“SANTOS Skin to Skin” is a documentary about the life and music of John Santos, a seven-time Grammy-winning musician, teacher and activist. Santos specializes in jazz and traditional Afro-Latin drumming. 

The film’s director, producer and editor, Kathryn Golden, and the director of photography and producer, Ashley James, said that being from the Bay Area in California, they have also been aware of Santos’ work. 

The pair said they had never considered making a documentary on Santos until their friend suggested it. 

“It’s sort of like you’re in the forest and don’t see the trees. But here was the tree right in front of us,” James said.

The movie follows Santos’s life. He grew up in San Francisco and was exposed to music at an early age through his grandparents, who were musicians on both his mother’s and father’s sides. 

Santos in the film explains how it is important for him to educate people as well as entertain them. The film shows him teaching classes or talking between songs in concert on the history of drum rhythm. 

Santos said in the film that drumming came to America from Africa, blending with the newly emerging Latin culture.

Golden said it was Santos’ explanation of the history and migration of drumming that sparked her inspiration. 

“He was describing the migration of rhythms and how while he was talking, I started imagining like the map of the world just completely differently than any map I’d ever seen before,” Golden said

The film shows that Santos often uses his heritage and drumming to be a voice for social change.

In the film, Santos protests the removal of Latin Jazz as a category from the Grammys, getting the genre reinstated after fighting for over a year.

The film covers Santos’ development in the music world as well as his family life. A major beat of the film was spent on the premature death of Santos’ first daughter who passed a month after birth.

Golden said that Santos originally did not want to speak about the death of his daughter. However, over the film’s nine-year production, Golden said, the relationship she and Santos built allowed him to open up about his experience.

“It was that it just took time to earn trust so that John [Santos] and Aida [Santos’ wife] felt comfortable going near that subject with us on camera,” said Golden.

Reflecting on the film James said he believes he has “the greatest job in the world.” He said that in his own way, he can change people’s lives for the better and he believes this film has accomplished that.

News Reporter Anthony Clauson can be reached at anthony.clauson994@topper.wku.edu.

Bricks & Minifigs sells LEGO products straight from LEGO distribution and “retired” LEGO sets bought from customers or online.

“The way that LEGO works is they’ll typically put something out and it’ll have a shelf life for about a year or two and then they’ll retire it,” Tony Lopez said. “LEGO is one of the few products that actually appreciates in value once it’s gone off the shelf.”

The store, located on Scottsville Road, opened on Sept. 28, 2024.

“Opening the store is one of the things that I knew we needed, because we don’t have anything like this, and I was already a consumer of it,” Tony Lopez said. 

Tony and Jenny Lopez are both extensively familiar with the Bowling Green community. 

Jenny Lopez, lifelong Bowling Green local, graduated from Greenwood High School and attended WKU for two years in the early 2000s. Tony Lopez has been a local since his study at WKU, graduating with a BFA in graphic design in 2001. 

Though Tony and Jenny Lopez shared mutual friends during their time at WKU, their first meeting occurred in the parking lot of a local apartment complex.

“She actually hit my car and then I kept seeing her everywhere around town after that, and then we just kind of started talking,” Tony Lopez said. “And then I actually got her a job at Best Buy.”

Tony and Jenny Lopez eventually migrated from Best Buy to Dell Computers in Nashville and married during their time with the company.

Jenny Lopez stayed with Dell for 16 years before being laid off amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Tony Lopez considers the new store a “passion project” as his day job at Broadcom, a major tech company, consumes most of his time.

“I’ve hired a manager to kind of run it and Jenny runs things as well,” Tony Lopez said. “And I’m here when I can be.”

Tony Lopez frequented the Bricks & Minifigs location in Louisville and delved into the opportunity of franchising from his experiences. 

“We’re related in the name but we’re all independently owned and operated,” Tony Lopez said. 

“It’s very much like a grassroots franchise,” Jenny Lopez said. “We all help each other with problems and send each other different stuff.”

The company has roughly 200 locations nationwide, according to Tony Lopez. 

Tony and Jenny Lopez expressed their gratitude for the community support over the last few weeks. 

The grand opening in September saw over 700 customers that Saturday, according to Tony Lopez.

“The community really came together and stuck it out and supported us,” Tony Lopez said. “ We couldn’t have asked for any more.”

Jenny Lopez said customers filed outside the establishment hours before the official opening at 10 a.m. that day, bearing the rain. Some customers arrived just moments after Jenny Lopez herself got to the store, around 7 a.m.

“One lady pulled up and they had folding chairs and they were the first ones out there with their three boys, waiting in line just as happy as they could be,” Jenny Lopez said.

The shop has already fostered a diverse customer pool of “LEGO adults,” college students and youth, according to Tony Lopez. Some of these customers have become regulars over the mere two weeks the location has been open.

Aside from selling official LEGO products, the store works with small businesses, like Brick Bling by Jill, Big Kid Brix, Go Figure Displays, and Made Happy. These businesses produce LEGO-adjacent and LEGO-compatible products. 

Bricks & Minifigs Bowling Green at 2800 Scottsville Rd. Suite 3 is open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The store can be reached at (270) 495-1118.

“It’s been awesome, and it’s weird to be in a business where people thank you for opening it,” Tony Lopez said.

News Reporter Kane Smith can be reached at kane.smith490@topper.wku.edu.

The forum was moderated by Bowling Green Daily News’ Managing Editor Wes Swietek.

Swietek said moderating forums such as the mayoral one is part of the Daily News’ 150-year-old mission of providing information to Bowling Green.

“I think it’s just an opportunity for the voters to see the people, the candidates, in person, hear their responses to questions that are pertinent to the community,” said Swietek.

Both candidates had two minutes to provide opening and closing statements and three minutes to respond to each question asked by the moderator.

In opening statements, Minter spoke first and promised to, “lead by listening,” and highlighted her past work with Governor Andy Beshear during her time as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Minter said the ultimate decision was between, “a politician who caters to insiders or a mayor who fights for us.”

Alcott’s opening statements focused on the work he’s done since his election as mayor in 2020.

“We’ve come through a lot the past few years. Come through COVID We’ve come through mask mandates. We’ve come through tragedies. We’ve come to tornadoes,” said Alcott.

Alcott also worked to distinguish himself as a leader, claiming Minter was an “activist.” Alcott said a leader gets fired if they make a mistake while an activist blames others.

When asked by the moderator what they believed the most pressing issue in Bowling Green is, both candidates pointed to infrastructural issues.

Minter said the biggest infrastructure issues in Bowling Green relate to housing and traffic. 

“The housing plan tells us that we needed to be adding 3000 units of housing in order to keep up with the pace for what we’ll need by 2025,” Minter said.

Minter said her housing plan would involve applying for grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She also said she would work with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Homeless and Housing Coalition. 

Minter also said multiple citizens have complained about the traffic in Bowling Green. Specific complaints have been about traffic jams on main roads, such as Scottsville Road and Nashville Road, and unsafe roads through neighborhoods and near the 31-W bypass.

Alcott said that housing and traffic have gotten better under his mayorship. 

“I have worked hard for affordable housing. I work hard to get a homeless center. We have worked hard to build roads and to support police and to build new infrastructure.”

Alcott also said that as mayor he has expanded police infrastructure. “We have actually increased their [police] pay to 63k with benefits, and we have closed those 24 [vacant police] positions and then added 16 more positions on top.”

Minter said that during her time in the Kentucky House of Representatives, she also worked to better police pay and benefits.

“I prioritize paid high pay for state troopers and making sure that our first responders had mental health leave after a trauma panic event like our tornado,” said Minter

The topic of infrastructure led candidates to the topic of the tornado that touched down across Bowling Green, in December 2021. 

Minter leveled accusations against Mayor Alcott saying that while she was working with the state legislature she was unable to contact him about financial aid efforts.

“I was not able to deal directly with the mayor during the tornado recovery, relief and recovery process, because you didn’t respond to my emails, and I had money that the governor had made available through the state fund,” said Minter.

In response, Alcott said, “When you’re answering about 30 texts and 30 conversations about every 30 minutes during the crisis, email is not a priority.”

To Alcott’s response, Minter pushed back and said that the funds she was referring to became available in March of 2022 after the initial crisis.

Swietek also asked the candidates how they plan to vote on Amendment 2, a constitutional amendment allowing laws to be passed to provide state funding to private schools.

Alcott answered, “I know personally what I’m gonna vote, and that’s between me, God and a voting booth.”

Minter said she would be voting no, claiming the amendment would defund schools and transfer wealth from poorer regions of Kentucky to the more wealthy ones.

“[Amendment 2] is just a transfer of wealth to Covington, Lexington and Louisville,” said Minter.

Candidates were asked to provide their thoughts on a Bowling Green “fairness ordinance.” Swietek said the ordinance is a proposed addition of sexual preference and gender identity protections to the city’s civil rights legislation. 

Alcott outlined a case between Lexington and a T-shirt company after the implementation of a fairness ordinance. Alcott claimed that this case cost the city of Lexington $500,000.

“It was unconstitutional because it was not fairness, it was critical and an illusion that lost their constitutional rights because of a city fairness ordinance,” said Alcott.

Minter said she was in support of a Bowling Green Fairness ordinance. She said that since 1999, 24 cities, towns and counties in Kentucky have implemented fairness ordinances with no issue.

Minter also told Alcott, “You don’t want to pass a fairness ordinance because you clearly don’t want to stop discrimination.”

The candidates concluded the forum with their closing remarks.

Alcott emphasized service to Bowling Green. “Serving this community has been the greatest experience of my life.”

Minter emphasized change and new ideas, “I’m offering a different path.”

News Reporter Anthony Clauson can be reached at anthony.clauson994@topper.wku.edu.

“Hammer-In” is a free, family-friendly event full of a variety of activities including forge and basic forge skills demonstrations, tinsmithing demonstrations and an aluminum pour demonstration where attendees could pay to make their own pour.

There were also several vendors at “Hammer-In” who sold swords, knives and other hand-crafted metalwork from their organizations. Big T’s Bar-B-Cue Food Truck also had items for attendants to purchase.

Brent Bjorkman, the director of the Kentucky Museum and the Kentucky Folklife Program, began by introducing Camille Acosta, a folklife specialist, who presented the “Narrative Stage” portion of the event. Metalworking specialists and demonstrators answered several questions from Acosta in front of an audience to help others better understand their stories and experiences in metalworking.

The featured demonstrator of the event, Rob Robinson of Sand and Steel, President of the Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths, specializes in 18th century and historical ironworking. Robinson said that he had been blacksmithing for over 30 years and showed the audience how to make the Kentucky Double Bit Ax during his demonstration.

Acosta asked collaborators why they believed events like “Hammer-In” are important to have in the community.

“It’s a way to share what you’ve learned and to try to inspire other people to either pick up what you do or to inspire them to go find their own means of expression, whether it’s through ironwork, or fiber arts or clay,” Robinson said. “It’s just kind of giving back some of what you’ve learned and what you’ve been taught over the years.”

Acosta asked the panel what advice they would give to those just starting metalworking.

Eleanor Davidson, a member of the Kentucky Forge Council since 2017, is an artist and fabricator based in Bowling Green. Davidson told Acosta failing is the best way to learn.

“A lot of trying involves failing, and that’s the best way to learn,” Davidson said. “Just do things over and over, and make mistakes and learn from those mistakes.”

After Acosta finished asking her questions, she let the audience ask the panel any questions they had. One audience member asked what “endgame” or goal these professionals had through pursuing metalworking.

Cassie Rebman, instructor of Sculpture and a studio technician at WKU, said her goal of becoming a collegiate instructor “stems from wanting to foster the type of empowerment” that she feels when working with these processes. She also said she wanted to help others facilitate their own empowerment in those processes as well.

“Even if someone doesn’t go into the trade, the life experience that they get of being able to build something can do so much for their sense of self-actualization and the way they interact with the world because, you know, there’s a whole world around us that we should be actively engaging in.”

“Hammer-In” was presented in partnership with the Kentucky Folklife Program and WKU’s League of Sculptors, sanctioned by the Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths, according to WKU News. 

Kristina Arnold, head professor of the WKU Department of Art and Design and advisor of WKU’s League of Sculptors, discussed in an interview with the Herald her involvement as a member of the Kentucky Forge Council, the area chapter of Blacksmiths founded in 2016. Arnold said her husband was one of the founders of the organization.

“They’re [The Kentucky Forge Council] really interested in making sure the next generation learns and are excited about talking with their hands and knowing how to make the things we use every day,” Arnold said.

Maria Boggess, sophomore sculpture major and League of Sculptors member, helped run a booth at the “Hammer-In” event where participants carved designs into sand blocks and took home their creations after aluminum was poured into them. Attendants had the choice of different priced molds, including two halves of a heart mold for best friends, a bowl-shaped mold and a regular rectangular mold.

“The idea is you’re scratching your design like a mirror to what your final will be into blocks of sand,” Boggess said. “We plan to be here next year and do a bunch of events throughout the year with the Kentucky College Council. We do things like this at our club meetings too, so there’s multiple opportunities throughout the year to do stuff like this.”

News Reporter Abigail Vickers can be contacted at abigail.vickers153@topper.wku.edu.

Photos: ‘Hammer-In’ metalworking celebration held at Kentucky Museum

According to Honoring Our Heroes Inc. Executive Director Ron Cummings, Operation Anvil is the name given to the Allied invasion of southern Nazi-occupied France. The “Operation Anvil” reenactment showcased typical German Army fortifications and American invasion tactics.

The reenactment was hosted by Honoring Our Heroes Inc., a nonprofit organization originally founded by Cummings and five of his friends. Honoring Our Heroes’ goal is to celebrate and support veterans in the community, said Cummings.

Cummings said he was inspired to raise awareness for veterans after he saw how his father was treated after serving. 

“He served two tours in Vietnam and one tour in Korea, and I remember what it was like when he came home,” Cummings said. “They weren’t accepted. They were yelled at and spit on. It wasn’t popular.”

One of the members of the veterans ceremony, Robert H. Minton, was especially honored.

Minton is 102 years old and served in the South Pacific during World War II, working on airplanes for the Navy. While not being as well versed in Army operations in the European Theater, Minton said he thought the reenactment was, “pretty good.”

Reenactors played both the Allied and Axis powers. There were camps of American, British and German soldiers. 

The crowd sat in stands alongside German fortifications. American troops and three British soldiers aboard a Universal Carrier advanced on the fortification.

Both sides fired blank rounds out of fully authentic weapons. The German reenactors had one Universal Carrier. American and British reenactors drove several Universal Carriers, Jeeps and one M4 Sherman tank. Hand-to-hand combat was not allowed.

Reenactors “died” or became “injured” on an honor system. Once they were down they could be tended to by a medic.

The Allied forces won over the Germans pushing through all enemy fortifications. Once they were surrounded the remaining Germans were taken as prisoners of war and the reenactment concluded.

For some reenactors, events such as “Operation Anvil” are tradition and a point of lifetime legacy.

“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to do stuff like this,” American infantry reenactor Michael Elliott said.“My father did it when I was a kid, he did Civil War, so I kind of grew up around it.”

Other reenactors had less experience. 15-year-old Nolen Fox joined the reenactment as a medic because he was too young to carry a weapon or drive the equipment.

British Universal Carrier driver Seth Deaton said, “I got divorced and had a midlife crisis. It was something I always wanted to do but didn’t have the time or funds to do it, and I suddenly did.”

To accurately portray a WWII battle in Europe there must be Nazi soldiers.

“The old adage goes, you can’t have Star Wars without Stormtroopers,” said Han Halas, a reenactor for the German infantry. 

“It’s not a political motive of any sort,” German motor pool reenactor Randy Smith told the Herald, “If you look around, you don’t see any brown shirts here or any people with flags flying. It’s strictly a hobby. Once you take the politics out of the hobby, it’s enjoyable at that point.”

In addition to veterans and reenactors, the event was attended by a crowd of onlookers. For some, this was their first reenactment while others had been attending for several years.

For several attendees, reenactments were a family affair. “My nana got me into it, but I’ve always liked the battles and the uniforms,” said 12-year-old Grayson Nichols.

The Herald’s photo gallery of the event can be found here.

News Reporter Anthony Clauson can be reached at anthony.clauson994@topper.wku.edu.

The panelists included Assistant Chief Jason Scott of the Bowling Green Police Department, Agent Micheal Johnson from Homeland Security Investigations, Chief Deputy Kevin Wiles of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Agent Jamie Gordon from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Chief Mitchell Walker from the Western Kentucky University Police Department. 

The discussion included topics such as the role of their agencies, advice for aspiring law enforcement professionals, education and training experiences and the perception of law enforcement in the media.

“There are many other job functions within any law enforcement agency,” Johnson said to attendees,  “So computer forensics, intel analysis, there’s a whole plethora of other job functions that go with the law enforcement investigations side.” 

Gordon and Johnson emphasized the importance of honesty and awareness when posting on social media. 

“Social media is a big downfall for us, as far as new recruits,” Gordon said, “That is one of the things a lot of students get jammed up halfway through the academy from social media, so be careful with that. It does come back on everybody.” 

The panelists also discussed how their different agencies are affected by the media. 

Scott and Walker talked about the appreciation they receive and their positive relationship with the Bowling Green community and local media. 

“We have an excellent relationship with our local news outlets. I can’t think of too many, if any, negative stories that have been made against the Bowling Green police,” Scott said, “I like to think that we have a very good name in the community, and that’s echoed in the interactions that were having with people when we’re out to just normal calls.”

Scott asked students to do their own research about topics including law enforcement in the media. 

“Anything you see in the media always, whether a big case or its against an officer, I challenge you to try and do some independent research first before you jump to conclusions,” said Scott. 

The discussion ended with a segment open for students to ask any questions they may have for the panelists. 

When asked a question about how to refrain from letting their job affect their personal life, Gordon responded with “It’s a challenge.” 

Wiles highlighted some common struggles that people might face while working in law enforcement and shared how he copes. 

“Alcoholism is a problem in law enforcement and you have a lot of divorces, so I do think it’s something to be aware of if you’re going into this field,” said Wiles, “For me, it’s running. I love to run, so I run just about every day. It helps with my mental health.” 

The event concluded with a reminder from panelists of available internships for students with a passion for law enforcement and that students can contact their offices if interested. 

News Reporter Libby Simpson can be reached at elizabeth.simpson736@topper.wku.edu.

The WKU Student Voting Advocacy Committee formed this semester with the initiative of lobbying County Clerk Lynette Yates and the Warren County Board of Elections to establish a more accessible polling location for students. It sent a formal request to the board with signed support of 33 student organizations on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Caden Lucas, a sophomore studying political science, legal studies and international affairs representing the WKU Pre-Law Student Association and Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society, said “We were all approached by [Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Executive Director of WKU Housing and Residential Life] Catherine LaRoche to basically form this committee to advocate for there to be a polling location added to Western’s campus.”

The committee’s letter stated that 2024 marks the first year since the 1980s that a polling location was not established near WKU’s campus and suggested the Raymond B. Preston Center as an ideal location for accessible voting.

This year, the closest polling stations, listed on the Kentucky State Board of Elections website, are First Baptist Church and Warren Central High School, both a 40-minute walk round trip from campus. 

“The Preston Center is our preferred location due to its central position on campus, ample parking, and overall facilities,” the committee stated in its request.

The committee cites a survey by the Herald stating that 91% of students would prefer an on-campus polling location. It also provided statistics from Democracy Counts 2020 stating an increase in voter turnout from 52% in 2016 to 66% in 2020.

An informal 2022 poll by the Herald showed 89% of respondents supported having a voting location on WKU’s campus.

The committee also included information on student involvement in events like presidential debate watch parties and voter tabling events. The letter ended with student testimonies detailing how going home to vote is not a feasible option and its desire for students to be part of the democratic process.

A letter from County Clerk Yates was sent to the committee on Sept. 16. rejecting the committee’s request based on the lack of public parking, the forced closure of the Preston Center and the low number of registered student voters. 

Members of the WKU Student Voting Advocacy Committee disagreed with Yates’ arguments and, upon the rejection, sent an appeal to the Kentucky State Board of Elections the same day.

In an interview with the Herald, Ian White, a junior agriculture major, addressed the board’s concern with parking. 

“We’ve been working with Parking and Transportation, and they have guaranteed that if this were to come into effect, that we would have public parking at Preston Center,” White said. 

Regarding the closure of the Preston Center, the committee wrote to the state board that, “The Preston Center seemed eager to assist with getting this location added and was willing to comply with the required regulations.”

Yates stated in the letter that only 514 students living in residence halls were registered to vote, to which Lucas said the committee refuted. 

“That is still 500 voters that you have a responsibility of ensuring that they have the access to vote, but then also a way larger majority of WKU students live off campus, and they were not accounted for in that number whatsoever,” said Lucas.

Lucas continued by saying that the majority of off-campus housing is still within close proximity to WKU and that a polling location at the Preston Center would be the best option for students living in off-campus housing. 

Donte Reed, a senior biology major representing the Student Government Association, also said Yates’ count doesn’t include the number of students who haven’t yet registered to vote.

The committee members told the Herald that the Kentucky State Board of Elections was very supportive of their cause but did not have the authority to overturn the decision of the local board of election fully. Instead, the state board was able to submit the committee’s request to a state board staff committee.

The state board staff committee’s job was to review the Warren County voting plan. If the state board staff committee found a deficiency could be found within the current voting plan then they “disprove” the current voting plan.

Upon a disproval, everything would be sent back to County Clerk Yates. Yates could then consider the WKU Student Voting Committee’s proposal.

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, the WKU Student Voting Committee received a letter from the State Board of Elections’ director Karen Sellers, stating that the current Warren County voting plan did not meet the requirements for disproval. 

“There is nothing that suggests any circumstance from July 16th to September 17th created a situation in which the Warren County plan became one in which not enough voting locations were offered to the residents of Warren County or that the previously approved plan has now become unacceptable in quality,” Sellers’ letter stated, 

With no change to the voting plan deemed necessary, there will be no further reviews of the WKU Student Voting Committee’s request for a polling location on campus.

News Reporter Anthony Clauson can be reached at anthony.clauson994@topper.wku.edu. 

The forum began with a panel of invited speakers that included Kelley Paul, wife of U.S. Senator Rand Paul, and Jenean Hampton, Kentucky lieutenant governor from 2015 to 2019.

Warren County Conservatives, a local political organization, gathered a group of speakers calling local voters to vote “yes” on Amendment 2 in the upcoming election. The amendment, which will be on the ballot in November,  would allow the General Assembly to “provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools.” 

Paul spoke about her perceived failings in the public school system, and how she believes Amendment 2 is the path forward.

“We keep doing the same thing for decades, and it’s not working,” Paul said. “We constantly hear we just need more funding. Well, every year we spend more money to increase our public school budgets, and yet scores continue to decline.” 

Paul also defended the constitutional change against claims that it will take funding from public schools. 

“Amendment 2 will simply allow our elected representatives who are accountable to you, the voter, to consider new options for students and families who are stuck in failing or violent public schools,” she said.

Paul was followed by Jenean Hampton who served as lieutenant governor under former Governor Matt Bevin. A Detroit native, Hampton spoke of her experience in the city’s magnet school program and how it helped her in the long term.

“I was a voracious reader in elementary school, the worst punishment my mom could do for me was take my books away,” Hampton said. “And when I learned that it was once illegal for people with my skin color to read and write, nothing was going to keep me from school.” 

Hampton argued for the amendment, saying that it would improve the quality of education for Kentucky children.

“Let’s vote yes on Amendment 2,” Hampton said. “Let’s vote yes because Kentucky’s teachers deserve better. Kentucky’s parents deserve better, and Kentucky’s kids deserve better.”

Paul and Hamton were also joined on the panel by two concerned parents, Walter Blanks Jr. and Ashley Cornwell.

Blanks emphasized that the amendment would make private school education more accessible to families like his own who could not otherwise afford it.

“This is life or death for students that look like me, students that don’t look like me, but primarily for families that don’t have the means,” Walters said. “Those families’ education is the only way out, just like it was for me and my family.”

Cornwell reflected Blanks’s sentiments, saying that public school education is becoming rife with “political content.” She expressed her feelings that “sexually oppressive or politically biased content” were harming her children in their public school education.

It was for these reasons that Cornwell decided to take her children out of public school.

“I chose to homeschool, like so many other Kentucky families, because I cannot afford private tuition,” she said. “I gave up my career, my income, my health insurance and a savings account to ensure that the best situation was provided for my child.”

During the question and answer session that followed the panel’s prepared remarks, opponents of the bill were given an opportunity to voice their concerns.

Former WKU Vice President for Student Affairs Howard Bailey accused the amendment of being a return to segregation-era policies. 

“[White segregationists] started their own community church schools, so that the white kids did not have to go to school with black and brown kids,” Bailey said to the panel. “This looks like a rerun of what was done in 1954.” 

“I think this will have terrible effects on minority students,” Bailey told the Herald.

Retired Warren County teacher Claudia Hanes also raised concerns about the amendment’s consequences adversely affecting troubled students. “So are you telling me that charter schools don’t have to take kids who are bullies or are aggressive?” she asked the panel.

“I’ve worked with kids who were troubled. I’ve worked with kids who were bullies. I’ve worked with kids who are disabled,” Hanes said. That’s what public education is meant to do, accept everybody and educate everybody.”

“But to me, it feels like we’re trying to divide ourselves, and what we ought to be doing is rallying around public education,” Hanes continued. “The problem can be solved if we want to solve it.” 

Blanks expressed his hopes for Amendment 2 to the Herald. He talked about wanting it to be an incentive to create discussions. 

“If you’re going to do it right, bring everyone to the table,” Blanks said.

News Reporter Malone Farmer can be reached at james.farmer674@topper.wku.edu. 

International Communities Liaison Leyda Becker spoke with three panelists; Dr. Albert Mbanfu, April Mench and Dmytro Kondratovych, about Bowling Green’s large refugee population. Each speaker shared their experience of becoming a ‘New American’ and spoke to attendees about how they can help smoothen this transition for others.

‘New American’ is a less polarizing term that encompasses anyone who was born outside of the United States, said Becker. 

Bowling Green acts as a prime resettlement area for ‘New Americans.’ The city became a designated resettlement site in 1979 and maintains a proud history of welcoming refugees and immigrants from around the globe. 

Mench, who works for the Karenni Cultural Preservation Center, migrated to the U.S. at 17 years old from a refugee camp in Thailand. Mench discussed how the Karenni Cultural Preservation Center works closely with the International Center of Kentucky to integrate ‘New Americans’ into the city. The center provides employment, housing, education, transportation and social services to immigrants and refugees to better ease their transition.

The International Center of Kentucky, one of three refugee resettlement agencies in Kentucky, has worked to resettle refugees in and around Bowling Green since 1981, striving to address the needs of refugees and immigrants as they rebuild their lives, according to their website. Services such as English language training programs, enrollment in social services, medical screenings, access to a social security card and more can be provided to those in need.

Mbanfu, director of the International Center of Kentucky, immigrated to Atlanta, Georgia from West Africa. Mbanfu opened the conversation up to the harsh reality of the immigration process. According to Mbanfu, many refugees leave their families behind and begin their new lives alone, causing feelings of loneliness and depression. Most refugees are also fleeing dangerous countries, often situations full of war and injustice creating a challenging transition.

“In any scenario, it’s not all that smooth,” said Mbanfu. “There is always risk.”

It is also a common misconception that immigrants and refugees drain community resources, said Mbanfu. In reality, according to FWD.us, their arrival helps create jobs, raise wages and increase productivity. 

Kondratovych, financial specialist at the city of Bowling Green, fled from Ukraine two years ago.  He shared how, like most refugees, his experience was rather lonely at first. A thick accent created a language barrier and a longer name prevented him from employment. Kondratovych stresses the importance of being kind to ‘New Americans’ and urges citizens to embrace their heritage. Cultural preservation and celebration of different communities helps maintain one’s cultural identity, giving them a sense of belonging.

Becker, WKU alumni, immigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela at 13 years old. Becker encourages the public to think proactively about integrating ‘New Americans’ into their lives. Beginning conversations, staying clear of stereotypes, and asking questions are great first steps. 

“A smile can convey so much more than words. . . acceptance,” said attendee, WKU professor Michelle Reece. 

News Reporter Maegan Hale can be reached at maegan.hale446@topper.wku.edu.

The event hosted an array of speakers that shared information about the prevalence of suicide in the nation, and encouraged the use of proactive measures to reach those in need.

“We know that stigma about mental health is still a major factor in people seeking help for mental health or substance use issues,” Katie Hopper, children’s services director at LifeSkills, said in an email, “ The hope is to start the conversations in the community about suicide prevention and treatment and crisis options that are out there.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates increased about 36% from 2000-2022. And in 2022, an estimated 13.2 million adults seriously though about committing suicide, 3.8 million planned a suicide attempt and 1.6 million attempted suicide.

“It’s really, really important that we acknowledge that suicide affects literally everyone, all ages, all races, all beliefs, all backgrounds,” Hopper said at the event.

Sigma Nu’s chapter president, Braden Clough, discussed hazing culture on college campuses and ways campus organizations should make mental health a priority.

Clough encouraged all those in attendance to have serious conversations with those in their lives that are either in college or about to be in college.

According to the University of Central Florida, in 95% of cases where students identified being the target of hazing, they did not report the events to campus officials.

“I encourage you all – I implore you all – start talking about it,” Clough said. “Make it okay. It does happen.”

Clough said that Sigma Nu is committed to being an advocate for positive change.

“Hazing has no place in a college community or anywhere,” Clough said.

Londa Stockton, the child and family center manager at LifeSkills, also emphasized creating an environment for youth to feel comfortable sharing struggles.

Stockton said parents and adults need to ask their youth more than just, “How are you?” Instead, questions should prompt a personal response, getting to the heart of their emotions.

Following the speakers, Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott was joined by members of the City Commisioner’s office to read the Suicide Prevention Proclamation.

“We proclaim Warren County Suicide Prevention Month for September 2024,” Alcott told the audience, “In order to raise community awareness about suicide prevention in our nation, September is recognizing Suicide Prevention Month, a time where millions of people join their voices to raise awareness of suicide prevention, treatment and recovery.”

News Reporter Cameron Shaw can be reached at cameron.shaw555@topper.wku.edu.