Friday, September 22, 2023
A second chance
Partnership between OSU and Payne County Jail prepares female inmates for success Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief
Graphic by Sam Beebe
See Inmates on 4A
Hispanic Heritage Month highlights importance of community, diversity Jessica Pearce Staff Reporter As a first-generation Hispanic student, Miss Hispanic Latina OSU Michelle Salazar recognized the challenges of being a student at a predominately white institution. Salazar aims to use her platform to increase the visibility of students like her and empower them to be proud of their cultural roots. “First-generation Latinos and Hispanics are so underrepresented,” Salazar said. “To be able to showcase that and who we are and to say, ‘You know what, we’re college students, but we didn’t lose touch of our roots. We’re still a part of the community.” At OSU, Hispanic students are planning to build community and spread awareness of their culture during this month, a time meant to honor the culture and history of individuals from Hispanic countries, which began on Friday, Sept. 15. Through speaking engagements and cultural events, the Hispanic Student Association aims to reach out to OSU’s growing Hispanic student
population and educate the broader Stillwater community on Hispanic culture. For Alicia Arreaga, president of OSU’s Hispanic Student Association, reaching out to OSU’s Hispanic students is paramount. She joined OSU’s HSA to help other students connect with their cultural roots and discover how connected the Hispanic community at OSU is. “There’s so many people at the school, and when the majority is a certain race or a certain ethnicity. It’s hard to see your own kind,” Arreaga said. “I went to one of the (HSA) meetings, and I was like, ‘OK, there actually is a big group of people.’ You just have to search and you have to look.” The desire to find community is why many students joined the HSA. Diana Pineda, the association’s public relations officer, said she joined the club because she didn’t see many other Hispanic students in her classes. “I didn’t really get to tap into my own community, but being Latina, that was really important to me.” See Heritage on 3A
What’s Inside
Payton Little “The Connect” vending machine offers students free HIV self-test kits, Narcan, fentanyl strips, condoms, lubricant, first aid kits, deodorant and toothbrushes.
OSU shortens gap between students and health items Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor
of toilet paper can function as a Bandaid. “So many times in the public health field, we see individuals having barriers to items or services like financial barriers, As the school year protransportation barriers, et cetera,” gresses, college students stretch said Macy Stokes, coordinator for money thinner and thinner, and health education for the departitems that were once necessities ment of wellness. “This machine are treated as a luxury. is in a popular, central location Deodorant can be bought next month, a toothbrush will live on campus, and offering items for free alleviates many barriers we on for twenty uses longer than typically see.” it normally would and a piece “The Connect” public
New York Philharmonic returns to McKnight Center
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‘Airness’ takes the stage
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health vending machine, installed at the front entrance of the Colvin Recreation Center, offers students free HIV self-test kits, Narcan, fentanyl strips, condoms, lubricant, first aid kits, deodorant and toothbrushes. Students scan a QR code on the vending machine and must answer a demographic related survey before they can select the items they wish to access. The information cannot be used to identify users and is used only for tracking and financing purposes. See Vending on 3A
Gettin’ Jiggy With World Religion
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