This small group makes difficult decisions as they plan an entire music festival together. Since the fall, this group has met periodically to put together an event for students to enjoy near the end of the school year.

Beginning in 2022, students have had the opportunity to watch local bands perform at Equinox Music Festival. Located outside Botsford/Swinford Hall, the one-day event is the result of the hard work done by the team that organizes it.

The festival is arranged by the College of Communication, Information, and Media living-learning community (CCIM LLC), a group of student volunteers and Ball State Housing and Residence Life. After all the behind-the-scenes planning, the bands get to display the effort they put into making an entertaining show. After a year off in 2024, the festival was revived in April 2025 and returned in 2026.

Aaron Hicks, an Academic Peer Mentor (APM) for the CCIM LLC, led the student team of organizers. He ran each meeting and acted as a bridge between the students and faculty involved with the event.

He's guided the team through any barriers they have faced, such as working with less time than in past years. Instead of a full day, the event was changed to four hours in the evening.

"Dwindling the list down from upwards of 20 bands down to something more like five, it was a big challenge for us," he said. "I think we worked through it pretty well and picked a really strong selection of bands that we're really excited to hear."

While the APM plans and creates student events for each month, Equinox is a much longer process. It involves working with the City of Muncie, reserving all equipment and connecting with the bands.

Since beginning work on this project in September, Aaron believes he's learned new skills from collaborating with the group he led.

"I think this experience with Equinox has really helped me to lead a team of people, [it's] not something that I've had the most experience in in the past," Aaron said.

On March 26, 2022, the first Equinox Music Festival occurred, featuring seven bands. The following year, the festival took place inside the Botsford/Swinford multi-purpose room instead of on the dorm's patio.

In 2025, the festival was back outside, happening in April without snow or rain.

Morgan Jones worked on the team for the 2025 festival during her first year. Guided by APM Madelyn Bracken, Morgan enjoyed the experience she gained in a field that she was studying. She got the opportunity to interview bands and help decide what was best for the festival.

"It felt like I was never able to interview someone and write about someone, and this was a good opportunity for that," she said.

Morgan believes that events like Equinox are important to have on campus for students to see and for local bands to showcase their talents.

"Equinox specifically was really cool because local music is very underappreciated, especially in places like Muncie," she said. "We're a college town, so there [are] lots of young people who are doing crazy things."

This year, the festival stayed in the same place but had some changes. Because the festival was just four hours, only five bands were featured. But the group hoped this change would encourage more people to stay for the entire festival and see all the bands.
To make the festival come to life, the group of students decided on plans for possible live streams, social media and technical needs. They worked with CCIM LLC faculty to get opinions and approval on ideas they had.

First-year student Charley Isaacs was a part of the group and remembers the barriers they faced during the year. He recalled that they had to overcome disagreements and were "trying to work together and decide fully what we all want."

For all of the planning they did, they worked on one piece at a time. Starting with smaller things and working their way up to larger decisions.

"We figure out how long it's gonna be and the date, and we get that figured out. Then it's 'Okay, now we actually have the bands ... now it's 'Okay, we have concrete stuff, let's get the ball rolling,'" Charley said.

Joining the Equinox planning group was open to CCIM students wanting to help out. At the beginning of his journey at Ball State, Charley was looking to get involved on campus in any way. When he learned about the opportunity to join Equinox, he felt like it matched his interests.

"I love music, and I thought putting this together would be a really good, fun opportunity," Charley said. "I was interested in live stream and all the technical stuff because I've ran a lot of really long live streams before."

The final task of organizing was posting promotional content on Instagram on the day of the festival. Then in April, the group was able to see the product of their hard work.

Not only did they get to enjoy the performances of each band, but they also watched their peers have fun.

For Aaron, not only has he gained valuable experience from planning this event, but he has also enjoyed working with the students involved. He was most excited to see them and the bands enjoy and experience the festival.

"We have such a really passionate team here, and a really amazing group of bands, who were all so excited to be there," he said. "Just seeing all that passion in one place, putting this whole thing together for everybody to watch, I'm just really excited for that."

Looking back on Taylor Swift's 12th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD),the album never got the appreciation it deserved during its initial release. Getting to look inside Swift's personal life during The Eras Tour felt so intimate and special, making for a deeply emotional and detailed album. With all of the easter eggs pointing to the number two as well as the double album of TTPD and The Anthology, it feels fitting to revisit the album on its second anniversary.

An Album of Depth

The best thing about the album is the depth to which Swift goes to explain her feelings. Although listeners will never know the full story of the album-adding some mystery to Swift's personal life-her songwriting makes for a detailed and descriptive retelling of the crash and burn of a long-burning relationship, as well as an intense and passionate short-term relationship that was destined to fail.

On all physical versions of Swift's albums, she writes a prologue to introduce the album to the listener, and TTPD is one of the most beautifully written prologues in her discography. The metaphors within the writing are very clever. A personal favorite line of mine is, "and so I was out of the oven and into the microwave." Swift explains both relationships she experienced through this album with such a simple line as comparing an oven and a microwave. Both appliances are made to cook whatever's inside, but one does it by slowly heating up over a long period of time until it's done, while the other takes less time, but does it in an intense and radioactive way. "He never even scratched the surface of me. None of them did," is one of the most Taylor Swift lines to be written by her, and it came 18 years into her career, not even on an album track. The prologue to the album is some of her best writing, and I urge anyone who skipped it to go back and read it. It's a perfect look inside her brain during her writing process.

The writing on the album itself is hauntingly beautiful. The metaphors are so rich and make songs come to life with their description. "Down Bad" is a great example of Swift's storytelling through writing. She describes the feeling of a short-lived relationship as if she got abducted by aliens and is expected to move on as if nothing ever happened after it ends. It's so bizarre, but surprisingly it works really well. When I listen to an album for the first time, it's a very intimate experience, because I want to digest the production and writing at the same time.TTPD was one of the first times both the sound and the storytelling went so well together that I was able to understand a lot of the metaphors and intended feelings on the first go around. Swift has always been a strong storyteller and the fantasy aspect of TTPD really shined through.

Addicting Sound

Swift has been known to experiment with sound, especially synth pop, and TTPD does it in such an addictive and unique way that it feels different from any of her other projects. This album sparked a lot of debate from fans about whether or not longtime friend and producer of Swift, Jack Antonoff, is making her music sound too similar to each other; but I'd argue that her past works with him aren't that related. Reputation as an album sounds a lot different than folklore or Midnights. TTPD does use synth pop throughout the album, but in a way that felt new and refreshing. Antonoff has also produced music for other artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Lorde, and Kendrick Lamar, showing his range as a producer, meaning Swift's sound could be a personal choice when working with him.

Swift is also no stranger to mimicking the sounds of the people who inspire her, and TTPD has The 1975 written all over it. Matty Healy-being a strong factor in the writing of the album-severely influenced her sound. "Guilty as Sin?" and "About You" work so well together that it seems as though they were made to be played back to back. "Guilty as Sin?" is about fantasizing about someone else while in a relationship, and with "About You" being about still thinking about the one who got away, they fit each other thematically and sonically. "Guilty as Sin?" also references the song "The Downtown Lights" by The Blue Nile, which pairs very well against the song as well.

The Eras Tour Set

It's an impressive feat to say you went on a massive two-year-long tour, created an album on the tour-about your life while being on said tour-and were able to add the songs to your setlist on the same tour. The Tortured PoetsDepartmentset on tour was so creative, it really brought the album to life. With such a dramatic album, it deserves dramatic production and the entire set does it justice. From sitting on the bleachers during "So High School" to the alien abduction of "Down Bad," and even the theatrical showgirl rendition of "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" (which may have inspired The Life of a Showgirl), it felt really immersive to experience TTPD live. Having only a few months of break in between her 2023 leg and the release of the album, Swift and her team put on a spectacular show that mirrored the album's visuals very well.

My Critique

Although I find the album very well rounded, the cohesion is a bit dodgy when it comes to The Anthology portion of the album. Swift is someone who knows how to make her albums flow together, and the standard version of TTPD was put together in a way that made sense. However, when the second half of the album was announced at 2 a.m. of release night, it seemed loosely thrown together. The surprise drop added to the chaos of the album, but there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the order of the tracks.

Swift has described TTPD as an album that she needed to write, using it as a form of therapy, making a 31 track album was unsurprising considering how hectic her life was during the time of writing the album. Unfortunately, the tracklist order of the second half really highlights the fact that the album was kind of thrown together out of desperation, and it misses the mark for me. The songs work really well for the album as a whole, but the execution on the tracklisting ruined it slightly for me.

Two Years Removed

Two years have passed since the release of this album, and even though Swift has released another album-The Life of a Showgirl-since, I can't help but find myself stuck on this album. The surprise announcement at the 2024 Grammy's was a perfect way to start the album cycle, and I was instantly captured by the essence of the album since then. The marketing of the album and the lead-up to the release night is something I'll never forget. While most of TTPD is near perfect to me, "Fortnight (Featuring Post Malone)," "Down Bad," and "imgonnagetyouback" have become personal favorites of not only the album itself, but Swift's entire discography.

Although it didn't get the audience reaction that it deserved, the album has grown on many people and is slowly being recognized as some of her best work. Swift using music as her own personal diary is something I will always idolize, and The Tortured Poets Department is an album that's so personal everyone should appreciate it for what it is.

Contact Sam Jasionowski with comments at samantha.jasionowski@bsu.edu or on Instagram @sjasionowski.

Learn more about Grace's story here.

Losing a loved one can separate your life into "before" and "after" stages. It can feel as though your entire world has stopped while everyone else's keeps moving.

Grieving is often described as "moving on," but you never move on; you move through it. As you continue to live in the "after," you carry grief with you, each step lighter with passing time. Healing is not linear, and grief is love with no place to go.

Right now, I am a junior at Ball State University, with the proud role of the News Director of NewsLink Indiana, the student-run broadcast television news program on campus. In my newsroom, I not only lead my staff, but I also carry on the legacy of one of my best friends.

Words do not have enough depth for me to properly demonstrate who Grace Bentkowski was. I know this is a concept many people say after losing a loved one, but she truly was everything and more. Knowing and loving Grace made me a better person.

Being part of her life made the people around her glow. She could make a boring room into the place you wanted to be.

Grace started at Ball State University in the fall of 2020, where she joined NewsLink Indiana. Over her years spent in the organization, she worked her way up the ranks, ending her senior year as News Director in 2024.

While reporting, anchoring, producing, and holding multiple executive roles, Grace also worked for Great News Life in Valparaiso. Her schedule was always pushing at the seams, but she made it look like the bare minimum. I remember always asking her how she did it all. Her answer was that she knew what she wanted her life to look like and that she would make it happen.

The newsroom is not where I met Grace, although it is where we bonded even closer than before. I grew up with my sister, Lena, who is three years older than I am. She always went through the important stages of life first and then reported back to me the advice she had.

Lena was my first sister. In middle school, Lena met Grace, one of the only people who stood up for her. I always knew who Grace was through her younger brother, Adian Bentkowski, who was in my grade. Adian and I began to date in 2020, and over the course of my three years before college, Grace and I became sisters. This connection was clear and independent from any other aspect of my life. No matter what, we were each other's sisters.

We were both members of our high school's publications program, with her in Lake Central Television and me in the yearbook and magazine groups. As we got closer as friends, we bonded over our shared passion for news.

She influenced me to not only choose Ball State for the journalism program, but also to join NewsLink Indiana. I came to college planning to become a travel writer, but her influence altered the trajectory of my entire life. Now, because she told me to just give producing newscasts a try, I have spent my college career training to become a broadcast producer.

We only bonded even more in NewsLink because we added co-leaders, students, and fellow journalists to our list of how we were compatible.

On July 25, 2024, Grace was on her way home from work when she was struck by a South Shore train at the Hegewisch, Illinois, station. She was walking across the tracks on the indicated pedestrian path. Her phone and headphones were in her purse.

We had been texting all day about the outfits she was planning to wear at Lollapalooza, and I was waiting for her to get home so we could talk more.

Around 10 p.m., I answered a phone call from Adian telling me that she had been hit by a train. My first reaction was that he was joking, because he had to be, right? I remember running downstairs to tell my parents the news. The memory is a mix of gasps and cries, muffled echoes of my own thoughts.

We sat outside on our back porch in Alabama, and I stared at the river in our backyard. My blank gaze into the water must have scared all the fish away because there was a calm blur of water.

I can still recall the way the moon reflected onto it, casting itself as a glowing image. It felt like a reflection of the greater universe outside of just my own life, reminding me that there is an entire world out there. Grace felt a universe away from me in that moment.

All I wanted to do was be with her. My soul was broken at the thought of her being alone and scared.

She was transported to the University of Chicago hospital with fatal injuries. Her family was informed that she was in surgery, where she passed away after hours of doctors trying to save her.

When I got the text that she didn't make it, I went numb. The July breeze rolled across my arms, and it was the only thing that I could feel.

My backyard felt still, as if it knew that the world was no longer the same.

When I opened my phone again, I saw her Snapchat story from hours before. A photo of the Chicago River, where she was planning to move the following month. It felt like the universe was mocking what could have been. I would no longer see the life she was supposed to live and the person she was meant to become.

I think some part of me knew what was going to happen all day. Throughout my shift at work, I kept getting the urge to text her. Something in my soul kept telling me to talk to her as much as I could. Since then, she has never left my thoughts.

Grace was not just a journalism mentor to me, but a sister by heart, as the keychain she gave to me says. Our friendship looked like annual summer movie trips, endless photoshoots, and helping each other pick outfits.

When it came time, one of the hardest aspects of her memorial was picking out an outfit by myself. Grace was the one who always helped me decide what to wear. I chose a Barbie pink dress, in remembrance of when we saw the Barbie Movie together the previous summer.

You cannot reason your way out of grief. It is a constant, stubborn weight that will only hold on tighter the more you try to shake it. There will be a hole where the person once filled, and it is up to you how you refill that void. It sounds condescendingly simpler than it actually is, but you will make it through.

I was not broken; I was adjusting to the new life I was forced into. I wasn't showing up as well as I had in the "before" part of my life. Things fell through the cracks, I ignored text messages, and I often spaced out. Parts of my life began to falter because nothing felt as important as grieving Grace.

What many people didn't see was how I processed this great loss. For about a year, I rarely slept, averaging about three hours a night. I would find myself seeing her in my dreams, and waking back up to the reality that she is never coming back. I hated being alone with such a heavy and dark reality.

My phone became my distraction. I would burrow myself in anything that wasn't my own life. Death is such a strange concept: it is confusing how an entire person can be gone in the blink of an eye. It felt like one day I would wake up from these nightmares to a phone call from her, asking to go get McDonald's.

To avoid the bottomless pit of grief, I kept my schedule packed, just like Grace used to. I drove my car around Muncie until I ran out of gas. I blasted music until my ears rang. I leaned on my friends, talking about her until my throat was hoarse.

My neck would snap at the sight of any short, blonde girl walking by, thinking it might be Grace. It was as if I were waiting for her to come back. I utilized various therapeutic resources, from a therapist to campus counseling. Talking out my emotions has helped me grasp the absolute oddity that is one of the closest people to my heart being killed by a train.

After her passing, her family asked me to take anything of hers that I wanted. When I left with nearly half of her stuff, I found myself checking my phone, waiting for her to ask for the things I "stole." Instead, I reread our old texts, laughing at her jokes and crying at her advice.

Every time something big happens, I want to tell her. Although I can hear what she would say, it is never enough.

Her mom, Erin Bentkowski, has shared a beautiful analogy of how signs from the beyond work. She said, "Believe whatever you will, but souls can communicate after death." Erin describes it like tuning into the correct radio station. If you are on the wrong station, like ignoring and pushing away the grief, the radio waves cannot communicate with you.

Every time I run away from the pain, I lose the signs she sends me. When I sit with the grief, I hear and see her everywhere.

One of the greatest examples I have is when Grace's mom did a medium reading this past summer. In the video, the medium says my name and that Grace is saying she loves me to the moon and back. She goes on to thank me for putting together her memorial video and carrying on her legacy. Some may see this as "woo-woo," but to me, it is from Grace.

Now, in the "after," I honor her. Everything that I do and push myself for is to make Grace proud. Although she is gone, I see a lot of her in me. Her work ethic and drive were unstoppable, which I feel has been transferred to me after her passing. Even when it felt like I couldn't even fill my lungs with air, I was able to run a newsroom with passion in my heart. I think to myself: What would Grace do?

Grace's memory lives on in me, her family, her friends, and in the newsroom. Ball State worked with Nexstar Media Group, Grace's post-graduation employer, to create the Grace Bentkowski Memorial Scholarship. This money is meant to provide support to fellow media majors who also devote their time to the field of journalism.

The Media Department at Ball State University also made a plaque in her honor that hangs in the Unified Media Lab, where Newslink Indiana runs their live shows. It reads, "Her Light Shines On."

Everyone's grieving process looks different. It can feel as though others are moving on when you are "stuck" in the deepest parts of it. You never know what someone is going through, which is why it is crucial to treat everyone with kindness.

My personal experience is not a guideline or a reflection of anyone else's journey. Here in Muncie, there are many resources you can use, from therapists to grief groups and campus counseling. Do not isolate yourself because grief already makes you feel so alone. Taking advantage of these tools does not make you weak; it makes you stronger for accepting when you need help.

Losing Grace will never negate the immense gratitude I feel for knowing and loving her. She changed my life for the better and left an impact I, and so many others, will never forget.

Grief may break your life into "before" and "after," but there is beauty in both. In the "after," life is not as serious. Suddenly, the small things you used to stress about are as minuscule as stubbing your toe. Remember that life is meant to be spent loving and not worrying. Do not spend your life avoiding your emotions, for that is the breath of purpose.

My biggest pieces of advice for grief are to understand that it is not linear, there is no correct way to grieve, and that you are not alone.

I am not an expert, and I surely am not done grieving, but are we ever done? In a positive, loving way, I hope that it doesn't go away. She will be with me forever, as will any passed loved one.

Death is as permanent as the impact Grace Bentkowski had on my life.

Learn more about Grace's story here.

This article is a part of Ball Bearings Spring 2026 magazine: Waves. Read more stories online at cardinalmediabsu.com and pick up the print edition of the magazine across Ball State's campus now.

Muncie Arbor Day Celebration

Join Minnetrista, Muncie's Urban Forestry Committee, and their community partners for the Muncie Arbor Day celebration, featuring a sapling giveaway. Participate in informative tree and sapling planting demonstrations that provide practical insights on effective tree care. Express your creativity at craft stations, where families and children can explore artistic activities. Whether you need help planting a sapling, advice on selecting the ideal tree for your space, or wish to take part in a free raffle for trees, gardening tools, and other exciting prizes, you are sure to have an enjoyable and informative experience!

• Price: Free
• Location: Center Building. Minnetrista Museum and Gardens
• Date and Time: Saturday, April 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A Salute to Video Game Music with the Ball State Jazz Ensembles

Love jazz and video games? Enjoy a concert of video game tracks with the Ball State Jazz Ensembles!

• Price: General Public: $8 in advance, $10 at the door, BSU Faculty/Staff/Seniors: $5 in advance, $7 at the door, Students: Free in advance, $5 at the door
• Location: Sursa Performance Hall
• Date and Time: Wednesday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Torchworking Workshop: Basic Beads

Experience the power of heat and glass as you explore the art of handmade bead-making in this beginner-friendly workshop. Learn the basics of torchworking as you shape and color molten glass into unique beads. All tools, supplies, and safety gear will be provided. Glass workshops are open to participants ages 13 and up. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available-please call ahead.

• Price: $55, Member Discounts Apply
• Location: Education Center, Minnetrista Museum and Gardens
• Date and Time: Friday, April 24, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, April 25, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Digital Audio Fundamentals Workshop Presented by Allen and Heath

Ready to take your sound to the next level? Join industry expert and Allen and Heath Rep. Steve Gridsby for an immersive workshop on the fundamentals of mixing on today's latest Digital Audio consoles by Allen & Heath! This course is designed for beginners and aspiring engineers alike.

• Price: Free, Call to RSVP your seat
• Location: Sight and Sound Music Center
• Date and Time: Tuesday, April 21, at 6:00 p.m.

"The overall cost of living has increased, [and] the struggle with finding an affordable house or apartment has never been harder," Muncie Mission Ministries Inc. Vice President of Community EngagementLeigh Edwards said.

Edwards has been on Muncie Mission's staff for three and a half years, with prior volunteer experience with the organization, and explained that the cost of living in Muncie has been "extremely" high.

According to the website Hoosiers by the Numbers, Delaware County's median household income in 2024 was $55,462, with per capita personal income in 2023 at $47,626.

At least 4,860 people in Indiana experienced homelessness by January 2025, according to the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) in a 2025 State of Homelessness for the Indiana Balance of State.

This statistic includes 3,659 people in sheltered locations, such as emergency shelters, transitional housing or safe havens for veterans, and 1,201 people in unsheltered locations, such as any place not meant for human habitation, according to the IHCDA.

In Delaware County specifically, the poverty rate in 2024 was 20.5 percent, according to the Hoosiers by the Numbers website, with the poverty rate among children under 18 years old being 21.9 percent.

According to the website, the poverty rate in Delaware County was ranked first in the state in 2024.

Director of community development in the city of Muncie, Gretchen Cheesman, said via email that the housing cost burden in Muncie is a combination of "relatively low incomes and a large renter population, resulting in significant affordability pressure."

Cheesman said that nearly half of the housing units in Muncie are renter-occupied, and local incomes are below state and national averages, which "increases the likelihood that low-income households will pay more than 30 percent of income toward housing costs."

She explained that while cost burden among homeowners exists, it is at "lower levels" and is typically tied to fixed incomes, aging housing stock and maintenance costs.

The number of people in emergency shelters has increased by 18.4 percent in Indiana between 2019 and 2025, according to the IHCDA.

Muncie Mission is a faith-based organization that provides an emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness, along with meals and other recovery services for individuals experiencing homelessness in East Central Indiana. Edwards said the organization wants to provide "compassionate relief" that "loves people where they are."

"The long-term goal of helping them find a transformative situation where they're able to sustain themselves and they do not need us anymore," she said.

According to the Muncie Mission's website, the organization has multiple "ministry locations" that serve individuals with different needs, along with other various resources to help them.

These include resources such as the Muncie HUB, a service that provides necessities to persons who are experiencing homelessness and provides contacts with shelter providers; Attic Window Thrift Store, a store that sells second-hand items where all proceeds support Muncie Mission; and Beauty For Ashes, a "safe place" for women with or without children who are experiencing homelessness.

Along with providing these resources, Edwards said that Muncie Mission owns 50 properties that are within walking distance of the organization. She said these properties have either been abandoned or were"trap" houses, which they rehabilitate to create "healthy, good, affordable" housing, she said.

"That has been a real[ly] cool thing for us, where we have been able to kind of transition into housing support for our guests as they finish our programs and go out into the world," Edwards said.

Chief Executive Officer WaTasha Barnes Griffin of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), a local emergency shelter for women and children in Muncie, voiced similar sentiments to Edwards about rising housing costs contributing to the housing crisis in Muncie.

Griffin explained that homelessness in Delaware County is being "driven" by a combination of rising housing costs, stagnant wages and a "significant" shortage of affordable housing. She said more individuals and families are "one unexpected expense away from being unhoused."

These families are considered "ALICE families," which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, Griffin said, meaning these families are working, but their income is still not enough to "take care of all of the things that they need."

38 percent of households in Indiana were below the ALICE threshold in 2023, according to United For ALICE. Households below the threshold are "forced to make impossible choices - like deciding whether to pay for utilities or a car repair, whether to buy food or fill a prescription," according to the website.

"What's concerning for us is we're seeing more people experiencing homelessness for the first time," Griffen said. "These are again working families. These are senior women on fixed incomes and individuals who have never needed assistance before."

While Edwards said the cost of living is going up, she also said grocery prices are increasing.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in a 2026 food price outlook summary, the all-items index under the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of economy-wide inflation, increased 0.5 percent from January to February 2026.

Along with that, CPI for all food increased 0.4 percent from January to February 2026, with food prices in February 2026 being 3.1 percent higher than in February 2025, according to the USDA's website.

With food prices rising, many individuals in the county are feeling the effects.

In Delaware County, 13,837 individuals were food stamp recipients in 2025, and 8,423 were free and reduced-price lunch recipients in 2024 to 2025, according to the Hoosiers By The Numbers website.

Griffin said the YWCA has seen a "noticeable" increase in demand for emergency shelter and housing services. She also said she has seen seniors utilize these resources as they work low-wage jobs, along with women and children, and individuals who are "navigating mental health or substance abuse challenges."

"It's all about us being able to be a resource for those who need housing and housing supports," Griffin said.

She said that researching what housing options and resources are available is a "wonderful" way to stay informed about what is happening across the "housing landscape."

"Really keep abreast of what's trending across not just our state, but across the country," she said.

Edwards urges individuals to understand the "complexities" of homelessness, saying many are uninformed and hold "simplistic" ideas about how to solve the problem of homelessness.

"I think that is the best way to educate the community. It's just for them to get involved in some way," Edwards said.

Contact Linnea Sundquist via email at linnea.sundquist@bsu.edu.

Their combined efforts of activism led to 8,330 acres of land being outlined as protected space, with later expansions increasing that number to 15,000 acres of protected land and water. Alongside the protected land, steel mills, which helped contribute materials during the construction of Chicago and provided World War II munitions, add to the Indiana Dunes culture.

But the work done by Henry, Paul, and Dorothy, and the dunes culture itself, are at risk of being swept away by Lake Michigan due to coastal erosion.

Erosional Damages

According to the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit, coastal erosion is a natural process along the shoreline of bodies of water that washes away sand and sediments from the coast. Since 1919, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been working to preserve national parks.

Tim Koenning, the Midwest Program Manager of NPCA, has lived in the Lake Michigan region for much of his life. He said his connection to the Indiana Dunes gives him a unique perspective on some of the factors weighing in on coastal erosion.

"You run into issues where these man-made barriers are built in," Tim said. "Since man-made structures protrude so far into the lake, it takes a lot of sand to build up in order for sand to move around them."

Tim said man-made structures are a core agitator for the shore's natural movement of sand. With man-made structures, sand is unable to form normally along the coast. This disruption in the natural shoreline causes an imbalance within the sediment, as sand is only being pulled out and not brought back in. As sand levels decrease, problems for boats arise.

With shallower areas along the shoreline and ports, boats are cut off from spots that are too shallow to access. In order to fix this, a process known as dredging must happen. Dredging is the process of removing sediments and debris from the bottom of a lake, river, or body of water.

For the Indiana Dunes, though, the dredging process primarily aims to relocate sand from one part of the shoreline and patch up weaker areas that may be too shallow for boats. Once the dredging process is complete and weaker areas of the shoreline are patched up, there can often be excess sand.

One organization that works with dredging around the Indiana Dunes is the Army Corps. The Corps mainly handles dredging around the dunes, but without specific federal funding, the Army Corps is not able to help.

"We didn't have a response in place to replenish sand, and we had to rely on moving legislative processes and administrative processes that just take too much time, when the lake is not waiting on us," Tim said.

Lake Michigan has been known to experience periods of higher water levels, which is where Indiana's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has stepped in. Joseph Exl is the Coastal Resources Coordinator at the DNR and has been working on a coastal monitoring program, which tracks changes in the shoreline due to lake levels, waves, and other factors.

This program started collecting shoreline imaging in the mid-80s, with the data they collect being compiled into the shoreline monitoring program. One recent development made in their data collection comes from light detection and ranging, or LIDAR, imaging. This uses light to measure distances either from drones or satellites, according to the National Ocean Service.

"The program is in a state of evolution," Joseph said. "We'll get there eventually, but the program itself has been talked about since the mid-80s."

Last year, the DNR launched a cooperative program due to a lack of internal resources, in which they have partnered with local universities.

"We have a few grants right now; one at Purdue University as well as Valparaiso University," Joseph said. "Those two universities have done topographical surveys for us to get high-quality GPS scans of the beach."

Purdue has also started collecting bathymetry data, which Joseph said is one of the key missing pieces for their program. Bathymetry data studies the depth and shape of underwater surfaces, according to the National Ocean Service.

While some structures do expedite coastal erosion, Joseph said that there is less to worry about in the Indiana Dunes State Park than in other areas. In fact, one building within the park has become quite an important piece of the park's history.

Between the Michigan City Harbor and the Port of Indiana at Burns Harbor is the Park Pavilion. The area between the two ports is known as a Littoral Cell, which is where larger deposits of sand are stuck most of the time. Joseph said the Pavilion is a historic structure in the park and has never shown any reason to be concerned about the effects of coastal erosion. Joseph noted that the Littoral Cell diminishes the effects of erosion but causes worry in other areas.

One concern that Joseph has for the shoreline of the Indiana Dunes is the high period of erosion rates starting in mid-to-late fall and lasting through spring. During this season of higher erosion rates, winter storms play one of the biggest roles in the erosion of the Indiana Dunes.

Frozen in time

Sarah Peterson serves as the Coastal Engineering and Community Resilience Specialist at the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. Through her work on the coastline, Sarah has found that during the colder months, the dunes develop a phenomenon known as ice shelves. These ice shelves create a protective shield for shorelines and come with a wide range of variables, which makes them less predictable.

"When you have high ice coverage in the colder winter months, that can create a sort of buffer to intercept and absorb some of that wave energy," Sarah said. "This way, the harsher winter waves do not directly interact with the shoreline."

Grounded shelf ice is one of the most effective types of shelf ice along the Lake Michigan shoreline. These variant ice shelves connect more deeply beneath the water, closer to the lakebed. The strength of grounded shelf ice allows it to absorb the greatest amount of wave energy.

Sarah added that some research has shown that ice shelves are not just absorbing wave energy, but redirecting it back into the lake. This movement of energy leads to erosion within the lake below the water's surface, almost invisible to the naked eye.

While ice shelves relieve some of the burden of intense winter waves, the increase in warmer winters has caused ice shelves to become less reliable, raising the direct risk that winter storms pose to Lake Michigan's Indiana shoreline. As temperatures fluctuate in the winter months, patterns appear of thawing and freezing. These patterns create spots of higher vulnerability for the base of the shoreline and risk higher rates of erosion.

Joseph said that data from previous years shows that as the ice disappears, strong waves and wind move in to create a strong period of shoreline erosion. With the DNR's data, he is worried that strong erosion is possible in coming months.

Another issue that causes erosion, which Sarah has seen increase recently, is soil saturation. This occurs when areas of sand and sediment become extremely dense through large amounts of water, and as they freeze and expand, they can crack. These cracks create a vulnerable shoreline in the warmer seasons.

"The more ice there is, the more that gets evaporated, which may lead to increased lake levels during warmer months," Sarah said.

With a change in lake levels, the waves of Lake Michigan grow more unpredictable. The wave patterns have a large spatial variety and depend heavily on the season. Areas along the southern fetch of Lake Michigan, near the Indiana Dunes, are the most unidirectional. This makes it much more difficult to create a prediction on wave patterns, and there is no exact consensus on how waves have changed.

"There have been studies showing that different climatic factors have influenced the frequency and intensity of storms," Sarah said. "With more storms coming in, that might lead to greater wave heights and greater wave energies compared to more natural scenarios."

While the DNR and other organizations work to study wave patterns and their correlation with storms, it has become increasingly difficult to highlight specific trends. What the data does show is that coastal erosion is posing a possible threat to existing infrastructure in the area.

"I'd be hesitant to say there's a long-term trend in one specific wave characteristic, just because it has been shown to vary," Sarah said.

With storms moving in alongside the warmer season, wind activity increases. Joseph found data proving that as the fall-to-spring erosional period ends, summer winds take shoreline sand and move it back onto beaches.

In the summer, shorelines are affected by both water and wind, and the high summer winds create a phenomenon known as walk dunes. These dunes show consistent movement back into the land over several years; a more well-known walk dune is called Mount Baldy.

Mount Baldy is located near Washington Park beach and is the largest "living" dune in the park, which means the dune has slowly been eating away at a local visitor parking lot for years, Sarah said. Strong winds coming off the lake often pick up sand found in dunes and move it away from the lakefront. In addition, if there is little or no vegetation to catch the sand, some dunes move greater distances at a quicker speed.

Solutions on the shoreline

Marram grass is a natural dune grass that helps with the natural order of dunes. It catches sand carried by wind and settles those particles closer to the shoreline than a dune without marram grass.

Local communities are one of the biggest stressors when it comes to coastal erosion, as many have lived near the dunes long before they were recognized as a National Lakeshore. These communities sit outside of park jurisdiction and have invested in stone revetments for coastal erosion protection.

While it may work for local communities, the NPCA is opposed to the use of stone revetments and finds them unfavorable. The revetments do not necessarily fix the problem of erosion; they delay it by moving the effects of erosion down the shoreline to areas that do not have revetments. Stone revetments also armor the normally sandy beaches by covering them in layers of large stones. This is something Tim believes might not be appealing to anyone visiting the beach.

"I'd rather see the problem solved than moved down the shore," he said.

Alongside the NPCA, Tim said that the mission is to ensure a thriving shoreline for the parks as well as the local landowners.

"The dunes are for everyone, that's what they're there for," Tim said. "But it has to be a balance of the people who live feet from the park."

When it comes to fixing the coastal erosion and preventing further shoreline losses, there have been multiple proposed fixes. Tim believes the best way to fix the erosion would be through a study done by the Army Corps, funded half by a non-federal party and half by the federal government.

"The state of Indiana has already set aside one million dollars, and they've said we want to be a part of this study," Tim said.

This fix can also come from the work done by the DNR, as they work on their coastal monitoring program. Their website houses current data and resources, like their coastal atlas, which will evolve to have more information more readily available for people.

"We hope that long term, we'll be able to come up with these erosional and depositional rates along our coastlines that local decision-makers can utilize to form decisions within their towns," Joseph said.

When it comes to the coastal erosion of the Indiana Dunes, it is important to stay informed. Sarah and the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant have been working on a video series about nature-driven protectors for the shorelines and hybrid solutions as well. This works alongside their Coastal Resilience Program for local communities. The importance of being able to adapt has increased in recent years as wave patterns become more variable.

"It's important to be aware of extreme wave conditions," Sarah said. "We might have calm waves, but we are also prone to very high wave energies."

With uncertainty on the horizon and the winds of change approaching, one thing is certain: just like in the early '60s, people passionate about the preservation of the Indiana Dunes are working non-stop to find a solution for the coastal erosion.

"We need to get this long-term fix into place before the lake levels rise again, because they will," Tim said. "I don't know when that's going to happen, but the lake levels fluctuate on a multi-year level. It'll shift back to being high at some point, and I'm worried about what's going to happen to the park and parts of northwest Indiana."

Time slips away to find a solution just as the coastline slips into Lake Michigan. The search for a permanent solution continues.

This article is a part of Ball Bearings Spring 2026 magazine: Waves. Read more stories online at cardinalmediabsu.com and pick up the print edition of the magazine across Ball State's campus now.

Ball State entered the tournament with a 22-4 record and the number one seed and hosts of the MIVA tournament. Doing all this underneath first year head coach Mike Iandolo and this is when teams should be playing their best volleyball.

In a game that has all the stakes involved, Iandolo said the message was not much different from what the team has preached all season.

"It was mostly about us and things we need to get better at," Iandolo said. "Especially with our serve and deep block. We didn't get to Northern Kentucky until yesterday and this morning did the full scout."

In order for the Cardinals to go deep in this tournament Iandolo knows that the team needs to control what they can in front of them.

"It's just about taking care of business and being a little bit better," Iandolo said. "There are a lot of other tournaments going on and already seen teams that were supposed to win and lose. Don't treat it like a game that's just a walkover. It's a real game and they are gonna come in and give us everything they got so we gotta be ready for that."

Improvements have been incremental for the Cardinals all season and Iandolo see a clear need of improvement if the Cardinals hope to claim MIVA glory.

"It's mainly the blocking stuff that we are still working on," Iandolo said. "Just being a little bit cleaner with, like some of the junk balls that are tight around the net and the other team is just pushing or swiping the block and we are not as strong as we need to with our hands."

Patrick Rogers led the Cardinals with 12 kills and his impact each game has been a tremendous asset for the Cardinals success this season. The team's willingness to dig deep when sets get tight is what Rogers said is what makes the team stay together.

"We left them in the game in [set 2] and didn't take advantage of that start we had," Rogers said. "We stayed together and didn't drop that set which was a huge momentum builder for us."

The Cardinals had faced the Norse two previous times with success, winning both times. Rogers knows that the team couldn't let up and actually saw the benefits of it going into the game.

"Yeah, they have film on us, but the good thing is that we played them and felt them out," Rogers said. "I think it's an advantage playing them twice because we know what to expect and just play to our standard. I think that's what we did well."

Junior setter Lucas Machado has been leading the Cardinals with his playmaking abilities. Machado tallied up 23 assists and the growth and chemistry that has been seen throughout the season showed up against the Norse.

"We just stay together and have fun together," Machado said. "Hang out together and go out to dinner together or a walk so that helps a lot to just be together outside practice and games."

Machado knows that chemistry has led to the success the Cardinals have had. For him, just recognizing his teammates' spots makes it easier for him to play his game.

"It's that chemistry and the guys just helping me a lot with some of the passes I give," Machado said. "I could see what their blocker was doing and just tried to take what they were giving me."

The Cardinals will be back in action April 22 at Worthen Arena with a matchup between either Ohio State or McKendree.

Contact Zachary Kendall with questions via email at zacharykendall@bsu.edu or on X @ZacharyKendall_.

"We'll focus on them two weeks before we play them, but for right now we haven't really given any thought to them or any other team in conference play because it's spring, you're not preparing for a game. We're just trying to get better", stated head coach Mike Uremovich

Redshirt junior quarterback Keldric Luster gave his thoughts on the matchup "This offseason coach has worked us really hard, pushed us to our limits and helped us get better by making sure we're treating our body's right, and just really whatever we can to make ourselves one percent better everyday. We're not worried about outside noise. We know what we got, we know what we can display on the field. It's going to be exciting to put that together in week one."

When it comes to going up against Ohio State's receivers Jeremiah Smith and Chris Henry Jr., junior defensive back Willizhuan Yates said, "It doesn't get any better than this, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Just working on getting better everyday, coming to practice and working on all the little things to get us ready for that matchup."

Heading into the 2026 season, the Cardinals welcomed 26 new transfers.

RELATED: Ball State Football gears up for next season with new transfers welcomed in

When asked about how this has affected the team's chemistry and bond, Luster, who transferred from Texas State this past offseason, stated, "It's pretty cool. They've shown nothing but good and positive vibes, telling me the truth. The bond has built quickly for me in my first few weeks here. The guys made it even easier for me coming in here."

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Donovan Hamilton, who transferred from Purdue going into this past season said, "It's really just checking in on the guys, making sure they're good physically and mentally on the field. Working on building that brotherhood with those new guys."

The Cardinals are looking forward to making a change with their last winning season coming in 2020.

This marks coach Uremovich's second season with Ball State and he said, "I don't care about any other year except this year. None of that matters to me." Uremovich added, "This is a brand new football team, and with the portal and roster change, we're really a new roster"

I'd consider separating this quote into two with a transition sentence to keep it from becoming a block of text.

"Our approach this offseason was to have the guys get to know each other, they've really come together as a team and they've gotten to know our schemes and learn how to practice. I feel like we did good on that," Uremovich said.

Yates added, "We're taking all the little things and putting it all into one. Taking everything day-by-day, step-by-step. Just working on our craft and getting it perfect everyday. We've got a lot of new faces and I can't wait to see what they can do."

The Cardinals' opening matchup against the Buckeyes is Sept. 5.

Contact Bryce Pennell with any questions @bryce.pennell@bsu.edu or on X @bryceBSUDN.

I decided to major in journalism in the fall of my third year of high school. Previously, I had toyed with the idea of a variety of other fields that would all lead to no further than teaching in a high school classroom or a future entrenched in the mercenary work that is academia.

However, once exposed to the brutality and beauty that is encoded into every word of journalistic truth, I could not see myself anywhere else. Not even the rigid rules and regulations of the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook could deter me from my new passion.

Then, just a few short weeks before my first semester at Ball State University, I decided to add another major to my course load: psychological science.

As a journalism student, I look upon a shrinking industry that continues to ask more and more of its professionals, and I am faced with one of my worst fears: my future and the laws that protect it have become malleable.

The inception of my career panic began when Stephen Colbert announced that "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" was ending its last season and would conclude in May 2026 due to decreased ad revenue, a claim backed by an October 2025 article by The Free Speech Project.

However, Colbert's show was the most-watched late-night show in America, prompting speculation that the cancellation resulted from Colbert's criticism of Paramount's settlement with President Trump, as stated in a July 2025 article by the Free Speech Center.

Since the show's cancellation, Colbert has not been the only late-night show host to face removal from broadcast television regarding remarks or opinions deemed offensive by the powers that be.

Sep. 17, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel was faced with indefinite suspension due to comments he made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel's comments stated his personal belief that "the MAGA gang [was] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and [was] doing everything they [could] to score political points."

Regardless of the debates over the assassin's political affiliation, the fact remains that a man stated his opinion, a nonpartisan right protected by the First Amendment, and was removed from the air for it.

Sep. 18, 2025, the Directors Guild of America released a Hollywood Labor Joint statement on the incident, stating, "When a private citizen, business, or television network bows to government intimidation, it strikes at the heart of our First Amendment rights. Creative artists must be free to do their work without fear that their careers or their family's livelihoods will be disrupted simply for their opinions."

The trend of censoring late-night talk shows peaked Feb. 16, 2026, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) blocked CBS from airing Colbert's interview segment with Texas politician James Talarico ahead of the Texas Senate primaries.

The FCC cited the equal-time rule, which requires news organizations to provide all candidates with the same level of visibility. This rule has not been enforced on any talk show or used against a talk show host since the 1960s, according to a February 2026 article by Forbes.

Stretching a regulation due to pressure from higher-ups is highly concerning to me, as it sets a precedent that laws concerning our media can be flexible for those who wish it to be. This past year has also demonstrated that opinions and interviews for entertainment media are no longer 100 percent protected on broadcast television talk shows.

These are rights explicitly protected under the First Amendment, including freedom of the press. Therefore, if one clause is under attack, who is to say that the one protecting my industry will not be the next to get manipulated to the detriment of the American people?

When I decided to double major, many people judged me for being slightly hasty in creating a backup plan. After all, it appeared as if press and media freedoms were not going to be touched, and in theory, they are not supposed to be. Unfortunately, that did not last.

On Oct. 3, 2025, an international journalist, Mario Guevara, was deported to El Salvador after he was arrested and charged for attending a protest in June earlier that year. Guevara was wearing his PRESS vest, identifying himself as the media and livestreaming the protest as part of his coverage of immigration enforcement.

Guevara was charged with minor protest-related violations, and "local law enforcement handed him to agents for deportation proceedings despite having valid authorization to stay in the USA," according to an October 2025 article published by Amnesty International.

The concept of the right to protest, along with other First Amendment freedoms, is covered at a basic level in university journalism classes. We have the right to report; others have the right to free speech and it is our obligation and duty to report what the American people are saying.

Journalism covers the true and notable events that occur within our country, and as a student of that discipline, I can not agree with the removal of a story and the punishment of its creator, such as Guevara, because it does not follow the narrative those in power wish to create.

Due to instances like Guevara's deportation, a new fear is starting to extend beyond the normal anxieties of a shrinking industry. At age 19, I have to ask myself whether I am willing to risk more than just my career stability; I also have to consider my safety after graduation.

Guevara has not been the only journalist affected by a distaste for the stories he told, as the Associated Press was barred from access to the White House due to its refusal to change its stylebook to accommodate Trump's executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, according to a March 2025 article by the Associated Press.

Journalists and media professionals from the wire service were denied access to events attended by other news organizations, including a news conference held by Trump with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In February 2025, The Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press filed a friend-of-the-court brief stating that "the AP's exclusion is not just arbitrary and unjustified but viewpoint-based, an 'especially invidious' form of discrimination often described as 'poison' to the free flow of information."

My classes have emphasized the importance of words, but now I am forced to realize that the use of one word over another could cost me my job - a sentiment I feel that we could all find slightly ludicrous.

Additionally, White House press restrictions continue to increase; there are continuous reports of restricted visas for foreign journalists and journalism has now become a dangerous profession both in and outside of conflict areas.

The United Nations found that "journalist imprisonment is at a record high, while online violence - particularly against women journalists - and harassment spurs on self-censorship and, in some cases, physical attacks."

I am in my first year of reporting for a student publication, and I have already been harassed for stating that I am studying journalism. The notion of me pursuing a degree in which I seek out the truth in my reporting causes conflict.

I am also reminded every day of what other conflicts I can face in my career: being cast aside for stating my opinion, imprisonment for the act of being present, losing my job due to my word choice and being a war casualty is now an occupational hazard.

Forgive me if the truth I report is not the one you would prefer to see.

Contact Kyler Effner via email at kyler.effner@bsu.edu.

Eight years ago, Jarrod and Mandy walked away from flipping their car changed, but not unscathed.

Before getting behind the wheel, Jarrod had been drinking. At the time, Mandy's license was suspended, so they decided it would be better if Jarrod drove despite his intoxication. The car flipped twice, totaling it. Jarrod recalled getting out and seeing a line of blood streaming down from the top to the bottom of the car, but, miraculously, neither he nor Mandy were hurt.

Jarrod spent 23 years of his life in active addiction. Mandy spent 17.

"I couldn't go without smoking crack, I felt terrible when I wasn't smoking," Jarrod said. "But when I smoked, I was so paranoid, and I hated it, and I couldn't wait to not be high."

When Jarrod and Mandy were in active addiction, they worked to support themselves and their addiction, often spending much of their income on drugs.

Mandy described the first time she bought makeup as an adult, thinking, "there's no way real people are working jobs and going into Walmart, and buying [a] $12 foundation." When she finally had a full supply of makeup, it felt weird, but it was important. Instead of stealing it in her active addiction, she worked for it.

Jarrod and Mandy's addiction story is just one of many from all across the country.

In 2024, the American Addiction Centers reported that 48.4 million Americans aged 12 and older had substance use disorder. Substance abuse is a disease that affects one's brain and behavior, leading to an inability to control the use of a drug or medicine, according to Mayo Clinic.

Muncie is within the top 10 cities in Indiana with the worst substance abuse problems, according to Indiana Treatment Centers. In 2024, the Indiana Commission to Combat Substance Abusereported 1,542 deaths in Indiana due to any drug overdose.

48 of those deaths were in Delaware County.

Jarrod and Mandy escaped this fate. After crashing their car in front of a sheriff's house, Jarrod knew he was going to jail.

"I was there in the jail cell, I didn't even really know, but I cried out to God. I just told him I couldn't do it. I just had to give everything over to him. I had to ask [for] help," Jarrod said.

When Jarrod woke up, he knew that he should not have survived the car wreck and believed that God had saved him from both the wreck and his drug addiction.

"When I woke up, I knew that I wasn't addicted to drugs," Jarrod said. "I also know that God doesn't work that way with everybody, but he worked that way with me, and that's my story."

When Mandy picked him up the next day, he told her that he was no longer going to live the same lifestyle they had been living. Mandy was "unchurched," but felt that God had saved her.

"Eight minutes ago [before the crash], I was a crackhead, and I was a terrible person. Eight minutes later, I was a believer, and I had worth. I knew that God had a purpose for my life," Mandy said.

Jarrod and Mandy's story of substance abuse and recovery is not the only one in Muncie. The two are now over eight years sober, and they serve as leaders at the RU Recovery Program, a faith-based recovery organization, at Grace Baptist Church in Muncie.

Jarrod was first introduced to the program when Grace Baptist Church brought members to a jail, part of RU's program to help those incarcerated. Jarrod and Mandy attended RU's meetings a few times before the car accident, but they began going faithfully after.

One of the biggest challenges Mandy faced was how she was going to make a life for her kids that glorified God while making sure that they "don't go down the same path [of drugs and addiction]." Mandy struggled with the shame and guilt of the things she had done during her addiction.

For Jarrod, Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups felt "self-defeating." He hated returning after he would relapse and admitting it to everyone, so he quit going out of shame. As Jarrod grew in his faith, he began to understand that he did not "have to remember the last time he made a mistake," instead, "remembering the day that he was saved."

One of the first things that people from Grace Baptist Church did was bring Jarrod and Mandy to church and ask if they had food.

He recalled a member of the church telling him, "You help people meet their basic necessities. Because if they're not going to have their basic necessities met, they're not going to focus on getting recovered."

RU Recovery Program meets every Friday night, and is open to "anyone who needs support." The group's meetings include prayer requests, testimonials, weekly challenges and workbook exercises. Challenges can include memorizing Bible verses, service work, writing essays, attending church and more. In the middle of the evening, the group splits off into men's and women's challenge groups, where they have character development challenges. Mandy is the women's beginner's leader, meeting with new members to explain the program and challenges.

"We bring people along with us," Mandy said. "If you're having the worst day... you're bummed out and you're sad, but you still have real joy and peace, and can share that with another human. That's what this program is."

As substance abuse remains prevalent in Delaware County, efforts for awareness, prevention and recovery are being made by those in the Muncie community.

Recovery Cafe, a peer support community in Muncie, welcomes "anyone who is recovering from anything." Open four days a week, Executive Director Abby Carpenter said that their main focus is on long-term recovery and stability.

Recovery Cafe models itself in various ways to support long-term recovery, including recovery circles where members meet weekly together. Recovery circles are attendance-based, and members have access to the cafe and resources offered. There is always consistent peer support and accountability, Abby said.

"They're in this intimate setting where they can be seen and be heard and be loved through all their challenges, while also finding these commonalities that every human goes through," Abby said.

Recovery Cafe offers various resources, including a food pantry, clothing closet, school for recovery and workshops, for no cost. These resources help remove barriers such as food and clothing necessities, so members are able to focus on recovery.

Whether a person wants to use medication-assisted treatment, is focused on NA or AA groups or is just looking for a safe community that's striving for sobriety or harm reduction; Abby said that Recovery Cafe is open to any type of recovery pathway an individual may need.

Similar to Recovery Cafe, Kingdom Recovery House, a non-profit sober-living community for men, provides a resource for those seeking recovery.

Brian Blevins and Devin Case opened Kingdom Recovery House in January 2026. In December 2025, Brian and Devin bought and began to renovate an old church. A sign that says "Recovery is possible" welcomes people as they walk in.

Brian was addicted to drugs from the time he was a teenager until he was 42-years-old. His recovery journey began a little over 10 years ago, and he started working various jobs and building his relationship with God.

At the beginning of his journey, he would take those who needed help to 28-day rehabilitation centers and began to ask, "Where do they go once they get out, and what do they do?"

Brian currently works in Grant County at a free healthcare clinic and has been a sober living house supervisor for five years.

"So then I'm like, 'What resources does Muncie have?' and when they say there's nothing … well, there's only one way to fix it. We['ve] got to start it," Brian said.

People reach out to Brian, and based on house availability, Brian and his wife, Jamie, conduct background checks on potential residents. Residents are required to pay rent, attend two meetings weekly and attend church service on Sundays. Kingdom Recovery is a year-long commitment, but residents have the option to leave earlier.

Brian said he tries to go "above and beyond" and meet residents "where they're at." He helps with building resumes and finding jobs, obtaining food stamps, expungements and more.

According to the American Bar Association, expungement is the legal process of destroying or sealing a state or federal record, and it removes certain criminal convictions from a person's record. This helps individuals pass background checks and build new careers.

Awareness and volunteer efforts are being made on Ball State University's campus as well.

Assistant lecturer of English, Mary Lowry, currently teaches Writing for Change, an immersive learning course where students partner with Muncie community to meet the specific needs of their community partner, while teaching students English 103 and 104 basics.

Mary's class is paired with theMuncie Mission Ministries, a clinic that offers faith-based homeless shelter, family services and addiction recovery. Students help with volunteer work, and this year, have been focusing on helping with Muncie Mission's social media.

In the spring semester, the class focus shifts to fundraising and Walk a Mile in My Shoes, Muncie Mission's biggest event of the year. Walk a Mile raises money and builds hope for those battling poverty, homelessness and addiction. This year, Mary's class of 11 students was the team that raised the most money at Ball State, amassing over $2,200.

"It has been so great to see so many people who genuinely care about the community," Mary said. "When you get into the community, you realize there are so many people here who are working so hard to take care of other people and genuinely care."

Assistant teaching professor of English, Kathryn Ludwig, is working with her students on their third year of partnering with the Recovery Cafe. Students build connections with those at the Cafe, and have done "facing projects" for the last two years.

This year, students sat one-on-one with members who were willing to tell their story, and those stories were crafted into a book. The book, "Facing Recovery," explores individuals' experiences with substance abuse and recovery.

"The more we normalize the issue, the more that we talk about how substance use is a reality in our community, it's a significant problem in our community, and that we have the power to change it," Professor of Health Science at Ball State University, Jean Marie Place, said.

Jean Marie is also Director of Community Research and Administration of the Addictions Coalition of Delaware County (ACDC), a partnership that serves as a resource for grant funding to initiate evidence-based programs for prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery in Delaware County. The ACDC collaborates with various Muncie organizations, such as Meridian Health Services, IU Addiction Treatment and Recovery Center and Centerstone Health Services.

"I think it's a misconception that people just wake up one day and they have their first hit [of a drug], and are hopelessly gone," Jean Marie said.

Today, Mandy and Jarrod let their "lived experiences" guide them through life. The two do work with DCS, child welfare organizations and family advocacy.

Jarrod does not say he is an addict or alcoholic. Now, he views his life as an example of recovery and what recovery can look like. Mandy views her life as being in recovery "from the world."

Jarrod encourages people not to give up on others and to be there for them.

"To me, it doesn't mean that it's an ongoing struggle against drugs and alcohol, but it's a life where I live by my morals and values. I live by the truth," he said.

This article is a part of Ball Bearings Spring 2026 magazine: Waves. Read more stories online at ballbearingsmag.com and pick up the print edition of the magazine across Ball State's campus now.

In their 2025 season, the Cardinals finished with an overall record of 33-18 and a conference record of 16-9, which helped them reach the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament in head coach Helen Peña's second year.

So far through the 2026 season, Ball State sits at an overall record of 15-23 and a conference record of 3-15.

One key reason for the team's struggles so far could be the loss of key players from Peña's previous squads, such as McKenna Mulholland and McKayla Timmons.

But coming into the season with 11 new members on the roster, coach Peña knew this team would have a different makeup than the others.

"It's a really different team than last year. I especially think the years that we've had before, when it comes to makeup, our strengths offensively, we're going to bring different things. We're going to be able to score in a lot of different ways, and we've got some speed when it comes to our newcomers, freshmen and even returners," Peña said. "We've got experience when it comes to returners, and then for the newcomers and freshmen, you know, we've got some people who are hungry just to get out there and contribute to the team."

Right out of the gate in preseason and early season tournaments, the Cardinals showed some promise as they held a neutral site record of 9-4, the only category in which they have a winning record. But once they reached conference play, the early success they found fizzled out.

With the spot the team is currently in, the main goal is to keep its head down and finish off the last month of games as well as the team can.

"We had a really, really good preseason, and I know that we're struggling right now. Some of our mentals are maybe down in the dumps, but just being able to end the season on a high note, like, we don't know what's going to happen right now, but being able to go out there and play for our seniors, especially," redshirt sophomore Allee Noble said. "That's our big team message right now is playing for the seniors, doing everything that we can, showing up to practice and just leaving everything that we can out on our home field."

Even though the team is primarily made up of new faces, the players have expressed their commitment to being there for their teammates no matter what, and it feels as if the Cardinal Faithful has the same commitment to their team.

"Regardless of our record right now, I love our home crowd - the families, recruits and supporters who show up for these young ladies. Our team and staff have been through a lot this year and when we look at the big picture, and I see families in the stands, it's much more than a game. It's what brings us all together and it's a beautiful thing. I'm grateful for them," Peña said.

While Peña said she feels the energy and love from the dugout, the players out on the field see it the exact same way.

"Our home crowd has actually been remarkable. I mean, even in years past, this is something like I've never seen before. Against Western Michigan, I looked into the crowd, and I saw countless parents. I saw so many alumni, which was so heartwarming, [and] girls that I used to play with and getting to talk to them after the games was just like a giant hug," Noble said. "So our crowd has been awesome and the support that we've endured even through the ups and downs of our season. It's been awesome. Our home crowd, I couldn't ask for better. Every single seat is packed."

The fans' attendance is definitely a positive for the team, but it is not the only one, - as the team's pitching group has been relentless all season, with zero quit in them, even in the tough games.

"[The] pitchers have been battling all season long. There's been games where we've kept our offense close and have minimized damage against talented hitters, and other games that have been difficult to piece together. A consistent force and approach is needed out there for the team to get behind, I know we have it, we just need to have a short term memory on what we're capable of, not what has happened," Peña said.

As the season begins to slowly wrap up, the Cardinals still have goals for how they want their season to end: on a high note. But it is not just wins and losses; it is also sending the seniors off the way they deserve.

"[The] goals for the rest of the season are how can we continue to find growth and be proud of the way we play the game. Regardless of outcome, how can we compete as our best selves and versus our process, not the scoreboard or record. I want the seniors to leave their mark, and everyone else to be better tomorrow than what they were today. Growth and the process is never ending, and how we show up everyday is what I'm most focused on," Peña said.

As one of Peña's goals is constant growth in her players, and them being greater tomorrow than they are today, her current roster is perfect for that. Ball State currently has 12 underclassmen on its roster, a perfect group for growth. While this season winds down, these underclassmen have a chance to really look around and dial in on what they want their goals to be next year. Whether they have played much at Ball State or not, the players want to improve not only for themselves, but also for their teammates.

"This is my [redshirt sophomore] year and it's my first time truly ever seeing the field. I am just filled with so much gratitude this season. I've had many high moments. I've had many low moments, but every single day that I see my first and last name and my number on that lineup card. It's like, I think back to the girl, freshman year, that would kill just to see the field. So every single time I get an opportunity, I make it a point to take full advantage of that. Being able to play for my teammates, my family and for my coaches, they've gotten me to this and just being able to show up for us and do my best," Noble said.

While the Cardinals have struggled so far this season, currently sitting in last place in the conference, the team still has the pieces and the culture to finish the season on the highest possible note.

Contact Rylan Crum at rylan.crum@bsu.edu or on X @RylanCrum

According to an April 16 press release from the City of Muncie, the investigation by the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA) began in 2022 after city leadership identified concerns with financial processes. City officials reported those concerns and cooperated with both state auditors and the Indiana State Police throughout the investigation.

As a result of the findings, two employees have been terminated. One employee was dismissed in December 2024 following the city's internal review, and a second employee was terminated after the report was released.

The report highlights multiple years of problems with internal controls and financial procedures. While the city said the issues were tied to individual actions in the press release, officials acknowledged the need to address broader systemic concerns within the department.

Since the investigation began, the city has taken steps to improve oversight and accountability, according to the press release. These changes include strengthening financial tracking procedures and implementing better internal controls.

Mayor Dan Ridenour said in the press release that the city acted quickly once concerns were identified and emphasized a commitment to transparency.

"From the moment concerns were identified, we acted swiftly and responsibly," Ridenour said. "Protecting taxpayer dollars and maintaining public trust will always be a top priority for this administration."

The Indiana State Police investigation is still ongoing. According to the press release, any findings from that portion of the case will be sent to the Delaware County Prosecutor for review.

City officials said they will continue working to improve policies and procedures across departments and will cooperate with any additional recommendations from the state.

The full report from the Indiana State Board of Accounts is expected to be available on the SBOA website soon.

However, the investigation comes as Muncie has faced past issues with public corruption.

According to a November 2021 Associated Press article, former Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler was sentenced to one year in federal prison after pleading guilty to taking a $5,000 bribe in exchange for steering city contracts to a contractor in 2015. According to the article, the contractor "received more than $250,000 in improper city contracts for excavation and demolition work."

Tyler, who served as mayor from 2012 to 2019, admitted to accepting the bribe and told a judge his actions "left a stain" on his career, according to the article. His case was part of a broader federal investigation into corruption within the Muncie Sanitary District and city administration, which also led to charges against several other officials at the time.

Contact the Daily News at editor@bsudailynews.com.

The Freedom Bus was originally a Muncie transportation bus that was transformed into a black history museum on wheels. It was created in partnership with the non-profit Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Team, Ball State University's Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry, the City of Muncie, and the Muncie Human Rights Commission.

The bus gets help from Ball State Students in COMM 450, a class taught by Beth Massner, Associate Professor of Communication Studies and member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Team. One person in the class is Rosemary Papa.

"...going through all of the exhibits and actually diving into stories, like personal stories, you just really see the humanity behind it and put yourself in the shoes of, 'Those are real people.' 'These are real things that happened.' It isn't just something from our history that we gloss over."

This year, students in the class are focusing on trying to bring awareness to the exhibit. Her role for the project was outreach. Papa said that she felt like everyone fit into their roles well.

"So, I think we all really fit into our specific roles and were really good at communicating with each other, which I'm very grateful for." Papa said. "I would love for people to come out and see it."

One of her classmates is Lindsey Green. Green said her favorite part of the class is working with her group and learning as they go.

"We have gone through a lot of different obstacles with what we wanted to do and how we really wanted to get people here, and I think my group has done really well of working with these obstacles and turning those challenges into making the project better and not necessarily setting us backwards." Green said.

The Freedom Bus talks about African American history, from the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade to the Civil Rights Movement, with a focus on the local perspective. You can hear the voices of Civil Rights leaders in East-Central Indiana and first-hand accounts from locals.

"I think there's a lot of information that people can learn about from coming onto the bus. And I think it's information that is not necessarily shared with a large group of people, and a lot of people don't necessarily know…" Green said, "And I think with how much you know and the amount of knowledge that you have only creates us to be stronger, better people that understand our community."

Development for the Freedom Bus started in 2004. The original concept was created by Beatrice "Bea" Moten-Foster, a civil rights activist and journalist in Muncie. Due to a lack of resources, the project was in storage until 2014. The bus was finished and opened to the public in 2016, where "Miss Bea" was put on the front license plate in honor of Moten-Foster.

Beth Messner has worked closely on the Freedom Bus project and has seen it evolve over the years. A more recent development with the bus is its partnership with Minnetrista Museum & Gardens in June of last year.

"As a member of the Martin Luther King Drain team, just so thankful that Minnetrista sees value in the work that we have done as an organization, that the dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of students have done in contributing to the project, and that they have kind of welcomed that into the fold… in terms of the educational programming that they're providing to the community." Messner said.

Messner says her students understand the power of storytelling.

"They are students who understand that how we tell stories shapes the way we understand ourselves and understand our world. They understand the importance of using their voices to advocate for themselves and for others. and I think this group of students is very passionate about finding ways to use their skill sets." Messner said.

Minnetrista Ceo, Brian Statz, says this bus needs to be seen.

"To me, it's important because so many people who were involved in the initial civil rights struggle, you know, in the 1950s and 60s are starting to go away. I mean, Jesse Jackson died just earlier this year. A lot of other voices are, you know, just they're growing old and eventually they'll disappear as well, unfortunately." Statz said.

"So it's up to us today to carry on those stories. Honor what they've done in the past and the struggle that they had, but also realize that civil rights is very much a present day issue as well. And so how can we learn from them to make things better for us today, for everybody?"

The Freedom Bus is available by request during regular museum hours until June 30.

Contact Daniel Huber with comments at daniel.huber@bsu.edu.

Dog Days of Finals at Bracken Library

Take a study "paws" and connect with a librarian to get help with your final projects and unwind with some dogs!
Date: Wednesday, April 22
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: Bracken Library, Room 104

For more information, visit:
https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/dog-days-of-finals-at-bracken-library

Save the Date for Art in Bloom

Join the David Owsley Museum of Art on May 15-17 for Art in Bloom, an annual celebration featuring floral creations inspired by works of art in the galleries. A Friday evening reception will include jazz, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, and Saturday and Sunday's public exhibition will feature live music, tours led by DOMA gallery guides and activities for all ages.

• Friday, May 15: Public "Preview Party" reception from 5-7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 16: Public exhibition and activities from 1-5 p.m.
• Sunday, May 17: Public exhibition and activities from 1-5 p.m.

Help spread the word about this community event by sharing or marking attendance on the Facebook event, and bring friends and family! The Art in Bloom calendar listings will be updated with a detailed schedule of activities closer to the weekend.

The weekend also provides an opportunity to see the special exhibition Nora Krug: Belonging before it closes on June 13.

There is no admission fee or RSVP required for this event, and weekend parking at nonmetered spots on the Quad Circle is also free. Visit bsu.edu/doma for more information about the event and the museum, and contact Rachel Buckmaster with any questions.

For more information, visit:
https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/save-the-date-for-art-in-bloom-3

Spring Semester Course Evaluations Now Available

Course evaluations for the spring semester are now available. Students are strongly urged to take advantage of this opportunity to provide feedback on classes before the evaluation period closes at midnight Monday, April 27. Visitwww.bsu.edu/teachingevaluations.

Timely completion of course evaluations makes a difference. Feedback helps faculty make decisions about how to improve courses and the learning experiences of future students. Written comments are especially informative as each faculty member strives to improve the quality of instruction.

Although users must log in to access the system, IDs are not linked to responses; evaluations are anonymous. Thank you for taking the time to help improve the educational experience by assisting faculty in the design and delivery of more effective courses.

For more information, visit:
https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/spring-semester-course-evaluations-now-available-1

For more information, go toBall State's Communication Center.

Tonight: It will be a nice night tonight with temperatures only getting down to 54 degrees as our low. The clouds will start to move back in overnight and bring us partly cloudy skies. Adding on to such a calm night, the winds will slow down and come out of the south at 5 mph.

Tomorrow: Tomorrow will be a great day for the Late Nite Carnival here on the Ball State Campus. The morning starts out at 55 degrees but, as the day moves on, we will see those temperatures getting into the low-80s for our high. When the carnival gates open at 6 p.m., it will be 82 degrees with mostly sunny skies. At midnight, when the rides close down for the night, the temperature will drop down to 70 degrees, making for a wonderful night. The winds will stay consistent throughout the day at 10-15 mph.

Seven-Day Forecast: Tomorrow will have the highest temperature of the week at 83 degrees. There will be an 80% chance of storms moving through early Saturday morning as a cold front will drop the high for the day to 69 degrees. The temperatures will stay low on Sunday and Monday at 55 degrees but will pick up to 74 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday. We will finally get back into the 80s on Thursday when the high reaches 81 degrees. The lows on Saturday night will get close to freezing at 37 degrees but Sunday's low will drop below freezing to 31 degrees.

Hosted by the Ball State Republican and Democratic organizations alongside the Econ club. Allowing students to connect on a deeper level not only to political and community issues but get a better understanding of the values he holds for himself and reflects into the community.

Highlighting his past career in banking has made extreme impacts on how he handles his current position. Those connections, understanding of investments and the overall attitude has helped him navigate and be a part of the population growth within the city of Muncie. Mentioning the future subdivision plans as others in the past have gone much smoother than imagined in which all 34 homes were sold within five months of building.

Discussing the finances of what it takes to run Muncie, Mayor Ridenour mentioned how they pay 400k each year to keep the street lights on. Mentioning they have recently invested in equipment for the Muncie Public Works department to more locally address paving issues around the city.

While the positives may out way the negatives, Ridenour didn't fail to mention issues he wished had been handled differently or the issues that he regularly faces while in office. Ridenour's ability to be transparent with students allows them to feel more comfortable within the community.

Making appearances such as this students are better understanding of how Ridenour plans to grow Muncie. He encourages students to stay engaged, noting he even offers internships to help shape the future of students in Muncie.

Contact Rayanna Goble with comments at rayanna.goble@bsu.edu.

Olivia Rodrigo is by far my favorite music artist I've ever listened to. Her combination of heartbreaking ballads and energetic 2000s pop-rock leads to her being an artist I always want to hear in any mood or situation. Her music has been a cornerstone in my life these last five years. Through the good and the bad, there has always been an Olivia Rodrigo song there to express how I feel perfectly. With the GUTS era officially coming to a close, a new album just around the corner, and finally seeing her live during her record-breaking show at Lollapalooza, now feels like the time to reflect back on her whole discography and rank them to determine my favorites. This includes her two studio albums, SOUR and GUTS (and GUTS Spilled), along with "Can't Catch Me Now" from the Hunger Games soundtrack and "All I Want" from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. A clean 30-song discography that will bring my emotions on a roller coaster ride.

30 - "hope ur ok"

No artist is perfect; there will always be at least one song that isn't very good. And unfortunately, Olivia Rodrigo is no different. "hope ur ok" is not only Olivia's worst song, but it is the only song of hers I consider bad. Olivia's strongest aspect of her music is her amazing writing. Her lyrics are always very good and portray such powerful emotions in an outwardly teenage way on SOUR and a more introspective way on GUTS. However, "hope ur ok" is the only time she sounds like she's talking about something she knows nothing about. SOUR is an album all about teenage angst and the pain of your first breakup. It's a record that features some immature lyrics but it works with the record's subject matter. "hope ur ok" features many lyrics like "his parents cared more about the Bible than being good to their own child" and "she was tired 'cause she was brought into a world where family was merely blood" that to me give off the vibe of knowing everything about the world in middle school when that simple isn't true. It is the only time where Olivia sounds her age in a bad way, with her being 17 when she wrote this song. The instrumental also sounds off, with an off-sounding guitar that overpowers the song. However, the song isn't entirely bad. Olivia Rodrigo has consistently done one part of a song perfectly every single time: a bridge. The bridge in this song is very good; it uses some vocal layering that sounds elegant and makes up for more lackluster lyrics. It adds intensity that the song desperately needed. However, one good, albeit short, section does not make up for the rest of the song. It is easily Olivia's worst song, and no song even comes close.

29 - "girl i've always been"

The second bonus track off of GUTS (Spilled), "girl i've always been" has two very simple issues: it's too short and it's unmemorable. The song is exactly two minutes long and is a simple country tune about how Olivia is the girl that she is, and that won't change. It's not a bad song, it's catchy and fun, but it's a song I never go out of my way to listen to.

28 - "enough for you"

"enough for you" is the start of SOUR's Achilles heel of generic ballads. While Olivia Rodrigo is a fantastic balladeer, her debut album features a handful of ballads that blend together. "enough for you" is a simple song about nothing she did being enough for her ex. It's okay, but generic.

It is the song I forget the most off SOUR.

27 - "favorite crime"

For being her 7th most popular song according to music metrics vaultby streaming numbers, I find "favorite crime" to be one of Olivia's weakest songs. This is the second song in the generic ballads trilogy. "favorite crime" uses the metaphor of their relationship being like partners in crime and doesn't really go any further than that. It has some good lines, I really liked "One heart broke, four hands bloody" in particular, but it just has good moments that don't fully come together to make a good, complete package.

26 - "teenage dream"

"teenage dream" was a great end to my favorite album. A reflection of her life and how she got to this point is a fantastic way to end her sophomore album. However, as a song on its own and no longer being the final track on GUTS (Spilled), its long outro and just alright melody don't have me coming back too often. A song that works significantly better with the context of the album.

25 - "All I Want"

"All I Want" is an interesting song in Olivia Rodrigo's discography. It's a song written and performed by her, but it isn't a song about her. The song is from the perspective of the character she plays in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. However, you could be convinced that this is a track off SOUR as it sounds nearly identical to many of the ballads from that record. It is a great ballad, but being from a point of view not her own and having that Disney cleanliness to it, it does lose a lot of points with me.

24 - "stranger"

"stranger" is a fantastic song lyrically. It's a song topic not often discussed. A song about the healing process post-breakup and how someone you were in love with eventually becomes a distant memory. It was a song that helped me a lot during my own heartbreak. However, the song doesn't sound that great. The intro guitar sounds weirdly mixed. It sounds much better when Olivia's vocals kick in, but that harsh intro does bring it down a bit. With a discography this strong, a few seconds of something rough does bring it down towards the bottom of the list.

23 - "1 step forward 3 steps back"

The third of the generic ballad trilogy, "1 step forward 3 steps back," is an alright song. Nothing too crazy and nothing too noteworthy. A good song, but one I never seek out.

22 - "vampire"

The lead-off single for GUTS,and it was okay. "vampire" was a back-to-basics single that is very similar to "drivers license" but not nearly as good. The vampire metaphor isn't the greatest, which causes the chorus to be one of her weakest, but the verses and especially the bridge are fantastic. A song to get fans excited for the new era, but one of the weakest off the album.

21 - "Can't Catch Me Now"

A song from the fifth Hunger Games movie, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, "Can't Catch Me Now" is a beautiful-sounding song that doesn't really have much substance to it. The rare instance where the instrumental is significantly better than the lyrics. The lyrics are fine. Since the song is made for a movie, the lyrics aren't about Olivia and are instead about the characters. As someone who hasn't seen the movie, lyrics about the characters or story don't matter as much to me. However, the music of this track is fantastic. I love how this song sounds, especially the vocal layering. Personally, lyrics are more important than sound, which is why it ranks so low, but the song has an undeniably amazing sound.

20 - "lacy"

When GUTS originally dropped, I referred to "lacy" as the "hope ur ok" of the album. Two years later, the song has grown on me a lot, but it is still not my favorite. Well-made song, but Olivia reflecting on her own perception is done much better later in the album and done better with a track on SOUR.

19 - "making the bed"

Similar to "lacy", "making the bed" was a track that I put pretty low on my initial ranking of the album, but came around on. It's a track I find to be more relatable than "lacy" which causes me to enjoy it more, but I feel similar to "making the bed" as I do about "lacy."

18 - "ballad of a homeschool girl"

The first of Olivia's rock songs. Rock is the genre Olivia Rodrigo excels at, with the majority of her rock songs being found at the top of the list. "ballad of a homeschool girl" is her weakest, but still a great song. The killer on this one is the lyrics. While intentional, the lyrics are a little sloppy. Parts of the song, like the outro, tend to rub me the wrong way, mainly with a line like "can't think of a third line". This song is much better live, however, one of the few songs that I listen to the live version more than the studio version.

17 - "logical"

"logical" is a fairly standard ballad with a fantastic bridge. "logical" also features a fantastic chorus. The main issue with the track is the verses. The verses are generic and not memorable at all. A song that I enjoy, but need to be in the right mood for.

16 - "scared of my guitar"

Similar to "logical," "scared of my guitar" is a ballad I don't come back to often, but it hits hard when I am in the right mood. The idea of repressing emotions about a relationship so much that music becomes scary is a great premise. The idea of being scared of your guitar because you have to be honest while making music is a great idea for a song, and the song executes that idea well. It isn't an all-the-time listen, but it is one I do enjoy when the mood is right.

15 - "all american bitch"

The album opener to GUTS is pretty good, but another one of her weaker rock songs. The chorus is a lot of fun. The kick in of the drums, along with the explosive lyrics, makes for a great chorus. The verses are where the track lacks slightly, but they're not bad. "all american bitch" is a lesser version of SOUR's opening track.

14 - "so american"

The most unique song in her catalog, "so american" is the only love song Olivia Rodrigo has ever made. A song for her, at the time, partner Louis Partridge, Olivia details all the cross-cultural differences that cause them to fall in love with each other. The song works great in the context of the album, beginning with "all american bitch," an album full of heartbreak, and ending with "so american" creates a full circle album experience.

13 - "bad idea right?"

The second single off of GUTS, "bad idea right?" is a fun song about getting back with someone you know you shouldn't. The early 2000s pop-rock sound and the lighthearted lyrics make "bad idea right?" a good idea to listen to.

12 - "get him back!"

When GUTS originally dropped "get him back!" was by far my favorite song on the album. But as time has gone on, I find myself returning to the track less and less. Still a great song, a fun idea with great lyrics, but I'm not finding myself queuing this song up nearly as much. However "get him back!" is a fantastic concert closer, one of my favorite songs to see live.

11 - "pretty isn't pretty"

"pretty isn't pretty" is "hope ur ok" done properly. Like "hope ur ok," the focus is significantly less on herself and more on society. While the song is still from her perspective, "pretty isn't pretty" is primarily about societal views on what is "pretty." How people, especially women, are criticized, ridiculed, and constantly compared to impossible-to-achieve beauty standards. The chorus is a beautiful cry of pain, and the bridge is an explosion of frustration. This song is made even better because Olivia Rodrigo is the one performing it. Her vocal delivery and her background in acting allow her to deliver these lines with the emotions they needed. "pretty isn't pretty" is a fantastic song, and the track not making the top 10 shows how good her discography is.

10 - "happier"

SOUR is an album filled with high highs and low lows. SOUR has so many generic ballads, but when a ballad is good, it is fantastic. "happier" is a great ballad. A song about acknowledging your ex has a new partner while also being possessive of them is a great idea for a song. The main line "I hope you're happy, but don't be happier" is a perfect description of describing an ex's new relationship. The cooing in the instrumentals is heartbreakingly sweet. "happier" is a fantastic ballad.

9 - "good 4 u"

Olivia Rodrigo's third single is the song that sold me on Olivia. "good 4 u" takes blatant inspiration from Paramore's "Misery Business", being an outwardly bratty and stubborn track that feels so good to listen to. Sometimes you don't need a poetic ballad, sometimes you need a song fueled by rage. Olivia Rodrigo takes clear inspiration from artists like Paramore and Alanis Morissette, and "good 4 u" stands as tall as their biggest hits. It took listening to "good 4 u" for me to fully be on board with Olivia and realize her music was something special.

8 - "traitor"

Another great and unique track off of SOUR, "traitor" is a song about feeling cheated on while not actually being cheated on. When an ex starts a new relationship quickly after the old one ended, it's hard not to feel cheated on, a feeling Olivia explores in great, painful detail.

7 - "deja vu"

The second single off of SOUR, "deja vu" is another beautiful ballad. The main standout is the bridge. Like stated earlier, Olivia Rodrigo is fantastic at writing bridges. All of the songs in the top 10 that have bridges are the best parts of their respective songs. The bridge on "deja vu" is her best bridge in her discography. Having the song start with "do you get deja vu" and ending with "I know you get deja vu" is amazing songwriting. Reusing all the imagery the song used earlier, but with more venom behind the words, feels so cathartic. "deja vu" is building up to the bridge, and it is worth it every single time

6 - "love is embarrassing"

In 2024, my most streamed song of that year was "love is embarrassing", a short two and a half minute album track off of GUTS. For the longest time, "love is embarrassing" was my favorite song of all time. While I still love this song, it is a song I did unfortunately burnt myself out on. However, "love is embarrassing" is still one of the greatest pop-rock songs I've ever heard. The track is a ton of fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously, the lyrics are more self-critical than most of her other songs, and the sound is more upbeat than the rest of her discography. A fun track that is a perfect middle point of the album

5 - "the grudge"

From one of the most fun to one of the most heartbreaking, "the grudge" is brutally sad. Olivia Rodrigo's monologue-esk writing is perfected with this track. "the grudge" is her best writing. The song encapsulates the heartbreak of wanting to be mad at someone, wanting to hate someone with your whole heart, but not being able to do so because of the happy past. It is a heartbreaking and devastating feeling. "the grudge" is by far Olivia Rodrigo's best-written and performed song. The only issue is that it is too heavy sometimes. It is a track that needs to be played at the right time, given how soul-crushing it is. But when it hits, it hits hard.

4 - "obsessed"

GUTS (Spilled), while being a great deluxe of a great album, has one major benefit to it: it finally made the best song on the album available to stream. "obsessed" is by far my favorite track off GUTS and GUTS (Spilled). The cutting lyrics, the perfect chorus, the amazing instrumental, it's got it all. It is a song I can listen to forever and never once be tired of it.

3 - "drivers license"

Olivia Rodrigo's first-ever single is a ballad she wrote when she was 16 about getting her driver's license. It not only rocketed her to stardom, but it is the best ballad she has written. Whereas "the grudge" is better written, "drivers license" hits the teenage heartbreak and angst that SOUR does best. It is a song written by a 16-year-old, sounds like it was written by a 16-year-old, and succeeds because it hits that feeling of being 16 years old perfectly. "drivers license" is the best cry in the car song. It is a song that I didn't get at first, but is now a song I don't know how I didn't understand. For being her first single, "drivers license" is still one of her best.

2 - "jealousy jealousy"

While her ballads might be what Olivia Rodrigo is known for, her pop-rock songs are by far her best. "jealousy jealousy" is fantastic. There isn't too much to discuss; the lyrics are good, the sound is good, the bridge is good, everything on this track is perfect. It's like "pretty isn't pretty" but smaller in scope, which causes me to like it more. It also turns the track into her more rock sound than her ballad sound, which is always a plus. A great end to SOUR if you don't count "hope ur ok".

1 - "brutal"

This was the easiest decision on the whole list. The album opener of SOUR, "brutal" is a flawless song. A slow violin to ease you in, into a hard crash of guitars and drums, and somehow an even harder-hitting chorus, just to end back at the violin's, the sound alone sets up the whole album perfectly. The lyrics are also fantastic. Going back to "drivers license" best quality, this song complements "drivers license" by having more fun with the idea of being a teenager. Every small thing feels like the end of the world, even when it's something as minor as not being able to drive yet. "brutal" and "love is embarrassing" are tracks where Olivia seems to be having much more fun, and that fun bleeds into the listening experience. Ever since I listened to SOUR for the first time, "brutal" has been one of my favorite songs. It is a track I listen to nearly daily and have yet to grow tired of it. It is the best song Olivia Rodrigo has released.

Conclusion

Olivia Rodrigo is my favorite artist of all time. With the release of her third album just around the corner, I am very excited to see how her new music stacks up with the rest of her discography.

Sources: Music Metrics Vault

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