As we continue to grow up, we begin to leave many things behind from our childhood. College is hard. It is the true beginning of adulthood and to be honest, that doesn’t always sound all that fun. I often look around and see individuals who are stressed beyond measure. Maybe they can’t get motivated; we all struggle with getting out of bed some days. With all the adversities of college life and adulthood, it is oftentimes hard to navigate how to take care of ourselves. I know we’ve all seen the infographics of self-care tactics, and while those are helpful, they don’t always work for everyone, and to be honest… very few people have time for them anyways.
If you’re reading this you may have been captivated by the word nostalgic. That’s one thing everyone wants to feel these days. No matter how bad of a day one has, having that hint of nostalgia can bring back such happy memories of childhood. One thing that I believe we forget how to do once we attempt to grow up, is take care of our inner child. Many of us get caught up in our adult worries, and nothing feels fun anymore. Taking care of that inner child can be so beneficial for our overall well-being. I believe by bridging the silliness of childhood with our current lives, we can feel more happy and more motivated to accomplish daily tasks.
How do I take care of my inner child and what does that even mean? I see it as meaning different things for every individual. It is looking for those moments that make you feel like a happy carefree kid. These activities don’t even have to be something that you did when you were a kid, while they could be, that is not the primary goal. This conscious choice one makes to take care of your inner child is more about the simplistic comfort and silliness you so desire to feel. There is no one way to accomplish this goal, it’s all about trial and error.
Maybe you have no idea where to start! Here are some examples of how I try to incite carefree joy and comfort. First, I love to sit and color with my friends, sometimes putting on my favorite show or movie in the background. Maybe you love to play games – if so let me know if you ever want to play Sims 4 together. These outlets are great during school because we don’t have to use our brains too much. If you want to get more simplistic… just go outside! Perhaps to a park where you can take a break from campus and walk around, swing or make a flower crown. It could even be finding comfort in a warm drink on a rainy day. Maybe you don’t have time for that on a regular basis… that’s where you incorporate basic silliness into your daily routine. Trust me, it is easier than you think. Maybe you skip to class, or dance around your room a bit on a study break. It can be as easy as reminding yourself to laugh or just incorporating your own personal silliness into life. It is all about being mindful and remembering that you’re still just a kid on the inside who wants to play and have fun. Taking care of your inner child isn’t always easy, and it is a hard task to remember. It may take a while to figure out what works for you. I hope after reading this you feel inspired to be silly and go on more random adventures just for fun. Good luck!
Morgan Hardigree ‘25 recently hosted an art show titled “Centipede Circling the Sun.” In her artist’s statement, Morgan explained how the inspiration for her work came from a poem she wrote on a whim three years ago. It reads:
I wonder if
A centipede crawled up-air and circled the Sun,
Would that star’s light escape after
Those legs encapsulated it?
Morgan found inspiration and connection within the centipede. She explained that her affinity for centipedes comes alongside their multifaceted nature and their perception within society. For many people, the sight of a centipede provokes fear and revulsion, but for others, there is beauty and complexity to be found in their existence. This notion parallels Morgan’s experience as a trans woman, and her art serves as a testament to the beauty and resilience she found by embracing her identity.
A collection of Morgan’s Jewelry pieces throughout the years, which she still wears regularly
Additionally, in the same way the centipede finds power, life, and contentment in repeated actions of circling the sun, Morgan’s hobby of collecting has been a similar source of fulfillment and empowerment. She views her art-making as a collection process, and this idea was skillfully and passionately reflected in her pieces. Her work in the show took the forms of jewelry and large-scale colored pencil drawings that included a vast array of colors and collectibles. Morgan used things like old watches, chain-link fences, ribbons, beads, screws, and circuit boards to create dynamic and intricate pieces that indubitably represent her history, identity, and character.
One highlight of the show, titled Setback Starlight: Baby I Still Got It, was inspired by a deeply personal moment in Morgan’s life. After losing a scholarship she had poured her heart into earning, she took a walk to clear her mind, took pictures of things that inspired her, and created this piece to prove to herself that, no matter the setbacks, baby, she’s still got it. Another standout piece was titled Rainy Day But Clouds are Clearing. This was the oldest piece in the show. She completed this work in Drawing 1. It features a colorful cloudscape that incorporates depictions of butterfly wings and free-floating embryos on fire.
Morgan’s pieces “The Journey, The Quilt” (left) and “The Coronation, The Channeler” (right)
It appeared the clouds were clearing so pieces like The Journey, The Quilt and The Coronation, The Channeler could come to fruition. These pieces specifically showcase Morgan’s development as an artist and a human. The former depicts Morgan in the front of the frame, and it represents how Morgan found connections to her art and womanhood within her family: her grandmother, who often made quilts in her spare time, inspired the colored pencil quilt that drapes along the background of her piece. The quilt (and the entire piece) is “stitched” with Morgan’s memories and experiences that reflect her identity, and it also symbolizes the artistic bridge she has to the women in her family who came before her. The Coronation, The Channeler is a continuation of The Journey, The Quilt. In it, Morgan depicts herself as someone who has been through war. She is holding a sword and wearing a crown, representing herself on the cusp of accepting her own power. The sword’s end is intentionally placed in front of the sun as it shows Morgan tapping into the light in the sky, something she otherwise could not have achieved without the experiences she endured or depicted. Morgan also shared that these two pieces are part of a larger series, and the third is currently in progress. For the next one, Morgan wants to portray herself as someone who is no longer languishing but as someone who is enjoying the fruits of her labor. She wants to manifest a time of peace as a sustained effort in the work to come.
Morgan posed in front of her piece “The Conjuration of Magical Flesh,” which is framed with fencing, nails, and her own jewelry
Morgan’s show was much more than a collection of pieces. She showcased her journey, her identity, and her resilience along the path to finding herself. While her work was based on her own experiences, the themes she portrayed were universally applicable: she invited viewers to reflect on their own struggles, triumphs, growth, and self-discovery. As I walked through the exhibit, I could feel the weight of the stories she told and the feelings of hope that were embedded in her work. She proved there is power, beauty, and strength in embracing parts of ourselves that society often misunderstands. As Morgan’s friend, I am immensely proud of her and the hours and hours of work she put in to make this show possible. Her mind and artistic vision are unlike anyone else I have ever met, and the courage and vulnerability found in her art are nothing short of admirable. I feel privileged that I have witnessed her growth, and I am confident that this show was only the beginning of the incredible things Morgan Hardigree will achieve.
Much like the nationalist KMT party fleeing to Taiwan after the civil war, TikTok users are moving “en masse” to the social media app Xiaohongshu, often translated as Red Note, seeking refuge from American social media.
TikTok was briefly banned in the United States on Saturday, January 18th. This was part of a bill passed last year by Congress and signed into law by President Biden, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which stipulates that it “prohibits distributing, maintaining, or providing internet hosting services for a foreign adversary controlled application.” TikTok had stated that the screens would go black starting on Sunday, rendering the platform unusable in the United States and cutting off around 170 million users.
Xiahongshu, which translates to “Little Red Book,” is a reference to Chairman Mao Zedong’s quotation book of the same name. Image credit: BBC, 2015
In an act of defiance, many users have fled to the app Xiaohongshu or Rednote as an alternative rather than use American-based social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Notably, the abandonment of these social media sites coincided with Mark Zuckerberg’s recent announcement that he would end Meta’s fact-checking services, causing public backlash. These users have referred to themselves as TikTok refugees, using the hashtag #TikTokrefugees to identify themselves and make posts on the platform. Xiaohongshu has a user base mainly in China and is under the more direct control of the Chinese government, further adding salt to the wound of congressional leaders trying to “protect national security.” Another act of protest that has been a recent trend on TikTok is a growing number of people “saying goodbye to their Chinese spy” and packing personal information into envelopes to be mailed directly to Xi Jinping, President and Paramount leader of China.
These rebellious moves away from American-owned social media reflect a broader souring attitude toward the US government and US corporations. Many people online express that they simply don’t care about how China uses their data; what could they do worse than companies like Meta already have? Meta has overseen multiple data breaches and faces ongoing lawsuits over illegal data selling. It is fair to say that companies like Meta might not have our best interests in mind.
The US government also has a long history of curtailing personal rights in the name of National Security. The Alien and Sedition Acts, Espionage Acts, suspensions of Haebeus Corpus, The PATRIOT Act, etc. In all instances, American’s rights to speech and expression were restricted in the name of “National Security.” But these are usually dubious claims, giving our government more surveillance ability over its citizens. Such activity was revealed when whistle-blower Edward Snowden leaked information that the National Security Agency had been spying on American phone calls. It is safe to say that claims of protecting national security are met with skepticism.
Image Credit: Reuters, 2025
When users opened the app this morning, they were met with a screen that read: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now,” with options to either “Learn More” or close the app. In a recent development, TikTok might scrape its way back to the US. After then President-Elect Donald Trump announced he would sign an executive order to delay the ban by 75 days, TikTok said they were working on restoring access to the app. Most users had their access restored on Sunday, adding further confusion and uncertainty to the mix. Many users have also expressed worries about potential changes that may come to the app, in line with recent changes to Meta Platforms, to avoid the ban. What TikTok’s ultimate fate will be is yet to be seen. We may have access to it now, but it could soon change.
Image Credit: Olivia Jackson
This latest attempt to ban the platform sets a dangerous precedent around curbing personal rights. TikTok undeniably allows millions of individuals to communicate, express ideas, spread information and news, collaborate, make content, and make a living. NPR reports that around 7 million small businesses are propped up on TikTok. TikTok has become a viable source of income for millions of Americans as content creators in a world that’s becoming increasingly unaffordable. Attempts to ban it come at a great price: a profound loss of connection and jobs with no compensation.
The Program for the November 7th Music Tech Concert with all student’s names and the titles of their pieces
As comes every semester, students and music makers on campus were able to showcase their talents in the Music Tech Concert Thursday, November 7th. In a more intimate atmosphere than usual, the concert took place on the stage between Carrick theater and Haggin Auditorium. The space was turned into a black box with the curtains becoming insulation, soaking up the sound and immersing the audience in the music performances and multimedia productions. The lights overhead allowed you to feel like you’re inside of the music and a part of the show.
Behind the soundboard view of the Music Tech concert
The set up included “four speakers surrounding the audience for an engaging quadraphonic sound experience. Three rows of digitally controlled lights, capable of changing color and rhythm… and a fog machine to enhance the lighting effects. Additionally… a slightly raised platform in front of the projection screen, ensuring all performers are clearly visible,” Digital Arts and Media director Timothy Polashek explains. Class assignments and personal projects alike, the students are allowed a great opportunity to show off their works using these technologies.
To start off the concert, Matthew Armstrong, Carson Calico, and Gabe Helgerson performed a piece by sitting in front of the audience playing sounds and distorting them live, each of them with iPads. Later in the show, Gabe Helgerson came back on stage to do a piece where he sang into the microphone and his voice echoed and repeated throughout the space by using settings on his laptop, layering and building the sound.
Students watch “Now Where Could My Pipe Be?” by Nicholas Neagle as the soundwaves create a Garfield comic strip
Carson Calico’s “The Wind Forest”, used four speakers surrounding the audience in front and behind to create a surround sound experience. He used instruments such as the flute to mimic sounds of nature for his song, in addition to video visuals to represent different seasons of the year. Others had their songs just through audio, showing the soundwaves of the song as it played. Student Nicholas Neagle took advantage of this visual, creating images of a Garfield comic strip with the waves in the piece “Now Where Could My Pipe Be?“
The concert overall was a great display of student talent, with a wide array of genres and mediums. As a student who was in the show and has taken the Music Tech class, I highly suggest becoming involved if this is something you’re interested in. If you’re interested in listening to or watching some of these student pieces, check out this website and be sure to come to the other Music Technology and student events throughout the school year!
Transy’s Music Programs events for the rest of the semester
Transylvania’s Asian Student Alliance hosted its third annual celebration of Diwali this November 8th. The celebration, created in partnership with the DEI Office, Spirituality and Religious Life, Student Activities Board, and Student Government Association, commemorated the Hindu festival of lights. As part of this, they had a large variety of delicious food and handed out sparklers in back circle! Read more about it in our other article by Nate Brother!
On November 8th, Transylvania’s Asian Student Alliance hosted its third annual celebration of Diwali. The celebration, created in partnership with the DEI Office, Spirituality and Religious Life, Studnet Activities Board, and Student Government Association, commemorated the Hindu festival of lights. The holiday, also celebrated in Jainism and Sikhism, commemorates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. This victory is typically celebrated with a festival of lights, which can include decorating homes with candles and lanterns and lighting fireworks, or in the case of the Transy celebration, sparklers.
The Diwali celebration has been one of the flagship events of the Transy Asiana Studnet Alliance, being one of the first events held after the organization’s founding in 2022. Senior Charmi Rosenberg, President of ASA and one of the founding members of the organization, spoke to how the event has evolved and grown with ASA, stating:
Over the years we have seen significant growth in our Diwali celebration. During my first year involved in ASA, I watched events being organized from square one and have seen how collaboration and teamwork have grown with the years. The first Diwali we put together was on a smaller scale but as years went on it became one of ASA’s biggest events drawing attention from the entire Transy community and even community members in Lexington. Each year we have made a conscious effort to implement educational components to help the attendees understand and appreciate what Diwali is and why we celebrate it. Being able to watch this organization grow has been one of my biggest joys and I am so lucky to serve on the executive board with amazing people.
Junior and ASA Treasurer Harmony Kothari additionally spoke to the importance of promoting holidays like Diwali to the Transy community, saying:
Diwali is a great way for communities to celebrate light and prosperity. It is such a great time when people can come together and celebrate. I think it’s also cool for the Transy community to learn and celebrate different cultural festivals. I have had so much fun celebrating events like the ones in Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Ramadan. It’s a great way for all our fellow community members to come together and just hang out and learn about different cultures.
Owen Schmidt (’26) and Caroline Host (’26) celebrate Diwali with sparklers
The event, held in a packed Pioneer Rooms, was split into four separate sections. The ASA executive board introduced the event and explained the significance of the holiday to the multiple traditions that celebrate Diwali. After the presentation, the room was treated to a variety of South Asian foods, including samosas, chicken tika and channa masala, idli with sambar, and gulab jamun. Next, the room was split into teams corresponding to tables and competed in trivia Kahoot over the information that was previously shared in the presentation. Sophomore and ASA Outreach Coordinator Jiali Graham highlighted the Kahoot as her favorite part of the event, stating, “Every table seemed really excited to play, and I saw quite a few people studying the slides before the game started.” Finally, the celebration shifted to Back Circle where hundreds of sparklers awaited. Transy’s third annual Diwali celebration ended with its own festival of lights, as Back Circle became home to a bright multi-colored spectacle as everyone lit their sparklers.
Sophomore and ASA Program Coordinator expressed happiness with the turnout for Diwali and the support for the event by both the Transy and wider Lexington community, stating, “It has been so exciting seeing how much Diwali has evolved from last year to this year. So many staff and faculty have supported our club put on this event. Not only do we get to see students come together and celebrate but faculty, staff, and students invite their families to attend and I love to see the gap between the “Transy bubble” and its community bridged through this event.” Overall, it was a successful night for ASA and another great Diwali celebration, one of Transy’s newest, most important, and most colorful annual traditions.
On Monday, November 25th at 2:59 pm, Transy students received an email titled “Public Safety Notice – Attempted Thefts from Vehicles.” The email, addressed from the Department of Public Safety (DPS), described the following:
“In the interest of safety, the Transylvania University Department of Public Safety has issued a crime bulletin for the school community.
On Nov. 25 around noon, DPS received six reports of vehicles with broken windows in the Bourbon Avenue lot. It is assumed that the windows were broken during an attempted theft of items inside the vehicles. These incidents are currently being investigated by DPS.
If anyone has any information regarding these incidents, please contact Transylvania DPS at (859) 233‑8118.”
Around noon, Poole building residents and others near the Bourbon Avenue parking lot could hear the sound of many car alarms echoing across campus. Six student cars were broken into in broad daylight just down the street from DPS’s building. A student who owns one of these cars spoke to us, explaining, “My car was broken into and a window was completely shattered but nothing was stolen even though I had ‘valuables’ in there.” The student further explained that a lot of their belongings were rummaged through and valuables were visible, but again, nothing was taken. Many of the cars had their windows completely shattered, while others just had small breaks in the windows.
Earlier this year on September 23rd, a similar email was sent out with the following information:
“In the interest of safety, the Transylvania University Department of Public Safety has issued a Crime Bulletin for the Transylvania community.
On Sunday, Sept. 23, at 4:54 p.m., the Department of Public Safety was notified of off-campus criminal mischief incidents involving student vehicles. Vehicles parked along North Upper Street near Fifth Street were found with damage to them. The incidents are being investigated by the Lexington Police Department.”
Even further back, this past March another incident was reported through email:
“In the interest of safety, the Transylvania University Department of Public Safety has issued a Crime Bulletin for the Transylvania community.
On March 27, 2024, at approximately 6:40 a.m., the Department of Public Safety, while on routine patrol, located three vehicles in the Bourbon Avenue parking lot with broken windows. All three were Hyundais, and two sustained damage to the steering column and ignition system. All were entered through the passenger-side rear window, and at this time, no other items appear to have been removed. DPS is investigating the incident as attempted theft. Based on recent trends, it is believed that the vehicles were targeted because they were Hyundais.”
Eventually, this becomes too much of a pattern. If this has happened multiple times in the past year and recent months, why has there not been increased patrol of Transy’s parking lots, and especially Bourbon Avenue?
Students have expressed concerns about a lack of security from DPS and fear that these issues are not a priority. Another student we spoke to claimed they contacted DPS about suspicious activity and worries about safety in that same area before the incident this Tuesday. “I asked them if they could patrol more and that I felt unsafe walking up and down Bourbon by myself. They then told me if I felt unsafe I could call for a ride. The whole point of my call was to request more patrol, not a ride.” While getting a golf cart ride from DPS is a nice sentiment, students shouldn’t feel so unsafe walking down the street just beside the dorm buildings that they need an escort. “I want to be able to walk on campus feeling safe knowing that DPS is watching and keeping an eye on the areas. Currently, I don’t feel like I am getting that,” the same student told us. “It should be to the best of their ability from the get-go and not wait for bad things to happen before patrolling more.” They also stated that they acknowledge that it isn’t completely DPS’s fault or preventable, and they can appreciate what they do, but something still needs to be done and change needs to be made. Whether that means more funding for cameras and extra officers to patrol or whatever else may need to happen to increase the safety of our students and their cars.
Due to these concerns, I went to DPS to ask them some questions about what is happening and how it’s being handled by our campus security. I spoke with Chief Robert Gowdy on the morning of the 26th, asking for any information he could give us. He explained that it is still an ongoing investigation but it is currently unknown who was responsible, and that the Department is looking through the cameras to see if they can find anything. As of now, it seems none of the cameras picked up the act of breaking in. “Our camera system is run on the internet, so you do get a lot of buffering depending on the usage around campus,” It’s possible that the cameras had buffered during that time, or that none were angled right to catch the break-ins. They’re still checking different cameras to see what they can find.
According to their reports, nothing had been stolen from any of the cars, but some had been rummaged through and the windows were broken. “We have completed the reports for the kids’ insurance. I believe if you have full coverage on your vehicle, the breakage of the windows may be 100% replaced in the state of Kentucky.”
In terms of it being acted on sooner, Gowdy explained that on the footage in previous situations, you can see students in the parking lot who likely would have heard or seen the break-ins. “If you see something, report it. If you hear something, report it.” He recommends that students use the text-tips or the DPS phone number.
I asked Gowdy what plans DPS has to prevent this in the future and help people feel safer, such as more patrols and more cameras. “I’ve put out to our units to increase patrols in certain areas, related to Bourbon Avenue, and just where there’s a lot of traffic.” In terms of cameras, the chief says that’s not in his department to say; “Any new cameras would be nice and useful.” Maybe with these break-ins this is something the University would consider looking into.
Finally, Chief Gowdy gave me some general safety advice to share with students. If you’re walking when it’s dark, stay in well-lit areas, walk in groups when possible, and be aware of your surroundings. “Always have a plan to have some type of out; a different way to escape or place to run to.” If you’re uncomfortable walking to a parking lot late or early in the day, call DPS and they can escort you if an officer is available. If you’re worried about your car being broken into, make sure not to leave any visible things in your car that people can see through the windows. “People will look inside your vehicle and if they see any type of cords they’re gonna think there’s something connected to the end of them hidden somewhere. Loose change is a big one, loose cash.” If you have anything of value, don’t leave it in your car, or hide it in your trunk- though the trunk doesn’t guarantee safety for your objects.
After speaking with students, it seems that there is a consensus that campus feels unsafe, and many are looking towards DPS to do something about it. DPS is waiting for students to report these concerns, but are their answers to these reports up to par? Hopefully more will be done in the coming months after these holiday breaks, but for the students, be sure to use caution when walking at night and lock your vehicles!
Gratz Perk is a reliable coffee shop on Transylvania’s campus. It provides a fresh breath of air from Caf for anyone who needs a quick treat or a caffeine pickup. With so many options for coffee, treats, and snacks, I decided to take on the huge role of trying everything at Gratz Perk. Hopefully, Transylvania’s student population can be enlightened and humored, and have all of their curiosities put to rest.
I decided to rank based on three categories. Taste, so how well the item makes the taste buds on my tongue feel delighted versus frightened. Texture, for my folks who have to avoid sensations that may not be great (just like me don’t worry). And by Looks, because let us be honest, we all love how things fit in our aesthetic, right?
Well, let us get into it!
Fruit Cup
Taste: 9/10
Texture: ~8/10
Looks: 10/10
First up, is the fruit cup, one of their refrigerated snack items. It is always a good go-to for when you are on the run and need a quick, healthy snack. The cup today had fresh fruit with watermelon, pineapple, honeydew, and blueberries. For taste, none of the fruits showed signs of going bad, and each individual fruit had a good flavor. This can be a rarity, especially with someone as picky as me. Some of the blueberries were too tart, but that isn’t something that can be controlled. You can’t ever go wrong with fruit, and it is always a safe bet! With looks, it shows a great display of color so that it is fun to look at, just has a questionable puddle of fruit juice but I always slurp it up! So, maybe not so questionable?
Overall score: 9/10
Chocolate Croissant
Taste: 9/10
Texture: 6/10
Looks: 7/10
The chocolate croissant is a coffee shop classic, and this one follows that standard. It has a great chocolate middle that when warmed, just melts in your mouth. It looks wonderful, with the buttery shine that all croissants tend to have. The only thing is that the croissant doesn’t have the same flaky texture as a true croissant. I have a sense of disappointment in this factor because I love a crunchy, flaky croissant from all of its layers created by the layering of butter and dough (Does this sound snobby of me?). Even then, this chocolate croissant still satisfies as a tasty pastry by the end of the day. Pair it with any coffee, and you are now a true coffee shop connoisseur! Or just eat the pastry as if you were like anyone else, by shoving it into your mouth!
Overall: 8/10
Blueberry Muffin
Taste: 8/10
Texture: 8/10
Looks: 6/10
I fear this one may get some backlash as I can already hear the complaints, but I am going to say it! This blueberry muffin is just a sad muffin with blueberries in it, and I stand by that. Controversial opinion, I know! However, it tends not to stack up to the blueberry muffins offered at various coffee shops from local to chain. By taste alone, it is okay but doesn’t hit it out of the park like other bakery items do. Texture brings some points, but it tends to be too spongy. With its looks, It is a bit small compared to other goodies.
“Booo!!” Yeah, yeah I know but it still can be a good snack and can satisfy anyone who needs it. And it brings joy to those of Transylvania, just not me…
Overall: 7/10
Lemon Poppyseed Muffin
Taste: 9/10
Texture: 10/10
Looks: 8/10
Also known as the blueberry muffin’s better cousin, we have the lemon poppyseed muffin. Hands down, it’s one of my favorite pastries to buy at Gratz Perk. The common buyer may not realize what this muffin has in store for you, but I assure you it is full of lemon goodness. The muffin is lemon-flavored and has poppyseeds mixed into the batter, so whenever you take a bite, it gives small amounts of crunch that are just right. For some people, that may not be a fun experience, however for me it is extremely satisfying. As for looks, I think it is one of those surprises of the bakery section that Gratz has to offer, and if you are feeling up to a treasure, this muffin may just be it. Who knows, it could become your favorite!
Overall: 9/10
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Taste: 8/10
Texture: 6/10
Looks: 7/10
Chicken salad tends to be not a popular choice of sandwich, so it was interesting to get a review on this. At first, by looks the sandwich seems good, it doesn’t seem squashed or soggy in any way at looks. But surprise, the bread was soggy! I guess that is to be expected with sandwiches with wet components. On the bright side, the lettuce was crunchy and fresh which always makes me happy. The chicken salad itself tasted good, and as someone who isn’t the biggest fan of chicken salad, I’d say that’s great! The sandwich was grabbed when it was newly restocked, so nothing tasted old. For a not-so-popular sandwich, this was a win for Gratz Perk!
Overall: 7/10
White Chocolate Raspberry Scone
I, uh, forgot a picture. My bad folks!
Taste: 9/10
Texture: 8/10
Looks: 10/10
The white chocolate raspberry scone is one of my all-time favorites. It is a good combination, with the perfect mix of raspberry flavor and white chocolate chunks. One time, I got this scone just because it was a sad day (I bombed a chem exam), and I needed a pick-me-up. This scone was able to do that, and any interaction with our awesome Gratz Perk ladies helped me. As for texture, the scone is a little moist for a scone but it pulls it off. I love white chocolate, so I will get this scone with an iced white mocha to make my day perfect. With looks, it has that mix of red coloring that makes it appealing. Overall, I think it is a good sweet treat for one of those days when it is needed.
Overall: 9/10
Apple Cinnamon Scone
Taste: 9/10
Texture: 8/10
Looks: 9/10
This is the season of apples and cinnamon (oh how an apple pie would be great at the moment…). Well, look at this! This scone is readily available and is a great pairing of any fall favorite drink that Gratz offers. Like the pumpkin pie latte, pumpkin chai latte, or even a classic chai latte, this scone goes so well with them. Puts me in the mood for sweater weather and crunchy leaves (Spotify playlist, who?). Apple and cinnamon is a combo that can’t ever go wrong, as the two flavor palettes complement each other very well. It looks good from the outside, and the texture is still slightly moist for a scone but I think it can be ignored due to the sweetness of the scone.
Overall: 9/10
Sunbutter and Grape Jelly Sandwich
Also forgot a picture here, but you see these in caf right?? I can’t do EVERYTHING for you…
Taste: 8/10
Texture: 7/10
Looks: 8/10
Ah, the classic sandwich! The sun butter and jelly sandwich is something I can always fall back on when no food in the world sounds appetizing. Personally, the sun butter is a nice touch as it provides a flavor that is different from peanut butter. Also, these sandwiches are peanut allergy friendly so it won’t put anyone at risk! As for flavor, I think grape jelly and sun butter go well together. However, the bread texture can either be soggy or dry depending on the day (I ate a lot of these sandwiches last year!). The inconsistency means it’s a surprise every time you grab a box. This sandwich also can get very sticky and oozes out, so it’s vital to have napkins on standby. As for looks, the sandwich always looks as if it has even layers of sun butter and jelly but it seems to be oozing out of the sandwich at all times. Overall, it’s a good go-to and can help anyone get through a busy day!
Overall:8/10
Naked Juices
Taste: 9/10
Texture: 7/10
Looks: 10/10
So, these Naked Juices are one of my favorite things to drink whenever I need a nutritional snack that will fill me up. They are full of good stuff like fruit and veggies, and I say that is very good for college students. The juices allow people to have a nice treat and also get missing nutrients. As well, it reminds me of drinking a smoothie, which can be hard to beat. The usual variety includes Power C Machine, Blue Machine, Green Machine, and Mighty Mango. I eat these up every time I see them, and each of them is very colorful, so hooray for pretty colors, right? As for texture, it can be slightly thick and have pieces within but it isn’t too bad overall. I love fruit juice generally, so these just brighten my day whenever I can get one!
Overall: 9/10
Double Chocolate Chip Muffin
Taste: 9/10
Texture: 8/10
Looks: 10/10
This muffin is another home run! I am a huge fan of anything chocolate, and this muffin is just double the fun. The taste comes out good with rich chocolate as the base with chocolate chips baked within. For texture, it is moist, but I think it makes it better as it feels like I am eating a cupcake versus a muffin. I always will love an excuse to have a cupcake in the middle of the day. As for looks, it suffers the same problem as the blueberry muffin. It just looks small and a bit sad-looking and isn’t bringing anything home in that category. Other than that, it is a really good muffin and is a guaranteed win for chocolate lovers.
Overall: 9/10
So, yeah that’s all I have!
…
You are probably thinking, “Wow, that’s all? This seems way too short. The Gratz Perk I know and love has more items than this??” Yes, you are indeed right, my dear reader. The problem is that halfway through the semester, I ran out of money on my crimson card. Granted, I only had $50 because of my commuter plan but that means I was limited to my choice of food to maximize this review. Also, asking others for help was somewhat of a struggle because some people rely on Gratz Perk on their busy days. I do have a decent amount of meal swipes with this commuter plan, and that would have allowed me to expand my horizons. However, Gratz Perk only takes dining dollars which puts myself and other students at a crossroads when it comes to deciding on what to get.
So, this does give insight into the recent changes to Gratz Perk and how it has made “Grab & Go” a lot more difficult and less accessible when students are limited to only Dining Dollars. Meal swipes allowed students to grab a decent amount of food to eat and be out the door. Now, it has been made more difficult, especially for students on commuter plans, who have busy schedules and do not have time to go to Caf. Due to the prices on these items, I wasn’t able to review many sandwiches because they are nearly 9 dollars, and that would limit me to only 5 sandwich boxes. In another perspective, students who have $200 in Dining Dollars are limited to roughly 20 sandwich boxes. Hypothetically, If someone were to eat their 3 meals a day for a single week at Gratz Perk only grabbing the sandwiches, then they would be out of money by the next Monday. I knew students (typically athletes) who would grab at least ⅔ meals at Gratz due to their schedules. With Caf, it can be inconsistent with how quickly you can get through depending on the time of day, which makes it a gamble on whether a student chooses to go there during a 30-minute to an hour break. This change has made Gratz Perk less accessible and makes it difficult for students who have tight schedules not be able to obtain food whenever they can. It is especially difficult when Transy is within a food desert (an area that has limited access to food that is plentiful, affordable, or nutritious). While I am thankful we have an option, it makes it harder for students to thrive when our options are super limited.
This review hopefully can help some students decide on what to grab on a given day and maybe give insights to others into the situation some of our students may be struggling with.
On Thursday November 14th, from five to seven, Transylvania’s Student Government Association and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department hosted an academic presentation, “Lexington, Ky: Segregated by Design.” This was presented by researchers Rona Roberts and Barbara Sutherland, who have lived in Lexington for the past 50 years. Roberts is a writer and organization development advisor while Sutherland is a retired city employee and librarian. The two lifelong friends decided to start researching how systematic racism impacted the Lexington community during the summer of 2020. Their presentation described the specific history of Lexington’s residential segregation and how the repercussions are still in effect today. Their research shows that issues today such as the Black-White wealth gap, unequal homeownership opportunities, and everyday inequalities all have a connection to unjust residential segregation. Roberts and Sutherland referenced Richard Rothstein’s The Color of Law and asked themselves if redlining, realtor steering, planning and zoning practices, urban renewal, and racially restrictive deed covenants applied to neighborhoods here in Lexington.
By researching documents in the Fayette County Deed Book, they found racially restrictive covenants from the late 1800s to 1948. These covenants created White-only neighborhoods and restricted the race of individuals who could legally own, rent, or live on a given property. Their research showed specific neighborhoods in Lexington with restrictive covenants such as Goodrich Avenue, Liberty Heights Subdivision, and the Beechland Subdivision, which later became part of Kenwick. Looking at how these covenants affect us now, Sutherland and Roberts spoke about how Black families had fewer housing opportunities. The lack of building equity compared to White families who were able to buy deed-restricted homes up to 1948 and those homes continued to build equity.
photo credit @ tu_sga on Instagram
Roberts and Sutherland also discussed how redlining impacted Lexington communities. The main factor for redlining was the Federal Housing Administration and how race was used to limit the ability to receive a home loan in certain neighborhoods. Their research shows that in 1948, subdivisions began to expand, but Black families only had access to 225 plots out of the 15,546 platted. Today, we are able to see the lasting impacts of redlining by examining generational wealth. Research presents how there is a large wealth gap today, with Black households earning 16 cents for every dollar earned by White households.
Lexington’s planning and zoning did a poor job of protecting neighborhoods equally, especially for Black and low-income families. Research shows that zoning created unhealthy uses of post-Civil War settlements and reduced equity and inclusion in Lexington neighborhoods. They also discussed how Black families were severely affected by realtor steering which was shown to be required in the Realtors’ National Ethics Code. Roberts and Sutherland elaborated on how the Fair Housing Act made racial steering illegal in 1968, and in 2020, the National Association of Realtors apologized for their past. Their research shows that progress has been made with the NAACP and Fair Housing Council, but there are still long-term impacts of realtor steering. Research today shows that there is still ongoing segregation and a large gap in homeownership with 60% of White households and 34% of Black households.
Their research as of now concludes that Lexington was segregated by design. Roberts and Sutherland emphasize how segregation impacts our communities today. This presentation was to show their work thus far, as they will be continuing to investigate restrictive deeds for the Lexington Community. If you have any interest in this volunteering or inquiring about restrictive deed research, please contact Barbara Sutherland at aldenruths@gmail.com.
On November 17th, the Transylvania Pioneers Volleyball team clinched the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title for the sixth year in a row, defeating the Manchester University Spartans in the championship game. With this win, the Pioneers clinched an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
After a shaky start to the non-conference portion of the season, Transy Volleyball finished the regular season on an eleven-game winning streak, which included all nine of the Pioneer’s HCAC games. Especially important was an October 23rd match against the Mount St. Joseph University Lions, who, for the third year in a row, would be the closest team in the standings to the Pioneers. The regular season conference standings, also for the third year in a row, came down to the match between Transylvania and Mount St. Joseph, and, after falling to the Lions and subsequently losing the regular season crown last year, the Pioneers would earn a hard-fought 3-0 win. The Pioneers finished an undefeated 9-0 in conference, earning the #1 seed and a first-round bye, while the Lions finished at 8-1 and earned the #2 seed.
The Pioneers opened the HCAC Tournament on Saturday, November 16th in the semi-finals against the #4 seeded Earlham College Quakers. Major runs by the Pioneers would fuel the team to a 2-0 lead, and while they dropped the third set, the Pioneers would pull away in the fourth set to secure a 3-1 win and a spot in the championship round the next day. Awaiting the Pioneers was the #3 seeded Machester University Spartans, who had upset the Lions in a thrilling 3-2 victory later on Saturday. The first two sets of the championship game followed a similar script to the semi-final round, with the Pioneers taking a 2-0 lead. After a back-and-forth third set went to Manchester, the Pioneers eventually pulled away late in the fourth, winning the set 25-19 and the match 3-1.
With this win, the Pioneers secured their sixth straight HCAC Tournament Championship. The Pioneers also took home several tournament honors, with Junior Isabella Myers, Senior Cate Scheper, and Fifth-Year Grace Ward being named to the All-Tournament Team. Ward also took home Tournament MVP after racking up 94 assists, the fourth time in her career that she has taken home the home. Ward was also honored for winning HCAC Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, far and away Transylvanai’s all-time leader in assists after surpassing 5,000 in her career.
By winning the conference tournament, the Pioneers secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers will travel to Atlanta, Georgia to compete in the Emory University Regional. Transylvania’s first tournament match will come on Thursday the 21st, where the Pioneers will face the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges Athenas. The semifinals and finals of the regional will take place the following Friday and Saturday.
