in sanity • children’s authors • barbershops • and more
volume xcvi, no. 18 • april 14, 2017 | thescarlet.org | the.clark.scarlet | @Clark_Scarlet
Celebrating Culture Annual CASA Weekend Capped off with Dinner, Performances, and Fashion Show
Breakers Preserve a Tradition By Jeremy Doss contributing writer
By Katherine Hamilton scarlet staff
Dressed in formal attire, students began trickling into Tilton Hall around 7 p.m. on Sunday night, filling tables to join the Caribbean and African Students Association (CASA) for their annual cultural dinner. African and Caribbean music played loudly throughout the hall as students found their seats or posed for photographs with their friends. Each table was provided with chips and salsa from Lucas McCormick’s (’19) Salsa de la Frontera, and with an informational place card about a represented Caribbean or African country. Sunday’s dinner closed CASA Weekend 2017, a weekend dedicated to unifying CASA students of various backgrounds, and spreading awareness of the club to the rest of campus. This year’s weekend focused on the topic of “culture shock,” and included a dialogue on Friday, April 7. In his brief opening speech, the club’s president, Chima Egbuzie (’19), commented on the significance of this theme.
“[It’s] a way to present the various issues and experiences that come with being immersed in American culture,” said Egbuzie. “This theme is an ode to the multitude of realities that arise when we take a step back and look at what culture is, where it comes from, and what it can do to us.” After his speech, the audience was treated to a high-energy dance number performed by “In The Zone,” an all-girls dance team based out of the Boys and Girls Club. Around 8 p.m., dinner was served, consisting of foods from various African and Caribbean cultures, including rice, chicken, plantains, and fried dough. Egbuzie explained that the food served could exemplify how the varying cultures unite together in CASA. He said fried plantains are eaten in several of the nations represented in CASA, but they are seasoned and prepared differently in each culture. “This is an important event just because it’s our opportunity…to highlight our culture together, as well as the different places we come from.”
Students also performed poetry readings and music, touching on the ups and downs of adapting to American culture while still holding onto personal identities, ethnicities, and traditions. Some CASA members also participated in a short film and, later, a skit, demonstrating the amount of time and energy involved with the program. “It’s a lot of stress,” Egbuzie chuckled when asked about planning the dinner, “but at the same time, it’s really exciting when you’ve been able to hold an event where everyone is there and everyone is so happy.” Currently, the e-board is larger than it has been in the history of the club, adding new levels of both stress and excitement to meetings, said Egbuzie. He explained that his job this year has been more of a “democratic conversation,” in which he leads the meetings and the other e-board members take the action. “Sometimes it’s really hard with continued on page 3
On a Tuesday night in a small dance studio, three figures take turns stutter-stepping, kicking sporadically, and spinning upsidedown on the hardwood floor to the rhythmic inspiration of the 1980s rap music blaring from a portable speaker. The scene may bring back memories of the breakdancing movement conceived by black and Latino youth on the streets of New York City over 30 years ago. But these three performers represent a new generation of “breakers,” or “b-boys,” and belong to a small group in Worcester keeping the dance form alive and well. In ancient times, DJs would play the high energy part of a record, where all the instruments drop out except the drums—called a break—and loop the break by flipping back and forth between two versions of the same record. Partygoers then improvised a new way of dance over these breaks, competing to come up with the most imaginative and physically impressive
moves. Throughout the late 70s and 80s, breaking became the freshest thing to do in high school hallways, malls, clubs, at house parties, and on city streets across the country. The once-thriving Worcester scene now consists only of a small set of roughly forty breakers--at least as far as any of them know-and only about 10 dance regularly. They make up the affiliated groups TRU Crew (Tri Rocking Us or Top Rock United Crew), Orphanage Movement, and 4 Elements—all descended from the once-prolific Worcester group, TOP ROCK (The Only People Rocking Our City Kids) and old time rival, Steady Khos. “It’s a great workout, it’s therapeutic to me, it’s my escape,” said Michel Marques, also known as Kangol, who is a member of TRU Crew. He practices his moves with Zach Pierce (‘17) of Orphanage Movement, and Angel Gerumo of 4 Elements.
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The Scarlet THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF CLARK UNIVERSITY
CONTACT scarlet@clarku.edu | thescarlet.org
EDITORS Editor-in-Chief: Ethan Giles Executive Editor: Jessica Macey News Editor: Giulia Elena Casella Opinions Editor: Jake Ruta Living Arts Editor: Alika Gillard Sports Editor: Scott Levine Layout Editor: Ryan King Photo Editor: Celine Manneville Editor-at-Large: Alex Grayson Social Media Editor: Amanda QuiĂąones Managing Editor and Fact Checker: Daniel Juarez
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The Scarlet/News Local Barbers Cut Hair, Build Community By Degen Larkin contributing writer
“It was kind of like when LeBron James went to Miami,” begins 26-yearold barber Michaelangelo Mangual. “Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are both great men, but you needed each other to get to the championship.” Mangual’s own competitive nature and high-stakes dexterity take center court at his homegrown enterprise Michaelangelo’s House of Hair, which he opened four years ago on Green Street in Worcester. Here his brother Victor, a former caseworker at You Inc., plays the role of NBA star Wade to Michaelangelo’s James. “I never thought we’d get to a point where we’d be working together, thriving,” admits Michaelangelo. “We both cut. We do the same thing for a living.” To Michaelangelo, stitching family with profession is “the best feeling in the world,” and he has company. Worcester is not lacking in familyowned barbershops, an old-fashioned industry that is thriving in the present. Erica Siemaszko has owned Heads Up on Massasoit Road for the past eleven years, employing her sister Stephanie for the last four. And on Main Street, business and family connect across a narrow hallway bridging Alexandra Grunauer’s decades-old Smart Cuts Plus to her son Will’s Santana Company Barbershop. In 2002, Will colonized Grunauer’s old storage space and transformed it into his own place, where he now employs his brother, Miguel. “Honestly, I’m really blessed hav-
ing the opportunity to see my mom every day,” Will gushes. All four of these Worcester barbershops are keepers of a longstanding way of life and local community. Brown, blond, and gray hair clippings speckle their floors amidst thick fumes of luxurious hairsprays and shaving cream exhausts. Boisterous mirrors congratulate newly primped customers as bustling walk-in customers convene on magazine-lined benches. But the trappings of traditional barbering practices rarely satisfy the spirits of Worcester’s haircutting chiefs. Each claims a unique space and a trademark identity. Siemaszko’s square shop seats three in a snug locale, as Dateline hums in the background and clients share pleasantries. “It’s just a family-friendly place to get your hair cut, you know?” summarizes Siemaszko. “I do have a lot of kids--parents bring them in. It’s a small place, only me and my sister, so you know what you’re getting.” Crosstown, the barbering brothers at Michaelangelo’s offer their own interpretation of the hair business. “Rustic upscale,” notes Michaelangelo, describing his hardwood-floored and vanity-lighted shop. Add to that a fervent dialogue which dominates the posh boutique as sports, news, and community affairs inform the constant chatter. “You got a client that’s a Giants fan, you got to defend Brady,” insists Michaelangelo on the all-too-common and all-too-sticky topic of Tom Brady’s Deflate-gate scandal—a commanding subject in barbershop sports talks and one he is not afraid to discuss.
Did Brady deflate the ball? “Absolutely not. He’s innocent. I think somebody touched something that he didn’t touch until after that individual touched it. So it’s not him that touched it,” Michaelangelo laughs. Fellowship and a sense of comradery still rule in these hairy outposts. “Barbershops have always been the pillar of the community, where people find out news, share ideas, things like that,” explains Will Santana. Matt Butler, a regular client of just a few months at Michaelangelo’s, found his place in the shop after discovering not only a mutual friend with Victor, but a wedding they had both nearly attended weeks earlier. Desaree Amado, a three-year client of Smart Cuts Plus, launched her loyalty with the hair salon because of her contacts with the shop’s captain: Grunauer’s daughter’s husband is friends with Amado’s boyfriend. “You feel like you’re at home,” Amado says. “You feel relaxed. [Grunauer] makes you feel special and makes you look great.” Not that there aren’t plenty of first-timers. “I just moved here the other day,” announces Ken Fried as he sits at Santana Company. “I gotta get a good shave. I have a lot going on!” The impact of these barbershops extends beyond their floor space. The Santana Company contributes yearly to the June Convoy of Hope program at University Park, where churches, local organizations, and city residents volunteer groceries, career services, health screenings, and, in the case of
Will Santana’s crew, free haircuts. In 2014, Michaelangelo’s shop arranged a Boston Strong Cut-aThon, providing free haircuts and donating tip money to Brigham & Women’s Hospital 2014 Boston Marathon Team. The lads on Green Street also use word of mouth to supply needy community members with services ranging from backpacks and winter clothes to haircuts for proms. And the community reciprocates. Grunauer acquired her hair salon in 1990 after working four years under a previous owner. Grunauer was a single mother from Ecuador with three young children, juggling hairdressing, night shifts cleaning banks, and a temp agency position on the weekends. For just $10,000 that Grunauer snipped into $250 weekly payments, the owner of the shop turned over the keys after only one year. “Who does that?” exclaims Grunauer, with tears in her eyes. “In this strange country—give the opportunity to have something for yourself?”
This story first appeared in the Telegram & Gazette as part of a collaboration with Clark’s Urban Community Journalism class in Worcester.
CASA Dinner cont. continued from page 1
all those voices,” he said, “but the best part is we all came together and we all had our input about the event.” The students’ hard work was indeed apparent during the final event of the night: a fashion show. Members of CASA made Tilton Hall their personal runway as they showed off colorful attire from nearly 15 African and Caribbean countries. Attendees were then invited to stay after the event for dancing and refreshments, as the club celebrated the closing of an exciting and important weekend.
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CUSC in Brief By Jessica Macey executive editor
This week’s CUSC meeting began with the Council attempting to find an adequate room in which to meet due to problems booking a space. Their usual room was occupied by a club event. After another room was found and determined to be unbooked by any other group, the Council rushed to set up tables and chairs for the council members and eleven members of the public in attendance. With quorum met from the beginning this week, the meeting began only ten minutes late, at 6:10 p.m., despite the setup setback. The meeting began with a discussion of grants before moving on to committee updates. The Student Life Committee announced that they are working on the club office space request process and emails will go out to club e-boards soon. The Judiciary Committee then inducted a new member, David Sullivan (‘20). Following updates, Emily Cocuzzo (‘18) spoke to CUSC about the Worcester Student Government Association (WSGA), of which she is president. The WSGA meets in the city council chamber once a month to discuss issues facing the colleges of Worcester as well as to connect the colleges with each other and the community. There are two delegates from each college. Lars Dahl (‘20) is going to be one of Clark’s delegates, and the search is on for another. Tim St. John then noted the success of Spree Day and Gala, both of which occurred in the previous week. He also discussed the timing of Spree Day, explaining that it had to be held the first week of April. He explained that second week is the week of Easter and Passover, the third week is public school April vacation and therefore a very busy week for admissions, and the week after that is the last week of classes, leaving this week as the best option. St. John also emphasized the hard work and dedication of the Spree Day co-chairs and all involved clubs and organizations.
Grants: • The first grant was a continuation of last week’s CASA grant. Another $558 ($186*3 students) was allocated to CASA for the Yale conference discussed last week. • A team of five from a course (EDUC 264) requested $4,800 to attend an education conference they were invited to present at in San Antonio, Texas. Group restrictions in the CUSC bylaws only allow $1,500 to be allocated, so this amount was recommended. • Andrew Nickerson (‘19) requested $200 to fund a research project on the peer response to sexual violence. The project has been approved by the IRB and will be supervised by Professor Kathleen Palm Reed. The money is intended for compensation ($25 gift cards) for participants and an audio recorder. • The Clark Unitarian Universalist Fellowship requested $336 for seven students to attend the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Day in Boston. • Liberty in North Korea requested $192 to purchase ramen which will be sold as a fundraiser. All grants passed.
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CLARKIE of the WEEK me to try new things. Because I was able to do so many things and branch out and do things I wouldn’t normally do, I found a love for photography which I wasn’t necessarily into before college. I think it ultimately pushed me into doing fifth-year and getting me onto the career path that I wanted. Scarlet: So you got into photography in college? Did you do it at all before then? Aaron: I took a photography class in high school, but it was really about how to develop film. I learned most of what I know about photography from the teachers at Clark like Stephen DiRado and Frank Armstrong. I honestly just took [photography] because I really didn’t know what I wanted to major in and wanted to take as many classes as I could. Taking classes with Stephen and Frank really pushed me to think differently about the world.
photo by amanda quiñones
Aaron Rosenberg (‘17) Aaron Rosenberg (‘17) is a Cultural Studies and Communications (CSAC) major and is in the fifth-year MBA program. He sat down with The Scarlet to talk about his upbringing, photography, and fashion sense. Scarlet: Where did you grow up? Aaron: I was born in Lynn, Mass. and then later moved to Marblehead. Once I moved out of the house for college, my parents moved to Swampscott. I went to high school in Marblehead, and then went to a private Jewish school for elementary and middle school. Scarlet: As a senior, do you have one or two takeaways from the past few years at Clark? Aaron: That’s really deep for a Wednesday afternoon [laughs]. I honestly think that not knowing what I wanted to do pushed
Scarlet: I know you are a freelance photographer, how did that come about? Aaron: I’m slowing down on it now, but when I was abroad I directed this shoot for this company “Blankworld UK,” which is a men’s fashion company that contacted me to shoot and direct a lookbook for them. That was really the first time that anyone said to me, “we want your talent to do this,” which is kind of weird since I figured that I was a student and I was doing photography for fun, and that’s when I realized I could start making some money on the side. I’ve done other brands in Boston and shot a lot of little, mini photo series. I don’t really like the freelance aspect; it’s nice to get paid, but I like doing it for myself rather than other people.
by Ethan Giles
get a lot more out of your experience here if you appreciate the people who do things for you. It just makes my day better. Scarlet: I’ve been told to ask you about your fashion. How much time do you typically spend trying to put together an outfit for a given day? Aaron: I used to think about it more, but now I just think about what I’m most comfortable in. I think comfort dictates what I wear every single day, and usually it looks fine. Scarlet: So you’re not planning out outfits anymore? Aaron: [laughs] No, not really. Maybe for a special occasion. Right now I just think about comfort and I think I already have the pieces in my wardrobe that I like and think I look good in, so I like to just combine those two. Scarlet: I know your dad has a job at the Boston Globe, what exactly does he do for them? Aaron: He is a staff journalist and a columnist, and he’s written for the North and Metro section for the last fifteen years. Mostly just the North section, which is reporting on the North Shore of Massachusetts. He just released this book that is a culmination of a lot of the pieces he wrote for the Globe. It’s on Amazon, it’s called, “Middle Class Hereos.” Scarlet: Have you ever thought about getting into journalism? Aaron: [laughs], oh hell no.
Thanks for the interview Aaron!
Scarlet: What about photography do you enjoy? Aaron: I just think it’s interesting how each photograph has a backstory. I’ve started to move slower once I learned about composition and when I learned to shoot correctly. I started to take notice of more detail around me that I wasn’t [seeing] before. Scarlet: Noticing those details in your everyday life or just when you have your camera? Aaron: I always have my phone, and my phone is honestly just as good. I take pictures of random stuff that inspires me, which can be anything. Scarlet: Going back to Cark, is there anything at Clark that people don’t think about as much as they should? Aaron: You should get to know the people who work at Clark, like at Jazzman’s and the Bistro. What I’ve found is that you
Email scarlet@clarku.edu if you have a suggestion for Clarkie of the Week!
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opinions | 7
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The Scarlet/Opinions The opinions enumerated in this section represent those of the author and the author alone. They do not reflect the opinions of the editorial board, The Scarlet, or Clark University.
Hollywood’s Dr. Seuss Are Celebrities Cornering the Market for Children’s Literature? By Ethan Giles editor-in-chief
Not many of us think about children’s books often: we are precisely in the wrong demographic for them, too old to read them while too young to have kids who do. Regardless, there is currently a phenomenon going on in the children’s book market which could have an impact on the industry for years to come. According to The Guardian, children’s book authors are becoming marginalized or moving out of the industry all together due to a rise in the popularity of children’s books written by celebrities. Celebrities have been writing children’s books for years - Ted Kennedy penned “My Senator and me” in 2006 - but lately there has been a stark uptick in these occurrences. Recently, Jaime Lee Curtis announced she planned to write her own children’s book based on her own life, and the Black Eyed Peas teamed up with Marvel to write a graphic novel. This influx of celebrity children’s books is causing shock waves around the industry. People who make their living
writing children’s books are now competing with brand names people already know in a field few people put a lot of thought to. Celebrities have an easier time marketing to potential consumers than lesserknown authors, as many people already follow these celebrities through their social media accounts. It appears that the free market will determine society’s commitment to the material our children read. Children’s items are a weird market to being with, as the people buying the goods are not the ones using them. While a parent may know what a child likes, ultimately a child cannot buy an item themselves as most children do not have disposable income. This means that companies have to market their products to a demographic of people who will not use them. When celebrities get involved in a children’s market, it throws a new monkey wrench into the problem. Now parents can buy goods for their kids due to a preference for a celebrity. Most children probably have not seen “A Fish Called Wanda” or “Freaky Friday” (although they should at least see the latter), but if a parent always identified with Wanda Gershwitz or Tess Coleman, their kid will be reading about Jaime Lee Curtis’ childhood.
Taken to its extremes, our kids might one day lose the option of reading true children’s authors’ works if writers feel it is not a profitable field. Some could argue that this is not necessarily a bad thing, but I have a hard time taking up that view. This country is already mired in enough celebrity worship, one needs only to take a quick look at the 2016 election to see this in effect. Previously, children’s books were, if not isolated, at least separated from this worship. Kids read books from authors who were at least in the profession of writing books for kids, not just trying to add an easy revenue stream to its brand. While I am sure that some celebrities could actually write decent children’s books, I am willing to bet that the lyrical geniuses behind “I’ve Gotta Feeling,” weren’t one of them. If, as a society, we want children’s books to come from people who actually know how to write children’s books, we should start ignoring these celebrities masquerading as children’s authors hoping to make an easy dollar and pay attention to the professionals.
By Scott Levine sports editor
As I wrap up my time at Jonas Clark University, I think of the wise words of Jedediah Purdy. Purdy grew up in West Virginia and was taken aback, to say the least, by the cold cynical culture of Harvard University, another school in the Northeast. “I am alarmed at how most people, including me, can open up to indifference,” said Purdy. “The ironic sensibility inhibits the act of remembering how to value what you value.” I think these words are especially resonant to our campus at this moment in time. We are too busy posting anonymous confessions or making fun of our classmates’ Change.org petitions to really assess what matters to us. We are detached from our feelings and values in this process of always filtering information through our ironic façade. I propose that we act more earnestly to one another, and, as Jedediah Purdy said, “if we care for certain things, we must in honesty hazard some hope in their defense.” Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote, coincidentally, in The Scarlet Letter, “Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!” Nah, irony is pretty great, actually. Never mind. Good luck to the rest of the senior class. Everyone else, have a good rest of your time at Clark. I would tell you to not join too many clubs, but you’re going to anyways. Bye :)
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The Scarlet/Living Arts Variant Impresses at Spring Show 2017 by Eddie McCluskey
Seniors Take the Stage One Last Time Woman outside a Window wistfully recalls Olive Garden trip
By Alden Welles contributing writer
Last Friday and Saturday in Atwood Hall, Variant Dance Troupe’s Spring Show 2017 put on high-energy performances expertly choreographed to upbeat pop hits, directed by Emily Schutz (‘19) and Taylore Lombardi (‘18). The dancers had rigorously planned and rehearsed the show’s many routines throughout the semester, and the audience reaction confirmed that their great efforts paid off. With its eclectic musical selection, plethora of talented performers, and terrific performances sure to get any crowd excited, Variant’s Spring Show was one for the ages. The dance troupe moved to the beats of all kinds of songs. The show featured contemporary pop tracks such as Rihanna’s “Desperado” choreographed by Schutz, and Drake’s “One Dance” choreographed by Tiana Owens (‘18) and Simone Smith (‘17). There were also some early-2000’s throwbacks including NSYNC’s “Pop” choreographed by Talia Gallagher (‘17), and Britney Spears’s “Oops! …I did it Again” choreographed by Lizzie Fontaine (‘18), for which the dancers moved elegantly in white buttondown shirts. There was a particularly awesome mash-up of Caribbean/Afri-
Ferocious feline Stalks, beneath the house…a mouse Who thinks, “Ah, poopy” Just know…if you hurt Her, I’ll make sure you never Beyblade again, Kai
photo by krithi vachaspati
can music choreographed by Fatima Diallo (‘20). Other standouts included a hip-hop mash-up that could sway any hater of the songs “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls and “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, largely thanks to some truly epic moves by Marika Thompson (‘17), who also choreographed the piece. Perhaps the most memorable and unusual act of the night was the dark, deadpan tap routine performed to Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” choreographed by Hannah Cooper (‘17). This was undoubtedly an emo-
tional time for the dance troupe’s seniors: Ines Astito (‘17), Ashley Correia (‘17), Abby Cummins (‘17), Gallagher, Digby Kalert (‘17), Vany Nguyen (‘17), and Margaux Scott (‘17). These superbly talented dancers got to perform in their own number towards the end of the show, a mash-up choreographed by Gallagher. Variant closed the show strong with another mash-up of catchy hits including Rihanna’s “Work,” choreographed by Mitchell Williams (‘20) and Eleanor Eaton (‘20). This finale was most certainly the highlight of the night.
Strolling through strobe lights Watching my hands move strangely Just an illusion Tomahawks flyin’ Phallic weapons be strikin’ Trump’s compensatin’
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“In Sanity” Packs the Little Center Original Clark Play Discusses Mental Health Trigger warning: this piece mentions depression, self-harm, drug abuse, and eating disorders.
By Jessica Macey executive editor
Written, performed, and produced by Clarkies, CUPS’ “In Sanity” packed the Little Center’s Experimental Theater on Friday, April 7. Before the doors opened, a line of students snaked down the stairs to the Little Center doors. Seats quickly filled, and the cast and crew dragged out extra stools and chairs to accommodate the crowd, before the remaining audience members filed in and filled floor space around the stage. The thirteen-person cast performed fifteen original pieces back to back. The set -- set up like a coffee shop in the center, with a stage and microphone to the audience’s right and a living room-style scene to their left -- required no alteration, allowing many actors to be on stage in the background throughout the scenes, and ensuring seamless transitions between pieces. A letter from the editors featured in the program discusses the show’s origins, explaining its roots last fall: an idea to make a collaborative show by and for Clarkies, and a poll of the Clark community resulting in a “resounding answer of mental health.” Next came student submissions, the editing process, and finally the production process. The pieces covered a diverse range of topics surrounding mental health. Some were performed as scenes and conversations in a coffee shop, between friends, or within the speaker’s mind; others were performed by single speakers in emotionfilled monologues. Some pieces expressed the sides of mental illness that others do not always see or understand, such as “Barista with OCD,” written by Laura Barker (‘17). Played by Kate McNicholas (‘19),
the main character explained how her boss named her employee of the month for being so clean, yet living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) had far deeper, harder effects than the common stereotype of just being clean. As the piece progressed, McNicholas became more emotional in her performance, explaining that she could only take 100 steps while at work, counting down frantically while carrying cups of coffee to customers. “What if I take too many steps and the floor can’t handle my weight?” she asked. “God, I wish I could stop counting!”
As the show moved between pieces, the audience was brought in and out of the coffee shop and through the character’s lives and realities. Actors on stage reading books and sitting at tables came to life in different scenes, and sat in the backgrounds of others. In “Old Acquaintance,” written by McNicholas, Eddie McCluskey (‘17) and Emma Kirkman-Davis (‘20) took the spotlight, with Kirkman-Davis declaring “I’m cheating on you. Her name is depression,” and stepping onto the platform-stage to the side of continued on page 10
photos by sheila ford
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Break Dancers cont. continued from page 1
Tru City and 4 Elements hosted the last major Worcester jam in 2015 at a country bar. Marques estimates that one hundred people came, counting both performers and the audience. “We put all our own money into it and we broke even, but the main thing we got out of it was our own joy,” said Marques. Marques, Gerumo, and Pierce are all in their early twenties and are among the third generation of Worcester b-boys, apprentices of the older generation. “They always tell me to go back and watch the original bboys,” said Pierce. He stressed the sophistication of the dance and how much work it takes to reach a high level. He added that the amount of physical training alone required to get there is comparable to that of a professional athlete. “It’s like being a gymnast,” Pierce explained. The active members of the third generation practice or jam about once a week wherever they can, and they compete occasionally in competitions all over the East Coast. The active older members join the practices intermittently and some teach breaking at dance studios. The younger guys have a nostalgia for what they never experienced, and their older counterparts set strict standards for them. Juan Benitez, a second generation b-boy now in his thirties, is disheartened at what breaking has become for many. “Breaking isn’t just about spinning on your head,” he grumbled. “If [breaking] was just about whatever fad, then it would have been dead a long time ago,” added Miguel Rosario, another second generation breaker. He made sure to credit his mentors from the
first generation of b-boys for passing down their knowledge to the second generation. Benitez recalled that breaker jams in his day were all about coming together and having a good time and engaging in friendly competition rather than making money. “There wasn’t a ten-thousand-dollar prize at the end of a competition,” he said. “It was all about earning respect.” The new generation takes this original code of ethics to heart. “Knowing the history is the most important part,” said Gerumo. “It’s a family thing,” added Benitez. When Benitez first discovered breaking, power moves like headstands, windmills, and spins were what caught his eye. Since then he has come a long way, literally and otherwise. “I’ve traveled to Florida, Puerto Rico, New York, and more for b-boying,” he said. “Growing up I was a shy kid, but breaking opened me up to be more confident in myself.” Years later, Pierce found a similar liberty in breaking. “I just don’t like being told what to do all my life. I don’t think I should be on a leash, which is why I prefer freestyle. Who can tell me I’m wrong?” he said. The latest breakers plan is to keep crafting their moves and keep studying the culture, wherever that may take them. They say that they are confident in the ability of b-boy culture to bring people together and bring positivity to the community. “It all comes down to peace, love, unity, having fun, bro,” Benitez concluded.
This story first appeared in the Telegram & Gazette as part of a collaboration with Clark’s Urban Community Journalism class in Worcester.
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In Sanity cont. continued from page 9
the coffee shop set-up. As she spoke, Hayley McDermott (‘18), clad in all black, stood by her, hugging and caressing her as a symbolic manifestation of the character’s illness. As the piece went on, it described the struggle of maintaining a relationship while also living with depression. “All I care about now is taking her away from you,” stated KirkmanDavis at the end, before exiting the stage. Many of the pieces depicted the very real struggles that come along with mental illness, discussing a variety of topics including depersonalization, self-harm, drug abuse, and more. The result was an intense, emotional night. Amongst the dark themes were
also hopeful tones, with some pieces moving towards more positive themes. “The Chair at Nu Cafe,” written by Kate Summers (‘18) and performed by Shannon Reault (‘20), Callie Wuttke (‘19), and Henry Hutcheson (‘20), gave the audience a glimpse of the process of recovering from an eating disorder. “When you [enter treatment] for an eating disorder, you won’t be treated fully human,” stated the main character. Strict rules and close watch contributed to this experience, with the only relief for the main character being a chair in the cafe next door where she went during breaks. As the piece continued, it took on themes of strength and perseverance. “With each day of treatment, you feel more human,” stated the main character. The piece concluded with the
main character exiting treatment and discussing life afterwards. “The fight will continue, but you will have saved your own life,” she said. One of the most intense performances of the night was “Poem of the Sads,” written by Khalil Power (‘18) and Toni Armstrong (‘19) , and performed by McCluskey and Amelia Mohr (‘17). McCluskey and Mohr demonstrated their acting capabilities through a carefully crafted performance in which their lines wove together, switching between being independent parts and being spoken in unison. Building in speed and volume as the piece progressed, the two delivered an intensely emotional performance before winding down to move the play into the next piece. The final piece of the night, and the title piece of the show, was written
by Alyssa Pelletier (‘19) and performed by Hutcheson and Emily Guare (‘17). Essentially explaining the title of the play, the characters discussed how “insanity” can mean something totally different when a space is added. They went on to discuss spaces
further, both between words and between people, exploring the meaning and effect space can have. Hutcheson’s last line concluded the play: “Insanity. In Sanity. What’s the difference?”
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The Scarlet
apr. 14, 2017
sports | 11
COUGAR of the WEEK softball we have to play about 30 games in the next three weeks, which is a lot, especially when trying to manage the stresses of school. Also we are lucky that the team is very deep, so if we are having an off day because the game was rescheduled, the team will always be ready to face it together. It’s just really nice to be outside and not in the Dolan having to practice. Scarlet: What is it like to have to pitch so often? It must be really hard without much relief time. Sami: I would say that this is not abnormal and it gives me an opportunity to play, so if I have a bad day one game, on the next day there is a very strong chance that I can come back and try to show to my team that I am not the pitcher I was yesterday. We also have a five pitcher staff. If I have a bad day, there are four other pitchers who can come in and help out, which has been really nice and not always the case every year.
photo by amanda quiñones
Sami West (‘18) softball Pitcher Sami West (‘18) of Gonic, N.H. has been stellar on the mound for Clark Softball. Against strong NEWMAC opponent Wheaton, West gave up only two runs in six innings. She has an ERA of 2.45, good for seventh in the conference. West is majoring in psychology with a minor in education, and plans to obtain a fifth-year master’s degree in education. Scarlet: How has the season been? Sami: It started really high for me in Florida. It was really great, and acclimating has been tough, balancing the social life school and sports. I think as a team we are getting the hang of it and doing better every day. Scarlet: There have been a lot of make up games this season scheduled close to one another. How does that affect the way you play? Sami: Since I am a junior, this season has been very similar to my first year experience on the team where we didn’t start playing until we had to fit it in the last three weeks of school. So, for
Scarlet: In the conference game against Wheaton you gave up only two runs, but in the Wellesley conference game things were very different. What was each of those games like for you? Sami: Wheaton is a very good team, and they have very strong hitters. Being able to pitch and have a performance like that felt amazing. Wellesley was a little different: I had a very bad performance, so bad I had to go to the coach’s office the next day. The Wellesley game was not who I am as a pitcher, and today we faced MIT and I had a better showing than I did in the Wellesley game. Scarlet: What made you start playing softball? Was there anyone in particular that got you playing? Sami: So I started playing when I was eight years old. I started in T-ball and a coach had seen me and talked with my parents, so I joined a travel team. My parents were hesitant at first, but they let me decide, and I wanted to try it first before I said no. This coach had a daughter, and he would practice pitching with her, and when I watched, there was nothing I wanted to do more than be in the middle up there pitching. This coach got me into pitching. The reason why I love pitching is because I have so many opportunities to make up if I make a mistake. Not every pitch is life or death; there is always room for improvement. Scarlet: Is there any position on the field you wish you could play, and why? Sami:I think it would be really fun to be a coach. I personally just like throwing the ball as opposed to receiving it. If you’ve seen me in when I play, when a ball is thrown at me, I don’t act like a normal pitcher. I try to get somewhat out of the way. Being a coach is really rewarding, and I think that given the opportunity I would really enjoy doing it. Coaches are the ones making sure that everyone on the team is working well and functioning with one another, and being able to help that would
by Steven Castiglione
be really fun and interesting to me. Scarlet: Do you have any cool hobbies or hidden talents? Sami: Not really a talent or a hobby, but in high school, since I played summer ball, I did marching band. I played the trumpet and I wasn’t good, but I really liked hanging out with the music kids. I also did stage crew or the behind the scenes for theater in high school, which was fun, but since I got to college I have been focusing on school and softball. Scarlet: Of the conference games left, which team poses the biggest challenge for the team? Sami: On any given day if you ask me who we are playing, I might not be able to tell you until we get there because I am very much of the mindset that no matter who you are pitching, whether someone very good or very bad, whether or not they hit will depend on the pitch given, so I have to make sure to give it my all every pitch. I can’t think of any that would be especially challenging because our conference is very tough to begin with. Scarlet: What is your favorite memory about the Clark Softball team? Sami: I can’t pinpoint just one memory, but the training trip in Florida is always really fun. It’s one of the most exhausting and draining weeks of my life. While there, you are playing ten games in five days, and you are with the same people all week long, every second of the day you spend with the same people. Whether you are having a good day or a bad day, you are never alone. You are also building a relationship with the team, especially with the first-years who you don’t get to spend a lot of time with outside of practice. It is really a great trip and I look forward to it every year.
Scarlet: Are you looking forward to the highlight game on the April 22? Sami: Of course. That game is also our senior game; we are going to be honoring our only senior Lauren Mackey (‘17) and hopefully [some people] will drive people to our game because our field is a little far away from campus. This game means a lot to me because I have been playing with Lauren for a very long time, and now and I get to be there for her at this really big moment. She has been a role model for me. I have had the opportunity to play with Lauren for awhile before I came to Clark, so getting to play with her in college has been really awesome and great. She is an amazing person. Everyone should come to our game. It is going to be a lot of fun!
Thanks for the interview, Sami!
12 | extras
The Scarlet
Police Logs Compiled by Andrew Rose Tuesday, April 4, 2017 17:34: RA reports student for possession of sword. Upon questioning, student claims to have deposited sword in dumpster off campus. After searching off-campus dumpsters for sword, police question student again, prompting an admission from student that sword is actually in a friend’s dorm room. The sword is then confiscated. 23:24: Party calls EMS after stubbing her toe. Thursday, April 6, 2017 6:16: Physical Plant reports that three parties are sleeping in the library. Saturday, April 8, 2017 7:31: Party reports that an unidentified male is exposing himself. Police are unable to locate suspect. 10:15: Party reports that the Bistro’s fryolator is not functioning. Physical Plant is notified. Sunday, April 9, 2017 16:31: Party reports that her curtain is broken. Physical Plant is contacted. Monday, April 10, 2017 13:37 Party reports that unidentified male stole sushi from Bistro. Police are unable to locate suspect. 14:50 Party reports that an unidentified female was seen picking up a discarded set of car keys from the sidewalk, climbing into adjacent car via the passenger side door, and starting said car. She was then seen to exit the vehicle and walk away. 19:40: Party reports an over abundance of food in a dumpster, and expresses fear that animals may be attracted by said food. Physical Plant is called to remove the food from the dumpster.
apr. 14, 2017
What happens in The Scarlet office stays in The Scarlet office... sort of “I just sat on a pickle...Oh, and there’s mustard too.” - Alika “Fryolator.” - Andrew Rose “This guy’s job title is literally ‘Builder of Things.’” Alika “There’s a lot going into this that I don’t understand.” - Giles “Tinder is a science.” - Amanda “If you’re gonna be a player at Clark, at least do it right.” - Amanda