The Reveille 2-12-26

What to know about baseball’s season opener and women’s basketball’s rivalry matchup with South Carolina.

See how you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with movies, crafts and more.

AUTHOR & ATHLETE

This beach volleyball player just released her debut romance novel

BY CHARLOTTE TRENTALANGE Staff Writer

Gracey James Campbell is used to being busy. As a beach volleyball student-athlete, her days are packed with practices, classes and tutoring, but this Valentine’s Day, she’s celebrating a different kind of win, as she just added “self-published author” to her résumé.

Campbell, who publishes as Gracey James, released her debut young adult romance novel “It’s Been Five Years” on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Writing is not a new hobby for Campbell. She started during the COVID-19 pandemic when she couldn’t play beach volleyball and needed a creative outlet. She said she acts as a creative person in all aspects of her life, even her athletics. With only two players on each side in beach volleyball, as opposed to six indoors, it leaves room to improvise, and she enjoys playing in her own unique way.

Outside the court, she writes every chance she gets. Campbell has written countless songs, with one published on Spotify called “Backseat Lovers,” and recently optioned a screenplay she wrote when she was 16.

“You name it, I’ve probably tried it,” Campbell said.

Campbell decided in July of last year to write the book, and she finished the draft in September after only three months of writing. Balancing her writing with athletics and academics is difficult, but she loves to do it.

“I don’t really find the time — I make it,” she said. “If I wanted to be like, ‘OK, I’m gonna shower, eat and

go to bed,’ I could, and I would be totally valid because I have such a huge schedule.”

The two outlets go hand in hand, she said. By fueling her creative side, Campbell feels she performs better athletically.

“It’s Been Five Years” follows Tate Knightley and Easton Mills, childhood best friends who reconnect after — you guessed it — five years apart. The story explores how they handle new emotions, how their past shapes their future and the biggest question of whether time can truly heal all wounds.

Campbell pulls elements from people in her life to create characters, but she enjoys building full, detailed personalities for her characters as well.

“I like figuring out what my characters look like, what kind of coffee they order, how they text and things

like that,” she said. “I think if you know those things about your characters, it’s just so much easier to write like them.”

The book is written in dual POV, which allowed Campbell to explore the contrast between the two leads. While writing in the male perspective was sometimes challenging, she focused on grounding Easton’s voice in the identity she built for him as a musician.

“I’ll catch myself sometimes writing a dialogue line, and I’m like, ‘ew, a guy would never say that,’” she said.

She described the book as having the same heartbeat as a Colleen Hoover, Emily Henry or Carly Fortune book — all authors she took inspiration from. Romance is Campbell’s favorite genre to read, but she found that writing romance novels is a very personal process. She hopes that this story shows readers that

they too are worthy of love, like her characters are.

“Romance books remind people they’re worthy of being seen and loved for exactly who they are,” Campbell said.

The student views love as sacrificial, and said that everyone’s love is uniquely their own. She hopes others will read the book and realize they might already have this kind of love in their lives without even realizing it, and maybe that will give them the courage to pursue something unexpected.

Her favorite romantic gesture is when someone puts in effort to be close to her family. Campbell said she’s the most fortunate girl in the world, as her parents encourage all her creative pursuits and even help her when she needs it. Her mom helped edit the book with her, and she grew up watching her dad produce and co-direct movies, inspiring her own creative passions.

Her support system extends to her teammates, coaches and friends. Her two coaches were even some of the first people to buy the book, she said.

Campbell plans for “It’s Been Five Years” to be the first in a three-book trilogy. Her long-term goal, though, is to fill a bookshelf with stories she’s written.

When asked how her characters would spend Valentine’s Day, she said they would go to the beach, drink coffee from a “soup-sized” mug and watch the sunset.

Readers can purchase “It’s Been Five Years” on Amazon and cheer on Campbell at beach volleyball games this coming season.

Looking for a unique date idea for Valentine’s Day?

BY LILY CENTOLA Staff Writer

King cake class at Eloise Market and Cakery

This Valentine’s happens to fall on the weekend of the beloved Southern holiday of Mardi Gras. Therefore, Eloise Market and Cakery’s king cake and bingo class would be the perfect activity to do with friends or a significant other to celebrate the Louisiana holiday and Valentine’s Day at the same time. You and your date can work together to create a delicious cinnamon treat. What speaks more to the heart than king cake?

Thrifting for Dummies pop-up

Thrifting for Dummies, a vintage thrifting pop-up tent, is scheduled to be at LSU. If you are hoping to find unique styles for this Valentine’s, this could be the perfect place to find outfits for your Galentine’s Day festivities. Grab your friends, head to the front of the LSU Student Union from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday and spice up your wardrobes this Valentine’s season.

B-16 Hodges Hall

The Bougie Bar’s candle making class

Feeling crafty? The Bougie Bar’s candle making class could be the Valentine’s activity for you. They have a Valentine’s Day BOGO deal where you can bring your date for free. In the class, you craft a custom candle together. What a fun memento you can make to remember your date.

The Local Lagniappe Gift Boutique is having a Galentine’s cookie decorating class on Thursday at 6 p.m. Want to learn the basics of sugar cookie decorating? Then this is the perfect Valentine’s Day activity for you and your friends. You can learn how to make gorgeous Valentine’s-themed cookies all while treating yourself to a yummy dessert too. Galentine’s cookie class

Highland Road Park Observatory

What’s more romantic than looking up at the stars? The Highland Road Park Observatory has a “Plus Night” on Valentine’s Day. This means the evening sky viewing is open to the public after 7 p.m. Marshmallow roasting will take place behind the building. This is the perfect place to take your date for a relaxing night. You can both sit back, relax and take in the beauty of the stars.

Stick Farmers Market

Head on down to the Red Stick Farmers Market in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge to pick out you and your date’s favorite foods. Visiting the market is a nice way to take in the sights of the city all while planning date night. Together, you both can turn on the radio and cook your favorite cuisine. The farmers market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon on Main Street.

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Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? Here are eight crafty ideas

BY PAIGE CHERAMIE Staff Writer

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. If you have yet to order a gift, your options are running out. However, there is still hope to save this big day.

Handcrafting a present makes for the perfect gift from the heart. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It just has to convey how deeply you care for the gift receiver. Here are some handmade gift ideas for anyone who needs the perfect gift for their valentine.

Bleach-designed shirts

Baked goods

If your valentine has a sweet tooth, homemade baked goods are the perfect gift. You can make something as complex as a cake from scratch or as simple as chocolate-covered strawberries. If you have baking supplies and ingredients already in your pantry, this choice is budget friendly and easy to make in abundance. It’s great to share with all loved ones, friends and family.

Memory jars

If you have a mason jar, paper and stationery, this option is perfect for sentimental people. All you need to do is cut slips of paper and write different memories on each one. If you have colored paper, you can include heart cutouts with the memories. Once the jar is full, you can tie a piece of ribbon around the top and use a permanent marker to write something on the lid. You can include instructions as well, telling the receiver to only look at one memory a day or only open the jar on a bad day.

This project only requires five things: a T-shirt, cup, bleach, water and a paintbrush. If you don’t want it to bleed through the layers, make sure you have a piece of cardboard or a tote bin lid to put inside of the shirt. Using a glass or metal cup, mix bleach and water together. You should aim for a 1-3 ratio of bleach and water. If the design is not showing well, increase the bleach amount to 1-1. Do not put more bleach than water. Ensure you are doing this activity in a well-ventilated area and, if possible, with a respirator mask. Once you finish the shirt, you can let it dry and then wash it alone.

Faux flowers

Flowers are a common gift seen around Valentine’s Day. However, purchasing live flowers means the gift will eventually die, and unless properly dried, will need to be thrown out. Instead, consider making homemade flowers out of various crafting materials. The options here are endless. You can make flowers out of tissue paper, ribbon, pipe cleaners and even yarn. Be sure to pick up wooden skewers as the base, and consider floral wire to craft leaves and hold the bouquet together. YouTube and other social media platforms are flooded with tutorials for these crafts, perfect for beginners to follow along.

Warm, home-cooked

meals

A private dinner for two is the perfect opportunity to experience Valentine’s Day from the comfort of your home. Just find your significant other’s favorite dish and chef it up in the kitchen. Season with love, and maybe burn a candle or two. This also works for anyone hosting a Galentine’s party or celebrating with friends. For shareable dishes, consider a large batch of pasta or a self-serve food bar. Everyone enjoys a nice and warm home-cooked meal.

Paintings

Whether you’re a skilled artist or have never picked up a paint brush, painting for your partner is a great way to show your dedication. If you know a thing or two about painting, you can depict your first date location or a painting of both of you. If you’re a beginner, consider picking up a plain wooden wall decoration and painting something simple like an anniversary date on it. You can use paint markers or traditional paint and a brush. Be sure that you are selecting acrylic paint, as oil paint takes days, or even weeks, to fully dry.

Instead of buying a generic card with a phrase you didn’t write, craft a card from the heart. Just grab a sheet of paper and fold it in half. Then, write or draw something simple on the front. You can add stickers, washi tape or even 3D paper design elements. On the inside, write a heartfelt note to the receiver. It doesn’t have to be extremely extravagant. It can just be a reminder of how much you care for them.

If you’ve been with your Valentine for quite some time now, consider making a scrapbook of your relationship. It can be time consuming if you would like it to be super detailed, but a simple design only requires a scrap book, scrapbook papers, photos and markers. You can spruce it up with washi tape, stickers and heartfelt messages. If you don’t have scrapbook supplies, you can always use construction paper — or even regular paper — and an old binder. You can even sew or staple the papers together, making the book entirely out of paper. It can be as complex or simple as you would like. Scrapbooks

Fall in love with Cherrybomb Coffee’s new Valentine’s Day beverage options

BY MIA HATTAWAY Staff Writer

After a few frosty weeks, life finally feels good again: birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and the sun is shining. Can you feel it? Love is in the air.

Even if you can’t quite feel it in the air surrounding you, you will definitely be able to taste the love in these new Valentine’s Day

drinks from Cherrybomb Coffee Co.

Available through the end of February is the cherry vanilla matcha, which has vanilla and cherry puree, topped with a vanilla cold foam, and the strawberry basil latte, with basil syrup and lined with a strawberry puree. Both drinks will absolutely steal your heart with their gorgeous assembly. And there’s so

much more than what meets the eye — these specials will certainly have you whipped from the first sip to the last drop.

Cherrybomb’s matcha definitely leans into the umami flavor that most seek out in lattes as opposed to the astringent bitterness that some associate with tasting like grass. This sweetness lays the

Paint your heart out this Valentine’s Day at this local art class with a twist

BY CHARLOTTE TRENTALANGE Staff Writer

At Painting with a Twist in Southdowns, Valentine’s Day isn’t a subtle celebration. It’s loud, colorful and smells strongly of acrylic paint.

On a Thursday evening, a week before Valentine’s Day, the studio is lively with guests and their coolers — yes, coolers — of wine as they slowly slip into stained aprons and take their seats in front of blank canvases.

With Valentine’s week approaching, the BYOB studio is leaning all the way in. It’s hosting a lineup of themed events from couples classes with joint canvases to singles nights. Last Thursday’s event is a paint and sing karaoke party. Soft music plays as guests trickle in and conversations flow. Most attendees are women, including a larger group celebrating an early Galentine’s outing, along with a few couples enjoying a date night.

Onyx Stuart, an LSU sophomore art student, takes center stage as she introduces herself as the evening’s instructor and gets started with the first few paint strokes, everyone else following along. Stuart said she’s been an artist since childhood but an in-

structor at Painting with a Twist since December.

“If you have a good time, I have a good time,” Stuart said about her teaching style. The art doesn’t need to be perfect in a setting like this.

While it’s a loud, energetic environment, she said that painting relaxes her. She finds comfort in its repetition, which soothes her. Between steps, she pauses to check on guests, offering subtle suggestions and enthusiastic praise.

Other instructors float around the room, making sure everything runs smoothly. Savannah Shirley, who just started a few days prior, is preparing for her first class that weekend. Although she said she’s confident with her artistic abilities, leading a class is still nerve-racking.

“I’m an entertainer first, artist second,” Shirley said.

Shirley said each group is unique — some start out awkward and loosen up as the painting progresses, others are excited from the get-go. You never know what type of group you’ll get, but the unpredictability is part of the fun.

Stuart is lively as she interacts with the group, making jokes and complimenting their work. However, there’s more fo -

cus on what’s happening at the front of the room as karaoke starts up. One woman leaves her chair while her friends clap and yell to sing “It’s Raining Men” — no lyrics in sight to guide her. She knew every word.

The cheers and shouts of song suggestions fill the room, the alcoholic “twist” evidently making its way through the systems of the guests.

As the night progresses, an image of a glass jar filled with pink hydrangeas fills everyone’s canvases — each similar, yet all uniquely their own. Some are fluffy and clear, others are more abstract.

By the time the final brush strokes are complete, the energy in the studio shifts into a buzz of excitement as guests take pictures in front of the photo wall and compliment each other’s work. The stranger that sat next to them at the beginning, now their friend.

So, if you think dinner dates are overrated and prefer a hands-on experience, this is the perfect plan to celebrate the love in your life. With Valentine’s Day-themed classes all throughout this month, including six on Saturday, you’ll leave with a keepsake for your home that you can brag about all year long.

NEW MENU, from page 3

perfect groundwork for the cafe’s cherry vanilla matcha, which has a cherry puree drizzle and is topped with vanilla cold foam.

The puree is the perfect mix of being fruity enough to add to the sweetness while providing a little tart aftertaste that makes the drink all the more interesting.

Having the energy of being flirty and thriving, this drink encapsulates all of the good vibes of “13 Going on 30.” Like the film, this matcha is genuinely timeless and a treat that I’ll be craving through every season.

I also tried the strawberry basil latte, which I was a bit nervous about going in. While I’d never turn down such flavors in a treat, I was hesitant to swipe right on this drink. Once I got my first chug in though, I knew this drink was meant for me.

Cherrybomb’s espresso is right up my alley. It’s definitely a lighter roast and borders on being sweet with some nutty undertones to ground it. The basil syrup, which is house-made, is unlike any coffee flavor I’ve ever had. It’s fresh, vegetal and sweet all at the same time. The strawberry puree rounds the drink out splendidly, making it feel like something you whipped up straight from a farmer’s market.

This flavor profile feels like a fun summer fling. Distinct and nostalgic, this sip read like “Dirty Dancing.” It’s a surprisingly refreshing drink, especially when considering it’s a latte. Like the

movie, it’s a unique, feel-good beverage that will leave you wanting more.

The coffee truck is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the spring.

Cherrybomb also has a Mardi Gras menu, including a king cake latte, a moon pie matcha and a beignet au lait. As is the case with the Valentine’s Day menu, the flavors can be ordered in different drinks.

Other specialty drinks include the bengal brew, a cold brew with caramel drizzle and ube cold foam, and Mike’s matcha, a honey lavender matcha with the same ube cold foam.

For more information regarding Cherrybomb’s menu, visit its website or stop by at 136 W. Chimes St.

These movies will have you falling head-over-heels in love this Valentine’s Day

‘Bones and All’ Paul Tibbets

If you look past the eating people part, this is one of the most romantic films ever made. We follow these star-crossed lovers played by Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet as they navigate the cannibal background of the Midwest. In typical Luca Guadagnino fashion, he explores queer identity in a raw and oftentimes uncomfortable manner.

The social isolation faced by our main characters mirrors how many LGBTQ+ people were treated in the 1980s. It is a story that hits home even now.

‘Mamma Mia!’

Paige Cheramie

“Mamma Mia!” is built around the songs of ABBA, with a focus on not only romantic relationships but also familial ones. It follows Sophie, who is about to get married. Her one dream is to have her father walk her down the aisle, but there’s one big issue — she has no clue who he is. After rummaging through her mother’s diaries, she discovers three potential men who could be her father. With no other choice, she decides to invite all three men to her wedding behind her mother’s back, and chaos ensues.

‘The Space Between Us’

Savannah

Boynes

Starring Asa Butterfield and Britt Robertson, “The Space Between Us” is the kind of romance that transports me from my seat into the web of space’s constellations. With a shared genre of sci-fi and romance, the film centers around Gardner, a boy illegally born on Mars. While the plot is along the lines of what you would find in Barnes and Noble’s young adult section, it is still a comforting watch for me as I imagine laying among the stars of nostalgia when I’m entranced by this movie.

‘You’ve Got Mail’

Charlotte

Trentalange

Signed, sealed and delivered, “You’ve Got Mail” is the perfect Valentine’s Day romantic comedy. Meg Ryan and Tom Hank’s effortless chemistry in their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc is a reminder that every Elizabeth Bennet needs her “Godfather”obsessed Mr. Darcy. For any hopeless online dater scrolling through Hinge or Tinder on Saturday, it’s the perfect comfort watch.

‘Heart Eyes’

Mia

Hattaway

This “hor-rom-edy” will bring all the scares — and swoons — you could possibly want for this Valentine’s Day weekend, kicked off with 2026’s first Friday the 13th. “Heart Eyes” follows two competing ad executives fighting to survive a masked killer who targets lovebirds every February. While the movie certainly doesn’t shy away from gore or jump scares, its campy, lighthearted tone rounds the story out scarily well.

‘Valentine’s

Day’ Lily Centola

It feels a bit ironic that my favorite Valentine’s Day movie is called “Valentine’s Day,” yet I believe this movie portrays every possible Valentine’s Day dynamic, and therefore, it is the perfect movie for the season. There are breakups, meet cutes, friends to lovers — name one event that could possibly go down on Valentine’s Day, and this movie has you covered. That being said, no matter if the storyline ends in heartbreak or newfound love, each one warms your heart in a different way.

‘Pride

and Prejudice’

Sarah Walton

It is universally acknowledged that every eligible reader in the 21st century is in want of a great film adaptation of classic literature. “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the most famous love stories, and for good reason. The struggle between perceptions, social expectations and one’s own heart is something we all can connect with. And in a timeless way, “Pride and Prejudice” has become a comfort and a friend.

‘People

We Meet on Vacation’

Laura Allen

Starring Tom Blythe and Emily Bader, this new rom-com follows best friends Alex and Poppy over the course of nine summers as their friendship grows and differences deepen. Based on the Emily Henry novel of the same name, “People We Meet on Vacation” is a funny, heartwarming story of what home truly means. Unlike the dull, desaturated color-grading we’ve seen in recent films, this movie is unapologetically vibrant, the warm colors breathing life into the screen and making for an aesthetically beautiful watch.

NEWS PIZZA AND POLICY

Former governor visits campus to share lessons from political career

BY MAIA TYLER Staff Writer

John Bel Edwards visited LSU on Wednesday to talk with students about all things policy and politics. Students were invited to grab a slice of pizza and have a conversation with the former Louisiana governor.

The Pizza & Public Affairs series, hosted by the Reilly Center, allows students and faculty to engage in discussions with guest speakers, including public officials and civic leaders.

Edwards, who served as Louisiana’s governor from 2016 to 2024, was invited to share insights on achieving successful policy outcomes through coalition-building and effective communication.

He attributed his political inclination to his family’s legacy, particularly his father’s role as sheriff, marking him part of the seventh generation of his family in public office. He recounted his journey from West Point and eight years of active duty in the U.S. Army to LSU’s law school.

In discussing his experience as a Democrat in a traditionally conservative state, Edwards reflected on how his party affiliation influenced his election campaigns, noting that some of his positions diverged from the national party’s platform.

“When I won in 2015, the Democratic Party for the country was talking about how it demonstrated that a Democrat could win statewide in the

ENVIRONMENT

Deep South,” Edwards said. “They were talking about being a big tent party … but then when you actually govern the way you said you were going to govern, you get criticized a whole lot and you realize maybe the big tent is something they talk about, but not something they really want to practice as much.”

Edwards’ first year in office came with a lot of tensions and emergencies, including the historic 2016 floods in Baton Rouge and the police shooting of Alton Sterling. The rest of his terms brought more crises, from natural disasters to the

COVID-19 pandemic.

He had to navigate federal disaster management and funding requests with three presidents from different parties. Along with assistance for natural disasters, Edwards said he went to Washington to ask for funding related to healthcare, education and infrastructure.

“I knew that I was going to be governor of a state that was going to have plenty of needs,” Edwards said. “If I was going to be the best, most effective governor I could be, I needed to have a good relationship with the president.”

Edwards voiced that while he was in office, he did not want to unjustifiably attack the president by going on national news to be critical, which is something he said he was asked to do all the time.

He said his reasoning for this was not because always agreed with everything revolving around the sitting president but because he recognized that having a cordial relationship with the president was necessary to get assistance for the state.

see EDWARDS, page 8

Professors link Hurricane Ida marsh loss to plant

BY JORJA ETHRIDGE Staff Writer

Hurricane Ida caused marsh loss equivalent to 32 years of coastal erosion without hurricanes in the Barataria Basin when it made landfall in 2021.

Oceanography and coastal sciences associate professors Giulio Mariotti and Tracy Quirk found that not all marshes are equally susceptible to hurricane damage.

The two professors published a paper on their findings last month.

According to their research, 82% of the marshes lost during Hurricane Ida had intermediate salinities, meaning that they were surrounded by brackish water. Those marshes were also dominated by the plant Spartina patens.

Mariotti explained that the intermediate marshes dominated by this plant have weak soil and contain semi-floating blocks, which means the marshes’ root systems and vegetation mats are not firmly rooted in the ground but are float-

ing on water. This flimsy internal structure makes it easy for hurricane storm surges to uproot plants in these marshes.

Mariotti clarified that Spartina patens is not an inherently weak plant.

He explained that, in the brackish marshes destroyed by Hurricane Ida, Spartina patens plants were positioned low in the marshes and submerged underwater. The plants’ disadvantageous position restricted their access to oxygen, making them weak.

In some parts of the country, Mariotti added, this same plant grows strong and healthy. The intense storm surges coastal Louisiana experiences might contribute to the weakness of the plants in the region’s marshes.

Mariotti emphasized that marshes in Louisiana are not growing as fast as the sea level is rising, causing marsh plants to be submerged and stressed.

“This is not something you would extrapolate to every marsh

in the U.S. That being said, Louisiana has a very large portion of the overall marshes in the U.S., and there is a very large rate of loss,” he said. “Even though this process only happens in the Mississippi Delta, it is still very significant even at the national level.”

Mariotti explained that saltier marshes were more resistant to storm surges because they tended to have more sediments, helping their plants bind firmly to their roots. Freshwater marshes were also resilient because even though they had less sediments, their root systems are more cohesive than those in brackish marshes.

Mariotti said now that he and Quirk have identified which marshes are weak, scientists can focus on making them stronger.

Still, exactly what measures scientists should take to strengthen marshes remains unclear. He mentioned proposals like putting sediment on top of the marshes to make them heavier, but he said he does not know what will actually

POLITICS

Students, faculty protest Iran leader

BY CADE SAVOY Deputy News Editor

On Monday afternoon, a group of Iranian students and faculty members stood on the edges of Free Speech Alley in silence, some draped with Iranian flags and others holding pictures of dead loved ones.

The group joins a growing list of activists around the world calling for the ouster of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

On Dec. 28, a group of Iranian citizens took to the streets of Tehran to express frustrations over Iran’s crumbling economy, brought into focus by the collapse of the country’s currency, the rial.

Days later, the demonstrations exploded into violent conflict as the Iranian government began imprisoning and systematically executing protesters. While the official death toll remains in dispute, classified documents from the Iranian government suggest that Tehran’s security forces killed over 36,500 people in the two-day stretch between Jan. 8 and Jan. 9 alone.

“We are here to support the people of Iran, the brave people of Iran who are fighting against this dictatorial, evil regime,” said Amin Kargarian, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at LSU. “They are trying to reclaim their country from tyranny. It is really comparable to Hitler and the Nazis, and if you see some of the pictures, you will understand why.”

work.

Quirk said that prior to Ida, she and Mariotti had already been studying Spartina patens. While this plant species is growing healthy in some parts of the country, Quirk said that it has also suffered losses in marshes in New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

“When Hurricane Ida happened and we saw this marsh loss, it sort of coincided with some of the other research that we were doing,” Quirk said.

Quirk said that a potential solution is to create marshes with large amounts of mineral sediment material. She said those would be more resistant to storm surges because their vegetation mats are less organic and are attached rather than floating.

“I know managers are interested in how the created marshes compare with natural marshes in terms of erodibility or vulnerability to storm impacts, and our study definitely speaks to that,” Quirk said.

An Iranian immigrant himself, Kargarian helped to organize the demonstrations through informal communication channels with LSU’s Iranian faculty members and student body.

“There is no organization. This is all volunteer,” he said. “We said, ‘Guys, until freedom of Iran, we are going to get together every Monday and every Wednesday here at 12 p.m.’”

A particularly salient theme in the demonstrations was praise for President Donald Trump.

Kargarian wore a hat with the label, “Make Iran Great Again,” a play on Trump’s famous campaign slogan popularized by an X post from Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Hamed Babaizadeh, an LSU alumnus and an Iranian immigrant, played audio from conservative personality Mike Levin’s Fox News talk show, in which he compares the Iranian regime to North Korea and urges the U.S. to take military action against Khamenei.

Mardi Gras Mambo

LSU hosts Mardi Gras event with university organizations and local vendors lined up across Tower Drive. Student turnout was high with the food and services offered.

He also played a song called “You Promised Us” by the Iranian musician Barbod over a loud speaker. In the YouTube description for the song’s music video, Barbod writes, “I respectfully dedicate this song to the President of USA Donald J.Trump and Primeminister of Israel Netanyahu.”

“President Trump supported the Iranian people and this movement, and many times he mentioned that help is on the way,” Babaizadeh said. “They are fighting for their rights in hope that leaders around the world — especially Donald Trump — will take military action or provide any kind of assistance to the Iranian people.”

Trump recently entered into negotiations with the Iranian government following the regime’s suppression of anti-government protests. He has also sent a military “armada” near Iran and threatened to attack the country if it proves unwilling to negotiate.

Others offered only a qualified endorsement of the president’s actions, opting instead to call for broader support for the Iranian people from the international community.

“There’s always something in it for Trump, you know, he’s kind of a narcissist. But they need help from anybody,” said Aidin Arasteah, a first-year student at the LSU Law Center. “We need more people

to talk about this. Talking about this, especially non-Iranians talking about this, can create pressure to act.”

Echoing Arasteah’s sense of urgency, Kargarian urged Trump to take an even more aggressive stance against Iran and to cease diplomatic engagement with Khamenei entirely.

“We request that President Trump not negotiate with this regime. Never trust, do not trust this fanatic regime,” he said. “They are going to create a nuclear weapon and actually attack the U.S. and Israel.”

Instead, Kargarian said the president should negotiate with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, a selfproclaimed leader of the Iranian opposition movement who was exiled from Iran 50 years ago.

Pahlavi is also the son of the late Shah of Iran, an American-installed dictator who came to power after American and British intelligence agencies launched a coup d’etat against Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh to protect Western oil interests. The Shah was later deposed in the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

“We are going to take the coun-

try back, and [Pahlavi] is going to lead the opposition,” Kargarian said.

He also said that his demonstration at LSU foreshadows other protests against the Iranian regime in cities across the world.

“Go check on Feb. 14 in Munich, Toronto and Los Angeles. Iranians are going to get together — 300,000 at least in L.A., we expect 200,000-plus in Toronto and a couple of hundred thousand in Munich,” he predicted. “This is the request of not only the people here, but at this rate, the request of every Iranian.”

EDWARDS, from page 5

“When I won reelection, … I told [Trump] that the election was over and I was going to be governor for four more years, and that it was just time to forget about the election and start working together the best we could,” Edwards said. “I had that in common with all of them, but it was even more important with President Trump because he can be a very vindictive person.”

The Journalism Building was packed with students, faculty and staff coming to hear what Edwards had to say and ask him questions. The event went over its hour-long time frame due to the surplus of inquiries by the audience.

“I really enjoyed how [he] came and was really authentically himself,” said Akeyna Travis, an economics freshman. “I really appreciate him sitting down and having a conversational interaction with us rather than just sitting and talking at us or lecturing us.”

As for the former governor’s plans moving forward, Edwards said that he does not plan to re-enter politics.

Edwards said many pushed him to run for a seat in the Senate during this year’s elections, but he’s enjoying the freedom of living with his wife and being a private citizen.

“I’m not interested in being in Congress, now and probably ever, but I won’t say that I’ll never run for public office again,” Edwards said.

SLIDINGINTO OPENING DAY

How Jake Brown bonds with the student section from the outfield

BY TRIPP BUHLER Staff Writer

There are only so many players that are willing to eat a hot dog that’s covered in grass in order to get their own crowd riled up.

When LSU baseball’s Jake Brown ran back to right field in the middle of a home game against

Mississippi State, he noticed a hot dog in the grass that was apparently thrown at the Bulldog right fielder. He immediately knew he had to do something with it.

“I saw it and was like ‘Whoa, this is a little weird,’” Brown said.

“It was a pretty close game at the time, I’m gonna get these people fired up. I took a bite out of it and for the rest of the game, they were crazy.”

Brown has been a lifelong fan LSU having grown up in Sulphur, Louisiana. He said that the love he gets from the student section completes the experience of being an LSU baseball player.

“I wouldn’t trade that for the world,” Brown said. “I love those guys The energy that those people are able to bring, I try not to take it for granted.”

The junior started nine games in right field in his first year with LSU, but fully took on the role last year.

The fans love to see him in the grass and converse with him. Every time he runs out, students are trying to talk to him and get the chance to catch his warm-up ball or an occasional third-out ball.

Besides just being pleasant voices to cheer him on throughout what is always a long and grueling baseball season, he said that the students help keep his mind in the game.

“It helps me stay loose, honestly, because I’m able to just go out there and chat it up with them in between plays,” Brown said.

“It keeps the mind go -

ing, keeps you from thinking too much.”

While the right fielder said that it’s tough to go on the road and deal with opposing fans, it’s always nice to see purple and gold in opposing stadiums. Since LSU is so known for traveling well in all sports, he has even picked up on familiar faces in faraway places.

“Especially in Omaha last year and in Hoover, there were a lot of people that I recognized from our student section that were out there supporting,” Brown said.

He said that the presence it made the biggest games of his career, those in the College World Series in Omaha, feel like home games. That helped him to keep the nerves away.

In the in 2025 CWS, Brown led the team in batting with a .385 average and four RBIs.

In the final home games of 2025 against West Virginia, the LSU student section was together for one last time. They followed through on their notorious rambunctious energy levels, much to the dismay of the visitors.

“They’re making it fun for me, [and] making it awful for the other guy,” Brown said.

While LSU was up 10-4 in the seventh inning, Brown dropped a two-run home run over the fence in dead center to make a rowdy crowd even rowdier.

He was obviously well-received in his return to right field in the bottom half of the inning.

Whether the students are sitting on an inflatable couch they somehow got into the stadium or being riled up by beloved Allied Universal security guard Art, they know how to bring a party to the seats of the Diamond Deck in right field.

“I just hope that they know that their energy is felt,” Brown said. “It’s really hard to beat us when they’re in our corner.”

LSU baseball walk-up songs

BY ALEX SHEESLEY Staff Writer

Cade Arrambide | Good Time - Alan Jackson

Chris Stanfield | Rockstar Bikers & Chains - Gunna

Steven Milam | Heads Will Roll (Remix) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Tanner Reaves | Cameras / Good Ones Go Interlude - Drake

Derek Curiel | God Is - Kanye West

Jake Brown | Hips Don’t Lie - Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean

Gavin Guidry | Cold as Ice - Foreigner

William Schmidt | Family Affair - Mary J. Blige

Brayden Simpson | Walk My Walk - Breaking Rust

John Pearson | Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry

Eddie Yamin IV | Hello - Pop Smoke ft. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

Daniel Harden | Soul Survivor - Jeezy

Ethan Clauss | Mimosa 2000 - Furacão 2000, Nyasia

Mavrick Rizy | I’m Shipping Up to Boston - Dropkick Murphys

Mason Braun | BANDIT - Don Toliver

Casan Evans | The Chain - Fleetwood Mac

Cooper Moore | What Did I Miss? - Drake

William Patrick | Cowboy - Kid Rock

Seth Dardar | Set It Off - Boosie Badazz

Omar Serna Jr. | EoO - Bad Bunny

Zac Cowan | You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive - Ruby Friedman

Jaden Noot | Droppin Jewels - Young Thug

Danny Lachenmayer | White Horse - Chris Stapleton

Cooper Williams | Country Boy - Alan Jackson

Dax Dathe | 9 - Drake

Jack Ruckert | Your Love - The Outfield

Zach Yorke | Big Poppa - The Notorious B.I.G.

Santiago Garcia | Mayor Que Yo - Winsin & Yandel

Reagan Ricken | Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice

Ethan Plog | Livin’ On A Prayer - Bon Jovi

Jonah Asae | Rooster - Alice In Chains

Grant Fontenot | You Give Love A Bad Name - Bon Jovi

DJ Primeaux | My Sacrifice - Creed

Connor Benge | Song I Can Drink Too - Kol Wetzel

Trent Caraway | Floor Seats - A$AP Ferg

Deven Sheerin | No One Likes You - Scorpions

Zion Theophilus | War Pigs - Black Sabbath

John Sharhdar | Still Here - Drake

Marcos Paz | Family Tradition - Hank Williams Jr.

Repeat title chase begins with Milwaukee

BY TRIPP BUHLER Staff Writer

On Friday, Alex Box Stadium will be alive again as LSU baseball returns to the diamond to launch its 2026 title defense against Milwaukee. The message that is floating around this regrown LSU roster is that they have to think of themselves as the hunter instead

of the hunted. The Panthers are the first prey that LSU will see, and the visitors are coming in ready to make a statement.

“They reached out to us about coming here,” head coach Jay Johnson said. “Usually what I found [is that] when coaches do that, they feel pretty good about their team that season.”

Milwaukee finished third in the Horizon League last year,

a group that consists of only six schools for baseball. LSU opened the 2025 season against another member of that league, Purdue Fort Wayne, and outscored the Mastodons 32-2 over the three-game series.

The Panthers are coming in with experience, a large part of why head coach Shaun Wegner feels that his team is ready to compete against the power-

house of college baseball.

“They have a lot of guys that have thrown a lot of innings of college baseball,” Johnson said.

The 2025 Horizon League Pitcher of the Year Gavin Theis headlines Milwaukee’s staff. The graduate student tossed 88.1 innings last year, boasting a 4.38 ERA with an opposing see MILWAUKEE, page 11

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Why this matchup is the biggest game of the regular season

BY ISABELLE CALLAHAN Staff Writer

From the moment the 20252026 SEC schedule dropped, one date felt circled in permanent marker looming larger than the rest.

With ESPN’s College GameDay in town and a sold-out crowd expected inside the PMAC, No. 6 LSU women’s basketball will host No. 3 South Carolina in a matchup that defined the regular-season narrative from day one.

On Saturday, the road doesn’t lead to Columbia. It leads to Baton Rouge.

The hype, the buildup, the national conversation — it has all pointed to this moment.

For LSU, the season has felt like a steady climb toward this game. Head coach Kim Mulkey’s squad has weathered SEC road tests, tightened its defensive ro -

tations and grown more deliberate in late-game situations. But Saturday presents a different level of spotlight. This isn’t just another ranked opponent. This is the benchmark.

South Carolina arrives as the conference’s standard — physical, disciplined and unshaken in big moments. The Gamecocks’ ability to dominate the glass and defend without fouling makes them one of the toughest matchups in the country.

They don’t just win; they impose their game on you.

That’s what makes the setting in Baton Rouge so significant.

The PMAC has become one of the most electric environments in women’s college basketball, and with College Gameday broadcasting live before the game, a national audience will see firsthand the energy LSU fans bring to marquee matchups.

The Tigers have fed off that

atmosphere before, playing faster, defending harder and turning momentum swings into avalanches.

The guard battle could dictate the early tone. LSU thrives when its backcourt attacks downhill and creates transition opportunities. South Carolina counters with length on the perimeter and a defense that forces contested shots late in the clock. Ball security and shot discipline will be non-negotiable.

LSU enters this game with one of the most dynamic backcourts in the country. Flau’jae Johnson, a senior guard, has been a consistent scoring threat and defensive pest, bringing leadership and clutch play for Mulkey’s squad. Mikaylah Williams, a junior guard, combines size and playmaking to create a matchup problem for opponents on both ends of the floor with the second highest 3-point success rate on

the team.

But along with these returning players, one of the biggest storylines for the Tigers this season has been MiLaysia Fulwiley, the former South Carolina guard now starring in purple and gold.

Standing at 5-foot-10, Fulwiley transferred from South Carolina to LSU ahead of her junior season and instantly became a key offensive weapon. She was the SEC Sixth Women of the Year and earned All-SEC accolades during her previous stint in Columbia, where she averaged 11.7 points, nearly three rebounds and over two assists per game.

Even without Fulwiley, the Gamecocks remain one of the SEC’s most formidable teams.

Head coach Dawn Staley leads a roster anchored by senior guard Raven Johnson, whose defense and ball distribution set the tone for South Carolina’s tempo.

Joining Johnson is Ta’Niya

Three ways LSU can get its long-awaited win

BY TRE ALLEN Staff Writer

The game is finally here: LSU women’s basketball against South Carolina. Arguably, two of the most passionate fan bases in women’s college basketball square off on Saturday night, with both hoping to make a statement.

For LSU, it’s been 14 long years since the Tigers have taken the Gamecocks, losing in 17 consecutive matchups. Last year, South Carolina pulled away, winning 66-56 nad giving LSU its first loss of the season.

This year, things are different. Both teams have two losses on the season, and the Gamecocks will travel to hostile territory. For LSU to snap the streak and get revenge on South Carolina, here are three things the Tigers have to do to end up on top.

It starts with defense

For any team with Kim Mulkey as its head coach, the defense has to be the No. 1 priority.

With aggressive on-the-ball guards like Jada Richard and South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley and an interior paint presence with Grace

Knox, Amiya Joyner and Kate Koval, LSU has proven once again this season to be one of the best defensive teams in the SEC and in the country.

Averaging as the No. 4 scoring defense in the SEC, the Tigers make it difficult for opposing offenses to find any rhythm when orchestrating their offenses.

Even in the two losses they’ve suffered against Kentucky and Vanderbilt to start conference play, LSU shot a better percentage than both the Wildcats and the Commodores.

It took a game-winning 3-pointer by Kentucky’s Tonie Morgan in the last seconds and a 32-point game from Mikayla Blakes to upset the Tigers. They also have a good nose for the ball, averaging 22 turnovers forced per game and ranking No. 17 in the country

The defense, the effort and the turnovers will be there to keep them in the game, but it’s also important to see what they do after forcing a bad shot.

For one, it’s rebounding. It was even more of an emphasis after the loss to Kentucky, when the Tigers were outrebounded 45-29. But since then, it’s been a different story.

It doesn’t matter how great the defensive possession was if they can’t rebound the ball and keep allowing second-chance points.

They can also create more opportunities to score if they’re able to get out in transition and catch the defense on its heels.

No one expects LSU not to allow a single point, but how the other team scores will be telling. Not the missed assignments, undisciplined plays and wide open shots, but the shots that are forced at the end of the clock, when they’re tired, are the impactful plays.

“I just thought everything flowed defensively when they scored, it was usually late in the shot clock,” Mulkey said after the win against Alabama. “And that can be demoralizing, except I look at it as good, because if you make them continue to move and execute late in the game, they’re going to get fatigued and miss those shots.”

Take quality shots

Scoring is rarely a problem for LSU, but when it is, it’s obvious, and it can dictate the outcome of the game.

Mulkey has said that one reason this year’s team has been fun to coach is that her players are unselfish.

They’re able to trust one another and move the ball to find the best shot possible, regardless of who is scoring. Some nights it’s Flau’jae Johnson, while others it’s Mikaylah Williams, Fulwiley or Koval.

There’s a lot of talent on this team that’s undeniable. But sometimes with so much talent, especially on the offensive end, it can become stagnant.

A lot of isolation, oneon-one basketball or quick shots taken early into the shot clock often lead to errors.

“It wasn’t just the turnovers; it was just poor shot selection,” Mulkey said after the game against Texas. “That’s the equivalent to me as a turnover, just taking poor shot selections.”

As expected, South Carolina is a great defensive team, and settling for contested and rushed looks lets the Gamecocks off the hook.

Creating easier,

Latson, a senior transfer from Florida State and one of the nation’s top scorers, capable of creating offense in isolation or off the catch.

In the frontcourt, Joyce Edwards provides a versatile scoring and rebounding threat, while big bodies like Madina Okot bolster South Carolina’s size inside. But beyond the matchups and metrics, this game represents something larger. It’s about positioning in the SEC race. It’s about national seeding implications. It’s about proving that LSU’s evolution this season wasn’t gradual — it was intentional.

Mulkey has often said her teams are built for big stages; there aren’t bigger stages in the regular season than Saturday’s. All roads and hype have led to Baton Rouge this season, and with the entire college basketball world watching, LSU has its chance to meet the moment.

SOFTBALL

Leadoff duo gives softball the early advantage

BY ADAM KIRSCHMAN Staff Writer

LSU softball returned over the weekend with six statement wins off the back of great hitting performances, outscoring opponents 49-11.

Two standout performers were Jalia Lassiter and Sierra Daniel, who led LSU’s batting lineup in each game of the Tiger Classic.

Senior outfielder Lassiter was relied on heavily to give LSU a quick jump out of the gate, getting on base in five of her six first-inning at-bats. She walked twice while also recording two singles and a double throughout the first innings of the six games, setting LSU up for early runs in almost every contest.

“She just makes us brave,” head coach Beth Torina said. “She’s super aggressive … It’s one great thing about having her at the top of the lineup.”

After Lassiter got those leadoff hits, junior utility Sierra Daniel was called on to follow with her impressive hit power.

In the first game of the classic against N.C. State, Daniel came up clutch after Lassiter’s single, smashing a double up the middle and sending Lassiter home for a quick 1-0 first inning.

Daniel did this plenty more times throughout the contest, getting on base in three of the six first innings, while also hitting a sacrifice fly to send Lassiter home against Lamar. Daniel also got herself three first-inning runs across the classic, being a key player in forcing the four mercy rules.

“Sierra is another one you want 22 more of,” Torina said. “She does everything right.”

Early runs were a huge momentum builder for LSU across the six games. The work of Lassiter and Daniel opened up the game for the Tigers, giving

TACTICS, from page 10

more efficient looks will be key to a successful LSU offense. If the ball stays in spot, draining the shot clock, the possession will most likely flutter out, but swinging the ball, moving it side to side and getting it down low has worked for the Tigers. With scorers like Johnson, Williams and Fulwiley. who can create their own shots and score off the dribble, it is a blessing.

Weather the storm

Be prepared for South Carolina to go on runs that’ll either put them up by double digits or help them come back from a double-digit deficit.

Basketball is a game of runs, and when dealing with an opposing team that has found a spark or a change of momentum, how you respond is going to make all the difference.

the confidence to steal bases and forcing defenses to commit errors off rushed throws or wild pitches while trying to recover from the Tigers’ early aggressiveness.

The one-two punch of Lassiter and Daniel proved to be almost unstoppable in every game of the classic. In both games against N.C. State, the duo showed out. Lasseter recorded three runs, three hits and five RBIs, while Daniel racked up two runs and three hits off eight at-bats.

The runs didn’t stop at N.C. State either, as Lassiter and Dan-

iel carried their momentum over to the matchups against Nevada, Illinois, and Lamar.

In the two games versus Nevada, the duo combined for five runs. Against Illinois, the duo hit the ground running, getting the first two runs of the contest and three in total while only batting in the first three innings.

Against Lamar, the combo carried the Tigers, scoring four of the eight runs. Lassiter and Daniel were almost perfect, with both getting a triple, two RBIs, and two hits against the Cardinals. Lassiter also came up clutch for the Tigers, getting a

Against Texas, there wasn’t much separation, but entering the fourth quarter, a deficit of only four soon blossomed to 17 points. LSU didn’t make a field goal until less than two minutes were remaining in the fourth quarter by Bella Hines.

MILWAUKEE, from page 9

batting average of .263.

Johnson said that he likes how his team has reacted to its own high-level pitching in intrasquad scrimmages. It should have them ready to face high-tier mid-major pitching that Theis and the rest of the staff has to offer.

The returning offense is led by Charlie Marion, who slugged a team best 12 home runs last year, along with a .279 batting average. He started all 56 games he played in, primarily in right field. The LSU student section will surely give him a Baton Rouge welcome.

Last year, Milwaukee played its second series of the year against South Carolina, and was outscored 25-9. Wegner is set to begin his third season as head coach, with a record of 43-71 in his two years.

“I think they’re well coached,” Johnson said. “They have a very scrappy brand of offense that they play.”

As this season is supposed to look different for Milwaukee, LSU is keeping its championship expectations the same.

walkoff triple to send two runners home and end the game 8-0 on a run-rule.

Having two leadoff hitters that can quickly give LSU an advantage provides consistent offense that, when paired with shutout defense, makes it extremely hard for opposing teams to fight their way back into games. LSU’s ability to play ahead made the team appear fully in control of the game at all times.

Torina will be sure to keep Lassiter and Daniels as two of the focal points of this Tiger offense to continue providing early runs.

The Tigers looked lost and there was no togetherness down the stretch, and this can’t happen.

When the Gamecocks fell to Texas early in the season, they were leading going into the fourth quarter and were even up eight late in the third quarter. At home, the crowd was on its feet, and it felt like another game where South Carolina was going to pull away.

However, the Longhorns got a few buckets before the quarter ended and trailed by only four. They started the fourth by getting to the free-throw line, getting the ball to their best players and turning it into a new game.

South Carolina is a dangerous team that can flip the game upside down when they get hot. For LSU, being able to weather the storm and not get overwhelmed by shots not falling and responding correctly is imperative.

The pitching staff, led by returning sophomore Casan Evans, looks to be electric once again. Transfer Cooper Moore has looked strong since arriving from Kansas. Cooper Williams and William Schmidt have also looked dominant in preseason scrimmages.

While Johnson has yet to announce the starting rotation, Evans is the most likely to get the nod on Friday afternoon.

Both sides of the ball will see lots of changes for LSU over the course of the first few weekends. Notably, the infield still has many spots to fill.

Steven Milam will be the shortstop this year, but nothing else is certain. Zach Yorke, Seth Dardar, Brayden Simpson, Trent Caraway, Tanner Reaves and Mason Braun will all be fighting for playing time.

Braun is the most intriguing freshman on the dirt. He was ranked as the top first baseman in high school last year, and has been making waves in the preseason. Braun has showcased the ability to hit with power and he has shown off his speed. He will almost certainly see some playing time early in the year as he gets adjusted to college baseball.

The outfield trio of Chris Stanfield, Derek Curiel and Jake Brown is returning, with Stanfield and Curiel swapping spots.

Right fielder Jake Brown said that the team had a great round of practices and scrimmages heading into opening weekend, but now the immediate goal is rather simple.

“At the end of the day, it’s just getting the mind right, getting the body right, to just go out there and compete,” Brown said.

The season opens Friday at 2 p.m., followed by two more matinee games on Saturday and Sunday, both starting at 1 p.m.

OPINION

Classic media can teach Gen Z how to flirt, build relationships

AVA’S POV

AVA FRANCIS Columnist

Roses are red, violets are blue, if you’re reading this column, I guess you know romance is dying too.

That’s right, I fear romance is on the rocks right now, specifically romantic language. And we must revive it.

We’re living in a time where no one knows how to flirt let alone talk to each other anymore.

I’m reminded of this every time I overhear an awkward conversation while waiting for a lecture to begin or I find myself trying to make a clean break from an awkward conversation I’m personally in the midst of.

It’s gotten to a point where the words leaving one’s mouth expose why they’re in fact still single.

Let’s discuss the cause. For starters, literacy rates are at an all-time low. It seems like no one’s reading these days, let alone reading literature from a time long ago where every word had depth and passion.

In the words of Captain Frederick Wentworth from Jane Austen’s “Persuasion,” “You pierce my soul.

I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you.”

It was normal to approach a person you found attractive in the middle of the street to drop a bar like this back in the day.

Fast forward to the present day, and it seems like the best a guy can ask is, “Snapchat?” You’re worth so little to him that he can’t even formulate a full sentence.

We think not, Chad. Try again, come back stronger with an actual declaration of your feelings. This isn’t a guessing game.

As the days go by, it’s clear society is giving up on romance little by little. We’re losing sight of classical texts from the masters of love who came before us, forgetting the profound words of Maya Angelou, Austen, John Keats, Emily Brontë, James Baldwin, Langston Hughes and William Shakespeare.

From “Touched By An Angel” by Maya Angelou. “Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls.”

I challenge everyone reading this column to invest in a stationery set and embark on a side quest of writing letters, particularly love letters. I believe it would be cathartic, the ultimate relief to send and receive love letters in lieu of text chains and emails.

And allow me to remind you of some other poets of our time who knew a thing or two when it came to a sweet, sweet serenade. No one expressed emotion quite like the musicians on our parents’ mixtapes.

When listening to ‘90s R&B, I am reminded that we used to function as a proper society. There are not many in the music industry today doing it like Babyface, Eric Benét, Jon B, Maxwell and Jodeci.

If you only listen to music that exploits people, women in particular, chances are you will be brainwashed and have urges to also exploit.

I suggest you dive into the discography of the legends I listed above and lock in.

Maybe words aren’t your thing, that’s okay. I suggest you learn how to flirt with your eyes or try a friendly smile. But remember, don’t be a creeper.

I’m here to be honest with you. Gen Z probably has the worst game and dating methods in all of

history. For instance, what’s up with having a roster? If you’re unfamiliar, I’ll break it down. A roster acts as a strategy where an individual actively talks to or casually dates multiple people simultaneously without being exclusive with any of them.

It’s healthier for all parties to disengage from this approach to dating. And if you’re wondering if situationships are suitable, it’s also a big fat no.

I understand it’s the 21st century and people are desperate with a sprinkle of hopelessness.

However, what if we ditched the rosters and hopelessness altogether. Let’s choose to focus on one person and see where the wind takes us. After all, Mr. Darcy wasn’t courting two girls; no, no, he was standing in an awkward silence across the room from Elizabeth Bennet, yearning for her.

Conrad Fisher had no interest whatsoever in a hot boy summer;

he was suffering in silence over Belly Conklin.

Edward Cullen rathered true death, turning himself into the Volturi, than live without Bella Swan, when he thought his one and only love was six feet under.

Noah Calhoun waited years for Allie Hamilton and built her a dream house with a wraparound porch while you’re still busy building your weekly lineup of hookups.

It’s time to take a master class from the men written by women and those who just get it.

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

You should learn the difference between romance and love

RILEY’S REVIEW

RILEY SANDERS Columnist

You don’t have to love love. You really don’t, at least not the type of love that we idolize today. That’s probably not the mushygushy sentiment you expected to come from a Valentine’s Day article, was it? It wasn’t really one I expected to write either.

To spare you a lot of personal details, I’ve come to accept that my Valentine’s Day will not look like it will for many others this time around.

I used to be of the mind that love was all candy hearts, saccharine quill pen letters and winks from across the room. I had this very Disney-esque idea in my mind that love was always pure, honest, selfless and most of all, constantly alluring.

It’s true that real love will al-

EDITORIAL BOARD

Jason Willis Editor in Chief

Managing Editor Courtney Bell

Kaley Melancon News Editor

Sports Editor Ainsley Flood

Garrett McEntee Opinion Editor

ways aim to achieve these first three qualities, but we as a culture have strayed far from a proper understanding of love and have instead plastered the label atop the alluring steel trap of romance.

I think of romance much like a shooting star, beautiful and appearing in sometimes brief moments. It ebbs and flows, and it is in large part the exciting part of a relationship. Its roots lie in a few key elements: chemistry, infatuation and yearning.

The first of these, chemistry, is certainly important in any relationship — it’s the first test of compatibility with someone, the palpable tension you feel when you’re with a person. That spark of chemistry naturally leads to curiosity, to the next romantic element, that is infatuation.

Infatuation is that invasive and explosive feeling that occludes the senses from perceiving any logic or feeling that does not lead to a lover. It’s obsession and hyperfixation, and it’s the portion

of romance that really begins to bind people together.

The third romantic quality, yearning, however, is the one that is sometimes more of an upset to romance and ultimately love. Yearning is the deep-seated feeling in the stomach that finds you when you’re alone. It’s the force that encourages your mind to wander to wherever your partner is, to wonder and dream about them.

When properly ordered, yearning can bring partners closer by making quality time spent together more worthwhile in comparison to time spent apart. The problem is that we prioritize a disordered version of yearning, one that internally idealizes others until they are beyond recognition in person. It makes reality upsetting and the possibility of a love match disconcerting due to unrealistic expectations of a partner.

There is a selfishness in disordered yearning that corrupts

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romance and bars love. It turns romance into a vehicle for selfvalidation instead of an opportunity to further commit to another person. This element of romance oftentimes reveals just how much romance has to do with the excitement of not knowing someone. People are complex and messy, and thus relationships are the same.

And so love is not some shining, delicious candy heart — that would be romance. And when romance first ebbs away, love is what is left to maintain a relationship. The choice not to be bitter about the dissolving sweetness but to enjoy that you had it in the first place — the choice to find sweetness in someone when all is not so tasteful.

Our obsession with romance as a one-to-one substitute for love is a recipe for disaster. It’s a cop out for accepting that real love requires trial, and it is the reason why we’ve become so comfortable with situationships and af-

fairs.

How much easier is it to stay in the shallow end with a partner? How much easier is it to quit when the going gets tough or uncomfortable? How much less fulfilling is accepting mere romance over the choice of love?

Romance has much more to do with feeling, while love is both feeling and choice. When we constantly expect romance, we miss the forest for the trees.

Romance is required for falling in love, but it is by no means a constant in any relationship, nor is it a means of remaining in love. Everyone wants to be a loverboy or a lovergirl until things get hard. Thus, romance alone lends itself in the end to limerence and heartbreak, while actual love reaches past chemistry, past infatuation and yearning straight through to the heart.

Riley Sanders is a 19-year-old biology major from Denham Springs, La.

Procedures Quote of the Week

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“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.” Zora Neale Hurston