As spring break ends and school starts back up, Sidelines is giving you a peek into what our editorial team was up to over the break. These passages include our highlights, daily outlines and no Oxford commas. Here’s a little look into our lives outside of classes and the paper. 

Editor-in-Chief, Jenene Grover

I had a pretty uneventful spring break, all things considered. It was my last ever break, and the first few days of it were spent in bed suffering from the flu and working on stories for the Sidelines special print edition we’re doing for our 100th anniversary. I did spend a day visiting the Frist Art Museum in Nashville and another day visiting the new Ikea in Huntsville, Alabama, both of which were fun little trips. The rest of the week was spent playing some video games, watching TV, cleaning my room and procrastinating on school assignments.

Managing editor, Brett Walker

Most people like to believe there’s some perfect balance of work, life and personal time that leads to genuine happiness. The truth is, it’s hard to achieve, some might say impossible. 

But my spring break was pretty close.

My break started a bit off schedule because my sister went into labor a week earlier than expected. After some stressful hours, or what must’ve felt like days for my sister, Sylvie Rae Blackburn was born at five pounds, 13 ounces on March 8. She’s tiny, but she’s a pretty big deal to our family, especially my nephew Graham, who was just excited that “sissy” was finally out to play.

I was able to spend the early parts of my week with my family and our newest addition, before heading down to Huntsville, Alabama, to cover the Conference USA Tournament with my Sidelines crew. 

Our trip to “Rocket City” was a blast, albeit short-lived. The Lady Raiders and Blue Raiders both suffered first-day tournament exits, sending this young reporter back home to unpack his unused suitcase. 

All in all, very little of my spring break was planned out. From my niece’s early arrival to MTSU’s one-day stay in Huntsville. But in the end, that lack of direction made the week feel longer, and I was able to live in the moment while enjoying my time away from classes.

Copy and Sidelines 100 editor, Logan Bowman

For the first time in my life, I was actually somewhat productive over spring break. My regular spring break schedule consists of copious amounts of sleep and video games at irregular times of the day, but this time it was not entirely the case. 

On May 7, I went to my first-ever music venue in Cookeville for a Features story, but I’m still going to count it, considering how much fun I had. On May 12, I made a trip to the Nashville Zoo with my partner and spent 30 minutes alone gawking at the meerkats.

Of course, every other day consisted of sleeping and video games.

Lead sports reporter, J’lyn Hare

Besides working, over spring break I traveled to Huntsville, Alabama, with the rest of the Sidelines sports section and covered both MTSU men’s and women’s quarter-final games. Go blue! 

Co-sports editor, Ephraim Rodenbach 

Over spring break, I had the opportunity to photograph the CUSA basketball tournament for MTSU. Despite two disappointing losses, I had a bunch of fun and enjoyed the second-best media food I’ve ever had at a sporting event, only losing out to the Raising Cane’s catering at Kennesaw State during football season. I also had the opportunity to cover my former high school, Smith County, as it competed in the girls’ TSSAA state tournament for the second time in five years.

Co-sports editor, Jacob Burgess

For spring break, a group of Sidelines reporters went to Huntsville, Alabama to cover the CUSA men’s and women’s basketball tournament. This was my second and final time being part of that group. I spent Thursday at Propst Arena covering both teams, so be on the lookout for a few more basketball stories this season. From there, I went to Birmingham, Alabama, to support my sister at one of her volleyball tournaments. I saw some immediate and extended family during that trip, and I had a great time supporting my sister and her team.

Social media manager, Jaeda Jackson

Over spring break, I got to experience Margaritaville for the first time and take a trip to the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, TN. I also went to the Conference USA Basketball Tournament in Huntsville with the sports crew. It was my first time traveling for a tournament, so it was a super exciting experience. After MTSU was knocked out of the tournament, I drove back home to Chattanooga, TN, to surprise my family. I spent the remainder of my time at home soaking up time with my family and friends.

Multimedia editor, Caitlyn Hajek

Hey readers, during spring break, I got to take photos at the CUSA Conference Tournament for a day because MTSU got out quite fast. I also got to go home to Wisconsin for a few days to see my family, friends and boyfriend. I miss them so much. It was 50 degrees when I left Murfreesboro, but it became 30 when I got to Wisconsin. My glasses broke, so that’s nice. Need to get those fixed. Went thrifting as well. And drove 10 hours back to Murfreesboro.

Lead news reporter, Wren Bailey 

Before heading home to Memphis, Tennessee, to see my family, I made an impromptu trip to Tazewell, Tennessee — a quiet one-horse town where my best friend and roommate, Madison Buchanan, grew up and had long urged me to visit.

The idea came together while we were sitting on our patio around midnight. At first, the plan was to leave the next morning, but the spontaneity of the moment got the better of us. By about 1 a.m., we were already on the road, chasing the promise of a sunrise at Pinnacle Overlook. At this scenic viewpoint, the rolling hills of Tennessee stretch toward Knoxville and across the border into Virginia.

The landscape was entirely new to me. Growing up in the plains of Tennessee, every hill felt like a mountain, and even a short driveway seemed like a hike. Although there wasn’t much to do, beyond visiting Madison’s family, the views alone made the trip worthwhile. Even the drives to each family member’s house felt like a scenic route, humbling me to the “hills” I was used to back home. Despite the lack of sleep, which my Apple Watch kept nagging me about, I was able to finally experience this view for myself—one that deserves a place on anyone’s bucket list.

News editor, Olivia Summers 

This spring break, I returned to my motherland, Florida. The drive was absolutely heinous (Atlanta traffic, I hate you), but getting to hang out with my big sister and see my grandfather for the first time since I was 17 made it worth it. I got to go to the beach again, which is what I miss most living in a landlocked state, but, unfortunately, my pasty self is no longer used to the Florida sun, and now I’m suffering from a sunburn, despite wearing SPF 50. #worthit

Lead features reporter, Jesse Jones

I went to Gatlinburg with my extended family and we stayed in a cabin together. We went on a short hike with everyone and a longer hike with a smaller, more dedicated group. 

Most of the trip was spent playing games, enjoying nature or just hanging out at the cabin. It wasn’t the most restful trip, seeing as our family is huge, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Features editor, Tucker Young

My spring break was extremely restful–to say the least. I think I slept more than I have all semester, and that’s saying something. I started my break on a high note at Tennessee Performing Arts Center, seeing “Suffs” with my mom. Going to plays together is a monthly occurrence for us, and this one fell perfectly on the timeline. 

The rest of my break consisted of catching up on shows, seeing my dad, working and enjoying the weather.

One of the highlights of the week away was (surprisingly) cleaning out my car. The job of an army done by one girl was quite a task, but I got it done, and now it almost looks like I didn’t have half of my sweatshirt and shoe collection in the backseat. 

I also was able to spend time celebrating my sweet friend Sarah at her bridal shower, which was lovely. The event was fantastic with a game, gifts and delicious finger foods. I love seeing her so happy, and especially enjoyed visiting with her and several of our other friends as we caught up and discussed the upcoming wedding.

I ended the break with a new experience: pickleball. I am extremely unathletic, but have a severe fear of missing out (FOMO), so when my friends planned a trip to the courts, I was there. When it comes to sporting events, I just sit, watch and yap, but this trip was different. I played for about two hours and actually really enjoyed it. Although I’m not good, I think I’ll keep working on my serve and figure out how to stay out of the kitchen.

To say my break was restful would be an understatement, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss fighting with Burgess in the CIM. 

To contact the features editor, email [email protected].

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