For one week in March many students got to enjoy a final reprieve from schoolwork and classes. Spring break is a week full of rest and relaxation for most, and students at Mississippi University for Women have been looking forward to it all semester.
Student Spotlight: Zap Saucier
Seniors prepare for graduation, look forward to jobs, grad school
Students cope with challenges during Pandemic
The pandemic has taken a mental toll on people around the world. Many have seen increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health situations including the students attending Mississippi University for Women. Kat Lewis is a freshman Speech Language Pathology major, and Emma Beeler is a junior English Creative Writing and History double major, and both say the pandemic has impacted them, but in different ways.
Social organizations hopeful for future
Student Spotlight: Blakney Clark
Tara Baucom
Reporter
Blakney Clark is a Communication major from Caledonia. On Oct. 9, while hunting with a crossbow, Clark accidentally shot herself in the foot. Photos of the injury quickly gained popularity on social media, inspiring Clark to speak out on the importance of weapon safety.
Q: Can you walk us through how it happened?
Student Spotlight: Music therapy major Kendra Keesee
Nykia Burdine
Reporter
Kendra Keesee is a music therapy major with a focus in piano. She has come from Nashville, Tenn., to pursue her major at The W. In her turn in the spotlight, Keesee gave us a look into her piano history and explained why she is so far from home.
Q: How long have you played the piano?
Student Spotlight: James O'Loughlin
Chris Richardson
Reporter
At 72 years young, James O’Loughlin has developed quite the resume. After spending decades in the military, O’Loughlin began his studies at The W in 2010. He was awarded Bachelor of Arts degrees in 2011 and 2013, but he decided to continue his education and pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not in class, O’Loughlin can often be found in the school’s cafeteria or gym, and when he learned about The Spectator, he sent a request to be interviewed for our Student Spotlight series, so that he could share his story with students all across the campus.
Q: Where are you originally from?
Student Spotlight: Kelly Idella Benford
Frederick L. Brown
Reporter
Kelly Idella Benford, a sophomore communication major and theatre minor, is from Greenville, Miss. Benford is a 2014 graduate of Greenville Weston High School. Benford is a very talented dancer and serves as the vice-president of the Audacity Dance Team on campus. Benford is also dealing with a rare skin disorder called "ichythyosis."
Ichthyosis is a family of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, scaling skin that may be thickened or very thin. Ichthyosis affects people of all ages, races and gender, and there is currently no cure for the disorder. While a cure is being sought, researchers and physicians have been working to develop effective ways to help manage the disorder. For more information, visit www.firstskinfoundation.org.
Student Spotlight: Blossom Brown
Mallory Johnston
Reporter
Advocate. Faith-driven. Inspiring.
These are three words to describe Blossom Brown, an openly transgender woman who is studying public health education at Mississippi University for Women. The Greenwood, Miss., native is a motivational speaker and a volunteer for the Human Rights Campaign, where she works to solve issues that surround the Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender-Queer (LGBTQ) community. She has appeared on the popular daytime talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," and the reality show, "I Am Cait," a series documenting the life of Caitlyn Jenner after Jenner's gender transition.