 Story & Photos by Madi Zick, Chief Multimedia Editor Every year at family gatherings there is always at least one relative who asks, “Do you have a boyfriend?” And every year the same question is answered with a “no,” with harsh looks from said relative.
Why does it matter if you have a significant other in life or not? Being single through the holidays can be an easy job with tips from someone who knows first-hand.
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Winter is almost here. Temperatures have already dropped below freezing this season. Thousands of people die each year from winter related car accidents and more than 100,000 are injured each year. Snow and ice are to be expected during Oklahoma winters. Below are a few tips to keep drivers safe on snowy or icy roads this winter:
• Keep ice scraper and Deicer in your vehicle. • Do not pour hot water on iced windshield, This could shatter your windshield. • Spray deicer on your car door handles if they're frozen in place. Pulling on then when frozen can shatter plastic handles. • Drive slow. Driving fast on icy roads can make you lose control on your car. • Keep a cell phone with you and make sure it is fully charged in case of emergencies. • People driving long distances to visit family should be aware of the weather conditions ahead of time and inform family and friends expecting them of their planned route and arrival window. • Do not use cruise control when driving in slippery conditions. • Avoid driving under difficult conditions when possible. • Do not follow other cars too closely. Give yourself enough space to brake. • Keep at least one blanket and phone charger in your vehicle. • Bridges freeze faster than any other part of the road. Slow down when approaching a bridge. Recipe by Michelle Rojano Ingredients:
• Fresh Strawberries or any other berries of choice • 1lb of Mexican sour cream, other types of sour cream may be used, but taste will vary. • 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk Directions: Wash all the strawberries. Optional: Cut off the stems of the strawberries and cut them into slices. The size of slices can vary by preference. Whole strawberries can also be used. Pour all of the sour cream into a large bowl. Pour about half of the can of sweetened condensed milk into the large bowl with the sour cream. Use a whisk to mix together until thoroughly combined. Taste the cream mixture. Add more to taste if necessary. I personally use about two thirds of the can, but if a sweeter cream is desired, more can be used. Place the strawberries in a cup or bowl and pour desired amount of cream over. Enjoy. Story by Michelle Rojano Social media has become a daily hobby in many people’s lives. About 77 percent of the U.S. population was active on social media in 2018, according to Statista, and around 92 percent of teens access the internet daily. Although social media can be a useful tool for many, there is a risk of exposing young children and teens to content and attention they may not be mentally prepared for. Popularity Similar to school experience, kids and teens strive to fit in and be liked on social media. Except now, there is a measurable amount of “likes” and attention. “For younger people, likes are really important to the popular people because they have to have a certain number of likes or they aren’t good enough,” high school senior Tapangia Richardson said. Forty-three percent of teens ages 13-17 delete posts because they have not received enough likes and even feel negatively about themselves when no one likes or comments on the posts according to Common Sense Media. Copying trends for likes and shares People of all ages can quickly immerse themselves in viral trends. The Harlem Shake, Ice Bucket Challenge, Baby Shark, Kiki Challenge, Duck-face Photo, Tide Pod, California Reaper Challenge, Cinnamon Challenge are just a few examples of viral videos that influenced many. Some of these trends can be positive, like giving food and money to the less fortunate, but the majority are strictly for entertainment. “Social media is not healthy for young adults because one person does something stupid, like eating a tide pod, and it’s now the thing to do and is the latest challenge,” said Richardson. Influenced content does not strictly stop at video challenges; it also includes fashion, makeup, photos and body trends. According to Shareablee, seven out of pthe top 10 social media influencers are female celebrities, including Kylie Jenner as number one, Kim Kardashian as number five and Nicki Minaj as number eight. According to Dr. Elizabeth Boger, professor of psychology, research has proven consumers are in fact impacted by media. She also mentioned how younger audiences are more vulnerable to fads, diets and fasts endorsed by celebrities. “Adolescence is a period where a person's appearance becomes more important to them--for a variety of reasons. Given the increased importance of a person's perceived appearance and the ease of access to celebrity images, it's pretty easy to see why celebrities can have such an impact,” Boger said. Social media influencer’s lips and bodies have been the cause of many girl’s photos, poses and purchases. From posting selfies almost identical to the influencer’s to overlining lips, it is obvious these celebrities have led and contributed to photo, makeup and body trends. “Celebrities do have an impact on young followers … a lot of celebrities are really skinny and almost so skinny it’s not healthy and they are considered beautiful. Also, celebrities help inspire young kids to become the next celebrity, or just like the celebrity,” Richardson said. Body Image Body image is referring to how people view themselves. Body Dysmorphic Disorder is when someone has a consistent issue with an imagined or minor flaw, according to Mental Health America. “Research varies on the percentage of the population with BDD, due to the potential for underreporting,”, Dr. Broger said. “It is a disorder where people seek to be less noticeable, as opposed to more noticeable, and how marked the disorder is changes over time and may be more or less intrusive at different points in a person’s life. The most recent statistics I've seen indicate around 2.4% of the population has it, but again there may be many more people who don't realize that's what they're suffering.” Constantly comparing one’s body to others is a symptom of the disorder. Social media is an easy way for ordinary people to compare themselves to celebrities and people in their own lives. This explains the trend of portraying the body and look of popular people on social media. Most women will use makeup to look better and hide flaws. Recently, the feature of plump lips and perfectly shaped eyebrows has overtaken the internet. Women have quickly fallen into the trend by showing off their makeup looks of dark, similarly shaped eyebrows and by viewing tutorials on how to overline lips to appear larger thousands of times. Illusion of Social Media Not only can social media be taxing for users comparing themselves to Instagram models, but it can also be exhausting for influencers. Many YouTubers and Instagram models have fallen off the map or begun to change their content to real life content. Evenlina, Youtuber and influencer, has recently shared a video describing her experience in keeping up the lifestyle she portrayed in social media and how the industry is full of people living double lives for likes and views. “I spent a couple of hours getting ready, doing my makeup, doing my hair, setting up the lighting and everything and I look in the camera and it doesn’t look right... In my heart, I know that I am not ugly or a super insecure person but for [making content] I get so much anxiety, so much stress over how I look on camera as I am filming and I am doing it right now, I am already running all of the negative comments…” According to Dr. Boger, it is easy for people to confuse a person’s looks with their expertise about a subject. If someone loses weight easily and is considered beautiful, it is easy for people to consider them experts on the subjects of beauty and health. People will be more likely to trust their advice. “A celebrity who lost a lot of weight after an illness, pregnancy, or other situation may mention their favorite fast/cleanse/diet… but they may not mention the personal trainer, the many hours each day spent working out, the expensive food prepared by someone else and many other factors that allow them to lose weight quickly,” said Dr. Boger. Body Disorders Social media can make vulnerable people an easy target for bullying. It is widely known that young users have gone as far as taking their lives due to online bullying. Even adult users fall prey to wide scale ridicule; characters like Sweet Brown, Walmart yodeling boy and many others have turned into internet jokes. Although the attention can turn positive in many of cases, for others, it can push them to extreme actions. Social media is not the sole cause for bulimia, depression or anorexia, but it can trigger those who are vulnerable. “Of American elementary school girls who read magazines, 69 percent say that the pictures influence their concept of the ideal body shape, 47 percent say the pictures make them want to lose weight,” according to National Eating Disorders Association. Americans have now replaced written media with online websites and social media, meaning young people have the same content at higher volumes and readily available. Although less prominent, National Eating Disorders Association also linked photos and media to men’s body image. Body Positivity Despite the risks, social media has begun to make a push into body positivity and natural beauty. Victoria Edmond, Owner of Burden Free Cosmetics, focuses her brand on not making people not only look beautiful, but also feel beautiful, “ [Our goals] are to encourage women to radiate their unique beauty from the inside out.” As a young woman herself, she is no stranger to the challenges social media poses to self-love. “When we try to be like each other we are missing that gold mine of diversity,” Edmond said. Worldwide brands have also begun to support body positivity and diverse beauty. Aerie has recently launched a campaign featuring models of all weight,sizes and disabilities. Dove has also joined the movement, featuring women and children of all sizes and backgrounds into their advertisements. Brands like Fenty by Rihanna have added to the otherwise limited range of makeup for women of darker skin tones. From true nude lip shades for darker complexions to foundations that match a wider range of darker skin tones. Nike has even begun selling its first ever sports hijab. The support of brands in diversity campaigns helps people embrace individuality. Healthy Use of Social Media It is important for adults to take steps to monitor children’s and teens social media use. Parents should have an idea of their children’s online activity without reading absolutely everything that is posted or read by their children. Boger recommends avoiding intrusive behavior since it could lead to hostility. She also recommended limiting social media use. The average teen uses social media eight hours a day. Limiting the use could help teach them time management skills. It is also important to lead by example. “Children, including teens, are acutely aware of their parents’ behavior, including hypocrisy,” said Boger. She explained parents who use social media in a positive way are likely to have better results in how their kids use social media vs parents who are on social media eight hours a day and use their social media in a negative way. Social media has proven to have the power to kick-start change. Activist movements like Black Lives Matter movement, Me Too movement and many fundraisers have began online. Besides political movements, people have been able to find true love, support groups, keep up with news or learn about cultures from around the world through social media. Thanks to the massive reach of social media, the world has had a chance to change for the better.  Story & Photos by Courtney Carpenter Erin Logan, the chief conduct and Service Learning officer, came to Rose State in May 2017. She is currently a full-time employee and is enrolled at West Chester University where she will receive her doctorate in public administration. Logan and her husband adopted their son, Henry, a year ago and she loves watching him learn and grow. She has a busy life and the items in her bag are evident of that. Here is a peek at the items typically found in Logan’s bag:
Wallet: “I’m old, so I still carry a checkbook. My wallet is also Kate Spade, which I love. My husband actually gave me this wallet when I started here as a ‘congratulations on your new job.” Textbook: “I had a chapter I needed to read today so I kept my book with me to read during my lunch.” Snacks: “Applesauce and an orange. I’m a mom. I have a 13-month-old so I have to have snacks at all times. The orange is for me though.” Lip Gloss: “It is kind of ridiculous how much lip gloss I carry with me. I even have some on my desk.” Pens: “They have to be this exact kind.” Gloves: “I never use them.” Business cards: “When I’m out, I ask people where they go to school and I try to convince them to come to Rose State.” Junior League name tag: “I never know when I’ll need to represent the League.” Journal: “Also Kate Spade.” Ear buds: “I didn’t even know those were in there.” Story & Photos by Kessley Miller  As college students, it can be difficult to find the extra money to spend on extravagant vacations or fun events. With the high cost of college, prioritizing how to spend money is crucial to be able to budget school, everyday expenses and leisure activities. It can be overwhelming to make plans for spring break with so many expenses, but here are some options to have a memorable spring break this year without leaving the Oklahoma.
1. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge: Located in Lawton, this is a short hour and a half drive from the Oklahoma City Metro. Here you will find many activities to do such as nature walks, fishing, rock climbing and beautiful scenery overlooking the mountains. A great time to go would be during the sunset as the sky changes colors from blue to a pastel pink. 2. The Plaza District: This artistic area of Oklahoma City has a number of eccentric shops, restaurants and beautiful murals to look at while venturing from shop to shop. Here, you can eat some pizza at Empire Slice House, get an ice cream at Roxy’s Ice Cream Social and then have a photoshoot in front of one of the many murals. 3. Turner Falls Park: Located in Davis, an hour and 15 minute drive down I-35 South, there is a blue waterfall that flows into a pond that is available to the public to swim in on warmer days. In this park, there is also zip lining, hiking trails, picnic areas, etc. Be sure to stop by The Arbuckle Fried Pies, right outside of the park, for a sweet treat as well. 4. Oklahoma City Zoo: For all the animal lovers out there, this is the place for you. A new elephant exhibit allows visitors to walk out on a deck overlooking the elephants and watch them in their habitat. Patrons can be on the lookout for the latest addition to the herd. Baby elephant Kairavi was born in October 2018. Prices are $11 for adults and $8 for children and senior citizens. 5. The Escape OKC: Put your mental abilities to the test at The Escape OKC. Visitors are immersed in the mid dle of a scene that requires working together as a group to figure out the puzzle and “escape” from the room before time runs out. For group rates, the prices start out at $24. 6. Oklahoma City Museum of Art: Located in the heart, Downtown Oklahoma City, the OKCMOA is home to one of the largest glass sculptures ever created by Dale Chihuly. The current exhibit hosted by OKCMOA is Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West which opened Feb. 1 and is here until May 26. Admission is $12 for adults, but with a group of 15 or more, admission is just $7 each. 7. iFly Indoor Skydiving: For the thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies out there, this is the perfect place. Located in northwest Oklahoma City, this indoor facility allows customers to suit up and actually have the experience of skydiving from indoors. After practicing with an instructor, the visitor steps inside a giant cylindrical tube that gives the feeling of falling from the sky. Prices range from $59.95 to $86.95 depending on the type of flight. 8. Great Salt Plains State Park: A unique state park located in Northern Oklahoma, this park allows visitors to walk on grounds that are about half as salty as the ocean. Visitors are able to literally lick the ground to taste the salt. 9. Pops: Take a short drive to Arcadia up Route 66 and enjoy a refreshing soda from Pops. There are more than 700 drinks to choose from and diner-style cooking with vibrant walls that are covered in different soda bottles. There is also a great place for a photo opportunity in front of the giant soda bottle in the parking lot. 10. Beavers Bend State Park: This state park is located in the southeastern area of Oklahoma. Visitors can try activities such as float trips, canoeing and horseback riding. There are many beautiful scenic views of this mountainous region. This state park would be the perfect place for a weekend or day trip. 11. Washita Battlefield National Historic Site: This site is the location of Lt. Col. George A. Custer’s surprise attack on the Cheyenne Village of Peace Chief Black Kettle. This site is home to a tragic event in history and now visitors are able to learn what truly happened on the Washita River by going on ranger-led tours, seeing the Washita Native Garden and experiencing views of the Washita River Valley. 12. Oklahoma City Underground: At this hidden gem underneath Oklahoma City, visitors are able to walk around brightly colored lit up tunnels. These tunnels connect parking garages and businesses. This is a place to have photoshoots and see an artistic perspective of what were once just normal walkways. 13. Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum: Walking around the grounds of what is left of the Alfred P. Murrah building is an uneasy experience, but learning about the history of that fateful day in April 1995 shows visitors the impact Oklahomans made when they were able to come together. 14. Oklahoma lakes: Oklahoma is home to the most man-made lakes in the United States and they are all over the state. There are options to go to nearby lake or take a road trip, and there is even the choice between visiting a large lake or small lake. There are so many activities to do at a lake, such as camping, fishing, nature walks, boating or having a campfire. 15. Wheeler Ferris Wheel: Located within the Wheeler District of OKC, this Ferris wheel was originally from California, but is now open and offers rides to visitors. This Ferris wheel is now an iconic landmark in Oklahoma City. No matter what your budget is this spring break, there are so many different options that a person has to make it a memorable week. Expensive trips might not be realistic, but grabbing a group of family or friends and going to do something new is always special. For more ideas of activities or places to visit, go to www.travelok.com. Story & Photo by Carmen Jacobs  “It’s not what’s on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts,” and other similar sayings are frequently quoted when it comes to the subject of attraction. The media perpetuates the narrative that physical appearance should not be a factor in the pursuit of romantic relationships. Simultaneously, the media contradicts this and maintains a fixation on superficial, aesthetic qualities and continually inundates the public with templates of what an attractive person should look like. The entertainment, fashion, makeup,social media and dating app industries are some of the biggest culprits.
For example, Tinder is a popular dating app structured in a way that forces its users—all 50 million of them—to choose potential partners based almost purely on their looks. This allows users to find dates quickly and maximize their chances of finding a desirable partner. The media’s impact on the degree to which people value aesthetic is undeniably powerful. However, as powerful as it may be, is it the only factor influencing human attraction? Or are there internal, individualistic factors that influence whom one is attracted to? In every corner of the world, there is diversity in the attractiveness of people in relationships. If people had to fit society’s image of beauty to date, only a miniscule amount of people would be in relationships. So what else is it that drives physical attraction? Humans are born with a psychological mechanism that causes individuals to almost exclusively seek relationships with people in their own perceived realm of physical attractiveness. However, the main key to this concept is that this behavior is not only involuntary, but subconscious. It does not just apply to people turning a blind eye to those deemed less attractive than them; the principle also applies to people deemed more attractive than them. Of course, there are many couples who exhibit drastically varying levels of attractiveness who appear to be exceptions to this rule. Non-physical, features such as money, power, status and fetishization can, and often do, impact relationship pairings. Still, these relationships cannot be fully regarded as “exceptions” to the scientific rule. According to Rose State Psychology Professor Dr. Richard Wedemeyer, people make the conscious decision to date someone for superficial reasons. “This behavior is actually immoral, perhaps this is what people are thinking of when they think shallow.” As it seems, the stereotypical belief that people in unequal relationships are likely dating their partner for superficial benefits is relatively true. “This is why when we see an unlikely couple-an odd pairing walking down the street, we feel a bit of initial shock-we are a bit surprised. We feel this way for a reason—it’s not ‘normal’,” Wedemeyer said. Considering that shallow relationships are driven by ulterior motives, it is logical to conclude that these couples do not actually defy the psychological principle. These relationships are created with shallow, ingenuine intentions, sacrifice the core values of a true, healthy relationship are sacrificed. Even accounting for the impactful psychological factors, it is not surprising that someone in a high position of power would pursue a relationship with someone perceived to be far more attractive than them. The media gives society the impression that being in a relationship with someone seen as extremely physically attractive is a coveted accomplishment. This is one way the outer influence of the media still finds a way to override human nature and psychological instinct. All things considered, this situation also does not break the scientific rule: the described person above would not be seeking a true connection to begin a sincere relationship. Instead, their desires and impulses would be almost completely superficial. These examples and many others reflect how powerful the media’s influence can be on relationship formation and physical attraction. It is a powerful force that affects everyone in various ways. Yes, looks do matter—and not only because the media tells society they do. While the media’s outside influence does play significant role in relationships and attraction, the inner workings of the brain are what actually determines whom individuals view as an ideal match. In this respect, the aforementioned saying takes on a new meaning: “It’s not what’s on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside.” Styling and Maintaining Type 4 CurlsStory by Selena Williams Photos by Julie Archer  Although society does not have the ability to tell people what to do with their hair, it promotes a standard of what beauty should look like. The media’s representation of beauty is so narrow and people who are not confident in themselves can fall prey to altering their appearance in order to feel accepted.
According to Taniah Herron, a sociology major at Rose State, hair was considered to be good straight or wavy in her family. Taniah has type 4c curls and her mother, Tamica Webster, has type 3a curls. “Growing up even to this point, I still have people in my family that believe that good hair is biracial hair or straight hair,” Herron said. “You know, the finer the hair the better the hair or the more defined the curl is, the better it is. Still, to this day, I look at it like that, you know the easier your hair is to tame the better your hair is. So, you know I do like my hair, but at times I look at it like ‘Oh, I wish I had this person’s hair,’ because society tells us that’s what good hair is.” Soon-to-be aesthetician and Rose State biology major Olivia Tarver thought the same. “I feel that society tells us that natural hair should be straight and you shouldn’t embrace your curls,” Tarver said. “It took a while to start loving my naturally curly hair, but I think being natural made me look at myself like I'm worth more, it made me realize that I don’t need to be what society considers unique.” According to Herron, people prefer straight hair because it is considered to be more clean and classy. “I remember people coming up to me when I first really started wearing an afro, they would say, ‘oh, my gosh!’ I really love the wild hair,’” Herron said. “I don’t really know what that means; maybe they’re saying that curly hair is considered to be out of the ordinary and that’s what makes them feel so uncomfortable because nobody’s curl pattern is the same. No matter if you have 4a or 4c, we all have different curl patterns. Our hair flows a certain way whereas, with straight hair, you either have thick or thin.” Types 4a and 4c curl types do not have a defined curl pattern. It shrinks 70 percent more than any other hair texture. How to moisturize type 3 or higher natural curly hair Deep conditioning, oil treatments and hair masks are the best for keeping curly hair moisturized and fresh. “I think a person with naturally curly hair should deep condition twice a week,” Tarver said. “Also, what keeps your hair healthy are scalp massages, they will promote hair growth and blood circulation.” She also emphasized the need for leave-in conditioner. “Wet Line Xtreme Professional Styling Gel is a great gel to use on curly hair because it won’t make your hair feel crunchy. Some other products to use are Nairobi, Shea Moisture, TGIN (Thank God It’s Natural), Carol’s Daughter and Camille Rose Naturals Products.” How to maintain naturally curly hair “Protective hairstyles like braids and twists are a perfect way to maintain curly hair and to promote hair growth,” Tarver said. “Also, stay away from any products that contain alcohol, sulfates and parabens; use satin hair ties when you put your hair up in a bun or ponytail to avoid breakage.” It is also important to avoid over processing hair. “If a person with curly hair wants to switch up their hairstyle, I recommend them straightening their hair only once or twice a year,” Tarver said. In spite of societal standards often determining what is considered beautiful, curly hair is natural and learning to care for it can help women better appreciate themselves. For a hair texture quiz, visit naturallycurly.com. Story and Photos by Tanner Pipins  Springtime may not be in full bloom, but plant lovers can still visit thousands of plant varieties for free at the Myriad
Botanical Gardens. Oklahoma City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens opens its doors to the public for free tours on the last Saturday of each month. From 10-11 a.m., the guided tours will take visitors down two different paths: “Plants for Water Conservation” and “Plants for Color.” Located on the southwest corner of Reno and Robins the 13,000-square-foot Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory serves as the home to about 2,000 different types of plants. The outside grounds of the garden include a collection full of 13 plants native to Oklahoma. After becoming a non-profit organization in Oklahoma City in 2014, the Gardens started the Myriad Gardens Walking Tour. That became a tradition after its inception and has served the community ever since. On a month-to-month basis, the Gardens usually has about 20 guests per tour. “The Myriad Botanical Gardens is one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved public spaces,” said Joel Bramhall, the director of education at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. “Offering its visitors a 15-acre natural escape in the very heart of Downtown, it provides our guests, young and old, with a place to seek solitude with nature, or seek community and the company of others.” Additionally, there are attractions and expansions happening to the Gardens. The Visitors Center, located on the south end of the Gardens, is two months into its most recent remodel. Coming soon is Scissortail Park, which is a 70-acre expansion under the Umbrella Organization that will open later this year. As of right now, they are anticipating a September or October grand opening. For more information on bookings and tours, visit oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com. |
AuthorThe 6420 is a student publication at Rose State College. Archives
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