Anna Liffey’s
Malcolm X Opinion
Vine
Malcolm X’s legacy lives on 50 years after his assassination. Page 5
Fairfield’s newest nightlife bar, Anna Liffey’s, has direct ties to Dublin. Page 7
Go Stags! Sports
Basketball prepares for MAAC Tournament. Page 16
THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper
Week of March 4, 2015
@FairfieldMirror
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Vol. 40, Iss. 18
Select students partake in Stags Day By Jesse Erickson Assistant Sports Editor Senior Amy Salazar had seen what Prosek Partners had to offer through events like the Career Fair and presentations in class. However, it wasn’t until she was selected to attend “Stags Day” that she saw what opportunities public relations firms had for her post-graduation. “Prosek Partners has a great company culture,” Salazar said. “The program they offer recent Fairfield grads is not only a great learning experience, but it’s very hands-on which gives you an opportunity to enhance your portfolio.” Salazar was one of 10 Fairfield students having a firsthand look about what firms like Prosek do nationally and internationally, as well as experiencing a day in the life of PR professionals at Prosek. “[Prosek] touched a lot upon reading different news outlets,” she said. “Then working on ways to fit your client into upcoming stories or pitching the media with a story idea to plug your client into.” Located in Fairfield, New York City and London, Prosek does “ev-
This program is designed to train the next wave of PR professionals and as such is a very important hiring conduit for the firm -Caroline Gibson Managing Director
Kelly Conway / Career Planning Center
Two Fairfield students met with an employer during their time at the Spring 2015 Career & Internship Fair which many students found helpful.
Career Fair aims to appeal to all majors By Shauna Mitchell Editor-in-Chief While more than 500 students visited the Career & Internship Fair on Feb. 26, many feel the event has room to grow for next year. Director of the Career Planning Center Cathleen Borgman ‘80 said the event was overall a success, with 117 potential employers in attendance. “I’ve spoken to a few people who are happy [with the Career Fair],” she said, “but some of the
counselors have actually heard from a few students who have gotten interviews and offers.” According to the 2014 First Destination Report from the CPC, 39.4 percent of seniors get their jobs from campus recruiting and the Career Fair. Senior Amanda Dentico, a management major, is one student who found the event especially helpful. “[I] got a lot of business cards and had a few really good conversations that might lead to interviews,” she stated.
One of the most successful aspects of the event was the amount of alumni recruiters present. “It’s also a great marketing technique on the part of the companies because they will oftentimes try to get alumni who graduated recently so that they can give you a firsthand account of what it’s like to work within an organization,” Borgman said. When it comes to the benefits for students, alumni and employers alike, “It’s kind of a win for all three groups.” Senior Taylor Morgan, a psychology major, attended the Ca-
reer Fair and said she thought it was valuable networking practice. “Even though I felt a little nervous and that a lot of companies weren’t looking specifically for psychology majors, Stephanie Gallo ... at the Career Planning office came up to me and encouraged me to introduce myself to some companies I never would have intended to,” she stated. “I think it was a positive experience that will influence how I continue to explore postREAD
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erything from developing the messaging and visual brand identity of a company through to securing coverage of their people and products in the top-tier and trade media,” according to Managing Director Caroline Gibson. The firm, which has existed for about 20 years, differentiates themselves from other PR firms through their idea of “unboxed communications.” This idea of thinking outside the box has earned them several recognitions such as the number one PR firm for the Hedge Fund Industry, the New York Observer’s READ
STUDENTS ON PAGE 4
Kelly Conway / Career Planning Center
117 potential employers were in attendance at the Career Fair, and 39.4 percent of seniors get their jobs from campus recruiting and the Career Fair.
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
News
Fitzgerald discusses biology of autism Patrick Kiernan / The Mirror
Lawrence Fitzgerald ‘86, Ph.D., MBA, spoke at Fairfield to bring awareness to autism and the state of medical science in the modern day.
By Catherine Veschi Assistant News Editor On Tuesday, March 3, Lawrence Fitzgerald ‘86, Ph.D., MBA, delivered a lecture titled “Opportunities and Challenges in Drug Discovery for Autism Spectrum Disorders” in the Aloysius P. Kelley Presentation Room. According to Fitzgerald, his overall mission is “to bring awareness to autism, and bring awareness to the state of medical science and where we are.” Through his lecture, he discussed the need to expand drug research for children with neuroscience difficulties and problems, saying, “You would expect that there are peo-
ple out there discovering drugs, but what students may not realize is that the investment in neurological conditions has gone down in 10 years.” During his lecture, Fitzgerald explained that the lack of investment in children’s neuroscience difficulties “means decreased research and decreased opportunity” for neurological drugs. Fitzgerald’s lecture was part of a series of free and public events about healthcare issues, such as autism spectrum disorders, sponsored by the Integrated Nursing and Health Studies Initiative at Fairfield University and the Department of Psychology. He is the founder, president and chief executive officer of Mend Ther-
apeutics, Inc., a non-profit pharmaceutical company specializing in diabetes. He is an accomplished “drug hunter,” with more than 18 years of drug discovery and executive research leadership experience in the neurosciences, according to Mend Therapeutics’ website. Despite this deficiency in neurological drug investment and research, Fitzgerald said, “There are opportunities in autism in terms of understanding what causes autism that we didn’t have for many other diseases.” “Part of the reason for the decrease in investment was because we didn’t know what caused depression or bipolar disease and we lost confidence in that,” said Fitzgerald. “I
think with autism, there are some great fundamental hooks that could drive investment and attention for more research.” Junior Laura London found the lecture informative, saying that Fitzgerald’s lecture helped her see “how there’s a lot of money put into [drug research], and I didn’t realize exactly how much was put into it. That was the big takeaway for me.” For Brendan Freeman ‘15, what was significant was Fitzgerald’s optimism. “[Fitzgerald] seems to be optimistic for the future of the drug industry, and shows that there are a lot of opportunities there to take advantage of,” he said.
Club Profile: SWEET HARMONY By Jesse Erickson Assistant Sports Editor
“Sweet Harmony” is one of the many clubs on Fairfield’s campus, but it’s the only club that can belt out Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” in perfect pitch. From the old-time classics to today’s top 40, Fairfield’s all-female a cappella group has become known for its medley of talented voices. Twice a week, the group can be heard singing all different genres of music from the basement of Jogues Hall. The group is student-driven, with musical pieces arranged by Jackie Aquino ‘16 and alumna Sam Mazzeo ‘14. Two seniors, Julia Vos and Jenny Dressel, are responsible for putting together practice times, organizing events and perfecting the performances on the stage. According to member Christina Barry ‘15, the fact that the club is student-driven means that members must work extra hard to fine-tune their music. “We rehearse every Thursday night from 8-10 p.m. and every Sunday 1-3 p.m.,” said Barry. “It’s a lot of time, and sometimes gets frustrating because we’re all really busy people, but the results have been worth it.” In the past, the group has performed with Fairfield’s Glee Club and the Bensonians, Fairfield’s male a cappella group. Together, the three groups have performed at different events like Alumni and Parents Weekend, Commencement and Christmas concerts. While performing is something they enjoy, Barry explained that standing on stage and belting out in song is always a daunting task. However, singing alongside others makes it easier. “We all work really hard to make sure we’re ready for any performances we have, and singing with other people to help make one cohesive sound is always more comfortable than singing on your own,” said Barry.
Contributed Photo
Members of the female a cappella singing group Sweet Harmony perform earlier in the year. Through working with one another, the group of about 20-25 members has developed a “sisterhood,” according to member Kelsey Washburn ‘17. “We all have nicknames for each other and it’s always fun at rehearsals whether we are working hard learning a new song or goofing off,” she said. Currently, the group is working towards putting on their own concert this coming April with the Bensonians. They will be singing songs like “Shake It Out” by Florence and the Machine, according to their official Instagram account. As they work towards the concert, Barry explained that regardless of who is watching, it’s en-
joyable working with your best friends. “Even though the crowds are generally made up of our friends and our families, who would love us even if we were awful, it always feels really great when you have performed well in front of people who have never heard it before,” she said. “Sweet Harmony” will make their next appearance April 17 in the Gonzaga Auditorium at 7 p.m. “This concert in April is our first ever Sweet Harmony concert,” Washburn said. “We are going to showcase all of the songs we have sung so far this year (and a few surprises).”
DSB offers new MSBA graduate program By Catherine Veschi Assistant News Editor As soon as the summer of 2015, graduate students will have the opportunity to complete a new Master of Science degree in business analytics, the first of its kind in Fairfield County. The MSBA, a 30-credit program, was designed to appeal to those students “who are very interested in business professions and come from non-traditional business backgrounds — mathematicians, economists, politics majors, sociologists,” and “would be attracted to something that has an analytical component to it,” said Associate Dean of the Dolan School of Business Mark Ligas. According to Donald Gibson, dean of the Dolan School of Business, nowadays companies are “gathering a lot more data, especially social media data.” For this reason, there is “a new approach called business analytics that tries to make sense of all this data and see patterns in it,” Gibson said. The MSBA program will help to “develop students who can do that.” Ligas added that this analytical component “is not quite so clear in your traditional MBA, so now we have it specifically in a degree-granted program.” In addition, through the MSBA program, graduate students can enroll in “novel and distinct classes that you wouldn’t find in a traditional graduate business program,” said Ligas. “It’s not just courses that teach you how to crunch the numbers,” Ligas continued, “but also courses that teach you how to think about and strategize with regard to what these numbers can tell you.” The MBA has been quite a popular graduate program, Gibson said, but “lately we’re seeing a trend towards students going toward more focused degrees. This is another more specific degree that attracts students who want to focus on just this for one year.” For Ligas, through the new MSBA program the “analytical methods and decision-making practices that [students] will undertake so as to make sense of this information,” will be useful for students in the growing marketplace. He added that the program provides an additional benefit for students who are international because, given that this is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) designated program, “it gives them extra time post-degree completion in order to find internship and job opportunities.” Ligas also spoke for the dynamic nature of the program, saying “we will have some online classes, and we will have some on the ground classes.” Gibson encourages undergraduate students “who might be thinking of going to graduate school” to look into this program as well, since “it’s designed to continue into the Master of Science, and they could do it as a fifth year essentially.” Ligas agreed, saying “at the graduate level, you can have seven week classes, some of which will occur in this program, so it becomes very doable for someone to move through the program in that fifth year. If you add one more year, you get the advanced degree.”
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
News
More than 100 employers represented at the Career Fair Continued from page graduation employment.” Dentico agreed. “For a senior, it was a great networking opportunity and a chance to get our resumes out to firms that are currently recruiting,” she stated. However, not all students who attended the event were satisfied. Morgan, while she said the event was useful for practice, said she wished the event had more opportunities for her. “I didn’t find any prospective career leads,” she stated. “After I had a company tell me that I seemed really nice but they didn’t have anything for me, I became a little discouraged.” Agreeing with Morgan on the lack of opportunities for non-business majors, Elizabeth Duffy ‘15 ended up not going to the Career Fair. “I went back and forth deciding whether or not I was going to go, then I ultimately decided it wasn’t going to help me,” said Duffy, an English major. “It didn’t seem like there were any opportunities for me there.” Borgman acknowledged this reputation, but said that students aren’t looking hard enough at the companies that attend. “They still need marketing people, they still need accounting people, they still need communications, math, everything that we have here,” she said. With that, Borgman admitted
that more work can be done. “Well, we’re constantly in search of a more diverse group of companies. More opportunities for the English majors, the science majors.” According to Borgman, the CPC has already started brainstorming ways to make the Career Fair more focused for arts and sciences majors for next year. “I’m trying to research the possibilities of a science [Career Fair], so people who are interested in chemistry and biology would get some employers,” she said. “That would be focusing on a group of students who really feel underrepresented.” Morgan said she thinks the CPC should appoint counselors to tailor potential career opportunities for individual majors. “If there was a resource for each major at the career fair that could say, ‘hey, here are five companies that may have something for x major,’ rather than that really big overwhelming information packet,” she stated. One way the CPC attempts to provide more resources is through the Stags4Hire website, a job and internship database updated daily with new listings. Students can register accounts with Stags4Hire and upload their resumes, contact potential employers and apply for positions through the site. Borgman stressed the importance of using Stags4Hire in tandem with the Career Fair. “Make sure if [the company
is] on Stags4Hire, you apply, because a lot of people meet various individuals at the Career Fair, but then they don’t apply,” so recruiters think students are not actually interested in the company, Borgman said. “So if people don’t know how to [apply], they should get in touch with us and we’ll walk them through the whole process.” Both Morgan and Dentico have used Stags4Hire to land their current internships. Dentico said the process was as simple as uploading her resume. “I put my resume on Stag-
s4Hire, and one of the university recruiters contacted me,” she stated. Morgan said she still uses the site to find new job postings. “I check the website on a fairly regular basis,” she stated. “It seems there’s a lot of internship opportunities now that I’m looking for fulltime employment, but I’m optimistic that as it gets closer to May, more opportunities will be posted that apply to recent grads.” According to the First Destination Report, under 30 percent of students became employed
through an internship. Borgman said many of these students probably got their internships through the CPC, but that number could be higher if students start taking the Career Fair seriously. “Some schools have a culture; it’s the Career Fair, it’s the Career Fair, and everyone talks about it. Everybody gets excited and gets behind it, and that’s what our goal is,” Borgman said. “We want to be like those other schools, where the students are taking it seriously, they really prepare and do their due diligence.”
Kelly Conway / Career Planning Center
Director of the Career Planning Center Cathleen Borgman ‘80 greets a representative from Enterprise, a rental car company, at the Career Fair.
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
News
Students network with PR firm Prosek Compiled by Austin Wesolowski Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety. Wednesday, 2/25 2:51 p.m. – An unwanted individual entered a 9 block Townhouse and allegedly took bags of chips and a package of chicken. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact DPS. Friday, 2/27 9:49 a.m. – An individual wrote a racial slur in black marker on the first floor hallway in Kostka Hall. The matter is under further investigation by DPS. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact DPS or Residence Life staff.
Contributed Photo
Fairfield students joined the public relations firm Prosek and discussed networking.
2:28 p.m. – Resident Assistants directed DPS to a room in Jogues Hall where there was an odor of marijuana. The individual was arrested by Fairfield Police and referred to student conduct. 8:12 p.m. – A 14-year old-boy was found to be in possession of marijuana and alcohol at a social function at Fairfield Prep. The student was referred to Fairfield Prep’s Dean of Students. 8:20 p.m. – A sexual assault is under investigation by Fairfield Police and DPS. The student involved has been identified and referred to student conduct. 10:19 p.m. – The odor of marijuana led DPS to a room in Loyola Hall, where the student was found to be in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. The individual was issued an infraction by Fairfield Police and referred to student conduct.
Continued from page Top 20 PR Firm Power List in 2014 and, for the sixth consecutive year, they were named to be the fastest growing company by Inc. 5000. As part of the recruiting effort, Prosek Partners also organized “Bobcats Day” for Quinnipiac University in a sim-
ilar style to “Stags Day.” For current students and Fairfield alumni, Prosek has provided internships and jobs for those interested in pursuing a career in PR. “Since 2010, nine interns – about two per year – that we’ve brought into our Connecticut [office] have been from Fairfield University,” stated Gibson.
“With four alumni on our full-time staff, there’s a wonderful network of Stags throughout both our Connecticut and New York City offices.” During the session, students also learned more about Prosek’s newest initiative, a PR development program. A paid four-month long program, it is “specifically designed for postgraduates to get their foot in the door at Prosek,” according to Gibson. “It’s also a fantastic way to get noticed by our hiring managers,” she stated. “This program is designed to train the next wave of PR professionals and as such is a very important hiring conduit for the firm.” Salazar, who has had three internships in the field, found “Stags Day” a beneficial networking opportunity. “It was nice to get a one-on-one with PR professionals and ask them questions about the industry,” Salazar said. Gibson agreed, stating that the networking session was “great to meet the students on a personal level to hear about their experiences and answer their questions.” When asked what advice is most important for students aspiring for a job in PR, Gibson stated, “Get experience early. The competition in PR is intense.”
THE NEWS: In the United States
Sunday, 3/1 1:59 a.m. – Two males in Faber Hall were observed to be taking a Yogibo bean bag from the lounge valued at $70. The suspects have not been identified, but one was wearing burgundy pants and a blue winter jacket. The other individual was in blue jeans and a “peachish pink Vineyard Vines sweater.” Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact DPS. 2:30 a.m. – A Campion Hall sprinkler valve was opened, flooding a small area in the building.
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Monday, 3/2 7:50 a.m. – DPS responded to a domestic dispute between two non-students in Dolan Hall. The matter is under further investigation by DPS.
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Shauna Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Calhoun, Executive Editor Enxhi Myslymi, Managing Editor Editors Catherine Veschi, Assistant News Ariana Puzzo, Opinion Charles DeFilippo, Vine Allison White, Coffee Break Patrick Kiernan, Sports Matthew Schneider, Assistant Sports Jesse Erickson, Assistant Sports Angela Sammarone, Chief Copy Editor Online Ryan Wessel, Web Master Business Department Email: advertising@fairfieldmirror.com Jake Ruskan, CFO Christopher Murphy, Delivery Person Adviser Dr. Tommy Xie Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com
1. Cincinnati, Ohio - Gay rights activist Adam Hoover was charged for falsely claiming through social media that he was kidnapped and thrown in the trunk of his car.
Contributed under Creative Commons
2. Montgomery County, Penn. - An explosive fire at a Montgomery County sheet metal plant left dozens of homes without power. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 3. Georgia - Kelly Renee Gissendaner’s execution has been called off due to “cloudy” lethal-injection drugs. Gissendaner was sentenced to death for plotting the murder of her husband in 1997. 4. Los Angeles, Calif. - Engineer Glen Steele, 62, who was hospitalized after a Metrolink train in South California derailed, has died. Nearly 30 were injured in the crash, but Steele is the first reported death. 5. El Dorado, Calif. - Thirty one-year-old photography teacher Jillian Jacobson was found dead on Monday in a classroom at El Dorado High School. The probable cause is suicide by hanging, according to the Placentia Police. 6. Ferguson, Missouri - Months after the Michael Brown murder, a Justice Department investigation found an overarching pattern of racial biases within the Ferguson police department.
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
Opinion
Opinion
Editor Ariana Puzzo » opinion@fairfieldmirror.com
Society re-defines Malcolm X's legacy By Ariana Puzzo Opinion Editor Malcolm Little, a prominent, controversial human rights activist who was more widely known as Malcolm X, was remembered by TIME magazine following his assassination in 1965 as “a cocaine addict and a thief.” However, considering that last month was the 50th anniversary of his assassination, it is important that we consider why his legacy has undergone a dramatic historical change and why he is now accepted by many as one of the most influential African Americans to break ground on civil rights issues. The change in Malcolm X’s legacy can be attributed to society’s tendency to perceive people as martyrs after death, regardless of how they were viewed during life. Despite this inherent flaw in society, it is important that Malcolm X is regarded in a way that is reflective of the positive impact he had on both American society and the civil rights movement, rather than being solely associated with the negative decisions he made during his life. However, despite being remembered more positively half a century after his assassination, his transformed legacy does not change the fact that inequality and discrimination both remain prevalent and are oftentimes widely dismissed topics of discussion in our country. Although Malcolm X’s views were radically different from the principles of other influential civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. who sought for racial integration, his determination to make the world a better place for African Americans should not be considered any less significant. According to James H. Cone, author of “Martin & Malcolm & America: A Dream or a Nightmare,” “Many African Ameri-
Editorial Board Full Circle Shauna Mitchell Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Calhoun Executive Editor Enxhi Myslymi Managing Editor
cans, especially those who lived in cities in the Northern and Western United States, felt that Malcolm X articulated their complaints concerning inequality better than the mainstream civil rights movement did.” Although I do not agree with Malcolm X’s opinions, such as his considered ineffectiveness of civil rights movements like the March on Washington, his philosophical views undoubtedly shaped life in America for many African Americans in the 20th century, and they continue to do so in the 21st century. Therefore, to dismiss his views would be to effectively ignore a culture and history of people who were searching for the opportunity to become less oppressed by following his guidance and ideologies. Despite Malcolm X’s contribution to the progress of civil equality in the United States, racial inequality in particular still remains prevalent in our country. Therefore, by TIME magazine re-defining his legacy 50 years later and recalling his battle against prejudice and racial strife, TIME, as well as our country, is effectively continuing the spirit of his fight. There are a number of ways that we can effectively keep his legacy alive for years to come and work to prevent further discrimination or oppression. The first way that we can not only remember his legacy, but also maintain and implement his important values in our society, is to remind ourselves that civil rights issues are not a distant struggle that were resolved in the 20th century. The mistake that people often make when discussing civil rights, as well as the roles that Malcolm X and other leaders played during this time, is that all racial inequality is solved and eradicated. However, racial inequality is still very much a presence in our society, thrust to the forefront most recently with the tragic deaths of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown and Eric Garner. Although the circumstances of each death varied, race was seen by many as the catalyst for the events that took place, with claims of a lack of acceptance and accountability in regards to the viewed prejudicial nature of these murders. The fact of the matter is that much of the lack of acceptance and accountability for events such as the aforementioned can be attributed to the misconception that racial inequality no longer exists due to the positive gains of the civil rights movement during the 20th century. In reality, while we may have
Well, it's 16 days until spring and if we're looking around at the 12 feet of snow on campus, the weather still hasn't figured it out. Even when the snow begins to melt and the grass appears beneath the surface, there's that lingering bit of snow that makes its imprint on the scenery. We'd like to think that this is symbolic of what is happening right now at The Mirror. We knew this day was coming and as much as we tried to deny it and run from it, it's here: our last
Contributed under Creative Commons redefined Malcolm X’s legacy, it has taken 50 years to gain the perspective needed in order to do so. Racism is a dark cloud that hangs over the United States and whether it is intentional or not, there are times where it is downplayed simply due to the horrific reality of what was allowed to occur. The most effective way to solve the lack of awareness is to continue educating people
that racism is still an inherent flaw in our society and, though it will hopefully be eradicated one day, that day has not yet arrived. Until that day, Malcolm X should be remembered based on all that he did to help work toward a world where African Americans would not be oppressed or thought of as anything less than any other human being.
'The Duff' reuses same tired beauty formula By Britta Gunneson Contributing Writer Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of discussion about the newly released movie “The Duff.” At first, the story seems like a classic teen comedy recipe - a plain girl gets transformed into the prettiest girl on the block, while winning the affections of the high school stud. Through the years, we’ve seen this formula over and over in movies like “A Cinderella Story,” (Sam can’t get the guy without the help of AIM and a mask), “Grease” (Sandy needs to “sex up” to win over Danny Zuko) and “The Princess Diaries” (Mia isn’t a princess until her hair is stick-straight and shiny). While these movies all still have weight in our collective memories today, I do not think “The Duff ” has the makings of a memorable high school chick flick. I haven’t seen “The Duff ” myself, but from what I have gleaned I don’t feel that “The Duff ” is doing anything revolutionary. While the message of “The Duff ” encourages girls to love themselves and embrace who they are, there is simply nothing special about the way they deliver this message. I am the oldest of four girls. I constantly see my sisters struggling with the pressure to be perfect. I know firsthand the crazy, scary pressure that society pushes on women at a young age. Time and time again, one of my sisters or myself have felt the insane influence to be pretty, smart, flirty - the “right” kind of girl. This message is further spread through TV, magazines, billboards and in the language we use every day. By the time we are in high school, we rarely see girls that are comfortable in their skin and confident in themselves and their goals. Rather, we see hundreds of girls faking happiness and confidence and trying to be someone else. This message is repeated in “The Duff.” We watch Bianca as she feels forced to change her-
issue as the editorial board for The Mirror. There are the obvious things we can say, like "it's bittersweet" and "time sure does fly," but what good does it do anyone to say that? It's just saying what we all know. What you might not know, and what people might not talk about as frequently, is how the smallest decisions we make in our four years here can impact the rest of our lives. For the three of us, it was a chance, taken on a whim or a well-
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thought out choice, to walk into a newspaper office in the youth of our college careers. From that day, we never left. Hindsight is a beautiful thing in situations like this. While in the midst of writing these editorials at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday, all we often wanted was to get it done. But while it was at times cathartic for us, and on the off chance that they could have an impact on even just one of our readers, it was worth the struggle to get our thoughts into words.
Three hundred words to be approximate. These editorials became a reflection of our beliefs, and really, our lives. We wrote in our very first editorial that we wanted The Mirror to become a reflection of who we are as people. All we can hope for from our tenure is that we might leave a lasting impact on our surroundings. If one little piece of our time at the helm of this ship can survive past our graduation, well then we'd consider that a job well done.
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
Opinion
Oscar stars shine light on inequality By Allison White Coffee Break Editor
During the Oscars this year, politics took center stage which was a great way for celebrities to bring attention to topics that are in need of awareness. The acceptance speeches of these award-winners touched upon certain issues that may not have been on the minds of people in the United States. Because these celebrities took the opportunity to comment on societal issues, I became more aware of some problems that face us today that I was oblivious to before. Some of the main concerns that were addressed were women’s equality, racial prejudice and suicide awareness. When Patricia Arquette won an award for her supporting role in the movie “Boyhood,” she focused her speech on equality for women, particularly referring to equal wages. As a woman who will be entering employment in a few years, I am happy that she spoke about this issue as I believe that men and women should have equal pay. Since the Oscars reach a large audience, it is a great opportunity for celebrities to raise awareness about certain issues in our country. After John Legend and Common won the award for Best Original Track for “Glory” in the movie “Selma,” their speech focused on past racial movements and current racial incarceration. Legend said, “There are more black men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850.” After hearing this statistic, I was shocked. I was completely unaware of the prejudice present within the correctional system. Neil Patrick Harris made a comment regarding the racial prejudice present within Hollywood. In his opening comments he said, “Today we honor America’s best and whitest. Sorry, brightest.” His comment
highlighted the lack of actors and actresses of color. How is it possible that in the 21st century there is not more variety among characters we see in movies? It is essential in today’s society for the public to be conscious of the predominantly white nominees and award-winners at the Oscars and to call for more diversity on screen. LGBT rights and suicide awareness were also topics that were emphasized. After receiving an award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the “Imitation Game,” which tells the story of Alan Turing, the heroic mathematician who cracked the German Enigma during World War II and was later prosecuted under anti-gay laws in Britain, Graham Moore encouraged everyone to “stay weird” and to “stay different.” He discussed his suicide attempt and encouraged those who are suicidal to be themselves because there is hope. This shed light on teenage depression and suicide. The words of Moore especially pertained to those people who were in the same situation as him when he was suffering with depression. Moore’s words were an attempt to create positivity among those who were depressed and give them the support they may need. These celebrities saw an opportunity to spread positive vibes and used their popular influence to reach the public. Even though the Oscars is meant to honor actors, actresses, filmmakers, costume designers and digital designers, the awards show proved to be more than that. It didn’t affect the entertainment of the awards show but rather caused people to become more engrossed in a program that otherwise could have been a four-hour special simply celebrating the achievements of Hollywood’s finest.
Beauty deserves to be respected CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 self to become “the datable one.” Even though she eventually is able to embrace who she really is, this cannot be done without changing her appearance to become hotter, cooler, and altogether “better.” “The Duff” isn’t encouraging girls to stay true to themselves. Instead, it is implying that you can’t be yourself on the inside if you
don’t look right on the outside. This isn’t the message we should be sending to girls. Instead, let’s encourage each other to love ourselves now. Let’s encourage ourselves to stay true to our original Sams, Sandys, Mias and Biancas, pre-makeover. Girls should be comfortable in their own skin now and not wait for some nice friend to give a helping hand. Instead, girls should know the truth: No one is really a DUFF.
Top 5 ways to break your school personality By Kayla Valente Contributing Writer Spring break is one week of freedom that occurs midway through the spring semester and gives you the opportunity to do whatever your heart desires.
Even so, there are five basic categories that most students fall under during this time off. 1. “Any time that I spend awake should be solely devoted to Netflix.” - Eat. Sleep. Netflix. Repeat. These are the people who have been yearning for nothing more than to lay on the couch and catch up on their screen time.
The only thing they love more than Netflix is sleep, yet feel as though they cannot spend enough time sleeping while at school. As a result, they basically hibernate during this week in preparation for the rest of the semester. 2. “I hope we all make it home.” - These are the stereotypical students who wave goodbye to their parents to board a plane to a tropical location with all their friends. Typically, their week is spent drinking fruity beverages and making subpar decisions. In addition to coming back with hilarious stories, these students will also come back with an amazing tan. They might also come back with a tattoo that they spontaneously decided to get. These students love being reckless and what better time for that than spring break? 3. “I will do more with my life in this week than you will do with yours all year.” - Say goodbye to “work hard, play hard” because these students are all work. Their level of motivation is off the charts. Although they have their entire life planned out already, they still have to put their plan into action. These overachievers manage to not only get some hours at the job they had last summer, but are also on the hunt for their dream job for this coming summer. And, in between their job and interviews, these students also find time to hit the gym. Right now, these people might seem boring, but this summer when they have an amazing job and body, you might rethink your decision to order bottomless piña coladas or your decision to re-watch every episode of “Friends” on
Netflix. 4. “I am having aggressive family withdrawals.” - These are the most family-oriented people you know. Whether their family is spending the week at a ski resort or just at home, these people cannot wait to savor the moments. They have missed their dog so much that they will Instagram him every day to prove it. Not to mention the fact that their SnapChat stories will now only consist of their brothers and sisters. I wouldn’t even bother texting these people over break because they will be so enthralled by family time that they probably will not answer you. 5. “I already finished two of my final papers.” - Only one word describes this strategy well: syllabi. When spring break starts, these students pack up all of their books and binders and get to work. They spend the week reading ahead and taking notes. These students are few and far between, but I promise that you will be jealous of them once spring break is over. Class by class, they complete every assignment listed for the rest of the semester. They don’t have the amazing tan or the hilarious pictures that you might have, but they are going to breeze through the rest of the semester. While you were living it up, they were making study guides for the tests that are in April. Regardless of which category you fall under, make the most of your week and have a blast this spring break.
The Mirror welcomes the opinions and contributions of its readers: Letters to the editor must be timely and submitted by email to info@fairfieldmirror.com or Box AA. All letters to the editor that are appropriate will be published either in print or online. The Mirror reserves the right to edit letters and articles for content, length and grammatical error. Letters should be free of obscenities and personal attacks and should contain correct and factual information not exceeding 500 words.
The Vine
arts, entertainment, features Editor Charles DeFilippo vine@fairfieldmirror.com
Patrick Mansfield's Anna Liffey's imports Irish culture into the heart of Fairfield
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By Katherine Falzon Contributing Writer
ith St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, Irish pub Anna Liffey’s in downtown Fairfield, Conn. will be preparing for its busiest day of the year. Each year Anna Liffey's wins best Irish Restaurant voted by New Haven Advocate making it the perfect place to go to on March 17, or any other day of the year. Located also in New Haven, Conn., the pub has a relaxed, intimate and cozy atmosphere. Vintage antiques, old-fashioned pictures and loud Irish music drifting through the lively pub transport you back in time to the classic city of Dublin. Anna Liffey’s is actually named after the Liffey River in Dublin. Although Anna Liffey’s was first founded in New Haven’s Arts District in 1997, the true story behind the popular Irish pub traces farther back to Ireland itself. Patrick Mansfield, owner of Anna Liffey’s, has been in the restaurant business ever since he was a young boy living in Ireland. When he first immigrated to the
United States, he opened a pub in New York City called Anna Liffey’s, then a second one in New Haven. Being New England’s sixth largest metro city that is located between Boston and Manhattan, Mansfield thought New Haven was the perfect spot for a traditional Irish public house. He decided to focus his efforts solely in New Haven where he would bring back the culture that was ingrained into his heart from Ireland, so he sold off the first pub in NYC. His ultimate dream project consisted of building a modern American super pub that was uniquely immersed in the authentic traditions of Ireland. When Mansfield first came across the beautifully historic town of Fairfield, he knew right away that it was yet another ideal place for Anna Liffey’s to open up. READ
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Anna Liffey's Owner Patrick Mansfield
THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
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Anna Liffey's serves authentic Irish cuisine and culture
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By Katherine Falzon Contributing Writer
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ansfield pursued his dream further by building the ultimate pub that consisted of three rooms, two bars, more than 20 flat screen TVs and one massive movie screen. The room’s décor is all imported from Ireland, making it exceptionally unique. Executive Chef Christian Morgan’s mouthwatering menu consists of awardwinning food that will have you coming back for more. His incredible talent in cooking will show through the delightfully prepared meals that look just as good as they taste. Anna Liffey’s has been in New Haven for 17 years now, and has a great history of first dates in the pub that have gone on to be married, as well as many students from Yale that have now graduated and are working as successful doctors. Many fans of the World Cup also come to watch it every year on the flat screens in the bar
area; thereis no better way to watch the World Cup than to sit among a chanting, thrilling pub crowd while eating top-quality food. It is no surprise that the Irish pub was voted one of the best places to watch soccer in the U.S. by Liffey customers, according to their website. With its newest location, Fairfield University students now can enjoy delicious food in the exciting atmosphere of one of the best Irish pubs around. Best known for its Irish pub and grub type of food, Anna Liffey’s offers a large array of classic Irish entrees. From traditional corned beef and cabbage, richly whipped shepherd’s pie, and creamy Guinness stew, Anna Liffey’s is famous for its delectable selection of Irish comfort foods. The Liffey menu centers around Irish fare and mixed with an American fusion. The pub also offers a wide selection of deliciously cooked American dishes, and is well known to serve some of the juiciest pub burgers around. The minute you walk into Anna Liffey’s its authentic ambiance will sweep you away. Your eyes will always be wandering around the room at all of the different antiques and picture frames. There is never a dull moment in this particular pub scene as there is always an exciting game on TV to watch with an energetic crowd of customers cheering on their favorite team. The catchy, upbeat tunes playing in the background will lift spirits high and the friendly workers will always be attentive to your needs. Anna Liffey’s reeks of old Irish tradition, and its high quality food and décor will enchant you the moment you enter inside.
Contributed Photo
Anna Liffey's at 1494 Post Road in Fairfield was designed and built by owner Patrick Mansfield. The pub also hosts live music and showcases major sporting events.
'Glass Riff er' Album Spoiler: by Dan Deacon By Andrew DaRosa Album Columnist
Contributed under Creative Commons
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he brain of electronic music is back for a sixth go at sweeping us off our feet with “Glass Riffer,” an artistic explosion of eclectic sounds that showcase the mastermind that is Dan Deacon. Known for his experimentalism, Deacon does not shy away from showcasing his profound talent with electronics without so much as breaking a sweat. “Glass Riffer” is transcendent in that each composition allows the mind to wander from the body and experience a bliss that is unique t o the organic nature of
Deacon’s craft. Deacon’s focus on blending different sounds works to his advantage in “Glass Riffer”
as each composition feels as though you’re opening doors to different compartments in his mind. “Sheathed Wings” is a perfect example of this blending. The rhythm is almost too perfect and the addition of his distorted voice makes the song feel weightless. Deacon is able to grab your attention almost instantaneously with this blending, never leaving his listener bored and always allowing room for a dance party in between his deep rhythms. “When I Was Done Dying” showcases the lyrical maturity Deacon has perfected since his infancy in 2003. Deacon never relents in the piece and calmly states: “When I was done dying, my conscience regain / So I became a struggle, a nothingness strange / I'm a flash made of time, I knew form blasted out / And it scarred on me so, and I burst out a shout out / Which my legs ran frantic like birds from a nest / And I ran until drained, leaving no choice but rest.” While Deacon doesn’t always bring his lyrics to the forefront in his music, the results are exceptional when he seamlessly does. When listening to Deacon’s music, it becomes a constant struggle to see what reacts first, the mind or the body. The pri-
mary goal of “Glass Riffer” is to distort the mind with audible chaos while laying down a beat that will get the body moving; this always leaves a pleasant confusion for the person to discern for themselves. “Mind On Fire” achieves this mission perfectly with Deacon fluctuating the audio to various levels, while he assaults the ears with a rhythm that is relentless and allows the body to take over. “Learning To Relax” is an oxymoron because of its focus on the beat that gets the body moving, but admits the mind to rest from the trip it has taken with the rest of the album. As the album culminates with its finale, “Steely Blues,” our personal being feels transformed as Deacon’s beat sweeps us into his Dance Zone, where Deacon divides the crowd and calls fans up to dance, introduced on the Arcade Fire tour. The song feels celebratory and quietly drifts off, making us wonder where Deacon’s next adventure will bring our mind and body. As a whole, “Glass Riffer” is the perfect electronic album that comes once in a lifetime. Deacon has asserted himself as the creative mastermind of electronic music. As he is only in his mid30s, one can only imagine where his mind will bring ours next.
The Mirror | Week of March 4, 2015
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Fairfield alumnus Joe DeVito prospers as stand-up comedian Joe DeVito
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By Charles DeFilippo Vine Editor
airfield alumnus Joe DeVito ‘90, will return to Stag Country on Wednesday, March 11, to perform at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne. As an English double major and philosophy minor, DeVito never anticipated the prosperous stand-up career that would take shape as he entered his 30s. DeVito’s hard-hitting punchlines and clever routine led to his appearance on “The Late Late Show” with Craig Ferguson on CBS, Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham” and as a semifinalist on season five of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” DeVito received a “9.5 out of 10” rating from the Montreal Gazette after performing at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in 2006. DeVito’s humor has also landed him as a panelist on “Chelsea Lately,” CNN’s Headline News and as a regular guest on FOX News’ Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. “I always liked being the funny one and lucky I had a supportive family,” said DeVito. “I had a few [funny] uncles, which meant you had to be careful sitting down at the dinner table so you didn't choke on your food,” laughed DeVito. DeVito’s comedy career began after a few coworkers pushed him to take a stand-up class. In fact, one of DeVito’s friends went to the class to ensure his participation. Two sessions later and a final project would propel DeVito into the stand-up world. Although DeVito had plenty of natural talent, being on stage would not come easy. “I remember being in the bathroom throwing up before gigs in New York City. You need to get on stage over and over, but for me, the comedy club restrooms were so gross that I quickly got over it,” said DeVito. DeVito’s organic and humble act transcends his family’s home videos to the spotlight on stage where the audience cannot resist his raw humor. When DeVito auditioned for “Last Comic Standing” he had been performing at the time for six or seven years. During his audition in an empty club, DeVito instantly connected with the judges. He told jokes of working in an office
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ast week, I was invited to attend the “Stags in the Kitchen” program hosted by Sodexo’s Culinary Director Jacqui Lombard and Sodexo’s Executive Catering Chef Jim Turner. I observed a few of Fairfield’s upperclassmen learned the cooking technique of stir frying. Stir frying is a nutritious method of preparing food since it uses various vegetables. I learned a lot about healthy techniques of stir frying that I believe would be helpful to be shared with students. There are two primary types of stir frying: the Chao technique and the Bao technique. The Chao technique is similar to sautéing, where ingredients are added after the cooking oil is placed in the pan. After the pan has heated for awhile, seasonings such as gar-
cool happened that moand everyday coworker relations. On StageOne “A judge asked me, ‘Did you used to work ment could not be duanywhere in an office?’” said DeVito. Without hesitation plicated Comedian DeVito responded, “Yeah! I’m on my lunch else,” added DeVito” break!” Come out for a DeVito recalled why he suddenly connect- great night of standWednesday March 11 ed with these judges opposed to the previous up, but be weary Doors @ 6:30 p.m. times he had auditioned. “I flipped through my DeVito’s punchplanner and the difference was the 625 perfor- lines do not knock Show @ 7:00 p.m. mances I had within the last year.” you off of your chair “With stand-up, the only way you know on StageOne. how to do it is in front of an audience. I guess Tickets: $20 we are lucky with the things we don't know because I would have psyched myself out,” said DeVito During his time at Fairfield, DeVito, or should I say “Big Mac,” was editor-in-chief of The Mirror his junior year in addition to his music reviews and humor writing. DeVito also performed a stand-up during a freshman orientation in the Aloysius P. Kelley Center while he was a student. “It’s strange for me because Fairfield students coming to my show were not born while I was at the University,” said DeVito. “It would be a shame if students aren't there to relate.” After college, DeVito spent a decade as a journalist and as an advertising writer. As a writer, DeVito has contributed to the award-winning film “Super Size Me,” MTV and Maxim MagaPhoto Contributed zine. by Joe DeVito “Small theater shows [like StageOne] are the best. They are more intimate and are not as distracting as comedy clubs so I can take my time,” said DeVito opened with a set that was as fast paced as DeVito. This organic approach makes it was funny. Extremely disobedient of the term each stand-up routine different. Al- 'politically correct,' he seems to have an endless though DeVito has set jokes, he will leave pile of inappropriate one-liners in his head... yet most of his performance open, similar to deadpans all of this 100% with just the right amount musical improvisation. “The bands I liked growing up were of self-depreciation. the ones who didn't have a live show that -Long Island Entertainment News sounded exactly the record. If something
By Stephanie Piccolo Nutrition Columnist lic, ginger and shallots are added. Ingredients such as meats, shellfish and tofu that take longer to cook are placed in next. Finally, you can add in your variety of vegetables. When your meats and vegetables are fully cooked, soy sauce, vinegar or salt can be added to give the dish some extra flavor. The second type, the Bao technique, involves cooking at a high temperature and tossing to keep the food crispy. The pan is heated on a high flame and then the oil, seasonings and meats are added in succession. The food is tossed continuously and is only stopped to add in more ingredients or seasonings. The Bao method is usually just used for small amounts of food so that the juices do not flow out of the ingredients. Stir frying can be healthy
Stir fry with Stags in the Kitchen if done correctly; if not, important nutrients and vitamins your body needs from these ingredients can be burned off. The proper way to stir fry and retain nutritious value is to use extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil or coconut oil instead of corn or blended vegetable oils to preserve vitamins, nutrients and phytochemicals. Stir frying can be a fun and easy way to make delicious, healthy meals at home or even on campus in the dining hall through the stir fry station. Photo Contributed under Creative Commons
THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
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Let Dre Dress You By Andrea Butler Fashion Columnist
Hey Stags! With the excitement of Spring Break upon us, it can be easy to forget that the greatest holiday of the year is fast approaching, too. That’s right, Stags, St. Patrick’s Day trumps Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and everything else, for one simple reason. You don’t have to buy anything, you don’t have to spend time with family you don’t really like, and you don’t have to feel bad about being single—you just have to drink (if you want to, that is). Of course, there is one slight obligation: If you don’t wear green on March 17th, you might find yourself getting a number of painful pinches, per tradition. To save yourself the discomfort and to add to the fun, here are some places you can get some excellent green gear. So pour yourself a Guinness, and get that credit card ready. Lookhuman.com is the perfect spot for clever shirts, available in everything from tank tops to crewnecks. Whether you want to tell the world to kiss you because you’re Irish, or to kiss you just because you’re drunk, Lookhuman is the place to go. For a limited time they’re having a 25% off sale on all St. Paddy’s Day styles, so act fast! Guinness more than just a delicious beer, but also an iconic Irish brand. Head to guinnesswebstore.com for some great styles that celebrate the joy of beer and Ireland— they’re stylish enough to wear all year! If you’re like me and still crying because your semester abroad in Galway is over, an authentic Irish Aran sweater is what you need to remind you of those amazing days. Made for the constantly cold and wet Irish climate (but also totally appropriate for this endless winter we seem to be having), these cozy knits are perfect. Blarney.com has a ton of authentic sweaters, and a lot of other Irish gear too. Since it is an American brand, you won’t have to pay extra for international shipping! Whether you’re spending on March 17th binge drinking your heart out at a local bar, or skipping out on the festivities, channel your inner Irish person that day—Laid back and friendly, but always ready for a fight. Sláinte!
Contributed under Creative Commons
Love always,
Dre Contributed under Creative Commons
NT Live presents 'Treasure Island': A book for boys reimagined for all By Juliana Sansonetti Contributing Writer “Your son hasn’t read ‘Treasure Island’?” said the legendary Henry Fonda in disbelief in the classic 1981 movie “On Golden Pond.” “Treasure Island” has been seen as the perfect novel “for boys” ever since it was first published as a serial novel between 1881 and 1882 in the magazine Young Folks. In fact, the original title of the work was “The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys.” Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of “Treasure Island,” said himself, “It was to be a story for boys … women were excluded.” Playwright Bryony Lavery, however, had a different view on the matter in her retelling of “Treasure Island” as a stage play performed by the U.K. National Theatre Company, which was broadcasted at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Thursday.“‘Treasure Island’ is about a brave young person being set about by evil adults,” said Lavery. “I don’t think it matters much if it’s a boy or a girl.” Many of the characters from the original novel were boldly reimagined as females in this modern adaptation. Jim Hawkins, a young girl who takes offense when people call her the cabin boy, is the main character. Other gender bended characters include females Dr. Livesey and coxswain Israel Hands. “Already when I was 10 years old, I was having adventures, climbing on trees and acting like a boy,” said Lavery. “When asked to rewrite ‘Treasure Island,’ I said yes because I was a pirate until I was 10.”
However, Director Polly Findlay said she did not want to simply use the clichéd images of sand and palm trees usually associated with “Treasure Island.” “We wanted to reimagine it in a fresh and contemporary way,” said Findlay. In addition to changing the setting, Findlay also wanted to contemporize the cast.
we sometimes get onboard,” explained Lavery. “It’s Stevenson’s brilliance [that shows] that we
need a ship sometimes that takes us somewhere else.”
We wanted a way to re-imagine ['Treasure Island'] in a fresh and contemporary way. - Polly Findlay Director “Treasure Island” featured popular “Doctor Who” star Arthur Darvill as Long John Silver and up-and-coming young actress Patsy Ferran as Jim. “We wanted to find a way to use that piece of casting to show that this is a show for everybody,” said Findlay. “Treasure Island,” it seems, is no longer a story just for boys. The play speaks to all audiences in a way that makes it highly appealing and entertaining. It is a Contributed under Creative Commons story that everybody can relate to, male or female. Patsy Ferran (left) and Arthur Darvill (right) star as Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver in a new stage “We all have a pirate ship in our brains that adaptation of "Treasure Island."
The Mirror | Week of March 4, 2015
The Vine
Book Look: 'In the Woods'
Tana French
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Koala On Campus Time Management
By Georgina White Book Critic
he first in a series of five books, Tana French’s debut novel is impressive and mind-bending, another stay-up-all-night read. Part police procedural, part psychological thriller, In the Woods is dark and mystifying, masquerading as a murder mystery for what is really a brilliantly cruel piece of psychologically mastery. For fans of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, Dark Places, and Sharp Objects, this book is a must read. The story begins in Dublin, Ireland during the summer of 1984 when three children vanish in the woods. Two of them have disappeared forever, leaving Rob Ryan clutching a tree trunk in sheer terror, unable to speak, much less remember what had happened. Twenty years later as a detective on the Dublin Murder Squad, Ryan buries his past in order to work on the case of a murdered 12-year-old girl who was found in the same woods. Detective Ryan and his partner, who have become fast friends, delve into past and present to solve the murder. This first person novel is as much about the murder mystery as it is about the narrator himself and his dark and dreary past, which comes back to haunt him every time he visits the scene of the present crime. Are the two crimes connected? You will wonder if Ryan’s repressed memories will resurface as he delves into the murder of another child in the same secretive and illusive woods. As you become privy to Detective Ryan’s thoughts and unravellings, the transformation he undergoes will be particularly striking. Questions left unanswered will undoubtedly have you craving more. Reach for the next in the series, The Likeness followed by Faithful Place, Broken Harbour, and recently released final book of the series, The Secret Place. Find a good spot to read this, preferably with people around, but definitely not in the woods!
Philadelphia string trio overwhelms Quick Center By Andrew DaRosa Album Columnist Philadelphia string-trio Time for Three performed last Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The group is comprised of three performers: violinists Zach de Pue and Nick Kendall and double-bassist Ranaan Meyer. The band fuses the classical stylings of Bach with the music of modern pop musicians like Justin Timberlake. They have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and have been featured on CNN and Huffington Post for their anti-bullying YouTube video. At the beginning of the show, a program was handed out detailing the songs that might appear in the performance. The band determines the setlist minutes before their show, so audiences are kept on their toes to hear what the group chose. “We try to remember the setlist that we all agree on and if not we just
remind each other on stage,” commented de Pue, laughing. During their invigorating first set, which included an intricate cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” the trio introduced themselves as tf3, mentioning how they met at Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music. The trio described creating these elaborate pieces of music and the generation of their “musical sandbox,” which is their workplace of ideas that incorporates music of both past and present. Time for Three is able to breathe new life into classical music with their “musical sandbox,” evident with their collaboration of Igor’s “Firebird” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.” As the intensity of the music increases, they lean up against one another, sharing the vivacious energy that is flowing through their fingertips. Each note is met with a movement of the body that becomes irresistible to watch. When the trio ended their last set, the crowd was too energized to
sit down and hollered until the trio walked offstage. Minutes later, they came back onstage to tune their instruments and play one final encore.
“And that is called encore tuning,” said Meyer, jokingly. The performance was breathtaking and exhumed an energy that is
not found by most musicians in this day and age. Time for Three will surely become a musical staple as they progressively hone their virtuosity.
Contributed under Creative Commons
Coffee Break
THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
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COFFEE BREAK Editor: Allison White
... As Overheard in Barone Compiled By Allison White Coffee Break Editor
“Milkshakes in Barone are a gift from God.”
Scan the QR code below with a smartphone to read more of this week’s overheard quotes!
“I need puppy therapy.” “Spring break or winter break part two?” “[I] actually saw someone faceplant in the snow.” “Turbos slay me.” “Judging by the three coffees I had today… it was a long day.” “I can’t wait for spring break so I can nap at any time of the day.” Tweet us your #OverheardBarone comments @FairfieldMirror and be featured next week!
t ’ n DoAsk Meg
Need horrible advice? Submit a question to info@fairfieldmirror.com
Dear Meg, Spring break is finally coming, which is a perfect time to relax. I want to go somewhere tropical to get away from this bitterly cold winter. However, my parents decided not to book a family vacation since my brother’s spring break is not at the same time as mine. He’s away at college, so obviously he won’t be home anyway. How could my parents do this to me? I always knew he was the favorite child. Sincerely, Spring Fever Dear Spring Fever, A break from school is just that: a break. It is definitely a great time to relax because you don’t have to worry about any assignments. What other way is there to spend spring break if you’re not on a tropical island? You should have a serious talk with your parents regarding their decision. As a student, you work very hard every day. They just wouldn’t understand. Your brother can take one for the team this time and stay at school. It’s not fair how they picked him as the favorite child when obviously you’re the better contender. Always keeping it real,
Meg
Play some...
Sudoku
How to play: Complete the puzzle by filling in numbers one through nine (with no repeats or missing numbers) in each column, row and 3x3 square.
Sports
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
Weekly 4x5
Because we have witty things to say ...
Your 2014-2015 4x5 Columnists:
Patrick Kiernan, Jennifer Calhoun, Matthew Schneider and Jesse Erickson
MAAC basketball tournament predictions?
Last issue under the old Mirror staff. Thoughts?
Favorite Pokémon?
What are your plans for Spring Break?
Who's the NBA MVP so far? Harden, Curry, Westbrook, or James?
I could see the men sneakily winning a game or two. The women are going to make a good run, maybe win the 'ship.
Well, I'll be moving on to bigger and better things. The next issue will feature yours truly as Editorin-Chief. Can't wait to have even more responsibility ...
Nidoking. As a kid, I'd always just ditch all my other Pokemon and train just Nidoking. However, if you know Pokemon, that was never too good of a strategy.
Vegetate. Hard. And go to journalism conferences in NYC 'cause I'm cool like that.
James Harden for sure. Without him, the Rockets would barely be a playoff contender.
Lol, bye.
Squirtle is so adorable, but I must confess that I had a Jigglypuff necklace when I was little. And a holographic Charzard card that was devastating to part with.
SLEEEEEEEEEEEP.
Honestly I don't know and I don't care.
Fairfield will get hot and win it all.
I'm going to miss working with everyone!
Dragonite, no doubt.
I'm finally going south after going north to Canada the past two years.
James Harden, the real King James.
I love basketball!!!!
The biggest problem that I will face as sports editor will be following sports beyond Fairfield so I might resign ... If I stick around, I'll only stay because of 4x5.
Cartoons like Pokemon always remind me of when I was little and I would get the stomach bug so when I think of Pokemon, I think of the stomach bug and I fear the stomach bug so I won't answer this.
Saturday, March 7th is my birthday ... the rest of the week is my birthday too so just keep that in mind.
I am the MVP of all time (note my inability to cover sports beyond Fairfield.)
Patrick Kiernan Sports Editor
It's going to be less fun because it's not at the Mass Mutual Center. Jennifer Calhoun That was the place I discovered Executive Editor how well the press can really live (or I guess dine.)
Matthew Schneider Assistant Sports Editor
Jesse Erickson Assistant Sports Editor
Stag Spotlight: Women's Lacrosse's Lauren Casadonte '15 and Meghan Reda '15 When did you first gain an interest in lacrosse? Casadonte: My dad played lacrosse in college at Albany and I have an older brother who always played lacrosse, so it was a family sport. My younger sister plays as well, so I started young. Reda: My dad played lacrosse at the University of Virginia, so it was our main sport that we played when we were growing up. My older brother played and he got me started with it.
What is your favorite thing to do with your spare time? Senior defender Lauren Casadonte. Casadonte: Relax. Napping doesn’t happen often, so whenever I can lay in my bed and watch a few TV shows, it’s a good day. Reda: Probably just hang out with my friends. Since we live on the beach this year we’ll go on walks on the beach or something fun, just to do things that are relaxing.
Do you have a favorite lacrosse moment?
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
Casadonte: Last year in our Wounded Warrior game. We beat Vermont which was a pretty big deal and was pretty exciting.
Casadonte: Probably Derek Jeter. Whenever he’s in the spotlight, it’s always for a positive reason, and he’s just awesome.
Reda: Beating Rutgers last weekend. We haven’t beaten them in my career since I’ve been here, and we beat them by one. Usually we’re on the losing end of a one goal game, so that was nice.
Reda: I’d probably say Alex Morgan. I think that we can relate to her. She’s a young woman athlete and she’s doing really well in soccer; and she’s fun to watch.
What are your team predictions for this year? Casadonte: To win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is our main goal. We just have to stay focused. Our team always sets these high expectations, and then we get in our own heads and let that get to us. I think if we all stay on the same page, we’ll have no problem getting to where we have tried to be. Reda: To win the MAAC. This year we were ranked number three, so we want to be the underdogs. When we all have fun together, we play a lot better, so we’re trying to keep a positive environment going.
What sport would you play if you couldn’t play lacrosse? Casadonte: Soccer because I almost played soccer here. I was debating between playing both. I was originally going to play soccer in college, but I got recruited for lacrosse more, so I played lacrosse. Reda: I’d pick soccer too, if I couldn’t play lacrosse.
See even more answers at FairfieldMirror.com!
Inside the Sports section this week:
Senior midfielder Meghan Reda. Photos contributed by Sports Information Desk
-Fairfield rowing excited for a positive season (Page 14) -Club ice hockey headed to Nationals (Page 14) -Women's basketball welcomes 'Dija' Diouf (Page 15) -What sports are happening over Spring Break (Page 15) -Basketball teams prepare for MAAC Tournament in Albany (Page 16)
Sports
THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
Page 14
Fairfield rowing excited for a positive season essarily have to be the fastest, but it does kind of set a precedent. You have a lot of people trying to chase you and chase your times so it’s up to you to stay there and keep pushing people,” he said. Coach David Patterson wants everyone on his team to be a leader, explaining that such a thing is necessary for a successful spring season.
Contributed by Sports Information Desk The Fairfield men's and women's rowing teams are excited for what they hope to be successful spring seasons. The Stags were picked third in the MAAC Preseason Poll.
By Matthew Schneider Assistant Sports Editor The Fairfield rowing team is poised to have one of its best years in school history. According to members of the team, the roster is the finest it’s ever been, causing excitement and feelings of victory in the rowers. “This is actually the fastest our team has been in four years,” said Cameron Shalkowski ’15. “We did well in the fall, and I think we’re even faster than we were in the fall, so we’re going to do even better in the spring.” Senior Sam Sullivan echoed the sentiment, saying, “I think this is the fastest we’ve been, not only in the past four years, but in Fairfield
history. We’ve never had a bigger squad, we’ve never had the volume that we have, we’ve never had the coaching that we have now and we’ve never gotten the recognition that we’ve been getting. I think that spirits are high, and people are really hungering for [the upcoming spring] season.” This year’s team is a young one. Though the roster does have some senior leaders, it is mostly composed of underclassmen (14 freshmen and 10 sophomores), requiring some of the younger faces to step up and take charge. Senior Luke Auger feels like it is his responsibility to lead by example, inspiring the next wave of leaders. “To be a leader on the team, you don’t nec-
I think this is the fastest we've ever been, not only in the past four years, but in Fairfield history. I think that spirits are high, and people are really hungering for [the upcoming spring] season. -Sam Sullivan '15 “We have a program where freshmen make contributions right away. We don’t take in freshmen for a development program; we send them right to the front line,” he said, adding that, “senior leadership is great and we value it, but we demand leadership all the way through.” As rowing is a very team oriented sport, the slightest lack of effort from any of the rowers can result in a loss for everyone else. As such, all of the team members are re-
quired to lead by example, or risk losing the race. Shalkowski echoed this, saying that rowing “is always for the team, because with rowing, if a boat is not together or in sync, it just doesn’t work.” Because of the bad weather the Northeast has been having, the team has been unable to get into the water and practice outside. This has forced the team to continue to practice inside, which necessitates getting up very early and doing repetitive exercises. However, despite these hardships, the members of the team feel that it is all worth it. “It’s a lot tougher staying inside since it’s cold outside in the morning and we don’t really want to get up … once we get on the water, everything is worth it. All the indoor practices and waking up early, it’s worth it,” Jaclyn Ozyjowski ‘17 said. Patterson likes what he sees from the team. Though he admits that the indoor training that the team is currently enduring is “long, arduous and torturous,” he is happy with his team’s effort. He feels that the team has the potential to achieve great things, and knows that they will work and contend as hard as they can. With such an exciting roster and season on the way, the crew team definitely warrants watching. Keep an eye out for their first race, which takes place on Saturday, March 14 in Camden, N.J.
Club ice hockey headed to Nationals By Jesse Erickson Assistant Sports Editor This season the Fairfield men’s club ice hockey team knew that winning on talent alone wouldn’t be enough. As the team sat down in September, they set the goal of making it to Nationals, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 2008. The Stags saw as their season progressed that reaching their goal seemed more possible every day. “We all sat down in September and set the goal: to make it to Alabama,” said captain Brendan O’Malley ‘15. “Every single one of us believed in that goal and put everything we had toward reaching that goal, and it paid off.” The team finished their regular season 17-3 and as the season came to an end, the Stags were guaranteed the first seed in the regional tournament. Heading into their first game, the team took on one of their biggest rivals in the Empire League, State University of New York Maritime College. As the first seed, the victory was no obstacle and the Stags defeated Maritime 5-2. For the first time in seven years, the team moved on to the next round of regionals: finals. The team took on Richard Stockton University next. Having previously played them in the season, the team defeated them 7-4. However, they knew that during regionals, the game played by Stockton would be a little different. “We knew they were a strong team and that they weren't going to go down easily,” said O’Malley. “It was a back and forth game but we never lost focus and the mood on the bench was always confident.” As the two teams were neck and neck, eventually the game was forced into over-
time and Fairfield’s endurance was pushed to the limits. “In overtime, we were able to dominate the play and with the help of Billy Kamenides ‘16, who scored the overtime winner and also had a hat trick. We came out with the victory,” said Glenn LaFountain ‘16. With the 5-4 win, the team is now moving onto Nationals which happen to be taking place in Alabama, a 16-plus hour drive from their home rink. Due to issues and expenses with booking flights, according to LaFountain, the team decided they would travel to Alabama on a coach bus. “A whole hockey team on a bus together for 16 hours is definitely going to be pretty interesting, but I’m excited to take the road trip with such a great group of guys,” said LaFountain. The team is scheduled to arrive in Alabama on March 9 and they will begin tournament play the following day against Arkansas. “We don’t want to go into the tournament already thinking of the championship,” said LaFountain. “We have to prepare for each game as they come and do our best to make it as far as we possibly can.” No matter where the team gets in Nationals, even getting there is an accomplishment that will set the tone for the future of the program. O’Malley added that he hopes the support that he saw for the team through fan attendance will continue in the future. “This growing support will lead to more recruiting and a better schedule,” said O’Malley. “Eventually, down the line, I would love to see the club jump up a division and even further down the line get back to being an NCAA program.”
Jesse Erickson/The Mirror The men of the Fairfield club ice hockey team will head to Alabama for nationals after winning their regional tournament. Fairfield went 17-3 this regular season, and is looking to win a championship.
Sports
Page 15
THE MIRROR | Week of March 4, 2015
Women's basketball welcomes 'Dija' Diouf By Jesse Erickson Assistant Sports Editor As the Stags prepare themselves for the upcoming Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament play, they are already looking forward to improving their team next season. The women’s basketball team has just welcomed Khadidiatou “Dija” Diouf ‘18, a transfer athlete from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Diouf, a 6-foot-3-inch center, came to Fairfield in hopes of a smaller community and more experience on the court. “After my first couple of months at IUPUI, I realized that Fairfield was a better fit for me,” said Diouf. “I loved the coaches, the team and the girls were really nice. And it was a better school because I am trying to pursue a
career in medicine.” Diouf was able to make her mark in high school, where she played for Lake Forest Academy. But before high school, Diouf played in Senegal and decided to come play the game in the United States through the Grow the Game Campaign, a sports and education program in Senegal. According to an article on fairfieldstags.com, “the program gives Senegalese teenagers the opportunity to play in the United States.” When she traveled to the United States and began playing for Lake Forest Academy, she averaged 12 points and nine rebounds per game during her junior year. However, during her time with the IUPUI Jaguars, Diouf did not receive any playing time. Now at Fairfield, Diouf hopes that she will
be able to get back to the court that she loves most. For the remainder of this season, Diouf will have to sit out due to National Collegiate Athletic Association transfer regulations, but she is already looking forward to her playing time next season. “It is really hard sitting out as a player because I’ve always want to get out there and play,” said Diouf, “but I’m taking it as a positive and working on my game and pushing my teammates on the court so that I can play my best and contribute to the team next season.” Already adjusted to the team, Diouf is excited about her career with the Stags. She added that her teammates have welcomed her extremely well, despite transferring in the middle of the season. “The coaches have been phenomenal, I haven’t felt
Contributed by Sports Information Desk Freshman Khadidiatou 'Dija' Diouf (above) will be joining the Fairfield women's basketball team after initially deciding to play her college career with IUPUI.
homesick or left out at all,” said Diouf. “I’m really happy that even though I came at a random time in the middle of the season, they’ve really welcomed me.” Diouf will be expected to bring a lot of talent to the court next
season. The three-season athlete in high school has skill in a number of different areas that will make her a threat to competitors, but for now she will learn the game of the current team, to better her play.
Sports over Spring Break: Wednesday, March 4
Sunday, March 8
Friday, March 13
Men's Tennis at Connecticut, 12 p.m.
Men's Golf at Lonnie Barton Invitational,
Women's Lacrosse at Central Connecticut State, 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 5
All Day
Softball at James Madison, 6 p.m.
Women's Tennis at Connecticut, 3 p.m.
Women's Golf at Lonnie Barton Invitational,
Baseball at Central Florida, 6:30 p.m.
Men's Basketball at St. Peter's, 7 p.m.
All Day
Saturday, March 14
Friday, March 6
Baseball at North Florida, 1 p.m.
Men's and Women's Rowing at Jesuit Invitational, All Day
Softball at Morehead State, 9 a.m.
Tuesday, March 10
Softball at Illinois-Chicago, TBA
Softball at Monmouth, 11 a.m.
Softball at Creighton, 12:15 p.m.
Softball at Monmouth, 11 a.m.
Women's Lacrosse vs. New Hampshire, 2 p.m.
Softball at Hampton, 2:30 p.m.
Men's Lacrosse vs. Colgate, 1 p.m.
Baseball at North Florida, 6 p.m.
Men's Lacrosse at Bucknell, 3 p.m.
Baseball at Central Florida, 4 p.m.
Women's Basketball at MAAC Quarterfinals
Baseball at Florida, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 15
(TBD), 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11
Softball at Butler, 9 a.m.
Saturday, March 7
Softball at Hampton, 10 a.m.
Baseball at Central Florida, 1 p.m.
Men's Lacrosse at Yale, 1 p.m.
Softball at South Dakota, 12:15 p.m.
Monday, March 16
Baseball at North Florida, 1 p.m.
Baseball at Florida, 7 p.m.
Men's and Women's Tennis at Rider, 1 p.m.
Softball at Campbell, 2 p.m.
Thursday, March 12
Tuesday, March 17
Softball at IPFW, 6 p.m.
Women's Golf at Quinnipiac & Delaware
Baseball vs. St. John's, 3 p.m.
State, All Day
Men's Lacrosse at Massachusetts-Lowell, 4 p.m.
Contributed under Creative Commons
@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports Week of March 4, 2015
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SPORTS 16 Sports Editor: Patrick Kiernan » sports@fairfieldmirror.com
Patrick Kiernan/The Mirror
Basketball teams prepare for MAAC Tournament in Albany By Alfredo Torres Contributing Writer
Men's
Now that the regular season has come to an end for the Stags, they head into the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament as the 10th seed. Fairfield finished the season with a record of 7-23 (5-15 in conference play.) Forward Marcus Gilbert ‘16, the team’s leading scorer with 16.5 points per game, looks to lead the Stags as they approach the first game of the tournament. Guard Tyler Nelson ‘18 has built a reputation to knock down three pointers. Nelson netted 63 shots from beyond the arc to lead all players. Both Gilbert and Nelson earned postseason honors from the MAAC; Gilbert was named to the All-MAAC Third Team and Nelson was named to the All-Rookie Team. The Stags have struggled to score efficiently and defend the ball throughout the season. They have faced several obstacles like injuries to important role players Amadou Sidibe ‘16 and Jerome Segura ‘18. Fairfield looks to fight these obstacles once more
and make a strong push in the MAAC Tournament. The Stags look to compete with a high intensity and a focus on both sides of the court to further advance in the tournament. The Stags are set to take on the seventh seeded St. Peter’s team. St. Peter’s finished the season 14-17 (8-12 in conference play). The Peacocks and Stags split the season series, as each team was victorious on their home court. Seniors Marvin Dominique and Desi Washington, who both averaged 14 points per game, led St. Peters. Washington and Dominique have posed a problem for Fairfield in the last two seasons. Dominique was recently named to the AllMAAC Second team for the second straight year. The Stags are set to take on St. Peter’s on Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m. at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. The Stags are well-prepared for their matchup against St. Peter’s. The Stags look to defeat St. Peter’s and advance to the second round of the MAAC Tournament to face the second seed, Rider, whom the Stags have fallen to twice in the season. It is win or go home situation for the Stags.
Women's
The Fairfield women’s basketball team wrapped up another strong and competitive regular season, finishing with an overall record of 14-5. More importantly, they finished the season with a conference record of 13-7; only Quinnipiac and Marist had better records in conference play than Fairfield. The Stags played well enough to earn the third seed in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament for the third consecutive season, giving them a first round bye. Fairfield is led by forward and first-year player Casey Smith ‘17. Smith leads the team in scoring and in blocks with 12.2 points per game and 27 blocks to close out the season. Smith has earned the MAAC Rookie of the Week honor six times this season. She was selected to be a part of the AllRookie Team and earned a spot on the All-MAAC Third Team. Smith is Fairfield’s first woman basketball player in history to be named to two AllConference teams. Teammate Kristin Schatzlein ‘16 also joins Smith on the All-MAAC Third Team representing the Stags. Schatzlein is second on the team in scoring behind Smith with 11.8 points per game. She leads all Stags with 62 made shots from three-point territory. Both Schatzlein and Smith were a part of the starting lineup in every game of
this season. The combo averaged 24 of the team’s 57.3 points per game this season. The Stags will look to get contributions from several players like Samantha Cooper ‘18, who leads the team in rebounds with 6.7 per game. Other role players like Kelsey Carey ‘17, Kristine Miller ‘17 and Felicia DaCruz ‘15 will look to make their presence known on both sides of the court as well. The Stags look to play the same way they have throughout the season, with great defense and good ball movement. The Stags are set to take on the victor between sixth seeded Niagara and 11th seeded Manhattan. Fairfield has had success against Manhattan as they beat the Jaspers both on the road and at home. Fairfield played their best defense of the season against Manhattan as they limited the Jaspers to 26 points, which tied the fewest points scored by a Division 1 opponent in Fairfield women’s basketball history. Niagara was successful against Fairfield this season, as they won both outings. Of these two games, one was a real nail biter as Niagara escaped with a two-point win at Alumni Hall earlier this season. The Stags have the scouting report ready for each team and will be ready to perform with extra motivation to advance further into the tournament. The Stags are set to play on Friday, March 6, at 9:30 p.m. in the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.
Patrick Kiernan/The Mirror