By Molly Atchison | Editor-in-ChiefI came to Baylor to study psychology, believing I was going to change people’s lives by helping them learn more and grow their minds. One semester in, I changed my own mind and decided to shift to a career in journalism, not because I had a passion for it, but because I was good at writing and it sounded more interesting than being an English major. Being a self-starter, I dove into my new course of study and decided to fill my extracurricular time with a part-time job. And that’s how I found the Lariat. It…
Author: Molly Atchison
By Josh Whitney and Rebekah Carter | Marketing RepresentativesSpider-Man: Dr. Jonathan Miles — Lecturer, Dept. of BiologyWhy do you think you were nominated as Spider- Man? “Well, I am well known by most of the baristas at Starbucks who expect me to bring in my Spider-Man cup in the mornings. I also try to incorporate fun application problems into my genetics tests where students have to cross various traits of Spider-Man with Green Goblin, so students are well aware of my fondness for the Avenger.” What is the most superhero-like thing you’ve done in recent memory?“I recently embarked on a…
Molly Atchison | Editor-in-ChiefIt’s been 595 days. And now, the next five Sundays will be filled with anticipation and tears as arguably the greatest show ever draws to a close. HBO’s “Game of Thrones” has had a seven-season run, and the eighth and final season premiered Sunday night. The first episode offered a “state of the union,” updating viewers on what has happened since the finale of season seven. To recap an entire show in a few short paragraphs is practically impossible. But for the sake of clarity, let’s go through the four major houses of the show and recap…
Molly Atchison | Editor-in-ChiefLooking for a quirky superhero story filled with dark comedy and family drama? “The Umbrella Academy” is the next Netflix series you should binge. The show, based on a 2007 Dark Horse Comics series by the same name, pulls viewers in right away with a mysterious sequence of births and deaths, all linked together by a slew of slightly abnormal characters. It is soon revealed that all of these characters, numbered and named, became “siblings” raised by an eccentric billionaire who fashioned the seven (then six, then five) children into superhumans. If you’re slightly confused with what…
This past month has brought some dynamic stories to the Lariat’s attention. From the possibility of former Baylor football player Shawn Oakman’s trial being moved to five alleged rapes on the Clery Crime and Fire Log, there have been shocking and dramatic headlines splayed across the front page.When writing sensitive headlines, such as “Three rapes reported at South Russell,” we try to be intuitive and nuanced to portray the story as clearly as possible in a small word count. The headline is intended to get people to read the story, but in our fast-click society, we tend to share based…
By Molly Atchison | Editor-in-ChiefDear Lariat Readers,Over the past few weeks, the Lariat has pursued stories for our cops and courts section that revolve around the touchy subject of sexual assault and the allegations reported in Baylor’s crime log, which is mandated by the Clery Act. As could be expected, the reports and the stories we did based off those reports, didn’t give much detail as to the specifics of the cases at hand. Because of that, and the restrictions we face from a legal standpoint, our ability to report on these issues to the fullest extent has been limited.…
Molly Atchison | Editor-in-ChiefLifetime’s new series “You” recently hit Netflix, which blew the show’s viewership out of the water. Netflix purchased the show and is picking it up for a second season, and “You” is sure to join “Bird Box” and “Stranger Things” in Netflix’ hit thriller repertoire The series’ cast includes stars like Penn Badgley, who many know better as Dan Humphrey on “Gossip Girl,” and Shay Mitchell of “Pretty Little Liars”. Elizabeth Lail plays opposite to Badgley as the effervescent and elusive Guinevere Beck, an aspiring writer who stumbles into the path of bookstore clerk and hopeless romantic…
By Molly Atchison | Editor-in-ChiefDear Baylor Bears,Welcome back! I’m sure you have enjoyed being off on adventures, and, if you’re like me, I’m sure you’re equally excited to come back to our beautiful Baylor home. Going into the last semester of my senior year, I am beginning to feel nostalgic, remembering my time at Baylor and my time working at the Baylor Lariat. Baylor has blessed me with endless opportunities, and I sincerely hope it has and will continue to do so for all of you. Now that we’re “back in the Wack,” I am thrilled to continue the progress…
HOUSTON (AP) — America’s final farewell to George H.W. Bush shifted to Texas on Thursday, with his friend and former Secretary of State James Baker addressing him as “Jefe,” Spanish for “boss,” and celebrating him as a president with “the courage of a warrior but the greater courage of a peacemaker.”Baker fought back tears as he concluded his eulogy.Country music’s Oak Ridge Boys, among the president’s favorites, sang “Amazing Grace” and Reba McEntire offered “The Lord’s Prayer” as three days of official ceremonies in Washington gave way to more personal touches for the Bush in Texas. The night before, more…
Molly Atchison | Editor-in-Chief Baylor’s campus twinkled with thousands of Christmas lights last night, as students and Waco families enjoyed the annual Christmas on Fifth event. As visitors meandered through Fountain Mall, Vara Martin Daniels Plaza, Burleson Quadrangle and the Bill Daniel Student Center, there were plenty of beautiful sights to be seen. Horse drawn carriages rolling down Fifth Street, the Snow Globe picture area on Fountain Mall, a petting zoo and more were among the activities available, but perhaps one of the most exquisite scenes guests and students could enjoy was the glittering of the Freshman Class Council Christmas…
“We need a song teenagers can bang their heads to in a car. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is not that song,” music executive Ray Foster said when rock band Queen wrote the hit single. Now, the song is an intergenerational hit. Fans of the operatic rock song, and of Queen, flocked to the theaters since Nov. 2 to honor the life of legendary lead singer Freddie Mercury. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a biopic following Mercury’s rise to stardom, was released to mixed reviews. Critics thought the film glossed over or straight-up changed important factors in Mercury’s life, such as when and how he met…
Easy Spinach, Tomato and Feta MuffinsIngredients6 eggs (or egg whites)1 cup chopped spinach⅓ cup quartered cherry tomatoesA sprinkling of Feta cheese (however much you desire)SaltPepper*Garlic powder*Parmesan Cheese* = optionalTools:Medium-sized mixing bowlMeasuring cupsCutting boardSmall chopping knifeMuffin tinDirections:1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees2: Crack the eggs into a medium sized mixing bowl, separating out the egg whites if you choose. Whisk eggs 3: Chop up the spinach and the tomatoes on a small cutting board4: Add to egg mixture, sprinkling feta cheese, salt and pepper in as well (If you want a bit more flavor, add some garlic powder or minced garlic…
The much anticipated sequel to the “Harry Potter” universe expansion “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” premiers today, and an early screening offered a special view of the wild world of monsters, muggles and magic. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is the newest in a line of author J.K. Rowling’s creations, which began with a feature film released in November 2016. The release of the second installment in what is predicted to be a lengthy series, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” brought background and much-needed context to the series, but may have introduced too many convoluted…
The dawn of the “digital era” is upon us. For the past three decades, since the advent of the World Wide Web in 1989, technology and interconnectedness has been growing at an exponential rate. Now, technology has been integrated into nearly every aspect of our life, but one of the most substantial shifts in society due to technology has been in how we communicate. No longer are we stifled by physical restrictions of communication — interpersonal connection has gone entirely digital. We can stream, text, speak and even send pictures of our dogs to people thousands of miles away, all…
Comic book visionary Stan Lee died Monday morning at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at the age of 95, according to CNN. Lee, who was responsible for the revolution of Marvel Comics into the well-known franchise it is today, was a comic book writer, illustrator, editor and publisher who eventually branched into the film industry as his superheroes gained traction. Lee’s artistry spanned far beyond the pages, however. What made his career so stellar was his ability to reach his audience in a unique way. “Stan Lee made superheroes human. He gave them histories and flaws, yearnings and brokenness,…
By Molly Atchison | Editor-in-ChiefWacoans flooded into the Extraco Events Center this weekend during the 56th annual Friends of the Waco-McLennan County Library book sale. According to their website, the Waco Friends of the Library stacked over 110,000 books in the halls of the Extraco Events Center, all donated from the Waco community.Paul Larson, professor of Spanish and Portuguese at Baylor, has volunteered with the book fair for the past 20 years. “It started off in the basement of the central library in 1962,” Larson said. “It’s grown little by little. When it outgrew the basement in around 1968 or…
It’s the time of the year where people start searching the Baylor free and for sale Facebook page for the best deals on senior portraits. Whether you’re looking to get your photos done in front of the iconic Pat Neff or the infamous Scruffy Murphy’s, you need to find a photographer that fits your needs and your price range. Here are some tips and tricks to organizing the perfect senior photo shoot.Decide on your price range: Sessions with professional photographers can range from $100 to $300, depending on how experienced the photographer is, as well as how long the session…
The Baylor Men’s Choir and Women’s Choir shone on stage Tuesday night as they performed their annual fall concert. The two choirs performed a mixture of music, from traditional concertos to traditional Swahili hymns to powerful songs of praise. The music for the women’s part of the concert was chosen to inspire and encourage the members of the women’s choir. “Each day, they continue to shape the person they will be beyond their years at Baylor,” women’s choir conductor Amy Allibon said in the program. “We hope you, our audience, love the collection of emotions. Tonight, we will worship, with…
It’s that time of the year, when the ghouls come out to play, and fans of horror re-evaluate their favorite creepy tales. This spooky season, we’ve decided to take on the most terrifying true crime stories that have been turned into movies. Sometimes the perfect scary movie isn’t just jump scares and gory deaths. Sometimes all you need is a good suspenseful psycho thriller to scare you — literally — out of your mind. “The Shining” is a classic film based on a Stephen King novel, and it does just that. However, what’s even more terrifying than the premise of…
Molly Atchison | Editor-in-Chief Sometimes, recreating a film can bring new life to the plot and help a timeless story last for generations. Such is the case with Bradley Cooper’s take on “A Star is Born,” the story’s fourth cinematic portrayal. The plot first played on the big screen in 1937 and starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. It was subsequently recreated in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason and once again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. This time around, actor and the film’s director Bradley Cooper and singer Lady Gaga reprised the roles, and the…
Thousands flocked to the Magnolia Silos downtown in mid-October to enjoy the sights and sounds of local entrepreneurs Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Silobration festival. The couple, known for their Home and Gardens channel show “Fixer Upper,” work and operate almost exclusively in the Waco area. Their warehouse store and outdoor venue, Magnolia Silos, have garnered national attention for their rustic, farmhouse-chic home decor and their famous Magnolia cupcakes. During the Silobration, however, there were many sweet treats other than cupcakes to be found. Vendors travel from far to set up tents for the weekend, where they sell everything from leather…
Netflix recently rolled out an assortment of original series to get us through the Halloween season, including the series “The curious creations of Christine McConnell” and movies like “The Ritual.” With an emphasis on spooky and scary, all these shows and movies are enough to make your skin crawl, but “The Haunting of Hill House” is a standout hit among them. The 10-episode limited series is the perfect mix of scary, sad and sweet, and leaves viewers confused – wondering if they just watched a family drama or a terrifying thriller. Although some people (with guts of steel) might claim…
A female Baylor student was followed and verbally threatened outside of the Eighth Street garage and the Stacy Riddle Forum at 6:22 p.m. Sunday night. Grandview senior Tara Rogers was on her way to the Stacy Riddle Forum to meet with her sorority sisters when she noticed a man was following her.“I glanced back behind me, and the man said ‘What are you turning around for?’” Rogers said. The man began threatening Rogers, stating that he was going to “Beat her hoe a–,” and that he was going to kill her. “He said, ‘You better run,’ and that’s when I…
By Molly Atchison | Editor-in-ChiefTexas’ incumbent senator, Republican Ted Cruz, enthralled constituents with his passion Friday night at a rally at the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in Waco. Cruz, who has been on the campaign trail for the past several months, came to Waco after cancelling his original rally date due to his required attendance at the Kavanaugh hearing in Washington D.C. Cruz was recognized by the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and was given a full endorsement by the border patrol union during the rally. With the room packed full of Make America Great Again hats and Texas…
It’s that time of the year, when the ghouls come out to play, and fans of horror re-evaluate their favorite creepy tales. This spooky season, we’ve decided to take on the most terrifying true crime stories that have been turned into movies. One of the most iconic slasher films in the world is the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” which has struck fear into the hearts of thousands since its release in 1973. Akin to all the best stories, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is based off true events, which makes it all the more terrifying. However, unlike “Amityville Horror” or “The Exorcist,” the…
By Molly Atchison | Editor-in-ChiefTexas senatorial candidates Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Beto O’Rourke took on issues like climate change, abortion and healthcare reform during their final debate before Election Day on Nov. 6. The entire state’s attention was focused on San Antonio Wednesday night as the two met and defended their stances on key issues in their state. Plano senior Landon Dutra is a political science major on Student Court, watched the debate. “With the election right around the corner, this debate showed the colors of who both O’Rourke and Cruz are,” Dutra said. “We saw a lot of…
Throughout October, Cultivate 7twelve art gallery will be home to an exhibit called “UnBound Art.” The exhibition is a joint effort between Cultivate 7twelve and UnBound, a Waco-based national human trafficking prevention organization. The art installation is centered on “breakthrough, strength, courage and potential for freedom,” according to the Cultivate 7twelve website. Guests are invited to walk through the exhibition for free to view the art and learn more about human trafficking. “I love this exhibit,” Cultivate 7twelve co-founder Rebekah Hagman said. “I think the problem can be so overwhelming that you can feel like you can’t take action, and…
This weekend, the Waco Cultural Arts Fest took Waco by storm. From Friday to Sunday, artists from all over the central texas area set up booths in downtown Waco, and displayed pieces of their art. Art of all mediums was on display, from paper mache to digital photography to beadwork and everything in between. However, the Waco Cultural Art Fest acted as an outlet for more than just art, it also offered a chance for the central Texas community to come together and appreciate cultural inclusivity, as well as a way for artists to present their work in a more…
By Molly Atchison | Editor-in-Chief Downtown Waco was lit up once again last night as locals and tourists mingled during First Friday. From 5 to 9 p.m., crowds were invited to travel the streets of downtown and explore all that local businesses had to offer. From food and drinks to shopping and art, there was plenty to enjoy. Created in conjunction with the City of Waco and Anthem Waco, a local arts and development initiative based in Downtown Waco, First Friday is open and free to the public. The mission statement on the First Friday Facebook page states that “First…
It’s that time of the year, when the ghouls come out to play, and fans of horror revisit their favorite creepy tales. This spooky season, we’ve decided to take on the most terrifying true crime stories that have been turned into movies. One of the most infamous horror films in the history of true crime story retellings is “The Amityville Horror.” Originally filmed in 1979, the film portrays an idyllic family life of George Lutz and how he and his family were terrorized by the souls of another family that was killed in their Long Island home. The film was…