Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower
Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower
Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower
Airianna Sallaz

Airianna Sallaz, Multimedia Reporter

Airianna Sallaz is a junior majoring in Media Arts and Filmmaking. Sallaz joined staff in 2025 as a multimedia reporter. In the short-term after graduation, she wants to work in television and film, but in the future she hopes to become a published writer.

All content by Airianna Sallaz
Wichita State's women's cross country team huddles before the women's 5-kilometer race at the JK Gold Classic on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at LW Clapp Park. The women's team placed third out of nine teams during the race.

[Photo] Elkana Kipruto continues his standout sophomore run at Pre-National Invitational

October 17, 2025
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OPINION: An honest ranking of fall soups

Airianna Sallaz, Reporter
October 13, 2025
Wichita State men's golf senior Mitchell Revie begins his putting stroke at the Grier Jones Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas. Revie finished in 97th place, with 238 strokes (+22).

Wichita State men's golf senior Mitchell Revie sets his ball in the right spot to tee off at the Grier Jones Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas. Revie is in his second season with the Shockers.

Wichita State men's golf senior Jose Carletta eyes his putting line during the Grier Jones Invitational at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. Carletta sank 10 birdie putts during the 54-hole tournament.

Wichita State men's golf senior Mitchell Revie squats on the fringe to see his putting line at the Grier Jones Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas. Revie is Australia native in his second season at WSU.

Wichita State men's golf sophomore Caden Cox lines up a tee shot during the Grier Jones Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas. The Shockers finished in third place, with 865 total strokes (+1).

Wichita State men's golf freshman Rhett O'Rear takes a practice swing at the Grier Jones Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas. O'Rear finished in 38th place, with 221 strokes (+5).

Wichita State men's golf freshman Jace Chaney in his backswing on the tee box at the Grier Jones Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas. Chaney shot an 83 (+11) in the first round of the tournament.

Wichita State men's golf freshman Rhett O'Rear lines up a tee shot at the Grier Jones Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas. O'Rear finished in 38th place, with 221 strokes (+5).

Wichita State men's golf freshman Rhett O'Rear walks with his golf bag during the Grier Jones Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas. O'Rear finished in 38th place with 221 strokes (+5).

Wichita State men's golf sophomore Caden Cox scrapes off dirt on his iron on the driving range at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. The Shockers finished the tournament in third place with 865 total strokes (+1).

Wichita State men's golf senior Jose Carletta lines up a putt during the Grier Jones Invitational at the Sand Creek Station golf course in Newton, Kansas on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. Carletta finished the tournament in 38th place with 221 strokes (+5).

[Photo] Tale of two tournaments: Wichita State men’s golf snags podium, women’s golf avoids last-place finish

October 8, 2025
WuShock high-fiving a member of the Wichita State community. The Shocktoberfest Brew Garden was an event that brought breweries, food trucks, vendors, local music and fun activities for the Shocker community.

PHOTOS: Shocktoberfest brew garden

Airianna Sallaz, Multimedia Reporter
October 7, 2025
Wichita State cross country senior Ian Hunter sprints to the finish line at the JK Gold Classic on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at LW Clapp Park in Wichita, Kansas. Hunter finished in 42nd place at 20:14:66.

[Photo] Wichita State cross country season spices up at Chile Pepper Festival

October 5, 2025
Friends and family privately converse with each other at the conclusion of the Memorial '70 service on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas. The service is held annually to commemorate the 31 Wichita State football players, coaches, administrators and family members who crashed on the way to a game in 1970.

A vase with yellow roses at the Memorial '70 ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas represents the lives lost in the 1970 plane crash involving Wichita State's football team. This year was the 55th commemoration of the plane crash in 1970.

A sunflower wreath stands next to the memorial featuring the names of the lives lost in the 1970 Wichita State football team plane crash. WSU has held an annual service on Oct. 2 for 55 years in Wichita to commemorate the crash.

Family and friends stand in silence at the Memorial '70 service on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas. The service honored the Wichita State football team that crashed near Silver Plume, Colorado in 1970 on the way to a game.

[Photo] Friends, family and colleagues honor lost lives at Memorial ‘70 service

Evan Tong, Multimedia Reporter
October 3, 2025
Wichita State Athletic Director Kevin Saal gives a brief history of the events surrounding the 1970 plane crash on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas. Saal invited relatives to make themselves known to the audience.

Student Government Association President Jia Wen Wang (right) and Vice President Amy Ngyuen (left) bow their heads to pray with the crowd at Memorial '70 service on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas.

Wichita State President Richard Muma gives opening remarks at the Memorial '70 service on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas. The service is held annually to commemorate the WSU football team that crashed near Silver Plume, Colorado in 1970.

Close family and friends sit in front of the main memorial structure during the Memorial '70 service on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas. Thirty one WSU football players, staff, administrators and family members died in a plane crash in 1970.

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OPINION: RSC events are held at a convenient time for both students and organization

Airianna Sallaz, Reporter
September 22, 2025
Wichita State's women's cross country team huddles at the JK Gold Classic on Sept. 6. The Shockers placed third in the women's 5-kilometer race.

[Photo] Shocker cross country finds gold, silver in Nebraska

September 21, 2025
Isaac Rhodes and Mia Kerbs during "Life of a Paper Towel."

Experimental Theatre Company puts on a show with lighthearted comedy and deep storytelling

Airianna Sallaz, Multimedia Reporter
September 17, 2025
Members of the cast during "Homeschooler you meet on a layover at The O'Hare Airport in Chicago in 2025." The audience was given a list of the 26 short plays that would be performed in both act one and two based on audience direction.

Mia Kerbs and Kinsey McDaniel during "Three Sheets to the Wind." Each of the stories performed at the show was standalone, ranging from dramatic to comedic and often involved audience participation.

Members of the cast during "The Ruler of Nothing." The show “Et Cetera: A Theatre Lab,” was written entirely by company members and led by audience direction.

Jill Herbert and Baylee during "Western Astronauts." The show, “Et Cetera: A Theatre Lab,” was written entirely by company members and performed in early September for two nights.

Isaac Rhodes during "That New Car Smell." The audience was given a list of the 26 short plays that would be performed in both act one and two based on audience direction.

Members of the cast during "A Nonsensical Lackadaisical Storytime." The show, “Et Cetera: A Theatre Lab,” was written entirely by company members and performed in early September for two nights.

Brett McGlothern and Kinsey McDaniel talk at the beginning of the show. The duo started the Experimental Theatre Company together.

Senior Adrian Diaz Lopez hugs longtime Wichita State coach John Kornelson. Cross country’s home meet was renamed to honor Kornelson in 2001.

[Photo] Despite setbacks, Shocker cross country runner strides for strong final season

September 8, 2025
The Golden Heat majorette team tables at Involvement Fair. The office of Student Engagement and Belonging hosts Involvement Fair every year.

PHOTOS: Wichita State students get involved at involvement fair

Airianna Sallaz, Reporter
September 8, 2025
Omega Delta Phi tables for potential members at Involvement Fair hosted by Student Engagement and Belonging. The event is hosted yearly and presents an opportunity for students to see what different student organizations offer.

Sigma Lambda Beta tables for potential members at Involvement Fair hosted by Student Engagement and Belonging. The event is hosted yearly and presents an opportunity for students to see what different student organizations offer.

Pre-med Student Association tables for potential members at Involvement Fair hosted by Student Engagement and Belonging. The event is hosted yearly and presents an opportunity for students to see what different student organizations offer.

A member of Wichita State's F45 student organization talks to other students about the organization. The office of Student Engagement and Belonging hosts Involvement Fair every year.

Members of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization give a presentation about their organization to students who will listen at Involvement Fair. The office of Student Engagement and Belonging hosts Involvement Fair every year.

Shockers Vote tables for potential members at Involvement Fair hosted by Student Engagement and Belonging. The event is hosted yearly and presents an opportunity for students to see what different student organizations offer.

The Wichita State Table Tennis Team members table for potential members at Involvement Fair hosted by Student Engagement and Belonging. The event is hosted yearly and presents an opportunity for students to see what different student organizations offer.

Sarah Bertry runs the women's 5-kilometer at the JK Gold Classic on Sept. 6 in Wichita State's new Nike uniform. The Shockers' partnership with Nike began July 1, 2025.

[Photo] Nike swooshes in

September 8, 2025
Elkana Kipruto crosses the finish line at the JK Gold Classic on Sept. 6. Kipruto won the individual title in the men's 6-kilometer race with a time of 18:41.49.

[Photo] ‘You don’t win championships by being individuals’

September 6, 2025
Elkana Kipruto crosses the finish line at the JK Gold Classic on Sept. 6. Kipruto won the individual title in the men's 6-kilometer race with a time of 18:41.49.

[Photo] ‘You don’t win championships by being individuals’

Owen Prothro, Sports Editor
September 6, 2025
Members of Delta Delta Delta cheer and hold up their sorority sign.

OPINION: Rush week at Wichita State offers a unique experience

Airianna Sallaz, Reporter
September 1, 2025
Photo by Zachary Ruth, Photo illustration by Emma Wilks

OPINION: Sesame is out, let’s get Raising Cane’s in!

Airianna Sallaz, Reporter
August 31, 2025
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students cheers as they win the Clash of Colleges tournament on Aug. 22.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences wins 11th annual Clash of the Colleges

Airianna Sallaz and Reporter
August 25, 2025
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