she visited and that the atmosphere was otherworldly.

Once Prochaska visited campus, she said she knew it was the opportunity of a lifetime and that her journey was supposed to happen this way. Everything came together for her at that moment, and she

knew LSU was home.

LSU may have offered her a chance to transfer to play volleyball, but Prochaska said she didn’t keep up with her court skills while playing softball. She took a pretty significant break from the sport during her freshman year at UH.

“I didn’t do anything after my [high school] senior year of volleyball,” Prochaska said. “I thought that was over for me. So my last volleyball game was in the fall of 2023… I hadn’t really touched a volleyball since.”

see SECOND CHANCE, page 10

THE CROWN, from page 9

Reese was seen as a leader on the court in the 2024 season and held to extremely high standards, but it’s safe to say that the crown worked for her.

As she left LSU for the WNBA, a farewell social media post even highlighted Reese wearing the crown.

But it didn’t end with the 2024 sports season; in 2025, gymnastics returned with the team’s motto being “protect the crown.” As the reigning national champions, the goal was to go back-to-back; more importantly, it was to continue striving for perfection.

“We talk about our theme of the year being ‘protect the crown,’” gymnast Sierra Ballard said in a press conference. “The crown represents the legacy of LSU gymnastics. It represents all of the alumni that have come before us and that have set the stone and set the pavement for us to build upon. We wouldn’t be able to climb it if they didn’t build the pavement, and so it’s just kind of being able to represent everything that they’ve built.”

The crown usage doesn’t stop there. Even the smaller women’s sports began to lean into the new tradition.

Indoor volleyball tried on the crown in 2023, captioning a social media post “Crown her Queen” about outside hitter Jurnee Robinson being named the South Regional Freshman of the Year. In 2025, the media day pictures were filled with the crown.

HOCKEY GUIDE, from page 9

SECOND CHANCE, from page 9 you probably heard about Reese and her nickname “Bayou Barbie.”

While the crown has symbolized perfection in other sports, in volleyball, it represents reaching the top.

Head coach Tonya Johnson said in a podcast interview that the team’s main goal was to build a foundation for future teams. The crown could represent the motivation this team needs to push them in the right direction.

“One of the things that my staff and I have taken a lot of pride in is just building this thing right,” Johnson said. “I really and truly feel like we have the pieces this year to have a very successful season.”

LSU soccer followed a similar pattern to volleyball, utilizing the crown for media while trying to raise the standards from past seasons.

Head coach Sian Hudson said before the first game of the 2025 season that the goal is to compete in championships, similar to softball’s mantra from 2024, but instead of “deal us in,” it’s “strike gold.”

“Expectations are high this season,” Hudson said. “We have an experienced group of returners who are key to our success, as well as talented newcomers who have already made a strong impression. We believe this is the year we can ‘strike gold’ and compete for championships.”

Something as small as a crown symbolizes the birth of a dynasty, and LSU looks to be at the forefront of the future of women’s sports. Gymnastics started a trend that has become iconic among Tiger athletics, and it doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.

It’s evident that Prochaska never planned to play volleyball in college. She described volleyball to be her “fun sport” growing up, and softball was her focus for recruitment. She began the recruiting process for softball at 13 years old, and she didn’t look back.

LSU and a few other schools were looking at her for volleyball during her initial recruiting process, but she knew that softball was it for her. She didn’t expect to be recruited for volleyball.

“I guess the season, maybe spring-ish, that the recruiting gate opens for volleyball, is when actually my coach told me, ‘Hey, people are looking at you,’” Prochaska said. “And I was like, ‘Oh, you’re funny. No, they’re not.’ It wasn’t supposed to end up that way.”

She said her dream as a little girl was to play in the Women’s College World Series, so despite the initial volleyball offer from LSU, she stuck with the softball route because she really liked the UH coaches.

But when she entered the

we are honoring the rich history and traditions that have shaped Louisiana’s community,” team owner Barry Soskin said in a 2023 press release. “We believe in creating a sports team that not only excels on the ice but also reflects the unique culture and spirit of Baton Rouge.”

If you’re interested in following the Baton Rouge Zydeco, its Instagram is riddled with updates for the upcoming season. Season and individual game tickets are available for purchase on the team’s site through Ticketmaster.

LSU club hockey

In the name of school spirit, hockey fans can follow the frost to LSU’s club hockey team.

When hearing the words “LSU hockey,” many students respond bewildered to the fact that LSU has a club hockey team.

Founded in 2014 as a part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association and later disbanded in 2018, today’s club hockey team has been active since 2023.

“The group that was in charge brought the team back in 2023,” LSU club hockey captain and forward Anthony Lanfranchi said. “I was just grateful to be a part of it.”

Lanfranchi is a third-year doctoral student at LSU from New York, carrying hockey from both his heart and his home.

“With a hockey stick in hand as a

little kid, I met some of my lifelong friends,” Lanfranchi said. “I think to introduce this game to the South, it gives more people an opportunity to become a fan, to become an athlete.”

In the name of becoming a fan, where can potential new fans of this club team find the Tigers on the ice?

Since LSU club hockey completely funds its own team, the Tigers travel to Planet Ice in Lafayette, Louisiana, for their home games to ensure affordability and budget costs.

“I know it’s a hassle to get to Lafayette,” Lanfranchi said. “But I think the more support we get in Lafayette, the more likely that we can get an opportunity to play here in Baton Rouge.”

Baton

transfer portal, she found herself wanting something different. For Prochaska, that meant pulling a complete 180 by looking at LSU, finding herself looking to play her “fun sport” full-time.

Prochaska stepped right back into volleyball like she’d never left, LSU middle blocker Jessica Jones said. Committing to LSU meant Prochaska would also get to experience the ups and downs of college

athletics with one of her childhood best friends. It was only fitting since the reason Jones started playing in the first place was because of Prochaska, Jones said.

Prochaska and Jones played three sports together growing up: softball, volleyball and soccer. They grew up together in these sports, and even though they went to rival high schools, playing with and against each other has been a high-

light of their relationship.

Jones said that Prochaska appeared to never miss a beat at practice when she first got to LSU.

“It’s not easy to take multiple years off from your sport, and then jump right back into it, especially at this level,” Jones said. “It’s not like she’s jumping into some easy volleyball… super impressive how fast she’s able to keep up with everyone and just kind of jump right back into it, like she kind of never left.”

Jones also said that it’s been nice having a friend from home at college. It can be lonely not having connections to home when at school, so she said having a hometown friend with her all the time has been heartwarming.

Prochaska and Jones are two of five former club volleyball friends who have stayed in contact since they aged out, and it has been nice for both of them.

“We can always go to each other for anything just because we’ve known each other for so long,” Jones said. “Now we get to go through, you know, the same amazing experience, whether it’s

With Planet Ice being an hour drive from LSU, it might be difficult for fans to travel to games, but don’t worry, there are still other ways to support this team.

From keeping up with them on social media, applying to be a sponsor or buying merchandise, LSU club hockey benefits from every ounce of support from fans.

“This year, we have a couple new jerseys coming out, so we will be selling each jersey, and a part of the sales come back to the team,” Lanfranchi said. “Those proceeds go back to us and help us out with stuff like ice costs.”

On top of its competition on the ice, LSU club hockey also goes out of its way to support its community, including coaching aspiring skaters and hockey players on the ice in Lafayette.

“So we went out to help them skate at this practice, and one of the kids said, ‘You know, when I grow up, I want to be an LSU Ice Tiger,’” Lanfranchi said.

With so many different fall sports in Louisiana, the presence of ice hockey in the South is still growing, and for it to reach the next generation, fans need to foster its growth now.

If you want to be part of the growth of Louisiana ice hockey, be sure to check out these local teams either on the ice or on social media.

good or bad, and just experience all those challenges and successes together.”

Jones also said that it’s usually awkward between the team and any new transfers or freshmen, but Prochaska gelled great with the rest of the team. She said Prochaska has been able to be her true self and fits in well.

“We have a lot of big personalities on the team, so I feel like sometimes personalities can get suppressed a little bit,” Jones said. “This season, everyone’s kind of being their true selves, and Em’s fitting right into that.”

It’s turned into everything she thought she was committing to, Prochaska said. From the wonderful campus to the energy between the players, the decision to transfer and switch sports has all come together for her.

“LSU was the only school, volleyball-wise, that even gave me a chance for volleyball,” Prochaska said. “Honestly, it was my second chance. So I was like, I can’t say no to this opportunity if it still presents itself.”

OPINION

Sex is special. Don’t cheapen it with hookups

TANTAWI’S TALKS

MOHAMMAD

On the road to fulfillment, many of us explore different avenues, with one of them being promiscuity.

Society has taught some that freedom and sexual liberation go hand in hand — that feeling totally in tune with oneself means hopping between sexual partners to find “what we like,” and to enjoy the pleasures different partners can provide. This pushes sex as a pleasure mechanism instead of a symbolic representation of connection.

You may think, “I’ve had great one-time sex with X person,” but that was cheap sex, built upon shallow representations of connection. It wasn’t fueled by passion built upon commitment, love and genuine care. Instead, it was likely a substance-fueled squirrel fight, with passion emanating from the idea that there are no strings attached.

Yes, sex is supposed to bring you pleasure, but it’s supposed to bring you the type of pleasure that comes with a level of responsibility and care — beyond the risks of pregnancy.

As you’re engaging in a mutual, consensual act of passion, there should be an implied idea that, beyond sex, you care about one another. That level of responsibility means knowing you’re responsible for each other’s satisfaction, which leads to sexual communication and patience.

You should not want to sleep around because a girl is hot or a guy’s junk looks great in gray sweatpants.

It’s those types of illusions that distract us and ruin our ability to de -

tect factors that are unappealing — such as personality traits, bad habits and low emotional intelligence. These are traits that can hurt us or drag us down if left undetected. And you’re not going to notice them if your eyes are glued to her jeans or his biceps.

Remember, promiscuity comes at the expense of your future self. Part of loving yourself is saving yourself for someone who genuinely cares about you.

This has nothing to do with how many times you’ve engaged in sexual relations, but how easily you’ve given yourself to another because you felt lonely, wanted approval or thought they’d make you feel better about yourself.

Accessibility goes hand in hand with value. Value yourself enough to not let just anyone have access to your body. The more accessible you are, the more people will abuse that accessibility, treating you like you have less value.

Respecting yourself makes it much easier for the world to respect you and your boundaries. Your desirability will increase, and you’ll be able to separate the wheat from the chaff with greater ease.

Again, this has nothing to do with how many sexual partners you’ve had. It’s about how easily you’ve given up your body to a quick flirt, a slick compliment or someone’s status or appeal.

Sex should come after you’ve realized that your lover is interested in you as a person. They listen to your rants, they care about your dreams and they want the best for you as a person. No relationship is needed for that.

Mohammad Tantawi is a 24-yearold mass communication senior from Smyrna, Tenn.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Jason Willis Editor in Chief

Tomlinson

Chloe Richmond

McEntee

Managing Editor

Banning sweets from SNAP recipients

is dehumanizing and shortsighted

BODACIOUS BLAIR

BLAIR

BERNARD Columnist

I was having a conversation with a friend while grabbing snacks, just about to buckle down for exam week. As I was going through the simple act of picking out my goodies, I was reminded of an article I’d seen about the possibility of banning certain “pleasure foods” — junk food, candy, soda — for SNAP beneficiaries.

So I did what most people do when they have a question these days: I Googled it. That’s when I discovered the bill had actually been passed during the Trump administration.

In case you didn’t know, this policy limits what food and drink options can be purchased with SNAP benefits. As someone who cares deeply about social equity and public policy, I have serious concerns about how these restrictions will harm low-income families — especially school-age kids. The more I looked into it, the more I realized just how misguided this approach truly is.

I frankly don’t see how this bill could magically erase the health concerns all throughout the U.S. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., amongst other representatives claim they are looking out for the health of Americans on SNAP. I say they really just want another excuse to cut and restrict benefits from recipients.

Oklahoma rep. Josh Breechan said, “If someone wants to buy junk food on their own dime, that’s up to them.” You can do whatever you want with your own money, yes. But to claim that this bill deconstructs the harmful statistics of health diseases for all of the U.S. is contradicting. Breechan is adamantly proclaiming prejudice in my opinion. Further promoting the class differences between Americans not on SNAP.

What’s most odd to me is that many of our political leaders claim it time for taxpayers to stop paying for the “unhealthy” decisions of SNAP beneficiaries. But I’ve never heard of a more dystopian explanation. This suggestion lacks humanity and compassion and it’s all-around uned-

ucated. We live in Louisiana, any food here is rich in ingredients and consequences — even the “junkier” ones. To suggest that just by being a SNAP recipient you are more susceptible to disease is stigmatizing.

We’ve got them taking away benefits from SNAP recipients, who aren’t even allowed to buy hot food with their benefits, in case you didn’t know. I didn’t think they’d bring their drama to our kitchens. Banning candy, soft and energy drinks. It is a small step toward further restriction for beneficiaries of the state. It starts with junk foods and it ends with our accessibility.

My main issue with this ban is that it isn’t coming from a “we want Louisiana to be healthy.” perspective as Gov. Jeff Landry claims. When in reality it seems to be about decrepit politicians worrying about unnecessary regulations, abusing their power instead of fighting for the integrity of our people and their wants and needs against “big gov.”

Now I have also learned that an order submitted by David N. Matlock to USDA excluding candy, soft and energy drinks will also include an incentivized plan for SNAP users to buy more fruits and vegetables. I am more disgusted as I continue to read on this bill. The word “incentivized” for people receiving a benefit from the government is basically calling them cattle. They will have to earn being rewarded for using their own benefits the way the state chooses. It’s shameful.

We should do a little experiment. I want all the politicians of Louisiana who support this ban to make an in-depth YouTube video of their pantries, I want them to show off all the food they have in their homes, and I want them to explain why they chose to purchase each and every single one. And then, let’s do the same for lower-incomefamilies on SNAP and compare and contrast.

That’s all the research we need.

If you can look at that comparison and still support these restrictions, then maybe the problem isn’t with comprehension — it’s with compassion.

I worry that the banning of these food items is not able to be

truly understood by children, it’s hard enough to tell a kid no at the check-out of a Walmart when they ask for candy, now some of them can basically never get it? It’s wild and I know I would’ve struggled to comprehend that.

But also, who eats candy and drinks sodas and energy drinks more than children of this generation? It’s embedded into youth culture. Kids have their idols like the Paul brothers, who are perpetually coming out with more energy drinks for the market. Not to mention Mr Beast and his bars.

At the end of the day, you’re denying kids the ability to be as equal as their classmates. While I was blessed enough to attend private school, we still had kids who received government funding. Luckily though, when the time came for our Halloween parties, my friends who received aid were still able to bring candy and treats for everyone in class. Unbeknownst to some, they were able to do this because of their SNAP benefits. They’re able to have a sense of normalcy because of the ability to buy candy, which sounds so unimportant but remains so true.

This bill will ensure that kids feel the effects of classism earlier in life. We will most definitely see the effects of exclusion as these kids continue to grow up.

The kicker is, no one has an issue with this bill being passed because it doesn’t affect the elite upper class. Gov. Landry and RFK Jr. will continue to be able to have the freedom to go to any grocery store and choose whatever they please. Their children can go in and get a range of candy or sodas or energy drinks all because of the luck of their circumstance. Whereas low-income families will suffer at the hands of ostracization, which can be heavily damaging to our youth.

This bill’s message is clear: our government cares more about the luck of your circumstance, not about the needs in your situation. Representatives can try and say they care about the health of Americans, but they really want to remind us of their control.

Blair Bernard is a 21-year-old theatre major from Lafayette, La.

Editorial Policies and Procedures Quote of the Week

The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to editor@lsu.edu or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.”

Pumpkin spice hell: ‘Back to Starbucks’ initiative is a failure

SAVOY’S SCOOP

CADE SAVOY Columnist

Fall is to Starbucks what football season is to LSU students: everything. The minute the temperature dips below 90, the $98 billion-franchise’s Baton Rouge patrons erupt into a pumpkin spice frenzy.

But this September, Starbucks didn’t rest on its laurels; it announced a total brand overhaul.

Following six consecutive quarters of declining sales, CEO Brian Niccol launched his “Back to Starbucks” campaign. In an open letter to “all partners, customers and stakeholders,” Niccol promised to “get back to what makes Starbucks, Starbucks.”

Insisting that “our stores have always been more than a place to get a drink,” the executive went on to outline a series of reforms — from having baristas write customers’ names on cups to re-decorating their interior with warm colors like pink and orange — that he claims will return the coffeehouse to its former glory.

Baristas aren’t impressed.

Responding to recent changes in franchise policy, Starbucks Workers United riffed on Niccol’s catchy tagline: “Things are only going backwards at Starbucks under Brian Niccol’s leadership.

Yet again, we’re experiencing new policies and major decisions being made with zero barista input.”

But as the 12,000-member union went on to write in a statement on its prospective union contract, “Starbucks is stonewalling us.”

Niccol might not care about his employees, but he certainly cares about making money. So allow me to give my take on “Back to Starbucks” — from a consumer’s perspective.

To be transparent, I’m not a Starbucks fan. Highland Coffees tastes better, it’s locally owned and it’s right next to campus.

But as a Starbucks hater, I’m Niccol’s target audience. He wants me back. What a joy.

So let me be among the first to break the news: Sorry, Brian, but “Back to Starbucks” will flop.

To be clear, my position isn’t that all of Niccol’s new policies are off-base. I don’t mind pink (I’m iffy on orange, though). It’s that, on the whole, his initiative fails to address the problems underlying Starbucks’ fall from grace — and may inadvertently exacerbate them.

Let’s start with wait times.

Attempting to satisfy demands that they serve customers at a fast-food pace, Starbucks has removed a number of popular items from its menu, including the Java Chip Frappuccino

and the White Hot Chocolate. By removing hard-to-make drinks from its menu, the theory goes, baristas will be able to serve customers faster.

This misunderstands why Starbucks has long wait times.

Last month, Starbucks Workers United surveyed 737 current Starbucks baristas and shift supervisors. Ninety-one percent indicated that they experienced understaffing at their stores in the past three months, and 93% said that staffing issues resulted in longer wait times for customers.

It’s not that baristas are having trouble making complicated drinks. It’s that they’re being asked to dole out Pumpkin Spice Lattes at breakneck speed without help.

Here’s another catch: if a customer orders an item that’s been removed from the menu, baristas still have to make it for them if they have the necessary ingredients. “Condensing” the menu does nothing to reduce wait times. It’s just an empty gesture.

“Back to Starbucks” also won’t achieve another one of Niccol’s biggest goals: making Starbucks locations more inviting.

Unsurprisingly, the initiative puts most of the onus of attracting customers on baristas, giving them new scripts for interacting with customers.

This also amounts to putting a Band-Aid over a bullet hole.

For one, if customers cared about finding community, they’d go to a locally owned coffee shop. Making a multi-billion dollar corporation seem inviting will always be a hard sell.

If Starbucks wants to improve its sales, it should stop pointing fingers at baristas and reflect on its own unethical business practices. Until then, I won’t be going back to Starbucks.

Cade Savoy is a political science and philosophy major from Breaux Bridge, La.

But also, if baristas seem uninviting, it’s not because they don’t know how to greet customers. It’s because, as Starbucks Workers United has argued for years, baristas are underpaid, overworked and subjected to countless other unfair labor practices. It’s hard to wear a smile on your face when you’re working a double and struggling to feed your family. Consumers want change too. Across the world, millions are boycotting Starbucks because of the company’s union-busting practices and investments in Israel.

90-degree heat shouldn’t stop you from serving fall fashion

AVA’S POV

AVA FRANCIS Columnist

As a fashion lover who attends LSU here in the Deep South, it almost feels impossible to dress the way my little heart desires — especially when “fall” rolls around.

When I think of curating my fall wardrobe, I immediately think of style icons like the queen of the Upper East Side in the early 2000s drama “Gossip Girl,” Blair Waldorf.

Waldorf’s ensembles consisted of layers and accessories like her signature headbands and scarves. Due to geographical reasons, here in the South — where the heat and humidity are inescapable — a layered wardrobe isn’t really ideal.

So, let’s talk about how to achieve fall looks as a resident of Baton Rouge.

You can start by transitioning your summer pieces to your fall favorites.

Two fashion pioneers who frequent my mood boards are Carrie Bradshaw and Zoë Kravitz. Jennifer Aniston also pulls off a relaxed, quiet-luxury aesthetic.

Our fall often feels like a New York summer. In the summer episodes of “Sex and The City,” Bradshaw navigates the busy streets of NYC in slip dresses, maxi skirts, loose blouses, cami-

soles — and of course, her signature high heels.

I personally do a lot of walking around campus, so I trade Bradshaw’s strappy Jimmy Choos for comfy Old Navy flipflops, reserving my Choos for the weekend.

A flip-flop adds comfort to an outfit but gives off a cool and effortless look. Let’s face it, flipflops don’t need to be put away until the weather calls for a cold front brisk enough to give one frostbite, which rarely happens here.

If you’re not a flip-flop fan, Birkenstocks — specifically Bostons — are a great option. Obviously, loafers and sneakers are also go-tos.

There’s something so easy and breezy about a flip-flop. It reminds me of the relaxed lifestyle of surfers on the West Coast and easy summer days strolling down Magazine Street in New Orleans. In an interview with Glamour magazine, actress Jennifer Aniston revealed why she’s never attended the Met Gala, known as fashion’s biggest night to many. While Aniston loves dressing up, she explained, “I’m a jeans and flip-flops and tank top kind of girl.”

I relate to Aniston’s choice of attire. Being comfortable and chic can exist simultaneously. That aesthetic also applies to Zoë Kravitz, who has mastered the effortless, chic girl seen around

town look down to a tee. I often lean into this vibe.

Kravitz’s street style consists of tank tops, vintage baby tees, slip dresses and skirts.

And yes, I too love a maxi slip skirt. It’s one of the most worn pieces in my capsule wardrobe.

A capsule wardrobe, by the way, is a collection of interchangeable pieces that can be worn season after season.

Curating a capsule wardrobe is beneficial, because it allows you to build a collection of classic pieces you can easily style. It’s also beneficial for sustainability — we’re environmentally conscious around these parts.

Think quality over quantity.

Over the last three years, I’ve built my capsule wardrobe, which consists of a color scheme of neutrals such as black, blush, white, army green and navy blue. My campus uniform was easily generated from this scheme.

A typical week of outfits for me centers around ensembles featuring maxi skirts, jeans, button-downs and tennis skirts.

The sporty-chic route is preppy, comfy and put together.

My cycle of accessories completes every look. I choose from a rotation of canvas totes, sunglasses, baseball caps, gold rings, bangles, hoops and my signature prescription specs, of course.

While the weather is a big indicator of what we can wear

comfortably, here are some of my favorite aesthetic items and go-tos, according to my fashion forecast for surviving fall in the south.

Trends come and go, but your personal style is forever. Don’t

Ballet Flats

let the weather stop you from wearing what you love and feel good in this fall.

Ava Francis is a 22-year-old journalism major from New Orleans.

I recently added a pair of leopard ballet flats to my repertoire that perfectly complement my favorite relaxed fit jeans. Ballet flats are the perfect upgrade to any basic outfit.

Boots

I find myself mainly wearing boots while on the East Coast. However, the wet and rainy weather conditions we had a few weeks ago presented the best opportunity to sport an ensemble that featured my platform Steve Madden boots. I’m also a huge fan of Frye and moto boots this season.

Boho Chic Aesthetic

I’m here for these vibes because there are so many variations to explore. You can sport a maxi skirt and flip-flops or wear denim cutoffs and fringe suede boots; both are fitting. A little fashion history: boho and Western styles that are seen everywhere are derived from Indigenous traditional garb.

Tights

How I love a mini skirt and tights. I promise, if we experienced cooler weather in the Boot, tights would always be in rotation for me.