International students

International Students have had issues regarding the pandemic for many reasons. They have struggled with getting their visas granted in order to come back to the United States and have the opportunity to come back to campus. The Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams both have many international students and have struggled with getting their players back to Hattiesburg in order to compete in the last fall semester.

Warwick Purchase, from South Africa, had trouble getting his visa ready in time in order to come to the united states compete last fall. “It was really hard on me mentally, because I was so ready to come to the states and compete in tournaments with my new team and teammates” he stated. It has been a weird and bizarre year, these international students had to wait in their home countries, waiting to see if they were going to get the opportunity to come back to Hattiesburg or must stay at home and do everything online. The challenges that the international students had to face were very immense in pressure and stress. We must respect their patience and resilience that they displayed, they showed us that they can go through many trials and we hope to see all our international students on campus as soon as they are allowed.

How recent winter storms have affected local storms and grocery stores

On February 15, 2021, a catastrophic ice storm struck the Pine Belt area as icy conditions and cold temperatures dropped to a record low of 10-18 degrees. As a result, the first wave of the ice storm caused numerous cities to lose power, food, and the need for other utilities is scarce. According to WDAM, “The Forrest County 361 shelter as well as additional shelters that will be open to anyone looking for a warm place to stay. It will remain open until the severe cold clears out of the area on late Friday morning.” 

 Not only does the weather bring questions, but the farmers and sharecroppers are at risk of losing their products. Local farms such as “Hub City Fruit and Garden Farm, and “Nature’s Gourmet Farm,” are providing local grocery stores with products. According to Food Processing, “Winter storms forced chicken processor Sanderson Farms Inc. to suspend operations at its Texas, Mississippi and Hammond Louisiana processing plants Monday and Tuesday. Four broiler houses in Mississippi were destroyed as a result of collapsed roofs from accumulated ice and snow. While our processing plants, feed mills, and hatcheries are secure, we continue to monitor conditions on our live grow-out farms and live production supply chain.” 

As a result of this, without insurance farmers have no additional way of getting back what was lost. With temperatures continuing to drop, the second ice storm wave is set to make its way into the Pine Belt area Wednesday evening throughout Thursday night. This winter storm will result in more significant ice hazards and snow conditions. Despite the catastrophic event, farmers and productions seek to maintain their products and way of distribution. 

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Video: Sariah Bonds

Article: Josh Williams

Photos: Earl Stoudemire

Southern Pine’s Pet adoption

Southern Pines Animal Shelter in Hattiesburg, Mississippi has seen a dramatic growth in pet fostering during the Covid-19 pandemic, reflecting a larger national trend in which pet adoptions have risen significantly during that same time period.

According to the Washington Post, Pet Adoptions have increased dramatically since before the pandemic, both among pets adopted from animal shelters and pets adopted from breeders. This story has also been picked up by USA Today, Fox Business, NPR, and many more. It’s gone so far that ‘Rescue Animals’ were declared Time Magazine’s 2020 Pet of the Year.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one of the major effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on our lives is stressfulness. In a separate post the CDC states that the benefits of owning a pet are decreased blood pressure, decreased feelings of loneliness, increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities, and increased opportunities for socialization, which all can help lower stress.

In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the Southern Pines Animal Shelter is seeing these benefits first hand. Dani Snell, Southern Pines’ media coordinator and public relations supervisor, said that while they haven’t seen a net increase in adoptions, like had been reported, they have seen a large increase in people seeking to foster pets. This is consistent with the Animal Care Center of NYC, which the Washington Post reported saw a 15% increase in pets adopted from being fostered. 

Snell said, “In the summer we had a lot of people foster things they wouldn’t usually foster, like people usually like to foster puppies and kittens, and typically during the spring that’s where our needs lie. But, we had a lot of people who fostered adult dogs, and adult cats even, and we were able to get those animals adopted from foster.” 

When asked about how the dogs themselves were responding to the pandemic, Snell said that for the most part they don’t really notice. They’d also been used to people wearing masks around them as those who worked at Southern Pines had always worn masks to work with them. 

She continued, “We have seen some improvement in dog behavior, and less dog stress because we’ve been able to get dogs into foster, and those homes have opened up more because people are home.”

Southern Pines Animal Shelter is an open admission, no-kill shelter that works with the city of Hattiesburg and Forrest County.

The response from the public on this issue has been incredibly positive with users on twitter, such as @princess_nerdia who said, “Our pandemic pet adoption, and it really has brought a load of joy to this house.”

@erika83217260 who said, “Happy Thursday Tim. Something else wonderful that has been awesome during the pandemic. Pet Adoption has skyrocketed. So I am praying, so many animals are finding wonderful homes.” Then there’s also the feelings of @finance_orchid who said, “I totally missed the pandemic pet adoption train. Oh well.”

Article : Ryan Perry

Video: Sariah Bonds

photos: Mariah Reed

Resume

AMANDA SYRRIAH BONDS

204 Maumus Avenue

New Orleans, La. 70131

504-258-9111

Abonds93@gmail.com

Experience

Sales Associate Old Navy 5/6/2011-1/10/13

Assisted store management at Old Navy for two years doing extensive retail. My job duties consist of giving customer service, working the register, fitting room, merchandising, and stocking. Overall, the Sales Associate’s main requirement is to assist the customers with anything they need in order for the store to meet its daily goals.

  • Manager- Malinda Baker
  • Address- 197 West Bank Expressway
  • 504-362-0184

Sales Associate Wet Seal Inc 5/10/2011-9/13/2011

Assisted store management at Wet Seal during the summer doing extensive retail. My job duties consist of giving customer service, working the register, fitting room, merchandising, and stocking.

  • Manager- Jasmine
  • Address- 197 West Bank Expressway
  • 504-362-0550

Hostess Zea Rotissere & Grill          3/13/2012-2/10/13

As a Hostess my job duties consisted of greeting guest at the door, seating guest, helping to serve, and busting tables.

  • Manager- Jeffrey
  • Address-1121 Manhattan Blvd
  • 504-361-8293

Sales Associate Charming Charlie               3/10/13-06/23/14

As a sales associate my job duties consist of working the cash register, promoting sales to customers, and greeting customers.

  • Manager-Darlene
  • Address-1500 West Bank Expressway
  • 504-364-5708

Pedicab driver Need A Ride 01/04/16-06/17/18

Worked as a Pedicab driver and took tourist to their desired destinations.

  • Manager-Robert Lane
  • Address-1025 Bienville st
  • 504-488-6565

Sales Associate Petco 5/2/15-1/3/16

As a Sales associate my job duties consist of taking care of the animals, cleaning their habitats, assisting customers, and working the register.

  • Manager-Michael Tuminello
  • Address-3018 Holiday Drive
  • 504-392-0956

Corporate Trainer Surge Nola 4/02/16-07/20/17

My duty as A corporate trainer was to manage a group of people and motivate them to drive sales and meet their daily goals. I also planned business trips and helped motivate the office for morning speeches.

  • Manager-Racheal Mccallum
  • Address-1010 Common St
  • 504-208-5955

Night Auditor St Pierre Hotel 01/03/17-05/05/18

My job was to manage the hotel and take care of the guest’s needs and concerns overnight. I answered phone calls, booked rooms, and was the auditor.

  • Manager- Blake Barnes
  • Address-911 Burgundy st
  • 504-524-4401

Flight Attendant SkyWest Airlines 07/11/2018-11/01/2018

  • Manager- Amber Frey
  • Address-Minneapolis St Paul Airport
  • 616-727-1046

Education

Edna Karr High School 2008-2011

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (Dance department) 2008-2011

The University of Southern Mississippi (Dance Education) 2011-2012

Delgado Community College (Massage Therapy Program) 2012-2017

Clubs & Awards

Cougarettes Dance Team 2008-2011

African American Organization 2012

Dance scholarship Award 2011

Delta Festival Ballet Cast Member 2013-2016

Volunteer Work

Old Aurora Children’s Garden 1/3/11-3/14/11

I have volunteered to work with children in my neighborhood to help build an organic garden where we grew plants, made compost, and made decorations for the garden.

SPCA 5/9/15-5/18/15

I have volunteered at the SPCA and have worked with caring for the cats and dogs there.

Unique ways to save money

If you are feeling as if all of your money goes to bills, many can relate to this same fact. So lets try something new. Before giving your money away to bills try paying yourself first.What people do wrong is that they pay themselves after they pay all of their bills and find that they barely have any money left over. I suggest to put money aside for yourself before you throw away all of your money to bills.https://eringobler.com/save-money-on-a-tight-budget/

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