Unfortunately, the majority of Shorter’s student population doesn’t see it that way. If you haven’t noticed, parking lots on campus are normally barren on the weekends. Most students would rather go home and see their family (what’s at home, anyway?) than enjoy the complete college experience.

Yet, the idea of going home every weekend in college baffles me because one of the main reasons why students leave home is exactly for that purpose – to get out on their own, meet new people and engage in new experiences apart from their family.

Being on your own is an essential part of growing up, and the weekend life in college can be filled with wonderful memories.

Take, for example, the opportunities afforded to a student on the weekend. The chance to see a baseball game, a game of two-hand touch football in the front circle or a night on the town with friends are all fun activities that can help students balance their social life with their hectic academic schedule.

Some may think there is nothing fun to do in Rome, but I beg to differ. Broad Street in Rome is lined with plenty of restaurants that have good food and occasionally decent music. Here’s a few of them: Mellow Mushroom, Johnny’s New York Style Pizza, El Zarape, Jefferson’s, Honeymoon Bakery and Swift and Finch.

The Rome Braves are just 10 minutes down the road (for the late spring and early fall months); there’s even a movie theater at Mount Berry Square. Plus, you can always play a harmless prank on one of your friends in the dorms (notice I included the word, “harmless”).

So, next time the weekend rolls around, stick around and smell the roses (Nope, it’s not a figure of speech. Get out of the house or wherever you live on campus and become one with nature.)

Daniel Farias
Editor-in-Chief
daniel.farias@hawks.shorter.edu

With all this year’s Super Bowl had to offer, the halftime antics left much to be desired.

Let’s start with Lady Gaga’s performance. The pop sensation of our era opened the spectacle with “God Bless America” followed by “This Land Is Your Land,” according to cnn.com. Then, she transitioned into her signature song “Poker Face” and delivered performances of “Born this Way,” “Telephone” and “A Million Reasons.”

It was clear in her performance that Lady Gaga was trying to send a political message to those watching. The message was one of unity and inclusion for all people. It’s exactly what’s wrong with American pop culture.

Celebrities make political statements all the time and supporters applaud them. It seems that every famous person in Hollywood leans to the liberal left. If Lady Gaga disapproved of LGBTQ rights, I wonder how much support she would have actually received.

Not only does the political discourse continue to rise from Hollywood, but the halftime show itself has become a spectacle of America’s infatuation with bad costumes and superficial performances lacking any musical substance.

Lady Gaga’s performance was not legendary. It was the same-old, same-old from the music industry that is turning talented people like Lady Gaga into mere products of our substandard tastes in music.