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March 2020
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The Python Princess By LEAH SANKEY aSSignMent & FeatuReS eDitoR
“It was an accident!” Brittany Borges said when asked how she got into python hunting. Borges is a 28-year-old living in Naples with her husband. The couple own a plumbing business together. She said that her husband is very supportive of her python hunting. Borges is featured on both seasons of the Discovery Channel show, Guardians of the Glades. She is the only female python hunter on the show. The docuseries follows perpetually shoeless Dusty “The Wildman” Crum and his team PHOTOPROVIDED BY BRITTANY BORGES as they capture and subdue in- Dusty “The Wildman” Crum and Brittany Borges. The two star in the Discovery Channel series, vasive Burmese Pythons in the Guardians of the Glades. Florida Everglades. Two years ago, Borges was out of necessity. She cried after the Borges is an enigma in a number drinking wine with her mom when the ordeal. of ways. The only hunting that she is two discovered there was an opening on willing to do is python hunting, because Crum’s team. Her mom jokingly urged Borges said that the python had been she knows it’s for the greater good. She her to apply. Prior to her induction to stabbed on the back of the head by one prefers to catch the pythons and Crum’s team, Borges had no experience of her leave the killing up to her teammates. hunting pythons. “I love animals so much; I really can’t teammates, “I never expected that they’d actually kill them,” Borges said. She killed her which is the most choose me,” Borges said. first python just last month humane way to The invasive snakes have eaten their kill them, and way through the everglades since their was being meadebut through the exotic pet-trade in the sured when it 1970s, decimating native wildlife popusuddenly lations along the way. jumped off the Burmese Pythons often reach lengths table. of 12 feet or more, with some being “I had to closer to 20 feet. It’s estimated that re-catch it and there are tens of thousands in the state. quickly stab it
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again,” Borges said. “When you stab it, you have to scramble the brains back and forth.” The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) refers to this gnarly practice as brain destruction, which sounds like a name for a metal band. Borges said her python hunting team tries to euthanize them in the quickest and most humane way possible. She said a lot of hunters will cut off the head, which is considered by seasoned python hunters to be inhumane because they can live for up to an hour after decapitation. The FWC says, “Although not the recommended method of euthanizing pythons, cranial concussion (stunning) by skilled personnel followed by decapitation is considered an acceptable method of killing large snaked by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) if immediately followed by brain destruction.” Borges said that one of her most memorable encounters with pythons was about a month ago. The encounter can be seen on season two, episode four of Guardians of the Glades. PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRITTANY BORGES “Normally they put up a Borges caught this python and it immediately pooped all over her. Borges has been python hunting for fight and when you catch two years. them, they realize there’s nothing they can do and at me. So, I look at it and stick Despite “accidentally” “I’ve learned so much about relax,” Borges said. “I had my tongue out at it. He tried getting into python hunting, the land we live on and the this one by the head, we’re to attack Borges is proud to be a part of threats it faces in just two putting it in the bag, and it my face after that.” the solution. years,” Borges said. starts sticking its tongue out
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The story behind Valerie’s House
EN PHOTO BY NINA MENDES A wall of lost loved ones inside of Valarie’s House. Valerie’s House is a SWFL nonprofit that helps children and teens deal with the loss of a loved one.
By NINA MENDES Beat Reporter
There is a bright, yellow house that stands on Fowler Street within the River District of Downtown Fort Myers. The building is eye-catching from the road, but it’s what happens inside that leaves the most significant impact on the community. Valerie’s House is an organization dedicated to helping grieving children and teens who have experienced the death of a loved one. Angela Melvin is the founder and CEO of the non-profit and grew up in Fort Myers. Melvin lost her mother, Valerie, in a car accident when she was 10 years old. Inspired by her loss, Mel-
vin is on a mission to provide children with resources to process their grief and promote peer-based discussions that encourage healing. “This is a dream come true to have an organization in my mother’s name and to help kids as I once was,” Melvin said. “It is one of the best feelings you can have when you see a child who is hurting, and you are helping them. It’s my purpose. It’s my calling.” Children come to Valerie’s House through a referral by therapists, agencies, social service offices and caregivers. The moment a grieving child steps into Valerie’s House, they are gifted a stuffed animal or book of their choosing. From there, the child meets one-on-one with a staff mem-
ber to see what they understand about their loss and how death is impacting them. The child is then placed in a grief group, separated by age and the type of loss, that best suits their situation. “Children’s grief is often overlooked, and people tend to see them as resilient,” said Communications Coordinator, April Reilly. “Children sometimes don’t have the proper ways to express their emotions. By giving them a safe space here, we are giving them the ability to open up and realize they are not alone in their grief.” One popular activity within younger groups is painting masks to articulate the feelings a child shows on the outside versus on the inside. Each paint color represents a
different emotion. Reilly also said it’s sometimes easier for kids to associate feelings with colors, which makes their thoughts easier to process. There is an emphasis placed on art and creativity within the various groups offered at Valerie’s House. Emotional support animal therapy is also offered to children and teens. Since the opening of Valerie’s House in January of 2016, the organization has expanded and opened locations in Naples and Punta Gorda. The non-profit also collaborates with local schools to offer classroom grief support. All services provided through Valerie’s House are free of charge thanks to donations, grants and volunteer support. According to The Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model, one in 14 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18 in the state of Florida. FGCU Professor Diane Cox teaches a Death & Dying course, which raises awareness of grieving children and educates others on how to work with them through their loss. “Children are as afraid of the unknown as an adult is,” Cox said. “We try to protect them when we should be trying to teach them. The earlier we can teach a child good coping skills and that life has loss, the better.” Cox also said adults must talk about death with children to aid in their healing. When a child is not included in discussions about grief, it causes them to
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY VALERIE’S HOUSE The exterior of Valerie’s House in downtown Fort Myers. Valerie’s House has headquarters in Fort Myers and offers programs at various locations throughout Southwest Florida.
fear the changing environment around them. FGCU alumna Ally O’Brien took Professor Cox’s Death & Dying course when she was a student to work through her childhood grief of losing her father at age 16. Now, she is the Assistant Director of Group Support for Valerie’s House. “Working with the Valerie’s House children and teens is near and dear to me, and I feel like I can relate to them in many ways through their grief journey,” O’Brien said.
“I want to take the load off of those who feel guilty, sad or worried and validate their feelings.” The university is among one of the several partnerships Valerie’s House has within the community. Other local organizations include the Gulf Coast Humane Society and Golisano Children’s Hospital. One of the most recent groups formed at Valerie’s House is its Young Adult Grief Support Group, which extends the usual age limit Valarie’s House restricts its
sessions to and is offered to 18 to 25-year-olds. Valerie’s House recognizes that individual therapy is not always the right fit for everyone. Counseling at other mental health facilities may also put a financial burden on some families. Valerie’s House is an alternative to the traditional therapist and focuses more on the bonds children form with others who have the same experiences with loss as they do.
In 2019, the organization served over 600 children, teens and caregivers at its three locations across Southwest Florida. Melvin is looking forward to seeing those numbers increase in the years to come. “The children are here helping each other because an adult can only tell you so much,” Melvin said. “The real impact is when you have a peer or friend going through the same thing that you can relate to and lets you know you are not alone.”
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Gavin Reed By NINA MENDES Beat RepoRteR
Gavin Reed introduces experimental lo-fi and psychedelic slowcore to Fort Myers. He openly explores a wide variety of genres to prevent a sense of musical confinement. “I feel like a lot of musicians cling to a certain aesthetic or targeted demographic for their identity, and then create what they think will appeal,” Reed said. “I like to explore new sounds and let those discoveries inform who I am.” Reed has released four mid to full-length albums, three of them debuting in 2019. His most recent release time vs animal dropped on January 30. The songs feature warped vocals overlaid atop eerie tracks. Reed prides himself on managing multiple musical projects at once. He has played in upwards of five bands over the past few years, which paved the way to his solo career. Reed believes Robot Religion is the best band he has ever put together. The group was an experimental sludge band that led Reed to meet other, likeminded SWFL musicians. Although Reed enjoys the collaboration aspect of playing with other artists, he likes putting out music individually as well. “I love having total control over the whole process, especially as a multi-instrumentalist,” Reed said. “That being said, combined talent usually produces the best results, and I have learned a lot from being in bands.”
PHOTO BY SINBAGEL Gavin Reed is a musician in Fort Myers. He’s released four solo albums and will soon be touring with his garage-punk band, Ancient Whales.
His current setup for his solo act consists of acoustic guitars, a Boss looper pedal, warm bass tones, a synthesizer and a circuit-bent telephone. When all put together, each instrument allows Reed to play a wide range of sounds from sedative soundscapes to mellow acoustic. “Playing music has been a source of therapy for me since I was a kid,” Reed said. “In high school, writing and recording became an essential coping mechanism for my PTSD and suicidal tendencies. Music continues to be a great source of healing for these afflictions.” Reed had an interest in playing music since the age of five. He began on a starter drum kit from his parents.
In middle and high school, Reed was involved in band and choir. While in college, he learned a lot from audio tech classes. “Nobody can really teach you how to write a good song,” Reed said. “They can give good advice, but expressing yourself with the use of time and frequencies has to be self-taught.” Within the upcoming months, Reed is planning to release two albums and embark on a month-long tour with his garage-punk band, Ancient Whales. His psych-folk band, Dew Loon, will also set off on tour this summer along the east coast. Before Reed leaves, he plans on playing a handful of solo sets to also promote his
own music. His newest solo project, Sun Possum, is an electronically charged trash-funk band where hypnotic, danceable beats and demonic noise become best friends, according to Reed. All of his music is available for purchase/download on Bandcamp. Reed said the SWFL music community has not only been accepting of him as a fellow artist but has welcomed him with open arms. “I love how tight the SWFL community is,” said Reed. “Most of us musicians are friends, and we have mutual respect for each other. There is also little to no competition. It’s all love.”
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FGCU’s plan to combat panic amidst Coronavirus cases and rumors
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CDC This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
By JORDYN MATEZ eXeCutiVe eDitoR
FGCU first broke its silence on the issue of the coronavirus in late January with an email. At that point in time, no confirmed COVID-19 cases had reached
Florida.
Most recently, however, two confirmed coronavirus cases have been announced in Lee County as well as one death due to the virus. As to be expected, the atmosphere at FGCU following spring break has been one
of uncertainty. Members of the student body are concerned for their own health and safety after hearing not only confirmed cases, but rumors as well. Despite the negative conversation, FGCU wants its students to know the situation is being closely monitored and all
proper measures are in place to ensure the safety of our students. According to an email sent to students by Vice President Susan Evans on March 8, FGCU is open and fully operational following the return of students to campus. The email
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Page 9A “Any trips after that date will be evaluated during May in light of the coronavirus situation at that time, and a determination will be made as to whether they can continue.” Though he hasn’t publicly spoken on the matter, FGCU’s president Mike Martin sent an email to students on Tuesday, March 3, stating that, “The University will do all it can to accommodate the educational and other needs of those impacted” and that FGCU will “of course do all things necessary to protect the health and safety of all our students, faculty, staff and community.” The school continues to take a diligent approach on the virus and has called on students to practice proper techniques in order to maintain a campus community that is safe
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CDC
also states that no confirmed cases have been reported on campus as of March 8. In recent emails sent to students, FGCU has instructed any spring breakers who have been in a country labeled as a COVID-19/ Coronavirus risk by the CDC (China, Japan, Italy, Iran and South Korea) to perform a 14-day self-quarantine prior to their return to campus. A proper self-quarantine includes both physically eliminating all contact with others and symptom monitoring sheets among various other obstacles, according to FGCU. While FGCU remains digilant in assuring its students no major changes will be made to their educational environment, some students are feeling the effects of the nationwide panic.
Members of FGCU’s Chamber Choir were on a trip to Italy to perform over spring break when FGCU cut their trip abroad short. Twenty-eight students were sent back to the US days early following concern over the virus and were instructed to go through the process of self-quarantine. The choir did not respond to inquiries about commenting on the situation. Additionally, FGCU-sponsored travel to the five previously listed countries has been suspended indefinitely until further notice, according to the email. This applies to all students, student organizations, faculty and staff. All other international travel sponsored by FGCU is cancelled through May 30. Evans stated that,
and healthy for everyone. Students and faculty alike are encouraged to frequently wash hands, stay home if they are exhibiting symptoms and continue to be responsibly informed. FGCU has set up a page on the University’s website with the most updated information that can be found at fgcu.edu/coronaupdate. Most importantly, FGCU is asking its students to remain calm. “We are working diligently around the clock to maintain a campus community that is safe and healthy for everyone,” said Evans in an email. “With 15,000 students and more than 1,000 employees, each one of us has a responsibility not only to ourselves but to everyone else at FGCU.”
FGCU's 30 credit-hour Master's Degree in Engineering (MSE) offers two exciting emphasis areas in Environmental Engineering and Renewable Energy. Program faculty are experienced teachers who guide and mentor your post-baccalaureate education. The program schedule is designed for full-time working students—classes are held 2 days a week from 4:30 pm to about 7:15 pm. Degree completion is possible within 2 years, and tuition support is available in the form of waivers, assistantships and scholarships! The application deadline for Fall 2020 is July 1, 2020 and for Spring 2021 is November 15, 2020. To learn more about the program visit www.fgcu.edu/eng/mse. For assistance, please contact Dr. Danvers Johnston (djohnston@fgcu.edu) or Melinda Morra (mmorra@fgcu.edu).
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AL-Anon: Recovery for friends and family 0f alco hol ics By ERICA FISH Contributing writer
Stigmas surrounding addiction often withhold people from seeking the necessary support. This goes for addicts and the people who love them. Co-founded in 1951, AlAnon was created to help those in need of their own support when dealing with a loved one suffering from alcohol addiction. It’s difficult to love someone who has an addiction, and Al-Anon provides support to make it easier. “You want to be open in discussing problems that damage a person’s concerns and thoughts about themselves, or a loved one fighting a disease associated with alcoholism or addiction,” said public information volunteer for Al-Anon of Naples, Debby DePasquale. Designed for relatives and friends of alcoholics, Al-Anon was meant for the sole purpose of independently creating a fellowship that would strengthen those affected by an addiction. “People feel ashamed and embarrassed and it makes the topic not to be talked about. Alcoholism isn’t a moral failing. It’s a medically recognized disease and it takes more than someone saying to get over it,” DePasquale said. Sixteen years after the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, wife of AA co-founder, Lois Wilson and her founding partner, Anne B., established Al-Anon for the
purpose of creating an outlet for those feeling hopeless and unable to believe that things could change for the better. By adopting a series of twelve steps, Al-Anon designed a platform meant for members to share their own experiences, their copes and strengths, as well as forming a new hope for each other. “Al-Anon is a safe place for people to go to. Being able to listen about how other people handle their own difficult situations or acknowledging how others deal with their hardships, can help provide a better understanding in order to move past the pains that are affiliated with this disease,” DePasquale said. Members of Al-Anon often struggle for years with effects of a loved one’s alcoholism. However, the program is designed to break through those molds that prevent members to accept they are affected by substance abuse. Due to the influence of misinformation and misunderstanding, stigmas have been able to radiate throughout communities and make people ashamed for wanting to seek guidance in overcoming their own emotional battles. “Being ashamed and embarrassed doesn’t allow the space to be available for their situation to be spoken about, it sometimes takes longer for others,” DePasquale said. “Al-Anon is a great life skills program that simply shows how a certain model of living is beneficial for people.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA COMMONS A photo of the Alcoholics Anonymous logo. According to its website, AA is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem.
“Being able to hear how people handle their issues with alcoholics may be difficult at first for some, but in the end these shared experiences can only be helpful to you,” DePasquale said. The program is not intended to help eliminate alcoholism or maintain sobriety, but is designed to help families and loved ones deal with a person with alcoholism in their life. “Al-Anon gives people the opportunity to heal,” De-
Pasquale said. “We’re not here to tell you what to do, but giving someone a hand in letting go, makes this fellowship stand strong in its beliefs and care for others.” Al-Anon of Naples, FL stands by its acts of unity, service and recovery and welcomes anyone in need of support. If you or anyone you know needs help or resources, feel free to call their fellowship at (239) 263-5907.
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Find your furry soulmate at Doghouse Rescue Academy (DRA). DRA is a foster-based 501c(3) rescue that pulls dogs deemed adoptable from predominantly rural areas and high-kill shelters, giving them another chance at life. DRA organizes fundraisers, events and in-depth training sessions for the community and volunteers. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip, and full vetting. If you’re interested in adopting and/or fostering, visit doghouserescueacademy. org to fill out an application. All food and medical care is covered for fosters by the rescue.
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Bird Flu
EN comic provided by Sam Romero
SpORTS
FGCU BASEBALL ON A RUN After a rough start to the season, FGCU baseball has gone 6-1 against the likes of Eastern Michigan, Bethune Cookman, Saint Joseph’s and, most impressively, No. 22 Pepperdine. See more on 4B
Let the Madness ensue:
Can the No. 24 Eagles make a run or will they crumble under the A-SUN
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA
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FGCU hoops: the good and the bad
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA Senior guard Davion Wingate made her presence known this season, exploding for 478 points and a team-best .437 shooting percentage from three. In the team’s ASUN quarterfinal game against Lipscomb on March 7, Wingate broke the FGCU single-game scoring record with a career-high 38 points in the 105-71 victory.
By HAROLD J. SOLOMON IV Sports Editor
WOMEN’S HOOPS: There is plenty of good to say about the previously no. 24 ranked FGCU women’s basketball team as they head into the ASUN Tournament as the top seeded squad with arguably the deepest roster in the conference. Despite having their home-conference winning streak of nearly 12 years snapped by North Alabama on Feb. 29, the
Eagles were not phased and handled business as usual to close out the regular season with a routine 77-64 win over Jacksonville at home on March 3. At the conclusion of the regular season, FGCU was recognized with several yearend rewards, including women’s basketball coach Karl Smesko’s 10th ASUN coach of the year award. Keri Jewett-Giles concluded her stellar senior season by being named ASUN Player of the Year and Tytionia Adderly repeated as Defensive Player of
the Year. The defense of each respective player was showcased in the team’s 105-71 ASUN quarterfinal victory against Lipscomb on March 7. Adderly and Jewett-Giles combined for a total 18 rebounds as Davion Wingate broke the FGCU single-game scoring record with a whopping 38 points. “Davion really got us going. She was aggressive and finding good opportunities from the start,” Smesko said. “It’s a great start to the tournament. I like the way we came out. Now, we’re
going to have to prepare for a really good team and compete again.” The No. 24 Eagles hope to have as impressive a performance against North Florida in the ASUN semifinals at home on March 11.
MEN’S HOOPS: It feels as if eons have passed since the days of “Dunk City,” especially during this 2019-2020 campagin for the FGCU men’s basketball team. After being predicted to finish third overall in the ASUN in
March 2020 the preseason polls, the Eagles trudged through their non-conference schedule with a 3-12 record. Despite having a lead in the majority of their games at the first-half, the team’s momentum would seemingly disappear coming out of the halftime break, allowing opposing teams to build a sizable lead and force them to play from behind. While the Eagles had better luck in ASUN league play with a 7-9 record, similar second-half woes would come back to haunt them. This proved to be the same case in the team’s opening match of the ASUN Tournament on March 3. The No. 6 seeded Eagles traveled to Tennessee to face No. 3 Lipscomb and were just a possession away from beating
Page 3B them, but eventually fell to the Bisons 68-63. Despite the bitter end to an already lackluster season, the Eagles saw the emergence of sophomore Caleb Catto as the team’s best shooter from the perimeter with a completion percentage of .342%. Junior-transfer Justus Rainwater also came on strong as the season closed, finishing with a team high .599 completion percentage from the field. With a few brights spots here and there, head coach Michael Fly’s team might be able to bounce back next season now that newcomers have had a season in his system. What we know for sure is that the days of “Dunk City” we used to know, are long gone.
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA Sophomore guard Caleb Catto led the FGCU men’s basketball team with 407 points, a 12.7 average for the season, and three-point percentage amongst starters with a .342 rate from beyond the arch.
By HAROLD J. SOLOMON IV SportS Editor
Even with the ASUN regular-season title locked up by the middle of Februaru, Keri Jewett-Giles showed no signs of slowing down as she averaged 17 points a game over the span of a month. “Keri has had a tremendous senior season,” FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said. “She is an explosive offensive player who has all the tools. She is also a very good defender who makes a lot of plays.” It is exactly all those tools that earned her ASUN Player of the Year honors following the regular season, which saw her lead the
Eagles in points (526) and steals (83). She was also named a semifinalist for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major player of the year award by Her Hoop Stats on Feb. 2. “It feels amazing to know that all my hard work is kind of paying off,” Jewett-Giles said. “I’ve invested so much time into this game - late nights, three workouts a day everyday in the summer. This is an amazing honor, and I’m just happy to be recognized.” The finalist for the award will be announced on April 1. Until then, Giles will have to prepare for the Eagles’ ASUN Tournament semifinal matchup against No. 5 seeded North Florida on March 11 at Alico Arena.
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Strong pitching and bat-flipping: baseball’s race to the top
EN PHOTO BY REID BANISH Senior pitcher Mason Studstill has proved pivotal to the Eagles’ early 6-1 turn-around, striking-out 27 batters over the course of 18 innings.
By JAKE HENNING Assitant Sports Editor
The 2020 season hadn’t lived up to all its hype for the FGCU baseball team, but after a upset win against No. 22 Pepperdine on Tuesday, they’re hoping to turn it around. As last year’s ASUN regular season champs, the Eagles had a lot of excitement surrounding them coming into the 2019 season. FGCU was even picked to finish second in this year’s coaches poll, behind onlu Liberty. T
he Eagles started out the year losing six of their first seven games, dropping series wins to Tulane, FAU and Kent State. Since then, they’ve gone 6-1, beating the likes of Eastern Michigan, Bethune Cookman, Saint Joseph’s and, most impressively, No. 22 Pepperdine. FGCU’s powerhouse lineup is led by junior Brian Ellis and senior Richie Garcia. Ellis has posted a .318 batting average, also leading the team in walks and onbase percentage. Not falling too far behind is Garcia, who has a .280 batting average and leads the
squad in RBIs. Just as FGCU’s hitters have stepped up, so have their pitchers, and Mason Studstill has put on some impressive performances as of late. Studstill has gone 3-0 in his last three outings and has struck out 27 batters over the course of 18 innings. The senior pitcher also posts a 1.17 ERA while leading the team in innings pitched. Performances courtesy of Ellis, Garcia and Studstill have led to FGCU getting their game back on track. In the last six games, all FGCU
hitters have combined to hit an average of .250. In their first seven games of the season, the Eagles were hitting an abysmal average of .188. The pitching has been more than impressive as well, racking up 65 strikeouts throughout their last seven games. Ranking sixth in the ASUN standings at the moment, FGCU looks to use this streak as a boost before beginning conference play at the end of March. Next for the Eagles will be a matchup with Georgetown on Tuesday, Mar. 10 at Swanson Stadium in Fort Myers.
March 2020
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Softball and beach volleyball off to strong starts
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA Junior pitcher Marissa Mesiemore currently sits at second on the team with an ERA of 2.71. The FGCU softball team is off to an 18-7 start on the season, with their most recent victory coming against Quinnipiac in which the Eagles scored 24 unanswered runs.
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PHOTO BY FGCU ATHLETICS Sophomore Emma Hansen picked up two set victories in the final day of the Eckerd’s Battle on the Bay on March 7. FGCU beach volleyball, under new head coach Chris Sweat, remains undefeated through their first five matches of the season.
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Opinion
TAKE A VACATION WHILE MAKING A DIFFERENCE Next time you find yourself wanting to take a vacation somewhere new, you should consider participating in a volunteer abroad program. See more on 10B
The homelessness policy in Florida isn’t enough By KARINA CASHMAN Staff Writer
With the development of anti-homeless architecture, what are Lee County and Florida in general doing in order to support those experiencing homelessness? While statistics have been better in the last 10 years according to a Point in Time report by the Lee County Homeless Coalition, there is more work to be done according to Executive Director Janet Bartos. “We did a 10-year plan to end homelessness; we looked back at the last 10 years and we saw a 60% decrease in homelessness and a 61% increase in the number of new beds,” said Bartos. Despite these promising statistics, Fort Myers does employ the use of hostile architecture, said Bartos. While some of this architecture has been noted to be more obvious, it can also be as simple as a stone bench designed to be uncomfortable or park sprinklers that only come on at night in order to deter activity. “It is unnecessary. They are targeting a vulnerable population and it just makes life more difficult for people who are already having a difficult time,” said Bartos. “The problem is that the shelters are full and there is no place for people who are home-
EN Photo provided by Samantha Roesler The City of Fort Myers experienced a 68% increase in homelessness from 2017 to 2018, jumping from 431 homeless individuals to 728 according to the Lee County Homeless Coilition.
less to sleep so at least sleeping on a bench gets them up off the ground.” Bartos worries about what the development of anti-homeless architecture means for those struggling. The United Sates Interagency Council on Homelessness states that an average of 28,328 people are experiencing homelessness with 5,729
of those people experiencing chronic homelessness. According to Bartos, however, the numbers that come out in these types of studies are always an undercount. “Lee County is embracing innovative housing solutions and best practices. The county is actually the lead agency and they take pride in
developing creative solutions,” said Bartos. Despite this, Bartos wants the country to reevaluate its housing strategy. “We need more affordable housing,” said Bartos. “The county has the ability to facilitate housing development.”
March 2020 Bartos calls for housing without barriers for entry like that of a criminal record or poor credit. “We have very limited mental health services and this is a major issue,” said Bartos. “Some of these gaps are due to federal and state policies. Homelessness is a very broad and complex issue. It cannot be solved by one level of government, one church or one agency. It takes everyone working together in coordination and with a constant exchange of ideas.” Bartos wants better funding for homeless services and sees that as the main hurdle for better policy. “It boils down to funding to provide services,” said Bartos. “We don’t want to see people sleeping on the benches but we need to find an alternate place for them to sleep.” The development of anti-homeless architecture has made sleeping under over-
Page 7B passes or on benches a thing of the past in some places. “It discourages public use for everyone, not only people that are homeless,” said Bartos. The Lee County Homeless Coalition works to monitor grants and programing in order to support the homeless and ensure adequate resources. While homelessness in Lee County is decreasing, anti-homelessness tactics are becoming more common practice in Florida as a whole. According to a CNN article, public spaces have started using a multitude of methods in order to drive away different groups. Some places play children’s songs on loop in order to drive away the homeless, while others employ machines like that of “the Mosquito” in order to employ an unenjoyable frequency that only those
under 25 can hear, according to the CNN article. It isn’t a question of whether anti-homeless architecture is being used, but rather whether or not the use of it is criminalizing the homeless for being homeless, said Joe Savage, the Regional Coordinator for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. “If a municipality doesn’t offer adequate shelter, then they shouldn’t criminalize homeless persons for seeking shelter in public spaces,” said Savage. “Since this type of architecture prevents persons from seeking shelter in the first place, criminalization isn’t an issue. However, preventing homeless persons from seeking shelter in public spaces while not providing adequate shelter worsens the situation.” Savage believes that, if anti-homeless architecture
is going to be employed, an alternate option must also be provided. According to Savage, adequate shelter can be a day center that provides a place for homeless persons to go to during the day and be connected to housing and services. Another option is the provision of 24hr low-barrier shelter. Creating spaces in which the homeless can get access to resources, housing and services without barrier or restriction allows anti-homeless architecture to be employed while also helping to solve a problem, according to Savage. According to Savage, anti-homeless architecture isn’t the problem but a lack of safe spaces for the homeless is. “You need to have shelter, you need to have a foundation and feel safe before you can work on other issues,” said Bartos.
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March 2020
Florida voters want pro-climate legislators
Photo provided by Roxana Ruiz Ruiz standing in front of the Florida Supreme Courthouse in Tallahassee. As more young people turn out to vote, candidates for the 2020 elections will need to show voters that they are ready to take real action against climate change if they want a seat in Congress.
By ROXANA RUIZ Contributing Writer
There is no doubt that the environment and climate change play essential roles in the political discourse today. Countless protests and demonstrations from older and younger voters
alike have emphasized the need for legislators to address climate change. As more young people turn out to vote, candidates for the 2020 elections will need to show voters that they are ready to take real action against climate change if they want a seat in Congress.
Young Americans want to see clean energy strategies and are cognizant of the harm that is coming if we do not combat climate change. A poll conducted by The American Conservation Coalition and Conservative Energy Network found that 79% of millennials believed
that candidates who support renewable energy care more about their families and communities. Presidential candidates who wish to gain their votes, especially those in swing states, must demonstrate their commitment to fighting climate change.
March 2020
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PHOTO COURTESY OF GAGE SKIDMORE Governor-elect Ron DeSantis speaking with attendees at the 2018 Student Action Summit hosted by Turning Point USA at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. DeSantis ran for Governor of Florida under a platform heavily influenced by environmental protection.
As young voters like myself head to the polls, we will not stick with party lines when it comes to the environment. We no longer see it as an issue of party, but a matter of policy. One of the states to look out for is Florida. With the number of environmental issues affecting the state, voters are clear in their commitment to elect leaders who will make the environment a priority and handle the effects of climate change. The high frequency of hurricanes, tropical storms and heavy rain mean that individuals living in coastal areas face severe flooding, potential water contamination and economic loss. One of the at-risk areas is
Miami-Dade, which has experienced severe flooding in the past month and is at risk for salt water intrusion. Meanwhile, water quality issues have caused economic losses for small businesses across Florida’s Lee County and other coastal areas. Surrounding the coasts of Florida is the blue-green algae and red tide created by nutrient-filled freshwater releases. In a damage assessment survey conducted by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, respondents reported approximately $130.6 million worth in damages in 2018. These issues, in addition to the contamination of the Everglades and wildlife preservation, have caught the attention
of Florida voters like me. The current Governor, Republican Ron DeSantis, ran on a strong environmental platform. DeSantis ran on a platform that promised restoration of the Everglades, bans on fracking and offshore drilling, and centralizing water quality oversight. Groups like the Everglades Trust endorsed him and his campaign for governor. Such strong actions by a Republican governor demonstrates that members of both parties are acknowledging an essential part of any political platform is strong climate change and environmental policies that appeal to individuals and stakeholder groups. A number of other legis-
lators have aligned their agendas with pro-environmental sentiments sweeping both the state, and the rest of the county. Republican Carlos Curbelo, a former Congressman from Florida’s 26th District, has demonstrated a commitment to addressing climate change. Florida Congressmen Matt Gaetz and Francis Rooney have also contributed by introducing The Green Real Deal, a resolution presents market-driven solutions to climate change. Despite the new wave of environmentalism within the Florida GOP, legislators will need to continue to work for broad, innovative solutions. We know that the effects of climate change are being felt more frequently, and there is no more time to waste. Voters want candidates who understand that a problem/ challenge as impactful as climate change requires realistic solutions. We will not be looking for simple rhetoric, but meaningful actions that protect the wellbeing of countless individuals. Those seeking a place of leadership must show Florida voters that they will fight for the health of the state and its people. Millennials and the younger generations of voters will soon become the majority, and they are looking for candidates who offer pragmatic solutions to climate change. Whether the candidate earns a seat in Congress or not will depend on their attitude towards climate change.
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March 2020
Looking for a new way to vacation? Try volunteering abroad
Photo provided by Samantha Roesler
Volunteering abroad lets you adventure in a new place while also making a difference. By SAMANTHA ROESER O pinion E ditor
Spring break just passed, and many students spent it as tourists in a new and exciting place— maybe it was spent relaxing on the beach in the Bahamas, exploring the city of London, or maybe camping somewhere in the middle of Florida. Traveling is a great way to obviously learn more about what the world has to offer, but to also learn more about yourself. More students each year are now spending their college breaks traveling in a new type of way— through volunteering abroad. Volunteering abroad allows you
to travel somewhere new, immerse yourself in the culture and meet new people, all while making a difference in the community. During winter break I participated in a volunteer abroad program in Costa Rica and I learned things about myself and the country I visited that I would have never learned if I had taken the trip with friends and stayed in a hotel and just focused on being a tourist. When I tell people that I spent my break doing community service and it wasn’t for free, I often get asked why I would spend money to volunteer my time. Although a big component of my trip was community service, I also had a lot of free time to myself to explore wherever I wanted. During my trip, I stayed with
a host family. I got to experience the true Costa Rican way of life through staying in their house and eating their homemade meals each day. Doing this made me learn so much about the culture and it made me more thankful for all the privileges I have in my own home. It has never been easy for me to socialize with a new group of people, and even less easy to form true friendships. However, I was quick to form relationships with the people in my program because we all had the unfamiliar experience in common. The friendships I made with the other volunteers from around the world will continue to hold a special place in my heart. FGCU does a great job in
encouraging students to volunteer through the service learning requirement and various organizations on campus that are focused on community outreach. So, I’m sure if you’re reading this you have realized the importance of volunteering during your time at FGCU. A trip like this is not limited to only college students, of course. There were volunteers with me that ranged from middle schoolaged to retired. If you are interested in prticipating in a volunteer abroad program and don’t know where to start, check out FGCU’s Alternative Break programs, FGCU GIVE, volunteerhq.org, or reach out to me at opinion@eaglenews. org !
March 2020
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FGCU should offer a “life skills” class is just required to graduate and waste our time.” “[A life skills class] is a really good idea because as young adults we should be starting to learn about life skills such as how to buy a house the right way or how to manage our money,” Cristen Cabrera, a freshman at FGCU said. “I wish I would’ve started learning about this at an earlier age
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA
FGCU students congregate in Seidler Hall during regular class hours. By ARIANA LEBLANC BESSETTE C ontributing W riter
As students, we go through school learning new subjects so we can follow our chosen career paths. However, we tend to learn “life skills” in the adult world as we need them. Most young adults don’t know how to build their credit scores, do their taxes (correctly) and even more basic tasks they need for “adulting.” FGCU
should offer a “Life Skills” for students to take as an elective. “I think [a life skills class] will be helpful because students in college go through so many things focused around schoolwork and it will better prepare them for life after college even if they are going to graduate school.” Gabriela Giron, an FGCU sophomore said. “This type of elective would be more beneficial for us over an elective that
to be honest.” A life skills course would be successful for students because what they learn will benefit them for the rest of their lives. It’s better to get a basic understanding now, while we are still in school, about “adulting” rather than being thrown into the real world to figure it out ourselves with trial and error.
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March 2020
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