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Fairfield University Club Ski Team heads to Nationals. Page 14
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THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper
Week of March 1, 2017
Vol. 42 Iss. 18
@FairfieldMirror
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ocaine By Deanna Carbone Co-News Editor On a college campus, it’s normal to expect drugs present on the party scene or behind closed dorm doors. While many are aware of their use, students are often reluctant to speak out on the topic so that their name is not attached to the topic of drugs. A drug often tied to a younger, affluent crowd, like Fairfield University, is cocaine. The Foundation for a Drug Free World breaks down the effects of cocaine, saying that it causes “a short-lived, intense high that is followed by an intense depression, edginess, and craving for more.” According to the assistant director of the Department of Public Safety John Ritchie, DPS has only had 28 cases of cocaine since 1999. The last time cocaine was found on campus was Nov. 28, 2016. He believes that there is a discrepancy between how many cases there are and how big of a presence cocaine has on campus. “We are aware of the drug on campus, but it’s easier to conceal cocaine than other drugs, such as marijuana, since it doesn’t have a scent,” said Ritchie. From DPS’ records, alcohol is the number one drug on campus, followed by marijuana. Despite this, Fairfield students have noticed the presence of cocaine as well. “I’m not aware of a cocaine issue on campus, but I’m sure it is. I have heard of people using it here, but not frequently,” said Allison Havner ’20. DPS has also documented the presence of pills, such as Adderall and Ritalin, on campus. “We often find those medications without a prescription,” said Ritchie Assistant Vice President and director of Counseling Susan Birge explained that drugs like Adderall and Ritalin are often gateway drugs to cocaine. “Once Adderall and Ritalin are used recreationally, it’s easy to get a high from them. Cocaine produces an effect that is much greater than that,” said Birge. Clinical coordinator Lisa Arnold explained that cocaine is rarely used as a party
drug by itself on college campuses. Once it’s being mixed with alcohol or other drugs, it becomes difficult to isolate the effects of the drug. “Students have told me that once cocaine takes effect, it feels like a hundred Christmases, but the crash is often so severe that they may need another substance, like Xanax, to get out of bed,” said Arnold. A student who wishes to remain anonymous described her own experience with cocaine. “I enjoy it in the moment. I’m happier, more alert and I can’t stop moving. Coming down from the high brings down my mood and takes a physical toll on me too,” said the student. Although there has only been one reported incident of alleged cocaine use to the Dean of Students Office, associate Vice President and dean of students Karen Donahue discussed the policies if one is caught with cocaine. “If found responsible, sanctions will be assessed based on the behavior in question but can include disciplinary probation, loss of housing, dismissal, expulsion, drug education, a fine and/or referral for evaluation or counseling,” said Donahue. Although there could be legal repercussions following cocaine possession, Birge expressed her desire for students to seek aid with Counseling and Psychological Services. “We don’t pretend everything is fine. We care about our students and want to address drug use head on,” said Birge. “What supersedes the fear and the stigma of coming forward is that we really want to help. We understand no one desires to be an addict.” Students were aware of the use of the drug on campus, but not the services the University provides to those struggling with addiction or abuse. Birge described “the Fairfield approach” as one that includes education, prevention, assessment, intervention, coordination of care and a Collegiate Recovery Program, which allows recovering students to live off-campus and balance recovery with education. Many students declined to comment because they did not want to be linked to cocaine use.
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
News
College Democrats Host ‘Let’s Talk Sex’ By Samantha Moore Contributing Writer With the divisive political climate storming America, the topic of sex is the last thing many think of as the foreground of uneasiness. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, students and clubs gathered in the Lower Level of the Barone Campus Center for the annual Let’s Talk Sex event, which highlighted topics of women’s health and the access to contraceptives on campus. College Democrats, the host of the event, invited Students for Social Justice, Alliance and the Reproductive Rights Talk and Action Group as well as Planned Parenthood to discuss topics regarding sexual health. “I think it’s really important that students have a better understanding of their sexual safety, including topics that are here today such as consent, an awareness of STDs, STIs and sex within the LGBTQ community,” President of College Democrats Riley Barrett ‘17 said. During this year’s event, Barrett addressed Interim President Dr. Lynn Babington with a list of demands for the university. Some of the these included freedom for clubs and organizations to distribute contraceptives on campus, the ability for the Student Health Center to prescribe birth control and the availability of purchasable contraceptives in the Stag Spirit Shop. At the RRTAG booth, students discussed how access to feminine hygiene products relates to social justice. Additionally, donations to provide these products to homeless women were collected. For the president of RRTAG, Abigayel Phillips ‘17, it was the discussion that made the event valuable. “What I think is really cool about today is that it is offering a lot of resources for people. I think information is super
Juliana Sansonetti/The Mirror Jennifer Gaines, youth development specialist and community educator for Planned Parenthood, spoke with students about women’s healthcare and offered them free condoms as part of the “Let’s Talk Sex” event.
important for people to make more informed thoughts and choices,” said Phillips. While booths allowed for students to flow in and converse downstairs, Students for Life organized a table of their own upstairs, near the student mailboxes. “Students for Life is an organization on campus that stands up for all life, from beginning of conception to the
end of life, and all life in between. The pro-life movement is pro-women and our table today expressed those views,” said Lauren Hart ‘19, representative at the Students for Life table. “While we fully support women’s health and women’s rights, we do not believe that anyone should have the right to Read Students on Page
Barone Stirs Debate Regarding “Food Poisoning” By Elizabeth O’Hara Assistant News Editor The term “food poisoning” has the power to trigger a shudder of revulsion among much of the general population. At Fairfield University and on most college campuses, food poisoning and communicable diseases tend to become very prevalent issues. According to the director of the Student Health Center Julia Duffy, these issues spread somewhat more readily when there are close living quarters and mass produced food. According to Duffy, many of the symptoms that follow food poisoning are identified as gastrointestinal symptoms. The Student Health Center directly evaluates students that report various indicators of the illness. According to Duffy, food poisoning is not actually the scientifically correct term to use. “The term ‘food poisoning’ is relatively nonspecific and open to variable interpretations. Here at the Student Health Center we use the term gastroenteritis, not the term food poisoning,” said Duffy. Duffy went on to explain the term in depth. “Most often it is used to refer to microbial foodborne illnesses (such as salmonella, E.coli, listeria, etc.) These foodborne illnesses are reportable to the Connecticut Department of Health. We have not had any reportable foodborne illnesses at Fairfield University this year,” said Duffy. While the numbers vary every year, this year the Health Center has only dealt with a few cases of gastroenteritis, according to Duffy. However, this year, the Health Center has seen a number of students with a particular strain of influenza.
“Influenza is a respiratory virus, but at times, some strains may also cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This flu season, we are seeing quite a few students with gastrointestinal symptoms who are testing positive for influenza,” explained Duffy. When students report these specific gastrointestinal issues, the Health Center swiftly conducts a regulatory plan of action to restore the student’s health. “Evaluating students with various gastrointestinal symptoms is a regular part of our clinical practice here at the Student Health Center. Periodically, we see students with acute gastroenteritis,” said Duffy. Usually these infections are viral in nature and tend to resolve without medical treatment. “If indicated, we will order lab tests to identify a specific pathogen and/or refer the student to the emergency department for further evaluation and rehydration,” continued Duffy. A few students have had their own experiences with gastroenteritis caused by different foods. Sophomore Katherine Barber believed the source of her food poisoning was due to food being left out for substantial amounts of time in the makeshift dining room. “I happened to go to Barone on a night that was over capacity, so I grabbed sushi quickly on my way to class from the makeshift dining area in the oak room. I immediately felt sick. I think that Barone should closely monitor the food they serve down in the Oak Room, even if the dining area is temporary,” said Barber. Another student, Hannah Dingley ‘19, believes that fresh food should be made more available in order to minimize the Read The Health on Page
Patrick Orkins/The Mirror Students with both liberal and conservative political leanings conversed about politics as part of the “Across the Aisle” discussion series on Feb. 27.
Students Cross the Aisle of Politics By Patrick Orkins Contributing Writer Not every debate between conservatives and liberals has to devolve into a screaming match, which is what “Across the Aisle” aims to prove. Senior Riley Barrett and Robert Fredette ‘18 hosted the second meeting of their discussion series, “Across the Aisle,” on Monday, Feb. 27 following a successful meeting on Feb. 13 in the McGrath Commons, where both conservative and liberal-leaning students discussed differing political ideologies civilly and respectfully. Barrett first came up with the idea after discussing politics after class with Fredette, where both students listened to the other’s views and thoughts on legislative policies and issues in America. It was then that she had the idea to reach out and see if other students could also engage in levelheaded discussions about politics. “I believe that America is plagued by the inability to have a civil dialogue and even here at a private institution we are unable to have talks across political divides,” said Barrett. She recruited her fellow members of the College Democrats club and asked Fredette, a member of the College Republicans, to invite other members and engage in an informal discussion. Jeremy Kaler, associate director of Student Engagement and advisor to the Student Civil Union, provided funding and food for the events, but let Barrett and Fredette take the lead for the discussion. Read Conservatives on Page
THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
News
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The Mirror Reflects on this Week in Social Media Compiled by Elizabeth O’Hara Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.
Friday, 2/24 10:22 a.m. – Public Safety investigated vandalism that was reported in the Leslie C. Quick Recreational Complex. An unknown individual damaged a security box in a surrounding stereo system. There are no suspects at this time. The incident is under investigation. Saturday, 2/25 12:30 a.m. – Public Safety responded to an incident outside Townhouse 12 block. A young man inappropriately touched a young lady amongst a crowd of students. DPS is not investigating the incident because the female involved does not wish for it to be investigated. Public Safety does know the identity of the young man. This incident has been turned over to the Title IX investigators. 2:41 p.m. – Public Safety documented a young man for the possession of alcohol. The individual had multiple beer cans outside the Townhouse 14 block. Sunday, 2/26 7:02 p.m. – Public Safety responded to an oven fire inside Meditz Hall. The fire was a direct result of individuals leaving a pizza box in the oven. There were no injuries as well as minimal property damage. Monday, 2/27 11:55 a.m. – Public Safety stopped a vehicle and found drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. The individual inside the car was issued an infraction for possession of marijuana.
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Allison White, Editor-in-Chief Andrew DaRosa, Executive Editor Catherine Veschi, Managing Editor Editors Juliana Sansonetti, Co-News Deanna Carbone, Co-News Elizabeth O’Hara, Assistant News Lexi Thimble, Opinion Alicia Phaneuf, Vine Cara Lee, Assistant Vine Claire Monahan, Coffee Break Alfredo Torres, Sports Daniel Montgomery, Assistant Sports Sabina Dirienzo, Chief Copy Editor Online Bradley Nordstrom, Web Master Ariana Puzzo, Online Editor-in-Chief Nicole Funaro, Online News Editor Pamela Kask, Online Opinion Editor Shana Lynch, Online Vine Editor Kelley Eckert, Online Coffee Break Editor Business Department Email: advertising@fairfieldmirror.com Stephanie Van Fleet, Director of Finance Marcus DeSouto, 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
Conservatives and Liberals Debate Peacefully Continued from page
Although Barrett and Fredette admitted the first meeting consisted of only 15 students, both agreed that having smaller groups “fill the table” made students feel more like they were talking to their peers rather than a horde of political adversaries. According to Fredette, “People shouldn’t be afraid to talk about politics with people who don’t agree with them. We want everyone to hear each other’s background and what shaped their point of view.” While fewer students attended Monday’s meeting, that did not stop the seven students in attendance from getting into thought-provoking debates on hot-button issues such as abortion, physician-assisted suicide and human development. The first half hour saw students debating whether Fairfield should sell condoms to students through the Stag Spirit store, with both sides citing religious and social arguments. Fredette argued that a Catholic institution shouldn’t be obligated to fund and promote sexual activity among its students, while others like Emily Hayes ‘17 argued it could promote safe sex practices. While some topics were debated at length by various students, Barrett and Fredette ensured the discussion remained civil and students’ views were respected. “You can disagree with what people say, but you can’t just tell them they are wrong. Nothing gets done when people just believe
what they think is right is a fact,” Fredette said. Both Barrett and Fredette believe the lack of attendance was due to their own marketing of the event. They used their respective organizations and OrgSync to spread word of the event. The pair also acknowledged the lack of conservative students who attended the discussion. “At the prior meeting we actually had one side of conservatives and liberals going back and forth across the table discussing their ideas. We’d like more of that,” said Fredette. “It’s important that people that don’t usually take part in events like these come and speak up so that we get to hear from both sides of the aisle, understand the opposing viewpoint more,” added Barrett. Junior Zachary Quiñones echoed this belief, saying, “It’s always good to hear what the other side has to say. You never know if that’ll change your perspective or not.” However, some students like Jamey Duncan ‘18 didn’t seem to show interest in the event. “I don’t really know all that much about politics other than what I hear in the news,” he said, “I just like to focus on me and not worry myself over things that I personally cannot change in the world.” Regardless, Barrett and Fredette hope to bring in more students for the next “Across the Aisle” event on March 20 and invite students of any political leaning to join in the dialogue.
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
News
Gibbons and Strang Elected FUSA President and VP By Juliana Sansonetti Co-News Editor The results are in, and your Fairfield University Student Association president and vice president are Cara Gibbons ‘18 and Molly Strang ‘18. On the night of Tuesday, Feb. 28, the official winners of the election were announced at the annual FUSA presidential election party at The Levee. Gibbons and Strang reacted with joy to the announcement, which was made by Chief Justice of FUSA Court Matthew Parenti ‘17. “I am so excited,” said Strang, “as a first year, I never would have thought I would be vice president of the undergraduate student body.” Gibbons and Strang spoke on their goals for the coming year. “As the student body president, I will strive to build a welcoming community where individuals gain a sense of belonging,” said Gibbons. “Through the variety of clubs and organizations on campus and within the greater Fairfield area, I want the Stags to continue to enhance the support of each other’s endeavors.” She also encouraged questions and comments from fellow students, emphasizing her understanding of college life. Sophomore Marie McGann, who attended the election party at the Levee, expressed her confidence in the new leaders of FUSA. “I think they are very well-rounded individuals who have great morals, and I think they will do a great job at leading this school and making good improvements for the students,” she said. FUSA President Zoë Ferranti ‘17 expressed a similar confidence. “I am very confident in both Cara and Molly’s abilities. I think that they are incredible cam-
pus leaders and I think that no one opposed them because they knew their capabilities were amazing,” said Ferranti. Strang expressed her hope that she and Gibbons will be seen as approachable by the rest of the student body. Gibbons believe that her experience in FUSA has prepared her for the role of president. “Over the last three years I have had the pleasure of contributing to the improvement of the student experience here at Fairfield,” said Gibbons. “My dedication to FUSA has become more than just tasks and responsibilities, it has become a commitment to my fellow students.”
Juliana Sansonetti/The Mirror As part of the “Let’s Talk Sex” event, penis-shaped cookies were sold. All proceeds went to Planned Parenthood.
Students React Differently to ‘Let’s Talk Sex’ Continued from page
Juliana Sansonetti/The Mirror FUSA President-Elect Cara Gibbons ‘18 and Vice President-Elect Molly Strang ‘18.
take another life,” said Students for Life member Katie Curry ‘19. “Fairfield is a Catholic, Jesuit institution, one that pledges to uphold the church and care for the whole person at every stage of life. While an event that stands for women’s health is great, we believe there are other organizations better suited to represent this cause.” Freshman Tarabeth Moon said that she came out to support the pro-life table but also experienced the event downstairs. “I walked around for a few minutes but I saw different things that I felt were very repulsive like the penis cookies. I just didn’t think that should be on our campus being a Catholic school,” Moon said.
Others, like Rev. Michael Doody, S.J., director of restorative counseling, raised similar questions about what is appropriate on the campus of a Catholic university. “I think it’s a sign that we’ve turned the corner from having been a Jesuit Catholic university into being a secular school where what the church believes, teaches [and] holds sacred, doesn’t matter anymore,” Doody said. “The fact that we allow this event, that it has been approved by the administration, absolutely disgusts me. I’m so appalled I can barely speak straight. I’m a Catholic priest and I feel like it’s a smack in my face and I’m powerless to do anything about it.”
The fact that we allow this event, that it has been approved by the administration, absolutely disgusts me ... I feel like it’s a smack in my face and I’m powerless to do anything about it. -Rev. Michael Doody, S.J.
The Health Center Speaks Out on Foodborne Illnesses Continued from page
risk of gastroenteritis. “I got very bad food poisoning in Barone last year. I was making myself a salad at the salad bar and I decided to put the hard boiled eggs in my salad. That night I was throwing up in my room. In my opinion, Barone should start serving fresh food. I understand that it is costly but serving preserved foods increases the risk of contamination,” said Dingley. In order to improve the quality of food in Barone so that students no longer have concerns about the food they’re consuming, Spencer Gilbert ‘20 and Kyle King ‘20 started a petition on change.org to “abandon Sodexo and its high-cost food, low-quality food and unethical standards. They do not meet the standards of Fairfield University.” In addition to the direct clinical care Fairfield provides to ill students with infec-
tious gastrointestinal conditions, the health center also focuses on educating these students with a few tips on hygiene measures to avoid transmitting the illness to others. “Typically, these microbes are spread from one person to another by one of two ways: by hand to mouth or by hand to food to mouth. For example, we stress that ill students must wash their hands, especially after using the bathroom, and should not prepare food for others or serve food to others,” said Duffy. While it is not always easy to pinpoint the direct causes of gastroenteritis, Fairfield University takes many precautions in order to curb the food-related afflictions. “Fairfield takes great pride in the comprehensive set of safeguards that were developed and instilled in the food service area to minimize the risk associated with foodborne pathogens,” said Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Jim Fitzpatrick ‘70.
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
Opinion Editor Lexi Thimble » opinion@fairfieldmirror.com
Getting Opinionated with The Mirror Trump and the Distortion of Truth By Nicole Funaro Online News Editor From the creators of “alternative facts” and the Bowling Green massacre, the Trump administration now presents to you their latest hit: terrorist attacks in Sweden. During a campaign-style rally in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, Feb. 18, CNN reported that President Trump implied that Sweden had been the victim of a terrorist attack the night before, setting the media — and Sweden — ablaze with questions about the validity of the remarks. Though the allusions were proved untrue, there remains a question of why the Trump administration always has their facts one step removed from the truth. Perhaps the answer rests in the erupting fake news trend that packages news in varying shades of grey — from the blatantly outrageous to the only somewhat false — and sells it to audiences as true, using manufactured photos, phony quotes and even the logos of real news outlets. These fake news stories offer a vision of truth that can often go unquestioned, leading readers to believe the story at face value. The Trump administration’s “alternative facts” function in a similar way: they sound just true enough to be believed, and may slip through the cracks if left unchecked. This is not the only way the current White House is trying to obfuscate reality; they are also trying to create their own reality. According to Vox, Trump’s team sent out a “Mainstream Media Accountability Survey” following his press-conference-gone-rogue on Thursday, Feb. 16. Claiming in the email sent to the campaign’s email list that the American people are the “last line of defense against the media’s hit jobs,” the survey went on to press participants on the media’s purported “unfair” treatment of the administration as well as the role political correctness plays in creating biased news coverage. While these sound like innocent questions on the surface, such survey questions can end up creating a parallel political universe in which all of the facts are in favor of President Trump. First, the
questions are excessively leading. One read, “Do you believe that the mainstream media does not do their due diligence fact-checking before publishing stories on the Trump administration?,” which plays directly into the administration’s labelling outlets like CNN and The New York Times as fake or failing news organizations. Another asked if participants believed that the media “purposely tries to divide Republicans against each other in order to help elect Democrats?” — yet another question that directs participants to recall the long-held notion that the media holds a liberal bias. Setting the questions aside, it is also important to consider the audience to which these questions were given: they are all Trump supporters. The 25-question survey was emailed to those on his email list from his presidential campaign, so their responses will naturally align with those of their leader — after all, their votes placed him into the highest seat of American government. By sending out a survey to followers who share similar views, the Trump administration will get the responses they want, which are responses that agree with their own outlook and agenda. There is no question that the manufacturing of truth to further one’s own agenda is wrong. However, it seems here that there is more going on than just the president trying to create a filter bubble of news, praise and agreement that is pleasing to him; instead, it is not only an attempt to blur the line between fact and fiction, reality and fantasy. It may just be a means through which to distract the American people from covert policy decisions, insider dealings and concrete actions made by the administration with which the vast majority of Americans would likely disagree. This only follows the media sideshow Trump consistently performed that distracted from the main tent of his campaign circus. The Nation summed up his tactic — and news outlets’ contribution to his growth — this way: ”The always-controversial Trump was irresistible for ratings-driven news outlets, and their endless profit-seeking helped legitimize a dangerous politics [sic]…Trump’s screen-to-screen exposure during the campaign provided bait to cap-
ture advertiser’s most coveted product: our attention. To keep our attention, media must entertain us. And Trump delivered — especially for media’s bottom line.” Trump rose to political prominence by spewing egregiously wrong or heinously controversial statements — look no further than to his claims that President Obama was not an American citizen or his mocking of a reporter on the campaign trail for proof. The media reported every single one of them; in fact, the more eye-popping the statement, the better it was for news outlets’ ratings and in turn, their advertising revenue, especially for cable news. As president, more of the same continues. Except now, Trump has in his hands the power to make and enforce decisions, ones that may be lost in a media frenzy of fact-checking and verification. Consider this most recent move by the administration: CNN reported on Thursday, Feb. 23 that the FBI “rejected a recent White House request to publicly knock down media reports about communications between Donald Trump's associates and Russians known to US intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign.” Not only did the administration seek to dispel negative press on their alleged contact with Russia pre-election, they also authorized the immigration raids carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), touting it as a “military operation,” according to The Washington Post. Yet, while we were laughing at Sweden’s reaction to their purported ill fate, Trump and his team commissioned these acts. These casual media missteps of falsified or exaggerated information are just an extension of Trump’s campaign tactic to remain front and center in media coverage, with commentary on one outrageous comment or act replacing its predecessor in the news cycle. While this may leave citizens feeling helpless or at the mercy of a man who doesn’t care much for the truth, this should serve as a call to act, a call to become invested in the news coming out of this White House, a call to identify falsehoods and spread the truth at every turn.
Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons
Editorial Board "Life on Mars?"
Allison White Editor-in-Chief Andrew DaRosa Executive Editor Catherine Veschi Managing Editor
“Is there life on Mars?” David Bowie posed this question to the masses in 1971 when the world was obsessed with the notion of life on other planets. On Feb. 22, NASA announced the discovery of the first “exoplanet” system, called TRAPPIST-1, located approximately 40 light-years away from Earth and centered around an ultra-cool dwarf star. This new planetary system, which is comprised of seven Earth-sized planets, three of which are inhabitable, is the largest extraterrestrial discovery in the history of NASA, strengthening the belief for inquisitive individuals and conspiracy theorists alike that there is the possibility of extraterrestrials in other galaxies and planets. In a childlike wonder, we question the possibilities of little green men visiting Earth from distant, alien-sounding planets and abducting us in their UFOs. However, the case
simply is that these beings may be simplistic or germ-like in nature, sitting in a primordial ooze in comparison to how evolved we are as a species. As stated by The Independent, “Even if life isn’t ever found near TRAPPIST-1, it might eventually develop there. The star is relatively young – even when our own Sun has run out of fuel and our solar system is destroyed, the newly-discovered one will still be in its early infancy.” While these beings may not be the stuff of nightmares as envisioned in our childhood, the possibility of life remains a viable option for scientists and opens a door to the possibilities of life existing outside of our solar system. So forget Mars; the future of extraterrestrial beings lies in an incomprehensible space of being that we may never reach in our time here on Earth.
There is also the possibility that despite these recent discoveries, the entire situation may be overhyped. While this large extraterrestrial discovery has been made and while the possibility of life out there is ever imminent, there remains the chance that there may not be life out there at all. While scientists may discover the existence of vegetation or water, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we are guaranteed to see another life form nearly as advanced as human beings walking around on this “exoplanet” system. Again, the childlike whimsy takes over and we find ourselves back to square one asking ourselves the question of whether there truly is life out there. As best said by Fox Mulder in the hit sci-fi series “The X-Files,” “the truth is out there.”
THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
Opinion
Transgender Rights Are About More Than Bathrooms
President Trump last week rescinded former President Barack Obama’s executive resolution that allowed students to use bathrooms that most closely aligned with their gender identity, turning the issue instead back to the states and localities. There has since been a meme circulating on social media, echoing a sentiment that vaguely resembles the following: “It's not about bathrooms, just as it was never about water fountains.” Aside from the trite and tired attempt at parallelism to the Jim Crow South, the statement retains a larger truth in its first clause: this debate is about much more than bathrooms. The West is engulfed in an existential dispute with far reaching ramifications over whether individuals with gender dysphoria are foils to the eons old conception of maleness and femaleness or instead hold an illusory conception disparate from a fundamentally important biological reality. The former faction argues that all it takes for one to be a man or a woman is to proclaim themselves so, assumedly with a deeply held conviction of their validity. This assertion has tremendously infectious effects in the societal downstream, because for all of academia’s attempts at post hoc denial, men and women are quite unique despite their common humanity. In a telling exchange, undiminished by the partisan nature of the network, Fox News host Tucker Carlson asked a very fundamental question to a transgender advocate on his nightly show last week: should a man be allowed to proclaim himself a woman, apply for a small business grant from the Office of Women’s Business Ownership, only to revoke this identification the day after receiving the funds? And who, particularly in a court of law, is to say this “transition” in identity wasn’t genuine? Many institutions in our culture are segregated by sex, and most people, if they are honest, believe these to be fundamentally different than Jim Crow. Sports and leagues of athletic competition, sororities, women’s locker rooms, prisons and a host of other societal organizations and institutions openly distinguish male from female. As a matter of principle, one knows they are approaching a forbidden truth if the media demonizes an entire opinion as one reserved for the bigoted musings of heartless malefactors. Just as the gay marriage question was never just about same-sex couples’ right to wed
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but instead morphed into a referendum on gubernatorial coercion in private religious bakeries, the question of legislating a view of gender that makes biology subordinate to subjective perceptions into the credos of public school restrooms is much larger than the lavatory of choice for public school children. People who struggle with gender dysphoria are individuals who are often undergoing a fierce battle with deep emotions, desires and confusion. Anyone with basic compassion sees this and is moved. But while considered verboten to serious discussion by the media, there is another perspective on this issue that flips the narrative that frames this debate from supposedly tolerant sages against know-nothing fascists on its head. It’s quite possible that remodeling society to undo the staples of human biology could have adverse effects not only on the cultural climate in our country but to transgender individuals themselves. Forty one percent of people who identify as transgender, according to a 2014 study done by the Williams Institute at UCLA, attempt suicide in their lifetime. To attribute this number to external “oppression” instead of internal confusion does no service to the transgender community. Notwithstanding one’s willingness or unwillingness to consider gender dysphoria a mental illness, the condition is highly comorbid with other psychological disorders. In a 2009 study published in a peer-reviewed journal, Case Western Reserve University’s Department of Psychiatry examined recent case studies in their Gender Identity Clinic, and found that “90 percent of these diverse patients had at least one other form of psychopathology.” The study’s abstract continues, noting that an “[e]mphasis on civil rights is not a substitute for the recognition and treatment of associated psychopathology. Gender identity specialists, unlike the media, need to be concerned about the majority of patients.” In a much larger study, board-certified Dutch psychiatrists examined 351 transgender patients in their 2003 report, and found that 61 percent of those patients harbored other psychiatric conditions, including personality, dissociative and psychotic disorders. Contemplating these statistics, combined with troubling studies on postoperative regret, Walt Heyer, a lifelong sufferer of gender dysphoria who lived eight years as a woman following sex reassignment surgery, said the following in a 2015 op-ed at the Federalist: “The fallout of the media’s inclination to overlook the negative findings is simple: nothing will change...Thirty years from now, the environment will be the same. Co-existing mental illnesses in [transgendered people] won’t be treated. The attempted suicide rate will be high; transition regret will occur with frequency. It’s time for the media to stand up and provide the overwhelming evidence for all to see that mental illness, regret and suicide exist among [transgender individuals]. Only then will we see true improvement in the outcomes for all.” In the name of inclusion, American society is attempting to fundamentally recreate itself in the image of an often-suicidal delusion. The Obama edict regarding restroom usage tacitly encouraged a view of gender that is complicit in an aberration that is often the very source of the transgender quagmire. Gender dysphoria is a phenomenon whose solution is wrought with examining larger questions about sex, gender, suicidality and comorbid mental illness. The media is putting forth a false narrative that society is prostrate before the misperceptions of a beleaguered few and in denial of the patently obvious reality that men and women are different. This discussion, in-depth as it is, is one that requires serious intellectual debate beyond the typically juvenile “settled science vs. religious rubes.”
Suppression of the Media is the Opposition of Freedom By Lexi Thimble Opinion Editor On Friday, Feb. 24, President Donald Trump made the decision to ban three major news sources, including The New York Times, Politico, and CNN, from meeting with the Press Secretary for the scheduled press briefing held in the West Wing of the White House. This move comes as the latest of slanders against the American press, who Trump this past week dubbed “the enemy of the American people” in a tweet disparaging major news outlets like ABC, CBS and The New York Times. Not only is the White House’s decision to handpick the news sources they want to communicate with morally wrong, it is constitutionally wrong to suppress freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Last summer, I watched all seven season of Aaron Sorkin’s iconic show “The West Wing,” which details the day-to-day events faced by the staff of President Josiah Bartlet. Though Sorkin’s show is hopelessly optimistic and idealistic about the good that can come from government, and can be seen as liberal indulgence, “The West Wing” is eye-opening about what goes on behind the scenes in the White House. With this knowledge in mind and therefore knowing a little about how the president’s staff operates, I can’t help but make comparisons with real life and situations on the show. And when comparing press secretaries and their dealings with the press, all I can think is, “C.J. wouldn’t stand for this.” C.J. Cregg is the fictional press secretary on “The West Wing” played by Allison Janney, and though her dealings with the press on the show are sometimes contentious and irksome, never in any situation would she suggest that the president bar a member of the press because she thought they’d cast the president in a bad light. By the same token, she would never accept an order from the president asking for this same thing, and would be the first to vehemently protest it. The point I’m trying to make with all this talk of a TV show is that, if it’s implausible that a fictional press secretary for a fictional president would accept such a request to restrict access of the press, what does that say about the measures the current administration is now taking? The fact is, Donald Trump and his administration are
too ridiculous even for television. This picture of him and the office of the president is so unflattering that he’s naming news sources that say so as his enemies. On the other side, as The New York Times reported, “Organizations allowed in included Breitbart News, the One America News Network and The Washington Times, all with conservative leanings.” The inclusion of Breitbart in this approved list is especially suspect considering Steve Bannon’s current role as a top advisor to Trump. This may suggest a high level of manipulation from Bannon through his position, causing Trump to lean more right than he originally might have. Trump is organizing the media in a way that backs up the image of himself that he wants to present, rather than letting reliable news sources pick apart the many mistakes he’s made so far. Not only is this blocking of specific outlets morally wrong for the president to do — it violates the very First Amendment of the Constitution. Now should be a time more than ever for Republicans that have sworn up and down to adhere to the rules of the Constitution to call him out. Repression of freedom of speech and of the press comes even before the amendment giving Americans the right to bear arms, also known as the one true love of traditional conservatives. If the Constitution and its many articles and amendments mean so much, why have no major Republican leaders called Trump out for not just this decision, but for many others he’s made during his short time in office? It’s time for them, wherever they are, to step up to the plate and disprove their hypocrisy. This latest measure out of the White House perpetuates Trump’s lack of respect for not only the press but for the basis on which the foundation for our country was laid. As Bradley Whitford, who played the deputy chief of staff on “The West Wing,” summed up in a tweet this past week: “It’s like having someone pilot a jet who has never flown before. Who thinks planes are stupid.” In deciding that the news is only something he can decide, Trump is undermining the rights of the American people and press, and limiting their rights in how they consume news content. The president doesn’t get to control the news or the stances they take; that’s not what “the leader of the free world” is meant to do. That world, with its limits and bias, isn’t very free at all.
Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons
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 errors. Letters should be free of obscenities and personal attacks and should contain correct and factual information, not exceeding 500 words.
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arts, entertainment, features Editor Alicia Phaneuf alicia.phaneuf@student.fairfield.edu
The Oscars Take a Shocking Turn of Events
Photos taken from Moonlight, Auli'i Cravalho, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and The Academy Instagram Photo Illustration by Alicia Phaneuf
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
The Vine
Highlights of the 2017 Oscars By Alicia Phaneuf Vine Editor
Known as Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, The Academy Awards (The Oscars) honor the best movies, actors, producers and designers of the year’s best major motion pictures. What started off on a high note with Justin Timberlake opening the ceremony with his upbeat song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” the 2017 Oscars took a turn for the worst as Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway read the wrong winner for Best Motion Picture. Dunaway announced that the winner for Best Motion Picture was “La La Land,” and the cast and crew took the stage to begin their speech. It wasn’t until the middle of their speech that an announcement was made about the mistake and that the actual winner of the Oscar was “Moonlight.” Beatty had been handed an envelope that said “Emma Stone, ‘La La Land’,” which was the card used for the previous award of Best Supporting Actress. Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel tried to make light of the situation by shouting, “Warren, what did you do?” and later blamed Steve Harvey for his infamous mix up of the Miss Universe winner. Utilizing his comedic talents, Kimmel was able to somewhat save the catastrophe. The closing of the show was not the only instance where Kimmel provided comedy; he also added political jabs throughout the evening and targeted specific actors and actresses to make fun of — particularly Matt Damon. The faux feud between Kimmel and Damon has been going on for years and the night of the Oscars was no exception. Earlier in the week Kimmel posted on social media a picture of himself defacing Matt Damon’s headshot that was hung on his assigned seat at the Dolby Theater (where the Oscars were held.) He began his verbal jabs towards Damon by first insulting his widely-known role in “We Bought a Zoo,” describing his performance as “effortful.” Kimmel continued this mockery by saying, “Matt, as you probably know, could have starred in Manchester by the Sea. He handed what turned out to be an Oscar-caliber role over to his friend and made a Chinese ponytail movie instead." Horrifying mistakes and Kimmel’s comedy aside, the rest of the ceremony ran smoothly. Many viewers had their eyes on the movie “La La Land” as the film was nominated for a record total of 14 Academy Awards. Out of these 14, “La La Land” only took home six Oscars, some of which included: Best Supporting Actress for Emma Stone, Best Achievement in Directing for Damien Chazelle (the youngest director in history to win an Oscar) and Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures. Some major points of surprise during the night include: Mahershala Ali’s win for Best Supporting Actor in “Moonlight”, Kenneth Lonergan’s win for Best Actor in “Manchester by the Sea” over Ryan Gosling in “La La Land” and of course “Moonlight’s” win over “La La Land” for Best Motion Picture. Another highlight of the evening was when Actress Viola Davis secured her first Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rose in the movie “Fences.” Upon receiving her award, Davis offered beautiful insight. “There’s one place that all the people with
the greatest potential are gathered — and that’s the graveyard,” she said. “People ask me all the time, what kind of stories do you want to tell? And I say, ‘Exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories.’ We are the only profession to celebrate what it means to live a life.” In addition to memorable wins, the Oscars also showcased beautiful performances throughout the night. Disney lovers were captivated by Auli'i Cravalho’s performance of “How Far I’ll Go” from her part as Moana in “Moana.” The 16-year-old Auli’i graced the stage in a stunning red gown as dancers dressed in blue performed with large blue sheets in the background to give the illusion of water. If Auli’i felt any nerves for her first Oscar performance, they did not show. Even as one of the dancers hit Auli’i in the back of the head during her performance, it did not phase the actress as she continued on with the song beautifully. Following Auili’ was Sting’s elegant performance of the Oscar nominated song “The Empty Chair.” This song was used in the movie “The James Foley Story” which was about war correspondent James Foley, who was captured and killed by ISIS. Sting’s performance of this song had the audience in complete silence as he graced the stage with nothing but his guitar and a stool. The only lighting of the stage was a tasteful spotlight that highlighted the singer. A powerful moment for Sting was at the conclusion of his performance when a quote from Foley appeared behind him on a projected screen, reading, “If I don’t have the moral courage to challenge authority … we don’t have journalism.” Sting was not the only singer to pay tribute during the evening; however, Sara Bareilles took the stage in honor of actors, singers and producers that have passed away throughout the year. Taking the spotlight in an elegant silver gown, her appearance echoed the beauty of her performance. Bareilles sang Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” while images and videos of beloved actors and actresses were playing behind her. The performance could not have gone better for Bareilles as she brought many audience members to tears through her flawless execution of such a powerful song. Even though “La La Land” did not take home as many awards as was anticipated, John Legend performed Oscar winning song “City of Stars” from the movie “La La Land.” Although many would have preferred Gosling to have performed this song, as he does in the movie, Legend carried the performance well. He played the piano effortlessly as dancers accompanied him on the stage, recreating scenes from the movie. With the most props used throughout the evening, Legend’s performance included streetlamps, benches and a backdrop of night stars to set a beautiful scene. The performances even included two dancers descending from the ceiling and performing in the air to add another captivating element. The Oscars provided entertainment from start to finish through granting awards to unexpected winners and through brilliant performances from a variety of singers. If it weren’t for the unfortunate mix-up of events at the conclusion of the night, the 2017 Oscars would have been a perfect evening.
Artwork by Susan Crile Photo taken from Emma Stone's Instagram
Photo taken from Jimmy Kimmel's Instagram
Not Another Grimm Fairytale
Creative Commons/ClassicalVoiceAmerica
By Cara Lee Assistant Vine Editor
“Rusalka.” The story of a water nymph who wants to become human due to her love for a prince who swims in her waters. She is a daughter of the Water Gnome, a child of the chill waters with pale blonde hair and clad in flowing garments of varying shades of blue and green, together creating the illusion that she not only has a tail, but that she is truly a part of the water. “Rusalka” is a Czech Opera composed in 1900 by Antonin Dvořák and based on the tale of “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Anderson. While the tale itself is grim, it is not, as many think, inspired by the works of the Brothers Grimm. In addition to Rusalka’s (Kristine Opolais) dress, the costumes for the entirety of the show were exquisite. There was immense detail put into each aspect of the characters’ clothing, from the intricate details on the buttons decorating the tunic of an unnamed character who appeared for only a moment, to the elaborate design on the Prince’s (Brandon Jovanovich) coat. Some of the most complex costumes were those of the wood sprites who open the play to taunt the Water Gnome (Eric Owens) as night falls, showing that the creatures of the water can come to the surface. Their costumes appear to be made of trees and leaves; transparent body suits worn against their skin are elaborately decorated, so they appear to be made of flexible
wood. Their skirts are woven ballet tutus, covered in a thin mesh that resembles soft moss, and the entire affair makes it appear as if these dancers have stepped out from a tree and, at any moment, can return. Despite the magnificent amount of detail put into the costumes, the set designers were in no way frugal when it came to the construction of the rest of the mise en scène. The detail put into the sets in particular was possibly even more immense than that which went into the costumes due to their extravagant size and visibility. Rusalka’s voice is taken away by the witch Jezababa (Jamie Barton) in exchange for a potion that enables her tail to separate into legs. When this occurs, the set changes. Previously, the stage is lit as if by moonlight, and at certain moments, a moon appears in the background, casting the stage in light blues that combine with the green of the forest and the smoke from the water to create a mystical poolside. When Rusalka descends into Jezababa’s lair, the lights dim and the set is reminiscent of
a mad scientist’s lab, with potions on the wall, stark white electrical lighting, and a threatening white curtain with blood stains. Then, Rusalka is at the King’s palace, a place of passion expressed through red and orange lighting, costume, and set colors. These colors contrast completely with the set of the lake, and, with her dress a pale blue, Rusalka appear to stands starkly apart from all those who surround her, regardless of her true physical proximity to them. She is a fish out of water in the middle of a humanity ridden palace. As a whole, the opera was nothing less than phenomenal, but the music in particular was truly capturing. From the opening notes, the musical score swept the audience into a tale of hope, love and despair, by-passing the heart and latching directly into the listener’s soul. In operas, the music is the center of and carries the story as they are entirely sung and accompanied by a live orchestra, but, when for an entire act the leading soprano cannot sing, the music becomes even
more focal as it must become Rusalka’s voice. It must convey the water nymph’s every thought and emotion. In one momentous scene, the music lifts as if Rusalka is about to join the Prince in a duet. Her entire body transforms, and everything seems to come to a standstill for a single breath — when her expression and the music fall as she realizes that she cannot join her love in his song to express the depth of her love for him before he departs with a foreign princess. In true classical fairy tale fashion, “Rusalka” does not have a happy ending. The Prince recognizes his mistake, but too late. Rusalka has her voice back, but she is trapped in a human form and cannot return to her family; as for the Prince, she cannot kiss him or he will die. He begs her, saying that her kiss will put him out of his misery, and that he does not care if he dies. Convinced that he will be driven to insanity without her kiss, and that by killing him she will be able to rejoin the other nymph, she obliges. He dies and she is heartbroken, beginning a lament, yet with some hope that she can now leave the limbo she is trapped in, neither human nor nymph, mortal or immortal, only to find that this sacrifice is not enough. She can never return to her family. Rusalka will live an immortal life, alone and guilt ridden, in a hell of her own creation, trapped by the curse placed on her by Jezababa and sealed by the Prince’s kiss.
THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
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Little Big Town Returns to Country Spotlight By Alicia Phaneuf Vine Editor Major country singers such as Dolly Parton, Faith Hill and Taylor Swift have exhibited a crossover into the pop genre from their country roots — a trend that is now emerging in the music of country quartet Little Big Town. The group’s 2016 album “Wonderlust” was produced by pop superstar Pharrell Williams and surprised audiences with its eight upbeat pop-like R&B tracks. Just as country fans began to accept the group’s crossover to the pop world, on Feb. 24 Little Big Town released their 2017 album “The Breaker,” which includes 12 undeniably country tunes that trace back to their origins. The renowned vocal harmonies of Little Big Town return to the spotlight of country music in “The Breaker” through a few emotional pieces. According to Entertainment Weekly, “Better Man,” one of the more emotional pieces on the record, soared to the top of country charts. Written by Taylor Swift, the song tells the unfortunate story of a breakup and listeners are immediately welcomed by piano, percussion and Karen Fairchild’s memorable vocals, which dominate the album. “Better Man” brings fans back to the earlier style of Little Big Town with beautiful harmonies. Another song that tells the honest story of breakups is “When Someone Stops Loving You.” In this song, Little Big Town sends listeners on an emotional rollercoaster due to both the message and the delivery of the song. “When Someone Stops Loving You” explains the painful reality that, when someone breaks up with you, the rest of the world doesn’t care. The group sings, “When someone stops loving you, it don’t make the evening news. It don’t keep the sun from rising, the clock from winding, a heart from beating, even when you want it to.” While singing these lyrics, Little Big Town re-introduces their talented use of harmonies. However, not all the songs on the new album carry a disheartening tone. Songs such as “Happy People,” “Night on our Side” and “We Went to the Beach” have a relaxed vibe, which made me want to take a road trip with the new album plugged into the aux cord. When listening to “We Went to the Beach” a Fairfield student can’t help but relate the lyrics to their own days spent at Lantern Point. The quartet sings, “We went to the beach, and in the middle of March
we put real life starts and partied so hard we could barely remember a thing. It was PBRs and tiki bars, don't take my fake ID. It was cigarettes, girls we just met and making out on lifeguard seats.” Sung in a combination of upbeat rhythms and harmonies, “We Went to the Beach” is also accompanied with cheerful guitar chords and a worry-free tone. “The Breaker” has Little Big Town fans excited about the return to their country roots. It’s undeniable that Little Big Town belongs in the country genre. Their quality of composition and ability to emote through their vocal harmonies shine through country rhythms and songs, and although it was an interesting idea to dabble in pop and R&B genres, I think their decision to return to their country roots is far better. Although their tasteful harmonies and emotional messages were missed last year, the resurgence of their talent makes it feel as if Little Big Town never left the country scene. With a combination of heartbreaking relationship messages and upbeat, darty vibe tunes, Little Big Town’s new album is sure to move its way through the charts and re-establish the quartet’s respectable career in the country genre.
Photo taken from Little Big Town Instagram
Unconventional Love: Past Meets Present By Cara Lee Assistant Vine Editor
“I’m pregnant.” These are two words that, taken together, strike a mix of absolute terror and complete awe in the hearts of those who hear them. In the case of the Lovings, these words were the start of their next adventure, but not quite the one they were expecting. On Friday, Feb. 25, Fairfield@Night stepped aside when organizing their weekly film to allow Student Engagement and the Office of Student Diversity to feature a film in honor of Black History Month. Not only did their choice of film, “Loving,” lead to an Oscar nomination for Ruth Negga’s performance, but it also shows the history of a little known but significant court case. They also chose “Loving” specifically because, according to Carrie Robinson from the Office of Student Diversity, “we felt as though interracial dating is still something that is an issue in America today and that ‘Loving’ would be a good movie to show around this issue.” What was unexpected was that Fairfield viewers would draw meaning and significance from the film to recent historical events. The film “Loving” is based off of the 1967 court case, Loving v. Virginia, and the story that surrounds it. It begins with protagonist Mildred Jeter becoming pregnant and continues as she travels with her fiance to Washington, D.C. to be legally married. Upon returning to their home state, the newlyweds are arrested due to Virginia’s anti-miscegenation law, which did not acknowledge the legality of interracial marriages, regardless of the law in the state where the marriage occurred. When facing the choice between a year in jail combined with the termination of their marriage or spending 25 years unable to enter Virginia, their decision was difficult, but there was only one clear option: to leave Virginia. In her role as Mildred Loving, Ruth Negga stole the show. Throughout the film, her expressions convey more than written lines could ever hope to capture through her ability to draw on such a large range of emotions with small but incredibly powerful gestures that bring attention to her scenes and make them all the more powerful. One of the most significant moments where she does this is after the couple’s departure from Virginia, when Negga is conveying Mildred’s desolation at being forced to leave her family. Negga does this through the smallest of looks and body language shifts that the camera captures in a way that ensures the viewer will notice it. Yet, the most impactful moment showcasing Negga’s skill in using these methods is in a scene where the feeling
of longing and the weight Mildred places on each and every word her visiting sister, Garnet (Terri Jeter), says about their home and family is almost heartbreakingly tangible. Negga’s talent continues to shine through these small looks and gestures — the pure emotion she conveys that utterly convinces the audience that this is truly Mildred Loving — when Mildred receives a phone call telling her that Attorney General Bobby Kennedy has received her letter and that the American Civil Liberties Union will be taking on their case, cost free. The radiant hope that shines through Mildred’s eyes and every motion she makes completely transforms Mildred from a desolate woman trying to retain her happiness through the children and husband she loves, to one with a chance to be reunited with her family and the town she loves. “My favorite moment from ‘Loving’ is when the press is recording all around [Mildred and Richard] and shouting questions, but Richard and Mildred are just sitting staring at each other and not saying anything, but you can see the love they feel in their eyes and how they are riveted solely on each other,” Dominique Jackson ‘18 observed of Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton’s performance. It is no wonder that Negga was nominated for best actress at the Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26. As the film continues, the couple is thrown into a series of struggles as they fight for their right to love one another. From press interviews and photography sessions that neither is quite comfortable with to the prejudice that begins to follow Richard Loving at his workplace, the Loving family is terrified they will not make it to the end of the court case. Despite this, they are determined to persevere. The Lovings lose at first. They lose in their home county in the state of Virginia, but Mildred remains hopeful, saying to the press that, “You may lose the small battle, but win the big war.” That is exactly what the family does. In a beautiful montage, the film concludes with the Supreme Court case, depicted almost only through sound overlaid with footage of the Loving family. Richard Loving working outside, his children playing in the field around him as Mildred observes over her own work with a smile. Mildred and Richard settling their children down for the night before exiting the room, arms wrapped around each other. They win. And when Mildred receives the phone call informing them, she moves to the porch as she realizes that her family can no longer be taken away from her.
This film is a powerful historical drama covering a significant case in United States history that few people know about, or even think about. Yet, this topic is still relevant to us today as Sophia Bolaños ’18 noted, “History is almost repeating. This was the court case and the basis of the movement to legalize interracial marriage over fifty years ago, but the LGBTQ community just fought this same battle to gain the right to marry in the United States.” “I didn’t know about the case before I saw this film, and it made me realize that loving someone is something that most of us take for granted,” Nadra Al-Hamwy ’18 said. Marriage is something that is mostly expected in modern society. Yet, to this day, it is not possible for everyone. Same-sex marriage was only just passed in several states and is still not legal in many places throughout the world. This film reveals a historical case few previously knew about that is entirely relevant to many people in the present day. If anything, this connection makes the film all the more impactful.
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CreativeCommons/Flickr
ashionably airfield
by Nicole Funaro
Stock Up for Spring March is officially upon us and while this month acts as a midpoint between the beginning and end of the semester, it also signals the arrival of spring — and spring break. With this highly anticipated respite just around the bend, trips to tropical destinations are in the future for some of our Stags and that means stocking up on fashionable vacation wear to make your trip all the more memorable. Whether you’re just starting to shop for your spring break trip, already have your bags packed or are looking forward to a week of relaxing at home, these stores have everything you need to make your vacation stylish no matter where you’re heading. For the Girls Lulu’s is the place to go for all things spring break and beyond, boasting a 500-plus piece vacation shop as well as a regular selection of items both casual and dressy. Offering swimsuits, dresses, rompers, shorts and more, Lulu’s offers a mix of styles suited to audiences of varying tastes, from preppy to modern to boho and everything in between. What’s especially helpful about Lulu’s is that you can accessorize your look, as the online retailer offers shoes, jewelry, sunglasses and even makeup. With Lulu’s diverse selection and accessible price range, you’re sure to find something that you love. For the Guys Men and women’s online retailer boohoo.com offers a range of trendy styles for the entire year. Boohoo.com also has dedicated vacation and spring break shops perfectly curated for your tropical getaway. The men’s shop in particular boasts spring break essentials, like printed T-shirts, twill shorts and casual sneakers that are ready for whatever adventure awaits. If the farthest you’ll travel is back to your home town, checking out their new arrivals won’t hurt either; there, you’ll find a selection of light jackets, vibrant colors and modern styles that will only enhance your spring wardrobe. The best part: you won’t break the bank shopping at boohoo.com. Not only does the site usually have a sale, but their regular-priced items are affordable enough that you can stock up for spring and spare a few extra pieces for summer. For both If you’re in the market for a new swimsuit and clothing for your spring break trip, American Eagle and its sister store, Aerie, have a robust selection at the ready. For instance, Aerie currently has a sale on bikini tops and bottoms, as well as one-piece suits for girls. While the guys don’t have a dedicated swim section, American Eagle does have a spring break shop that has all of your spring break essentials, like tank tops, shorts and swim trunks. Even if you’re not traveling to some sunny destination, American Eagle or Aerie has an entire regular stock ready to be explored that offers spring-ready styles to get you ready for the warmer weather. So, while you’re busy prepping for midterms, take a study break by doing a different kind of homework and shopping for styles to have you ready for spring. Photo Taken from Boohoo man Offisical Instagram
The Mirror Abroad: Ariana's England Experience By Ariana Puzzo Online Editor-in-Chief One of the most important realities that I have learned while studying abroad in London the past month is that traveling to different places is an art that can take time to perfect. While traveling locally on public transportation or on foot can be a feat in and of itself, traveling to a different city or country takes careful consideration. Here are some basics that you need to keep in mind to make the latter experience enjoyable and productive. 1. Travel with someone – Whether you’re traveling with a group of friends or just one other person, it is important to travel with someone and to trust that person. In addition to giving your family back home some peace of mind, traveling with someone makes the experience all the more exciting. All of those exceptional sights that you capture will be remembered with that much more fondness if you have someone by your side to remind you about the small details that you may have forgotten. 2. Plan in advance – Don’t be the person who waits until the 11th hour to finalize your plans. You will hate yourself for it. Especially if you are going to be traveling via airplane, make sure that you buy your tickets as soon as possible to try and get the best deal (you can thank me later). Where you will stay will also be a factor in how early you make reservations because hostels in particular fill up quickly and you do not want to be pressed for time a couple of days before or worse yet, arrive there and
discover that there is no available space for you and your friends. Along with being more cost effective to plan early, the actual things that you will do on your trip should also be planned in advance. When you get there, you will want to simply wake up and get going to try and beat the early birds who get in line before tourist spots open. Alternatively, you will want to avoid the mid-afternoon crowd that is trying to squeeze in before the sites close for the day.
5. Make sure you have the essentials – I cannot stress that enough. Perhaps the most important items to ensure that you have when traveling are the proper adapter for your phone charger, and your shower shoes. Different countries have different electrical units, so you want to make sure that your adapter is as “universal” as possible. Likewise, especially if you are staying in a hostel, shower shoes are something that you do not want to find yourself forgetting. (Am I starting to sound like my mother yet?)
3. Be aware – Context matters more and more as we hear constant news stories about serious threats in major European cities. That being said, where you choose to stay while traveling can be crucial. I recently traveled to Paris for a long weekend and we chose to stay in a hostel outside of the city. Although it was inconvenient at times due to the seemingly unending metro rides, we ultimately felt safer, since France continues to be on high alert for terrorist threats.
6. Inform your programs where you’ll be – People may view me as a mouthpiece for saying the following, but Fairfield and any other program that you may be studying under need to know where you will be staying when you travel, as well as how you are planning on getting there and when you plan on returning. In addition to knowing where you are in the event that a national crisis occurs, your program abroad can inform you if they know of any protests happening where you will be traveling. Prior to leaving for Paris, CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), the program that I am studying through, sent everyone in the program an email about peaceful demonstrations against police violence being held at the Place de la République in Paris. Regardless of intentions, we have seen countless times that peaceful demonstrations can turn violent, so if you end up staying in the middle of a fray, your program will at least have an idea of where to contact you if they need to locate you.
4. Pack lightly – Only pack what you know you will absolutely need, and then maybe one extra of each item in case something happens where you will need a change of clothes. In terms of shoes, depending on where you are going, you will only need one pair of comfortable shoes for walking and maybe one more if you choose to go out at night. Otherwise, limit what you bring to the absolute essentials so that you will not risk forgetting something valuable or having to carry a heavy load while walking through the airport.
ArianaPuzzo/The Mirror
THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
The Vine
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Inkwell Spotlight
'The Bridge Between Reality and Fantasy' By Diandre Clarke Contributing Writer at The Inkwell As the drawbridge lowered, I finally got a good look…at my virginity. I’ve never seen my virginity. We’ve never met in person, or maybe we had but I had no recollection. As the drawbridge lowered, it felt like heaven was getting ready to kiss the surface of earth. My virginity stood there firmly, smiling like a toddler whose wish was just fulfilled. My virginity stood there, only three feet tall. My entire birth name was tattooed right across the neck. “What a brutal tattoo,” I thought to myself, but a sure way of identifying the owner. That was Angela Mollie’s virginity and no other. I was anxious beyond belief. My thoughts ran rapidly. Questions pierced my cranium. Should I run and hug it? And if I did would we magically combine? Is it possible, after all these years, for my virginity to truly become mine? As the drawbridge lowered, I finally got a good look…at my virginity. The five-year-old trapped in my thirty year old body screamed aloud. The joyous five-year-old within me was overwhelmed with disbelief. As the drawbridge lowered, the five-year-old within me began to step forward. Each step led by curiosity. Each step intrigued to know what this could mean.
eye.
As the drawbridge lowered, I finally got a good look…at my virginity. Never did I once see it, or maybe I did but just couldn’t remember. The day had finally arrived where my virginity and I would meet eye-to-
The drawbridge stopped and I began to approach it. My virginity stood there smiling innocently. Deep down I was furious but I couldn’t help but smile back. The five-year-old within me embraced it but the thirty-year-old me interrupted: So finally you’ve decided to show yourself. For twenty-five years I’ve heard people tell me about the time they’ve had with their virginity. And how good their life was with their virginity and how life changed when they were too mature to keep it. I was so ashamed and sad to tell anyone that I’ve never had a good time with my virginity. Who would have believed me if said I never even met my virginity, when everyone gets one as soon as they’re born! I fought back the tears. My virginity responded slowly to me: Angela Mollie, we shared some good memories. I was right by your side since the day you were born. You can’t remember me because I left when you were five years old. The neighbor that always watched you, he took me away one night, while you were sleeping in your bed.
One Day at a Time By Lexi Thimble Opinion Editor
During a time of debate in our country over immigration, identity and acceptance, one of Netflix’s newest releases, “One Day at a Time,” takes these themes and addresses them flawlessly. The reboot of Norman Lear’s 1975 creation by the same name is centered around single mom Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado), a retired war veteran turned nurse, who is supporting her two kids with the help of her mother Lydia, portrayed by the legendary Rita Moreno. The family, Moreno especially, is unapologetically Cuban, and the pride they hold for their heritage is a driving force behind the unstoppable humor and heart of the show. On first glance, with its sitcom set-up of thirty minute episodes and live background audience that provides laughter to the punchlines, “One Day at a Time” can be taken as a basic production not worthy of emotional investment. This notion is dashed before the end of the first episode, which presents a cast with energy and natural chemistry with one another. The comic timing is strong, the relationships between the characters feel genuine and real, and the initial introductions to each character make the viewer want to see how they grow. One of the things I love about TV shows in general is character development and the arc a character has over a series of episodes showing how they grow and change. So often, all attention is given to a select few characters, leaving many of them one-dimensional and used only as props for the central players. The exact opposite effect is present on “One Day at a Time,” where each character is given emotional space to grow and develop, and gains complexity as the series progresses. Machado’s character, while bubbly and quick-witted on the surface, deals with the struggle of being a single mom, having post-traumatic stress disorder and suffering from physical pain from her time in Afghanistan, accepting her daughter when she comes out and clashing with her mother over her decision to split from her husband. Her strong-willed feminist daughter, Elena (Isabella Gomez), while advocating for the social justice issues close to her heart, harbors a fear of being her own person if it means not being accepted by her family. Moreno, who plays Machado’s mother, is a major source of comic relief, and could have been left that way, but instead, she is fleshed out with her revealing story about her trying immigration from Cuba and her deep devotion to Catholicism. Not only are the characters developed well, but the issues the characters face are all real as well. The show never crosses the line of discussion into preaching, but presents issues of sexism, coming out and healthy methods of coping with addiction, mental illness and other everyday struggles the characters have to face. Elena’s struggle with coming out is one of the most realistic and relatable moments of the show as she questions the validity of her sexuality and what place that has in her Cuban upbringing. This is especially amplified as her mother and grandmother plan her quinceañera, emphasizing the need for her to have a male date for the ceremony. It is her mother’s slow acceptance of her sexuality that adds poignancy to these moments as well and watching Machado’s character endeavor to be a supportive mom while also coming to terms with a new view of her daughter is moving to watch. “One Day at a Time” takes what could be a very tired sitcom full of cliched tropes and injects it with life and palpable humor. If you want a show that’s lighthearted and frankly extremely funny, but will also have you tearing up at its honesty and sentimentality, this is the show for you.
CreativeCommons/max pixel
Wine and Dine With the Vine: Bodega By Andrew DaRosa Executive Editor
To preface this piece, I am a huge sucker for “hidden gem” restaurants, as I find that they have some of the best cuisine for the right price. Though some may be more difficult to find than others, the adventure comprises half the excitement with the reward being the fare at the end of the culinary rainbow. Enter Bodega Taco Bar, nestled in the corner of Heritage Square on Post Road in Fairfield. If it wasn’t for a reliable GPS, I was sure to have missed the joint, as the sign goes by quickly to a passing car. However, once inside you are greeted with the chaotically beautiful atmosphere that differentiates Bodega from your typical Chipotle. With stringed lights and bottles lining the windows and bar area, Bodega comes across as an artistically chic culinary foreground for anyone looking for a cute place to go out. The menu, for starters, was a modern twist on your typical mexican dishes, as well as a variety of craft brews
from Two Roads and a comprehensive list of margaritas that appeal to virtually any pallet. Unfortunately, being under 21, I couldn’t consume any alcohol, but I kept with the adage of “look but don’t touch,” especially with the “Sunrise in Tulum” margarita, made with Cabo Wabo anejo, strawberries, pineapples and lemon juice. When it came time to order, I was overwhelmed with all the options presented in front of me as well as the specials. I played it safe and ordered the “Drowned Sandwich,” which included a slow-roasted, home smoked brisket, New Mexico chili sauce and a fried egg to boot. After a short wait, our food arrived. I was shocked upon arrival that my sandwich wasn’t actually a sandwich, rather, the components thrown into a well-presented stew that exuded a spicy yet mellow aroma. Regardless, I chomped down and the first thing I couldn’t help but note was how well the chili sauce mixed with the brisket, forming a taste that married my two fa-
vorite palettes, sweet and spicey. The egg was fried just like how my Portuguese grandmother makes it back home, which brought back a rush of memories, seemingly encapsulating this meal as a great one. By the end of the meal, I couldn’t find a reason to complain with the prices of both dishes, which came in under $20 — a steal for a college budget and surprisingly cheaper than almost any restaurant on Post Road. To top it all off, the food was excellent on almost all culinary levels and the restaurant exuded one of the cutest yet artistically pleasing vibes of any place I’ve been to in Fairfield. Take the voyage, keep your eyes peeled and once you find this gem, you will be eternally grateful to the culinary gods.
THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
Coffee Break
Page 12
Coffee Break Editor: Claire Monahan
Senior Spotlight When I came to Fairfield University my freshman year, I was an English major with an undeclared concentration, but leaning towards creative writing. I knew that I liked to write, but aside from one article published in my local newspaper at home I didn’t have a lot of writing experience. At the activities fair the first week of the semester, I visited the table for the Mirror and put my name on the list to receive their weekly emails. I’m not proud to admit it now, but I ignored every email that year…and the next two years (which is giving me some really real FOMO now, let me tell you.) At the time, I knew literally nothing about pitching ideas or writing editorial stories, and the Mirror seemed like such a family already that I was afraid I would be an awkward outsider at the meetings. Even though the bribe of free pizza was tempting, I had a vision in my mind of Monday night pitch meetings where everyone sat in a circle and had to pitch an idea to the group and if it sucked, you were forever known as That Girl Who Pitched The Really Dumb Idea and you’d never get to write again. I could not have been more wrong. At my beach house this year, we had one random roommate (weird for senior year, I know) and she was EIC of the Mirror (hi, Jesse!). During the first few weeks of the semester, she was explaining to me that the Mirror wanted to expand their online outlet. I had just finished my second digital editorial internship with Delish, so it felt like a good fit for me to apply for one of the online positions, which is how I became Online Vine Editor. In a way, I owe all of my Mirror experiences to Jesse. My first time at an infamous Monday night pitch meeting was this year and even though I knew the same person I go to happy hour with every week was in charge, I was still v. nervous. However, when I got there, I was shocked at how laid back the atmosphere was. Everyone at the Mirror is so friendly and open, and Jesse — the best EIC of all time — made sure everyone felt welcome and knew where to go with their ideas. As I mentioned above, I have serious regrets about not becoming an active member of The Mirror sooner. There was no reason for me to be intimidated; the Mirror staff is one of the greatest groups of people I’ve met at Fairfield. If you’re reading this as a freshman or a sophomore or even as a junior, and you’ve ever thought about joining their team, do it. You won’t regret it, pinky promise.
Shana Lynch Online Vine Editor
Jesse Erickson Editor-in-Chief Emeritus “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” - Michael Scott I’m obsessive and overbearing and determined. If you ask my staff, I want everything done as soon as possible and nothing better be half-assed. If it is half-assed, I won’t understand why and I won’t let you live it down. I strive for perfection and once again, if you ask my staff, they really can hate me for it. I want us to be first but I also want us to be the best. For eight years, I have been nosy. I have been pushy. I’ve been described as a micro-manager and sometimes my staff describes my leadership type like one that Trump would have (but a loving Trump at that.) On multiple occasions, I have put aside more important responsibilities to make the newspaper my main priority. I never settle and move on; I’m a problemsolver. I’m a diehard journalist and now, eight years later, I will be saying goodbye to the biggest part of me. After being the Editor-in-Chief at WRHS media (tbt to highschool), I had been through enough. I never had the intention to take over The Mirror. But when the opportunity presented itself, I had to do it. Like I said, I was never one to settle and though I wasn’t a journalism major, I couldn’t wait for the day when I told my mom I was the EIC of the Fairfield Mirror at Fairfield University, her alma mater. I’ve always had an internal motivation to make my mother proud. Even when I was doing it for myself, I was doing it for her. So when I took over the paper without any journalism experience beyond high school and sports positions at The Mirror, I knew I would need an extremely strong staff if I wanted to make her proud once more. The staff of The Mirror is the hardest working group of kids on this campus, especially with me as EIC. At 7 a.m., I could have sent eight different messages in our group chat with eight different requests. By the end of the day, they would have all eight requests taken care of. When I tear apart their layout after they had spent an entire day on it, they don’t cry, they fix it. And most importantly, my staff knows how to fix me. There have been days when the paper has been too much. One Tuesday I was having the worst of days. I was feeling defeated. But when I walked into the office, they all looked at me with smiles on their faces despite the tears welling in my eyes. Juliana came over to give me a hug, Dan asked me what happened and Cat and Andrew took the staff to go out and buy me Chipotle and cupcakes. This group of very different people with different interests and motivations have come together to form my Fairfield family. So, to my family, thank you for putting up with my headstrong personality. Thank you for dealing with me at every Mirror party, thank you for dealing with my incessant texts, my constant demands and thank you for your tireless efforts and dedication to this college newspaper. Thank you for loving this paper as much as I do and thank you for loving me. That being said and now that I am done being soft, the Italian spy is signing off. Ciao ciao for now!
This is the first time I have to acknowledge that I’m graduating, and I can’t say I’m handling it well. Which is shocking to me, because when I began my freshman year at Fairfield, my mind was already set four years in the future, and my eyes were fixed solely on graduation day. While I was focused on planning life after Fairfield before my college adventure truly began, I was a freshman in disarray. I had three different majors in a span of two months, I still was not used to dorm living halfway through my first year, and I wasn’t convinced that I was even attending the right school for me. Nevertheless, I persisted through the communal bathrooms and settled on the right major. I also made what I consider to be the best decision of my Fairfield career: joining The Mirror. I will never forget the first time I stepped into that office. It felt like I was stepping into a stranger’s home; I remember trying to figure out who I knew, who I should talk to, who may be in the same class as me. I also recall feeling a bit overwhelmed by the possibilities of what I could contribute to the paper: copy editing, news writing, arts and entertainment writing —there was so much to consider. I chose to copy edit and the rest as they say, is history. I returned to The Mirror office week after week, and every time I opened the door, it felt more familiar. Those strangers turned into acquaintances, and working on the paper turned into a hobby, not an intimidating venture. Three years later, those acquaintances are not friends, they are family. The Mirror is not work, it’s a labor of love. The Mirror office is not unfamiliar territory, it’s home. To say that I have enjoyed my time on The Mirror is an understatement. To say that I am going to miss working with this staff is even more of an understatement. Mirror friends, it has been a privilege and a downright joy to spend my college career working with each of you. Your talent, determination and stamina is inspiring. I look forward to the day when I can call you co-workers once more, but until then, stay in touch. I want to hear every wonderful thing you achieve with The Mirror in the coming year and in your quickly-approaching futures. Take care of each other, and take care of our home. Now, it’s time for me to leave. Of course, I don’t want to. Funny how that happens.
Nicole Funaro Online News Editor
Sports
SPORTS
THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com
In Case You
This Week in Sports: Fairfield All-MAAC
Page 13
Missed It:
Wednesday, February 22nd -Columbia defeats Women's Lacrosse, 13-11 Thursday, February 23rd -Women's Basketball defeats Canisius, 57-48 Friday, February 24th -Baseball defeats Lamar, 7-6 Saturday, February 25th -Rutgers defeats Men's Lacrosse, 8-3 -Women's Lacrosse defeats Hofstra, 19-14 Sunday, February 26th
On Monday, Feb. 27 guard Tyler Nelson ‘18 was named First Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for his outstanding thirdyear campaign at Fairfield. The dynamic combo guard was tabbed a Second-Team All-MAAC selection last season and was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team in his first season for the red and white. Nelson finished the 2016-17 regular season as the conference’s second leading scorer at 18.9 points per contest and led the MAAC in minutes played per game at 36.1. Across the board, the guard’s season averages rank among the top in the conference including his free-throw percentage, assists, steals and three-point percentage. The two-time MAAC Player of the Week looks to lead the fifth-seeded Stags to the promised land this weekend at the MAAC Championships in Albany, N.Y. beginning on Saturday, March 4 when they take on Siena.
-Men's Basketball defeats Niagara, 62-58
Upcoming This Week: Thursday, March 2nd -Men's Tennis at UCONN, 12 p.m. Friday, March 3rd -Baseball at VCU, 3 p.m.
It was a good day for Fairfield basketball, as Kelsey Carey ‘17 and Casey Smith ‘17 were both selected to All-MAAC teams. For Carey, the forward was named First Team All-MAAC after averaging a team high 15.4 points per game and grabbing 6.4 rebounds per contest. In seven games this season, Carey went over the 20-point marker for the Stags. As for Smith, the paint dominator was named Third Team All-MAAC for posting career highs of 12.3 points per game and 6.0 caroms per contest. For Fairfield, these selections by the conference give the Stags their 34th straight year of having a player tabbed to an All-MAAC team. Carey, Smith and the third-seeded Stags head up to Albany, N.Y. this weekend for the MAAC Championships when they face off against the winner of St. Peter’s and Niagara in the opening round on Saturday, March 4.
Saturday, March 4th -Women's Basketball vs. Marist/ St.Peter's, 12 p.m. -Men's Basketball at Siena, 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5th -Women's Tennis at Yale, 10 a.m. -Women's Lacrosse vs. New Hampshire, 12 p.m.
Photos Contributed by Sports Information Desk
In this week's issue... - Fairfield University Club Ski Team Heads To Nationals (Page 14) - Hellstein's Seven Goals Lead Stags Past Hofstra 19-14 (Page 15) - Stags Fall To Rutgers 8-3 (Page 15)
- Stags Edge Rider 53-49 On Senior Day (Page 16)
Sports
Page 14
THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
Fairfield University Club Ski Team Heads To Nationals By Alfredo Torres Sports Editor Just one short year after reaching the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association National Championships, the Stags have punched their ticket once again as they head to the big dance this weekend with hopes of putting Fairfield Skiing on the map. “It’s a big deal, this is the second year in a row that we have qualified. Before last year, we hadn’t qualified for about five or six years, so we’re putting ourselves back on the map as a national contender,” said captain Luke Tinkham ‘18. Last year, the Stags finished the season second in their conference while finishing third in regionals which was good enough for a national championship appearance at Lake Placid, N.Y. Unfortunately for the Stags, they were unable to capture the championship and finished 17th out of the 20 best teams across the country. “Looking back on last year, since we had no expectations, we didn’t really know how to prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for it. With the result that we got last year we now know moving forward how to deal with the adversity we might face,” said Tinkham of his championship experience from last season. Leading the Stags will be captains Liam Murphy ‘17, Maura Tierney ‘17, Tinkham, Ryan Carlucci ‘18 and Grace Farrell ‘18 all of which are returning members from last year’s team. “There’s three of us who are racing this year who are returning to race again this year so we bring at least one year of experience each to the table, to the new people who are racing this year and we can help them prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for it,” said Tinkham about how returning members will look to lead their team to success this go around. This season consisted of a total of ten races, eight of which the Stags came out victorious. For the Stags, they enjoyed quite a year as they proved to be the top team in the Atlantic Highlands Conference, winning not only the conference but also going on to win the regionals and earning themselves the top seed coming from the mid-Atlantic. The championships will consist of a total of four races covering a span of four days. The first race, known as slalom, is a race where competitors must ski between poles and/or gates that are placed in close proximity to each other. This is a race where two skiers represent their team in individual races. It is a race between the skier and the clock, where the fastest time for each team will decide the winner. The second race, named giant slalom, is similar to the slalom race. The only difference is that the poles and/or gates are spaced farther than in slalom, where it is much closer. The next race is known as the ski cross, where individuals face off head to head to see who crosses the finish line first. Although it is a timed race, it is also considered part of freestyle skiing as it includes terrain features usually found in freestyle races. The final race is the dual slalom, a team centered race that consist of five members per team as they individually race other competitors, ultimately trying to get points for their respective team. The 39th annual USCSA Championships is set to take place between March 5-11 at Mount Bachelor, Ore. The team is set to travel this Sunday with the hopes of bringing a national championship back to Fairfield University. Tinkham has high expectations for his team as they head towards the weekend, “coming out of our conference and our region as the number one seed of both of them, I think we should be at least in the top 10 in the nation this year if not higher. I’ve set my goal as a team to be one of the top five teams in the country,” said Tinkham.
Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ...
How do you expect the Stags to do this weekend in the MAAC Tournament?
Did you watch the Oscars? What did you think of the grand finale?
Kick butt, pals!! You will be missed If by grand finale you mean me at Sham Jam, but may the luck of crawling into bed at 3 a.m. after Allison White the Irish be with ya. a long Mirror monday and cramEditor-in-Chief ming for two midterms, it was great.
Alfredo Torres Sports Editor
Daniel Montgomery Assistant Sports Editor
Jesse Erickson Editor-in-Chief Emeritus (Italian EIC)
We got this! This is the year to win it all, gotta do it one time for our seniors and if I'm there you know I'm bringing some magic.
Was too busy watching The Walking Dead but I definitely heard about the finale! Shoutout to Steve Harvey for being a trend setter!
Stags upset Monmouth in the Steve Harvey must have been MAAC Final and the Red Sea goes behind the scenes somewhere... wild!!
They will win!!!
Contributed by Luke Tinkman.
Your 2016-2017 4x5 Columnists:
Jesse Erickson, Alfredo Torres, Daniel Montgomery and Andrew DaRosa Excited to see Tim Tebow in a Mets uniform?
Utah's Kelsey Plum becomes the NCAA Women's Basketball AllTime scorer on Sunday. Thoughts?
What did you think of the players tagged by their franchise in the NFL?
It's really not fair how someone can be so talented to play in two professional sports league when I can barely make it through the week.
Woo, you go girl! I'm an all-time boss now too apparently. Haha, scary...
Sigh, I can already tell I'm going to have no idea what Fredo is referring to half the time. But hi guys, I'm in 4x5 now!!
If you know me, you know how I feel about the Mets. So let's switch up to a real team, the Yankees! Spring Training is looking all good down in Florida for us, everybody's talking about our prospets. No complaints in Yankee Nation.
It's crazy! First off, she scores 57 points which is ridiculous but it's the last day of the season and it's enough to get her the record for most points in NCAA Women's Basketball. Sorry KD, but she's the real MVP.
All I'm saying is that the Giants need to tag me as their franchise player. I'm down to get some JPP money, $17M Baby!
Tim Tebow needs some chin music high and tight to start off his tenure with the Mets.
Broke my heart to see her pass Britney Griner on the list, but I guess I gotta be happy for her. I mean 3,397 points in 3,397 points.
Not surprised by many of the tags, but the NFL just needs Johnny Manziel again :(
It's a little stressful that I don't have a backup if I don't get hired at HubSpot. It's like college acceptance all over again when I didn't get into Uconn.
Goodnight and good riddance. It's 1:15 a.m., I don't work here but I am still here.
No, I was getting certified in everySince the computer crashed and thing HubSpot. Can't stop, won't stop. already lost my answers and I no longer work here, I am not happy right now..
Ciao bye. Juliana, I want to cry.
Sports
THE MIRROR | Week of March 1, 2017
Page 15
Hellstein's Seven Goals Lead Stags Past Hofstra 19-14 By Christopher Lazazzera Contributing Writer
Alfredo Torres/The Mirror Senior Riley Hellstein scored seven goals and added an assist in the Stags triumphant victory over Hofstra on Sunday afternoon. The attacker notched her 100th career goal for the red and white in the impressive win.
On a sunny 60 degree Saturday afternoon, the Fairfield University women’s lacrosse team captured a much-needed win over Hofstra 19-14. Senior Riley Hellstein wreaked havoc on the Hofstra defense with seven goals and one assist. Junior Brenna Connolly and Taylor Mitchell ‘19 each had three goals a piece while seniors Scarlett Sulliman, Alex Fehmel and Kathleen Hulseman ‘19 added two goals as well. Hellstein’s seventh goal of the game was her 100th career goal, an impressive milestone for a player whose had multiple injuries in her past few seasons. “Coming back from [last year’s] injury I was just hopeful to be able to play again. Getting my 100th goal was a nice surprise to say the least,” said the Agawam, Mass. native. Hellstein’s will to win was noticeable from the start, as the Stags had failed to secure a victory in their first three games of the season. With 20:43 left in the first half, Hellstein caught fire, scoring four consecutive goals to keep Fairfield only behind by one (4-5). Sophomore Erin Mammele also performed well from the moment the game began. She had a career day, tying the program record with eight draw controls in only her fourth career start. It was a very even matchup on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium. One team would score and the other team would answer right away with a goal of their own. A critical interception made by Stags defender Erin Bauman ‘18 with under 30 seconds left in the first half helped Fairfield eliminate Hofstra’s scoring chance and take a 9-8 lead into the locker room. The Stags came into the second half with the same killer instinct they showcased in the first. Both teams were tied at 11 with 20:48 left before a Hellstein goal helped Fairfield go on a 3-0 run to push away from the Pride. Precision passing and a minimal number of fouls allowed Fairfield to capture the lead and never relinquish it. “Our pregame energy was huge today. We’ve come into the last couple of games a bit lackadaisical. We need to keep this energy up and the whole team played amazing,” said Hellstein. A win like this undoubtedly builds up the Stags’ confidence going forward in their season. Fairfield’s next matchup will be on Sunday, March 5 at noon on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium against the University of New Hampshire. The Wildcats come into Fairfield, Conn. looking for revenge as the Stags beat them 16-6 in Durham, N.H. last season.
Stags Fall To Rutgers 8-3 Alfredo Torres/The Mirror Senior attackman Nico Panepinto looks for an open teammate upfield as he progresses through the Rutgers defense. Panepinto and the Stags could only muster three goals on the afternoon against the Scarlet Knights.
By Daniel Montgomery Assistant Sports Editor The lacrosse gods could not have given Stag Country a better day to watch Fairfield University’s home opener against the nationally ranked Rutgers University Scarlet Knights on Saturday, Feb. 25. A picturesque sunny day at Rafferty Stadium was only dampened by an 8-3 Stag loss in front of hundreds of fans waiting to see the 2017 edition of Fairfield lacrosse. In the first 15 minutes of action, the Scarlet Knights set the tone for the contest as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the frame. The Fairfield offense was being stymied by a stout Rutgers defense and the Stag defense seemed to have no answer for the offensive gameplan of the Big Ten power. The Rutgers lead would stretch to 5-0 before Joe Rodrigues ‘18 would put the red and white on the board with under eight minutes to play in the second quarter. But the celebration was short lived as the Scarlet Knights would tack on two more goals in the last minute and a half of the second quarter to bring the lead to 7-1 heading into the break. In need of a spark coming out of the locker room, Fairfield looked like a different team when the faceoff entered the second half. Just minutes into the second half, quick goals from Alex Wagner ‘20 and Colin Burke ‘19 put the Stags right back into the game with a 7-3 deficit and over 25 minutes of lacrosse to play.
For the rest of the quarter, the game was at an offensive stalemate, with each team trading blows at the defensive end. Highlighted by impressive stops from both team’s goalies, the remaining time in the third quarter went scoreless. With one quarter left to the play, Fairfield knew that they had to get on the board quickly if they were going to make a run and cut into the Scarlet Knights’ lead. After seeing numerous shots on goal that went wide or bounced off the crossbar, it was clear that the Stags did not have it on Saturday. Rutgers would tally an insurance goal with 10 minutes to play to make the final score of the contest 8-3. Senior goalie Tyler Behring posted 16 saves in the loss. “We are a big work in progress offensively right now,” head coach Andy Copelan said. “Two out of our three games we have reached three goals and you are not going to win games when you have an output like that.” As with every loss, there is usually something positive that can be taken away from a defeat. For Copelan, the veteran coach was pleased with the way his guys fought especially in the later stages of the game. “If there is any silver lining to this whole thing, I liked how hard we played in the second half,” Copelan said. “We really competed hard down the stretch. The Stags have an opportunity to get back to their winning ways this Saturday, March 4 when they travel to Stony Brook, N.Y. to take on the Seawolves for a 1p.m. faceoff.
@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports Week of March 1, 2017
fairfieldmirror.com
SPORTS 16 Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com
Stags Edge Rider 53-49 on Senior Day
Alfredo Torres/The Mirror Seniors Kelsey Carey (left), Kristine Miller (center) and Casey Smith (right) take a picture during their senior day ceremony before the game against Rider. All three players would go on to score in the win.
By Alfredo Torres Sports Editor
Alfredo Torres/The Mirror
On Sunday, Feb. 26 the Stags hosted their final home game of the season at Alumni Hall. Not only was it the season finale for the Stags, but it was also senior day as the seniors Casey Smith, Kelsey Carey and Kristine Miller were honored before Sunday’s game for their dedication to Fairfield basketball. The trio of Smith, Carey and Miller lead the Stags to a 53-49 victory over Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foe Rider. In their four years at Fairfield University, these seniors have exemplified what it means to represent Stags basketball and this past Sunday was just the topping on the cake as they came together for one final team win. “It means everything, you get kids who spend four years with you, play a lot of games here. You want their lasting memory of their final time on this court to be going out on a win and to do it over a really, really outstanding team like Rider adds something to that,” said head coach Joe Frager following Sunday’s victory. Sunday’s game got off to a slow start for both teams as they struggled to get past their opponent’s defense. Through six minutes of play in the first quarter, both Rider and Fairfield were only able to muster up a total of 10 points between the two. Rider finished the first quarter leading 11-5. When asked about the team’s early woes Frager said, “I thought our energy level and our defense was really outstanding so luckily even though we struggled on offense for the first five, six minutes we kind of held them down until we got our rhythm there in the second and third quarter.” Just four minutes into the second quarter, the Stags started to find their groove on offense behind the play of Smith and Carey who added a combined 13 points in the quarter, surpassing the points the Stags scored in the first quarter. With 5:29 left in the first half, Carey drove to the rim and connected on a layup to tie the game at 16. Junior Samantha Cooper followed up by knocking down a three-pointer to give the Stags their first lead of the game at 19-16. The rest of the half would be all Stags as they would continue to play well on both ends of the court scoring a total of 21 points while limiting Rider’s offense to 12 points on the quarter. Fairfield went into the half leading 26-23, as Carey led all scorers with nine points. Coming out of the half, Rider seemed to be determined to get back into the game as they went on a 7-0 run to take a one-point lead over the Stags at 30-29 with 3:03 remaining in the third quarter. After some early struggles to start the half, the Stags bounced back to take the lead and would go on a 7-0 run of their own to close out the third quarter up 37-30. “I think it’s becoming a trend with us, we’ve really been able to come together recently and withstand the ups and downs of the game,” said Carey on the Stags effort to regain the lead. Midway through the final quarter of play, the Stags held their biggest lead of the game with a 10-point advantage. But Rider would not quit, with plenty of time remaining in the game the Broncs made a valiant comeback cutting Fairfield's lead down to two at 51-49 with less than 30 seconds left in regulation. The season final would come all the way down to the wire; with just a two point lead the Stags held possession of the ball as Carey drove to the rim but failed to connect. Luckily for the Stags, Carey was there to catch the offensive rebound as she put it right back up to seal the give the Stags the four point advantage. With 1.5 seconds left in the game, Rider had one final opportunity on offense but failed to connect on the shot. The Stags sneaked out of Alumni Hall with their 16th and final win of the season over Rider 53-39 on Senior Day. “A win alone would have been great but just the fact that it’s senior day, it’s that next level of emotion. Knowing that I’ll never play here again and coming out getting a win against a very good team means the world,” said Carey on her final win at Alumni. With the season now over, the Stags can look forward to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship this weekend. “It’s tournament time and anybody can beat anybody. As a coach, you don’t even worry about what the matchup is you just want your team to go out there and do the little things [like] rebound the ball, not turning over and just play team basketball and keep their composure,” said Frager as he looks to lead his team to a MAAC Championship. After finishing the season with a 13-7 conference record, the Stags have earned the third seed in the MAAC. Fairfield will await the winner of the first round matchup between sixth-seeded Marist and 11thseeded Saint Peter’s to decide their quarterfinal matchup on Saturday, March 4 at noon in Albany, N.Y.