By: Jordan Schmitt, Editor in Chief With a combined sense of hesitancy and relief, Ohio University students followed the rest of the nation’s attempt to return to life in person this semester. With an urge to vaccinate the population, COVID cases have started to decrease. It was unsure as to whether our semester would follow through as planned, considering the past two years have not gone as planned, no thanks to the pandemic. Regardless, we powered on and cautiously welcom

By: Taylor Strnad As a child, it was hard to understand why my mother drank so much. I always thought, “Why won’t she just stop?” As I got older I realized that it wasn’t that simple. Addiction starts differently for everyone. You don’t become addicted to something overnight. For my mom, the risk factors that led to addiction were the stressors of her job, an unhealthy marriage, the COVID-19 pandemic and her only daughter away at school. It was too much for her to cope with

By Anna Birk Photos by Evie Sears & Isabella Brazzale Patterns. Patterns in fashion create a continuous flow of motion, repeating from one form to the next. When those patterns bleed into the social world, however, stereotypes become perpetuated, and certain groups are left out of the narrative. When the Civil Rights Movement began in 1954, The Athens Messenger began to cover the unrest that proceeded. The extent of that coverage, however, was limited for the next several

By: Isabella Lasneski, Blogger It’s the start of the spring semester and you know what that means: New classes, a new schedule, a new routine! I love the saying “If you can’t beat them, join them” because it reminds me to never stay stuck in the past for too long. Things like technology and human nature are changing so often, that change has now become our new normal. Change is inevitable so why not embrace it? This year, join me in embracing the change that the new year has

By: Jordan Schmitt; Editor in Chief Among the many topics discussed during Athens City Council on Monday, February 8, one important discussion stuck out: hair. Council member Micah McCarey proposed an update to the city’s anti-discrimination legislation that would provide additional protections against race-based discrimination involving hair textures and styles. The proposed ordinance protects, “protective and cultural hairstyles – includes but is not limited to braids, lo

By: Sarah Osterle, Blogger A new year brings new fashion, new trends, new music and especially new year resolutions. Typically when people write about their New Year’s resolutions it is some extravagant plan which entails several routines such as; skin care, gym, healthy diet, waking up at 6 a.m. etc, to be “that person.” AKA, a person who lives in a perfect aesthetic way that seems too good to be true. I won’t lie and say that I have made some of these my New Year’s resol

By: Grace Potochney, Blogger  For a long time, not only our country but the world has seen the environment arise and become global issues, but it was until the past five years that this matter has gained awareness by us. As an elementary schooler about a decade ago, I remember learning about recycling and it seemed like something fun that adults wanted young children to know. But, here we are entering 2022 and some researchers say our planet is in its emergency mode. As co

By Emilie Burch, PR Director If there was anything to take away from 2021 it is that the movement in self-expression is only just beginning. It comes in the form of dressing in bold styles, trying new daring makeup looks and to complete the look wearing the hottest hairstyles of the year. Influenced through celebrity style and pop culture phenomenons, the hair we expect to see trending this year will only elevate your look even further. Here are 5 hairstyles to try in 2022:

By: Emily Squance, Blog Projects Assistant Let’s be real, the past two years have been nothing short of chaotic and eventful-to say the least. When you start to feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, it can be hard to keep a positive mindset. Here are tips on maintaining a positive mindset in 2022. Many of us have heard the saying, “you are who you surround yourself with.” Whether you’ve heard this from your parents or teachers, there is a lot more truth to it than

By: Savannah Dawson, Blogger It is the start of a new year, which means one thing – New Year’s resolutions. One thing rings true about new year’s resolutions: they  often do not last past January 31st, if they even make it that long. The end of January brings the looming fear that you will break the promises you made to yourself, or that setting back into a normal schedule will force you to give up the goals that you had prepared. One great way to fix the issue is through m

Photos by Ashlynn McKee, Photo Assistant By Zoie Lambert, Blogger Ten minutes outside of Ohio University is a weathered parking lot with several potholes and a Hometown Inn. Known for its air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and floral bedsheets dating back to 1970, the place can be described as unassuming. For an aspiring barber, however, it was a fresh start. Sealonda Smith, first name pronounced Shuh-lawn-duh better known by her nickname “Smitty” given to her while playing bas

Image by Madison Kopp By Olivia Szmania, Blogger Body dysmorphia and impossible body standards are prospering. As I have grown up and become a young adult, what has unfolded before me has been terrifying. With today’s inspiration being the Kardashians and Instagram influencers, the body expectations have surpassed reality. Girls strive to have a tiny waist, curves, large butt, and large chest. When analyzing popular celebrities and influencers that portray this ideal, it s

Image from NASA.gov By Sarah Osterle, Blogger To us, the moon is a small bright circle in the sky that is really only seen at night but it actually determines a lot about your upcoming endeavors. The moon relates to our feelings to even the tides of the oceans. Here are what the moon means for you when you glimpse at the lunar sky! Let’s break down the logistics of the moon. There are 4 main phases; new moon, first quarter, full moon, and third quarter. These phases repeat.

Image from Google By Olivia Szmania, Blogger John Quinones, former ABC News correspondent and host of the show, “What Would You Do?” received the Carr Van Anda Award at Ohio University on October 19th. The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, gives the The Car Van Anda award to recognize the outstanding work by journalist during their careers . He has won seven national emmys for his work with “Primetime”. Starting from the beginning, he grew up in povert

Image by Madison Kopp By Anna Birk, Copy Editor Now that students have moved into the 2021-2022 academic year, Ohio University has returned to a full campus; students sprinting to classes, professors grabbing coffee and every coffee shop packed to the brim. During the 2020-2021 academic year, Ohio University gave students the option to attend in-person, hybrid or fully online classes. This option was given based on a course-enrollment basis, with several classes maintaining

Image from Google By Mya Wilson, Blogger Before we talk about how amazing the Athens Farmers Market is, I want to talk about how it has been rated the number one farmers market in Ohio. The reasons why could be due to their “membership of dedicated food producers who get together to bring you the finest and freshest, most nutrient dense food available in Athens County,” per their website and because they also have beautiful one of a kind art from the Athens Art Guild. Or c

By Taylor Strnad, Blogger Cooking in college can be a hassle. If you live in a dorm, you have to go to the front desk and ask to borrow pots and pans or ask one of your neighbors for theirs. Then you have to go to the community kitchen, which everyone is always using to make something, so you might not even be able to cook when you want to. All of this can make cooking frustrating and not worth the hassle. But, if you’re lucky enough to have access to a microwave and a micro

Photo By Emily Squance By Emily Squance, Art Director The Vietnam War was a devastating war for many; the events that took place will forever impact our society as we know it. However, with the 43 years that have passed since the war, many generations are growing up with little to no knowledge of its imprint. On Veterans Day in 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund introduced a replica of the memorial in Washington, D.C. This was “The Wall That Heals,” and since the intr

Graphic by Maddie James By Reagan Goldberg, Blogger As soon as 2021 began, streaming services have been providing us new content to enjoy. We have been enjoying the new TV shows, movies, TV movies, etc. these platforms have to offer. With 2021, came the opening up of movie theaters as well. However, where people are now turning for content are streaming services such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney +. There have been quite a few blockbuster movies and new TV shows released an

Graphic by Maddie James By: Alaina Falbo; Blogger Every year when summer comes around, I like to make a bucket list to challenge myself to see what I can accomplish. Bucket lists are also a great cure for summer boredom. I usually get ideas from social media, mostly TikTok. I try to put things on my list that I’ve never experienced. Here are the eight activities you should try in the last weeks of summer! Go bike riding  Bike riding is a perfect way to enjoy the summer sun