The Fairfield Mirror 12/9/2015

The Holidays Opinion

Winter Break Musical Preview

Men’s Basketball

Fill your holiday with the gift of music with our official event guide for winter break.

Men’s basketball wins 83-79 in overtime against Sacred Heart. Freshman Jerry Johnson, Jr. scored 16 points.

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Sports

Vine

The holiday season should be spent cherishing time with your loved ones, not reliving traditions and enjoying your time off.

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THE MIRR R Independent student newspaper

Week of December 9, 2015

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Vol. 41 Iss. 12

Solidarity wins janitorial staff old shift back

By Catherine Veschi News Editor

labor issues on campus to the attention of the FWC After a few weeks of when she heard from a janworking the night shift, the itor that she is friendly with janitorial staff at Fairfield that ABM would be changreceived news from their ing their shifts back. employer, ABM, that as According to Gilof Monday, Nov. 30, their Egui, as a result of the shifts would be switched FWC coming together with back to their original 5 the janitorial staff to spread p.m. to 1 a.m. shifts. the word about this issue, As reported by The ABM eventually agreed to Mirror on Nov. 11, ABM change the janitorial shifts chose to alter the shifts of back to their original start the janitorial staff to begin time. Gil-Egui added that at 11 p.m. and run through “a big factor in the comthe night. pany’s decision was Many When we stand up the story janitors run by The and mem- for each other and Mirror on bers of the hold each other the matFairfield ter, two accountable for We l f a r e or three C o m m i t - living our shared weeks ago,” tee, includGil-Egui values, amazing ing Sonya said.

H u b e r , things can hapSopha s s o c i a t e pen. o m o r e professor -Sonya Huber A m a n of Enda MarAssociate Professor rone feels glish and of English that this a member of Steering Committee, a speaks a lot to the impact subcommittee of the FWC, that journalism can have and Gisela Gil-Egui, asso- when it comes to making a ciate professor of commu- change on campus. nication, protested against “The media and jourthis change of shift, saying nalists play a critical role that it would cause a dis- in bringing attention to isturbance to the family lives sues that most do not know of these dedicated workers about. Journalists are like a who have been with the gatekeeper by bringing atUniversity for many years. tention to these issues and Gil-Egui brought the READ

ABM ON PAGE 4

Meaghan Conlon/The Mirror Earlier this semester, students were forced to evacuate the Bannow Science Center due to a fire alarm in the building.

DPS notes increase in fire alarm activations

By Zachary Durso Contributing Writer Throughout this semester, students may have noticed an increase in fire alarms, both full-building alarms, when the alarm sounds in the entire building, and alarms in individual dorm rooms.

According to Assistant Director of the Department of Public Safety John Ritchie, there were “540 fire alarms in the calendar year of 2014. Those are not fires, those are fire alarms. If I look at it this year, you’re at 589 and we still have a couple weeks to go.”

The 2015 fire alarm count has already surpassed the 2014 year end count of 540 by 49, with several weeks remaining in the year.

When asked if DPS has been looking into the increase of fire alarms on campus, Ritchie replied, “The University has a fire marshal, so anything with the fire system, the fire marshal will take care of it. If there’s a significant increase or change in numbers, the fire marshal will look into causes and effects.

“What we [DPS] like to do is look at repeat locations. If we go to the same place more than two, three, four times, especially in a short period of time, then maybe there is a flaw within the system or a specific resident needs to be educated on a few things,” Ritchie added.

Ritchie continued to explain the fire system on campus. “When we talk about fire alarms, we have room detectors and full-building alarms.

We don’t get too many full-building alarms.”

“When the whole building alarm goes off, it takes a common area detector to activate to set that off. We have had 13 this year, so 13 this academic year since September,” Ritchie said.

Ritchie added that in 2014, there were 12 full-building fire alarms on campus.

According to Richie these alarms almost always have an identifiable cause. “I would say 99.9 percent of the time we find the cause for the alarm.

It’s not too often we actually say ‘unknown cause.’ Once in a while, we find

that it is a flaw with the system; you can’t have 86 buildings on campus and not expect a little glitch in the system.”

While reasons for the alarms may vary, most alarms seem to be the result of non-malicious activity. “Baby powder, shower steam, you name it — the whole nine yards. Causes for fire alarms range from somebody opening a bag of popcorn, hair dryers, hair straighteners, spray on deodorants, air fresheners and general cooking,” Ritchie explained.

Other factors one might not think of also can affect the fire system to go off on campus. According to Ritchie, dust from construction, specifically from the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex, as well as ventilation systems that also set the alarms off. Ventilation systems shut down, and in the colder months, they turn back on and blow dust out which sets off the alarm.

According to Ritchie, DPS understands that these alarms are more often than not harmless. However, they READ

FIRE ON PAGE 2

Midnight Breakfast serves up a final celebration

By Juliana Sansonetti Assistant Vine Editor

Ariana Puzzo/The Mirror Students danced on tables at the annual Midnight Breakfast.

For the 14th year in a row, the small tables of Barone were traded in for long ones with red and green tablecloths; the plain tunes of Star 99.9 were replaced with Christmas classics; and faculty and staff served students a hearty meal in bright green holiday aprons. Yes, it’s that time of the year again: Midnight Breakfast.

Fairfield @ Night has been planning the event since late October, ensuring its enjoyment and fun for all students, according to Elizabeth Elliott, program coordinator in the Office of Student Engagement.

Even though the line to enter extended past the Barone Campus Center Information Desk, there were activities in the Oak Room to make the wait time more enjoyable.

Large tables with crayons on them were available for writing messages or drawing snowmen and live music from “The Lionfish,” a group of Fairfield students. There was also face painting, balloon animals and a streaming of the holiday movie “Elf.” Sophomore Jenny Schwartz believed the event was well worth the long wait in line.

“It’s awesome; I think it’s a lot of fun,” said Schwartz. “The live music was great. Shout out to The Lionfish.”

Upon entering the Main Dining Room, students were seated and were served pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausages and home fries.

They could also enjoy gingerbread cookies, hot chocolate, orange juice and mini muffins and pastries.

To celebrate the holiday spirit, students stood up on chairs and danced to Christmas favorites such as “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

by Mariah Carey.

“I think it’s great,” said Ethan Perkus ‘18, “It’s exactly what this campus needs. It’s a relaxing event during a tense period.”

Midnight Breakfast is becoming more and more popular every year. Starting last year, Midnight READ

STUDENTS ON PAGE 2

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THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

News

Javier Rivilla/The Mirror Students celebrated the last day of classes by being served breakfast foods by administraion and faculty, listening to Christmas music and dressing festively for the occasion.

Students sell out both Midnight Breakfast sessions Continued from page 1

Breakfast was served in two different rotations, at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

According to Elliott, this was to ensure that the maximum amount of students could be served. This year, both seatings sold out, which was not the case last year, when there were still tickets available for the 8:30 p.m. seating available after the tickets were sold.

“Having two seatings allows for more students to be able to get through the dining hall in the allotted amount of time,” said Elliott.

“These two seatings also allow for the volunteers who are serving the breakfast to have a short break to restock food and to clean up before seating more students.”

Allowing more students to attend the event has translated into a more enjoyable experience by all.

Sophomore Sarah Foley, who had never been to Midnight Breakfast before, said, “I heard a lot about it. Everyone last year said that they had a really awesome time, and that I would be missing out if I didn’t come at least once in my Fairfield career.”

Elliott seemed to agree with this idea.

“Midnight Breakfast is one of the Fairfield events that students remember for years to come,” she commented.

“With the event taking place the night of the last day of classes, students are ready to celebrate finishing the fall semester before they have to start studying for exams.”

“The event gets everyone in the holiday spirit and allows for students to see their favorite staff, faculty and administration in a setting different than the office or classroom,” Elliot added.

Ariana Puzzo/The Mirror The annual breakfast event was held at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to accomodate as many students as possible.

Fire alarm count currently at 589 for 2015 Continued from page 1

respond knowing fully that any alarm could potentially mean a dangerous fire.

Ritchie noted that this year, Fairfield has experienced only two fires. These two fires consisted of one grease fire and a microwave fire, both of which occurred at the Townhouses.

Ritchie attributed the slight increase in the occurrence of fire alarms to a simple numbers game. He explained that as the school grows and accepts more students, these numbers will increase.

More students will mean more cooking in the lounges, cooking in dorms, spraying too much air freshener, burning food in microwaves and all the other various things that Ritchie mentioned could set off these fire alarms.

Ritchie stated, “Look at how many residents we have this year versus last year, well statistically you’re going to go up in incidents. You got more people doing their hair, more bags of popcorn.”

The 2014 Fire Safety Report for Fairfield University also

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Patrick Kiernan/The Mirror In September, a fire alarm forced students to evacuate the Barone Campus

mentioned a recent improvement to fire safety, in the form of installing fire suppression hood units over stovetops in all residential halls and apartments.

While these alarms are no reason for concern according to Ritchie, the National Fire Protection Association holds that fire safety is becoming a larger draw for students looking at colleges. Parents are looking at fire

statistics for individual colleges.

The NFPA mentions that proper fire safety and prevention are key aspects of a safe college campus.

They state that, “In 20092013, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,870 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities and barracks.”

THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

News

News: In the United States

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By Catherine Veschi News Editor Compiled by Austin Wesolowski Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

Sunday, 11/29 9:06 p.m. – The smell of marijuana led Resident Assistants to a room where DPS was called for assistance. DPS found a small amount of suspected marijuana, where one student was arrested by Fairfield Police and was also referred to student conduct.

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Monday, 11/30 5:45 p.m. – A microwave was reportedly taken from an apartment in 47 Mahan Road. The individual was found and referred to student conduct. The microwave was retrieved and was returned back to its owner.

Tuesday, 12/1 7:58 p.m. – A student left his wallet by the ATM in the Barone Campus Center. When he returned to grab his wallet that he accidentally left behind, he found that $60 had been taken from it. Anyone with information pertaining to this event is encouraged to contact DPS. Friday, 12/4 4:40 p.m. – An individual was found pointing a laser pointer outside a window in Gonzaga Hall. The individual was identified and referred to student conduct for his actions.

DPS would like all to remember that a laser is not a toy and can cause serious injury if used the wrong way.

10:34 p.m. – A white male wearing a blue sweater with a snowman on it reportedly pushed a female student to the ground then ran away. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact DPS. Saturday, 12/5 9:51 p.m. – Claver Hall RAs detected the smell of Marijuana, and contacted DPS for support. DPS found two students in a room with a small amount of suspected marijuana. One of the students was arrested by Fairfield Police for the possession, and both were referred to student conduct.

Sunday, 12/6 3:26 p.m. – Two roommates had a domestic dispute in Dolan Hall, because of “ongoing issues.” Both individuals have been referred to student conduct.

4:41 p.m. – An individual reported that the night before a female had taken a wallet from a townhouse. The female then went on to order Domino’s pizza with a credit card from that wallet. The suspects have all been identified and were referred to student conduct for their actions.

CAU TTIO N O I N U CA THE MIRROR Incorporated 1977

Patrick Kiernan, Editor-in-Chief Meaghan Conlon, Executive Editor Angela Sammarone, Managing Editor Editors Catherine Veschi, News Ariana Puzzo, Opinion Andrew DaRosa, Vine Juliana Sansonetti, Assistant Vine Colleen O’Connor, Assistant Vine Allison White, Coffee Break Alfredo Torres, Sports Nicole Funaro, Chief Copy Editor Gabriela Piatek, Assistant Copy Editor Meaghan Kirby, Staff Writer Online Michael Genovese, Web Master Business Department Email: advertising@fairfieldmirror.com Christopher Lapone, Director of Finance Albert Rosica, Director of Advertising Matthew Lazicky, Circulation Adviser Dr. Tommy Xie Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

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1. San Bernardino, Calif. – Fourteen people were killed and 17 were wounded at an office holiday party on Wednesday, Dec. 2 when gunmen opened fire at a social services agency. This marks the deadliest U.S. gun violence since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December 2012.

2. Honolulu, Hawaii – Samantha Watanabe has been put on trial for allegedly assaulting her 15-month-old daughter Clementine during a flight from Alaska to Hawaii on May 3. Clementine was cursed at, smacked in the head, hit in the face with a stuffed doll and had tufts of her hair yanked out by her mother.

3. New York City – Wayne Roach, an intoxicated off-duty police officer, was arrested after he was allegedly found not wearing any pants in his cruiser parked outside a school. Parents say the cop was passed out drunk in his car just steps from the front doors of the school.

4. Charlotte, N.C. – Joanne Snow, an American Airlines flight attendant who has been accused of attacking fellow crew members and two U.S. air marshals during a trans-Atlantic flight, made her first court appearance on Tuesday, Dec. 1. In court, attorneys argued over whether she should be held in custody or released to her family.

5. Juneau, Alaska – The mayor of Juneau, 70-year-old Greg Fisk, was found dead at a home in Juneau on Monday, Nov. 30. The cause of Fisk’s death has not yet been determined.

6. Little Rock, Ark. – Human remains have been found in a rural field in Arkansas. Police believe that the remains could belong to Malik Drummond, a boy who went missing from his father’s home in November 2014, just hours after the boy’s father was arrested on a capital murder charge.

7. Portsmouth, N.H. – Michael Kotsonis, 19, a Portsmouth police officer, responded to a call that a woman had stolen cake mix, shortening and frosting from an Ocean State Job Lot. Instead of arresting the woman, Kotsonis paid her tab after learning that the woman stole the items to bake her child’s birthday cake.

8. Tulsa, Okla. – More than 26 pounds of cocaine were found on an American Airlines Boeing 757 that was undergoing routine maintenance at the Tulsa International Airport. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration were called in and removed the 10 square packages of cocaine.

News: Around the World

By Zachary Durso Contributing Writer Cairo, Egypt – Sixteen people have been killed within the Egyptian capital of Cairo after several firebombs were thrown into the El Sayad restaurant in the central Agouza area. The victims of the attack suffered intense burns and smoke inhalation. The perpetrators have yet to be identified while chemists continue surveying the scene. One eyewitness recalls men fleeing on motorbikes shortly after the attacks.

Beijing, China – Chinese President Xi Jinping recently announced a plan for the Chinese government to institute a $60 billion plan to help develop Africa. The package will come in the form of zero interest loans, scholarships and professional training for thousands of Africans. According to the Chinese government, this plan will most likely focus on infrastructure. This aid was expected, as China has grown to be Africa’s largest trade partner; however, the aid package far exceeded expectations.

Bangkok, Thailand – Thai authorities have been notified by Russian Intelligence in Moscow that several Syrians with ties to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria entered Thai borders in October with the intention of targeting Russians. According to Russian intelligence, more than 1.5 million Russians visited Thailand within 2013 alone. This information came in the form of a report leaked to the press. The news is disconcerting, especially considering the Russian Plane that was bombed by ISIS in October.

Canberra, Australia – The Australian Upper House has recently passed laws that will serve to strip those convicted of or suspected of terrorism of their citizenship. These new laws are numerous, and are expected to aid Australia’s “counterterrorism architecture.” Australian politicians note that these laws will not set those stripped of citizenship abroad. The government of Australia believes the safest place for those convicted of violent acts are imprisoned within Australia.

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THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

News

ABM responds to concerns voiced by the FWC Continued from page 1

Zachary Durso/The Mirror The Sodexo worker Eduardo Neira (center) poses with Mauricio Muñoz ‘18 (left) and Blancamari Somonza ‘19 (right).

Eduardo Neira brightens students’ days in Barone

By Zachary Durso Contributing Writer Walking into the dining hall here at Fairfield in the Barone Campus Center, students can’t help but to notice the warm smile and friendly face of Sodexo worker Eduardo Neira.

Neira, who states that he has been working at Fairfield for the Walking into the dining hall in the Barone Campus Center, students are wondering what’s on the day’s menu, where they should sit and if Eduardo is working.

Eduardo Neira is a Sodexo employee who has been working at Fairfield for the past 16 years. According to Neira, he’s enjoyed every second of it. “I like my job because I feel comfortable working with the students,” Neira commented.

Neira noted that he enjoys socializing with the students on a regular basis, “I like to talk to students, be around them and be nice to them.”

The students certainly enjoy having him present. Freshman Alec Lurie commented, “Eduardo makes the dining hall homey and inviting. Even when you are having a rough day or have a ton of homework, he always gives you something to smile about.” He continued to explain that Neira seems to care a lot about the students and will go out of his

way to assist them.

Students can find Neira going out of his way to clean their tables, or maybe sitting down to have a full conversation with you. “Every time I went to Barone, I always see him and he looks like he is having such a good time doing his job. He is super friendly and always wants to say hi to you,” said Alex Mongillo ‘16. “If he sees anything can be picked up from your table, he’ll always pick it up for you so you don’t have to. He seems like a very genuine man.”

Freshman Kevin Grady seems to agree: “Eduardo is someone who really takes pride in his job and is a great asset to the Fairfield community.”

After work, Neira enjoys some of the same activities as students here on campus. Neira has a few chief hobbies he enjoys after work. “I like to rest and listen to music,” Neira commented. He continued to explain how he enjoys watching sports, and he is a big fan of the sports here at Fairfield, in particular the soccer teams. “I like playing soccer and watching it, I am a big fan of the Fairfield soccer teams,” he said.

Next time you enter Barone, be sure to give a warm welcome to Neira and start a friendly conversation, because he would certainly enjoy another engagement with a student and he may even brighten your day.

in doing so, enforcing a change,” Marrone said.

For Gil-Egui, this victory was also made possible by the “swift and effective actions taken by the FWC in solidarity with the janitors.”

“Together, faculty and students made noise to demand justice for workers at the university and it worked,” Gil-Egui said in her post in the Fairfield Faculty Welfare Committee Facebook page obtained by The Mirror through their adviser Dr. Xie. Huber agreed, saying that she is “so heartened by this change; it’s a good reminder to me of the power of solidarity.”

“When we stand up for each other and hold each other accountable for living our shared values, amazing things can happen,” she continued.

Despite the sense of camaraderie that formed through this movement, Huber still feels that the University could have done more to work with ABM on this issue in order to come to a better solution for the janitorial staff.

“I think it’s unfortunate that the Fairfield administration chose not to communicate with ABM and not to directly voice its commitment to labor rights on this issue,” Huber said.

According to Vice President of Human Resources Scott Esposito ‘82, “While the University is supportive of the employees and hopes for positive outcomes, it has no role in the bargaining process or the contractual relationship between ABM and the union. The University has encouraged both sides to use the collective bargaining process to resolve any issues relative to schedules and working conditions.

We are happy to see that the process has already yielded agreeable results.”

Huber went on to say that the administration misunderstood how unions work when they chose not to voice their support for the workers in respect for collective bargaining.

“All workers need the support of their community, and being unionized does not prevent either workers or their friends, neighbors, and even their contractors from getting involved, being vocal, and participating in conversation about workplace issues,” Huber said.

Sophomore Megan Eckert agreed with Huber and Gil-Egui that the janitorial staff is deserving of this change in shift, saying that “the workers should have a say in picking when they work because it’s their own time and they have a right to choose.”

South Side Café hosts successful third annual Stuff-a-Stag

By Juliana Sansonetti Assistant Vine Editor A large crowd of approximately 200 students waited in line in the 30-degree, freezing December air outside of Faber Hall at 10 p.m. on Saturday. They chatted excitedly, awaiting the annual tradition of Stuff-a-Stag, a South Side Café event run by Fairfield @ Night.

The event, which began in 2013, has since become a Fairfield tradition and the most attended South Side since its inception, with about 300 students attending each year.

Over 300 students attended this year’s Stuff-a-Stag, according to Nicole Fede ‘16, co-lead program strategist of South Side Café.

Elizabeth Elliott, program coordinator for the Office of Student Engagement, commented on why she believes this event is so much more popular than the others.

“It’s right near the end of the semester,” she said. “It’s one last fun thing for students to do before finals. Also, everyone loves a good teddy bear.”

Sophomore Jacqueline Ferreri, who did not attend the event last year, decided to come because she wanted to stuff a husky.

“I think it’s a really fun idea,” she said. “It’s like BuildA-Bear, but for college students.”

Fede added, “I think people just like doing Build-ABear. It gives them something to bring home with them.”

Fede was on the team that had the idea to begin Stuffa-Stag three years ago. This team also comprised of her fellow co-lead program strategists Adrian Perkowski ’16 and Eric Lynch ‘15.

“We thought it would be a good, holiday-themed event,” Perkowski commented. “This is our third year doing it, and it’s always been a big success.”

Students braved the chilly weather to enjoy the holiday-themed decorations, music and food. They made their own stuffed stags, whales, bears, giraffes, tigers, polar bears, penguins or huskies.

Party People is the company who provides the animals, stuffing and miniature T-shirts for the event. The company provides 500 stuffed animals each year, which has proven to be sufficient, although there is not always enough stuffing for all of these animals. This year, extra stuffing was ordered to try and ensure that all of the animals got stuffed.

However, even this proved not to be enough as, like last year, towards the conclusion of the event at 2 a.m., a few students had to be turned away when stuffing ran out,

Ariana Puzzo/The Mirror Students enjoyed the final South Side of the semester in Faber Hall, where they stuffed various animals.

according to Fede.

Students who did not want to bring their animal home had the option to donate their stuffed animals to the Teddy Bears with Love drive, also an annual tradition.

Teddy Bears with Love was founded in 1999 by the Student Alumni Association for Fairfield students and alumni to donate new, unused teddy bears to a local children’s charity or to make one for the children to send to the charity.

South Side Café is held on Saturdays in the lounge of Faber Hall. Typically, around 100 students attend, according to Fede and Perkowski.

In speaking on South Side, Fede said, “It’s a fun environment. A lot of schools don’t have this sort of thing. So it’s a cool, different setting where students can come and relax.”

“There should be five more South Sides this spring, so keep an eye out for those,” Fede added.

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THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

Opinion

Opinion

Editor Ariana Puzzo » opinion@fairfieldmirror.com Freestockphotos.biz/ Creative Commons

'Tis the season to cherish traditions

By Erin Joyce Contributing Writer

Thanksgiving break to me is the calm before the storm, also known as finals week. It’s one of my favorite holidays, not just because of the food, but also because I’m a college student who appreciates returning home to be with my family.

While others have different traditions for Thanksgiving, I believe that no matter where you are and who you’re with you should follow three guidelines — eat, cherish the festivities and, of course, revive childhood traditions.

The first, and probably the most important thing I did over break, was eat and after that eat some more. It’s Thanksgiving and, if you’re anything like me, the choice of food is far too delicious to pass up even a little appetizer. So what do I recommend?

Try everything; even down to the drinks. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your first eggnog of the holiday season. If there’s one thing that I will not accept over the break, it’s the word “diet.”

Second, even if you’re culinary-challenged like myself, offer to help cook. Eating the meal that I helped to create this year was extremely rewarding even though I may have overcooked the potatoes.

Embracing every aspect of the holiday, no matter

how cheesy or childish it may seem, is my second favorite part of the break.

I consider Thanksgiving to be the start of the holiday season, so I’m fully prepared to get festive. Not only do I recommend indulging in a little eggnog, but I also would suggest sitting down and actually enjoying the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade until the end when Santa waves, officially welcoming the Christmas season.

Following the parade tradition, you can then go one of two ways. Either embrace all of the adorableness of The National Dog Show, or, my personal preference, turn the TV on and watch some football.

While the Dog Show may seem overdone or a little silly at first, the laughs you share with your family are well worth it. Also, the carefree nature of a dog show is enough to make everyone forget all the work waiting for him or her when they return from break.

Football will likewise make you forget the responsibilities you have awaiting you; however, the intensity of the game is certainly not as carefree as watching dogs strut around an arena.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Dog Show and football games are beloved Thanksgiving traditions that will prepare anyone for the upcoming Christmas season.

My last, and probably favorite part of the Thanks-

giving holiday is reliving and cherishing all of my childhood traditions.

For me and my family, this means bringing out all of the classic Christmas movies. Although they may seem poorly animated compared to more recently animated movies like Jim Carrey’s “A Christmas Carol,” which came out in 2009 and “The Polar Express” that came out in 2004, the original Grinch and Rudolph movies, both of which came out in the 1960s, are hard to top.

My family and I also must always toast the season with our first cup of eggnog as Santa rolls in during the parade. The first cup of eggnog on Thanksgiving marks the beginning of an eggnog-filled holiday season, which carries until after Christmas.

Every Thanksgiving marks the beginning of our Christmas traditions that I look forward to enjoying when I return home after the semester.

While I hold all three of these holiday aspects close to my heart, I am sure every family has their own specific and important traditions.

Whatever they are, I recommend cherishing them, as well as the people you enjoy them with. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned about the holidays, it is that “it’s not what you do, but rather who you enjoy it with.”

As a homesick college student, I hold this ideal to heart, and I hope that everyone else will during the upcoming winter break.

Bloomingdale's thoughtless ad highlights misconceptions

By Meaghan Conlon and Angela Sammarone Executive Editor and Managing Editor The holiday season has officially begun, and with that comes a carefree attitude as people welcome a much-needed vacation break at the end of the year. Yet, it was unfortunate to see this carefree attitude transferred to a recent advertisement

by Bloomingdale’s where a smiling female model and a male model gazing toward her had the text “spike your best friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking” placed in the center of them.

A tweet from user Lara DiamondPhillips (@Laradp) read, “Fascinated that throughout the editing process, nobody suggested this Christmas ad is a bad idea.” Chad Walters (@LifeIsChad) chimed in with, “Keep an eye on your #eggnog ladies.

They're coming. #Bloomingdales #BloomingdalesAd #daterapeisnotok.” What we want to know is how this ad, depicting a woman smiling and laughing with her head tilted away from her male companion who is leering at her in a way reminiscent of the “Blurred Lines” music video, was considered OK to print in the first place.

We have become so desensitized to what rape culture is that it is now commonplace to joke about for it the sake of selling a product. Spiking a drink is the textbook scenario that young women especially are warned to be watchful for at parties so that no one takes advantage of them.

Editorial Board Revolving Reflections Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief Meaghan Conlon Executive Editor Angela Sammarone Managing Editor

If there’s anything that Bloomingdale’s did get right, it’s their target: The “best friend.” Approximately 80 percent of rape victims knew their rapist, and 47 percent are a close friend or acquaintance, as reported by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

According to a 2007 U.S. Department of Justice report, of the 20 million women who have ever been raped, three million of them were drug-facilitated rapes. It’s horrifying to look at as a statistic, but it is even more shocking to see it advertised positively in a major clothing brand’s catalogue.

Bloomingdale’s was developed in the early 1800s in response to a women’s fashion trend — the hoop skirt — putting the store on the market as one of the first department stores, according to their website. Since then, Bloomie’s has become synonymous with a luxurious brand, and its signature “Brown Bags” are indicative of a successful shopping venture. How then, could a brand calling itself “like no other store in the world,” slip so easily in their judgment?

It appears that Bloomingdale’s may have been just following suit in what appears to be the yearly trend of disrespectful advertisements. This is not a singular incident of rape-like slogans being used in the media to sell a product.

Anheuser-Busch pulled bottles of Bud Light from the shelves

As the semester draws to an end with finals and projects to stress over, there is much to look forward to now that December is upon us. The holiday season is an opportune time to catch up with family and friends, and escape the monotony of the school year.

We are all eager to have a month to sit back and relax without having to attend to academic responsibilities.

However, over the course of this semester, much has happened outside of the Fairfield community that we would like to reflect on.

The most recent act of terrorism was the Dec. 2 shooting in San Bernardino, California that resulted in the deaths of shooters Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, as well as 14 others.

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MARKETERS ON PAGE 6

This event comes not too long after the Nov. 13 Paris attacks. At least 128 people were killed as terrorists attacked sites throughout the French capital and at a soccer stadium where fans were enjoying a match between Germany and France.

What these two incidents have taught us is that terrorism is an everpresent issue within our society, and it is something as young adults we must all take care to consider. As the 2016 election nears, we should be paying attention to the presidential candidates’ reactions to what is happening and assess if they will be able to stop any threats invading our livelihoods and freedom. This, of course, includes offering a response to gun control and regulation in the U.S. While we are inconclusive on

our stance on gun control, we recognize how important this subject is and acknowledge that this is an overdue conversation to be had in our country. Most people cite the Second Amendment as the privileged right of Americans to bear arms; what we think gets overlooked, though, is the fact that this amendment was ratified in 1789. It was created to allow the citizens of the newly formed United States to be able to form their own militia and have a right to protect themselves.

If this is the backbone of the argument of all those who want looser restrictions, perhaps it’s time to revisit the amendment. There is clearly a problem in the United States when it comes to gun control and mass shootings. According to The

New York Times, “In 209 out of 336 days this year, at least one shooting left four or more people injured or dead in the United States, according to compilations of incidents derived from news reports.”

Terrible things have happened both nationally and internationally, and while there is no clear way to defeat terrorism or the violence of mass shootings, we can all take time to be thankful for the safety provided to us by our country and Fairfield University.

Recognize that while you can eat dinner with your family, not everyone is that fortunate because of the senseless acts of others. Cherish being in the presence of those you love most, speak with love and not hate and happy holidays.

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THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

Opinion

Stag-gering Opinions Should the United States allow child refugees into the country or increase restrictions?

“Well, the problem with the refugee crisis is that ISIS is a religiously-affiliated terrorist group. They’re not necessarily what we know as just being an organization, which would sponsor acts of terror..."

Tom McDonough ‘19

“No [we should not let them in], because it’s going to cost this country more because kids are dependent upon adults and while adults can find jobs and take care of themselves, children can’t and then what are we going to do? We’re going to have to take care of those kids.”

Christina Boalt ‘18

“Of course. You want to let children, orphans and widows enter the United States because they’re Syrian refugees and they’re seeking for asylum because they’re experiencing..."

Greg Lew, adjunct professor of philosophy To see the rest of Tom and Professor Lew's responses, go to Stag-gering Opinions at fairfieldmirror.com. Join the discussion by tweeting us with the hashtag #RefugeeCrisis.

Marketers should show sensitivity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 that had the slogan “the perfect beer for removing ‘no’ from your vocabulary for the night” on its label. Anheuser-Busch, like many other companies in a “maledominated” field, have an obvious imbalance in terms of the number of male and female employees.

Former highest-ranking female employee Francine Katz cited the lack of female representation as the reason for why the slogan was allowed to go public. Yet, even Katz’s suggestion can be put into question.

It would seem that because Anheuser-Busch’s target demographic — males — would explain for the lapse in judgment in promoting an offensive slogan toward women. However, we see with Bloomingdale’s that inadequate gender ratios are not entirely the issue.

There is nearly an equal gender representation across all levels of the company — even the board has six out of the 13 members as women. It's doubtful that a company that mostly adheres to a female clientele would promote sexual assault.

The problem, then, is not solely the marketing team that made the error in judgement, but the flaws latent within our society when it comes to education on rape culture and consent. Although it can be argued that there has been advancements made in educating younger populations — especially college students — about rape culture, this should continue into the workplace as well.

While there may be tactics in place in larger companies like Bloomingdale’s about sexual assault in the workplace, there should be more targeted education initiatives directed toward the marketing and advertising departments, as they should not be undoing the progress that the company is making by creating offensive slogans.

The fact that this ad was sent to print shows that both men and women in the United States have relaxed views regarding consent. However, understanding rape culture is not limited to the U.S. On Black Friday, the notorious day of sales in prepara-

tion for the commercially-driven holiday season, the Singapore-based clothing company SuperGurl featured an ad on their homepage inviting visitors to “Rape Us Now,” in lieu of the traditional and far more appropriate “Shop Now” link.

It is deplorable that the word “rape” has lost its linguistic meaning. Merriam-Webster defines “rape” as “unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will usually of a female or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent.”

And while we do recognize that the Oxford English Dictionary had an entry for the word “rape” as meaning “to hurry oneself; to hasten to a place,” probably the meaning they intended to convey, using a word that so obviously has different connotations worldwide can be attributed nothing but ignorance.

In the end, what Bloomingdale’s teaches us is that there is a clear issue in how marketers present their products. In an attempt to be witty, to make a joke or be “punny,” they are overlooking the material of which they are making light of. Bloomingdale’s and Anheuser-Busch are guilty of falsely promoting a rape culture.

Likewise, Nordstrom’s was criticized for selling a Hanukkah sweater that used Jewish women stereotypes and Target is currently still selling a sweater that reads “OCD: Obsessive Christmas Disorder,” which has rubbed customers the wrong way for devaluing the significance of mental health disorders.

While some are quick to judge those who take social media by storm, protesting such measures and claiming that people are too sensitive in today’s society, they are missing the point by a landslide. It’s not “too sensitive” to react when you see your ethnicity, your mental disorder, or rape culture — which could affect us all — made fun of.

The truth of these marketing ploys is that they are at risk of offending more potential customers — even ones that the “insult” doesn’t necessarily apply to — which does more harm than good in the long run of making a sale.

Students planning to study abroad shouldn't reconsider

By Ariana Puzzo Opinion Editor The recent terrorist attack in Paris, France on Nov. 13 has instilled fear and hesitancy in parents regarding their children who are or are planning to study abroad. While this fear is understandable because there are growing threats concerning where the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) will attack next, we cannot put our lives on hold based on uncertainty. ISIL’s actions should be taken seriously, but we should not allow the terrorist group to prevent us from living our lives or furthering our educational endeavors.

As someone who hopes to study abroad in London in spring 2017, my grandparents ex-

pressed their concern about my safety abroad following the recent Paris attacks. Much of their concern stems from London’s proximity to Paris — a mere three hour train ride. Despite their understandable concerns, I do plan to study in Europe, and I am aware of the terrorism that London specifically has experienced.

Most recently, CNN reported a stabbing in an east London Underground station on Dec. 5.

According to CNN, police are treating the attack as a terrorist act and are investigating witnesses’ reports claiming that the suspect yelled, “This is for Syria.” After hearing this, I was extremely concerned. This event could have happened anywhere, but its possibility for greater implications is unsettling. However, the most recent attack in London is not unprecedented. One at-

tack that resonated around the world was the July 7, 2005 London bombings. According to BBC News, it was the worst terrorist attack experienced in Britain. Although this past July marked 10 years since that day, we must remain vigilant to avoid giving power to those trying to instill widespread fear.

Additionally, those studying abroad should take precautions to avoid dangerous situations.

One measure is being aware of our surroundings.

I am guilty of looking down when I am walking somewhere, while others tend to look at their phones. When we are distracted, we limit our awareness of what is happening around us. While abroad I will be making an effort to limit distractions while traveling, and I urge others to do the same.

I am not the only person who thinks that proper precautions can prevent dangerous situations while abroad. Sophomore Julia St. Germain, who is planning to study abroad in Aix en Provence, France in spring 2016, is not worried like some of her relatives were following the Paris attack. “I personally do not [have any concerns],” St. Germain said. “I know the country is still very safe and I would feel comfortable walking around and traveling in the area.” St. Germain added, “Our study abroad meeting did point out though to think twice about being in areas with large groups.” The awareness tips from study abroad groups are crucial to our safety. However, many of us recognize the impossibility of avoiding large groups, since the point of traveling abroad is to see the tourist attractions which receive the most international attention. The only solution would

be to visit these locations, but not for too long.

St. Germain also believes that reconsidering studying abroad would be a mistake. “No one should feel impeded by such acts,” she said. “The whole idea behind attacks is to instill terror. Students and travelers should not give terrorists the satisfaction of being afraid, but merely continue life as we please and not give them power.” I agree with her because giving these terrorists the power to take away our sense of safety also surrenders our dignity. The concerns about studying abroad seem to be expressed more from parents of students. In a study by peer-to-peer money transfer service Transferwise earlier this year, 55 percent of U.S. college students were most concerned about the expenses of studying abroad. However, 87 percent of the surveyed parents cited safety issues, such as terrorism, illness and crime among their concerns. That fear is not likely to decrease given ISIL’s continued presence. However, students have to take this great opportunity to explore new cultures and help our families understand that these opportunities do not come around often.

Ultimately, parents will always be concerned with their child’s safety abroad, but there will always be terror threats throughout the world.

Many Fairfield students plan to study abroad during their junior year, and that should not change.

Even for those who don’t study abroad, we are only a train-ride away from New York City, a city that has had a giant spotlight shone on it since Sept. 11, 2001. Danger can occur in any corner of the world, and it is our responsibility to be aware of its presence and not hide from it.

The Mirror welcomes the opinions and contributions of its readers: Letters to the editor must be timely and submitted by email to info@fairfieldmirror.com or Box AA. All letters to the editor that are appropriate will be published either in print or online. The Mirror reserves the right to edit letters and articles for content, length and grammatical error. Letters should be free of obscenities and personal attacks and should contain correct and factual information not exceeding 500 words.

The Vine

arts, entertainment, features Editor Andrew DaRosa vine@fairfieldmirror.com

Blogspot/Creative Commons

Happy Holidays from The Fairfield Mirror Tahun Baru/Creative Commons

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THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

The Vine

Sounds of the holidays: The official event guide for winter break

Lesbian.com/Creative Commons

By Andrew DaRosa Vine Editor

Jan. 15 – Melissa Etheridge: This is M.E. Solo – Lynn Auditorium,, Lynn Jan. 16 – Dirty Dozen Brass Band – Sinclair, Cambridge

Brooklyn (See Rhode Island) Dec. 31 – Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band – Barclay’s Center, Brooklyn Dec. 31 to Jan. 2 – An Evening with They Might Be Giants – Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Dec. 31 to Jan. 2 – Macy Gray – Iridium, NYC Jan. 1 to 2 – Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester

With the holidays fast approaching, many are still frantically searching for that perfect gift or struggling to make plans with old friends. Unfortunately, the holidays are inherently hectic and become confounding with a sled-full of responsibilities on your shoulders. This year, however, I have decided to play Santa and will provide the joyous public with the definite list of events and spectaculars to hit up this holiday season. But I didn’t let the fun stop there; I have also included a variety of events to sparkle up your New Year’s festivities. I have located only the best events in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island and New Jersey for everyone, considering the majority of the student populace is centralized in the Northeast. Luckily, your best Christmas gift has come early, and it is below.

Connecticut: Dec. 19 – Andy Milonakis – The Space, Hamden Dec. 27 – Sammy Adams – Toad’s Place, New Haven Dec. 31 – Imagine Dragons – Grand Theater at Foxwoods, Mashantucket Jan. 1 – Aretha Franklin – Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville Jan. 8 – Moon Hooch – The Acoustic, Bridgeport Jan. 8 – Tim Reynolds (of Dave Matthews Band) – StageOne, Fairfield Jan. 17 – Extreme Pint Brewfest featuring Lettuce – Infinity Hall, Hartford

Massachusetts: Dec. 19 – Calling All Crows 8th Annual Benefit Weekend featuring Chadwick Stokes & Friends – Paradise Rock Club, Boston Dec. 31 – The Ball Drop featuring Dopapod, Turkuaz and Kung Fu – Palladium, Worcester Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve! with The Felice Brothers – Brighton Music Hall, Brighton Jan. 2 – The Roots – House of Blues Boston, Boston

New York: Dec. 8 to 18 – Mariah Carey – Beacon Theatre, NYC Dec. 16 – Jerry Lee Lewis – B.B. King Blues Club, NYC Dec. 22 – Joey Bada$$ – Playstation Theatre, NYC Dec. 25 – An Intimate Evening with Matisyahu & Friends – City Winery, NYC Dec. 30 to Jan. 2 – Phish – Madison Square Garden, NYC Dec. 30 to 31 – Deer Tick New Year’s Run – Brooklyn Bowl,

New Jersey: Dec. 23 – Hope Concert 8 featuring Bon Jovi – Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank Jan. 2 – Rusted Root with the Devon Allman Band – The Stone Pony, Asbury Park Jan. 16 – Blue Oyster Cult – Wellmont Theater, Montclair

troduced his skills, dedication and love for the art. He smiled with every beat and concentrated intently. The audience clapped along with his partially improvised dance moves. In addition to Glover, Marshall Davis Jr., Karissa Royster, Sarah Savelli and Robyn Watson danced alongside of him. The performance consisted of jazz numbers, but also many Christmas hits, such as “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Baby,” “Let it Snow” and many more classics.

Junior Brandon Borsanyi had never seen a tap performance before and was shocked by the end of the show. “The performance was so unique because Savion Glover used his tap dance rhythm to lead the band,” he said.

Glover captured the audience’s attention by recognizing a tap legend who attended the performance, Diane Walker. Walker has tapped on Broadway, television and international dance concerts for over 30 years and has become an inspiration for Glover’s work.

Glover told the audience to “find out who she is, what she is and why she is.”

However, Walker was not the only tap dancer in the house.

Glover called up eight students of tap from Fairfield County and

asked them to dance on stage. The kids danced for four counts of eight and impressed not only the audience, but also Glover himself.

With every drop of sweat that fell from Glover’s face came another captivating beat and Irene Havlusch ‘19 could not have agreed more. “I am not a tap dancer and I’ve never seen a tap performance in my life, but that was one of the most magical experiences. There wasn’t a single moment when my jaw wasn’t on the floor. Savion’s electrifying presence on the stage filled me with awe and made me want to get up and tap,” she said.

The hour-and-a-half holiday spectacular needed no intermission and put the audience in the dancing and holiday spirit. Even though everyone may not appreciate the arts, Glover’s dance had an aura about it that allowed everyone to appreciate his talent and energy put forth. The expression that came from his feet was felt by everyone sitting in the seats.

Havlusch may not have been a dancer, but she knew there was something special about the performance that she witnessed.

“The spirit that is alive in his feet echoes the fire in the eyes of all who watched him.”

Rhode Island: Dec. 16 – Elvis Perkins – The Columbus Theatre, Providence Dec. 19 – Haunt the House – Knickerbocker Cafe, Westerly Dec. 23 – 2nd Annual Holiday Show featuring The Trophy Wives – Fete Ballroom, Providence Jan. 2 – Deer Tick New Year’s Run – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, Providence (See New York)

Savion Glover taps his way into audience's hearts

By Erin McElwee Contributing Writer Most people do not understand the hard work and the dedication that is necessary to be a dancer. Savion Glover, an American tap dancer, performed at the Regina A. Quick Center of the Arts this past Sunday, Dec. 6, and mesmerized everyone with his lightning quick feet. Glover has been dancing since he was seven years old and had his Broadway debut at the age of 12 in “The Tap Dance Kid.” Since then, his life has been filled with all sorts of beats, rhythms and most importantly, a pair of tap shoes.

The mix of dance, music and laughter grabbed the attention of the sold out crowd. Fairfield County residents, students and fans visited.

Freshman Kristen Gibney has been a tap dancer for years. “I have wanted to see Savion Glover since I was a kid. All my friends who tap and my teachers all know what he means to the tap world and to be able to see him live was something I’ll never forget. His company was so impressive,” she said.

Glover started his performance with a long solo dance that in-

Saitta Studies Abroad: Goodbyes are always the hardest

Danielle Saitta/The Mirror

By Danielle Saitta Abroad Columnist It’s hard to believe that my journey is almost over. It has been more than three months since I first arrived in Florence. At first, adjusting was hard both socially and emotionally; there were many times where I was so homesick that I thought I was making a huge mistake by coming abroad. I realize now that this experience has shaped me into a different person. When I look at myself in the mirror, I see a stronger person than the girl who got off the plane on that first day. It feels good to know that I’m not as helpless as I once was. I can now take care of myself better because I know how to cook, and I am more confident finding my way around an unknown place. Little changes like these have made me more independent.

I’ve realized also that I can look at the world from a different point of view. After the Paris attacks, my friends and family went into a panic and for days, I got calls and messages to see if I was all right.

Never once did I ever feel threatened and never did I panic. I was in Barcelona the weekend the attack occurred. My friends and I were laughing, talking and sitting on the beach outside a club late at night when a friend updated his Facebook and reported the news to us. At first we didn’t know how to handle it. Everyone was silent for a moment. I wasn’t scared for my own life like many of my loved ones thought I would be. I had traveled so much that I felt secure if ever I was in danger. Since I’ve been abroad, I’ve been more aware of my surroundings and more aware of where and how to get help, even in a foreign country. No amount of classes or orientations while abroad can teach you how to look out for yourself. The only way you can learn to be aware and cautious while abroad, in my opinion, is traveling, especially traveling by yourself by plane, train or even walking around alone.

Before going abroad, traveling felt intimidating and unsettling to me; but now it’s like getting on your community bus at home. When I returned to Florence, I got massive amounts of emails from Fairfield with information on where the embassy was. If you come abroad, I do recommend that you find out where the U.S. embassy is in case of any emergency. The thought of a terrorist attack in Europe while we were all abroad was the last thing to come to mind. It was shocking for us all. To be honest, at times the after-effect made me want to go home, not because I was scared, but because my family and

friends were completely terrified for me. At the time of the attack, I was still planning on traveling in the weeks following to Dublin, Prague and Switzerland. All of my trips were extremely beautiful and successful. I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy any of my weekends had I not acknowledged the Fairfield emails sent abroad regarding security.

Shortly after the attack, students received multiple emails from the Fairfield’s programmers requiring that students respond if and where they were planning to travel. I’ll admit at times I forgot to check my emails and on Thursday afternoons, I would have missed calls and texts from the office asking where I was going to be. Fairfield took care of us while the wound was still fresh. Walking to class, I would see and still see Italian police everywhere. I feel so much safer here now after the attack than I did when I first arrived.

Despite how safe we were, some students still decided to go home. The school couldn’t stop us from leaving due to the event in Paris and the threats in Rome and Brussels. To my knowledge, eight of us went home and were allowed to take their finals at Fairfield. I had the choice to go home, but a part of me felt I needed to stick this out to the end no matter how much I missed my family and friends who were so worried about me. However, had I not stayed, I would have missed memories like having my Thanksgiving away from home in Prague. We found a pub that had cooked us an American Thanksgiving dinner, a great memory I now have that I wouldn’t have experienced had I left Italy a few weeks early.

I’m going to miss being a temporary resident in this country after I leave. I feel confident and cultured since I’ve been here. I’ve learned to cook, to ski, to travel, to swirl wine properly, to forgive, to forget and to take life by the reins. Even though I will leave this country, a part of it will always be with me. I’ve lived as an Italian for three months and chances are that I will be taking some of its lifestyle back with me. For example, I honestly don’t believe I can drink coffee after three any longer because in Italy it’s unheard of. There’s no true way that I can thank Italy for shaping me. What I can do from now on is to convince those thinking of going abroad that it’s a life changing experience. You can read every blog, article and book about it, but you won’t get a taste of the world until you actually see it with your own eyes. Only then will your perception of the world truly change as well as your own self.

THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

The Vine

J.J. Abrams awakens the force in 'Star Wars'

By Juliana Sansonetti Assistant Vine Editor

“Star Wars” fans across the galaxy are anxiously awaiting the release of “Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens.”

While some await the new film with excitement, others are apprehensive of how it will turn out due to the quality of the prequels and the involvement of Disney.

Set 30 years after “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi,” the newest film will feature Han Solo and some allies fighting the evil Kylo Ren and an army of Stormtroopers.

When “Star Wars” first came out in 1977, George Lucas changed the world of science fiction films forever.

The epic space opera was beloved by moviegoers and critics alike. “Star Wars: Edition IV, A New Hope,” as it was later branded, along with its two sequels, “Star Wars: Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” are considered among the greatest movies of all time, and are still enjoyed to this day by fans, both old and new.

The trilogy’s use of special effects, sound editing and music was revolutionary at the time of its release, helping to make it one of the most influential science fiction film series.

According to the Internet Movie Database, “A New Hope” won six Academy Awards, including Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects and Best Original Score.

The “Star Wars” franchise has spawned multiple animated series on both Cartoon Network and Disney XD, the most famous of which being “Star Wars: Clone Wars” and “Star Wars: Rebels” respectively, a trilogy of prequels that were later developed into critically-renowned video games.

Many fans of the original trilogy, who were enchanted by its clever writing, moving score and story of epic proportions, were horrified by the quality of the prequels.

“Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace,” “Star Wars: Episode II, Attack of the Clones” and “Star Wars: Episode III, Revenge of the Sith” were not well-received by many. “The Phantom Menace” and “Attack of the Clones” were each nominated for seven Golden Raspberry Awards which recognizes bad movies, and “Revenge of the Sith” was nominated for one.

These films notoriously boasted clumsy writing, excessive computer-generated imagery and less than savory acting from the main cast, particularly Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker and Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala, both of which were introduced in the prequels.

Christensen won two Golden Raspberries for Worst Supporting Actor for both “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith.”

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Most viewers blame the failure of the prequels on Lucas whose skill at creating the franchise does not translate well to directing and writing.

Luckily, Lucas has stepped down from directing the “Star Wars” films and instead is serving as a creative consultant for the new trilogy.

This has assuaged the fears of many fans for the coming movie who were afraid that this film’s quality would be comparable to that of the prequels.

Instead, “The Force Awakens” has been helmed by J.J. Abrams, who is known for his great visual effects and storytelling as seen in “Star Trek,” “Mission: Impossible III” and “Lost.”

Abrams, who is taking on a new role in directing a “Star Wars” film, has stated that he used many practical effects in “The Force Awakens” rather than drowning it in CGI, as Lucas did with the prequels.

Fans were promised that the digital effects of this film would not be overpowering.

However, some still have reservations about “The Force Awakens.”

Some are doubtful that a company like Disney, which bought the rights to the “Star Wars” franchise in 2012, can pull off a movie of this scope.

Others are worried about small details, such as the practicality of Kylo Ren’s lightsaber hilt, which caused a bit of an uproar from fans on online forums.

Fans argued over whether the design was practical, what its inspirations were in real life and some made videos of how the character might fight with the newly designed lightsaber.

However, doubtful of the quality of the film or not, all “Star Wars” fans can agree that it will be exciting to see Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3PO reunite on screen after more than 30 years.

Many are excited for the new characters as well. Characters such as Rey, played

by Daisy Ridley, Finn, played by John Boyega and Kylo, played by Adam Driver, seem like they will be promising additions to the franchise.

The actors portraying these characters are fairly new to the world of cinema, which is reminiscent of how Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford were new to the silver screen when they first appeared in “Star Wars.”

Additionally, using the score of the original trilogy in the teaser was a stroke of brilliance.

This immortal soundtrack stirred the hearts of even the most reluctant viewers of the new trilogy. Five time Oscar-winning composer John Williams will return to the “Star Wars” franchise to orchestrate the soundtrack of the new film.

“The Force Awakens” will certainly hold many special moments, regardless of whether or not its quality will be able to hold a candle to the original saga.

Daily Mail/Creative Commons

Cooking with Colleen:

Holiday Dessert Alternatives

By Colleen O'Connor Assistant Vine Editor With the end of the year approaching rapidly, only one thing stands in your way until New Year’s: Christmas. All those high-calorie and sugary desserts can really test your will and throw a kink in your healthy eating plan, especially when all these tasty desserts surround you at family gatherings. However, there are healthier options to these traditional desserts and substitutions you can make to keep your favorite desserts on the table, without the guilt. Here are a few of my favorite substitutions and desserts for the holidays: Use Agave/Stevia as a replacement for sugar Personally, I advocate for stevia over agave, but both sugar substitutes have less calories than table sugar.

Stevia is much sweeter than traditional table sugar, which means you can use less of it in your dessert recipes and still have your cookies and cakes taste the same as they did with regular sugar.

According to All About Agave, agave nectar is also much sweeter than sugar, meaning you can use less agave than you would sugar and get the same taste; however, it does have more calories than sugar. Agave is also diabetic-friendly due to a lower glycemic index.

Use dark chocolate as a substitute Dark chocolate, the bitter cousin to tasty milk chocolate and white chocolate, surprisingly has many different health benefits. According to Authority Nutrition, quality dark chocolate is loaded with fiber, antioxidants and iron, making it much more nutritious and beneficial to your health than milk chocolate. Dark chocolate can also reduce the risk of heart problems by improving blood flow,

which helps to lower blood pressure. I suggest getting a bar of high quality dark chocolate and breaking it into chunks to make your own chocolate chips for dark chocolate chip cookies. The store-bought dark chocolate chips rarely have as many nutritional benefits as the higher-cacao quality bars of dark chocolate.

Oatmeal raisin cookies These are the best cookies in the world so long that they’re made right.

If you’re looking for a sweet treat with recognizable ingredients, this is your safest bet. The most important aspect of the recipe is the ratio of oats to flour. Too much of either ruins the cookie. You can also substitute whole wheat or gluten free flour for the white flour to make these cookies even healthier, as whole wheat flour has more dietary fiber. I also recommend sprinkling a little confectioner’s sugar on top for presentation. A sprinkle of cinnamon also adds flavor to these cookies, but be warned: too much cinnamon (anything over about 2-3 teaspoons) makes the cookies taste like a cinnamon challenge. I learned this lesson the hard way after thinking that one cup of cinnamon would be a good substitute for one cup of brown sugar. News flash: It’s not.

Fondue with fruit.

Here’s an easy way to get some fruit into your diet during Christmas. Fondue with fruit is an easy-tomake substitution to, say, tiramisu or another dessert that is high in sugar, saturated fats and calories. Just heat up some dark chocolate or cheese fondue (I recommend using gruyere cheese) from the store, toss some strawberries, grapes, apples and whatever other fruits you feel go well with fondue, and voilà. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can make your own fondue by melting dark chocolate or cheese over the stovetop.

Colleen O'Connor/The Mirror

The Vine

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THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

ashionably

by Nicole Funaro

airfield

Anne Marie Dennen '19 Business Undeclared How did you put your outfit together this morning?

I picked something that was comfortable and easy to wear and warm.

Where did you get the pieces that you’re wearing?

I actually got this shirt at a consignment store, and then the jacket came from Macy’s, and I don’t remember where my shoes came from.

How would you describe your personal style?

Well, I’m on the crew team, so I always wear something that’s comfortable, usually muted col ors. I always wear black, brown and then one thing that’s a color, like I’m wearing purple now.

Always comfortable — that’s the number one thing.

Do you have a favorite color that you like to wear all the time? Why? Purple. Purple or red. Ever since I was little, my mom always liked to say, “Red is a power color.”

She went to Fairfield and so did my sister, so everything [is] Fairfield at our house, so red’s always been in my life.

Do you have a favorite piece in your wardrobe that you wear all the time?

I really like this coat, and I always wear black leggings, which is such a stereotypical girl thing.

And I have a lot of ankle boots.

Is there a trend that you would like to try? If so, what?

I would like to start wearing more dresses because I have a lot, but I never wear them. So I’d like to work those into my weekly outfits.

Is there a celebrity whose style you admire? If so, who and why?

Vanessa Hudgens. There are a lot of tweets about her — I like her style because she’s always wearing something that looks really comfortable. She likes those printed pants and that Bohemian style.

Nicole Funaro/The Mirror Freshman Anne Marie Dennen favors ankle boots as her footware of choice.

Sky HD Wallpaper/Creative Commons

Album Spoiler: 'A Head Full of Dreams' by Coldplay

By Christine Ducey Contributing Writer The musicians who brought us timeless classics such as “Yellow,” “The Scientist” and “Clocks” now bring us a new, fast-paced feel with songs from their latest album, “A Head Full of Dreams.” Coldplay, the seminal British rock band fronted by singer Chris Martin, could be considered legendary due to the way it has revolutionized the idea of alternative rock with its flair and immense popularity in the past two decades.

Until the release of “A Head Full of Dreams,” the band had not strayed far from this mellow, indiealternative style of music, leading to controversy over the newer album’s techno, pop and electronic dance influences throughout the 11-song playlist.

Many fans question if this album will be the end of Coldplay’s chart-topping success, but this may

only be the beginning of a new, modern era of Coldplay.

In the title track, “A Head Full of Dreams,” Martin belts with the same great vocals he started with in 1996 in this fast-paced number that sets the energetic tone for the remainder of the album. Martin is getting older, and his voice in certain songs (“Everglow” and “Amazing Day,” specifically) sounds a little croaky. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, where in songs like “A Head Full of Dreams” and “Birds” it works well with the rhythmic structure.

The melody on “Hymn for the Weekend,” featuring Beyoncé, soars well above countless other Coldplay melodies, providing the most solid pop foundation pulled off by the group in this endeavor. The lyrics are stellar as Martin reminisces about his emotional battles against an electro-dance backdrop, singing, “Oh now I think I must be miles up / When I was hurt, withered, dried up / You came to rain a flood.” Perhaps the best song on the album, one could listen to this four-minute track on repeat for hours without becoming bored or aggravated.

Unfortunately, not every song on the album proves to be easy on the ears. “Amazing Day” is not Martin’s best work. While the title of the ballad leads to the assumption that this will be a positive, happy number, Martin sounds as if he is wailing in agony in the duration of this symphonic mess.

“Up&Up” has a similar harmony to this track, only it approaches the style of singing in a far better manner and is a superior song on this account. Both of these songs sound different than past Coldplay songs in the sense that Martin is trying to hit a larger range of pitches in a shorter amount of time. In “Amazing Day,” he fails this feat, though, while in “Up&Up” he succeeds.

This album is not the demise of Coldplay. The new sound works very well for the band, and isn’t nearly as alarming as many fans feared. Listen to it while driving, cooking, working, or celebrating and it will surely be one of your most favorite albums of 2015.

THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

The Vine

Page 11

Inkwell Spotlight 'Mockingjay Part 2' fails to end 'Stuck in a Rut'

By John McGovern Treasurer at The Inkwell

saga on a momentous note

By James Della Rocca Contributing Writer

What’s the latest craze, my friend?

Sometimes it seems like it’ll never end.

It just goes on and on, And I don’t know what to do.

It’s the hour of truth. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2,” the final film based on Suzanne Collins’ novel, premiered on Nov. 20. In the final chapter of the Hunger Games series, Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, goes to Oh what will it be today, my friend? the Capitol behind the front lines of war to capture propo films Come on tell me what’s the latest trend.

— propaganda films shot by District 13 to help sway District A brand new diet, citizens to turn against the Capitol— and to assassinate PresiOr a government scandal. dent Snow, played by Donald Sutherland.

Her team consists of Gale Hawthorne, played by Liam But I can’t see through the clouds, Hemsworth, and Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson, as I can’t see what’s really going on, well as some members of the army of District 13.

The candle's finally going out, Katniss has gone through a lot since the beginning of the And I feel afraid that tomorrow will be, series; from a jaded citizen in the Hunger Games to a reluctant Be another foggy day victor and a symbol of revolution in Catching Fire, to finally a military symbol for freedom and a leader to the people in the Tell me, my good friend, Mockingjay films.

When will the people finally bend?

Though Katniss is supposed to be the voice of the revoluIs it too much to take, tion, most of the time Lawrence sounds monotonous in KatOr are the fads just made for us? niss’ speeches, which brings down her performance as a whole.

During her speeches to the Districts’ citizens, the messages Don’t lie to me, my friend.

Katniss provides are inspirational, but lack emotional bravado.

I don’t know how long I can pretend.

Even when she interacted with her love interests, there was no I can’t stay up to date real compatibility, with Lawrence always acting rigid around With these seasonal emotions. either Gale or Peeta. Gale and Peeta had a better on-screen conversation than Katniss had with either of them.

But I can’t see through these storms, Lawrence is supposed to be an excellent actress, as shown It’s like they never will fade. by her numerous nominations at the Academy Awards and With no land on the horizon Golden Globes, among others, but for the most part she falls I’m afraid that tomorrow will be, flat in her portrayal of Katniss here.

Be another foggy day Even in the previous “Hunger Games” films, she didn’t show much emotion in her words or actions, always acting stoAnother foggy day with no light shining in, ic or blowing up in anger or sadness. There was no in between Another cloud another craze with no hope of an end. on her emotional spectrum.

I can’t fight any more when I can’t see the sky, Katniss is supposed to be this great, inspiring symbol, but I can hardly move without the fear of falling. instead she is let down by Lawrence’s delivery of the lines. This dampened my response to the film. It could’ve been so much Wikipedia/Creative Commons better if not for Lawrence’s delivery.

President Snow holds up as one of the best characters in the series. Sutherland continues to portray the twisted actions of Snow in Mockingjay as the aging President still plays with Katniss’ mind until the very end, such when he put the thought into Katniss’ mind that Alma Coin, played by Julianne Moore, was not who she appeared to be.

Though some of the characters’ performances were hit or miss, the makeup for the Capitol’s citizens was a high point for the film. During one point of the film, thousands of Capitol citizens marched in the streets, creating what seemed like a sea of color. The dark colored coats they each wore helped to contrast and bring out the bright blues and reds, among other colors, in their hair. Natalie Dormer, who plays Cressida, the director of the propos, showcased intricate and beautiful tattoo patterns on her head, making her stand out among the rest of the propo film crew as one of their leaders. She takes charge throughout the film, such as when she uses her gun power to fight off the muts and helps the team navigate the streets of the Capitol to arrive at the safe house in Tigris’ clothing shop. The makeup for the character, Tigris played by Eugenie Bondurant, a shopkeeper who hides Katniss and company in the Capitol, was amazingly beautiful; she resembled a tiger more so than she did a human. Though she didn’t have many lines, her presence was simply impactful with just her special effects makeup.

One my biggest gripes with the movie is that the ending was made extremely obvious to the audience, with a variety of complaints coming from audience members easily predicting key plot points, despite not reading any of the books or seeing any of the previous films. Two scenes that were supposed to be monumental plot twists in the novel were spoiled when onscreen actions taken by the characters ended up revealing those aspects of the plot, rather than letting the plot move forward on its own.

In spite of the subpar portrayal of its main character, “Mockingjay Part 2” acts as a lackluster ending to a great film series. However, the action sequences redeem the film against the previous iterations, adding an unwavering sense of anticipation around every corner. The film overall provides a suitable culmination to the story of Katniss Everdeen, “The Girl on Fire.”

New Duke traces legacy of jazz with contemporary flair

By Andrew DaRosa Vine Editor

For a jazz ensemble in the 21st century, transposing this timeless genre is no easy task for a generation brought up on the rhymes and rhythms of rap and pop. Fortunately, Music Director of Jazz and Popular Music Brian Torff, and his group, New Duke, are the hallmark of bringing jazz fusion to the Northeast with their well-known mashups of jazz standards with artists ranging from Cream to James Brown to Pharrell Williams.

“Music is a language and if you are speaking in a language that is very foreign to the listener, they’re going to have a tough time” said Torff when discussing the difficulty of relating to younger generations of music listeners not familiar with the sounds of jazz.

“So what you need to do is not water down your music but find a way to bridge those gaps.”

Torff, who has been teaching at Fairfield for the past 20 years, got his start in the jazz community in 1974 when he was offered to join Leo Claine’s band as their bassist. Since then, Torff has been invited to play at the White House for Former President Ronald Reagan, played with countless classical players such as Yo-Yo Ma and has even composed pieces played by the Boston Pops. Today, Torff has retired from active touring and finds himself at home with the students of Fairfield University and also with his new group, the New Duke Orchestra.

In 2011, Torff gathered local adjunct faculty of the University as well as various players he has met on the road to form New Duke. The group, who recently engaged in a

mini-tour this December, is dedicated to fusion of classical jazz with modern influences, hoping to ascertain the attention of audiences that are unfamiliar with jazz.

Unfortunately though, the group experienced tragedy this past fall when their drummer, former professor of visual and performing arts, Don Mulvaney, passed away due to complications from an accident.

“We have world shocks like what we had in Paris and we have personal shocks occasionally, we were shattered,” said Torff. “We honor him in our performances this December but what does tragedy do? It brings you closer and gives you a different perspective on life, maybe an even deeper one than before.”

A difficulty from Torff now, despite recuperating from the loss of Mulvaney, is managing to get booked and also find time to rehearse with the group. “Getting gigs is always a challenge,” said Torff. “Music is wonderful and I love it with a passion but it can’t give you everything. You have to realize at the end of the day that you have to have other things in your life.”

For Torff, busyness is key to maintaining his composure, and he thoroughly enjoys teaching at Fairfield, where he is best able to blend his passion for music with his satisfaction of providing excellence of musical education for his students. “In a way, the classroom is like a performance,” said Torff. “Whenever I bring a teacher in, I want them not only to be a great player but a really great teacher and a good communicator.”

In 2016, Torff hopes to bring New Duke out for more shows in the Northeast as well as make some time in the recording studio to produce the first full-length album for New Duke.

Contributed Photo

Coffee Break

THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

Page 12

COFFEE BREAK Editor: Allison White

... As Overheard in Barone Compiled by Allison White Coffee Break Editor

Scan the QR code below with a smartphone to read more of this week’s overheard quotes!

“The turkey population has definitely declined.”

“Is anyone else still in a food coma from Thanksgiving?”

“I can’t get through these next few weeks without three coffees a day.”

“During finals, sleep is for the weak. Then it’ll be for a week.”

“I don’t know what’s worse: Barone food or my mom’s cooking.”

“You know things are getting intense when you swap in sleep instead of Netflix.”

Tweet us your #OverheardBarone comments @FairfieldMirror and be featured next week!

Stags Trivia 1.What animal roams around campus constantly?

2.When did Midnight Breakfast become a tradition?

3.When is Midnight Breakfast?

DM us on Twitter @FairfieldMirror with the correct answers to these questions to win an exclusive Mirror giveaway.

Play some...

Sudoku

How to play: Complete the puzzle by filling in numbers one through nine (with no repeats or missing numbers) in each column, row and 3 x 3 square.

Sports

Page 13

THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

SPORTS

Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com

NHL contenders emerge midway through the season

By Joseph Imbriani Contributing Writer As we make our way past Thanksgiving and into the prime winter months, the NHL is in full force. So far this season, there have been a few teams that have separated themselves from the rest of the league.

Starting in the Eastern Conference, one of the teams that has started off well is the Montreal Canadiens. They have the best record in the entire NHL and they have been winning games with their offense, defense and goaltending.

As a team, they are second in goals per game, third in goals against and also in the top five when it comes to being on the power play and the penalty kill — fourth and second, respectively. The team has been led by all-star caliber goaltender Carey Price, but they are not the only team that has been playing well on both ends of the ice.

The New York Rangers are also among one of the league’s best, and they are getting it done with great offense and goaltending. They are the number one team in the NHL in goals against and seventh in the league in scoring. Even though they have lost three out of their last four games, they still sit alone at the top of their division.

Henrik Lundqvist has been the best goalie this year for any team and he looks like the same goalie that won the Vezina Trophy back in 2012. Despite only scoring one goal in his first 17 games this season, Rick Nash has tallied seven goals in his last eight and showing that he is still the same guy that scored 42 goals just one season ago.

The last team in the NHL that has separated themselves from the rest of the pack is the Dallas Stars. This came surprising to a lot of people since the Stars did not even make the playoffs last year, but they are off to a fast start thanks to the unbelievable play of the best duo in all of hockey. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin have combined for 31 goals, 38 assists, 69 points and a plusminus of +20. All of these numbers are by far the best by any offensive pair in the entire league.

Also, the Stars were able to make an improvement at goalie over the offseason as they signed long-time San Jose Shark Antii Niemi to a multiyear deal. This much-needed boost between the pipes has helped Dallas dramatically.

There are also a few teams that are starting to break into the top part of the NHL, including the Washington Capitals.

Winners of their last five games, the Caps have been led by the offense of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov and the top notch goaltending of Braden Holtby.

Holtby is the only goalie in the NHL right now that has a goals against average below two goals a game. If they are to keep this up, they have to play well against well-performing teams since they have to play the Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings in the upcoming week.

The other team that is on a hot streak is the Boston Bruins.

Also winners of their last five games, the Bruins look to continue their success as they start a western Canada road trip on Wednesday.

The Bruins owe their success this season to their goal scoring.

They are third in the NHL in goals per game, and they are top in the league on the power play. Nobody really expected this out

of the Bruins especially after they missed the playoffs due to not scoring enough just last year.

What is holding them back this year is the bad play of their goaltender Tuukka Rask. His 2.94 goals against average is not even in the top 30 in the NHL. Rask will have to step up his game if the Bruins want to keep this winning streak going and get even closer to the top of the league.

Wikipedia/Creative Commons New York's Henrik Lundqvist is ranked second in the league with 664 saves and leads the league with a .930 save percentage.

Highlights from the past week: Fairfield field hockey juniors Ann Burgoyne and Julie de Paeuw were both named to the 2015 Longstreth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I All-Mideast Region Team. Burgoyne and de Paeuw were both integral parts of the 2015 team that won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship and advanced to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament for the first time since 2001.

On Friday, Dec. 4 the men’s basketball team hosted MAAC rival Rider. Four Stags scored in double digits to lead Fairfield to a 74-70 victory. Up by just one with less than two minutes remaining, Matija Milin ‘19 connected on a three to finish the game. The freshmen class had a productive outing as Jonathan Kasibabu and Curtis Cobb each scored a game-high 14 points, while Milin added 13 points of his own.

Sophomore Tyler Nelson finished the game with 13 points and six assists.

This break in sports: Wednesday, December 9 Women's Basketball vs. Albany, 7 p.m.

Fairfield’s volleyball team opened up the NCAA Tournament with a firstround matchup against third-ranked Texas on Thursday, Dec. 3. The Stags put up a valiant effort as they competed in all three sets, but unfortunately could not pick up a set victory as they fell by set scores of 25-18, 25-18 and 25-17. Fairfield wraps up its season as MAAC Champions with a record of 21-10.

Thursday, December 17 Women's Basketball at Cornell, 5 p.m.

Friday, December 18 Men's Basketball vs. Wagner, 7 p.m.

The Fairfield Mirror extends congratulations to:

Sunday, December 20 Women's Basketball vs. IPFW, 2 p.m.

Tuesday, December 22 Women's Basketball at St. John's, 2 p.m.

Photos contributed by Sports Information Desk

In this week's issue...

- NFL Update: Jets edge Giants, Pats drop two (Page 14) - Women's basketball drops third straight (Page 15) - Stag Spotlight: Faith Daley '18 (Page 15) - Stags win 83-79 in overtime against Sacred Heart (Page 16)

Men's Basketball vs. Loyola (Md.), 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 27 Men's Basketball at Bucknell, 2 p.m.

Monday, December 28 Women's Basketball vs. Harvard, 7 p.m.

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

NFL Update: Jets edge Giants in overtime, Pats drop two in a row

By Morgan Rosemann Contributing Writer Although there are two NFL franchises located in New York City, a Giants-Jets matchup only occurs once every four years in the regular season.

The two New York squads faced off on Sunday, with the Jets edging the Giants in overtime 23-20. It was another heartbreaking loss for the G-Men, as they blew yet another fourth quarter lead. They led 20-10 entering the fourth, but couldn’t contain Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets offense.

Also, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin made a questionable call in trying to convert the first down on fourth down with nine minutes left in the game. The Giants’ offense had the ball on the four-yard line, and Coughlin opted to go for it rather than take an easy field goal and increase their lead 23-10.

It was the wrong decision, as Giants QB Eli Manning was intercepted by Jets safety Rontez Miles. On the ensuing drive, the Jets hit a field goal to cut the deficit to seven.

On the Jets final drive of regulation, Fitzpatrick hit his favorite target wide receiver Brandon Marshall for a nine-yard touchdown catch to tie the game at 20.

In OT after Jets kicker Randy Bullock hit his third field goal of the day, Giants kicker Josh Brown was the Giants last hope in continuing OT. He failed to do so, as he missed a 48yard attempt and the comeback was complete for the Jets. It was Brown’s first miss of the season. For the Jets (7-5), Fitzpatrick played his best game as a Jet. He threw for 390 yards with two TDs, completing 36 of 50 passes.

Marshall finished with 12 catches for 131 yards and a TD that forced the game into OT. He also surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the season, becoming the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 yards receiving in a season for four different teams.

And for the Giants (5-7), they did not get a good performance from Manning. He completed 18 of 34 pass attempts for 297 yards, one TD and one interception.

However, WR Odell Beckham, Jr. was one of the lone bright spots. He had six catches for 149 yards, including an impressive one-handed snag and a 72-yard TD in which he displayed his unbelievable breakaway speed.

The Patriots have suffered their first losing streak of the season, as they were upset by the Philadelphia Eagles 35-28. The Eagles received game-changing plays from their special teams and defense.

Linebacker Najee Goode scooped up a blocked punt and took it to the house for the Eagles. Darren Sproles had an 83-yard punt return for a TD. Safety Malcolm Jenkins picked off QB Tom Brady and returned it 99 yards for the score. This game had to be the biggest upset of the weekend, as the Eagles (5-7) forced their way into a three-way tie into first place of the NFC East with the Washington Redskins and the Giants.

Brady was intercepted twice, but nearly led the Pats to a comeback. But the Eagles defense held their ground. Brady finished with 312 yards, four TDs (one rushing) and two picks.

The loss dropped the Pats’ record to 102, and they are now tied with the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals for the top seed in the AFC after previously being solely in first.

QB Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers survived a near upset to remain perfect, winning 41-38 against the New Orleans Saints. At 12-0, they’re the only undefeated team remaining in the NFL. It will be interesting to see whether the Panthers do go undefeated like the 2007 Pats. Certainly, the final quarter of the regular season will bring a lot of excitement Wikipedia/Creative Commons for fans to say the least.

Philadelphia Eagles' safety Malcolm Jenkins had a huge interception and ran 99 yards for a touchdown off a pass by Tom Brady in the second quarter of Sunday's win against the Patriots.

Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ...

Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief

Alfredo Torres Sports Editor

Patrick Kiernan, Alfredo Torres, Meaghan Conlon and Jesse Erickson

Kobe Bryant officially announces Pats lose not one but two in a his retirement, any words on row, what are your thoughts on Kobe? the Pats now?

The women's basketball team has lost three in a row, how do you think we'll bounce back?

Finals are here! What are you doing to prepare for exams?

What are your plans for the winter break?

It's the end of one of the greatest careers in NBA history. Hate to see someone with his heart and ego go out in this faltering fashion.Which number should they retire? Probably not the 8 that brings back memories of "allegations."

The only thing that would be better is if Brady's leg snaps in half the next time he's sacked. Also, hate to hear Pats fans say that they didn't really lose against the Broncos. You lost to a kid in his second career start, get over yourself.

They'll bounce back just fine. Lot of talent on that team with a winning attitude. No way they take those losses lightly.

Just sleep, watch movies, and try to forget that they exist. Speaking of not studying and watching movies, annyone watch "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" Fantastic movie that I suggest to all of you.

Probably beat six video games and watch three different TV series from start to finish. I lead a really exciting life, right?

After a terrible start to the season, I think Kobe made the right decision. It sucks to lose one of the all time greats, but now it is time to enjoy the final days of the Black Mamba as he does his final tour around the league.

First they lose to the Broncos, a team without Peyton Manning, and then a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Yeah you read that right; the Eagles defeated the mighty Pats in front of a packed house at Gillette Stadium. Stay strong Pats.

Rough losses for us, we've been battling injuries and playing a bunch of tough teams. It's still early in the season so I wouldn't worry about it. We'll bounce back strong and show the MAAC why we were polled number one.

They always say you need a good night's rest. So the first thing on my list is to sleep and sleep until I wake up. Got to get some food, can't work on an empty stomach, a little Netflix. I'll deal with finals when the time arrives.

I actually want to read some books, got two on my list. Going to work a lil, taking pictures, making some money. But most importantly, spending time with family!

I really don't care, but Angela is happy they lost and the Giants lost.

My condolences to all the crushed Pats fans.

There's nothing people love more than a comeback. It's still early in the season, and I'm sure that with the talent on the team the rest of the season will be great.

Procrastinating, stressing, sleeping and studying; in that order. I'll probably shut myself in my room, eat a lot of junk food and just try and survive until Tuesday.

Binge-watching Jessica Jones on Netflix is a high priority. Then maybe I'll be social and see my friends and family; or find another show to watch — I'm open to suggetions.

I feel so sad and disappointed inside.

This is what happens when you think you're unstoppable.

Omg it's okay the men's team has done way worse, it's all going to be so Gucci in the end!

Currently, I am drinking a vodka cran after my shot of Sambucca and I will continue to do this until I leave. Ciao.

Well good news everyone, I am saying ciao to my tonsils so I will be bed-ridden and if you want to visit, you are so welcome. (Bring money, I am broke and can't work).

Best of luck to him in his retirement. While I doubt he can stay Meaghan Conlon out of the media spotlight, hopeExecutive Editor fully he stays out of trouble.

Jesse Erickson Italian Spy

Your 2015-2016 4x5 Columnists:

It's about time ... These are wise words coming from a Saladino sibling because we all know I DON'T CARE ABOUT BASKETBALL.

Sports

THE MIRROR | Week of December 9, 2015

Page 15

Alfredo Torres/The Mirror On Sunday, Dec. 6, Kelsey Carey '17 scored 13 points against Marist, but it wasn't enough as the Stags lost 72-57. Carey has scored in double figures in five out of the season's first six games.

Women's basketball drops third straight to Marist

By Alfredo Torres Sports Editor

After dropping its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game against Iona, the Fairfield women’s basketball team looked to win its first MAAC game on Sunday, Dec. 6, but had no easy contest as they hosted the Red Foxes of Marist.

Although starting the year with a 1-7 record, Marist is still the powerhouse that the MAAC has been used to. Fairfield jumped to an early lead, but struggled on both ends of the court, as Marist would steal one on the road 72-57.

After the Red Foxes connected for the game’s first bucket, the Stags would crack down defensively. Senior Lizzy Ball came out of the gate hot, scoring seven points on 3-4 shooting while also dishing out three assists at the end of one quarter. “When Lizzy plays that way and hits shots like that, it helps to open things up for us,” said head coach Joe Frager.

The Stags finished the first quarter 23-15. Fairfield shot over 75 percent on 10-13 shooting as they limited Marist to a field goal percentage under 50 percent. “We had a lot of good energy early, but more than anything we made shots and when you play against a good team like Marist, you have to make your shots, so I was happy with our offensive start,” said Frager when asked of his team’s early start.

The second quarter of the game saw Marist’s offense start to settle in. The Red Foxes started the quarter down eight, but after four minutes of play, Marist battled back to take the lead 25-23 as Fairfield struggled to knock down a shot.

Although down, the Stags continued to fight, keeping the game close behind seven points and nine rebounds from Samantha Cooper '18. The Stags were down by 36-33 heading into the half.

The Red Foxes started the half right where they left off as they connected on two

consecutive three pointers to push their lead to nine, just three minutes into the third quarter of play. “They were pretty hot in the third quarter, so we’re down three. They come out and hit two threes, so then we’re down nine, and then I think we just kind of just dropped our shoulders and it kind of built up from there. We needed to focus on getting stops and getting back in the game,” said Cooper.

Marist went on a run that left silence around the court at Alumni Hall as they increased their lead to 21. The Red Foxes attempted six shots from three and made all but one, as they shot over 80 percent from the three-point line. The Stags did not enjoy the same success Marist did, as they shot for 20 percent from the field.

“Well, we missed shots, I’ll tell you that much. We had about five or six really good looks at the basket when the game was still a single digit game and that caused it to blow. And Marist at the same time got hot, and I think for about a two-minute stretch, I do think when we missed some shots and the lead got up to nine or 11 there,” said Frager.

With one quarter remaining in the game, the Stags had one last opportunity to cut the lead. But Fairfield’s struggles continued, as the Red Foxes never relinquished their double-digit lead. Behind 20 points apiece from Tori Jarosz and Sydney Coffey, the Red Foxes would pick up their second MAAC win.

“They’re two outstanding players. I’ll be really happy when both of them graduate.

They’re good. Coffey is as good as any guard in the league and like I said, I think you can make a strong argument that Tori [Jarosz] and/or Coffey are the most talented kids in this conference,” said Frager of Marist’s top players.

For the Stags, Cooper finished the game with 11 points and 11 boards for her fifth career double-double. Junior Kelsey Carey continued her hot play with another double-digit performance with 13 points. Fairfield looks to bounce back as they wrap up their home stand on Wednesday, Dec. 9 when the University of Albany comes to town.

Contributed by Sports Information Desk After suffering a torn ACL during last year's playoffs against Niagara, Faith Daley '18 returned earlier than expected to start 11 of her 18 games.

By Conor O'Brien Contributing Writer For athletes, there are very few obstacles that are harder to climb than injuries. A hard collision or an awkward fall can take countless hours of hard work to rehabilitate, denying athletes the opportunity to enjoying the craft they have worked so hard to perfect.

Few know this struggle more than Fairfield’s own Faith Daley ‘18. Daley is a center midfielder for the women’s soccer team. Last year in a playoff game against Niagara University, Daley suffered a torn ACL. “I planted my left foot to cut towards the ball, a Niagara player stepped on my foot and my knee popped out,” recalled Daley. A torn ACL is one of the most brutal injuries in sports. “It awful. It’s a terrible injury. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone,” said Daley.

Professional athletes such as Tom Brady, Tiger Woods and Rajon Rondo have missed up to a full calendar year in their sports due to ACL injuries.

Remarkably, Daley was able to recover in less than 10 months, as she was available to play at the start of the season this past fall. “I was strongly motivated,” said Daley. “I definitely wanted to come back and play this season. I wanted to do everything I could to come back.”

The road to recovery is not an easy one from a torn ACL. After surgery, athletes must prepare themselves for months of physical therapy. The most basic lower body movements can cause an in-

Wikimedia/ Creative Commons

Stag Spotlight: Faith Daley '18

tense amount of pain. After Daley had completed physical therapy, she had to return to the ever constant grind of being a Division I athlete. “It was not easy,” said Daley on returning to the soccer pitch.

“Last year I worked hard to earn my spot, this year I had to do it all again. Everything from getting a touch on the ball to going into tackles was harder just from not having done it in so many months.”

Daley improved as the season went on; she only started once in the first nine games. Then against Stony Brook at the season’s midpoint, Daley became a full-time starter. Fairfield would only lose once in Daley’s first four starts after her mid-season promotion.

For Daley, it was going to take a lot more than that to slow her down. “I’ve been playing soccer my whole life,” said Daley. “Ever since I was a little kid, whether it was playing in the yard with my brother or my parents signing me up for soccer.”

Now a full year removed from her injury, Daley has her eyes set forward on what the future has to offer for her in her team.

“I want us to be better as a team, and for no injuries,” said Daley. “We also want a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship, that’s what you play the game for.”

To make a comeback from a torn ACL and then to go through the physical workload of playing a Division I sport is remarkable. This is exactly what makes Daley’s recovery story so inspiring, as she has come back with the same mentality as last year when she emerged as a shining star on this team.

@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports Week of December 9, 2015

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS 16 Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com

Stags win 83-79 in overtime against Sacred Heart

Alfredo Torres/The Mirror Senior Marcus Gilbert finished the game with 12 points and five rebounds. Gilbert provided excellent leadership down the stretch as Sacred Heart battled all game posing a challenge for Fairfield.

By Alfredo Torres Sports Editor

Tied at 72, Sacred Heart had the final possession and none other than Cane Broome, who finished the game with 18 points, had the ball in his hand. But after heavy pressure, the Stags were able to force a turnover to push the game to overtime.

Overtime belonged to the Stags as Sacred Heart struggled to knock down shots.

Fairfield took advantage and opened up the lead and continued to play great defense to take home the 83-70 victory for their first victory on the season.

For Fairfield, five players scored in double figures, including 12 from both Jonathan Kasibabu '19 and Marcus Gilbert '16, 16 apiece for both Jerry Johnson, Jr. and Nelson; and Segura added 15. Fairfield’s next game is on Friday, Dec. 18 as the Stags defend their home court against Wagner University.

After starting the season at 0-3, the Fairfield men’s basketball team looked to earn their first victory of the regular season when cross-town rival Sacred Heart visited Webster Bank Arena for a battle of Fairfield County. In an overtime thriller, the Stags were able to run away with the 83-79 home win.

Freshman Jerry Johnson, Jr. came off the bench to add 16 points, knocking a few threes and playing solid defense. Jerry Johnson, Jr. was a pivotal part to the team’s win, and when asked about the shooting guard, head coach Sydney Johnson said, “I really believe in the kid. He’s been raised by a great family, came out of a very good basketball program last year as a post-graduate. He can shoot the ball, that’s something that we really enjoy, having guys who can make shots. I think his toughness, his upbringing and that skill set of being able to shoot the ball is a welcome addition to the program.”

The start to the game saw the Pioneers jump out to an early lead as they started the game 13-0, connecting on their first five shots. Nine of Sacred Heart’s first 13 points came from beyond the three-point line.

Fairfield answered with a run of their own, holding the Pioneers scoreless while they scored 14 straight points to take the lead. The 14-0 run saw Tyler Nelson '18 score six points and Jerry Johnson, Jr. connecting on a three-pointer off a fast break to give the Stags the one point lead 14-13 just five minutes into the game.

The next 10 minutes in the half saw both teams battling as the game score was tied four times and saw five lead changes. Tied at 28 with just six minutes left in the first half, Fairfield looked to break open the game.

The Stags began to attack the rim, scoring six of their next 12 from the paint. Sacred Heart’s last points came with a little over two minutes left in the half on a free throw attempt from Quincy McKnight. Fairfield’s offense exploded increasing their lead to nine at the conclusion of the half up 45-34.

After one half of play, Fairfield held the rebounding edge to the Pioneers 26-12.

“One of my coaches said we’re learning fast — that’s really fun and that’s when you know you have a basketball team. Rebounding was an issue for us in game one, but now in the last two games, we’ve outrebounded our opponents — that’s growth, that’s maturity.

I think the resilience has shown up, but we’re just learning fast,” said Sydney Johnson.

The Stags also finished the half with a total of 11 assists. “Ball movement is great, because if you don’t have ball movement you can’t make a team’s defense work. If your defense doesn’t work, they’re going to have a lot of energy to get steals and stops,” said Jerry Johnson, Jr. Fairfield struggled to start the second half of play as they went on a scoring drought, making their first basket five minutes into the half. While Fairfield struggled to score, the Pioneers battled to cut the lead down to three 45-42.

But luckily for the Stags, both Jerome Segura '18 and Jerry Johnson, Jr. enjoyed success from the field. Segura dished off a few assists to find both Jerry Johnson, Jr. and Nelson open from beyond the arc. Segura also added a few points as he made his way to the rim for contested layups.

“I think a lot of that had to do with Jerome Segura. He’s a big time leader for us.

Just getting out in transition and pushing the ball and getting other guys shots. I felt we fed off each other. Jerry [Johnson Jr.] made some big shots as well. I think we followed Jerome and he was key to getting us going,” said Sydney Johnson.

The Stags now held a 10-point lead with less than 10 minutes remaining in the game, but once again the Pioneers’ offense found its groove, battling back to tie the game with Alfredo Torres/The Mirror less than five minutes left in the game. “We relaxed, [and] they kept fighting. I thought Freshman Jerry Johnson, Jr. (top) finished with 16 points, connecting on three shots from beyond the we relaxed and that’s something we can certainly learn from. I just love that even after arc. Sophomore Tyler Nelson (bottom) also finished with 16 points and five assists on Saturday, Nov. 21. relaxing, we never quit,” said Sydney Johnson.