THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024 VOLUME 98 ISSUE 10
LA VIDA
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
Chess Grandmaster Alexander Onischuk extends his professional experience to the next generation of competitors.
A College of Media & Communication class, Maymester to Marfa, will offer journalism experience at the border.
Andrew Goodrich, a staffer at The DT, details the best places to vacation this summer on a budget.
Texas Tech football wide receiver Haydon Wiginton breaks into the country music scene with his debut album on the horizon.
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INDEX LA VIDA NEWS OPINION SPORTS SPORTS
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VOTING
Mayoral candidates weigh in on Prop A By AUSTIN WOOD News RepoRteR
Lubbock voters will make a decision on decriminalizing the possession of less than four ounces of marijuana on May 4. After the City Council unanimously rejected a measure to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana last November, this measure was sent to the voters in the form of Proposition A, which will read on the ballet as: The code of ordinances of the City of Lubbock shall be amended by enacting an initiative ordinance creating “Freedom Act Lubbock” including measures to reduce enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses. The full text of the ordinance cites overstretched law enforcement resources and discriminatory enforcement practices as wrongs that will be righted by its passage. The ordinance calls for the Lubbock Police Department to cease issuing citations
and carrying out arrests for Class A and Class B misdemeanor marijuana possession – meaning any amount less than four ounces. “When you look at the arrest and the racial breakdown,” said mayoral candidate Adam Hernandez, one of the main organizers behind Freedom Act Lubbock. “Even the age breakdown of those arrests. It’s just disproportionately impacting certain sectors of our community, which is not good in any sense.” Hernandez said Prop A will allow law enforcement to focus on more pressing concerns in the community. “Lubbock in particular,” Hernandez said, “We have a lot of serious, serious issues in terms of crime that I think most of us would like our officers to focus their time on versus somebody has a joint in their car.” Project Destiny Texas, the main force behind Lubbock becoming a “sanctuary city for the unborn,”
constitutes the main opposition to Prop A. Their website, projectdestinytexas.com, warns of the threat of “illegal, unregulated marijuana,” which “destroys communities, lives and the future.” Project Destiny also has begun to display highly visible signs around Lubbock, which state “Protect Lubbock, Vote Against Prop A.” It cites laced marijuana, health risks and underage use as dangers of the bill. Its website estimates that four ounces of marijuana can be used to make 250 marijuana cigarettes. “I’m very opposed to the proposition that’s on the ballot,” said District 4 Councilman and mayoral candidate Steve Massengale at a mayoral forum recently hosted by the Fire and Police Associations. “I already voted against it once. Here’s what you need to know: it’s against the law – if it were passed it would be confusing to law enforcement. We’ve got to be very cautious about
ordinances like this. It’s probably the beginning of other things that could come.” There has been some controversy about the legality of Prop A if passed. Other cities in Texas that have passed similar measures such as Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Denton, are currently being sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for
decriminalizing in contradiction with state law. Lubbock Mayor Tray Payne and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have both publicly stated they believe local decriminalization violates the State Constitution. Election day falls on May 4. @AustinWoodDT
MAKAYLA PEREZ/The Daily Toreador
A student advocates for Proposition A voting outside the SUB April 25, 2024.
PASSING THE BATON
Tech legacy extends through Bloss, Jackola
Bloss embraces challenges, success of Masked Rider On Dec. 16, 2023, Lauren Bloss rode on the back of her beloved horse Centennial Champion as it charged across Louisiana’s Independence Field to the beat of the Matador Song. Bloss recalled the intense sounds of the fireworks and the rush of her last football game as the 62nd Masked Rider. Bloss, a graduating fourth-year animal science major from El Paso, officially ended her term as Masked Rider on April 19 in the Transfer of the Reigns ceremony. In opening remarks, Bloss detailed the impact of her year, from learning skills of resilience to embracing a new-found sense of confidence. “For the first time in my life, I wasn't to be made fun of,” Bloss said. “Instead I was accepted and loved. Little did I know that in becoming the Masked Rider, I would not only get the journey of a lifetime but a family.” Before coming to Texas Tech, Bloss said she battled with mental illness. “The barn was where I went to escape. However at school, I was bullied for my love for horses,” Bloss said. “Kids mocked me and went so far as to put pictures of dead horses in my locker.” Bloss said she would not be here without her mom Wendy Bloss’ support on some of her toughest days in high school. “Oh my gosh, it's been unbeliev-
able,” Wendy Bloss said. “Like just to watch her growth from where she started to where she ended is just phenomenal.” Seeing Lauren Bloss in one of her happiest moments at Transfer of the Reins, Wendy Bloss said one would not know the work God did in her. Her dad Leigh Bloss held back tears. “I think the role fit her, and she fit the role,” Leigh Bloss said. “And I don't know, I felt like they really matched and it was a dream come true for her, and we just got to come along for the ride.” Stephanie Rhode, spirit program director, acknowledged many challenges in Lauren Bloss’ tenure, from horse injuries to being the first Masked Rider since the program started charging for appearances. Through everything, Rhode said she handled it professionally. “You (Lauren Bloss) were ready to go. You were at the Equestrian Center. You were in costume, and the horse was ready to get out. We were riding on the insurance approval,” Rhode said during the Transfer of the Reigns ceremony.
JACOB LUJAN/The Daily Toreador
Lauren Bloss, the 62nd Masked Rider, laughs at the Transfer of the Reigns. The event officially signifies the end of Bloss’ tenure and beginning of the 63rd Rider’s term on April 19,2024.
By MARIANNA SOURIALL editoR-iN-Chief
JACOB LUJAN /The Daily Toreador
Holden Jackola passes on the role of Raider Red, which he held during Texas Tech’s Centennial year, to the next friendly cowboy at the Passing
“We waited until one hour before the game and had to make the decision that we weren't going to run. That was trying. That was the game that we didn't get to run.” Despite tribulations, Lauren Bloss said God worked through Centennial Champion and those around her to make this year an imperfect yet perfect one. Lauren Bloss said she prayed before each game, and as the year continued, she began to see ladybugs; the ladybugs became a symbol of hope. One of the most notable ladybug sightings, she said, was on the Masked Rider’s 70th anniversary when she successfully ran before many former Masked Riders amidst nerves and high anticipation. “I finally figured it out that later that night. I grabbed a bucket to clean out his (Centennial Champion’s) water, and guess what I see? A tiny little ladybug at the bottom,” Lauren Bloss said. “I immediately started crying and praising God because that little ladybug was a reminder that God is always faithful. And from then on, I knew that because God brought me to it, He was gonna see me through it for the rest of the year.”
Jackola finds purpose through Raider Red
Raider Red, one of Texas ing in the suit, “but for some Tech’s mascots, comes to life reason people say smile and (I) through each person who zips smile in the photo.” Em Jackola, Holden Jackola’s up the red suit. A n d f o r sister, said she is proud of the H o l d e n impact Holden Jackola has made J a c k o l a , on the Tech community. “I haven’t had a chance to the experience go to any of his games yet,” of being Em Jackola said. “So getting to R a i d e r see him do this has been really, Red is one really neat to understand how he said gave important he is to the campus and to so many people. It’s really him life. “I tried out for humbling.” While traditionally the role Raider Red twice,” Jackola said. “And the of Red Raider is assumed by two second time, I got it. I finally people, this year Holden Jackola felt I had done something was the only individual named for me. I had gotten some- to the position. “That’s the only reason I thing by myself, for myself. I was going to be able to do was able to do 500 events was every dance I wanted to, and because I needed to step up they would just say, ‘That’s just and take over and I worked my hardest to make sure that I was Raider Red.’” Jackola’s term ended at the around,” He said. In the 2023-34 academic April 19 Transfer of the Guns ceremony, an event where the season, Raider Red traveled to coveted mascot role is passed New York, making appearances on the TODAY Show and in the on to the next. Prior to becoming Raider Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Red, Jackola Additionally, said in openthe friendly cowing remarks, boy rode a mohe lacked a sense of iden- I finally felt I had done torcycle across J o n e s AT & T tity in his life. something for me. I “For a long had gotten something Stadium during football games, a time, when I for myself, by myself. memory Jackola came to Tech, recalled in nerI thought I vous laughter. wasn’t worth HOLDEN JACKOLA The mascot head much,” JackoFOURTH-YEAR BFA ACTING almost fell off, la said. “That MAJOR FROM SAN ANTONIO he said, when the I never did bike took off. anything for Holden Jackola said he found myself. That I couldn’t get through something without a friend in Raider Red, and by someone else’s help, or I got the end of his tenure, the charsomething because I was part acteristics of the mustachioed mascot are the ones he hopes of a group.” Becoming Raider Red en- to encompass one day. “To me, he’s something I abled Jackola to find purpose in strive to be — unforgiving. He bringing joy to others. From the tiny child hands doesn’t ask permission to dance, who hit the mascot’s black to find his way into the front of boots to the smiles shared in photos. He’s a man of very few each photo, Jackola recalled his words but always has something favorite memories during the to say, and you know what he’s Transfer of the Guns ceremony. thinking,” Holden Jackola said. “You know, you can’t talk,” @MariannaS_DT Jackola said in reference to be-