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Kent State junior becomes TikTok famous

Words by Kaitlyn Finchler

A Kent State junior has over 36,000 followers on TikTok. Jake, also known as @sir.mclovin, has been making TikToks since Oct. 2019. 

Jake has videos ranging from Fortnite dances to his most recent series of videos revolving around Kaitlin Bennett, the “Kent State gun girl.” 

“I saw [that Kaitlin Bennett] was trending recently, and we go to the school that she went to,” Jake said. “I thought I might as well be the guy on the inside to give the people what they want. That’s kind of where that idea came from and future videos will be coming.”

Jake went to the gun rally held by Bennett last year, because he wanted to see what the hype was about. Bennett held a walk supporting open carry rights in 2018, but the event turned into a disagreement between her and protestors. According to Jake, the rally turned into an opportunity for community members to yell at police, rather than anything regarding Bennett or guns. 

Jake has had the comedy film mindset for a while. In high school, he and his friends dressed up as the Avengers to compete in the state track meet. Jake dressed up as Thor, stepping into the ring with the hammer, wig and big helmet on. 

Jake spends a lot of time competing for the Kent State track team and he spends his free time on TikTok. His roommate, junior sports administration major Ryan Demaline, sometimes helps Jake out with his videos.

“It’s funny, because usually something will happen one day and I’ll come home [and] say it to him and then he’ll go off that idea and make it into a little video,” Demaline said. 

Jake likes to have Tik Tok as something stress-free and fun.

“It’s fun, it keeps me busy [and] it’s entertaining,” Jake said. “There really hasn’t been anything negative that I’ve had to deal with.”

Demaline said there is nothing but positivity in Jake’s content.

“All the videos [that] Jake does… some are funny [and] some are a little controversial but they’re all in good fun, they’re just fun to watch,” Demaline says.

You can reach Kaitlyn on Instagram & Twitter: @kaitlynfinchler

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No more ‘do it laters’: set your goals now 

Words by Kaitlyn Finchler

New Year’s resolutions have been around for as long as anyone can remember, but who decided they were effective? People nowadays are coming to realize that they are not as practical as they are made out to be.

Goals are more feasible when it comes to thinking about and achieving what we want in life. Can you imagine a business setting New Year’s resolutions? Just waiting a few more months to start doing something that could be started now. 

The mindset of “I will do it later” or “maybe next time” is exactly the nasty mindset people tend to have when thinking about things they need or want to do. Imagine wanting something so badly but waiting to do it later. 

According to Mind Tools, a website that produces content regarding management, leadership and personal excellence skills, you need to “consider what you want to achieve and then commit to it.”

This goes along with my point of committing to something, rather than forcing yourself to accomplish something. Resolutions have a harsh undertone and set unrealistic expectations. Goals can help raise your motivation and self-confidence, as you see your abilities growing before you.

Think of what you want out of life. Do you want to look back in regret or look back and sigh in satisfaction after realizing you lived life to its fullest potential?

 Is there something you specifically hope to achieve? Changing your career, travelling more, saving up to pay off debt? No matter what it is, it is achievable. Update your resume, look into achieving some random skills that could impress a future employer, take more out of your paycheck for savings instead of ordering take out. 

The only person holding you back is you. It sounds cliché, but no one else is planning your life. No one is saving money for you. No one is looking out for you more than you are. Think about that next time you have something in your life you want to change.