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(08/22/20 4:00am)
The novel coronavirus has made an unlikely accessory a normal part of our everyday lives: masks. They are being worn in all sizes, fabrics and colors, and many people have taken the opportunity to express themselves in a new, novel way.
While a mask is technically an accessory, it’s also a necessity. Masks are important to lower the risk of contracting COVID-19. Learning to make a mask comfortable and fashionable is a must during this time.
There are different types of masks that are effective such as an N95, which should be reserved for health professionals, a three-layer surgical mask and homemade cotton masks. Finding a mask that works best for you is the first step in making a mask a real part of an outfit. Here are three tips to make sure your mask will never disappoint in keeping you safe and trendy.
Make it Comfy
Being comfortable in a mask is imperative. A basic tip to making a mask comfortable is, first, making sure it’s being worn correctly. The mask should cover your nose, mouth and chin. It should never be worn as a chin piece or an earpiece to ensure optimal protection.
Make it Match
Next, as one should with any outfit accessory, the mask should match or coordinate with the outfit. So it would be helpful to keep at least one mask in each staple color: black, white, nude and grey.
Make it Fashion
After the basics are covered, some trendsetters have added their own flair, bringing the mask and outfit coordination together. Some people even wear two masks; one to do the job of protecting and one over the other for style. I’d recommend finding a mask that is effective in protecting you. In this case cloth masks are ideal because they can protect the wearer and come in many different designs to match your personal style.
All in all, if your mask of choice is effective in keeping the coronavirus away, all is good, but it’s also nice to make it fun and fashionable with any outfit, just as you would with other accessories.
(11/23/19 9:00pm)
Leadership and humility are necessities on and off the football field. Redshirt junior and linebacker Sidney Otiwu has been showing both qualities this season.
Otiwu has been in the spotlight heavily since he set a new record Nov. 2 in Mercer’s game against Samford. Otiwu now holds Mercer’s school record of 14, for the most tackles in one game. He also continues to lead the football team defensively; he’s only had one interception this season.
The Buford, Georgia, native has been making remarkable moves since he was in high school. He was the team captain of his high school football team and elected as a member of the leadership council in 2015.
“Football plays into my skill set,” Otiwu said. “I’m really competitive. If I’m going to be playing, I’m going to be the best I can be.”
To credit for his knowledge of the game and performance on the field, Otiwu has been honing his skills in the sport since the seventh grade. As far as his collegiate football career goes, Mercer’s program has furthered his skills as a player.
“I’ve gotten better pretty much every year since I’ve been here,” Otiwu said.
The statistics and fans can attest to his growth as well. Otiwu has a career total of 70 solo tackles, 94 assists and 164 total tackles, according to Mercer Athletics. This year, he was also named SoCon defensive player of the week in November.
This season, Otiwu made history for the entire Mercer football team for 21 tackles in a single game, the largest total amount of tackles in a game. He played in 11 games this season and has 31 solo tackles, according to Mercer’s athletic website.
Play by play, Otiwu’s competitiveness kicks in. “I’m trying to beat the person in front of me every play. I don’t like losing more than anything,” said Otiwu.
While the season is about to come to a close, Otiwu still has one more year with the Bears. The last game of the season will be against North Carolina as the Bears are currently at a 4-7 season.
(10/27/19 6:11pm)
Most known for her breakout single “Girls Need Love,'' Summer Walker has been consistently releasing music since 2018. Her signature sultry, soulful sound has made her a stand-out artist in a short amount of time.
Walker’s debut album, “Over It,” was released on Oct. 4 and her fans, including me, are raving about it. Get ready to call your ex and hang up when they answer; her songs make you feel many emotions, from defeated anger to frustrated love.
Walker starts the album by telling the story of her attempt to cut off her ex, and as the album progresses, she dives deeper into the rest of her emotions. In this song, Walker shows a vulnerable side that is raw and human. The song entails a withdrawn, defeated tone as any breakup song would.
The song “Me” evokes a rush of relatable feelings. Walker sings about knowing better but choosing the worst, in the name of love. She dials it back to feel the full extent of her emotions, before spinning the pinwheel of feelings again. This song conveys a feeling of volatility about her struggle to decide how to address her partner. Although, Walker mentions she wouldn’t bring any harm, the instability of her emotions are definitely evident.
Walker features other artists on her tracks such as 6lack and PartyNextDoor. Their verses provide authentic, stereotypical male responses to the situations she sings about in her songs. Walker’s song with 6lack, “Like It” depicts her attempts to believe in her relationship again, while he only talks about his ulterior motives.
Two of her pre-released singles, “Playing Games” and “Girls Need Love,” are the last two songs on “Over It” and feature Drake and Bryson Tiller. Predictably, the two male artists played the remorseful, apologetic partner, ending off the album with the fated reconciliation of both a relationship and the two pieces of a broken heart.
Overall, Walker succeeded in taking us on an emotional rollercoaster we didn’t know we needed. Giving us raw, relatable emotions, she managed to work through a real-life situation in 18 songs. Like many other R&B artists of her generation, Walker took another step in the right direction for soulful music.