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No. 6 seed Baylor WTEN uses singles to defeat No. 11 seed WVU 4-2 in Big 12 Championships

By
Michael Haag
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The Bears are back in the win column after losing five of their final six matches of the regular season. Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics

By Michael Haag | Sports Editor

No. 6 seed Baylor women’s tennis advanced past the first round of the Big 12 Championships with a 4-2 victory over No. 11 seed West Virginia on Wednesday afternoon at the Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, Okla.

The Bears (17-11) dropped the doubles point to the Mountaineers (14-12) but used singles play to find the postseason win, which marked their second win in the last seven outings.

Baylor will face No. 3 seed Oklahoma at 3 p.m. on Thursday at the same venue.

“In the end, it’s just character,” Bears head coach Joey Scrivano said of the win. “This is building character, and ultimately that’s what college tennis is about. I’m really excited about this team moving forward, and I’m really proud of them.”

Baylor had some different doubles lineups due to injury, according to a press release, and West Virginia capitalized by taking the doubles point. The Mountaineers found a 6-3 win on court three, and Baylor leveled the count with a 6-2 decision on two.

WVU clinched the point on court one with a 6-4 victory.

Bears senior Miska Kadleckova, who’s ranked No. 117 in singles, cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 success on court one. Kadleckova stands 16-4 on the year and 15-4 at the No. 1 spot in the lineup. The Mountaineers retaliated with a 6-1, 6-4 win on five to retake the overall lead.

Baylor knotted the tally at 2-2 when junior Liubov Kostenko pulled away with a 6-2, 6-3 win on No. 3. The Bears were ahead on the remaining three courts, but sophomore Danielle Tuhten cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 victory on six to give them a 3-2 advantage.

The match-clinching point came off the racquet of freshman Zuzanna Kubacha, who worked to a 6-4, 6-3 success on court four. Graduate student Isabella Harvison’s match remained unfinished at just one game away by a score of 7-6(4), 5-0.

Baylor and Oklahoma will square off in the quarterfinals at 3 p.m. on Thursday in Stillwater. The contest can be streamed on ESPN+.

From elephant toothpaste to gummy bears: Sic ‘Em Science Day showcases kid-friendly chemistry

By
Sarah Gallaher
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Baylor’s American Chemical Society Affiliates is hosting Sic ‘Em Science Day from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday on the rear side of the Baylor Sciences Building, located on Bagby Avenue. Photo courtesy of Ainsley Dunn

By Sarah Gallaher | Staff Writer

Baylor’s American Chemical Society Affiliates is set to welcome families to Sic ‘Em Science Day from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Usually hosted by the Mayborn Museum Complex in the fall, ACS will host the spring session independently, including a variety of hands-on experiments and its traditional Chemistry Magic Show.

Founded in 1876, the American Chemical Society is one of the oldest and largest scientific organizations in the nation. Medford, Ore., junior and ACS president Ainsley Dunn said the group is excited to host Sic ‘Em Science Day by itself. In the past, ACS partnered with the Mayborn, but the group received permission to host its own spring event this year in addition to the fall event.

“It’s never happened on campus before, and we wanted to have it twice per year,” Dunn said. “We went through all of the process to get it approved as an event in the spring, so that will be run by our organization.”

There will be two sessions during the three-hour event, and each will include an hour of small hands-on experiments for children. The experiments include kid-safe activities like iodine clock reactions and blowing up a balloon with vinegar and baking soda. Sic ‘Em Science Day is intended for school-age children, but Dunn said younger and older children have also enjoyed the activities in the past.

ACS members will guide children through the experiments, allowing them to get “up close and personal” with chemistry, Dunn said. St. Louis junior and ACS social media manager Viviana Castillo said Sic ‘Em Science Day is an opportunity for families to bring learning outside of the classroom in a fun and engaging way.

“It’s a very family-oriented event for children to be inspired by seeing science right in front of them,” Castillo said.

Following the hands-on experiments, ACS members will put on their Chemistry Magic Show, traditionally performed as a part of Mayborn’s Sic ‘Em Science Day in the fall. The show includes bigger experiments better performed by those with adequate chemistry knowledge, including well-known experiments like “elephant toothpaste” and “death of a gummy bear.”

Due to limited outdoor seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for added comfort during the 30-minute show.

Although this part of the event is observation-only, Castillo said it still entertains children and, combined with the small hands-on experiments, can spark a lifelong interest in science.

“You’re able to see the application of these concepts that you can read on paper, but seeing it in person and being able to be hands-on with it is such a different experience,” Castillo said. “It’s something that I personally would have loved to have as a kid as someone who was very interested in science and wanted to get into that field, but I never attended any of these events. I feel like this is a really good opportunity to inspire some children or solidify their goals in life, even if it is something as small as an experiment with slime.”

Both Dunn and Castillo shared their passion for science and their desire to pass it along to the next generation. To Dunn, chemistry is an important subject for children to learn about at a young age.

“Oftentimes, you don’t get up close and personal with chemistry until high school, so it’s a good way for them to get their foot in the door to learn about a field that’s super innovative and has a lot of impactful research that comes out of it,” Dunn said.

Sic ‘Em Science Day will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday on the rear side of the Baylor Sciences Building, located on Bagby Avenue.

‘Always room to improve’: Course evaluations spur positive change

By
Jacob Boone
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With the endless number of assignments, presentations and exams this time of the semester, course evaluations are often the last thing on a student's mind. However, they serve an important purpose for both professors and future students. Camie Jobe | Photographer

By Jacob Boone | Staff Writer

It’s that time of the year. You can count weeks on one hand, and every time you open Canvas, you’re greeted with “Course Evaluations are Open! Please take a moment to complete your evaluations by clicking the Go to Survey button below.”

The moment it takes to fill out course evaluations may not mean much to students, but their value to professors is a different story.

“The chairman looks at your course evals, and that determines your pay raise,” Dr. Steven Rich, associate professor of finance, said. “It affects it, at least.”

Course evaluations impact more than a professor’s salary. In many cases, they can shape the way a class is taught.

“Students were saying 10 chapters on a test was too much,” J.D. Lotte Bostick, clinical professor in the department of accounting and business law, said. “I read that enough that I was like, ‘You know what? I think they got a point.’ So I got approval to change the way that I do it, and it seems to be successful.”

From the professor’s side, course evaluations are anonymous.

“The anonymity allows you to be more honest,” Rich said.

Course evaluations are broken down into scale ratings of the professor’s performance and individual comments. Rich has read course evaluations for each of his 36 years of teaching and said he filled them out at Baylor 40 years ago.

“The most useful stuff is the comments,” Rich said. “That’s why I stopped using the flipped classroom. Even though test grades went up a letter grade when I flipped the classroom, it was so intense, a lot of students didn’t like it.”

Bostick said that “knowing that the professors actually read them and take action to improve our teaching based off of them” will encourage students to be honest but also aware of the personal impacts their comments can have.

“I think students need to be respectful in it, stick to constructive criticism and stay away from personal stuff,” Bostick said. “I have not ever experienced that, but I know other professors who have, and it discourages them.”

Bostick said that for students looking at BuBooks and professors reading their own course evaluations, there are numerous reasons why ratings could be low.

“Sometimes student evaluations are low because a class is harder,” Bostick said. “There are subjective reasons why evaluations can be lower, [but] that doesn’t really mean that the professor is good or bad.”

While course evaluations are written in retrospect, their real purpose is forward-facing.

“There is always room to improve as a professor, always room,” Rich said. “Y’all see it from a different perspective than we do, so if a student has input on how to improve a class, then a professor should care a lot about them.”

Major Exploration and Success Advising offers guidance to prospective, current students

By
Rory Dulock
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Major Exploration and Success Advising is a source for students who might have second thoughts about their major, helping students by guiding them through their college journey. Lilly Yablon | Photographer

By Rory Dulock | Staff Writer

For prospective or current students who are undecided about their major or are starting to have second thoughts about their choice, Major Exploration and Success Advising is a one-stop shop to receive guidance.

“Major Exploration and Success Advising partners with students, guiding them on their journey to find not only a major that is best suited for them but also to help discern God’s callings at this point in their life,” the MESA website reads.

Dr. Robert Shipp, director of MESA, said the office is fairly new on campus and helps students explore different options.

“Our mission evolved two years ago,” Shipp said. “Prior to that, we were known as University Advisement, and we advised pre-majors and undecided students. But with a study and a reorganization of the advising community, we were able to step more into that — exploring majors, undecided student advising — and then really move into the major exploration area.”

While the office does focus on current students, Shipp said it also assists prospective students in hopes of lowering the likelihood they will switch majors upon arrival at Baylor.

“The Department of Education says that 50% of undergraduates that start in a fall will change their major at least one time before the next fall,” Shipp said. “Half the students who are coming to a university will learn about themselves a little bit more. The reason why we’re [helping] prospective students is so they don’t change their major that first time. They can find it before they get here. That’s why we’re offering them the same tools as a continuing student.”

There are 114 majors, and there are a number of ways to get students to explore them. Shipp said the office usually meets with a student more than once to have a couple of different discussions about which major might be the best fit for them.

“We have a couple of tools that help us,” Shipp said. “MyMajors is one of those. It’s an online assessment, and it’s on our Major Exploration and Success Advising page. It takes about 15 minutes, and what it’ll provide a student who’s looking — and anybody can do this, a prospective student or a current student — it gives them 10 Baylor majors to explore.”

Shipp said another tool is the ability to refer students to the academic departments on campus. In addition to talking with professors, they can speak with the office’s colleagues in the Career Center.

“[Our Career Center colleagues] want to help you find a career that best fits you,” Shipp said. “From there, we can help you to find a major that fits into that career. Or, we can find the major for you, and then they can help you find a career from that major. They’ve got some other techniques and tools that they can use in conjunction with what we do, and it really helps to explore all of your options.”

Denver senior Sarah Stenger said she started off as an undecided major before becoming a communications major.

“I was undecided until I was a sophomore, so unfortunately, I don’t think that program was available to me for when I was undecided,” Stenger said. “[MESA] would for sure be more helpful for [undecided] students.”

Shipp said students are encouraged to reach out to the office to receive help during their Baylor journey, and they are welcome to email mesa@baylor.edu to set up a meeting time.

“If [a student is] in the Sid Richardson Building, stop at the front desk and see if we can set up an appointment for just kind of finding out where you are,” Shipp said. “If you email the MESA address, then one of our advisers will respond back to you and then set up an appointment, or see what you’re needing and see how we can best start that exploratory journey with you.”

Shipp said the MESA staff has a perspective on all the majors and minors on campus, and he encourages students to utilize the office to be able to explore all of the opportunities.

“Find the place that you are most comfortable doing well, and if you find that you’re not doing well, start exploring, start questioning, what is it?” Shipp said. “That’s the first step, is to listen to what your life has been telling you. Are you enjoying things is another thing, but also know that you have a whole staff here that can help you to explore and understand what it is to be successful here.”

Apply for The Lariat: Editorial Board shares favorite newsroom memories

By
Baylor Lariat
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Gwen Henry | Cartoonist

By The Editorial Board

Applications to work for The Baylor Lariat next semester are open through April 22, so we thought we’d share some of our favorite parts about being on staff.

Experience, mentorship and community

When I submitted my application for The Lariat at the end of my freshman year, I had no idea what I was getting myself into — that is, besides a biweekly paycheck and an outlet for my strange affinity for grammar. I took a chance on The Lariat, and I’m so glad I did.

I may have started as an introverted sophomore who hid behind her mask in the back of the newsroom, but after two years, I found myself at the big corner desk with a nameplate and a wall to decorate. This job brought me the experience, mentorship and community I didn’t know I needed. It helped me find my vocation and one of my very best friends. It gave me the confidence to spontaneously break out my British accent in the middle of staff meetings in front of 35 people. It took me to the streets of Dublin, the press box of McLane and everywhere in between, and I’ve loved every minute of it.

So, consider this your sign to take a chance on The Lariat too. It might be exactly what you need.

Jenna Fitzgerald | Editor-in-Chief

Confidence and friendship

I honestly wasn’t sure if I had made the right choice in selecting journalism as my major before I joined The Lariat. Though, not long after I submitted my first few stories, my doubt began to melt away as I realized this is what I want to do for a long, long time.

I can still remember that feeling of submitting my first story as an Arts & Life writer. I felt like I was on top of the world — like I was finally making progress toward my dreams of becoming a real journalist. Getting to hear others’ stories and being able to tell them through my own words is something truly special and an opportunity I will be eternally grateful fell into my hands. And having the honor of working with my writers’ opinions and ideas now as an editor and sharing them with the world has been an experience which continues to help me see things in a new and different way every day.

I have The Lariat to thank not only for my confidence as a journalist but also for the wonderful people I get to call my friends. Together, we have been through it all: stress, fun, challenges, victories and defeats. Where I would be without these people, I don’t even want to know.

I’m looking forward to what’s in store for me here next semester, and you could too if you decide to take a chance on The Lariat.

Olivia Turner | Opinion Editor

Late nights and laughs

Starting college in 2020 had its challenges, to say the least. One of the big ones for me just happened to be that I was a political science major with a public relations minor with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my four years of college or the rest of my life. I was lost, lonely and mostly unhappy.

Halfway through the spring semester of my sophomore year, someone in one of my journalism classes mentioned a job opening for the school paper. On a whim, I applied and got an interview with the news editor at the time. I wore a blazer and pumps to my interview at Moody Memorial Library, only to discover I was shockingly overdressed. It was clear from my interviewer’s jeans and T-shirt that it was supposed to be casual.

Despite my embarrassing misread of the attire, I got the job and have stuck around in the newsroom ever since. The person who interviewed me and I laugh about that day all the time, and she is one of my biggest role models and dearest friends.

Starting out, I was nervous and shy and had no idea what I was doing, but submitting my application for The Lariat is the best decision I’ve made in my college career. If you’re hesitant to submit your application, my advice is to take the chance, even if you aren’t experienced and aren’t sure. It’s worth it. From the late nights in the newsroom to the laughs and memories I’ll hold close forever — and right down to my interview outfit — I would do it all again.

Tatum Mitchell | News Editor

Coolest job in the world

I can’t lie when I say The Lariat is just about the coolest job in the world. I’ve covered Austin City Limits, interviewed Colony House and Midland, traveled across the state and across the country with some of my best friends and earned years of experience and memories that I couldn’t possibly put a price tag on.

I started in this newsroom in the fall of my freshman year, and I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. Good thing every single person who comes through Castellaw 232 has a kind heart and wants to help others improve, because I would have been a goner. For all its perks, journalism is a tough gig. In my nearly three years here, there have been late nights and a few stressful moments. OK, maybe there have been more than a few. But who better to help you along, to hold your hand when all you want to do is delete InDesign from your desktop, than this group of wonderful, smart and talented people?

If you have a knack for writing, if you love music and the arts, if you want to tell stories, if you love to edit and fix little mistakes, if you love taking photos, if you love being in front of a camera, if you love sports — I know a place.

Emma Weidmann | Arts & Life Editor

Constructive feedback and empowerment

When I first joined The Lariat my sophomore year, I had no idea what to expect. I knew I loved to write and was really just looking for an outlet to share my love for storytelling and my very strong opinions on certain topics. A year later, I can confidently say I have gotten so much more than that from The Lariat and have met some of the best people along the way.

The number of fun memories is impossible to count. From print nights to events, my experience has been nothing short of amazing. When I graduate and look back on my college experience, I will think of The Lariat and all of the fun times I have had. I will walk out of Castellaw 232 with some of my best friends and people I consider family.

Not only that, but I have also grown in my writing tremendously throughout my time at The Lariat. Looking back on my first stories versus the ones I write now, the difference is incredible. That growth can only be credited to the people I have met along the way who gave me constructive feedback and empowerment.

If you are like me and are looking for a place to share your opinions, are interested in digging up interesting stories around Baylor or are just looking to meet some amazing people, I highly recommend joining The Lariat.

Sydney Matthews | Assistant News Editor

Hands-on experience

At first, I hopped on at The Lariat as just a podcaster in the second semester of my freshman year. Needless to say, I stuck around. From climbing the ranks to being the radio director and being up close and personal for March Madness games, everything The Lariat has offered has been a blast.

My favorite memory while on staff has been traveling to three different March Madness venues and covering both Baylor men’s and women’s basketball. In addition, over my two and a half years, I have done play-by-play for more than 100 baseball, basketball and football games, which has given me hands-on experience that the department was unable to offer.

If you’re looking to branch out and find something new, The Lariat is the place to do that. As I look toward my final year, I want to add a news podcast and expand the horizons that radio can have on the publication. That said, there will be more opportunities aside from print just waiting for someone to make their mark on.

Foster Nicholas | Sports Writer, Radio Director

Pitching locks down Mavericks as Baylor baseball stays hot with 3-1 midweek win

By
Foster Nicholas
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Baylor baseball has now won nine of its last 10 games, which marks the Bears' best stretch under second-year head coach Mitch Thompson. Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics

By Foster Nicholas | Sports Writer

Behind six different pitchers who combined to allow just one earned run on seven hits and forfeit zero walks, Baylor baseball won its ninth game in the last 10 games as it took down UT Arlington 3-1 on Tuesday at Clay Gould Ballpark in Arlington.

In senior Jared Matheson’s return to a starting role, the right-handed pitcher went 2 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out three batters. The Bears then turned to freshman left-handed pitcher RJ Ruais and redshirt freshman right-handed pitcher Tanner Duke, who each allowed one hit in 1 1/3 and 1.0 scoreless innings, respectively.

“This ballgame was totally won by our pitchers,” head coach Mitch Thompson said. “Our offense was stagnant. We didn’t have a whole lot of energy. We weren’t taking great at-bats, and we didn’t run the bases real well.

“We have to do better there, but our pitching staff picked us up big time, and we made plays on defense. Every pitcher who went out there threw the ball pretty well.”

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Ethan Calder (4-1) snagged the win after working 1 2/3 scoreless and striking out four batters, while senior left-handed pitcher Kobe Andrade earned his second consecutive save (2), closing the ballgame with 1 1/3 innings with two strikeouts. The Mavericks tallied their lone run of the game in the eighth inning against redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Gabe Craig, who threw 1.0 inning and gave up two hits and an earned run.

“It’s really big,” Andrade said of pitching in big moments. “I have confidence in my teammates behind me on defense and just try to go out there and do my job. It’s definitely been a role I’ve been in before, and it’s the ‘Mamba Mentality’ I take out there — just trusting my ability to go out and get the job done and count on my teammates to be right behind me.”

While the Bears struggled to get much going offensively, junior shortstop Tyriq Kemp kept his hot streak going as he went 3-for-4 at the plate. The three-hit mark ties a Baylor career-high and was the second time he’s recorded the trifecta in as many games. Aside from Kemp, Baylor notched just four other hits. Most notably, redshirt junior right fielder Enzo Apodaca went 1-for-5, extending his on-base streak to 14 straight games a day after being named Big 12 Player of the Week.

Baylor set the tone, plating a run in the second and fourth innings off the bat of sophomore left fielder Caleb Bergman. Both runs went as unearned as the Mavericks recorded an error each time Bergman put the ball in play, which allowed both runs to score. Senior first baseman Cole Posey found the only Bear RBI as he whipped a single to left field in the eighth to give Baylor a 3-0 lead before UTA added its lone run in the bottom of the inning.

Baylor returns to action on Friday to kick off a three-game series against Kansas (19-14, 7-8 Big 12). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in game one at Baylor Ballpark.

Baylor softball fumbles late rally, falls to UT Arlington 4-3

By
Michael Haag
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Seniors utility Sydney Collazos (middle) and outfielder Ana Watson each had a two-hit outing on Tuesday. Michael Haag | Sports Editor

By Michael Haag | Sports Editor

Trailing by a run in the final frame, Baylor softball junior outfielder Ashlyn Wachtendorf led off the side with a bloop into shallow center field.

Except the ball didn’t drop for a base hit. It fell into UT Arlington’s middle infielder’s glove and popped out before nestling into the center fielder’s glove for the first out.

It was that kind of night for the Bears, and it fits the narrative of a lackluster season.

Baylor stranded two runners in the bottom of the seventh and fell to UT Arlington 4-3 on Tuesday night at Getterman Stadium.

“It’s kind of been that way most of the year for us,” Bears head coach Glenn Moore said.

Head coach Glenn Moore (left) hit his 900th win at Baylor this season when the Bears took down UTA 2-1 on April 9. Michael Haag | Sports Editor
Head coach Glenn Moore (left) hit his 900th win at Baylor this season when the Bears took down UTA 2-1 on April 9. Michael Haag | Sports Editor

Senior utility Emily Hott followed Wachtendorf’s hot-potato out with a double to center field, and junior first baseman Shaylon Govan put the winning run on first with a two-out walk. But a flyout ended the threat and gave Baylor (22-18, 5-13 Big 12) its fourth straight loss.

“To be quite honest with you, most of the season has been line drives right to people,” Moore said. “Like, we wore out their second baseman. We barreled up a lot of balls. [Wachtendorf’s bloop] wasn’t hit that hard, but it was like it could have started a big rally. Of course, it would have scored her with Emily’s double.

“And Emily’s double is out of 90% of the ballparks in America, but not Getterman. This is where we play. So that holds her at second, and we can’t get her in.”

The Bears held a 3-2 lead into the fifth, but the Mavericks (18-26, 8-8 WAC) plated a pair in the top of the fifth to give them the final edge. Baylor out-hit UTA eight to seven, marking the Bears’ seventh loss in 26 games when that happened.

“It’s just disappointing. I thought we played well offensively. The run production didn’t show it, but I thought the positive plate appearances, the quality at-bats, the barrels to [the] ball — we had just as much as we did in any game this year. And we just can’t push runs across.”

Baylor entered the midweek bout on a three-game skid after being swept by No. 1 Texas over the weekend. The Bears have now lost two of their last three nonconference contests. Going into that stretch, they had won 17 of their previous 19 nonconference games.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher RyLee Crandall (31) owns an 11-7 record in the circle this season, with 26 appearances and a 2.89 ERA. Michael Haag | Sports Editor
Sophomore right-handed pitcher RyLee Crandall (31) owns an 11-7 record in the circle this season, with 26 appearances and a 2.89 ERA. Michael Haag | Sports Editor

Sophomore right-handed ace RyLee Crandall was given the start in the circle, but she was pulled after just 2.0 innings of work. Crandall gave up two earned runs on three hits and three walks on Tuesday, and the outing came after she hurled 172 pitches across two games (8 2/3 total innings) in the Longhorns series.

Moore said the staff started her “because we needed to win the game.”

Junior right-handed pitcher Kaci West struck out five, walked four and allowed two earned runs on four hits in her 5.0 innings the rest of the way.

“[Crandall’s] our ace right now,” Moore said. “Kaci probably threw one of her better games when she went in. I was really happy with what she did overall. Although she wasn’t able to hold the lead, I thought she threw one of her better performances of the year tonight.”

Junior right-handed pitcher Kaci West (3-2) was hit with the loss on Tuesday. Michael Haag | Sports Editor
Junior right-handed pitcher Kaci West (3-2) was hit with the loss on Tuesday. Michael Haag | Sports Editor

UTA opened the scoring with a pair of solo homers in the top of the second. Fifth-year senior first baseman Lindsey Franklin squared up the first pitch she saw and blasted a leadoff homer over the left-field wall. Sophomore catcher Nikki Donahue, the Mavericks’ eight-hole hitter, dug in and mashed a two-out home run to left center, which gave UT Arlington an early 2-0 lead.

Baylor senior outfielder Ana Watson mirrored Franklin’s plate appearance with a first-pitch homer in the bottom of the second, this one sailing down the right-field line. Watson added her second RBI of the game in the bottom of the third when she doubled to right center, bringing home junior two-way player Aliyah Binford.

Binford was at second after doubling to left center herself, which gave the Bears another RBI, as junior pinch runner Caroline Rowatt scored.

Baylor’s 3-2 lead only lasted through four innings though, as UT Arlington scratched across two more in the top of the fifth to give the Mavericks the 4-3 victory.

Moore said this was a tough loss for the Bears to take.

“When you play a team — certainly a quality team, I’m not belittling anyone, I respect all of our competition — but when you look at where they are in the RPI, that’s a game you have to win,” Moore said. “And it really hurts you to lose that game.

“On top of that, we still need four wins to finish above .500 in the regular season, so we could’ve knocked one off tonight. None of these last 10 that we have are going to be easy. … Especially with the health of our bullpen and our pitchers not able to go the distance and not able to for a while, that’s one we could’ve put under our belt, but now we have to work a little bit harder.”

Junior first baseman Shaylon Govan was walked three times on Tuesday, which tied a career high. Michael Haag | Sports Editor
Junior first baseman Shaylon Govan was walked three times on Tuesday, which tied a career high. Michael Haag | Sports Editor

Baylor will stay put for a three-game Big 12 series with newcomer UCF. First pitch for the series opener is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Getterman Stadium, and all contests can be watched on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ or listened to on 101.3 FM.

Work, home, repeat: Modern America lacks the ‘third place’

By
Julien Hajenius
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By Julien Hajenius | Web Editor

America faces a fundamental issue: We lack a place to go that is neither “work” nor “home.” We define this space as the “third place” — a space for recreation where one can simply exist — and its absence is an ongoing problem in how we structure our cities, exacerbated by the rise of phone use.

When I think of a third place, I recall the diner scenes from “Seinfeld” or the cozy cafe in “Friends” — a space that feels like home where one can gather to relax without expectations.

I’ve heard stories from my parents about the 1980s, when teens spent their days playing in parks and exploring small neighborhoods. Communication was simple. Knocking on a friend’s door was the norm. Life felt smaller and more connected back then.

However, dwelling solely on nostalgia is not enough. We must confront the present reality and acknowledge the challenges preventing us from reclaiming that sense of interconnectedness. One major obstacle is the influence of short-form content and the rise of phone use. On average, a person picks up their phone 80 times a day, while many from Generation Z and younger do so 200 times a day. We are less present in everyday moments, and this problem is only escalating.

Moreover, the physical landscape of our suburbs and cities has evolved to prioritize efficiency and commerce over socialization within our communities. Sprawling suburbs, desolate shopping malls and the dominance of the same 50 corporate chains in urban environments leave little room for intimate gathering spaces.

What is the solution to becoming more engaged in our environment? One approach is to actively reimagine and repurpose existing spaces to better serve the social needs of local communities. This might involve transforming vacant lots into community green spaces, converting abandoned storefronts into local cafes or permitting more community events in public spaces.

Furthermore, fostering a cultural shift away from constant digital stimulation and toward undistracted in-person interactions is essential. Establishing community through full awareness of the moment will address our social needs, as many mental health issues today stem from constant phone and technology use. By leveraging social spaces and reconsidering how we structure our cities, we can move toward reestablishing the third place.

Beyond the front page: Be informed about less-publicized news

By
Tyler White
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By Tyler White | Sports Writer

It’s always difficult when war takes place. It hurts to watch civilians caught in the crossfire of two forces. It’s even more difficult when there’s an entire side of the story that doesn’t get highlighted as much as it should in the midst of war.

For about the last six months, Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian groups have been at war along the Gaza Strip. As tensions have ebbed and flowed, it’s been sad to watch the destruction and devastation — but what about the stories we don’t see in nearby countries?

A day after the Israel-Hamas war began, Hezbollah — a political party and militant group in Lebanon — led an attack on Israel to take advantage of the situation. From that moment on, the historic tensions between Israel and Lebanon were heightened even more.

Before I go any further, it’s important for me to provide some background about my life. I was a missionary kid for about half my life and spent all of high school in Lebanon. For a while, it was my home, and I still consider it a place near and dear to my heart.

The reason I share this is so that I can better explain my position. When it comes to moments in life like this, I think it’s important to be informed about everything that is going on in the world, not just what the media puts on the front page.

While Hezbollah was the one to initiate the attacks between the two nations this time around, it has been sad to watch it all unfold. While I don’t condone what Hezbollah did, it is still sad to see how both sides have continued to act out of aggression.

On Oct. 13, 2023, an Israel Defense Forces tank fired two shots in the direction of a group of Lebanese journalists, killing Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah. This was deemed to break international law and was just one of the many acts of aggression from Israel to Lebanon.

On Jan. 2, Israel conducted a drone airstrike on Dahieh, a Beirut neighborhood. The attack targeted a meeting between Lebanese and Hamas officials and assassinated deputy Hamas chief Saleh al-Arouri. This in particular struck a nerve for me, because I have many high school friends who live in Dahieh. It was a surreal moment to read about, considering it was a neighborhood I had been to many times before, in which I never thought of something like that happening.

I could go on and on about the different events that have occurred, but that isn’t the point of what I want to write about. Yes, it is heartbreaking to see all of the destruction taking place, but what’s been harder for me to see is just how little people know about what’s been going on in Lebanon.

This can be applied to many other situations throughout history. People pay attention to the “main event” taking place (in this case, the Israel-Hamas war) but fail to see what’s going on around the rest of the world.

I don’t think you need to know every detail going on in every situation. That’s an impossible expectation. However, one thing I encourage you to do is broaden your information intake. Look beyond what the front page of the media gives you and look deeper at the situation.

Harris Creek to host third annual ‘Becoming Something LIVE’ conference

By
Jackson Posey
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Photo courtesy of Spotify

By Jackson Posey | Reporter

Harris Creek Baptist Church is ramping up to host “Becoming Something LIVE,” a multi-day live podcasting event for its flagship podcast, “Becoming Something.”

The conference, which will begin Friday night after selling out months ago, is expected to welcome attendees from 47 states and Canada — all coming to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

“At these church events, you just have some of the most random spiritual conversations that are just really fruitful,” St. Louis sophomore Jackson Lawrence, who will serve as a volunteer filmmaker, said. “So yeah, it’s probably one of my favorite parts of the whole event, is just getting to talk with people and pray over people, and obviously get prayed over as well. Overall, what I’m excited for is just to experience an event that encourages Christ’s followers to keep following Christ.”

“Becoming Something,” which is co-hosted by Harris Creek’s own Jonathan Pokluda, Nate Hilgenkamp and Kathy Davidson, is currently the No. 29 Religion & Spirituality podcast on Spotify, sandwiched a few spots between Timothy Keller and John Mark Comer. Hilgenkamp said it racked up “something like seven million listens” in 2023, continuing an incredible growth trend for a series that only began in 2019.

“When we started [in 2019], I was just talking like I was talking to a Baylor student,” Hilgenkamp said. “And [Pokluda] was like, ‘Stop the podcast.’ He’s like, ‘Let’s believe that God’s going to reach more people than just people in Waco. So don’t act like you’re just talking to them, act like people from all over the country are going to listen.’

“I was like, ‘That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. Like, you just left Dallas to come to this church in the middle of nowhere. No one cares.’ And then really, really steadily — we’ve released an episode every week for five years now — it’s just grown and grown and grown. Last couple years, it’s doubled in listens each year.”

This year’s conference will mark the third annual Becoming Something LIVE, after the COVID-19 pandemic nixed plans for the would-be inaugural meeting. With sold-out tickets and a maxed-out volunteer staff, event planners are already exploring ways to expand in the future.

Joviality reigns on Friday night, with a pre-party and afterparty set to bookend the leadoff podcast recording. The following morning will feature an “’It’s Just Coffee’ Speed Dating Event,” which Hilgenkamp promised doesn’t have to be romantic — even though prior years’ speed dating events have, to his knowledge, produced three engagements or weddings.

Still, parties and coffee aside, the center of the weekend remains worship and Bible teaching. Sydney Smith, who graduated from Baylor last year and serves on the worship teams for Harris Creek and Becoming Something LIVE, said her experience at Baylor and Harris Creek deeply affected the way she leads worship.

“I think my favorite part about getting to lead worship now is truly just getting to cultivate moments that bring people into God’s presence and help them experience Him,” Smith said. “I came in and I knew how to sing and I knew how to love God, and through just getting to be a part of the worship culture of Waco, really I have just grown so much in my ability to create moments and steward moments and really tap into the Lord’s presence — and be able to invite other people in with the recognition that if I’m genuinely worshipping, then other people will follow along.”

Smith previously attended the conference as a “consumer,” and later as a jack-of-all-trades volunteer. This year, as she prepares to lead worship, she said she believes gatherings like Becoming Something LIVE can be particularly powerful.

“I am just most excited about being in that room,” Smith said. “There’s something pretty electric and exciting about a room of hundreds and hundreds of young adult people. … Our energy and excitement for the Lord is contagious and really all-consuming. And so I’m just excited to be in a place where so many people are excited about what the Lord is doing.”

Slow and sustainable: Austin fashion show displays ‘antithesis of fast fashion’

By
Clara Snyder
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Photo courtesy of Clara Snyder

By Clara Snyder | Reporter

The Spring Slow Fashion Festival took place Saturday in Austin, showcasing looks from designers who use sustainable methods to produce clothing. Beginning in 2022, the festival has had a focus on finding unique ways to cultivate community around the slow fashion movement — a movement contrasting the fast fashion industry.

“Fast fashion” refers to mass-producing clothing in a quick and inexpensive way, incentivizing consumers to buy trending styles at a low price point. The industry accounts for 10% of annual global carbon dioxide emissions and has been linked to utilizing exploitative and unethical labor practices in order to make supply meet demand.

Leah Bury, one of the four festival founders, described slow fashion as the antithesis of fast fashion.

“Fast fashion encourages heavy consumption, rapid trend cycling, lots of waste, … [and] it creates the expectation that clothes aren’t meant to last long because you can just go and purchase more,” Bury said. “Slow fashion is the complete opposite of that.”

Bury said slow fashion places intentionality and care in the production of clothing by embracing alternative ways to create new fashion. Examples of slow fashion include shopping secondhand, swapping or rehoming unwanted clothing and recycling discarded clothing by using it to create a new item in a process called upcycling.

“Fast fashion has created an expectation that clothing is supposed to be dirt cheap when it’s not, and if it is cheap, the costs are being passed onto something else, whether that’s the planet or the people making it,” Bury said. “So a lot of what we want to do is educate people around all of the costs involved in fashion.”

The show began with a panel about circular living and having a sustainable lifestyle. One of the event panelists and Heartening founder Kelley Rytlewski said circular living stands in contrast to a linear economy that doesn’t consider a product once it has extended its useful life.

“[Circularity] begins with the end in mind — there is no waste,” Rytlewski said. “You start with what exists and what is already here. It’s a practice of intention and of ingenuity in every single aspect.”

Between two acts, the event showcased looks from nine clothing designers and included accessories from designers Junkyard Dog and Kizmet. Act one displayed stylings from UglyFlex, Defizm, reclaim. and YvieStyleIt, and it was followed by Faire Sauvage, Dear Ivy, Prior Waste, Futurekind studio and K.S. Garner in act two.

Kamdin Montagne, the 21-year-old founder and designer of Prior Waste, said she was very excited to be participating in the fashion show for the first time. Montagne is self-taught and began repurposing thrifted clothing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When quarantine happened and I had absolutely nothing to do, I started painting on jeans that I thrifted,” Montagne said. “Then, I had made so many things, so I was like, ‘Hey, does anybody want to buy this?’ And people actually did.”

After selling her designs at local markets and on Depop, Montange said she made the move to turn her work into a clothing brand in March 2023. Today, her designs include repurposing ties, jean waistbands and jean pockets into skirts and tops.

Since she isn’t a “cut-and-sew” designer who makes things from scratch, Montange said she is excited to be included in a fashion show that embraces her method of production.

“It really means a lot to me to be a part of this, because I didn’t think there was a space for designers like me doing what I’m doing,” Montange said. “I never really thought fashion shows were going to be something I would do. Since I rework stuff, sometimes people I’ll talk to don’t consider me as a designer.”

Montange said she believes in sustainability in fashion because there are already many amazing clothing pieces out there, and she loves breathing new life into those pieces. The other aspect of sustainable practices in fashion that she values is affordability.

“When I started, I just was a poor college kid who wanted to make stuff, but then I realized everyone who wants to buy this is probably also a broke college kid like me,” Montange said. “Making things out of old clothing that costs me little money to buy lets me keep prices super affordable and keep everything sustainable.”

Bury said one of the reasons they included “festival” in the name of the event is because it has a tone of celebration to it, and celebration guides a lot of what they want to do.

“Of course we want to educate people and bring people together, but we want to do it in a way that feels really inviting and celebratory of the amazing work that is already being done,” Bury said.

Although the event focuses on fashion and style, Bury said a lot of the lessons they are trying to teach are much more than just fashion.

“We think that slow fashion can be sort of a model [because] these principles apply to so many areas of life,” Bury said. “A lot of it comes down to caring about the impact that you have and working to have a better impact.”

For updates on future slow fashion festival events and shows, see its Instagram @slowfashionfestatx.

Review: ‘Fallout’ makes the wasteland fun

By
Hank Holland
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Photo Courtesy of IMDb

By Hank Holland | Reporter

Prime’s newest prestige series centers around the “Fallout” video games, taking place in a retro-futuristic apocalypse. The show brings all of the best and the worst elements of the franchise to the screen, set in a wacky and brutal timeline.

The show, in typical “Fallout” fashion, follows Lucy MacLean (played by Ella Purnell) in her journey to retrieve her father, Hank (Kyle MacLachlan). Helping and hindering her are Maximus, a Brotherhood of Steel imposter, the Ghoul, an immortal gunslinger and Dogmeat, a mainstay of every “Fallout” story.

When it comes to video game adaptations, there’s a right way and a wrong way. Last year, “The Last of Us” paved the way for video games to hit the big screen in a way that hasn’t really been seen since the “Mortal Kombat” movies (which unfortunately includes its latest reboot). I think “Fallout” does a great job at translating a world as rich in story as it is.

Key performances come from Walton Goggins and Purnell. Goggins nearly steals every scene he’s in, and his character in both plot lines is probably one of my favorite parts of the series. Purnell knows exactly what role she’s playing: a starry-eyed little-girl-lost who is born again, hardened in the wasteland. They have excellent chemistry, and I hope we get to see more of them together in the next season.

Far and away the best thing about the show is its design. The wasteland itself looks decrepit and dangerous and gives a very threatening vibe, as it does in the games. The costumes — especially the power armor — look super cool, and it’s nice to see them done well on a large-scale production.

As a newer fan of “Fallout” — I’ve spent a while brushing up on the games — the show does have a few problems, most of which can be summarized by the overall vibe of the show. The best way I can say it is that this show feels like Disney and “Rick and Morty” had a baby, who then heard the general plot of a “Fallout” game in a passing conversation. “Fallout” is a pretty funny game, but at times, the series is both overly cheerful and overly pessimistic. Several scenes, mostly the ones without Goggins or Purnell, build up some rather strong tension, or lead to a cool reveal, only for a really bad joke to take me completely out of the scene.

I could also go on endlessly about the greater plot details the show retcons or ignores, but I am willing to accept the show as it is. I feel like fandom meltdowns contribute nothing positive when it comes to an ongoing story like “Fallout” or even “Star Wars.” If nothing else, the show is a good time — and a great way to introduce someone to the world of “Fallout.”

Hawai’i Club to share ‘aloha spirit’ at third annual Luau

By
Ashlyn Beck
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The Hawai'i Club will be hosting their third annual Luau event Friday on Fountain Mall. Photo courtesy of the Hawai'i Club

By Ashlyn Beck | Staff Writer

Complete with Cha Community, Kona Ice and fire dancing, the Hawai’i Club’s third annual Luau will feature cultural themes of connection and “aloha spirit.”

Honoka’a, Hawaii, junior Sheilyn Subia is the internal vice president of the Hawai’i Club and said the main goal of Luau is to share the culture and community of Hawaii with Baylor.

“It’s such a joy for us to share about our community,” Subia said. “I think that’s kind of what Luau is about. We want Baylor students to know who we are and who the people of the islands are.”

Subia said the Hawai’i Club is expecting about 1,000 people at the event, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday on Fountain Mall.

“[It’s] open for everyone, and it’s free, and so we’re just so excited,” Subia said. “We have a lot of partnerships that have been really good in supporting us.”

Waipahu, Hawaii, senior Jhenaya Hampton is the president of the Hawai’i Club and said Luau will include many elements reflecting the culture and community of Hawaii. There will be fire dancers, traditional Hawaiian food, music and leis for those in attendance.

Subia said leis are significant in Hawaiian culture, and many wear them for graduations and other life milestones.

“It’s really a symbol like honor,” Subia said. “So when you give someone a lei, you’re honoring them for an achievement, and so [we’re] very excited to share that.”

According to Subia, a big aspect of Hawaiian culture is “aloha spirit,” which encompasses the love and hospitality of Hawaii locals.

“Aloha means love. It means hello and goodbye,” Hampton said. “It’s just a word that encapsulates a lot of communication, love, connection and relationship.”

The theme for this year’s Luau is “Mauka to Makai,” which means “from the mountains to the oceans.” According to Hampton, this saying refers to the idea that in Hawaii, everything is connected. The mountains and the ocean are united by the land, and similarly, there is a sense of love and connection with all the people in Hawaii.

“The water that comes to the mountains and goes into the ocean changes [along the way], so everything in Hawaii is connected in that way,” Hampton said. “It’s not even just in nature. People in Hawaii have strong connections.”

Both Subia and Hampton said they hope attendees take away some of the love present in Hawaiian culture.

“We’re hoping that people can learn at the event and become a bit more culturally aware and have a better understanding of Hawaiian culture, because I feel that if you don’t fully understand a culture, you can’t truly appreciate the beauty of [it] in its entirety,” Hampton said.

Hampton said doors will open at 6 p.m. and advised arriving early due to the limited amount of food.

“Hawaii is more than just a place. It’s really the people that make it home,” Subia said. “When [you] go to our islands, truly any island, you will find a piece of home.”

Denim Day to address misconceptions about sexual assault

By
Rory Dulock
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Denim Day was inspired by a protest against an Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction based on the belief that a victim's jeans were tight and implied consent. Abby Roper | Photographer

By Rory Dulock | Staff Writer

To address misconceptions about sexual assault during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Baylor’s Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office will be hosting Denim Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 24 at the SUB Stage.

“We invite the entire campus to wear denim in recognition of SAAM Denim Day, which was established in 1999 to stand in solidarity with survivors and to shift misconceptions around sexual assault,” the Presidential Perspective read.

Dr. Valerie Willis, education and prevention specialist for the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office, said Denim Day was inspired by a protest against an Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction based on the belief that a victim’s jeans were tight and implied consent.

“That decision sparked outrage, and the women in the Parliament decided, ‘We’re going to wear jeans and stand in solidarity as a gesture of this not being OK,'” Willis said. “And so that kind of gave birth to Denim Day, and organizations and individuals adopted that. They used it as an opportunity to address these misconceptions and create a global movement and awareness of sexual violence prevention and education.”

Willis said there will be a Denim Day photo booth to show that support publicly and on social media. There will also be other initiatives to take part in during the event.

“We’ll have signs people can use with facts that we want to put out there so we can dismantle any misconceptions and signs of support, as well as Denim Day buttons,” Willis said. “One of the things I’m really excited about is we were able to get 125 denim parts and fabric markers where people can write a message of support. We will then safety pin it onto a tablecloth made of denim for the Advocacy Center, which we will give it to them after the event. And then, of course, we’ll have a table of resources, support and counseling services.”

Kenosha, Wis., junior Lily Peterson said events centered around sensitive topics like sexual assault are important because they offer an open space for discussion and education about subjects that many people are afraid to acknowledge.

“It tells those who have been victims of such events that they are heard and that what they went through is worth talking about,” Peterson said. “A lot of times, people are afraid to open up about experiences like this because they fear that the sensitivity around the topic will result in backlash or judgment. By offering events that are aimed at raising awareness and opening its attendance to the collective student body, Baylor offers a sort of safety in numbers, giving people more confidence to navigate the topic.”

Peterson said Denim Day addresses prejudices surrounding sexual assault, and events like it are needed to remind the community of how to discuss the problem.

“Denim Day is an important part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month because it goes the extra step to remind society of the types of prejudices that can be involved in a topic that is already extremely difficult to navigate,” Peterson said. “By emphasizing that bias is not only possible but actively present in such situations, Baylor helps to provide … [advocacy] on behalf of those who experience or could experience it.”

Willis said the event will allow people across campus to learn about the resources that are available to them through Baylor while showing support to others.

“I just think that [the event] really speaks to how it’s not just reactive, it’s very proactive and preventative and responsive,” Willis said. “I think this is a great time to showcase some of these programs. It shows community engagement when we’re all involved and makes us feel connected in some way when sometimes it can feel large and hard to connect.”

Staff Writer Ashlyn Beck contributed to this report.

Global Gateway Program creates ‘soft landing’ for international students

By
Ashlyn Kennedy
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The Global Gateway Program aims to support international students who are learning English. Photo courtesy of Cornell Menking

By Ashlyn Kennedy | Reporter

Baylor is home to students from all around the world, and the Global Gateway Program is designed to support those for whom English is a second language.

Dr. Cornell Menking, director of the Global Gateway Program, has been with the program since its inception over five years ago. He said it was started in partnership with Study Group to “create a pipeline for international students.”

“The idea was that we can create a wider funnel for international student applicants if we give them some English support up front,” Menking said.

Although Baylor’s contract with Study Group ended in December 2023, the Global Gateway Program has continued to function as an exclusive Baylor program.

Menking described the initiative as a “pathway program.” It differs from other English learning programs because students are taking English for Academic Purpose classes and traditional Baylor courses at the same time.

“Our program helps students polish their English to the point that they meet the university minimum requirement,” Menking said. “They’re a Baylor student. They are also taking some low-level Baylor classes, and they just need to finish this program to continue on full-time.”

The program offers one to three semesters — or “international years” — of English classes, depending on each individual’s English placement test score.

Students in the first level (three semesters) take writing, grammar, speaking and listening classes and Transition to the U.S. University. Students in the second level (two semesters) take similar English classes while also taking other core classes. Students in the third level (one semester) focus on higher-level topics such as research papers and fully matriculate into the university.

Menking said the program provides a “soft landing” for international students into American college life.

“Directly admitted students, they’re just kind of dropped in at the university,” Menking said. “We actively help students [in the program] integrate into the university and spell out opportunities for them so that by the time they matriculate into the university, not only are they more successful academically, but they participate more because they understand the cultural expectations.”

The program began with 135 students, and although its numbers dwindled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hoping to bring them back up to about 50 students per semester.

According to Menking, data has shown that international students who go through the pathway program perform much better than directly admitted international students.

Tanya Vernon, lecturer in the Global Gateway Program, agreed with the sentiment of how important the program is for its students and the campus. She said their goal is to be a “global university,” and the program lends a hand by providing exposure to both international and domestic students.

“We want to prepare our students to be international citizens, and through bringing international students to campus, our American kids get more interaction with people from other cultures,” Vernon said. “For our international students, they’re getting a great education in the U.S. and the benefits of a Christian university.”

Vernon said Baylor has been supportive of the program since the beginning by recognizing the value of the program and the resources needed to sustain it.

“It’s a need that a lot of universities don’t address or don’t have the resources to address,” Vernon said. “We are so glad that Baylor provides that.”

Don’t judge a movie by its cover: Adaptations don’t have to be faithful to be good

By
Bella Whitmore
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By Bella Whitmore | Arts & Life Intern

Every time a new movie adaptation rolls around, you can’t escape the criticisms that come with it. Everywhere you turn, you hear, “The book was better,” “They’re going to butcher the story by turning it into a movie” or “Did you hear that they aren’t including [insert character] in the movie?” And honestly, it’s getting a little old.

We’ve seen this with “The Maze Runner,” “The Hobbit” and, most recently, the Disney+ adaptation of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m a pretty huge fan of book-to-movie franchises. From Harry Potter and Percy Jackson to both adaptations of Pride and Prejudice (but mostly the 2005 version), I have enjoyed and fallen in love with both the book and the movie, despite their differences.

I think the key issue here is that many people are judging the value of the movie based on how true and faithful it is to its original source material. Personally, I believe a movie stands alone and should be judged by the quality of its content without bringing in outside source material.

Essentially, a movie adaptation doesn’t necessarily have to stay faithful to the book to be great. Think of it this way: Books and movies are two different mediums with their own strengths and limitations. What works in a book might not translate well onto the big screen, and vice versa.

When filmmakers take creative liberties with a book, they have the opportunity to breathe new life into the story. They can streamline complex plots, condense timelines or explore different character arcs that might resonate better with a visual audience. Plus, movies have the advantage of using visual and auditory elements to enhance storytelling in ways books can’t replicate.

Moreover, staying too faithful to the source material can sometimes hinder the creative process. It can box filmmakers into a rigid framework, preventing them from taking risks or injecting fresh perspectives into the narrative. By allowing for some flexibility, filmmakers can adapt the essence of the story while still creating something unique and captivating for audiences. So, while purists might grumble about changes, a great movie adaptation can stand on its own merit, offering a fresh take on a beloved story.

The beauty of the book still exists after the movie comes out. They can both stand on their own as great pieces of art.

So, next time you see a movie adaptation being made for your favorite book series, try not to be immediately cynical and nitpick every aspect of what they did right and wrong. Instead, remember the director probably respects and loves the book just as much as you but also has the right to creative liberty. And if the movie isn’t perfect and has the audacity to change the hair color of one of the characters or forget that one piece of dialogue, just know it’s not personal.

Follow Newton’s law: Avoid slowing down toward semester’s end

By
Maysie Krause
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By Maysie Krause | LTVN Reporter/Anchor

It’s only my third semester, but if I could hibernate, I would. It’s honestly shameful how much I can get away with by procrastinating.

Take dental student Kay Chung on TikTok, for example; she studies up to 700 slides weekly by pulling all-nighters for her dental exams. That is a level of procrastination I could reach and have before, but we all have our limits. Some work better under pressure than others. Truthfully, I am not one of those people, and burnout has gotten the best of me before.

Feeling burnt out without being proactive can often lead to getting stuck in ruts and only having the energy to do necessary tasks. First, it’s essential to understand the consequences of these actions. The only person you’re harming is yourself.

Regardless of their major, anyone can get caught up in burnout in college, but it is important to get up and not let it define you. There are things you can do to help yourself.

The first answer lies somewhere you might not be looking: physics. Newton’s first law states that an object remains at rest or continues to move at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. Following this law is more critical at this point in the semester than ever.

Even though I don’t necessarily want to follow Newton’s advice, building momentum is essential to boosting productivity and getting the hard stuff done. Working very hard in short episodes is one thing, but consistency will keep you afloat in college, yield higher self-esteem and make you feel like a winner.

An excellent way to do this is by utilizing community resources, such as getting involved in a variety of volunteer opportunities in Waco. Doing something not only for ourselves but also for others can be a significant step to spreading good throughout the community and feeling like we’re a part of something bigger than ourselves.

Beyond making ourselves useful are ways to build ourselves up in the day-to-day. I think the best action to combat this is the one-thing-at-a-time tactic.

As the tasks get easier and you build more self-confidence, reward yourself. It’s OK if it’s instant gratification. What works best for me is going on night drives with friends while listening to music. Get your pent-up energy out and do something. It’s healthy and will yield something meaningful.

Sports Take: MLB pitch clock is one of the best additions to the sport

By
Zach Babajanof-Rustrian
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FILE - Miami Marlins' Luis Arraez stand in the on-deck circle next to the pitch clock during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, July 16, 2023, in Baltimore. The average time of a nine-inning major league game dropped to 2 hours, 40 minutes in the first year of the pitch clock, a 24-minute decrease that reduced the time to its level in 1985. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

By Zach Babajanof-Rustrian | Sports Writer

In the 2023 season, Major League Baseball officials added the pitch clock to aid the speed of the game. After the season and now into 2024, I’ve seen that the pitch clock has been very useful and has accelerated the pace of the game.

The MLB announced the pitch clock — a 30-second timer in between batters — in September 2022. Between pitches, a 15-second timer would be in place when the bases are empty and a 20-second timer would be in place with runners on base.

This addition has been seen before in college baseball, with the NCAA adding the clock in 2011. There was a 20-second clock for pitchers to deliver the ball when the bases were empty and a 90-second clock between innings.

History has proven to fans and players of the game that baseball is more interesting with the pitch clock. Going to live games has been more fun than ever before.

While baseball at the ballpark is known for hanging out with friends and eating hot dogs or cracker jacks — basically, not really paying attention to the game — the improvements have shown that it’s a nice sport to watch.

I went to five Tampa Bay Rays games during the summer before leaving for college, and I always enjoyed them. When I was a kid going to the games, I remember feeling like the games were dragging on, but last summer, the contests were fast-paced and a lot of fun.

Even watching the games from home has been a lot more enjoyable. I’ve been able to watch baseball on my laptop while doing homework.

Although some people think the pitch clock has hurt the game, the MLB has also seen it help the game. In the 2024 season, the MLB has shortened the pitch clock by two seconds to go from 20 seconds to 18 seconds with runners on base, and it will keep the 15-second clock when the bases are empty.

Baseball has seen the quickest games since 1984, with games being cut by an average of 24 minutes. It has also seen an updated draw in viewership, with more than 70 million people going to the ballpark since 2017, according to an Associated Press article.

As the 2024 season continues, I’m excited to see the game of baseball evolve and grow in viewership. Baseball is a sport I’ve always loved. I enjoyed it the most last season, and I’m happy to see growth with the upcoming slate.

A&L Tunesday: April 16

By
Emma Weidmann
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Illustration courtesy of Olivia Havre

By Emma Weidmann | Arts and Life Editor

The first weekend of Coachella has come and gone, and even though it’s over, there’s still one more weekend to look forward to — and tons of new music that made its debut at the biggest festival of the year.

“Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter (April 12)


Carpenter performed “Espresso” for the first song at Coachella this weekend, only a day after its release. Dare I say this may be the song of the summer? While I don’t think she shines so bright in her lyricism (“I’m working late ’cause I’m a singer/Oh he looks so cute wrapped ’round my finger”) I can’t deny she brings a fresh, fun energy to her songs that can’t be resisted.

“Illusion” by Dua Lipa (April 12)


Dua Lipa never misses when it comes to a dance track. “Illusion” isn’t just for show. She’s really a pop prodigy. While some people feel like Dua Lipa releases the same song over and over, I disagree. They’re the same genre, yes, but I really believe each is its own song to the trained ear. Anyway, I’ll be listening to “Radical Optimism” on May 3.

“Drive over me” by BETWEEN FRIENDS (April 12)


This song caught me from the very first moment. That ’80s synth mixed with those modern vocals and production is nothing short of perfect. BETWEEN FRIENDS is doing something that I might call “elevated Olivia Rodrigo.” I draw the connection from the sing-talk the band does on this song along with the 2000s-style guitar, so if you liked Rodrigo’s “obsessed,” you’ll like this even better.

“The Kill” by Maggie Rogers (April 12)


Maggie Rogers is in a league of her own. She’s a classically trained musician, having gone to New York University for music engineering and production, so she really understands sound and composition. That shows in her music, especially on her new album, “Don’t Forget Me.” This track is upbeat but melancholy in its lyrics, which is an unbeatable combo.

What to watch out for: “The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift (April 19).

ICYMI: April 12-14; Baseball secures Big 12 sweep, Longhorns find flurry of victories

By
Michael Haag
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Baylor baseball recorded a season-high 21 hits and saw seven Bears notch multi-hit games on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics

By Michael Haag | Sports Editor

With basketball season over, it’s time for the other Baylor sports to entire the limelight. Whether it was a series sweep in the mountains or several blunders to the Texas Longhorns, here is everything you may have missed in Baylor Athletics over the weekend.

Baylor track and field’s freshman duo dominates pole vault in final day of Tom Jones Memorial

Freshman pole vaulters Molly Haywood and Alencia Lentz placed in the top three of their event to lead Baylor track and field through the final day of the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on Saturday on the Percy Beard Track at the James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Haywood won the pole vault with a new outdoor best (14-4 ¾) on her second attempt. Lentz trailed in third place with a 14-0 ¾ mark.

Head coach Michael Ford said he loved what he saw from the Bears in the two-day event.

“Yesterday, opening up with Nathaniel [Ezekiel]’s school record in the 400 hurdles, probably third in the nation right now — I am looking forward to seeing him continue to improve and get under that 48-second barrier. He also got the PR in the 400, so a great performance from him,” Ford said. “Molly Haywood also got the PR and won the pole vault today.

“We have a lot of PRs and season bests heading into the Michael Johnson Invitational, [and I’m] looking for another great weekend back at home to run some good times and get some good performances in before we head to Arizona as a final meet before the Big 12 Championships.”

Baylor is back at home to host the Michael Johnson Invitational, which will take place on Friday and Saturday at the Clyde Hard Track and Field Stadium.

Baylor men’s golf places 10th at Thunderbird Collegiate

Baylor men’s golf closed out its weekend in 10th place after a 275 in the final round of the Thunderbird Collegiate on Saturday in Phoenix. Freshman Davis Ovard and graduate student Johnny Keefer led the way for the Bears with a final round 67 and 68, respectively.

Baylor finished one shot back of Texas Tech, which finished in ninth place. Only 10 shots separated third and 11th place on the weekend.

“This final round was exactly what this team needed for momentum heading into the Big 12 Championship tournament,” head coach Mike McGraw said. “We’ve got some time this week to clean up a few things that gave us trouble in round two.”

The Bears get back on the green for the Big 12 Championship, scheduled for April 22-24 at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity.

Baylor baseball holds off BYU’s rally to secure series sweep

Baylor baseball secured its first Big 12 sweep since 2019 by outlasting BYU 18-17 on Saturday at Miller Park in Provo, Utah. The Bears led 18-5 through five and a half innings, but the Cougars couldn’t find the equalizer after 12 unanswered runs.

“Well it’s gut-wrenching, man,” head coach Mitch Thompson said of the game. “That’s how you get gray hairs as a coach. Momentum is a funny thing in this game, and at a place where the ball travels like this, it’s never over. It’s never over until it’s over. I give BYU credit for coming back down 13 runs, but they only got 12 of them, and we won.”

Baylor (16-18, 8-7 Big 12) has one more road contest at UT Arlington before returning home. The midweek bout is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday in Arlington.

No. 4 Texas crushes Baylor men’s tennis 7-0 in regular-season finale

Baylor men’s tennis couldn’t keep up with No. 4 Texas, as the Bears wrapped up the regular season with a 7-0 loss to the Longhorns on Saturday at the Texas Tennis Center in Austin.

Baylor (18-10, 2-5 Big 12) came close to a doubles point win but ultimately fell and played from behind the rest of the way.

The Bears are now the sixth seed for the Big 12 Championships, and they’ll face third-seeded TCU in the quarterfinals at noon on Friday.

Baylor women’s tennis falls to No. 8 Texas 4-0 in final match of regular season

Baylor women’s tennis dropped its home and regular-season finale to No. 8 Texas by a score of 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at the Hurd Tennis Center.

The Bears’ (16-10, 7-6 Big 12) best chance at a point came in doubles play when the decision came down to a third-set tiebreaker on court three. The Longhorns (12-1, 19-4 Big 12) cruised the rest of the way.

Baylor will now take part in the Big 12 Championships, which are slated to begin on Wednesday in Stillwater, Okla. The Bears will take on West Virginia in the first round of the tournament at noon on Wednesday.

No. 24 Baylor softball comes up short 9-5 in series finale at No. 1 Texas

No. 24 Baylor softball fell in its series finale against No. 1 Texas by a score of 9-5 on Sunday afternoon at Red and Charline McCombs Field in Austin. The Bears were swept on the weekend.

Baylor (22-17, 5-13 Big 12) trailed by six runs entering the seventh inning, and it was only able to scratch across two runs before a fly-out and pop-out ended the game.

“I tip my hat to the best Texas team I’ve seen in my 24 years here,” head coach Glenn Moore said. “They’re an outstanding team all the way around. They have speed, great offense, and they have great arms in the bullpen.

“I’m definitely happy with this [Bears] team. I thought they represented well. We are wounded a little bit. Had we had all the bullets in our game, we’d have had a better chance. … It was going to take everything we had and then some and hoping that [the Longhorns] maybe don’t play their best. But we did not lay down. We came out fighting yesterday and today and forced some pitching changes.”

The Bears play host to UT Arlington next, as they’ll square off in a midweek contest at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Getterman Stadium.

Brothers, boots and blues: Dylan Wheeler performs in iconic Texas music venue

By
Emma Weidmann
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Texas country musician Dylan Wheeler performs in a room full of die-hard fans on Thursday night in San Marcos' iconic Cheatham Street Warehouse. Emma Weidmann | Arts and Life Editor

By Emma Weidmann | Arts and Life Editor

The buzz of neon lights, the rumble of a nearby train passing through, the smack of cues on billiards — it’s all drowned out by the anticipatory tremors of Dylan Wheeler’s dedicated country crowd. On Thursday night, fans stood shin-to-stage, shoulder-to-shoulder in San Marcos’ Cheatham Street Warehouse, risking eardrums and headaches for Wheeler’s native Texan sound.

The Huser Brother Band opened up for Wheeler under the low-hanging wooden ceiling of the city’s most recognizable venue. Built in 1974, it bears the marks of time, scarred by names of exes whose pictures have long been burned carved into the floorboards. While the band out of Waco played, couples in cowboy hats, red dresses and blue jeans danced to their gritty, red-dirt Texas tunes.

The band is made up of brothers Zach and Josh Huser, drummer and lead vocals respectively, along with Christiane Bolt on bass, Joey Sais on guitar and Abel Barrientos on keyboard. They were masters of the genre blend despite their firm country background. They rocked mashups of Ginuwine’s “Pony” with “Mood Ring” by Wade Bowen, and they managed Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” with “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC — with another twist, if you can believe it. If you’ve never seen a keyboardist step from behind the keys, pick up an accordion, throw up devil horns and continue to shred, now you have.

Not to throw the crowd off too much, original Huser tunes such as “Honey” and “Tired of Runnin’” had longtime fans screaming the second they recognized what songs they were about to hear.

Their inclination toward classic rock sticks out like a snake in their boots. “Gettin Gone,” a song the brothers wrote on South Padre Island, has the familiar beachy bass of Led Zeppelin’s “D’yer Mak’er,” highlighting the natural diversity of the state itself, reflected in the sounds its musicians create.

For San Antonio native Celeste Pacheco, it was her fifth time in Wheeler’s audience and her third go-around with the Huser Brothers Band. “It feels like home,” Pacheco said. Country is the music that has soundtracked her life, and she recalled seeing Wheeler for the first time in this very venue back in 2020, when there were only about 15 others in the crowd.

When Wheeler took the stage around 10:30 p.m., he told the crowd there were only 10 or 12 people there the first time he played at Cheatham Street Warehouse. But the East Texas-born singer has come a long way since then, frequently opening for his friend and fellow country act Koe Wetzel, whose tours sell hundreds of thousands of tickets in a year. He’s a far cry here from stadiums and screaming masses, but among stray guitar picks flung next to forgotten drinks, Wheeler is in his element.

Wheeler played an array of music and didn’t shy away from crossing genre lines, but not with the same cheeky daring as the Huser Brothers. When he switched it up, he went full rock, opting for covers of Three Days Grace, Saving Cain and Linkin Park.

However, he was true to his roots with his country favorites, playing the personal pick of Pacheco, “Hey Baby,” as well as “Tell Me If I’m Wrong,” a country-rock power ballad. He explained that the inspiration for that song came from a personal experience.

“I started writing this song a day after I saw an ex-girlfriend with her new boyfriend for the first time,” Wheeler confessed, met by whoops and jeers of similarly-snubbed audience members. “Those mean songs are coming later — but I always heard that if they cut their hair after a breakup, that means they’re gone for good, and I’ll be damned if she didn’t cut all her hair off. And they were right, man, [because] I never saw her again after that.”

One has to wonder where that woman is now while Wheeler commands a room like this one. He channeled the pain into something better, something more fulfilling than one might imagine the entire course of that relationship to have been, because it lent him a vocal power that he used to tap a well reminiscent of the Texas legends lining the postered walls of the honky tonk. Old DIY posters for George Strait concerts and Stevie Ray Vaughan dates imposed the caliber of artists who have played this storied venue.

With his full, soulful voice and knack for songwriting, Wheeler proved he’s right where he belongs — in the room full of the ghosts of greatness and on a path for it himself.

Lariat TV News: Scott Drew stays, total solar eclipse and student reaction

By
George Schroeder
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This week on Lariat TV News, we bring you a major update regarding men’s basketball.

Next, a historic total solar eclipse stunned the Baylor community and visitors from around the world, and LTVN gets students’ perspectives on both stories.

Baylor baseball looks to build on recent success with road swing at BYU

By
Foster Nicholas
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After taking two of three from Incarnate Word this past weekend, Baylor baseball has now won four straight home weekend series for the first time since the 2015 season. Camie Jobe | Photographer
After taking two of three from Incarnate Word this past weekend, Baylor baseball has now won four straight home weekend series for the first time since the 2015 season. Camie Jobe | Photographer
Winning three of its last four weekend series, Baylor baseball heads to Provo, Utah, to take on BYU for the third time in program history.

By Foster Nicholas | Sports Writer

Winning three of its last four weekend series, Baylor baseball heads to Provo, Utah, to take on BYU for the third time in program history.

Head coach Mitch Thompson and the Bears (13-18, 5-7) will be at full strength heading into the three-game set, as their midweek match with DBU was canceled due to weather. The cancellation leaves the bullpen extra rested for the adjusted Thursday-through-Saturday series.

Thompson noted that junior right-handed pitcher Mason Marriott will start game one, freshman left-handed pitcher Mason Green will start game two and redshirt freshman Collin McKinney will start the series finale.

In addition to a pitch staff ready to go, Baylor’s bats have found their stride recently, as five everyday starters have improved their batting average to .308 or better. Over the last 10 games, the Bears are hitting .300 as a team and have been led by junior outfielder Wesley Jordan (23) and junior third baseman Hunter Teplanszky (15), who hold the two longest on-base streaks on the team.

“I think the confidence is high from the offense,” Teplanszky said. “People have really stuck to the approaches, [and] swings are starting to even out seeing a lot more pitching. I think guys are confident, and I think it’s really starting to show the past couple weeks.”

The Bears are set to face a BYU (14-15, 6-9) team hot off a series win over Texas in Austin, with both teams looking to claw their way back to .500 for the first time since Opening Day.

“I think they’re aggressive hitters,” Thompson said. “They have quality guys at the back end of their bullpen that they like a lot. They threw a couple of them in all three games last weekend. One’s [a] left-hander, and then their closer as well.

“They have what it takes to win games.”

Although Baylor sports a 12-9 record at home this season, it has only etched out one win on the road, which Thompson understands won’t get it done in the Big 12. However, against a team also near the bottom of the Big 12 standings, each team has the opportunity to close in on securing a spot in the Big 12 Tournament.

“I’m glad we’ve been able to win here at home. The next step for us is to go on the road and to win,” Thompson said. “I think every team in the league is fighting to do that. The road is not easy in this league, and when you do that, it’s a big feather in your cap.”

The series opens at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Miller Park in Provo, with the second two games scheduled for 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Title IX Office, Advocacy Center equip bystanders to fight against sexual violence

By
Ashlyn Beck
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Photo Courtesy of Baylor University
The Waco Advocacy Center and the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office hosted the event in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Photo courtesy of Baylor University
Attendees of the “Bringing in the Bystander” event Wednesday afternoon took steps to end their roles as bystanders and make the fight against sexual violence their own.

By Ashlyn Beck | Staff Writer

Attendees of the “Bringing in the Bystander” event Wednesday afternoon took steps to end their roles as bystanders and make the fight against sexual violence their own.

The Waco Advocacy Center and the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office hosted the event in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Kyla Wilson, prevention and education director at the Waco Advocacy Center, said the event was interactive and engaging. She said hosts wanted to give attendees the opportunity to engage in discussion rather than listen to a lecture.

“Sexual violence is not a fun thing. It is a hard and harsh reality,” Wilson said. “But at the same time, it’s so important to be having conversations, because we’re never going to change anything if we’re ignoring the issue.”

Dr. Valerie Willis, education and prevention specialist in the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office, said one of the intentions of the event was to provide support and resources for fighting against sexual violence.

“When we look at any kind of issue, we want to look at what the research says and what helps not only address the issue but also proactively prevent the issue,” Willis said.

Bystanders tend to not intervene because they believe someone else will, Willis said, and people tend to diffuse that responsibility when in an emergency situation. Willis said the event helped train people to intervene and to do it safely.

“Don’t assume anyone else is going to intervene,” Willis said. “You’ve gone through this training. You’re aware of the strategies now. If it doesn’t compromise your own safety, you are equipped.”

Willis and Wilson both said Generation Z is a generation with a lot of power digitally, able to advocate for others and bring awareness to issues like this.

“We as people, more than ever before, have such strong individual platforms to be ambassadors for all kinds of things,” Wilson said. “It can be as small as diversifying who you follow on social media and sharing more information that way to folks.”

One of the downsides to this, Willis said, is Generation Z has the tendency to be engaged digitally instead of physically. Willis said one of the biggest ways to engage in the fight is to pay attention to what is going on.

“Sometimes, you’re not even aware of the situation where you can intervene because we are so checked out and not paying attention to what is going [on] around us, and awareness is a step forward,” Willis said.

Willis and Wilson both said silence is not an option. They said silence implies that inexcusable actions are excusable, so speaking out is a great step in fighting sexual violence.

“Things like this issue have power in the silence, and when we choose not to intervene, it’s almost like we’re letting that unwanted thing perpetuate in society,” Willis said.

Wilson said it is also helpful to simply listen to people’s stories, as elevating survivors’ voices shows they are not alone.

“If somebody ever makes an outcry, the most important thing you can say is, ‘I believe you,'” Wilson said.

They said attending events, participating in initiatives like Denim Day, wearing buttons and showing other outward signs of support go a long way. These things are “signs of hope” for those who have suffered from sexual violence.

“I think it’s important for any national awareness day or anything that deals with somebody who’s experienced trauma, that we take an unapologetic stance with them,” Willis said. “So that they do feel that support, not just after they are recovering from that incident but long term.”

There are also a lot of misconceptions surrounding sexual violence, and part of the hope behind Bringing in the Bystander was to unravel those misconceptions and allow people to stand with survivors. Willis said recognizing those who have suffered and revisiting that every year helps continue to dismiss misconceptions and make space for healing and growth.

“It should be our goal to help people who are hurt so that we can create these communities that don’t perpetuate hurt and that can help heal,” Willis said. “So I hope healing comes out of a lot of these events this month as well, here and globally.”

One piece of advice Wilson gave to people recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to engage in self-evaluation. She said it is important to think about how one’s behaviors might perpetuate unhealthy relationships and to make an effort to change those behaviors.

“[It’s] creating widely recognizable symbols that people can see not only during their lives but also throughout the year,” Wilson said. “That just kind of keeps this awareness at the forefront of your brain, and it kind of gives you that awareness to then be constantly self-assessing.”

Normalizing open and honest conversations about sexual violence is one way to promote change, Wilson said.

“If we all took the time to do that, we’d be looking at a different Waco, a different Baylor, a different world,” Wilson said.

‘Beauty through brokenness’: Students explore intersection of faith, art in chapels

By
Jackson Posey
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Mesha Mittanasala | Photographer
Artists, Faith, Religion, Spiritual Life, calling and career chapel, chapel requirements, erin moniz, faith and the arts chapel, kintsugi, matthew aughtry
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth, and Christians have been called to create ever since. At least, that’s the focus of Baylor’s new suite of faith and arts chapels — the artistic wing of the chapel department’s push to give students a more personalized chapel experience.

By Jackson Posey | Reporter

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth, and Christians have been called to create ever since.

At least, that’s the focus of Baylor’s new suite of faith and arts chapels — the artistic wing of the chapel department’s push to give students a more personalized chapel experience. From pre-med and post-traditional students to athletes and veterans, the Rev. Dr. Erin Moniz, the director for chapel, hopes that the new “calling and career” chapels can provide spiritual development through cognitive, relational and aesthetic engagement.

“Knowledge is great, but … it only speaks to one part of the human experience,” Moniz said. “Aesthetics, either sensory experiences or incorporation of the arts, [are important for development] to get that holistic approach — where you’re thinking, you’re using your brain, but there’s also parts of yourself that you engage that are a little bit more intangible.”

Moniz emphasized that humans are “not just brains on sticks.” Rather, they are whole beings who require holistic development. She said integrating the arts is “central” for ministers in higher education, seeing them as a potential path to processing through suffering and reckoning with the challenges of faith.

“Art is beautifully messy,” Moniz said. “It’s not a lecture. It’s not a treatise on something. It doesn’t tie up everything in a tight little bow. There are parts of our faith that require some room to breathe, things that poetry can do that prose is limited by.”

When Moniz arrived at Baylor in December 2021, she was given a mandate to rebuild Baylor’s chapel experience. Students weren’t thrilled with the massive congregational gatherings in Waco Hall. Online chapels — vestiges of COVID-19-era distanced learning — weren’t working either. With the knowledge that many students would reject chapels regardless, Moniz set off to make the structure more palatable.

“It’s not something that people really get excited about — ‘compulsory religion,’” Moniz said. “A lot of it is taking something that is probably a little bit more off-putting to folks, like obligatory chapel, and trying to turn it into something that at the very least is a value-added experience or has the opportunity to be a value-added experience.”

Several of those new chapel experiences are centered around the arts, including a current offering called “Faith and the Arts: Storytelling.” These chapels are often taught by filmmaker and former Anglican priest Matthew Aughtry, the assistant director for chapel and ministry in the arts. They center on weaving threads between vocational artmaking, rich storytelling and the historical Christian faith.

“These are chapels that are built around the integration of faith with vocation and not necessarily expecting students to be passionate about the faith part,” Aughtry said. “We try to create these offerings in a way that students who are already passionate about Christianity … can find fuel for remaining committed to that path of vocation that they’ve chosen or feel called to, while at the same time, being resourced to think differently about what it means to be called to be an artist or a filmmaker or a musician.”

The chapels remain deeply committed to finding that intersection between faith and art, but they also make room for students who aren’t religious or are still figuring out what they think about faith.

“[The chapels are] also for students who don’t know what they think about the Christian faith,” Aughtry said. “What we’re trying to do with the faith and arts chapels is be an intersection where all students who are passionate about their faith and their future career, their calling, [and] those who don’t know what they think about faith but know they care about their career and their future calling, can come together and both be resourced and learn together.”

For many students, the chapels have been “reassuring,” encouraging them to dive deeper into artmaking as an expression of their faith. Cleburne freshman Maryn Tennison, a pre-film and digital media major, said her time in the faith and arts chapels has helped her to see the value in her own art.

“Father Aughtry was big on just reminding us that no matter what [art form] it is, if you’re using your gifts and using the things you’re passionate about, then it still brings glory to God,” Tennison said. “It’s helped quell some of my anxieties about comparing myself to other people. … [It’s] reminding me that art is so important, and it’s such a human thing. … It can affect people in ways science or math or whatever never could.”

Students in Aughtry’s Theology and Arts section read a wide range of essays and short stories, everything from Pope John Paul II’s “Letter to Artists” and hip-hop artist Sho Baraka’s “He Saw That It Was Good” to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Leaf By Niggle” and Makoto Fujimura’s “Art and Faith,” which explores the Japanese art form known as Kintsugi. It’s the latter that often draws the most attention from students.

According to Fujimura, Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art form that involves reassembling broken ceramic teaware by mending it together with gold. The origin story tells of a young attendant who dropped an invaluable piece of teaware belonging to the warlord Hideyoshi. But before Hideyoshi could punish the attendant, Yusai Hosokawa — one of the most important tea masters of that era — intervened.

“[Hosokawa] basically atoned for the young servant and took responsibility, saying, ‘I will be the one to be blamed for this mistake,’” Fujimura wrote in “Art and Faith: A Theology of Making.” “This act of compassion became the basis of Kintsugi, which added gold in the Urushi filled cracks, creating a work of beauty through brokenness.”

That “beauty through brokenness” turns once-shattered teaware into something even more beautiful than before it was broken. Putting the pieces back together creates a deeper level of wonder to the ceramics. Aughtry sees this art form — and the story behind it — as pictures of the Christian Gospel.

“You or I might think, ‘Oh well, let’s go buy another bowl, might as well discard that,’” Aughtry said. “But what the artist says is, ‘I can make it more beautiful than it was before.’ And that’s God’s impulse, is to say, ‘Where sin has abounded, grace will abound all the more.’

“And so it’s repaired with gold, and it becomes more valuable. And its cracks, and the way you see it has been broken, become a testimony to the artist’s hand and the artist’s hand in not only the creation of this bowl, or this cup, but in its redemption as well. And that’s the Christian story, writ large. It’s the story of the God who doesn’t abandon creation but who becomes incarnate to redeem it. And it really is, in terms of just a simple, clear picture of the Gospel, it’s hard to get past.”

Sports Take: WrestleMania 40 proves professional wrestling is cool again

By
Zach Babajanof-Rustrian
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Cody Rhodes celebrates after winning the Undisputed WWE universal championship match during WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. (Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
Cody Rhodes celebrates after winning the Undisputed WWE universal championship match during WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. (Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
Professional wrestling has seemed to be a taboo word to say in front of people for a couple of years. However, in recent months, professional wrestling, such as World Wrestling Entertainment, has regained its popularity, with people saying wrestling is cool again.

By Zach Babajanof-Rustrian | Sports Writer

Professional wrestling has seemed to be a taboo word to say in front of people for a couple of years. However, in recent months, professional wrestling, such as World Wrestling Entertainment, has regained its popularity, with people saying wrestling is cool again.

With former wrestlers-turned-actors such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena coming back and having feuds with current wrestlers, it seems like viewership has gone up for the WWE. But everyone always says, “You know it’s fake, right?”

To them I say, I know. It’s because it’s entertaining. It’s for the storylines that people tune in for every week. Just like a TV show or a movie, people watch for the entertainment aspect.

https://twitter.com/LoganPaul/status/1777348210542936247

This past weekend, WWE put on its biggest show of the year with WrestleMania 40. Even my friends and family — who have never watched wrestling — knew to tune in and see what was happening, as they heard The Rock was back in the ring. Throughout the two-day event, I constantly got text messages from them saying how good the event was and how invested they are in it now.

Everyone knows professional wrestling is fake, but because of the storylines, my family and friends were watching and excited to see what happened next. Just like a Marvel or D.C. movie, it’s for the action. It’s for what the characters are trying to achieve and trying to tell through their story.

On April 3, 2023, WWE and UFC announced they were merging to form a $21 billion global live sports and entertainment company with Endeavor. On Sept. 12, 2023, Endeavor announced it would launch the TKO Group Holdings for both WWE’s and UFC’s stock.

With the merging and creation of the TKO Group Holdings, WWE signed a deal with Netflix on Jan. 23 to become the exclusive home of one of WWE’s weekly shows, Monday Night Raw, starting January 2025.

FILE – Wrestler John Cena, top, chokes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at a Wrestlemania event, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is back to perform in one of the main events this weekend’s WrestleMania in Philadelphia (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

With the kind of moves WWE has been making, it has been becoming more popular. For the last 14 consecutive weekly shows, WWE has been sold out because people want to see what The Rock has to say.

Also on Jan. 23, The Rock signed on to the TKO Group board of directors, getting more involved with WWE and UFC. It was because of this signing that The Rock came back and had a run in the WWE from January to April, with it ultimately coming to an end at WrestleMania 40.

In addition to these series of events, WWE has been going international. In the next couple of months, all of the Premium Live Events it is putting on will be in other countries such as Scotland, France, Germany and Saudi Arabia.

https://twitter.com/abtweets_x/status/1777233688163758522

By going international, WWE is allowing the world aspect of its name to be used and seen in other countries. By not just staying in the United States, it gathers a wider audience. There were 64 countries represented in the live audience at WrestleMania 40. This shows how big WWE has been growing.

So if you’re looking for sports and entertainment that’s on TV yearly, I suggest tuning into WWE because the storylines are amazing and it’s entertaining to watch. The Rock said it on his Instagram — wrestling is cool again.

Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month unites students regardless of ethnicity

By
Ashlyn Beck
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Baylor’s celebration of Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month is bringing campus all together in April to help those of different backgrounds understand each other and create a greater sense of belonging.

By Ashlyn Beck | Staff Writer

Baylor’s celebration of Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month is bringing campus all together in April to help those of different backgrounds understand each other and create a greater sense of belonging.

Murphy senior Kenneth Luu is the intern for the Coalition of Asian Students in the Department of Multicultural Affairs. According to Luu, Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated nationally in May. However, Baylor chooses to recognize it in April so students can experience it in its entirety.

“We want everyone to be able to celebrate it and maybe get a good idea of it before they go back home and maybe perhaps see the actual full celebration themselves,” Luu said.

Wheaton, Ill., junior Micah Kim is the co-president of the Korean Student Association at Baylor, which will be hosting the Hanin Gala in honor of the month. Kim said events during the month make him feel a greater sense of belonging on campus.

“It’s just cool to be surrounded by just different events that are promoting a part of that culture and similar areas connected to my culture,” Kim said. “I feel more [of a sense of] belonging and like I’m being represented.”

Luu said looking into another culture and appreciating it requires more respect than anything else.

“Just because their society is different from ours doesn’t mean that we should be too critical on things [like] that,” Luu said. “So be open-minded, and most of all, just go and support these events.”

According to Luu, there will be many events celebrating Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month. The Department of Multicultural Affairs partners with the cultural organizations on campus to get the word out.

There will be a luncheon with faculty, staff and students, a “lunch and learn” with the Hankamer School of Business, a luau with the Baylor Hawai’i Club and more.

“My position as a coalition agent student intern is to highlight these amazing things, and there’s so many cool things that no one knows about,” Luu said.

Luu emphasized that people of all backgrounds are invited to join in the celebration, and it is encouraging to see them enjoying his culture.

“You don’t have to be Asian to attend an [Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month] event, or have to be Black to be attending a Divine Nine event, or be a part of the LatinX community to enjoy Fiesta,” Luu said.

Kim said that while some people seem to think of diversity as a group of one culture in a room, that isn’t the case.

“In my opinion, true diversity is to see anyone and everyone participating in learning regardless of [culture], regardless of what they look like,” Kim said.

Many people don’t have an easy time understanding cultures that are different from their own, Luu said, but it says a lot when they come to cultural events with an open mind.

“If they take a step back, be open-minded and appreciate the month, then I believe that it will incite an even better community,” Luu said.

Kim said Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month events — and all cultural events at Baylor — are ways of beginning to understand each other better, which eventually teaches people to love each other better.

“When communities are all defined by different things and we all have different backgrounds and different stories, but we’re willing to engage with each other regardless of that, [it’s] truly a beautiful thing,” Kim said. “That’s truly how we can love each other better.”

Column: Predicting summer fashion

By
Erika Kuehl
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Photo illustrations by Mia Crawford | Photographer
In 2024, summer fashion is sure to include jellyfish skirts and statement jewelry. Mia Crawford | Photographer
In an effort to avoid all thoughts of school and responsibilities, one can only look toward the future: summer. With the trends changing as fast as the weather, let’s look at what’s to come in the fashion world.

By Erika Kuehl | Staff Writer

In an effort to avoid all thoughts of school and responsibilities, one can only look toward the future: summer. With the trends changing as fast as the weather, let’s look at what’s to come in the fashion world.

1. Mesh … everything

Best spotted on Alix Earle and Florence Pugh in Valentino, mesh skirts are all over the runway and everyone’s spring break posts. This is one of my favorite looks for the upcoming summer because it’s the perfect beach cover-up. This Mimi Max set from Revolve would be stunning for a night out after a day at the beach. Picture it: Your hair is salty, your skin is slightly sunburned and you’re starving for a good Italian dinner.

2. Micro shorts

Paired with a tall leather boot and a statement belt, this trend will transport me back to the ‘90s, and I’m not complaining about it. We’ve also seen this trend run through Vogue with structured business-like micro shorts and oversized blazers. These shorts from Anthropologie complete a chic dinner outfit with tights and a big shoulder bag in a bold color.

3. “Mermaidcore”

On the Oscars red carpet, every well-dressed celebrity was in light blue and a two-tiered peplum silhouette. Emma Stone and Lupita Nyong’o both rocked this look. But unless you’re about to step on the runway, I would pass on the peplum skirt and stick with this gorgeous maxi dress. Glitter and blues are here to stay this summer.

4. Jellyfish skirts

Although slightly controversial, jellyfish skirts are for beachfront dinners and nights out with friends. This one from Princess Polly is affordable and super versatile. Adding a pair of heeled boots and a gold cuff bracelet will complete the look.

5. Chunky frames and jewelry

Channeling our inner rich grandmother comes with chunky sunglasses and statement necklaces. Maximalism is in, along with overstuffing our purses and putting a ring on every finger. Even if you have 20/20 vision, wear some chunky glasses with a sweat set for your study sessions. Martha Calvo has been all over my Pinterest and is the perfect designer if you like jewelry that stands out. This gold chain bracelet is gorgeous, but you really can’t go wrong with any of her pieces.

Stop pitting successful women against each other

By
Alexa Hernandez
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Why is the world so obsessed with pitting successful women against each other? I understand that basketball is a competitive sport and only a select few can be the GOATs, but it’s cruel to create narratives to negatively compare successful women.

By Alexa Hernandez | Social Media Editor

If your social media is anything like mine, your ‘For You’ page has probably been filled with women’s basketball content as of late, specifically highlighting Caitlin Clark. While she is certainly one of the greatest basketball players I have ever watched, she does not stand alone. Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Cameron Brink are among the most talented players in the league of women’s college basketball.

All these women have something in common: They are amazing players and hard workers all at the same time. It only makes sense to celebrate them all equally, right? That certainly hasn’t been the case.

Earlier this week, Diana Taurasi, a player for the Phoenix Mercury WNBA basketball team, spoke about Caitlin Clark in an interview saying, “Reality is coming. You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”

From the outside looking in, this feels like an uncomfortable warning for Clark — one that, in my opinion, is uncalled for. If you read any article about Clark in the media, 95% of them praise her for her skill and the fame she’s brought to women’s basketball. It doesn’t make sense to criticize a 22-year-old in efforts to “warn” her before she enters the professional playing world.

When women’s sports have had significantly fewer viewers, supporters and attention than men’s sports, it is disappointing to see a popular WNBA player bring down another woman in order to prepare her.

This is not just a Clark issue; this happens with various other players. The internet has created the narrative that Reese hates Clark. Both Reese and Clark have spoken out in several interviews and said they do not have any bad blood between them.

Why is the world so obsessed with pitting successful women against each other? I understand that basketball is a competitive sport and only a select few can be the GOATs, but it’s cruel to create narratives to negatively compare successful women. It’s bad enough that there are certain spaces where women feel unwelcome, and to see a woman creating that blockage is disheartening.

After the University of Iowa’s devastating loss to the University of South Carolina on Sunday, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley had an incredible message for Clark saying, “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport. She carried a heavy load for our sport, and it is not going to stop here on a collegiate tour. When she’s the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, she’s going to lift that league up as well.”

This is what it means to uplift women in all aspects and give credit where it’s due. Staley recognized the talents of Clark and thanked her for bringing more people to women’s basketball, while celebrating her own win.

The first step to ensuring there is a space for women is to not tear each other down. As a woman myself, I should be striving to uplift women at any opportunity I can and influencing others to do the same.

So ladies (and gentlemen), take a page out of Staley’s book and join me in my attempt to reestablish what it means for women to support one another — because if we, as women, don’t do that for ourselves, who will?

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