The Daily Northwestern — February 18, 2022 by The Daily Northwestern

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The Daily Northwestern Friday, February 18, 2022

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Ald. Cicely Fleming departs from Council She stepped down after five years serving 9th Ward By OLIVIA ALEXANDER

daily senior staffer @oliviagalex

Iris Swarthout/The Daily Northwestern

Prominent African American figures were painted on a canvas on the first floor of The Black House.

New Black House mural unveiled “Undivided Legacy” highlights Black past, present and future at NU By IRIS SWARTHOUT

the daily northwestern @swarthout_iris

Growing up, artist and creative consultant Dwight White

(Communication ‘16, Medill ‘17) used art as an escape — a way to express himself beyond words. But White only started to take painting more seriously after a kidney contusion forced him to stop playing varsity football at Northwestern.

“While I was at NU, I started exploring other … things that helped me with mental health,” he said. “Art — painting — was one of them.” Now a full-time artist based in Chicago, White has painted

“Undivided Legacy” over the course of six months for NU’s Black House, a place he frequented while a student. The mural represents the past, present and future of NU’s Black students, White

» See MURAL, page 6

Ald. Cicely Fleming (9th) stepped down from her City Council role after Monday’s meeting. She announced her decision to resign in December, citing the job’s toll on her mental health and the recent passing of her mother. “I have been reminded that life is short,” Fleming wrote in her resignation letter. “We forget that as we are busy living. My mother was a fighter and unfortunately, she usually only had time to fight for her own life against the many systems designed to keep her oppressed.” Fleming wrote that her mother would want her to “balance the never-ending fight with the needed rest.” Fleming’s political impact In 2014, Fleming founded the Organization for Positive Action and Leadership, which aimed to achieve racial equity in Evanston through advocacy and civic engagement. The group elevated equity-focused council

and school board campaigns and held education systems accountable for racial achievement gaps before it disbanded in 2021. During her tenure as an alderperson, which started in 2017, Fleming worked on racial equity and community building initiatives, including improving the city’s police complaint process and reworking the Citizens’ Police Review Commission. Early on, she worked to make it easier for people with criminal records to get hired in the city. Fleming was the sole councilmember to vote against the city’s Restorative Housing Reparations Program in March. She told The Daily that while some people couldn’t believe she made this decision, for her, the program doesn’t live up to her moral standards, or “North Star.” “I stand for what I think is free and right and good for Black people, and good for all people,” Fleming said. “That doesn’t always mean that I’m going to support someone just because we have the same African lineage.” Fleming told The Daily she didn’t accomplish everything she wanted to during her council career. She wished she could have made more progress to increase citizen participation in local

» See FLEMING, page 6

NU students talk Public art to color Evanston this July Winter Olympics The Evanston Fourth of July Association planned the citywide project The U.S. has won 21 medals at the Games thus far By IRIS SWARTHOUT

the daily northwestern @swarthout_iris

McCormick junior Jesse Ji first started paying attention to the Winter Olympics in 2018 because of his love for figure skating. “It’s a very musical and artistic sport,” Ji said. “As someone who’s been playing violin for a long time, I like that a lot of the programs that figure skaters skate to was some of the music that I play and enjoy.” The 2022 Winter Olympic Games began Feb. 2, allowing Ji to watch some of his favorite athletes compete. Ji said he has spent the Games rooting for Japan but also enjoys watching U.S. skater Alysa Liu. While he watches skating yearround, Ji said the Olympics is an event everyone enjoys. For some students, like Weinberg junior Greta Lunder, the Olympics are

a time to watch sports not typically showcased on a large scale. “I’m not normally a big fan year-round of any of these sports … I’m mainly a basketball and a football person,” Lunder said. “(The Olympics are) a nice little interval where I can watch sports I wouldn’t necessarily know about or keep up with.” Both Lunder and Ji said they often have trouble finding people on campus to watch the Games with, as Ji said figure skating, for instance, is a relatively niche sport. However, 15-year-old Russian athlete Kamila Valieva’s recent doping scandal garnered national attention. After testing positive for a drug that increases blood flow to the heart, therefore increasing stamina, Valieva was banned from competing at the Games on Feb. 13. A day later, however, the Court of Arbitration for Sport allowed her to return for the remainder of the event because she is a minor. Lunder said she thinks the Olympic committee should either bar minors from competing or change the way minors are

» See OLYMPICS, page 6

Serving the University and Evanston since 1881 Recycle Me

By WENDY KLUNK

daily senior staffer @wklunk

In an attempt to spread color to the least expected places, the Evanston Fourth of July Association is sponsoring a public art project to be displayed throughout the city from July to October. The organization is recruiting nine artists, who will each create a unique design in their assigned ward. Fourth of July Association Celebration Manager Jamie Black proposed the project. He said it was time for the organization to become more involved in the Evanston community beyond hosting Independence Day festivities. “This is really out of my comfort zone,” Black said. “I felt like I needed to step up and take the lead on something because we’re not as relevant as we should be. I feel like we need to do more in the community.” Anyone is eligible to apply to be an artist in the project. Applications are open until Feb. 28 and artists will receive $1,000 for their contributions.

Courtesy of Joshua Valdovinos

One of Valdovinos’ pieces for the public art project in Elgin. The Evanston project is based on Elgin’s storm drain art.

There are three possible locations in each ward for the art pieces, which will be painted near storm drains. Artists will submit original designs based on one of three themes: community, diversity or the Fourth of July. Evanston residents will take precedence, and artists who identify as people of color or members of the LGTBQ+

community are especially encouraged to apply, Black said. Black got the idea for the project from Elgin, where storm drain art decorates the city streets. He said artists beautified storm drains and sewer grate spaces that are often overlooked. Freelance artist Joshua Valdovinos, who was one of the artists for

the Elgin project, said art is a way for him to express himself and let out his energy in a constructive way. “(Art) is something vital for people to have for when they need some creative expression,” Valdovinos said. “Art and painting is just one of the expressions that I use to balance myself out as a person.”

» See PUBLIC ART, page 6

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THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022

AROUND TOWN

Evanston small businesses seek support and give back By NORA COLLINS

the daily northwestern @noracollins02

In recent weeks, rising inflation has left Evanston restaurants and small businesses grappling with an added layer of uncertainty on top of the financial distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumer prices in the Chicago area rose 6.6% in 2021, roughly on par with the 7% national hike. For local restaurants and small businesses, new spikes in food, labor and rent costs have compounded the industry-wide struggles of the past two years. Heather Bublick, co-founder of Soul and Smoke, said that the cost of meat has risen exponentially in recent months. Even when looking at major events like Super Bowl weekend, she said she couldn’t be certain ahead of time how much business she would get. She said the unpredictable changes remind her of March 2020. “It used to be nice to be able to rely on at least certain things, but now every day is new,” Bublick said. Bublick said inflation has impacted Soul and Smoke’s catering business. At the same time,

City COVID-19 positivity rate reaches below 1% this week The city’s COVID-19 positivity rate dropped below 1% this week as the number of positive cases also fell. The seven-day moving average positivity rate saw a more rapid decline this week, reaching 0.96% after last week’s 1.84%. This 0.88 percentage point deduction is nearly three times the reduction seen between the positivity rates of the two weeks prior. Evanston reported 122 new positive cases over the last seven days, a 34% reduction from last week’s 184 cases. For the last month, the city has seen case numbers decline weekly. However, the rapid decline seen

Bublick said the pandemic has caused Soul and Smoke’s average event size to shrink. Rent prices have also increased. Event costs get proportionally larger with smaller guest counts, said Bublick. Rapid price adjustments have been particularly challenging, Bublick said, because there often isn’t enough time to adjust printed menus and signs in response. Giovanna De Girolamo owns Roadrunner Food Delivery, a local delivery service in the Evanston area. She said restaurants, delivery drivers and small business owners have supported each other over the past few years. “We’re all suffering the same way,” Girolamo said. “We’re just helping each other the best way we can.” Evanston resident and small business owner Laura Lindroth said chain stores might fill up the community if too many small businesses fold. “Nothing against Starbucks, but local coffee shops have something unique about them,” Lindroth said. “There’s something to that whole momand-pop culture.” Despite facing unfamiliar challenges, Lindroth said many local businesses went the extra mile to support the community. As the director of programming and community engagement at Rainbows for All Children, a nonprofit providing grief support for children, between past weeks slowed down in the new batch of data. Cook County and Illinois also saw declines in positivity rates. In Cook County, the test positivity this week was 6.1%, down only half a percentage point from last week. The state’s test positivity rate, however, saw a larger decline, reaching 3.3% compared to last week’s 5.8%. Weekly vaccination rates in the city have continued to slowly increase as more people receive their vaccinations. As of Thursday, 96.9% of Evanston residents ages 5 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is a 0.2 percentage point increase from last week. In that age group, 86.9% of residents are fully vaccinated. Cook County did not see much change in its vaccination rates this week — 77.7% of individuals ages 5 and older have received at least one dose and

Photo courtesy of Neil Burger

Co-owners of Soul and Smoke Heather Bublick and D’Andre Carter. Bublick said the restaurant has faced challenges of both inflation and the pandemic.

Lindroth said Rainbows has directly benefited from charitable restaurant contributions on multiple occasions. 70.3% are fully vaccinated. The state saw only a 0.1 percentage point increase in this group to 80.5% and a 0.4 percentage point increase to 71.2% among individuals who are fully vaccinated. That represents a much smaller increase than the six percentage point surge of partially-vaccinated individuals between the last two weeks. The city will hold another KN95 mask distribution event Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Residents can pick up two free masks per household, while supplies last, at the following locations: — Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave. — Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. — Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St. — Evanston Police Department, 1454 Elmwood Ave. If Evanston continues to see declining COVID-19

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“(Businesses were) giving back despite the fact that they themselves were hurting a lot and their business was declining,” Lindroth said. “Yet here they are packing meals for people that couldn’t afford it or that were isolated at home and quarantined.” Valerie Kahan, development chair of the Parent Teacher Association Equity Project, said schools and local businesses, including Soul and Smoke, have collaborated over the past few years through a restaurant week and a take-out for the equity project. “We feel that this partnership is incredibly important because the public schools and local businesses are both essential to this community,” Kahan said. Bublick said that the Evanston community has been “absolutely amazing,” especially with their “Support Evanston Restaurants” Facebook group and “Support Evanston” chats. However, Bublick said maintaining support over long periods of time can generate fatigue. “There’s definitely been good months,” Bublick said. “But as soon as another surge hits, those restaurants, and those businesses, need that support right back.” noracollins2025@u.northwestern.edu positive cases, the city intends to lift its vaccination and masking requirements in accordance with the state’s anticipated lift Feb. 28. The city will provide an update on the protocol next week. If the city decides to lift mandates, individuals will not be required to wear masks in grocery stores or in restaurants. However, masks will still be required in schools, on public transportation services and in healthcare facilities, among other specified high-risk locations. In national news, the Food and Drug Administration postponed its meeting to discuss a three-dose Pfizer primary vaccination series for children ages six months to four years, meaning vaccinations for the age group will not be approved until April at the earliest. — Angeli Mittal

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NU religious groups combat COVID-19 By PAVAN ACHARYA

Editor in Chief Isabelle Sarraf

eic@dailynorthwestern.com

the daily northwestern @pavanacharya02

With the rise of the omicron variant, some Northwestern religious organizations have implemented policies to reduce the spread and ensure safety of its members. OM at NU, a Hindu-centered religious group, was forced to move its “Hindu Classical Arts Showcase” from January to Feb. 26 due to omicron, according to co-president and Weinberg freshman Kushal Mungee. Mungee said OM will take new precautions to ensure the event’s safety. “In terms of COVID-19 issues, we’re requiring proof of vaccination at the door,” Mungee said. “Plus spacing out the seating and taking all other precautions we can to make sure everyone stays safe.” Mungee said proof of vaccination would have still been required if the show had taken place last quarter, but this requirement is especially important now with the contagiousness of omicron. During the Wildcat Wellness period, OM at Northwestern held weekly Shravan Sessions virtually and hosted discussions based on Hindu texts like the Vedanta. Other organizations enforced less stringent COVID-19 protection guidelines following the omicron outbreak. The Sheil Catholic Center held in-person Sunday services during Wildcat Wellness as part of its “allowed activities.” These in-person services have continued with precautions including mandatory masking for all individuals regardless of vaccination status. Weinberg freshman Barb Burns attends services at the Sheil Catholic Center a few times a week. She said the center sets aside a space during mass where individuals can choose to social distance from one another. Burns also said that COVID-19 protocols have not changed much this quarter. “It’s pretty impressive, the commitment that the staff shows to COVID-19 protocols,” Burns

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The omicron variant has presented a challenge for NU religious organizations, forcing these groups to adjust their policies in order to ensure the safety of their members.

said. “They’re not messing around. They really just have everybody’s best interests at heart.” Incoming Northwestern Hillel Co-President and Medill junior Annie Epstein said the organization has also been prioritizing COVID-19 policies while continuing to put on in-person events, including their weekly Shabbat dinners. Epstein said Hillel has been able to host Shabbat dinners every Friday, providing upstairs seating and a to-go option for individuals not comfortable eating in person. She said increased seating space allowed for more social distancing in the Fiedler Hillel Center as well as more room for attendees. Northwestern Hillel has also adapted their COVID-19 policies regarding masking. “Yesterday, I walked in just wearing one surgical mask, and they gave me (a KN-95 mask) instead,” Epstein said. “Everyone in the building is either double masked or wearing a KN-95 equivalent.” Despite slight alterations, Epstein said Hillel’s recent events have not been impacted by the omicron variant. The group hosted its first Super Bowl Party

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on Feb. 13. Epstein said this was possible due to recent renovations to the Fiedler Hillel Center. “We’re trying to take precautions, but also understand that Hillel is a place that a lot of students go to actually see other people in-person,” Epstein said. “We want to make sure people have the option to do whatever makes them feel most comfortable.” pavan.acharya@u.northwestern.edu

Setting the record straight An article published in Monday’s paper “Making language classes inclusive” misquoted Japanese Prof. Noriko Yasohama about when names are used. The article has been since updated online to clarify and correct the quote. The Daily regrets the error.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022

arts & entertainment

Angeli Mittal/The Daily Northwestern

“She Kills Monsters” tackles grief and sisterhood By KARA PEELER

the daily northwestern @karapeeler

A production that features loss and love — and Dungeons & Dragons — goes up this weekend. Tickets for “She Kills Monsters” by WAVE Productions are already fully booked for all three shows. “She Kills Monsters” follows a young woman named Agnes as she grieves the loss of her parents and younger sister Tilly. She plays Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons module to reconnect with her sister. “(WAVE’s board wanted to show) the brighter side of things, just being able to think about all the things that we’ve lost or all the experiences

that we’ve lost instead of sitting in our own grief, how we can still connect with one another, and still celebrate the moments that we do have,” said Communication sophomore and Producer Ryan Nguyen. The board also seeks to promote diversity and equity, according to Nguyen. The show features LGBTQ+ characters and was written by a Vietnamese American playwright. In general, WAVE’s mission is to highlight stories relevant to campus current events. They select pieces that members are passionate about and that touch on prevalent themes, according to Bienen senior Paige Dirkes-Jacks, the university relations chair. “We very purposefully do not have a mission statement that confines us to a specific type of

work so that we can be able to adapt to the kinds of stories that the campus is wanting and needing to hear,” Dirkes-Jacks said. Dirkes-Jacks and Nguyen described the environment as thoughtful and supportive — the “She Kills Monsters” team and WAVE’s board members have formed a deep sense of community. They added that WAVE relies on passion and is even referred to as the “passion project board.” “It’s interesting because WAVE is a board that ultimately is just committed to creating theatre,” said Communication freshman Nick Hollenbeck, who plays Tilly’s friend Chuck. “WAVE (members) are the ones who really know how to nail just putting on a play, and all the production value is always very, very high quality.” As “She Kills Monsters” takes place in the

‘90s, the performance will include retro music, costumes and makeup. Nguyen said the designers went above and beyond for this production, especially for its set design. The play also incorporates dramatic fight choreography, which Hollenback and Nguyen said they look forward to seeing in action. “It is a touching show,” said Communication junior Kylie Boyd, the show’s stage manager. “But I hope that (audience members) leave feeling like it can be an escape for a moment, because that’s really (how the show) treats Dungeons & Dragons, as an escape from this mundane real life. If that show can be that for the audience, we’ll have achieved our goal.” karapeeler2025@u.northwestern.edu

Reel Thoughts: “Tall Girl 2” falls short, lacks plot By JOANNA HOU and YIMING FU

the daily northwestern @joanna_11 @yimingfu

Warning: This article contains spoilers. The movie that made men’s size 13 Nikes the laughing stock of the internet is back. But “Tall Girl 2” falls short in every comparison to its iconic predecessor. Released in 2019, the first “Tall Girl” was awful. We can’t deny it: the movie featured a mediocre love triangle and portrayed height insecurity, of all things, as a near-insurmountable personal struggle. But it was awful in a good way. We walked away from that movie with TikToks that poked fun at main character Jodi Kreyman’s (Ava Michelle) height “trauma,” gallons and gallons of milk crate jokes (the milk crate doesn’t even exist in this movie) and the random-but-standout tall person club scene at Jodi’s house. This was a movie you could have a good time watching because of its sheer ridiculousness. Its sequel, on the other hand, is just mid. Its basic premise is clear: Jodi, the Tall Girl herself, auditions for a high school musical and succeeds

while overcoming her anxiety. During the movie, she also struggles with a new relationship and learns to embrace her true self. Unnecessary scenes constantly disrupt the chronological plot, such as a dance scene in a park filled with scary pig sculptures and a moment when Stig Mohlin (Luke Eisner) decides he wants to be the server for Jodi’s three month anniversary dinner. We give our award for “Most Random Appearance” to Stig’s sister, Stella (Johanna Liauw) who visits town on a whim and gives us absolutely nothing, but stays for at least half of the movie. Why was she there? Although we could follow the plot, the movie felt plain, and there weren’t many standout moments. It is beyond boring, and we paused multiple times to talk about something else — anything else. The lows that defined the former movie are fully missing, replaced with an emptiness that stings with disappointment. We expected the movie to be crummy, but in a way that would be enjoyable. Instead, the emptiness left us dissatisfied. Jack Dunkleman (Griffin Gluck) loses his romantic quirks and delivers a shallow performance, coming across as a generic, manipulative ex. He stops loving Jodi for who she is and starts loving her for how she makes him feel. When she tries to set boundaries, Dunkleman straight-up ends their relationship. He’s not the only one with a bad arc. Jodi herself

is flat and underdeveloped, making it difficult for us to relate to her. Even her anxiety came across as a half-problem and Michelle’s acting missed the mark. Maybe saddest of all is the lack of height-related drama in the new movie. We were waiting for more overdramatic complaining and giant shoes. “Tall Girl 2” did not deliver. Despite many lows, this movie had a handful of highs. One potential point of conflict at the beginning of the movie is between Jodi and Kimmy Stitcher (Clara Wilsey), the popular, brunette, not-too-tall bombshell who always bags the lead role in the musical. When Jodi gets the part instead, Kimmy is hellbent on revenge. Kimmy doesn’t get her villain moment. We kind of liked that. This feud fizzles out in a heartwarming way when the cast performs a “burning ceremony” before tech week. Each cast member throws an item in a fire pit to rid themselves of bad energy. But, when Jodi tosses her iconic bedazzled 6-inch heels into the flames, Kimmy steps up to save them. The glittery heels still got cooked well-done, and Kimmy turned out to be the least of our problems. She was truly a girlboss with heart. We wanted more screen time from her. Fareeda (Anjelika Washington) is an incredible

best friend, and she’s so easy to root for. We couldn’t help but swoon when she found out Stig bought her entire fashion line. The actress adds a spunk to her character that packs a punch. We wanted to see more from her. Though her newfound relationship is sweet, it was built up hastily and lacks substance. Just make the movie all about Fareeda instead, guys. Our favorite scene by far was the moment when the casting director for the musical finally said what we were all thinking about all along: the fact that being tall is literally not a problem. Compared to actual disabilities and social issues, being tall is not close to awful. Did Jodi slightly comprehend this after the scene? Yes and no. But we’re happy someone tried talking some sense into her. “Tall Girl 2” is just bland. If you want a movie to play as background noise while you’re cooking dinner, this might be a film worth your time. But if you’re looking for a horrible movie you’ll enjoy, we recommend the original. To butcher Fareeda’s opening remarks to Stig, “We aren’t celebrating (Tall Girl 2) because we are no longer friends (fans of Tall Girl 2 as a concept). Keep walking, IKEA.” joannahou2025@u.northwestern.edu yimingfu2024@u.northwestern.edu

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022

Mitski gets existential about relationship with music By JACOB FULTON

daily senior staffer @jacobnfulton

When Japanese-American singer-songwriter Mitski Miyawaki released the first single of her sixth album in October 2021, my first listen felt like I was looking into a mirror. The song, “Working for the Knife,” details the constant pressure Mitski has felt as she navigates the music industry. Under the watchful eye of the public, she felt an overwhelming sense of dread and duty, which resulted in her decision to take a hiatus from music in 2019. When she released the song, it was her re-entry into music ahead of the release of her latest album “Laurel Hell” on Feb. 4. But it also served as a thoughtful rumination on the constant conflict between obligation and inspiration. At the time, I was undergoing an internal conflict about my life trajectory that stemmed from burnout, much like Mitski faced when she began her hiatus. After my first listen of “Working for the Knife,” I knew I was in for a ride, and the song aptly set up the emotions at the forefront of this era. Although a contractual obligation for a sixth album brought Mitski back into the public eye, she has still embraced the rollout of “Laurel Hell” with full force. Over the course of her career, Mitski has dealt with the label of a “sad girl” artist, with many listeners pigeonholing her music as songs to cry to — not dance to. To characterize her music in this way is reductive. Mitski’s music spans across all sorts of topics and genres, and this album is the perfect example of that. It pulls threads from across her discography while also treading new territory, creating a tracklist that reflects the conflict Mitski has felt with her art in recent years.

Illustration by Olivia Abetya

Mitski’s latest album pulls threads from across her discography while also treading new territory.

Some of the songs on this album — such as my personal favorite “The Only Heartbreaker,” “Love Me More” and standout track “Should’ve Been Me” — have a danceable quality tinged with an air of mourning for something lost. But between expansive synths distinctly reminiscent of ’80s pop music, Mitski weaves in more intimate, introspective songs like album opener “Valentine, Texas.” This album doesn’t take the crown of my

favorite album in the Mitski canon, a distinction which currently belongs to her 2014 effort “Bury Me at Makeout Creek.” But its departure from the more narrative style that was featured heavily in “Be the Cowboy,” which was critically lauded and brought attention to her work, makes a lot of sense and creates a strong addition to her discography. Amid her hiatus, more listeners have also discovered her music, including through TikTok, so the emotions

she’s grappling with throughout this album have only heightened. It’s unclear whether the creation of this album has reignited Mitski’s love for music, or if the rollout and tour cycle will cement her decision to quit. But if this is Mitski’s final project before she departs the music business permanently, I am more than satisfied. fulton@u.northwestern.edu

Wirtz to premiere dark comedy “peerless” this weekend By ASHLEY LEE

the daily northwestern @ashley_yw_lee

Playwright Jiehae Park’s dark comedy “peerless” is set to hit the stage at the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts this weekend. A modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” “peerless” is a master’s of fine arts collaboration that tells the story of twin sisters, M and L, and their journey of getting into “the College.” When one of the sisters does not get accepted, they hatch a plan to get rid of all the obstacles standing in their way. Communication junior Zach Forbes, an assistant director, said “peerless” is a love story, thriller and dark comedy at its core. He found the play to

be interesting because of his love for Shakespearean adaptations, he added. Throughout the process, however, Forbes discovered the play offers so much more. “You don’t necessarily have to know Shakespeare to enjoy this play. Even without the connection to Macbeth, ‘peerless’ is an extraordinary play on its own,” Forbes said. Third-year MFA in Directing student and Director Ji Won Jeon said she chose this play because she found a personal connection to the story. While she worked as a freelance director in South Korea, she tutored students for standardized tests. Jeon said she realized many students felt their purpose in life revolved around the college process. “Reading this play, I felt that I knew these two twin girls so well because I encountered them every summer,” Jeon said.

Jeon, along with other members of the production crew and cast, said many students at Northwestern will relate to the grueling admissions process in the story. Communication senior Emily Zhang, who plays M, said she is excited to put “peerless” on stage. “It’s something that everyone can relate to. Whether you are a college student, kid or parent,” Zhang said. “College students have gone through the process, kids might go through it someday, and parents may have college on their minds.” The play also dives into complicated conversations about race, Jeon said. She added that the play tries to deconstruct and raises questions about minority rights and access to higher education as well as racial, cultural and indigenous identity. “What’s actually important when we talk about

cultural identity — is it blood quantum or something else?” Jeon said. “For example, is someone more ‘Korean’ because they are one-half Korean compared to someone who is only one-fourth Korean?” The play also allows underrepresented identities to shine on stage. Three out of the five actors are people of color, Zhang said. Second-year MFA in Acting student Mi Kang, who plays L, said the play challenges assumptions about underrepresented groups. “I’m an advocate for representation on stage. I know that there is a lack of representation of Asian Americans,” she said. “‘peerless’ starts with Asian American stereotypes, and as the play progresses, they break it. It becomes this story about real people.” ashleylee2025@u.northwestern.edu

PCP’s “The Boy at the Edge of Everything” to open tonight By ANNIE XIA

the daily northwestern

Last summer, Communication senior Meghan McNeive worked as a teaching assistant at GEMS World Academy Chicago’s camps for children. McNeive described how one girl from Romania enthralled the class with folk tales full of mythical creatures. “The kids would ask her questions, just sitting there quietly with their sandwiches,” McNeive said. “We’d get to the end of lunch, and they were uninterested in recess because she had not finished her story.” This weekend, McNeive will take her turn telling fantastical stories as an actor in “The Boy at the Edge

of Everything.” The play will showcase twice on Feb. 18 and 19 in the Shanley Pavilion. Purple Crayon Players, a campus theatre board that focuses on theater for young audiences, produced the play. Described by the production team as “interstellar surrealism,” the play follows twelve-year-old Simon who is exhausted by her jam-packed life. After an incredible accident involving a homemade rocket, Simon launches herself into space. On her voyage, she befriends the Boy at the Edge of Everything, a lonely being who lives at the end of the universe. Communication senior Simran Deokule, who plays Simon, explained how much she related to this overscheduled character. “That is me, slash every other Northwestern

student to the T,” Deokule said. “She’s trying to figure out how to find moments of calm and aloneness while doing all of these million different activities.” McNeive plays the Boy at the Edge of Everything. She said she also connected deeply with her character. After feeling isolated during the pandemic, McNeive said she found it therapeutic to channel her experiences of loneliness into a character who has been alone for millions of years. “This play came into my life at a really good time,” McNeive said. “I don’t know if I’ve adored a character this much where I want to give her a hug and tell her it’ll be okay.” During Spring Quarter, the actors will revisit these characters and organize creative workshops

Shows around campus to catch this weekend By RAYNA SONG and ALEXA CROWDER

Boy at the Edge of Everything. Adventure ensues.

the daily northwestern MFA Collaboration Series: peerless – Wirtz @raynayu_song Center @alexacrowder Hal & Martha Hyer Wallis Theater

If you’re looking for weekend plans, check out some of the student performances on campus.

The Boy at the Edge of Everything — Purple Crayon Players Shanley Pavilion Friday 7 p.m. & 10 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Free Twelve-year-old Simon Ives is rocketed away from her overscheduled life on Earth to meet the

Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $6-$15 In a satirical take on college admissions and a modern retelling of Macbeth, two twins are determined to be accepted to The College.

Something Rotten! – Wirtz Center Ethel M. Barber Theater Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.

$6-$30 Now in its final weekend of performances, this production set in the 1590s centers on playwright brothers. Nick and Nigel Bottom want to write a popular play that will rival Shakespeare himself, and end up creating the world’s first musical.

She Kills Monsters — WAVE Productions Louis Room on the second floor of Norris Friday 7 p.m. & 10 p.m., Saturday 7 p.m. Free A grieving young woman plays a Dungeons & Dragons module to better understand her late sister. raynasong2023@u.northwestern.edu alexacrowder2024@u.northwestern.edu

to accompany the show. “The Boy At The Edge of Everything” will then go on tour at several schools in the Chicago area. Director and Communication junior Rachel Mandelker expressed her excitement that children and students will be able to experience the show’s young and complex characters this weekend and next quarter. “As much as I love Disney Channel, it’s very much not a Disney-Channel-style show.,” Mandelker said. “These characters are deep thinkers, and they’re not dumbed down in any way. I think it’s so important to show that other 12-year-olds are feeling the same way as them.” anniexia2025@u.northwestern.edu

arts & entertainment Editor Rayna Song Assistant Editors Alexa Crowder Audrey Hettleman Kaila Nichols Designer Fiona Wang Staff Yiming Fu, Jacob Fulton, Joanna Hou, Ashley Lee, Kara Peeler, Annie Xia

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022

MURAL

OLYMPICS

said. Three faces represent each of these time frames with words such as “love,” “peace” and “legacy” strewn between them. The mural’s placement on the Black House’s first floor pays homage to a previous beloved mural destroyed in the early 2000s by water damage, Assistant Vice President of Inclusion and Chief of Staff at Student Affairs Lesley-Ann Brown-Henderson said. With the conclusion of the Black House renovation in October 2021, Brown-Henderson said they wanted to install a new mural to welcome the House into a new era. After knowing White during his time at NU and following his art on social media for years, BrownHenderson said he was the first person she thought of to create the mural. “I brought up this idea of this new mural and potentially working with Dwight, and (the Black House Space Committee) loved the idea,” Brown-Henderson said. White spoke with several current students and faculty about the Black House before creating the mural. Gathering student experiences allowed him to tell and share truths — which is the purpose driving all of his work. White darkened the NU purple with the simplicity of black and white paint to bring cohesiveness to his work. He said he hopes the painting comforts students who enter the space. “The big picture really is providing a sense of hominess, and I would say a connection again between the past, present and future,” White said. “Hopefully it also sparked a sense of curiosity and engagement within the historic Black House.” The Black House showcases a multitude of other Black-inspired artwork, according to Charla Wilson, archivist for the Black experience. She said most of

might start at Northwestern, but it doesn’t end,” she said. Brown-Henderson said Blackness is not a monolith, and she wants students to find themselves within the Black House space. “Blackness is vast,” she said, referring to the wide range of experiences within the Black community. For White, collaborating with NU doesn’t end here. With roots in Chicago, White said he’s focusing on finding strong partnerships that allow him to communicate his artistic goals effectively. Still, he said he wants to look at painting through an educational standpoint, among others. “(The mural) is a nod to the past, knowing that there were a lot of significant historical moments that the house is representative of,” White said. “Because I was speaking to current students, I got an understanding of the meaning of that space on campus for them or what it will mean in the future… as an undergraduate student, or even a recent graduate, you’re always thinking about the future.”

held accountable. “(Valieva’s coach) is infamous for training teenagers … and wearing them out to the point where they’re too injured to continue past age 17,” she said. “It encourages coaches like (Valieva’s) to … get away with possibly giving drugs to one of her athletes and … continue her abuse.” Ji said the doping was not Valieva’s fault and that the people around her are to blame. However, he said the consequences are necessary in alignment with the rules of the Games to prevent the perpetuation of an already abusive system. Students on campus watched other winter sports as well. Weinberg senior Kristína Feiková pays close attention to alpine skiing, a sport she’s done since she was young, along with slalom skiing and downhill skiing. The Slovakia native added her country is well-versed in the biathlon — an event involving both cross country skiing, ski mountaineering and rifle shooting. Petra Vlhova is the only Slovakian to win a gold in the 2022 Winter Games thus far, but her win was a highlight of the Olympics for Feiková. “She’s all over the media, and she’s the only athlete in Slovakia that won a medal,” she said. Since Slovakia has also advanced to the semifinals in Ice Hockey after defeating the U.S. on Wednesday, Feiková said she plans to watch them play Finland Thursday night over Facetime with her boyfriend. The U.S. has won 21 medals throughout the Games — eight gold, eight silver and five bronze. The team is set to compete in events such as speed skating, freestyle skiing, figure skating and curling this weekend.

irisswarthout2023@u.northwestern.edu

From page 1

Iris Swarthout/The Daily Northwestern

NU alum Dwight White painted the mural to recognize the past, present and future of Blackness on campus.

the work throughout the House is either created by students, connected to Chicago or has garnered prominence from uplifting Black voices. On the second floor, prints created by the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists are featured to educate African American students about those who came before them. The pieces were painted in the 1960s and 70s and have vibrant colors that “jump out at you,” Wilson said. A quilt, made in the early 2000s, also hangs in the House. Patches showcase notable Black figures like Sojourner Truth, as well as NU landmarks like the Arch. Varnette Honeywood’s work is displayed on the first floor of the Black House . Honeywood’s work became famous after it was featured in “The Cosby Show.” While many pieces of artwork exist around The Black House, Brown-Henderson said White’s mural represents a full-circle moment for him and current students. “(The mural) is encouragement for our students that there’s a process of becoming, and that process

PUBLIC ART

FLEMING

Riya Kamat, who works at her family business Artem Pop-up Gallery in downtown Evanston, said public art can bring more shoppers and revenue to a city. “It’s a great way to involve the community,” Kamat said. “But also, given how the pandemic has affected business and traffic around the area, it would be pretty beneficial in bringing traffic over. Once you say art installation, people obviously want to come check it out.” Black plans to create a map of the works so residents can walk around the city to check out all of the pieces. He said he hopes the project will push people to walk to neighborhoods they don’t often visit. “I want to get people moving about the city and talking to people that they might not ordinarily talk to, and maybe make new friends,” Black said. “That is my vision.”

government and involve residents in the city budget process. She said she wants to see more beautification and public art in the 9th Ward. She also said taking resident calls without staff to help often overwhelms councilmembers. Evanston’s government, she said, should design itself around engaging with community members. Still, she said she’s proud of the time she spent on the council. “I definitely went into it wanting to make an impact in the city, understanding that was going to be slow,” Fleming said. “I felt like I did that.”

From page 1

wendyklunk2024@u.northwestern.edu

Colleagues’ response Michelle Jordan, Fleming’s former coworker who works in Cook County Commissioner for the 13th District Larry Suffredin’s office, said the word “dedicated” perfectly captures Fleming’s spirit. “She’s never one to just sort of brush things off. If somebody comes to her with a problem, she’s not

just gonna say, ‘Well, that’s not my job,’” Jordan said. “She will get you to the right person, and then she’ll follow up and make sure that everything worked out the right way.” Larry Suffredin, the Cook County commissioner for the 13th district, first met Fleming at one of her ward meetings. He said he was impressed by her thorough communication, respect and willingness to act. Ald. Tom Suffredin (6th) said Fleming “was not shy about calling out bulls--t.” He said he and Fleming shared the same “Are you f--king kidding me?” attitude toward facetious councilmembers and city staffers, which he’ll miss once she leaves. “She was always on top of resident issues and demanding of city staff, who sometimes were dismissive of residents’ concerns,” Tom Suffredin said. “Overall, her legacy will be one of hard work and good government.” Fleming’s next steps Fleming is now the state director of Birth to Five Illinois, an initiative started by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to

improve the state’s early childhood education system. Fleming said her office is charged with launching new regional infrastructure to ensure parent and provider voices are involved in state decision making. While this role is new for her, and she doesn’t come from an early childhood education background, Fleming said her ability to think strategically and launch community initiatives will help her in the job. Larry Suffredin said he believes Birth to Five will be one of the governor’s key accomplishments. He said Fleming’s strengths as a councilmember will carry through to her new role. He said while Fleming is a gain for the state of Illinois, Evanston feels a loss. “The ward will remember her as the first person of color elected to the City Council of Evanston who didn’t live in the Second or the Fifth Ward,” Larry Suffredin said. “They will remember her as somebody who worked very hard to understand the issues, to put together as many opportunities for people to be heard, and tried to resolve whatever issues existed in the ward.” oliviaalexander2024@u.northwestern.edu

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DAILY CROSSWORD Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Ketch pair 6 Pre-weekend letters 10 Damson or Mirabelle 14 On the lookout 15 Decimated sea 16 “All __” 17 “It’s the truth!” 18 Old comics character who said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” 19 Apple product 20 Naivete personified, literally 23 It’s needed, but often “not included” 24 Many a Nora Ephron film 28 Old speedster: Abbr. 29 Ice cream holder 31 Bother 32 Co-founder of Artists Against Fracking 33 Abandoned, literally 36 Angry 39 Doce meses 40 Equal 41 Low, literally 46 Medium power 47 Give a hand 48 Tennis strategy 49 Rte. finder 52 Presumes 54 Feature of some Birkenstocks 56 Metaphor for a sitting-pretty situation, literally 60 Modern diary 63 Like father, like son? 64 Accord creator 65 Bridges of Los Angeles County 66 Fourth letter in a famous mnemonic 67 Like Barbara Bush, vis-à-vis Jenna 68 Lincoln or Jackson 69 Twice-monthly tide 70 Works in a garden

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

2/18/22

By Dick Shlakman and Fred Geldon

DOWN 1 Rays that can live 50 years 2 Island exchanges 3 Handpicked 4 “Survivor” group 5 Cat burglar’s asset 6 It’s broken at many races 7 Become 8 Classic stage betrayer 9 Request for maximum speed 10 Light bender 11 Sass 12 Gulf War support gp. 13 Pill, say 21 Word with collar or chip 22 American Girl purchase 25 Abs are part of it 26 Some time ago 27 Comic Jay 30 Lacking pizzazz 31 On the wrong side (of) 33 Rocker Nugent 34 One who may go deep 35 Good times 36 Aerobic bit

Montday’s Thursday’sPuzzle PuzzleSolved Solved

37 Quite 38 Gym set 42 Hammer-strikesthumb reaction 43 Guys with gifts 44 Particle in a beam 45 “Sesame Street,” e.g. 49 About half of Trenta, at Starbucks 50 Protected, in a way

2/18/22

51 “Femme Fatale” artist, 2011 53 PC fixer 55 Oar fulcrum 57 HBO’s “__ of Easttown” 58 Latin “others” 59 Like some pockets 60 “Doctor Who” airer 61 Island greeting 62 Bit of horse feed

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022

Jennifer’s Edibles owner seeks community support By ELENA HUBERT

the daily northwestern @elenahubert25

January 2022 was supposed to mark a milestone for Jennifer Eason. After years of professional growth and community engagement, the lifelong Evanston resident was excited to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her soul food restaurant Jennifer’s Edibles. After initially closing the restaurant at the start of the pandemic, Eason shifted its operations to feed residents experiencing food insecurity. She scaled up quickly to open the restaurant’s non-profit arm, Jennifer’s Edibles Feeds the Community, ultimately delivering up to 14,000 free meals a week to homebound residents. She reopened the restaurant in August and was successfully running both until January — when she slipped on ice and broke her ankle. “I was absolutely sure that I would have to either shut down or just close,” Eason said. Now, Eason is looking to the community for support. Located on Simpson Street in the 5th Ward, Jennifer’s Edibles is now operating with limited hours and struggling financially. Eason’s staff has kept the non-profit going with volunteer support and grant funding. Eason started a GoFundMe page on Jan. 19 to keep the restaurant and non-profit afloat in her absence and to cover the remainder of her medical bills. Eason previously served as a minister at her church but stepped back from her role during the pandemic. Larry Murphy owns YoFresh Yogurt Cafe on Chicago Avenue and regularly stocks his cafe with dishes from Jennifer’s Edibles. He said Eason’s connection to her faith fuels her work. “Her vision is beyond just simply being an entrepreneur but incorporates being a responsible community citizen and a contributor to the well being of the community,” Murphy said. Eason supports her community through her cooking as well. At Jennifer’s Edibles, Eason nourishes residents with soul food, from chicken and waffles at breakfast to oxtails at lunch and dinner. Eason and Soul & Smoke co-owner D’Andre

Maia Spoto/The Daily Northwestern

Jennifer and William Eason stand behind the counter at Jennifer’s Edibles. William Eason said the restaurant is experiencing its most successful year yet.

Carter said they are making early plans with owners of other local shops to bring more businesses to the 5th Ward. Murphy said he’s grateful for the “very thoughtful and responsible and ethical” role model he sees in Eason. “Any time there’s an African American who can model those characteristics and do it successfully, it’s important because it undergirds the current public assertion that Black lives matter,” he said. “She shows the ways in which Black lives do matter in this community.”

Lashaun Taylor was Eason’s first customer at her catering business. Twenty years later, Taylor remains a regular customer at Jennifer’s Edibles. “I just feel so at home when I’m there, like (it’s) my mom’s kitchen,” Taylor said. A lifelong 5th Ward resident, Taylor said her parents visited 1623 Simpson St., where Jennifer’s Edibles is located, when it was a site of Black political activism in the 1970s. Since then, the location has been home to Hecky’s Jazz Club and Uncle Randy’s Jamaican American Cuisine. Eason enjoys engaging with the

building’s history and showcases a few artifacts from the building’s past at the restaurant. Eason said she is hopeful for the future of her restaurant and non-profit. “The actual restaurant business is growing from where we’ve come and I do foresee it being even better than it has been once we get past this barrier,” Eason said. “I really think that by the spring or summer, we’ll be able to pick back up where we were, (it’s just) getting there.” elenahubert2025@u.northwestern.edu

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SPORTS

Friday, February 18, 2022

@DailyNU_Sports

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Northwestern loses to No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers 69-58 By SKYE SWANN

daily senior staffer @sswann301

Seeger Gray/The Daily Northwestern

WOMEN’S TENNIS

NU prepares for home doubleheader By ALEX CERVANTES

the daily northwestern @CervantesPAlex

Propelled by a dominant performance against Notre Dame Sunday, Northwestern will look to build upon the momentum with a two-game homestand on Sunday. The Wildcats (2-3, 0-0 Big Ten) will play host to Harvard and MiamiOhio in a doubleheader, the former being the squad’s “Together We Win” game. The campaign, which was launched by the Department of Athletics and Recreation, aims to “raise awareness to the department’s ongoing commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive community that fosters belonging and celebrates authenticity.” NU is looking forward to the pair of home matches this weekend, especially with a Kansas road trip looming large to begin in March, senior Clarissa Hand said. “We’re really excited about our ‘Together We Win’ game,” Hand said. “We’re really excited to try to get some wins at home. Building on these two weeks at home is really important for us just to get a good foundation.” Hand, the Cats’ No. 1 singles player, holds steady at 85th nationally, per the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association Rankings. The New Jersey native went 2-0 against the

Fighting Irish, winning 6-3 in doubles with sophomore Maria Shusharina and then grabbing a straight sets victory 6-3, 6-4 in singles play. No one was more dominant in the battle with Notre Dame, though, than graduate student Ema Lazic, who emerged victorious with a 6-0, 6-0 win in singles at the No. 5 position. Hand said she felt confident heading into the match, but emphasized the importance of Lazic getting NU on the board early. Additionally, as an upperclassman, Hand said keeping her composure and remaining confident are important in setting the tone for her performance, while also benefiting the team. The Cats’ first match against the Crimson will start at 11 a.m. CT, with the bout against the RedHawks beginning at 5 p.m. Harvard (5-2) is coming off of a 2-1 showing and finals appearance at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships last week. Miami-Ohio (4-2)] will likely enter the Combe Tennis Center quite confident, following its 5-2 and 6-1 victories over Cleveland State and Youngstown State, respectively, on Feb. 12. Nevertheless, NU will look to close out the month with a pair of victories, before hitting the road once again in March. alexcervantes2024@u.northwestern.edu

Forcing an Indiana turnover, Northwestern senior guard Veronica Burton stole the ball and raced to the offensive end of the court. With a numerical advantage, Burton drove to the bucket and made a layup, tying the score after trailing at halftime. “ We started to click as an offense,” coach Joe McKeown said. “We started taking better shots and taking better care of the ball.” However, the Hoosiers responded with more firepower, becoming a next-level team in the last quarter. Despite climbing back into the matchup, the Wildcats (14-10, 6-7 Big Ten) were not able to grab a win on the road, losing to Indiana (19-4, 11-2 Big Ten) 69-58 Thursday. Behind 20 points from Burton, 14 points from graduate guard Lauryn Satterwhite and 14 points from freshman guard Jillian Brown, the squad still showcased a versatile unit on the offensive end of the court. Starting at a disadvantage, NU spent the first quarter on the defensive end of the court, attempting to slow down the attacking Hoosier offense. Senior forward Courtney Shaw held down the backcourt, grabbing 10 rebounds and limiting Indiana’s second-chance opportunities inside the paint. “The Big Ten has a ton of big forwards and (Courtney) battles all of them,” McKeown said. “She’s been playing great for us.” With five minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Cats were taking back control of the game.

The squad had opportunities on the offensive end of the floor to tie the game. But a missed threepoint shot by Burton allowed the Hoosiers to go back on an offensive run. NU’s offensive dominance crept back in the second quarter, highlighting the team’s efficiency inside the paint and around the arc. Satterwhite led the team with nine points in the period. McKeown said her leadership on the team has been crucial for the offense, especially with her expertise with three-point shots. Down by four points at the half, the Cats kicked into high-gear at the start of the third quarter. After Indiana scored the opening bucket, NU regained the offensive momentum, leading to Burton hitting that monumental jumper from beyond the arc to tie the game. With the momentum shifting, it appeared the Cats could come out of this contest on top. But Indiana responded on the floor with the same energy. The Hoosiers eliminated NU’s second chances at the rim, and converted on the other end of the floor. In the fourth quarter, the Cats’ comeback waned and the team was not able to keep up with Indiana’s momentum. McKeown said the squad’s foul trouble late in the fourth put them in jeopardy. NU spent the rest of regulation trying to compete with Indiana, but the Hoosiers were too far ahead when the game clock buzzer sounded. “The team has done a great job so far,” McKeown said. “Our mindset is to take one game at a time, but our win over Michigan just gave us some momentum to finish out the season strong.” skyeswann2024@u.northwestern.edu

MEN’S TENNIS

Cats take aim at Commodores By NATHAN ANSELL

the daily northwestern @nathanjansell

Riding a six-match win streak, Northwestern will travel to Vanderbilt University to prove its wins have been no fluke. The last time the Wildcats (10-2, 0-0 Big Ten) faced the Commodores (4-0, 0-0 SEC), NU emerged victorious in a 7-0 rout. Both teams return four players from that 2020 meeting. “It’s a very different team,” Coach Arvid Swan said. “We’re two schools that recruit similar players, and so matches have traditionally been quite close.” Vanderbilt has not played many matches this season, but a win over a solid Virginia Tech team is a mark of quality. Several Commodores

also posted impressive results in fall invitationals. Like the Cats, Vanderbilt has two nationally-ranked singles players on its roster, No. 26 George Harwell and No. 94 Joubert Klopper. Both Harwell and Klopper have played atop the singles order, so it is unclear what the matchups will be on the top two courts. Klopper, who did not participate in the teams’ previous showdown, has yet to drop a single set in 2022. He earned the SEC Player of the Week award for his performance against Virginia Tech and The Citadel on Sunday. “He’s a high-ranked junior player with a lot of international experience,” Swan said. “We know he’s a good player based on where he was as a recruit and what he’s done so far.” The rest of the Commodores’ roster

Alyce Brown/The Daily Northwestern

is also saturated with veteran players. Max Freeman, Macsen Sisam and Marcus Ferreira have all played at least four seasons for Vanderbilt, and were all part of the 7-0 loss. Swan said all three have been battletested by a tough SEC schedule. “They have different, unique styles,” Swan said. “They’re bringing a lot of experience in the middle of the lineup.” The Commodores’ doubles also played a key role in their early success. They have an 8-0 set record across their four matches thus far, including a strong showing against Wisconsin, who took the doubles point against NU in their first meeting last year. With strengths on all three courts, longtime Vanderbilt coach Ian Duvenhage has multiple routes to get his team on the board first. “We’ll have an idea of how to outplay each of their doubles teams going in,” Swan said. “But we may need to make quick adjustments early in the match if it’s not going the right way.” Facing the Commodores in Tennessee will come with an unorthodox challenge — the hosts only have five indoor courts instead of the usual six.The sixth singles contest will not be held until one of the first five finishes. Swan said the unusual format could affect the match’s momentum. “There’s a chance that it will come down to that match,” Swan said. “Obviously, the goal is to try to be ahead in the match before you get to that point, but we’ve also had some good success at the No. 6 position as well.” nathanansell2022@u.northwestern.edu