2:21

Page 1

Condoms

Black Panther

Opinion

Vine

Campus needs contraception.

‘Black Panther’ movie promotes diversity in films.

Page 5

Page 8

Swimming Sports Women’s swimming and diving wins MAAC Championship. Page 15

THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Week of February 21, 2018

Vol. 43 Iss. 17

@FairfieldMirror

Follow us! FairfieldMirror.com

n i a g a r e v e n # one a Carb n n a e By D ditor ews E Co-N

The most recent school shooting in Florida has set off a political discourse between the survivors of the tragedy, students and teachers of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and political commentators as well. Amid the numerous school shootings that have occurred in the United States, politicians are being faced with mounting pressure to enact legislation in order to prevent more gun-related deaths in this manner. To give an overarching perspective on the matter, according to NPR, The U.S. had 3.85 deaths per 100,000 people due to gun violence in 2016.This rate is eight times higher than that of Canada’s, which had only 0.48 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people in the same year. Coming in even lower on the list is Denmark, which had 0.14 deaths via gun violence per 100,000 people. There has been an outcry on social media from the students involved in the shooting begging for change and sharing their own personal experience. Their tweets have been concluding with the hashtag #NeverAgain to emphasize their beliefs that en ough is enough. Students and teachers affected by the traumatic event organized a March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C. to call for policy reform. The issue has hit home with students and faculty around the United States. Here at Fairfield, many students have expressed concern for the future of this country amid these frequent school shootings. Senior Daniel Gatazka noted that, “I think one of the primary issues we have with gun control is that nothing changes. Since Columbine we have seen the same incidents. Every couple of months we see or hear of a new mass shooting. After each tragedy, both political sides give their own platform without actually doing anything.” This feeling of inactivity in terms of legislative action appears to be a common theme among those who are frustrated with these frequent ‘lone-wolf ’ type of mass shootings. One student, Alec Lurie ‘19, who is also President of the Fairfield University College Democrats, felt that, “It’s extremely upsetting to me that we’ve come to this place in the debate. At this point, I feel that ‘gun control’ in the traditional sense of the phrase is entirely off the table.” Lurie went on to say that, READ UNIVERSITY ON PAGE  “We’ve waited

e Rourk nor O’ Editor n o C By ws ant Ne Assist

Compiled from Small Arms Survey, Congressional Research Service, NPR and Everytown.org


THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

News

Page 2

ACDC Prepares Students for Upcoming Career Fair By Juliana Sansonetti Co-News Editor

News, HamletHub, Indeed, Inspira Marketing, Hooplaha, Serendipity Magazine, Judicial Branch of Conn., Subway, Vineyard Vines, Ability Beyond, and various nonprofit With the end of the semester rapidly approaching, students, especially juniors organizations. and seniors, have begun to frantically search for employment in earnest. With juniors “It’s a nice mix for someone in the business school, someone in engineering, or searching for summer internships and seniors searching for jobs post-graduation, this someone in arts and sciences,” said Gallo. “Our goal is to have something for everycan be an especially stressful time for upperclassmen. Fortunately, the Career & In- body.” ternship Fair exists to help these students in their Gallo also emphasized the importance of dohunt for jobs. ing research on employers before talking to them. This semester, the fair will be held on Feb. 28 She suggested checking the employer’s website and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Leslie C. Quick Jr. checking their Stags4Hire profile or career page Recreation Complex. to see if they have any positions posted. Students The Career Fair is an opportunity for students should also remember to take employer’s business and employers to connect. cards after speaking with them. Computer science major Khalefa Stevens ‘21 When asked if the Career Fair benefits stucommented, “All majors rely on connections, but dents of all majors equally, Gallo responded in the especially majors for business or sciences. I think affirmative. we need to go to the career fair to see what the “I think it also takes research,” Gallo continfield is actually like and what kind of employees ued. “If a student doesn’t do research, they won’t they want so you can build on that in college.” see that they can be hired by companies that they Associate Director of Career Services Stephmight not initially consider. For example, finance anie Gallo also commented on the Career Fair. companies hire communications majors all the “Before going to the Career Fair, students should time.” visit the list of companies going, do research on Communications major Erica Christiansen the companies that they want to visit, and prepare ‘20, however, did not agree with this sentiment. an elevator pitch: a quick minute and a half intro“I think it was mostly finance and accounting,” duction of themselves,” Gallo advised. “We have she said of the opportunities at the fair last year. resources at the Career Center to assist with that, “They should reach out to a broader range of and we have some upcoming workshops to prePhoto taken from fairfieldacdc Instagram companies looking for certain kinds of interns bepare for the Career Fair.” At last year’s spring Career Fair students connected with potential employers. yond the business school,” Christiansen added. The first of these workshops, “Preparing for When asked if she found Academic & Career the Career & Internship Fair,” was held on Feb. 20 Development Center helpful in preparing for the fair, in the Barone Campus Center 200 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This workshop assisted Christiansen vehemently agreed. students with “what to wear, what to bring, how to network, strategies to utilize, as “I think I got more out of going to the career office than going to the Career Fair,” well as making a positive first impression,” according to OrgSync. The other workshop, she said. “College of Arts & Sciences: Résumés and Career Fair Prep,” will be held on Feb. 22 Gallo, however, countered that, “We’ve been getting more companies interested in from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kelley Center Presentation Room. This workshop prepares communications people but if communications students don’t show up, those compastudents for the same topics as the other workshop, according to OrgSync. nies might not come back.” Gallo also emphasized that the Career Center will be taking walk-in appointments “I can’t think of any student that it wouldn’t make sense to come,” Gallo added. all day on Tuesday, Feb. 27 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for assistance with preparing “We have a lot of companies coming that would hire students of all majors. I would arrésumés and elevator pitches. gue that the Career Fair is beneficial to all students. Even if there aren’t any companies According to Gallo, over 90 employers will be in attendance at the fair. This is very you’re interested in at the Career Fair, it’s still a good opportunity to network and to close to the same amount as at last year’s spring Career Fair; however, there were five practice talking about yourself to employers.” more companies present last year. A complete list of the employers coming to the fair Students will also have an opportunity to take headshots for their LinkedIn procan be found on OrgSync. files at the Career Fair. Gallo emphasized that students who tend to not come to the Career Fair, such Gallo said, “College is a time for exploring opportunities, and the Career Fair is a as students in the College of Arts and Sciences, may be interested in some of the em- great opportunity to talk to companies you might not have known you were interested ployers that will be present at the Career Fair. These employers include Epsilon, Fox in.”

Students Give Back to Community at Blood Drive

Jacob Buttiker/The Mirror Students are seen donating blood at the Red Cross Blood Drive in the Oak Room in the Barone Campus Center.

By Jacob Buttiker Contributing Writer “Please Give Blood.” That is the simple, yet direct, slogan of the Red Cross. Blood is arguably one of the highest demanded products in the world at any given time. In order to meet this demand, the Red Cross holds three blood drives a year here at Fairfield University. This week, they will be operating out of the Oak Room in the Barone Cam-

pus Center on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. According to Pat Pattonelli, the Collections Team Supervisor who has been with the Red Cross for 16 years, the organization hopes to collect 45-50 pints of blood from any one of their drives. In order to achieve this goal, they must have somewhere around 75 donors total. “By donating one pint of blood, you could be responsible for saving up

to three lives,” exclaimed Pattonelli when speaking on the importance of donors to the organization’s overall success. Pattonelli explained that every pint of blood has three uses: red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Since red blood cells have the highest demand, they are most frequently used within four days of the donation, and commonly needed in the trauma units of hospitals. Platelets are usually provided to cancer patients, as chemotherapy makes it difficult for their blood to coagulate without them. Lastly, the plasma found in blood is crucial to the healing process for many trauma victims and can be commonly found in burn wards. However, donating blood is not something that just anyone can do. According to the Red Cross donor information packet, a questionnaire and physical examination are mandatory, and the donor must be at least 18 years of age and a minimum of 110 pounds. Anybody who fails to meet any one of these requirements will be deemed ineligible to donate. Both Fairfield students and Fairfield residents could be found waiting to give blood after passing their examinations. “I began donating blood when my husband’s father was sick and needed it. Since then I’ve just been donating as much as I can. It changes things when you personally know someone who needs it,” commented Fairfield resident Chelsea Marshall. Others who were there had heard about the drive through the school and felt compelled to help out. “I saw the email and just felt it was important to donate,” said Kat Valente ‘21. Fairfield University always looks for their students to apply their motto, “men and women for others,” in their daily lives. Those at the drive who gave an hour of their time to help those in need truly embody this statement.


THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

News

Page 3

The Mirror Reflects on this Week in Social Media Compiled by Juliana Sansonetti Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety. Tuesday, 2/13 6:45 p.m. The smell of marijuana led DPS to a room inside of Regis Hall. Three students were found in the room. Two of the students were criminally charged with possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana. All three students were referred to student conduct.

Wednesday, 2/14 10:37 p.m. The smell of marijuana led DPS to a room in Gonzaga Hall. Three students were present. DPS uncovered bongs and other paraphernalia. Three students have been referred to student conduct.

Saturday, 2/17 6:08 p.m. Somebody had dislodged the exterior window screen in a room in Dolan Hall and were found smoking in the room. The student involved has been referred to student conduct.

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

Allison White, Editor-in-Chief Andrew DaRosa, Executive Editor Catherine Veschi, Managing Editor Editors Juliana Sansonetti, Co-News Deanna Carbone, Co-News Connor O’Rourke, Assistant News Sabina Dirienzo, Opinion Alicia Phaneuf, Vine Cara Lee, Assistant Vine Claire Monahan, Coffee Break Alfredo Torres, Sports Patrick Getz, Assistant Sports Online Bradley Nordstrom, Web Master Ariana Puzzo, Online Editor-in-Chief Pamela Kask, Online Opinion Editor Kelley Ekert, Online Coffee Break Editor Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Natalia Macchio, Director of Finance Adviser Dr. Tommy Xie Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com


Page 4

THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

News

What’s Going on in the United States and Around the World By Connor O’Rourke Assistant News Editor

U.S. News

World News

Washington, D.C: According to CNN, President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Feb. The Netherlands: According to The Guardian, The Netherlands is starting to be20., directed his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, to bring about changes that would ban come a “narco-state,” where the police are becoming increasingly unable to combat the ‘bump stocks,’ which make it easier to fire rounds more rapidly. The ban would prevent emergence of a parallel criminal economy. Crime, as a whole, as per official figures, this device from turning legal weapons into what are essentially “machine guns.” is on a downward trend, but the Dutch police noted that many victims have ceased reporting incidents while organized crime organizations have been allowed to have Parkland, Fla: On Wednesday, Feb. 14, 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz free reign. shot and killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the BBC reported. This is the deadliest U.S. school shooting since the Sandy Hook Elementary School Berlin, Germany: The Telegraph reported on Tuesday, Feb. 20, that a dog from shooting in Newtown, Conn. in 2012. Spain has been signed up as a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which is currently holding a poll on whether or not the party should join a coalition under Tallahassee, Fla: According to PBS Newshour, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, the Florida Chancellor Angela Merkel. One of Germany’s newspapers, Bild, admitted on Tuesday House voted against a ban on assault rifles, less than a week after 17 people were shot that they had tricked the SPD into signing the dog up to test the party’s identity checkdead at a Florida high school. The motion failed by a 36-71 vote in the house. ing procedures. Washington, D.C: CBS News reported that on Tuesday, Feb. 20, President Trump Washington D.C: Sky News reported on Tuesday, Feb. 20, a Russian tycoon’s lashed out at a woman, Rachel Crooks, who is currently claiming that the president son-in-law, Dutch lawyer Alex Van Der Zwaan, 33, claimed that he misled US Special once forcibly kissed her. As of now, the president insists that it never happened and Counsel Robert Mueller about his communications with political consultant and lobthat he has not, for that matter, even met this woman in the first place. byist Rick Gates during their investigation regarding the Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Puerto Rico: According to NBC News, the suicide rate in Puerto Rico has spiked, five months following Hurricane Maria, despite prior years of steady drops. The PuerSeoul, South Korea: According to Reuters, South Korea is expected to announce to Rico Department of Health reported that 2017 concluded with a 29 percent increase a joint military drill plan with the United States before April. North Korea had agreed in suicide cases. to hold official talks with Seoul for the first time in more than two years following the postponement of regular drills. Dallas, Texas: According to USA Today, the NRA (National Rifle Association) was faced with criticism by Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, who stated on Sao Paulo, Brazil: According to the Huffington Post, Brazil’s military is taking Monday, Feb. 19, they would be “met with opposition” if they continue with plans to over security in Rio De Janeiro, which is likely to worsen the experience of poor resihold an event from May 4-6 in the downtown area of the city. If the NRA were to go to dents who are already subject to most of Rio’s worse violence. The decision was made Dallas, Caraway added, “There will be marches and demonstrations.” on Friday, Feb. 16 by the Brazilian President Michel Temer. Wikimedia/Creative Commons

Wikimedia/Creative Commons

Fairfield Raises Funds ‘For The Kids’ By Connor O’Rourke Assistant News Editor

University Weighs In On Gun Control Continued From Page 

so long and lost so many lives that the discussion has devolved into whether we should allow dangerous individuals to have guns. We’re no longer talking about intricate policy issues. The question of bump stocks has faded away. Now, all I hope to see is that Congress will take the simplest, most sensible steps available to curb the bloodshed.” According to Dr. Jocelyn Boryczka, professor of politics at the University, “As young people with their entire lives ahead of them who watched their friends be shot understand what is at stake and what is at stake is the social contract of this country.” Boryczka added that, “The freedom to have a weapon that is not constrained no longer seems reasonable when young people’s lives are at stake.” She discussed her belief in the younger generation to be the catalyst for change over a different platform. “Young people understand how to use social media. This provides a different place for them to engage. It has to be transformed into feet on the streets. Social media is a tool but it’s not enough; it needs to be translated into meaningful policy,” said Boryczka. One student, Zachary Quinones ‘18, felt that, “I think it’s kind of strange we’re listening to teenagers discuss policy while this is happening, because they are planning to have a 10 a.m. walk-out on April 20 to get something done with guns, but you’re listen-

ing to them and wondering why are we listening to kids on this?” Quinones further commented, “Honestly, answering it with a walk-out isn’t the way to go. There obviously needs to be some reforms somewhere along the lines, but it’s more along the lines of mental health funding rather than appealing the second amendment, which is one of the arguments I’ve heard from the left.” Assistant Professor of English Carol Ann Davis provided her own opinions based off of her own personal experience. Davis stated that, “I live in Newtown, Conn., and my children attended an elementary school one school over from Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012. This means not only that I am interested in common sense gun control measures, but also that I care deeply about community action, the creation of spaces that allow differing points of view to exist in productive conversation, and in all survivors of trauma finding ways to be heard, and outlets to examine their experiences and create impacts for others.” She further noted that, “As we all do, I live with all of these complex issues, experiencing them in real time.” Regardless of various opinions on gun control, it’s unanimous that there needs to be a change of policy in order to enact substantial change to prevent these mass shootings.

Fairfield University will be hosting its first annual dance charity, Stagathon, on April 21, from 4 to 10 p.m, in order to raise money for children’s medical care in a fun and engaging way. This is the University’s own Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a program designed to raise funds for medical care for kids all across North America. In the case of the For the Kids Organization, all the proceeds of the program will go to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital right here in Fairfield County. The For the Kids Organization has a year-long fundraiser that results in an end of the year event, happening on April 20 from 6 to 10 p.m., where “participants fundraise and stand for the kids who can’t,” according to Lillian Cribbin ‘20, Executive Director of Stagathon. Many millions of dollars are raised at similar fundraisers across the U.S., which are all used to help improve the quality of medical care in hospitals for children from every corner of the country, Cribbin said. Cribbin, in speaking about the aim of the For the Kids organization, stated, “our goal is to raise $10,000 this year and to get as many people on campus registered as we can. This is an event that truly changes the lives of everyone involved. While it obviously impacts the kids and their families, Dance Marathons unite people like nothing I have ever experienced before.” Cribbin added that in the case of Fairfield, the proceeds toward Maria Fareri Hospital will assist them in

providing the best medical care by using the funds toward enhanced medical supplies, state-of-the-art research and the best medical professionals out there. As for why they are hosting the event, Cribbin stated, “This is a day for the kids to be kids. These miracle children have all been through some type of medical challenge, usually very close to fatal experiences, so this is a day for them to forget the doctors and hospitals and just have fun.“ As Cribbin got involved with the organization here at Fairfield, she noted that, “I went to The University of Oklahoma last year and transferred to FU this fall. While at OU, I was on the executive team of ‘Soonerthon’ (The University of Oklahoma’s event) Dance Marathon.” She added that while the school wasn’t for her, ‘Soonerthon’ changed her life. She further added that when she came to Fairfield, she had noticed the philanthropic nature of the University right away, hence, she felt the need for a dance marathon here as well. She contacted the Children’s Miracle Network and went through the process of making Fairfield a part of this network and as of now, her team consists of 11 executives, with the number of participants increasing every day, as she stated. Lastly, Cribbin added that, “These kids look forward to Dance Marathon every year and the parents are so grateful for the support we provide. By helping the Fairfield County hospital, the Fairfield County families can get the medical attention they need at home rather than traveling across America to find treatment and care.”


Page 5

THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

Opinion Editor Sabina Dirienzo » opinion@fairfieldmirror.com

Getting Opinionated with The Mirror

Condoms Have a Place on Campus By Sabina Dirienzo Opinion Editor What, seems to be the question, is the big deal about condoms? Fairfield University is a Catholic Jesuit school; other Catholic Jesuit schools do not distribute condoms. Fordham University, for example, forbids the distribution of contraception on campus in their handbook. Georgetown has a student-run organization, H*yas for Choice, that distributes condoms but is not sanctioned by the University. In 2013, the Boston Globe reported that Boston College was threatening disciplinary action against a student group that distributed condoms on campus. The status quo is, obviously, that Jesuit universities do not sell condoms, do not permit students to give out condoms and would for all intents and purposes, prefer to pretend that condoms (and other contraceptives) do not exist on campus. No sex here, thank you; our students embrace the curative powers of celibacy and natural family planning. This is what the universities aspire to, or at least claim to aspire to. But that doesn’t make it right. So, like I said: the big deal about condoms and contraception. Most students at Fairfield are having sex, regardless of whether or not the school ostensibly would prefer them to be abstinent. People are going to have sex anyway. This isn’t just me spit-balling; in 2017, NPR reported that the average age people start having sex is 17-18, regardless of whether they are taught to only pursue abstinence. Most Fairfield University students are having sex, or will begin having sex during their time here. And, as evidenced by NPR’s reporting, the presence of contraception on campus is unlikely to encourage people to start having sex. They either will or they won’t; it’s an individual decision. Contraception helps prevent unplanned pregnancy. I think if asked, most Catholic church officials would consider abortion to be “worse” than contraception use. The Guttmacher Institute has found that 42 percent of unintended pregnancies end in abortion. This seems like a self-explanatory paradox. Additionally, people aged 15-24 represent half of the people developing new sexually transmitted infections every year. The only way for sexually active people to protect against STIs is to use male or female condoms or dental dams during sex. Would Un i v e r s it y officials take condoms more seriously if there was a gonorrhea outbreak on campus? Or would they still argue that condoms on campus are disgraceful and unnecessary?

Editorial Board "The Goodbye Note" Allison White Editor-in-Chief Andrew DaRosa Executive Editor Catherine Veschi Managing Editor

As this will be our last issue as your 201718 Editorial Board, we felt it necessary to reflect on the past year we’ve spent running The Mirror together and overall, the past four years that we’ve spent working for this newspaper. Since the beginning of our first year, we’ve put in countless hours (literally, we could not keep track) with The Mirror. As timid firstyears, we approached the office and the staff with nerves, but soon enough we found our home in the office and in our co-workers. When you have late nights as often as us, you can’t help but bond with each other and learn every aspect about one another’s lives. From our Chipotle runs to our Disney singalongs, we knew that this wasn’t just a job. It was our future career, our passion and our best friends. More than being best friends though, the Mirror became an extended family for us that al-

Fairfield is trying to produce students who develop, according to the mission, ethical and religious values. But it also wants to “[respect] the personal and academic freedom of all its members.” Doesn’t that personal freedom include the freedom to, say, go to the on-campus convenience store and pay one’s own money for a condom? Selling condoms doesn’t imply that an organization approves of condoms any more than selling tide pods implies that an organization approves of the Tide Pod Challenge. Catholic social mores aside, college students are adults and should be trusted to act like adults.

Creative Commons/Pixabay

lowed us to confide in each other. We spent late nights past when we needed to, simply talking about our hopes and aspirations, confidently knowing that through everything, our Mirror family would always be here for us. I think the three of us can agree that The Mirror has served as one of the most substantial parts of our college careers, teaching us important lessons in working together as a team, meeting deadlines left and right, and interacting with numerous administrative members at Fairfield. It’s safe to say that the three of us couldn’t have gained many of the opportunities we did with The Mirror in any other work environment on campus, and for that we’re eternally grateful. But The Mirror wasn’t always a smooth and seamless process for us (in fact, it hardly ever was). We’ve had to deal with last minute

deadline stories on Tuesday nights, countless printing issues, and that one all-nighter we all spent putting out the issue the day after the 2016 Presidential Election (we left the BCC as the sun was rising, and it was not fun). Despite all the obstacles we’ve faced over the years, we grew much closer as a staff as we attempted to overcome them all together. No amount of stress could keep us away! Overall, college would not have been the same if it wasn’t for this group of pals. We can’t thank our staff enough for the time we’ve spent together and the memories that came from it. Although we did not get much sleep because of The Mirror, we wouldn’t have wanted to spend our sleepless nights any other way. But now, we leave you to go catch up on four years of missed sleep.


Opinion

THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

Page 6

Openly Gay Olympian Changes Landscape for LGBT+ Youth By Ariana Puzzo Online Editor-in-Chief When we witness the success of others who have similar identities to ourselves, we intrinsically believe that we can also be successful. Similarly, when these people are shown in a positive way in the media, it validates our sense of belonging and encourages us to pursue endeavors that we may have previously doubted. According to USA Today, U.S. Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, who is openly gay, received an email of that nature on Feb. 12 through his agent David Baden. Baden told USA Today that the email, sent by an 18-year-old gay man, said how Rippon’s bravery comforts him and is “giving him hope,” especially since the young man’s sexuality is not accepted by his family. We often discuss how positive media representations of race and gender positively influence young people, as well as help them to better understand their identities. However, the same can be said for the representation of sexualities, especially given the tumultuous treatment of LGBTQ athletes. Even so, while Rippon and other openly gay athletes should continue to use their positions to encourage young people, doing so is only part of the solution. More than ever, it is also crucial that the media’s “straightwashing” of prominent LGBTQ figures is eradicated. Such a case occurred in the same time-frame as the email to Rippon. CNN reported that NBC was criticized after not highlighting LGBTQ athletes while recognizing diversity during its coverage of the 2018 Olympics Opening Ceremonies. The “straight-washing,” as Outsports referred to the discrepancy in Photo of Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon. representation, is particularly alarming, and also harmful to young LGBTQ individuals who are looking for versions of themselves in popular media and culture. Given Outsports’ report that there are 15 out LGBTQ athletes in the 2018 Winter Olympics, there is no justification for that being overlooked, especially when the coverage was focusing on diversity. Even if the number is small compared to known or presumed heterosexual athletes, or even Outsports’ report that 56 out athletes competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics, representation matters. As it stands, Outsports confirmed that the current number of out athletes at the 2018 Winter Olympics “tops the seven from the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi,” none of whom were American. Additionally, the knowledge that an increasing number of athletes are comfortable living their lives as authentically as possible will only encourage young people to do the same. The critical reason why we need less homogenized representation and fewer filtered images

of LGBTQ people goes beyond a sense of balance, and also beyond viewing less caricatured versions of the community in the media. Vox, an American news and opinion website, argues that TV shows such as “Will and Grace” and “Queer as Folk” helped change the landscape for LGBTQ people by showing them as human. Nonetheless, although these shows led to future ones showing more genuine characters, it is also only part of the answer. We need to show that real-life LGBTQ people are not only “accepted” if they keep their sexuality behind closed doors. Rather, they are encouraged to be out if they choose to be, and if they are, that there will not be a lack of regard for them when celebrating diversity and achievements. Ultimately, we look to those around us for encouragement and support, especially when we are doubting our own worth or purpose in society. For many people, these figures are numerous. More so, if the model one seeks is white and heterosexual, they are likely to be portrayed in a more positive light. The discrepancy remains prevalent largely because the characters we see are often written by those of the same sex or race. As a result, writers are calling on their own experiences, and are using the images of heroes and role models that they saw growing up. The Washington Post suggested that the consequence lends itself to Photo taken from Adaripp Instagram. an overwhelming lack of diversity. Subsequently, these limitations also result in a lack of positive role models for sex, racial or sexual minority groups. More so, the U.S. National Library of Medicine indicated in a study that LGBTQ youth are more susceptible to numerous mental health and social issues. When considering positive factors with regard to diverse communities, the study said, “Youth cited … role models from the media they believed promoted visibility and acceptance for racial and sexual diversity.” For that reason, it is unfortunate that people would still choose to limit the visibility of a group of people merely seeking to be represented for their achievements like anyone else. Moreover, the people who are still being overlooked know what it is like to grow up without role models in the public sphere. If any of them, including Rippon, feel comfortable being that role model for a younger, possibly closeted child or teenager, then the media should embrace the opportunity to shine the light on all aspects of diversity.

Parkland Students Have a Right to Speak The shooting in Parkland, Fla. was chilling. It’s hard to erase the images from your mind of children hiding in the corner of a classroom while bullets fly in the adjacent room. There are some in the Republican Party asking for more time before beginning the gun debate, to allow the emotions of this latest tragedy to subside before we engage in the same canned arguments about rights, restrictions and responsibilities that the country seems to do after every mass shooting. That request is politically suicidal - the GOP actually becomes the unfeeling, disconnected caricature of itself that its opponents hold it to be when it refuses to acknowledge the real anger and horror of a community that just experienced the unthinkable. But it seems to me that the voices of survivors ought to matter, even if I or other Republicans would disagree with their proposals. Having experienced a school shooting first hand doesn’t make a student an expert on gun policy or constitutional law, but so what? They, like every American, have a right to voice their opinions of how best to respond to the madness of school shootings. It is surely a cheap tactic for CNN to practically pry the words “gun control” out of the mouths of the students they interviewed in the shooting’s immediate aftermath. It’s not great optics for the GOP to even appear to be criticizing students who have sat mere feet from a gun-wielding maniac. Conservative lawmakers should not run and hide after a tragedy like this - they ought to gather the facts of the case, soberly consider the deeply held positions of their opponents, and state plainly their own belief in the constitutional

foundation of American gun rights. It would be naïve to assume that a tragedy like this one is not going to raise real questions about a mentally ill individual’s right (or anyone’s, to take it to its logical end) to own a high-capacity semi-automatic weapon. Nikolas Cruz, the man arrested for the shooting in Florida that killed these 17 victims, should have been institutionalized. The community warned officials about the killer’s behavior, and it’s beyond question that he should have been involuntarily examined or committed to a mental hospital. Our national mental health infrastructure has been broken ever since the 1963 Community Mental Health Act that well more than halved the population size of our psychiatric hospitals, about which I’ve written and spoken extensively. The parameterized psychiatric standards for such inpatient commitment are astronomical. It makes hospitalization near impossible and the resultant maladaptive behavior almost inevitable. As such, I do believe that the questions raised by the Florida massacre are mostly in the domain of a broken mental health infrastructure. I don’t believe, for instance, that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of law-abiding gun owners ought to be abridged for the sake of “doing something,” particularly when that “something” would not have stopped the crime itself. But gun questions are real and sincere, and it’s the role of a believer in gun rights to earnestly contemplate the opinions of those who feel differently, particularly when they have lived through tragedy.


Alicia Phaneuf/The Mirror


THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

The Vine

Page 8

'Black Panther' Redefines Film Diversity By Katherine Klima Contributing Writer

In what some critics, like CBS, are calling a monumental event in pop culture, the newest addition to the Marvel franchise is already making its mark. With its record-breaking box office weekend, becoming the fifth highest grossing film of all time, and having one of the biggest debuts in cinematic history by an African American director, Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” is a film that will not disappoint. Taking place after the events of “Captain America: Civil War” the Black Panther, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), prince of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, returns home after the death of his father so that he may take his rightful place as Wakanda’s king. As the now King, T’Challa first endures the obstacles of running his beloved country before his rule is suddenly tested when he’s drawn into a major conflict by the mysterious Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). This not only puts T’Challa’s country in danger, but the whole world is at stake. With help from loyal traditionalist guard General Okoye (Danai Gurira), CIA operative Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman), his innovative 16-year-old sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), and undercover spy ex-girlfriend, Nakia (played by oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong’o), T’Challa will do everything in his power to save the day before it’s too late. Overall one of the most striking things about this film is its aesthetic. The costumes, designs, and scenery were all well done and absolutely breathtaking. One of the most challenging components I could see coming from this was the development of Wakanda, a country that doesn’t actually exist and I can imagine a lot of work went it into creating this fictitious nation. In the end, it definitely paid off and came out really fantastic. Almost every detail that went into making this, such as the capital city and the nature of the Wakandan people, were all well thought out and culturally significant as they tie to different African cultures. One of the biggest things about Wakanda is that, in the Marvel universe, it has been hidden from the world since, basically, the beginning of time. This is because Wakanda’s main resource is a vast supply of vibranium, a fictional metal that is also the strongest in the world. This resource has caused the people of Wakanda to form an isolated and rich civilization, much like Atlantis or El Dorado, but it’s also helped them become extremely technologically advanced. So, going back to the details in creating this, the production

crew really had to step it up with their creativity as to what they could do with said vibranium. From it though, they were able to create a thriving utopian futuristic world with various never-before-seen inventions and technology. Something I particularly enjoyed about the development of Wakanda was the fact that the film didn’t just stay in one city. The audience gets to see other parts of this fictional nation, learning about their different tribes and the diversity among the people themselves. By doing this, audiences see the strong love for their country that the characters all share. As for the characters, they were all well developed and interesting. I don’t think there was one dull person in this film. Boseman’s character really captures someone who is struggling not only with the death of a beloved family member, but the responsibility he must take on. That being said, some of the strongest characters in this film were the women. General Okoye, Nakia and Shuri are all examples of diverse and powerful women who get the job done. Okoye’s a vastly skilled warrior that’s in charge of all the other royal guards, who are all women by the way, and Nakia’s a worldly spy who’s also this overall amazing savior of the people. When Nakia’s introduced, spoiler alert, the first thing the audience sees about her is that she’s trying to save a bunch of enslaved Nigerian women. If these women weren’t amazing enough, there’s also Shuri, a brilliant inventor who’s in charge of all the different types of technological advancements within Wakanda, such as being the creator behind her brother’s new and improved suit. The female representation in this film was really exciting to see, but more importantly, this film’s black representation was on point. The film was a celebration of African culture. It addresses important issues within the black community such as racism and even how colonization affected Africa as a continent. Having a black superhero and a primarily all black cast was also a very important part of this whole film because representation matters. Audiences everywhere deserve strong characters like this to identify with. This is just in general, but characters like this are people to look up to and feel inspired by. “Black Panther” did exactly that and for Hollywood, this film is one step closer towards a more diverse industry. “Black Panther” provides a fresh, new, interesting spin on an already repetitive superhero narrative. It brought up issues that were real and important to the audience. It was well written, had a great soundtrack and was filmed beautifully. Overall, “Black Panther” is not only a must see for Marvel fans, but for people everywhere.

The Mirror Abroad: Chris' Cultural Excursion By Chris Lazazzera Abroad Columnist Traveling is quite the experience when you’re in a different country like Italy. This past weekend the three former amigos from Townhouse 57 (Dan, Henry, and I) decided to venture outside of Florence. Our itinerary included visiting Venice Friday-Saturday and Milan Saturday-Sunday. It was an interesting weekend to say the least. Venice felt like this magical little city. And when I say the whole city is floating on water, I’m not kidding. Upon arriving to Venice, we decided to walk around, taking in the amazing sights of people relaxing on gondolas and the ancient buildings. Once settled into our tiny B&B room, we set out to grab dinner and pass through local shops. I’ll admit dinner and the shops were only alright, compared to what we have experienced in Florence so far. Disappointed that there was essentially zero nightlife and it was only 9 p.m., we went back to the hotel and planned to wake up early in the morning for a famous gondola ride. The gondola ride did not disappoint. To think we were doing something you really only see in the movies or online was unfathomable. For some strange reason, being in Venice reminded me a lot of Cape Cod, Mass. Everyone seemed content with life and happy to be living in such a picturesque place. Milan was now in our sight as we boarded a

train shortly after some Burger King in Venice. Yes you heard that right, Burger King! The fast food wasn’t anything special; so don’t go to Venice just to try it. Being the second biggest city in Italy, I would compare Milan to New York City. Lots of shops, an abundance of graffiti and people moving a million miles per hour everywhere. I would like to shout out Dan’s father for getting us a gorgeous hotel room in the heart of the city. Mr. Montgomery, you’re the real MVP. Our dinner in Milan Saturday night was filled with Italian staples such as gnocchi and pizza. The hotel bar was our mainstay after dinner, somewhere we could conclude our Saturday while not getting into too much trouble. Sunday started off with a bang. What we thought was a free continental breakfast at the Sheraton turned out to be about $50 per person. Believe me, we were all shook. This minor setback didn’t stop us from shopping ‘til we dropped. I would say Dan made the best purchase of the day, a black jacket with a fur hood that makes him look like 50 Cent. The train back to Florence after shopping felt like it took forever. All in all while it may not have sounded like the best weekend, being with a few of my best friends made it great. It was definitely a learning experience and hopefully Dan and I will be better prepared for London this weekend. Wish us luck, Fairfield.

Chris Lazazzera/The Mirror

A picturesque Gondola ride in Venice was one of Chris' many weekend adventures.


THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

The Vine

Page 9

'Thank You For a Real Good Time': 4 Years Later By Andrew Darosa Executive Editor

Truthfully, I don’t know how I can sit down and express to you, the reader, how much The Mirror has impacted me in my four years here at the University. I’m trying to find a way to summatively say, “I’m thankful for The Mirror because…” or “The Mirror means ‘x, y and z’ to me,” but I find it too hard to generalize four crazy years into a simple statement. I figure I should start from September of 2014, when I was first approached to start writing for The Mirror. To give context, I had just started my first semester of freshman year, which was marred by a internal struggle where I didn’t know if being away from home was necessarily the right choice. I was a biology major on a pre-med track, but that wasn’t what defined me. It was a very private battle with anxiety that caused me near-constant panic attacks and thoughts about my existence that I care not to go back to. I would refuse to go out in fear of how my anxiety would react, which would reach its apex in October when I had a full-blown panic attack at a Weezer concert, causing me to retire from going to shows for a good period of time. In that time, I was working my radio show with WVOF, “Grindie Radio,” which you can guess, focused on grunge and indie music with splashes of my jam band upbringing throughout. My interest in music only peaked more in college, expanding my taste to include a wide variety of genres. This came to fruition when I was asked to write a music review piece for The Vine section of The Fairfield Mirror for the current editor of the section, Charles “Chuck” DeFilippo. Mind you, I had zero previous experience with student publications as I had the “I’m too cool for that” mentality throughout high school, which looking back, was comical considering I’ve since embraced my nerdy archetype fully. I remember my first piece that I submitted was a review of Ryan Adams’ self-titled record, which was my best attempt at nailing down my persona as a music connoisseur but after receiving my edits back from Chuck, I had realized I had a long way to go. After much back-and-forth, I finally

opened the Oct. 2 issue of The Mirror to see my name glistening in the issue with my review of the album, which I sent to all my friends and family. I found a knack for writing through my articles, which was honed throughout the following months and included a slew of album and concert reviews. However, I noticed this was at the expense of me losing interest in my endeavors to become a world-renowned neurosurgeon. As my dealings with The Mirror increased, I had realized that my career interest had shifted to the sphere of writing, and what do you know, I signed the paperwork to switch my major in early November, ditching what I knew was good money and a secure future. Fast forward to March 2015 and I found myself being handed my first step in this long journey with The Mirror: the title of Vine Editor. My efforts were finally noticed, and I was beyond ecstatic to join a team of accomplished, young journalists. Yet, I felt like a small fish in an ocean of student journalism. As I learned all the necessary tools and traits of the profession, I felt as though I finally had my niche; there was finally a balance in my academic career that I found to be beneficial to not only my prospective career, but also, weirdly enough, for my mental health. My battle

with anxiety still raged but it was much subdued as I took on more hours with The Mirror and built myself up to the journalist that I am today. Now, looking back at my final issue as Executive Editor, a title I’ve been graciously holding onto for the past two years, I am here to say thank you to The Mirror for a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wish I could dictate the past three years as in detail as my first few months but I feel as though the first few months with The Mirror were the most transformative in my 21 years on earth, and that is no stretch of the truth. Having interviewed the likes of The Black Crowes, Dispatch, the String Cheese Incident, Twiddle and many more, as well as covering numerous concerts and festivals, I feel as though I have truly blossomed in my musical interest and have acquired necessary skills that will aid me in my future endeavors as a music marketer, having been fueled by my public relations experience I’ve garnered through the many music venues and musicians I have come across. However, this journey has not been the easiest. It has had its ups and downs and there have been moments where I’ve been close to sending resignation emails because I couldn’t handle the stress in my life, which was only prolonged by my anxiety. Though, I have zero regrets in staying and fighting for my life, as I have formed bonds with a staff that trump any sort of difficulty that I have come across. I wish I could thank them all individually but I figured I’d just tell you that I love you all and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me in the past four years. So, in writing my last article as the Executive Editor for The Mirror, I just want to say thank you. Not for just giving me the opportunity of being part of one of the greatest student publications in the country and giving me a definitive career path, but allowing me to fully embrace the man I am today and continue to be. So I bid everyone reading this adieu and I hope that despite changes of staff every year, The Mirror is still true to what it is at its core; a family unit that allows each member to flourish in their own, beauAndrew DaRosa/TheMIrror tiful way. Cara Lee/TheMirror

New Netflix Rom-Com Gives Love Another Chance By Alle Scanlon Contributing Writer New to Netflix on Feb. 9, “When We First Met” is a fun, romantic comedy about relationships and ending up with the right person. The film stars Adam DeVine as Noah, Alexandra Daddario as Avery, Robbie Amell as Ethan and Shelley Hennig as Carrie. The opening scene of the film takes place at the engagement party of Avery and Ethan. Noah drinks to excess and gets sick over the fact that he is so in love with Avery, and has been keeping this a secret for the past three years. Noah feels that he never had a fair chance to express or act on his feelings toward Avery. The audience is taken back to the night they first met. Avery and Noah met at a Halloween party in college - she was dressed as Dottie Hinson from “A League of Their Own” and he was dressed as Garth Algar from “Wayne’s World.” They bonded over their costumes, and over the fact that they both barely knew anyone at the party except Carrie, Avery’s roommate and best friend.

Noah and Avery decided to leave the party together and found themselves at the bar where Noah works playing piano. The rest of their night was filled with music, laughs, food and classic photo booth pictures. After witnessing a flashback to the night Avery and Noah first met, the scene cuts back to Noah drunk at the engagement party. He finds himself at the same bar in

the same photo booth he once sat with Avery, and is transported back in time to the day he had met Avery three years ago. Noah is given the chance, or chances, that he has been longing for all this time. While it may seem like the movie has an obvious or predictable ending, there’s actually a huge, unexpected plot twist. Without giving too much away, the movie

does have a satisfying ending where everything comes full circle. As for the performance of the actors and actresses, I felt that they’re all very talented and played their given roles very well. It’s a cute story - it’s not like it would be nominated for an Academy Award, but they did pull it off well. Adam DeVine is always fun to watch on-screen - he is known for his roles in “Workaholics,” “Pitch Perfect” one and two, “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” and more. Alexandra Daddario is rising to fame as well after her breakthrough role in “Baywatch” and Robbie Amell can be easily recognized from having starred in “The DUFF.” The cinematography was great for a Netflix original movie; I was surprised and impressed with the costume design, scenery and overall quality of the camerawork. This movie is great if you need a laugh. It’s the perfect film for a snow day, a girl’s night or even in between a show you’ve been binge watching and need a break from. 10/10 would recommend.


THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

The Vine

Page 10

Sabrina's Style: Everyday Foundation By Sabrina Musto Fashion Columnist

who does not wear makeup for extended periods of time, then this is a great foundation for you because it really does look great when first applied. As you may have noticed from some of my other articles, I am a huge Urban Decay fan. I love the Naked Palettes, and use their Perversion Mascara as well as their Makeup Setting Spray. I find their products to be amazing, and the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation is no exception. This is the perfect example of a light foundation, where you do not feel like you are wearing another face around. It is hard to find a foundation that feels light while giving great coverage to hide any blemishes, but this one definitely does. One foundation that I do not suggest is the Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin. First off, it does not even have foundation in its name, but it is also a rather cheap foundation, selling for less than $15. I started using this foundation because my sister suggested it, and to be fair it did look pretty good on her, but it did not do my skin justice. In the end, even my sister made the switch to a different product. This product highlighted all of my pores, and looked so odd on my face. I felt like it washed me out even though it was the color match to my skin. I would definitely not recommend this product. Finally, while I have tried traditional foundations when a new one comes out, like what I did with Fenty Beauty, there is one product I use that is by far the best makeup product I have ever purchased and that I always return to. My Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 - Oil Free Tinted moisturizer is basically foundation, just better for your skin. It essentially combines skin care and makeup, to bring a blend that gives you a great finish. I honestly do swear by this product, and have not yet found a product to match up to it. As the product is partly a moisturizer, it is light and feels great on your skin. Honestly I forget that I am wearing it most days. It gives you a great hint of color without being overpowering, and gives off a very natural look, which, personally, is what I try to achieve with my foundation.

Foundation is a crucial part of most makeup routines and it can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Some foundations make your pores scream for help because they are so heavy, while others go on flawlessly and are barely noticeable. Since you do not want to end up looking orange, or like you stuck your face in a cake, picking the right foundation for your skin type and skin tone is extremely important. Some girls, in an attempt to look tan in the cold winter months, will opt for a foundation that is a few shades darker, and it really never looks like that natural tan you are after. Being vigilant about foundation will make all of the difference when it comes to how your makeup comes out. The following are some examples of some great and some not so great foundations that I have tried. For reference, my skin is a combination of dry and oily, and so the same products that work really well for me might have different results for someone with an extremely different skin type. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is a very matte foundation, but I find that it did not leave my skin dry at all. A great thing about this foundation is the range of skin tones it offers, from extremely light to extremely dark, and I have not yet met someone who uses this foundation and does not like it. Another positive about this product is that its matte composition makes it really long lasting, so it is good for use if you are putting makeup on for a long day at work or a long night out. My only caution would be to skin types that are extremely dry, because of the matte foundation since matte formulas on dry skin tend to highlight every pore and really add to the dryness of the complexion. NARS Radiant Longwear Foundation is another foundation that I happen to like, however I would not consider it ‘longwear.’ I ultimately switched from this foundation because it was not so great for long days or nights. It blended perfectly and looked amazing for a few hours, but eventually it became unblended and unflattering. If you are someone Photo taken from lauramercier Instagram

Photo taken from fentybeauty Instagram

Cara's Cuisine: A Tea-stful Hot Topic By Cara Lee Vine Editor

It’s come time to talk about a particularly hot topic–tea. A year ago, I knew absolutely nothing about the subject. I viewed tea as “dirty water” and figured that there was no point to it. After all, if I was thirsty, why waste time boiling water to drink when it took me less than a minute to pour myself a glass and drink that instead? Also, after years of soccer camps and practices where I was forced to drink from water bottles that had been heating in the sun for hours, any type of warm water was categorized into the same compartment as sweaty gym socks in my mind — something unpleasant and to be avoided at all costs. Then, on Mar. 11 2017, I purchased my first box of tea. Six days later, my entire existence was transformed — a moment I will remember for the rest of my life. As if. I only know the date because I was in Disney and my mom and I made the impulse buy for the sole reason that Emma Watson as Belle was on the box. So, as is done when anyone realizes they have bought an excessive amount of a product they don’t care about just because of some, admittedly very good, advertising, we snapped a picture. Anyway, after realizing that tea wasn’t all that bad, I took a page from my favorite bookworm’s books (Hermione Granger and Belle who *gasp* coincidently are both played by the same Emma Watson whose face convinced me to purchase the three said boxes of tea) and did some research. As it turns out, tea has a lot of health benefits. These include naturally helping with high blood pressure, warding off sickness, assisting with both relaxation and sleep, and aiding in decreasing bloating and increasing weight loss. With spring break on the way and the cold, wet months of February and March still ahead of us, here are some teas, from caffeinated black and green teas to tasty, zero calorie, ultra healthy herbal teas, to indulge in. Black tea is the tea with the highest caffeine content, if you’re trying to wean your coffee addiction, but need something to stay awake without the jitters — this is a good drink to turn to. Due to its taste, most people add milk and sugar to black tea, and this can result in it being the least healthy type. Despite this, some studies have connected drinking black tea to lowering the risk of having a stroke. Green tea- Green tea is filled with antioxidants. Due to this, it has a lot of health benefits including burning fat, lowering the risk of clogged arteries, and some studies have even found that it helps slow the growth of cancer cells. Whether this is true or not, green tea is much less popular than black tea (the Tea Association of the USA — yes, this organization really does exist — reports that only 13 percent of United States tea drinkers consume green tea) and, as someone who is not a fan of green tea, I advise new tea drinkers to start off with something herbal. Herbal Tea- There are dozens of different flavors of herbal teas, each with vastly different health benefits. Here are a few different varieties but, if you’re looking for a specific health benefit, my suggestion is to Google what tea helps it. More likely than not, there’s a tea out there that will help you. -Peppermint: this is my favorite. Not only does it taste delicious and is perfect to drink all year long, peppermint tea is full of the same antioxidants as Green Tea.

This means that it aids in digestion, reduces bloating, prevents viruses, aids with even the worst cramps, and is also incredibly relaxing. -Chamomile: great for sleep and relaxation, this is good to have before sleeping or at the end of a long day of classes or work. Just make sure not to have it if you still have work to do because, for more people than not, a cup of chamomile tea can completely knock you out. When indulged in regularly, chamomile tea has also been shown to aid with mental health and to help restless sleepers develop a more regular sleeping schedule. -Ginger: ginger tea is THE tea for fighting sickness. Feel a cold coming on? Catch the stomach virus? Feel nauseous? Have some ginger tea. It packs the same punch as ginger ale without the calories or the sugar content. -Echinacea: I’ve never tried this tea, nor can I pronounce the name, but I have to mention this tea for the sole reason that there’s currently research being done to see if it shortens the time someone experiences the symptoms of the common cold. If that turns out to be true, I know that I for one will be chugging this stuff the next time I have a cold regardless of the taste. -Sage: this tea provides cognitive brain benefits and aids in cognitive brain functioning. Have a test? Drink tea–be sage. Do you really need more of a reason? Happy tea time — and don’t forget to enjoy it with a snack like some lightly oil popped popcorn with a hint of salt. Healthy and delicious.

Cara Lee/The Mirror


THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

The Vine

Page 11

'Fergalicious' Should Not Describe the National Anthem By Alicia Phaneuf Vine Editor

CreativeCommons/ Pexels

Inkwell Spotlight December By Alyssa Vigorito Contributing Writer at The Inkwell I stand at winter’s edge and plead for sun; New England days of wintry light conceal what warmth was present—now just slim to none. The clouds do swell and all the lakes congeal, cadet blue-sky that brings me no appeal. The coldest winds of December relay a sense of despondence that’s not ideal. I perch on winter’s edge like birds of prey and use my beak to plead for beaming warmth of day

ger notes. Perhaps it was the raspy effect she was trying to perform that made these notes feel forced. Regardless, the Star Spangled Banner should always be sung in a solemn tone — remember, it was written after Francis Scott Key witnessed an American ship being bombarded for 25 hours. I’m not sure what possessed Fergie to transform this patriotic tune into a sexy jazz performance. One of the more widely discussed topics is that Roseanne Barr called out Fergie for her performance. After witnessing Fergie’s performance, Bar tweeted, “Who saw Fergie’s national anthem performance at the NBA All-Star game? I think mine was better lowkey.” Now, even though I won’t stoop to the level of saying Fergie’s rendition was worse than Barr’s — because let’s be honest, nothing can be worse than Barr’s shrieking voice and, of course, her crotch grab — I will still place Fergie on my personal list of worst renditions of the national anthem.

For people like me, who only watch big sporting events for the halftime shows or the national anthem, Fergie’s rendition of the Star Spangled Banner during the NBA All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 17 was disheartening. In typical Fergie fashion, she tried to make the song sexy and alluring, which for our Nation’s Anthem was inappropriate and borderline offensive — not to mention, she could barely follow through with hitting certain notes. Right from the start, Fergie began singing in a sultry tone, similar to that of a singer you would hear in “Chicago.” With hundreds of sports fans looking down at Fergie’s black lace bodycon dress, the singer seemed out of place. Additionally, toward the end of her performance, NBA All-Stars couldn’t contain their emotions anymore, and began to let out smirks, chuckles and outward laughs at Fergie’s obnoxious display. According to PEOPLE magazine, Fergie said, “I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA … I’m a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best.” I’m not sure I believe that Sunday’s performance was Fergie’s best effort, as she Photo taken from fergie Instagram seemed to work extremely hard in order Fergie and PDiddy talk before Fergie's infamous rendition of the National Anthem to hit some of her lon-

W V O F M o n t h ly P l ay l i s t By Gianna Llewellyn at WVOF

1. River by Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran The new song released on Jan. 7 by Eminem is taking storm with the an undeniable hook created by Ed Sheeran. The music video is done in a found footage style and is an impressive seven minutes long. 2. Growing Pains by COIN "Growing Pains" by indie rock band COIN is the perfect song to pop into your headphones while folding your laundry on a Sunday morning. Your roommate will need no explanation as to why you’re dancing around your room folding your old pair of blue jeans. 3. It's a Trip! by Joywave What seems like a normal music video with all the band members riding on the back of jet skis with pretty girls, ends with them all quickly aging and eventually decaying. A fun song paired with a surprisingly morbid theme. Another pleasant surprise from Joywave. 4. After the Storm by Kali Uchis ft. Tyler the Creator and Bootsy Collins Kali Uchis will make you forget it’s winter with her new track "After the Storm." The music video looks like something straight out of Edward Scissorhands or some sort of 70s looking melodrama.

CreativeCommons/ Pixabay

5. Bodak Yellow by Cardi B. The only thing that’s becoming more popular than Cardi's music is Cardi herself. From awkward interviews with Jimmy Fallon to the strange yet lovable noises she makes, we just can't get enough of Cardi B. At the 2018 Grammy’s "Bodak Yellow" was nominated for both 'best rap song' and 'best rap performance.' 6. Bite My Tongue by You Me at Six ft. Oli Sykes "Bite My Tongue" is a great throwback if you’re looking to throw some angst into your monthly mix. You Me at Six will help you channel all that frustration you have at your ex-girlfriend, your intolerable professor, or maybe even just your messy roommate. 7. Wolves at the Door by Bad Seed Rising Bad Seed Rising has come to an end with the year of 2017. However, why not honor them with one of their great tracks, "Wolves at the Door?" The song was released on their first EP in 2012 with the help of Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters. 8. Bad at Love by Halsey "Bad at Love" is the second single off of Halsey's second album “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.” Halsey supposedly told the press she wanted the song to "sound like Leonardo DiCaprio in a Hawaiian T-shirt in a drop top yellow convertible car - driving down the highway like in Miami Vice with all his friends." Try to listen to this song on the radio without that image popping up in your head now. 9. Jenny by Walk the Moon "Jenny" is a great track to describe the vibe of Walk the Moon. With a pulsing rhythm, "Jenny" manages to get a crowd up on their feet. The song was released off the band’s self-titled album in 2010. 10. Dirt by Astroid Boys Astroid Boys’ distinct style is a mixture of hard rock and grime. The song is a perfect anthem to run and workout to. The Astroid Boys were recently part of the BBC Radio 4's documentary “Generation Grime.”


THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

Coffee Break

Page 12

COFFEE BREAK Editor: Claire Monahan

Fake News

Exposé: Quad Home to Alien Listening Station Compiled by Shilliam Wakespeare Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety. Friday, 2/16 6:33 p.m. A student was found banging their head on a desk 90 minutes into their turbo. The student was referred to Counseling & Psychological Services. Saturday, 2/17 10:38 p.m. A turkey was found wandering the townhouse area visibly intoxicated. DPS determined a medical transport was required. The turkey was referred to student conduct 11:00 p.m. Juliana Sansonetti tripped running to her 8 p.m. meeting. DPS was called and the student was examined. The student was referred to student conduct for tardiness. Sunday, 2/18 1:19 a.m. A pack of five male students were spotted streaking across Bellarmine Lawn. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact DPS. 2:25 a.m. A large plastic bin with a large rope attached was recovered from the bottom of Hopkins Pond. The contents were discovered to be alcohol and drug paraphernalia. DPS confiscated the contents.

By Sputnik Kepler Outerspace Correspondent

Students awoke one morning to find two massive metal objects on top of a recently completed cement edifice. Immediately students began to speculate on the structure’s purpose. First-year student Lara Jogues posited, “huh, I wonder where in the world that thing came from?” No students or staff witnessed any construction taking place. Construction site chief Ha Meranail stated, “We didn’t do this. I came to work one day and this thing was just here – no plans or materials ever existed.” This lack of an explanation prompted students to look into the towering gray construction. After a long and intensive investigation, the Coffee Break team uncovered the true origins of the structure. Extraterrestrial b e i n g s constructed it to function as a proxy satellite base. The Skari Aliens traditionally reside in the Phake nebula in the Nautreal galaxy. They are interested in expanding their commercial real estate portfolio. Earth seemed to be like an ideal place to begin buying up property. Skari Business Minister A. Dolan stated in an interview, “Earth is so cheap, it’s really a buyers’ market right now.” The proxy satellite base serves as an information

“Earth is so cheap, it’s really a buyers’ market right now.”

2:28 a.m. A student was found sitting beside Hopkins Pond next to an empty plastic bin weeping. The student was referred to student conduct.

gathering point. The data collected at the base is then transmitted to the Skari base on the far side of the moon. The moon base acts as a signal amplifier and ethernet connection portal. Both of these bases are pivotal in transmitting information from earth to the Skari planet 35,000 light-years away. Head of Facilities at Fairfield and Vice Provost of Interstellar Development have refused to comment on the story. Starry Knight, professor of communications, praised the Skari project. “I think it’s really something special that Fairfield has the opportunity to assist in this large scale communications operation,” Knight stated. Some students have praised the new presence on campus citing an increase in diversity. Junior Gal Axy said, “This new group on campus can offer a new viewpoint, something beyond our solar system.” Super Senior Caférina Brittle, President of the Students for Fair Land Use Compensation, expressed her discontent at the situation. Brittle said, “No permits were ever issued, no impact studies were ever completed. I think this was a widespread institutional failure. Do they own the land? Do they pay rent?” Brittle became too apoplectic to continue the interview.

11:19 a.m. Four students died of exsanguination at the blood drive. The students’ ghosts were referred to student conduct.

Above: aerial view of satellite station. Taken from perspective of a UFO. Left: up close view of structure. Note the amplification cage around transmitter.

4:39 p.m. Two male students were involved in a physical altercation regarding Prime Minister Natanyahu’s corruption charges. The students were referred to student conduct for being total nerds. 5:13 p.m. DPS was called after a professor was found crying in their office. In between shrieks the professor was reported to have been yelling, “they can’t be this stupid.” The professor was released on their own recognizance.

CA C

N O UTTI IO U N A

THE MIRROR Incorporated 1977

Allison White, Our Fearless Leader Andrew DaRosa, Morale Supervisor Catherine Veschi, News Section Refugee Editors Juliana Sansonetti, Slacker-in-Chief Deanna Carbone, Certified Saint Connor O’Rourke, “Lad” Sabina Dirienzo, Straight Savage Alicia Phaneuf, Large and in Charge Cara Lee, Harry Potter Aficionado Claire Monahan, Court Jester Alfredo Torres, Chillest Guy Here Patrick Getz, InDesign Pro Online Bradley Nordstrom, Web Master Ariana Puzzo, Online Editor-in-Chief Pamela Kask, Online Opinion Editor Kelley Ekert, Online Coffee Break Editor

Sheriff of This Here Town Dr. Tommy Xie Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Natalia Macchio, Bankroller

Please Contact Us!! We are very lonely. Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com


Sports

SPORTS

Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com

In Case You

THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

This Week in Sports:

Page 13

Notable Stags Weekly Awards

Missed It:

Thursday, Febraury 15th

-Men's Basketball defeats Marist, 83-79 Friday, Febraury 16th -Softball loses to USC Upstate Spartanburg, 10-1 and 8-0 Saturday, February 17th -Women's Swimming wins MAAC Tournament -Men's Lacrosse defeats Saint Joesph's, 11-6 -Women's Basketball defeats Siena, 44-43 -Men's Basketball defeats Quinnipiac, 102-98 (2OT) -Softball loses at Furman, 5-4 Sunday, February 18th -Softball defeats Furman, 3-0, loses at Fur-

Photo Contributed By Sports Information Desk

On Monday, Feb. 19, it was announced that midfielder Diana DeVita of the Fairfield University Women’s Lacrosse team earned the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week Award. DeVita is coming off a week that saw her enjoy much success on the field in a matchup against in-state rival UConn on Wednesday, Feb. 14. The first-year midfielder finished Wednesday's contest with a total of four goals over the Huskies. DeVita also finished the game with a forced turnover and a recovered ground ball. On the season, DeVita leads the Stags and all MAAC rookies with five goals. DeVita looks to carry the momentum when they faceoff against Columbia University on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. at Conway Field in Rafferty Stadium.

man, 8-3 Monday, February 19th -Women's Basketball defeats/loses to Saint Peter's

Upcoming This Week: Wednesday, February 21st -Women's Lacrosse vs. Colombia, 4 p.m. -Men's Basketball at Siena, 7 p.m. Friday, February 16th -Women's Basketball at Monmouth, 7 p.m. Saturday, February 17th -Men's Lacrosse vs. Rutgers, 12 p.m. -Women's Lacrosse at Hofstra, 3 p.m.

Photo Contributed By Sports Information Desk

On Monday, Feb. 19, CollegeInsiders.com announced that Tyler Nelson ‘18 would be named the Lou Henson National Player of the Week. The Stags are coming off a week that saw them pick up two victories over the Marist Red Foxes and the Quinnipiac Bobcats while dropping a contest to the Canisius College Golden Griffins. Nelson started the week registering 13 points and four steals against Canisius; he followed up that performance by dropping 29 points against Marist. Nelson concluded the week by scoring 27 points against Quinnipiac this past Saturday, Feb. 17. For the week, Nelson averaged 24.7 points per game while averaging 3.5 assists per game and 2.5 steals per game. Nelson also shot for 44 percent from the field goal while going 86 percent from the free throw line. Nelson currently leads the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in scoring with 21.9 per game and looks to lead the Stags when they travel to take on Siena College this Wednesday, Feb. 21

In this week's issue... - Stags Pick Up First Win Over Saint Joseph's 11-6 (Page 14) - Swimming & Diving Wins MAAC Championship (Page15)

- Johnny Manziel Looks To Make NFL Return (Page 15)

- Nelson Becomes Fairfield's All-Time Leading Score (Page 16)


Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

Stags Pick Up First Win Over St. Joe's 11-6

Photo Contributed By Sports Information Desk

By Patrick Getz Contributing Writer After dropping their home opener to Vermont, the Fairfield Stags Men’s Lacrosse team certainly desired to get their first win of the season against Saint Joseph’s this past Saturday, Feb. 17. Head coach Andy Copelan and company did not want to start the season 0-1, so they saw this game facing Saint Joseph’s as a pivotal match up early on in the season. Getting the first win of the season would be vital for the Stags to build momentum. One impressive key for the Stags involved Brendan Quinn ‘19, who recorded a hat trick along with two other Stags recording three points, Dylan Beckwith ’20 recording three assists and Colin Burke ’19 recording one goal with two assists. Offense was clearly on display for the Stags as they played a cleaner game compared to their matchup against Vermont. Those three key goals for Quinn were the first three of his career and he picked the best time to have a career day. Senior Will Fox contributed to the Stags’ victory by establishing his presence and doing what he does best - win faceoffs. Fox did exceptionally well by going 17-21 in faceoff opportunities which equals about an 81 percent success rate. The Mullica Hill, N.J. native also contributed a goal, which

Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ... Allison White Editor-in-Chief

Alfredo Torres Sports Editor

Patrick Getz Assistant Sports Editor

was his first career goal, as well as recovering 14 ground balls, which matches the known program record set by Peter Vlahakis ‘04. Fox gave Fairfield many more opportunities to score points by winning 17 of his faceoffs at position X. The Stags took advantage of extra-man opportunities, so they can secure the upper hand facing Saint Joseph’s. To make sure they had the upper hand, they went two for four in those extra-man opportunities. On the contrary, Fairfield held Saint Joseph’s to only one for five, or 20 percent on extra-man chances compared to Fairfield’s 50 percent success. Fairfield executed more when the opposition was a man down which played a key role in how the Stags picked up the 11-6 victory on Saturday, Feb. 17. Defense was another focal piece of Saturday’s victory where Fairfield held the Hawks to their lowest scoring outing in 12 games which dates back to last season. As mentioned, the Stags only allowed one goal when having a man down as well as forcing 14 turnovers. Both goalkeepers made double digit saves, where Sean McKee ’20 made 12 saves and Mike Adler made 10 saves for the Hawks. Coming off a loss, the Stags were looking to record a win and they played with a purpose. Fairfield looks to go 2-1 when they match up against No. 7 Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. as Fairfield looks to build momentum for the rest of the season.

Your 2017-2018 4x5 Columnists:

Allison White, Alfredo Torres, Patrick Getz and Catherine Veschi

What was your favorite memory from All-Star Weekend?

Fergie performed the National Anthem at the All-Star Game. Any thoughts?

Eric Hosmer and J.D Martinez recently signed big deals. Are they worth the money?

Do you think Tim Tebow will play in the MLB?

Looking to the second half, what is your NBA Finals Prediction?

Probably snuggling my pup and taking a two hour nap .... deff my type of All-Star weekend.

Yikes, heard it on the radio and can't say I was a fan.

I'm just waiting for my big deal, tbh.

Definitely! The guy already switched professional sports, why not go all the way!

I'm gonna pretend you said NHL and now I'm gonna cry cause I miss Chris Kreider and the Rangers that actually won games....

I actually think the All-Star game was great, both teams had superstar talents. The King wins MVP. The Dunk Contest was good too but as always they get the winner wrong, shoutout to my guy Larry!

Bold move by Fergie, but I don't think it worked out by all the negative feedback she got on social media.

It's no offseason without the Yankees and you know if the Bronx makes any moves, Boston has to follow in our footsteps. But I'm not worried about Boston, but what's new?

The only team that would even need a Tim Tebow is the Mets, so yeah be ready for Tebow to lead the Mets to last place.

Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

I completely loved Fergie's rendition of the National Anthem! Nahhhhh! Actually it was Donovan Mitchell's tribute to Vince Carter during the Dunk Contest!

The best rendition I've ever heard! *trying not to laugh like every player on the court*

Hey, they gotta be worth it, right!? Nope, no player is worth that much money.

There will be Tebow Time in the MLB! And Citi Field will be packed to see it!

After all these trades, it will be Warriors-Cavs. It's a toss-up between the Celtics and Cavs, though.

Fave memory was definitely Catherine Veschi watching the reactions on Managing Editor everyone's faces during Fergie's performance - never seen that many shook people in one room

Someone hire me!!

*darts eyes back and forth uncomfort- If they're not on The Yankees I ably* don't care

I still do not understand how I predict that I will watch 0 NBA games and a football player can just start playing baseball like that is not will instead stream all tennis matches that I how professional sports work in possibly can. my opinion


Sports

THE MIRROR | Week of February 21, 2018

Page 15

Women's Swimming & Diving Wins MAAC Championship

Contributed By Sports Information Desk The Fairfield University Women's Swimming and Diving team capped off a successful campaign by capturing the school's first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship this past weekend.

By Patrick Getz Assistant Sports Editor The Fairfield Women’s Swimming and Diving team achieved the impossible over the weekend when they won their first ever Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship. After a disappointing 2016-17 season where they went 5-9 and finished in the bottom half for the MAAC championship tournaments, the Stags Swimming and Diving team bounced back with authority for an 11-win season, which is a new program record. Everything went right for the Women’s Swim and Dive team, especially for head coach Anthony Bruno’s first year. Head coach Anthony Bruno preached the motto again and again to “win the MAAC” and they accomplished that feat. They competed for four straight days up in Buffalo, N.Y. starting this past Wednesday, Feb. 14 and held off Marist to win the 2018 MAAC Championship. Fairfield needed an all-around effort to hold off Marist and capture that first MAAC title. They got that joint effort especially from Sara Ostensen ‘21 as she was in complete control for the 1650 Yard Freestyle finishing in 16:55.48. The Stags also had another swimmer finishing in the top 10 as Haleigh McLaughlin ‘21 finished in sixth place in 17:19.40. The 1650 Yard Freestyle was not the only event that had multiple swimmers in the top-10. In the 100 Yard Freestyle, Kelly Cordes ‘19 won the event with a time of 51.76

with Sarah Herbold ‘21 and Maria Nitti ‘21 finishing in third and fourth, respectively. This was an impressive showing for the Stags since they had three swimmers finishing in the top four spots. In the 200 Yard Breaststroke, Fairfield did not slow down at all. Sophomore Colleen Young and Emily Vlass ‘19 secured the top two spots of the event, with Young winning in 2:20.86 and Vlass finishing in 2:22.69. Junior Oreoluwa Cherebin also finished in the top five for the Stags with a time of 2:25.58. Having three Stags in the top five finishers genuinely displayed the dominance of the swimming and diving team. The Stags Women’s Swimming and Diving team displayed a relentless side that never subsided. Two first-years, Morgan Hansen and Sara Ostensen, claimed the top spots for the 200 Yard Butterfly. Hansen finished with a time of 2:03.65 while Ostensen completed the race with a time of 2:05.88. For this event alone, these first-years made a name for themselves and they kept Fairfield in a great spot to win the MAAC tournament. Ostensen also took home the MAAC Championship’s Most Outstanding Swimmer as well as Rookie Swimmer of the Meet. Bruno also secured MAAC Coach of the Year. Finally, the Stags sealed their MAAC championship victory by winning the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay where Nitti, Herbold, Cordes and Ostensen finished the race in 3:28.61. This final victory from Fairfield epitomized how successful they have been all year long and capped off what was a record-breaking season for the Fairfield Women’s Swimming and Diving team.

Johnny Manziel Looks To Make NFL Return By Trey Liburd Contributing Writer Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy as the star quarterback for the Texas A&M Aggies. Afterwards, he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL draft and was expected to turn the franchise around the second he arrived. Things had an unfortunate way of working out though, as Manziel played in only 14 games in two seasons for the Browns and produced only seven touchdowns and equally seven interceptions. The main problem for Manziel was his alcohol addiction. Manziel got arrested during his redshirt freshman year, accused of disorderly conduct of fighting, failure to identify himself to the police and having a fake ID. Manziel also attended rehab for alcohol for a few months in 2015 to try to clean himself up, but it didn’t work. Manziel then got in trouble for a domestic violence charge against his girlfriend, which caused him to be cut from the Browns in March of 2016. The world came crashing down quick for Manziel and after the 2015 NFL season it seemed like he would never have the chance to recover. This week in an interview with ABC

News, he announced he’s making yet another comeback to the NFL, saying that he is going to play in the Spring League Scouting Event in Austin, Texas. He also mentioned how throughout his process of depression during college and the NFL, he thought that alcohol could cure the pain and make everything go away but then every morning he would wake up and realize he was still lonely and that his liquid confidence had gone away from the night before. According to Manziel, he isn’t drinking anymore and is fully-focused on his comeback to the NFL. Junior John Gargana reflected on Manziel’s comeback, saying, “Now that he has his drinking problem under control and has been practicing extensively, I believe that he has a very realistic chance at a successful comeback.” There are rumors that Manziel may sign with a Canadian Football League team, but only time will tell and shape his journey back to his goal which is, of course, being a starting quarterback again in the NFL. His downfall was devastating, but the most important factor is to see how he bounces back from here. The new chapter for Johnny Manziel starts now and hopefully he can wipe away all of his past disappointment with some success in the future.

Photos Contributed by SportsCenter/Twitter


@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports Week of February 21, 2018

fairfieldmirror.com

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

Tyler Nelson Becomes Fairfield's All-Time Leading Scorer

Contributed By Sports Information Desk Nelson scored 32 points against the Quinnipiac Bobcats giving him a career total of 2,007 points surpassing the record held by Tony George '86 to become Fairfield's all-time scoring leader.

By Patrick Getz Assistant Sports Editor Senior Tyler Nelson is cementing his name in the Fairfield record books seemingly every time he takes the court. On Saturday, Feb. 17, the senior officially became the number one scorer in Fairfield Stags history. He passed Tony George ‘86 to claim the top spot on the all-time scoring list as he dropped 32 points against the Quinnipiac Bobcats. However, 27 of his 32 points came in the second half and in both overtime periods as the Bradford, Mass. native aided the Stags to a 102-98 victory in double overtime. Nelson knows what lies ahead even after breaking the scoring record. He is utterly focused and he wants more than just records. “The record is nice, but we just want the best position we can get for the MAAC tournament,” said the senior. Nelson got the opportunity to share this extraordinary moment with friends and family in attendance, so it made the moment extra special. “It was special because I had a lot of family that made

the trip down from Massachusetts for the game. Also, a lot of friends from Fairfield showed up and supported me. Sharing it with my teammates and coaches that I have been with for four years has been pretty special,” said the leading scorer in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Nelson averaged 24.7 points per game this past week where he had a 29-point performance against Marist and a 32-point effort against the Bobcats. The guard attributes the success to his mental and physical preparation. “I just try to focus on each day, one game at a time. Practice is really important and preparation as well. Teams focus on me a lot because I am the leading scorer but I try to take each game individually which helps me a lot,” said Nelson. The senior shooting guard always stays humble when it comes to receiving awards as well. Even if it becomes commonplace to the MAAC, Nelson continuously appreciates the awards he receives. “It is still pretty special every time I get an award, whether it be Player of the Week or something else. I am

just trying to enjoy these last couple weeks of the season, having as much success as possible, and focusing on March because anything can happen then,” said Nelson. Since it is Nelson’s last season as a Stag, he is not satisfied with just personal accolades. He wants the big prize and that is the MAAC championship. “Our only goal is to win the MAAC tournament. It has been our goal every year since I have been here and we have talked about it since the beginning of the season. I think we have a good opportunity to do that, just finishing these last two games strong and be ready for that first week of March,” said Fairfield’s all-time leading scorer. With the Stags winning five of their last seven games, Nelson hopes to lead this team to two more victories and also lead his team into the MAAC tournament strong. The senior has been chasing the MAAC title and he clearly sees an opportunity for this 2017-18 Stags team to capture it. Nelson and company will get their chance to bolster their MAAC resume when Fairfield takes on Siena on Wednesday, Feb. 21 in Albany, N.Y.

Alfredo Torres/The Mirror Senior Tyler Nelson also set a school record with three-pointers made as he currently has made 293 shots from three point land. With two games left in the season, Nelson looks to lead the Stags to a deep playoff run.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.