EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Madison Dobrzenski TABLE OF CONTENTS [email protected] PAGE 3 UNC Charlotte halts Johnson & Johnson EDITORIAL vaccine clinic Olivia Lawless MANAGING EDITOR Tyler Trudeau COMMUNITY EDITOR NEWS Megan Bird NEWS EDITOR PAGE 4 What happened to the value menu? Hiral Patel OPINION EDITOR Emily Kottak LIFESTYLE EDITOR Anders Hare A&E EDITOR PAGE 5 Unpaid and unhinged Bradley Cole SPORTS EDITOR Max Young COPY EDITOR Niyathi Sulkunte PHOTO EDITOR OPINION María Solano VIDEO EDITOR Nic Jensen LAYOUT EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITORS Jessica Ceballos NEWS PAGE 6 ALBUM REVIEW: ‘Chem trails over the Milo Cain OPINION Country Club’ Jake Pierce FEATURES Miles Ruder SPORTS April Carte COPY A&E PAGE 7 Developer Interview: Mail Mole Elizabeth McGuire VIDEO Brandon Mitchell LAYOUT Emma Lineberger LAYOUT PAGE 9 The international star
CONTRIBUTING STAFF Vasiliki Gkoulgkountina, Lorenza PAGE 10 Men and Women’s Soccer recaps Medley, Gretchen Clarke, Amanda SPORTS NINER MEDIA Olson, Marina Kilmova, Julie Dam COVER IMAGE PAGE 11 DIY: Floral bookmarks @UNCCMEDIA Nic Jensen Dear Niner Times
NEWSROOM 705.687.7150 NINERTIMES.COM/STAFF LIFESTYLE PAGE 12 Working as a nail technician NINER TIMES TWITTER @NINER_TIMES @niner_times CREATIVE DIRECTOR James Bourke READ + WATCH MORE ONLINE AT [email protected] MARKETING STAFF Ridge Grant NinerTimes.com UPTOWN AUDIO POLICE BLOTTER @uptownaudio 4/13: Larceny from an Auto Officers responded to Lot 20 in reference to a larceny from an auto report. LOCATED ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE STUDENT UNION 4/14: Breaking and Entering of a Building Niner Times • Uptown Audio Officers responded to Grounds Dept. in reference to a breaking and entering SANSKRIT Sanskrit Literary-Arts Magazine report. LIT ARTS Media Marketing • Technical THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE 4/19: Armed Subject/Arrest MAGAZINE Kelly Merges NINER MEDIA ADVISER Officers responded to Levine Hall in reference to a possibly armed individual. The @sanskrituncc Laurie Cuddy BUSINESS MANAGER Joshua Wood GRAPHICS & subject was located, arrested, and transported to Mecklenburg County Intake. 2 APR. 20, 2021 NINERTIMES PRODUCTION VIEW FULL BLOTTER AT Photo by Niyathi Sulkunte POLICE.UNCC.EDU/POLICE-LOG UNC Charlotte halts Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinic NEWSNEWS
On-campus clinic ends after reports of blood clots
by Vasiliki Gkoulgkountina and Lorenza Medley Staff Writers
On April 13, UNC Charlotte Anthony Fauci, President Joe among the more than 180 million This investment was made and the public. This demonstrates released an announcement stating Biden’s chief medical adviser, people who received the Pfizer- in the efforts of combating that the safety systems we that they would stop providing the said that the pause would be BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. increasing vaccine hesitancy. have in place are working.” Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinic “More like days to weeks, rather On Wednesday, April 14, the Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director On April 15, UNC Charlotte due to the CDC reporting that than weeks to months.” White House released a statement of the Centers for Disease announced that they would six women who had received the Following this announcement, where Jeff Zients, Counselor to the Control, addressed the six blood be partnering with Atrium vaccine experienced significant the Advisory Committee on President, stated, “We’ve invested clot cases and stated, “I want to Health to set up a Pfizer vaccine blood clotting. In turn, UNC Immunization Practices (ACIP) $3 billion to help states and share with you my confidence in clinic on campus on Tuesday, Charlotte will be providing a reviewed this data from the seven community-based organizations the system that we have in place. April 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pfizer vaccine clinic on April 20. cases. It noted that the women build vaccine confidence, Jointly, CDC and FDA were able The first dose will be offered, On February 27, the had clotting in the brain, but a low particularly in the hardest-hit to identify these rare events and and the second dose will be Johnson & Johnson vaccine level of platelets, parts of the blood and highest-risk communities.” quickly alert healthcare providers offered on Tuesday, May 11. was approved by the Food that help form normal clots. and Drug Administration The members of the ACIP (FDA), which has amounted to concluded that there is not around 5% of immunizations enough information at the in the United States. Director moment to determine whether of Communications for the the Johnson & Johnson Division of Business Affairs vaccine is the root of the issue. Christy Jackson stated that “We do not know enough approximately 1,200 students at yet to say if the vaccine is UNC Charlotte received the single related to or caused this health dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine issue,” said the CDC in a during the week of March 31. statement. However, the cases The Food and Drug are similar to some “seen in Administration announced on Europe after vaccination with Tuesday, April 13, that they were the AstraZeneca vaccine.” leading an investigation into the According to the CDC, “The six cases of rare and significant AstraZeneca and Johnson blood clots in women aged 18 & Johnson vaccines both to 48, one of whom died out of use an adenovirus vector” the 7.5 million who received to deliver instructions to the shot. The Center for Disease a cell. “These vaccines are Control and Prevention (CDC) different from the Pfizer and and the FDA recommended that Moderna vaccines, which providers stop distributing the are mRNA-based vaccines,” Johnson & Johnson vaccine. said the CDC. As of April 13, Photo of Student Activity Center, location of on-campus clinic, by Niyathi Sulkunte On Tuesday, April 13, Dr. no cases have been reported
NINERTIMES.COM APR. 20, 2021 3 by Brandon Mitchell Graphics courtesy Asst. Layout Editor of Canva
Over the summer, UNC and Food Services, “So certain options for some items. took that much longer to get Charlotte launched its Niner they had to close locations “If we have four or five out as well. They were making Diners Mobile Ordering app because everyone would be different sizes of nugget boxes, two sandwiches, getting to prevent long lines and considered a close contact.” let’s scale that back down to nuggets and then something reduce social contact during To keep operations efficient two or something like that.’ said else to fulfill one order.” the pandemic. However, many and safe, the app’s menu Hutchison. “And then you look But there is still hope for value items have disappeared was limited to a smaller at which ones sell the most, students craving value items from the app’s menus over selection of the restaurants’ just so there aren’t so many like Wendy’s biggie bag. the past few months. most popular items. offerings available. That helps Although they aren’t available Erin Hutchison, director “We dug as much into it with the speed of service too.” on the app, students can still of retail of UNC Charlotte as possible and pulled some Hutchison said that order many of the lost items Dining services, said that she detailed reports of what was many students would order on the two kiosks located and her team work closely selling,” said Hutchison. multiple value items within in the Market on Craver. with the franchise restaurants “One of the really big driving one purchase. This would Hutchinson said that her team on campus to provide a menu factors was making sure that cause each ticket to take hopes to put more kiosks that satisfies customers and we kept our associates as longer and make social within the Union soon. allows for social distancing. safe and socially distanced as distancing more difficult. The University will be “We did have to look at possible in what is normally a “It became bigger orders watching state regulations and our kitchen operations to be pretty crowded kitchen space,” because they’re ordering will return the app’s menu back able to keep our staff socially said Thompson. “With Chick- four or five value items,” said to normal as soon as it is safe distanced while executing fil-A, we had conversations Hutchison. “So each ticket for the restaurant employees. the menu as quickly as about removing possible,” said Hutchison. the milkshakes “We had heard from and removing “One of the really big driving factors was numerous other universities even some great that if one of their team sellers because making sure that we kept our associates as safe members tested positive, of that inability and socially distanced as possible in what is it would wipe out the to necessarily entire operation.” said Jody social distance.” normally a pretty crowded kitchen space.” Thompson, interim director The team of UNC Charlotte Auxiliary also took away - Jody Thompson
4 APR. 20, 2021 NINERTIMES UNPAID AND UNHINGED
WHY WE SHOULD ABOLISH THE UNPAID INTERN COMPLEX OPINION
by Hiral Patel Opinion Editor
It’s that time of year for college students, care of first. In summary, the famously where we put forward our heavily revised controversial Congresswoman Alexandria resumes and present the best version Ocasio-Cortez said, “Experience doesn’t of ourselves to receive an interview. pay the bills!” Internships are hard to earn in general, This extra weight on top of a busy but you know what’s harder? Earning an schedule and lack of pay not only internship that pays. discourages students while they are in As college students, we have enough school but even when they are looking to burnout from rigorous coursework, settle for a job. Unpaid internships usually extracurriculars, training (especially if you include tasks that are basic and quick to are a student-athlete), keeping up with learn at paid internship opportunities. One our relationships and working a job to pay thing that paid internships provides is a for rent and other wants and necessities. valuable experience for the participating Imagine the weight it would take off of a students; they receive direct firsthand student’s shoulders if the internship they experience for the career path of their applied to would substitute for the job they choice and a gateway to the job that had to work to pay rent? they want. The National Association of I understand that paid internships exist, Colleges and Employers conducted a study but they are not as common as unpaid including 9200 undergraduate seniors internships. Low-income students are back in 2013 and found that “63.1% of disproportionately affected by the unpaid students with a paid internship under their internship complex more than other belt had received at least one job offer. But students. Don’t get me wrong, unpaid only 37% of former unpaid interns could internships must burn out other students say the same—a negligible 1.8 percentage that work, train and have extracurricular points more than students who had never activities too. It’s just that they tend to interned.” The stakes are much higher have an easier time with expenses than right now than they were seven years ago. low-income students. These students Suppose there was roughly a two-point Image courtesy of Mohamed Hassan via Pixabay have to prioritize working a job with the difference between the ability to get a job opportunity cost of gaining experience without an internship and with an unpaid just because the internship does not pay internship back then. In that case, the Internships arose in the early 1900s but Why let such a mentally straining, appalling. This barrier has brought a lot of statistic must be significantly smaller now. gained popularity in the 1930s when the Fair directionless and exploitative thing attention to the Association of American Aside from the students’ point of view, Labor Standards Act (FLSA) considered exist? They are objectively and morally Colleges and Universities (AACU) on the this power dynamic between employers interns as nonemployees as long as they do unethical, yet they are in practice because idea of reducing internship inequity. They and interns is unethical. Why are employers not qualify as a ‘primary beneficiary.’ ADP the law allows it. Unpaid interns are closely said that “The lack of affordability of both exploiting the work ethic of college explains that when a primary beneficiary related to prisoners who are often working internships and, more broadly, a college students by paying them in “experience?” test is taken, the court decides who receives towards a falsely-hoped outcome with education, leaves low-income students at Sometimes employers scam students into more benefits in the relationship between no compensation. Abolishing the unpaid a significant disadvantage in a competitive believing that they are earning something the intern and the employer. This act is why internship complex advocates for a lot, labor market.” Although it may be true that by providing college credit, but let’s not there has been a major increase in different especially when you are a college student regardless of the pay, the internship will forget that students must enroll in a types of internships with basic tasks that sacrificing your mental and physical health (somewhat) help your resume, but many course designated for their internship that companies do not gain much from in terms for a spot with the major leaders of any students do not have that opportunity adds to tuition cost. Both the public and of their service’s outcome—they don’t industry in this country. because they have survival needs to take private sectors are guilty of this measure. benefit as much as the intern.
NINERTIMES.COM APR. 20, 2021 5 A&EA&E
by Gretchen Clarke Image courtesy of Intern Interscope Records
Lana Del Rey has been a had a uniquely old-fashioned posts—were cancel-worthy. It “I’m on the run with you, my which differs from some of her household name in the U.S. ever sound and shocking lyrics, will certainly be interesting to sweet love / there’s nothing wrong previous albums where she would since her music’s appearance making her stand out from the see if the new album, which puts contemplating God / under the frequently mention New York in the 2013 rendition of “The mainstream pop music scene. a quieter twist on her usual sad chemtrails over the country club.” as she is from the East Coast Great Gatsby” and her hit single The past couple of years have and dreamy sound, will widen Although the vocals are equally originally. There are only three “Summertime Sadness” gained been riddled with minor political or weaken the Lana fan base. eerie, “Tulsa Jesus Freak” is the features total on “Chemtrails Over popularity and radio play after controversies regarding Rey, “Chemtrails Over The Country third track, and it is slightly The Country Club,” consisting its release in 2012. Despite her and many felt that some of her Club” comprises 11 songs, making faster-paced than the first two of Nikki Lane on “Breaking Up level of popularity, she has always actions —mostly Instagram it Lana’s shortest tracklist since songs of the album. As the Slowly” and Zella Day and Weyes her debut album “Paradise.” album continues with tracks like Blood on the last track, “For The album begins with the song “Wild At Heart,” which consists Free,” a Joni Mitchell cover. “White Dress,” which features of acoustic instrumentals and While this album had a quieter soft piano and eerie vocals. The Lana singing in falsetto “I left and more eerie feel compared title track, “Chemtrails Over Calabasas, escaped all the ashes / to previous fan favorites such as The Country Club” follows, Ran into the dark / And it made “Born To Die,” “Lust For Life” and is the only song from the me wild, wild, wild at heart” and and “Norman F****** Rockwell,” album released first as a single. “Not All Who Wander Are Lost,” Lana Del Rey’s signature sound It keeps consistent with the first a song about traveling on tour continues to shine through in track’s melancholic sound and with someone, it becomes clear her rich and breathy vocals and tells the story of Lana Del Rey’s that a major theme of the album is dramatic lyrics telling romantic group of girlfriends and siblings freedom from responsibility and stories. Whether you love or hate who are featured on the album societal standards. Of course, any her, there is no denying that Lana cover and allegedly inspired Lana Del Rey album is expected Del Rey has her own unique style much of the tracklist. While the to tell the stories of heartache that consistently stands out from singer has stated that the song is and sadness. These themes are other pop artists and has inspired portraying a story of friendship, present throughout this tracklist, other musicians in the past couple this message wouldn’t necessarily particularly on “Dark But Just A of years. While remaining true to be abundantly clear to listeners. Game” and “Breaking Up Slowly.” herself, it is clear that Lana’s sound Parts of the song could potentially Interestingly, she mentions only has matured with every album also tell the story of two happy Mid-Western and West Coast she’s released so far, keeping fans lovers. The song opens with Lana’s locations on this album, including on their toes, always interested signature rich vocals singing, Nebraska, Yosemite and Tulsa, to see what she does next.
6 APR. 20, 2021 NINERTIMES In a recent issue, Niner Times Beltran’s knowledge of games with it from previous projects...I Beltran and his team did not content of “Mail Mole,” Beltran featured an “Indie Spotlight” affected what would eventually think the most important thing have to conquer this alone. “We continued, “I’m very proud of piece on “Mail Mole.” This 3D become his first full-fledged when starting a project like this were lucky to have Undercoders the depth of the move-set. We platformer came courtesy of gaming project in “Mail Mole.” is being comfortable with the (publisher) as a partner…so we see many speedrunners take a small development team of He mentions the development tools you’re using… so you can could avoid many of the usual advantage of the more complex recent college graduates based in of “Mail Mole” being conducted focus on the creative aspects mistakes you make when trying techniques to gain speed, and I Barcelona, Spain known as Talpa from a gameplay-centric of the development and not on to publish your first game,” think the game is best when you Games. It’s an all-around simpler perspective. “We were 100% the more technical ones.” That’s he said. However, the process really get into it and try to achieve experience than much of what focused on gameplay. We always not to say that development still came with its fair share of all gold medals. I’m proud of can be found in today’s gaming tried to keep in mind the famous went off without any hitches, challenges. “I was surprised by seeing players dig into the game market, but that works much anecdote from when Miyamoto though, as Beltran recalls, “one how difficult it can be to prepare we’ve been working on for years.” more to the game’s advantage than first started working on Mario of the greatest challenges was everything for the console stores; Above all else, Beltran seems anything. Angel Beltran of Talpa 64,” Beltran said. He referred getting the game to run at 60fps getting the approval for the to embody a complete affinity for Games discussed topics ranging to Nintendo developer Shigeru on Switch, both on docked and game itself wasn’t all that hard, the medium of video games. Now, from his personal experience Miyamoto’s determination portable mode.” A high and but preparing all the trailers, he and the rest of the talented with gaming, inspirations for to design Mario’s movement smooth performance target was a localized to every language, people at Talpa Games have taken “Mail Mole” and the challenges controls in 1996’s “Super Mario high priority for Beltran and his getting the correct ratings, the that passion and turned it into a that he and his team faced with 64” first, refusing to move on to team, and their efforts allowed OK for all the promo content, full-scale, market-ready project to bringing the game to market. other areas of the game until the them to achieve their goals. etc. was tougher (and slower) be enjoyed by people worldwide. From a young age, Beltran control was deemed to be perfect. “It took a while to achieve that than we expected,” Beltran said. Beltran stands as a strong example garnered a fascination with “We kinda followed that same good performance, and the most Beltran ended by explaining of how people of all kinds can games as a medium. “I’ve always design philosophy...focusing on demanding levels...were tough, what aspect of “Mail Mole” he was take their passions and turn them been interested in video games. gameplay and game-feel first to but it was worth it, and the best the proudest of, and the answer he into fulfilling careers, sharing That passion pushed me to start achieve a great user experience decision we made was to start provided was two-fold. “I’m very their passions and leaving behind studying for a game design and then building everything designing with Switch in mind, proud of having a ‘finished game’ their own creative marks. degree,” Beltran recounted. else around that,” said Beltran. so porting it to more powerful on the market…” said Beltran. *Mail Mole is currently “When I was a child, we didn’t Beltran also divulged some consoles was an easy task.” “As a student, I worked on tons of available across PS4, PS5, Xbox have any console at home, so behind-the-scenes insight into The challenges for Beltran small projects, but I never went One, Xbox Series Consoles, I remember sneaking into my the project’s creation. “We used and his team did not end with through the process of actually Steam, and Nintendo Switch cousin’s place to play the brand Unreal Engine 4 as the main technology. They also faced the releasing them, and I learned a new Super Nintendo titles and engine to create Mail Mole, mainly difficult task of getting their game lot from publishing Mail Mole.” being blown away by them.” because we already had experience published and distributed. Luckily, Honing more closely on the NINERTIMES.COM APR. 20, 2021 7 8 APR. 20, 2021 NINERTIMES The International Star Fifth-year player Gough a leader for Charlotte men’s golf OPINIONSPORTS by Amanda Olson Photo courtesy of Staff Writer Liberty/Andrew Snyder
From across the pond, Being a student-athlete with a in the Desert Intercollegiate. strong, being one of the biggest he can, offering his best advice. Charlotte men’s golf team sport like golf is anything but easy. Gough finished in the top 10, key factors of success. He loves to be the jokester on recruited a phenomenal addition You have to have your head in the shooting six-under par in the “Our team has got to be up the team to make everyone laugh to the Men’s Golf team. Fifth right space because golf is a major last round and a three-under there with some of the best team and have a good time, yet knows year golfer, John Gough, came mental game. There are such quick overall. With the numbers he chemistry in the country,” said the exact moment he needs to all the way from a small town: turnarounds from week to week. had been putting up, he was Gough. “When you can have trust flip his switch and get serious. Slough, just outside of London. The school work on the road is close to having a break through. in your teammates, you can play There is still work left to He has been playing since he just an added level of difficulty. At the Linger Longer your own game that much better.” be done and Gough is fully was a toddler and could barely Gough stresses the importance Invitational in Georgia, Gough is one of the biggest committed to finishing strong. hold a club. With his love for of good time management. Charlotte held the driving forces to the team’s With regionals and nationals still the game and strong passion “Nothing is worse than having first spot with an success. Being a fifth year, not on the way, it leaves for many lofty to succeed, he made this sport to cram homework in the night 11-stroke lead. only is he helping by putting goals yet to be accomplished. his lifestyle. Gough adds an before a tournament. You need The team finished up incredible scores, but also Gough is confident the team extra layer of fury that the team to be well rested,” said Gough. 25-under par. Not by being an outstanding will make it to regionals this has used during his tenure. To Gough, being a player on only did the team leader to his teammates. year and really believes Keeping on top, Gough the team is an absolute privilege. take home the gold, but so did Gough is good at they will make it to is reminded of all of his He is competing on the highest Gough. He became a medalist helping coach the nationals as well. “We inspirations from the game of level, against the strongest with his first career individual other players when have the team this year golf such as Tiger Woods and potential field in this division. His title at 13-under par. to do it for sure,” the head pro at his home club. hard work and dedication only Although Gough shared the said Gough. Wanting to be at their level of exemplify his utmost gratitude. lead for two rounds, the final Charlotte dedication, it pushed Gough The team has traveled to several round was when the clutch men’s golf will to practice that much more. states such as California, Florida, birdie came into play. It wasn’t take part in the Although the team only Georgia, and Alabama. There are until the 18th hole in the final Conference USA practices five days a week, it up to 21 teams to compete with round of which Gough birdied, Championships is very important to put in at the various matches. Charlotte taking the lead by only one starting April 26 the work every day to keep up is rising to the challenge by being shot. It was a very close match in Texarkana, with this fast-paced sport. one of the hardest teams to beat. but he hung in there the whole Arkansas. “There are no off days in This year has been an incredible time and remained focused. golf, the work never stops. It is season for the Niner men’s golf The team’s bond is truly up to us to keep grinding on team. Heading into California, helping this team remain so our own time,” said Gough. the team placed second overall 49ER PROFILE Hometown: Slough, England Year: Fifth-Year Wins: 1 Hole-in-ones: 1
NINERTIMES.COM APR. 20, 2021 9 Photo courtesy of Photo by Charlotte Athletics Chris Crews
Articles by Miles Ruder Asst. Sports Editor Back-to-back goals within a three- 31st minute off a header from Rebecca Charlotte men’s soccer is riding their Being a championship worthy minute span for Rice (12-2-1) in the first Keane inside the box after the ball was six-game win streak into Huntington, team takes hard work and winning half proved to be too much to overcome batted around. The headed ball went W.V., for a ranked matchup with the tough road games, which is as Charlotte’s (6-6) tournament to the far post just outside the reach Marshall Thundering Herd in the exactly what Charlotte has done run ended in the Conference of a diving save attempt from Abby season finale. This inner conference throughout the season. The 49ers are USA finals, losing to Rice, 2-0. Stapleton, putting the Owls up one. matchup will decide the winner of the unbeaten on the road, going 3-0- “Congratulations, first of all, to Callie Erickson scored Rice’s second conference and an automatic NCAA 1, including a 3-0 victory over Old Rice for deservedly winning the title,” goal of the game just two minutes tournament bid. Game time is set for 2 Dominion just two weeks ago. said Head Coach John Cullen after later. Madison Kent crossed the ball p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+. On the other hand, Marshall (8-2-2) the game. “We didn’t quite get to into the middle of the box, allowing The 49ers (6-2-1) enter the game has played consistently throughout the the levels of our performances that Erickson to boot the ball past Stapleton as the No. 12 team in the nation. . entire season and is the No. 9 team in we needed, particularly in the first to give Rice a two-goal cushion. Rice During that stretch, the 49ers have the country. Like Charlotte, the Herd half, and that’s a credit to Rice. They outshot Charlotte 7-0 in the first half outscored their opponents 11-1, with head into the matchup unbeaten in closed us down very quickly and we and took their 2-0 lead into halftime. their only goal allowed coming against conference, holding a 5-0-1 record got caught with the ball in key areas Charlotte made adjustments in the a ranked Kentucky team on March 7. in the league with the only draw and weren’t able to release pressure.” second half, but the aggressive play Charlotte made a goalkeeper change coming against Old Dominion. It was going to be an uphill battle couldn’t lead to goals. They managed halfway through the season, moving Marshall comes in as one of the better for the 49ers as Julia Patrum, one of six shots against Rice’s defense, but from Daniel Kuzemka to Austin attacking teams in the conference, the team’s leading scorers has been out only two were on goal, both of which Mullins. In the four games he’s started, scoring the third-most goals this year of the lineup the entire tournament. were saved. Their best chance to Mullins has saved 11 shots and allowed with 22. In comparison, Charlotte This proved to be an issue as Charlotte score came in the 86th minute when no goals, which has significantly has only scored 13 goals. Defensively, needed every offensive weapon they Sophie Sipprell redirected a cross that helped Charlotte’s undefeated stretch. both teams come in as the best in the could get against a Rice defense that hit the crossbar and bounced out. Charlotte is coming off a 1-0 victory conference, so these teams are the includes the C-USA Keeper and Despite the loss, the team will be over FIU on senior day, with the lone powerhouse programs in the league. Defensive Player of the Year in Bella returning most of its players with 13 goal coming from Preston Popp, his These two teams have met in the 2019 Killgore and Mijke Roelfsema. returning freshmen and players that sixth of the season. Popp has been C-USA championship game, where Charlotte struggled to stay on the had breakout seasons in Patrum and a bright spot for the 49ers, leading Marshall came out victorious in double attack in the first half as most of the Arteta. The biggest challenge for next the team in goals (6) and points overtime, 1-0. This was their first win time played was on the defensive side. year’s team will be replacing one of the (12). The junior forward has also over the Niners in program history. The Rice played aggressively on offense, program’s best goalkeepers in Stapleton. been awarded two Conference USA two met earlier that season, in which attempting four shots in the first 25 “The young players rose and got their Offensive Player of the Week awards. the game went to double overtime as minutes compared to Charlotte’s zero. first taste of the college experience. With a perfect 6-0 record in the well, but the match ended in a draw. Injuries started to pile up for the 49ers We will return so many young players conference, the 49ers have earned 18 Regardless of the outcome, as Alyssa Moler, one of the key defensive that hopefully this will kick off their points, just edging out Marshall with both teams are still likely to make pieces, exited the game with a leg injury college experience,” said Cullen. 16. With no conference tournament the NCAA tournament, but this in the 26th minute. This would play a The turnaround will be rather this season, Charlotte will have to matchup still has huge implications huge development in favor of Rice as quick as the 49ers will take win or force a tie to be crowned the on the conference champion. they scored two goals over a five-minute the field again this fall. title and earn their eighth conference span. The first goal scored came in the regular-season title in program history. Read the full story at ninertimes.com. 10 APR. 20, 2021 NINERTIMES DIY: FLORAL BOOKMARKS COLLECT AND CRAFT YOUR OWN BOOKMARKS FROM NATURE by Marina Klimova LIFESTYLE Staff Writer LIFESTYLE To all the book lovers, hippies, nature 2. Grab a book you won’t mind getting enthusiasts, poets and crafty types, this is a little pollen or dirt on, and arrange the the DIY project for you! flower the way you’d like it to be pressed. A wildflower bookmark is the kind of Close the book and pile on a few more gift or craft perfect for a spring day when heavy books on top. Wait two or more Dear Niner Times, everything outside your window is bursting weeks for it to dry completely. with blooms and green. This is when you go outside to collect every flower or leaf, 3. Then grab some cardstock or copy How to deal with losing friends write down your favorite snatches of verse, paper and write something short and song or book and put all of it together onto meaningful like a haiku, “Summer night/ by Julie Dam a slip of paper, keeping your place in a Even the stars/ Are whispering to each Staff Writer book instead of a random receipt or piece other.” Or maybe a bible verse like Proverbs One of the signs of growing up is are allowed to grieve the loss of your of whatever is next to you. 16:24, “Kind words are like honey, sweet to when your close friend group starts to friendships, especially the ones where I began making bookmarks from pressed the soul and healthy for the body.” Poetry get smaller. You start to lose touch with you expected to experience all of life’s four-leaf-clovers when I was in elementary is good too, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty.” high school and college friends almost adventures with each other. In any case, school, collecting clovers during recess. Cut it out and arrange it between the as soon as you graduate. So, how do you you should not invalidate or avoid your I wanted to preserve the luck just a little flowers on another piece of paper. deal with the loss of these bonds? feelings. Try expressing them by writing longer. Since then, I have honed the craft 4. Glue your final arrangement, tape it The first step is to not blame yourself in a journal or going to counseling into an art of botany, design, and meaning. up carefully with clear tape, or laminate or them for it. Lots of people grow apart sessions. It’s a hobby relating to the seasons and it better yet. I usually skip gluing it because of busy schedules and distance. Focus on and enjoy spending time presenting others with earth’s beauty. It’s onto another paper instead of a clear Rather than trying to find who or what with yourself. Once you feel ready to go enjoying the little things and meditating on background, but this is more difficult to is at fault, consider how else you can stay back to your routine, maybe you can pick what sparks happiness at that moment in tape since the plants stick with static and connected. If it still does not work out, at up an old hobby that you have not had time. get ruined in the process. least you made an effort. Try not to stress time for recently. It can be art, reading or Making wildflower bookmarks is a too much about it so that you can start playing games; anything that heals you. DIY project that is beautiful and full of 5. You are finished! You can now use to accept it. Remember to be your own best friend. meditation if you approach it with the right your bookmark, give it to your friends for You can cry and vent to others if you mindset. their birthdays, or hoard them for selfish feel sad, frustrated or disappointed. You Honestly, it’s a simple craft easily pleasure like I do. condensed into three steps that can either be stretched out into a meaningful Something to keep in mind is not to press experience or completed in 10 minutes, large flowers like roses because they don’t Photo by Marina Klimova save for the two weeks that the flowers dry very well and usually turn brown. Any are drying in the book. In short, you press flower that leaves a large bump when you flowers in a book, arrange the dried flowers close the book will most likely turn brown with a small quote, poem or bible verse, unless brown is the vibe you’re going for. and laminate or tape them together on a Flowers are awesome, but ferns and grasses piece of paper. More detailed steps follow also look cool, so after drying flowers, try below. pressing just about anything green in the yard. Also, pay attention to the seasons. 1. I have stacks and stacks of books filled Spring and summer have tons more with different plants and flowers from the interesting flowers to press, so don’t miss years I’ve been crafting bookmarks. Still, all that window. But, you would be surprised you need to start is to collect a flower, be it how cool, dry winter weeds can look! a dandelion from the side of the road or a Be creative! Plants can be so much cherry blossom from the park—careful not fun, and noticing all the flowers around to take too much because others should you is just another part of taking on the have the opportunity to enjoy the flowers. wildflower bookmark hobby.
NINERTIMES.COM APR. 20, 2021 11 WORKING AS A NAIL TECHNICIAN by Julie Dam Staff Writer I started working as a licensed nail people are getting their tax returns and can technician the summer after I turned 16, afford to treat themselves, and the weather and even though I have only ever worked starts to get warmer as well. part-time, it has been my main source I specialize in manicures and pedicures of income since then. Nail technicians with regular and gel nail polish. Other provide nail services to customers, usually people specialize in nail tips and acrylic in a salon or a spa, though they can work in applications, depending on what they like other locations as well. doing or what they can do well. What you do as a nail technician also depends on How to become a nail technician in what your salon does. Some places focus Photo Courtesy of Marko Milivojevic via Pixnio North Carolina on manicures and pedicures, while others cater to customers who want acrylic nails. To become a nail technician in North You can focus on the services you feel a full ten-hour day if your salon does Customers may be difficult, as they are Carolina, you need to complete a program comfortable doing because that would give not have shifts or if it does not rely on with any job. Some people are impossible with at least 300 hours in theory classes the customers the best results. appointments only. to please, some don’t want to pay for a and practice, and the cost of the program service after already getting it done, and depends on the school. After completing Pros and cons of being a nail Your pay depends on many factors, others have never gotten a pedicure before the program, you are required to take technician including how much business your salon in their life. You should be prepared to two state board exams—a written and a gets, the time of year, your speed at doing work with anyone. practical exam—and pass with a 75% or Pros: nail services, and the prices in your salon. higher. It pays well, no matter if you have The written exam covers topics such as a set weekly pay or if you get paid on nail anatomy and diseases, disinfection, commission. Most places let you keep all sanitation, manicure and pedicure your tips as well, which adds up quickly. procedures, basic chemistry and OSHA requirements. The practical exam judges Nail technician programs are relatively your ability to perform services like a basic short compared to that of cosmetologists, manicure with polish, nail tip application, estheticians and instructors. Going to nail acrylic application, and blood exposure school full time took me a little over two procedure. months to complete. If you go to a nail school in North Carolina, you do not have to test for a It is helpful to know about nail care and license in North Carolina if you want maintenance. You can take care of your to work in another state. For example, I own nails and fix any problems dealing currently have a nail technician license and with dry cuticles, hangnails, ingrown nails work in South Carolina, but I went to a and chipped nails. nail school in North Carolina. I applied to take my exams for the South Carolina state You can work on your social skills and board instead, and the requirements were customer service, learning how to grow similar. your clientele and network.
My experience as a nail technician Cons: It is a taxing job. You can strain your Since I have only worked as a part-time neck and back muscles from sitting down nail technician for the past five years, my too much. You also work with various experience is different from full-time chemicals that have long-term adverse workers. I work during busy months of health effects. the year, which runs from early March to September. Tax season usually marks the Some places are not flexible with beginning of the busy months because scheduling. You may be expected to work
12 APR. 20, 2021 NINERTIMES