September 29, 2023

FSU kicks off fall with Homecoming and Family Weekend

By Emily Rosenberg Editor-in-Chief

As the sun set on the McCarthy Center, smooth jazz tunes echoed from the patio as students enjoyed Latin soul food courtesy of a bright yellow-and-orange Butter UR Biscuit food truck.

Staff and administrators, dressed in casual hoodies and T-shirts rather than their more typical suits and dresses, shared in the camaraderie, lounged in lawn chairs, and played giant lawn games across State Street.

Alumni, some returning just a few months after graduating and others after several years, were decked out in their vintage FSU merch as they cheered on their favorite college foot-

ball team in the rain.

On a chilly start to fall, students, their families, and alumni celebrated Framingham State’s annual Homecoming and Family Weekend on Sept. 22 and 23.

The weekend was packed with 19 activities including the annual Football game on Saturday and the 22-year-old tradition, Moonlight Breakfast, at which administrators serve breakfast in the Dining Commons at 9 p.m.

Other festivities included lawn games, a performance by the Bruce Mattson Band, Casino Night, a University Welcome with President Nancy Niemi, a Family Reception, and a performance by the Suit Jacket Posse.

Members of the community were also welcome to participate in an Hon-

ors Program reception, two classroom experiences, a fRAMily Network Meeting, an Alumni End Zone, a fRAMily Fall Festival, and Words of Wisdom for Families.

An adult field day was planned for the Alumni of Color Network, but was postponed to a to-be-announced date out of respect to the family and friends of Djeila Barbosa.

President Niemi said, “Homecoming and Family Weekend contribute to building a sense of community because they are shared experiences designed to involve everyone in some way, connecting these experiences to our beloved campus traditions.”

She added these campus events are a way to “enhance school spirit and

Rachel Webber raises awareness for Deafblind community

By Jack McLaughlin Arts & Features Editor

The World Languages department held a presentation on the Deafblind community for Deaf Awareness Month, Sept. 26, to bring awareness to the deaf and hard of hearing community.

The event was hosted by ASL Professor Bruce Bucci and featured Rachel Webber, a Massachusetts resident and member of the Deafblind community.

The event was conducted in ASL, with interpreters present translating to English.

Bucci began the presentation by directing attendees’ attention to a flag

in the front of the forum. The blue and yellow flag with the outline of a hand in the middle represents the deaf community.

He explained how the flag is “slowly getting out there and becoming more mainstream, but is very, very powerful.”

Before showing an informational video on the flag, Bucci prefaced that the video would be played with no audio and closed captions. He then explained his own experience with watching T.V. as a child with no captions to read from.

“I would imagine what was going on.

I was looking at facial expressions and their body language and I would make my own script in my mind and have a whole show going on about what they

were doing,” Bucci said.

The video featured the flag’s artist, Arnaud Balard, explaining the artistic significance of the flag he created. Balard is a Deafblind aritst, and his work is mostly focused on his flag.

After the video, Bucci continued the discussion on the flag’s significance.

Bucci explained oppression in the deaf community to emphasize the flag’s significance - “They weren’t allowed to sign, they weren’t allowed to express themselves. So this flag is a symbol of signing and expression.”

President Nancy Niemi serving Moonlight Breakfast on Sept. 22.

E ditorial Board

Editor-in-Chief

Emily Rosenberg

Associate Editors

Ryan O’Connell

Sophia Harris

News Editor

Naidelly Coelho

Opinions Editor

Izayah Morgan

Sports Editor

Adam Levine

Asst. Sports Editor

Riley Crowell

Arts & Features Editors

Raena Doty

Jack McLaughlin

Asst. Arts & Features Editors

Bella Omar

Owen Glancy

Design & Photo Editors

Maddison Behringer

Adrien Gobin

Staff Writers

Jesse Burchill

Ben Hurney

Carly Paul

Dylan Pichnarcik

Alexis Schlesinger

Liv Dunleavy

Jackson Clyde

Emily Monaco

Kaitlin Carman

David Abe

Francisco Omar Fernando Rodriguez

Dante Curry

Adam Harrison

Richard Gill Advisor

Desmond McCarthy

Asst. Advisor

Elizabeth Banks

Gatepost Interview Cecilia Reyes Alarcón

Assistant Director of International Programs

By Adam Harrison Staff Writer

What is your educational and professional background?

I am from Santiago, Chile, and I lived over there until I was 17, and then I moved to Oslo, Norway in Scandinavia, and I lived there for 23 years. So, I have been to different parts of the world, and I have done exchange programs, so I know that it’s an amazing opportunity. You gain so much. I learned so much about myself. I gained a new perspective about who I was, my country, and also a picture of the world. So, I am very happy to work at study abroad so I can help others out so they can experience the same. … I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Latin American Studies with political science, so I needed to travel to Chile many times to work on my master’s. After it was finished, I worked for the embassy of Chile in Norway, and I was the director of the Consulate of Ecuador in Austria. But then after COVID, we decided to move to the U.S. because my husband is from there.

What are some goals you would like to accomplish here at Framingham State?

To show the students that study abroad is possible - that it’s affordable. We have many different programs and it’s a big opportunity. My supervisor has been very good at finding programs where you pay the same or less than what you pay at FSU, so I think it’s a great opportunity and not a lot of the students know about it. So me going to the classes and advertising is a good thing. I want everyone to know that we have affordable programs and that they can get the help that they need with us.

What inspired you to pursue your career?

In Santiago, we have a culture that the only way to move from one’s social economical condition is through education. So when I moved to Norway, it was a place to study - it felt kind of free. So for me, I always have been super focused on pursuing my

goals and what inspires me now is my family, my daughter. I also think that when you’re moving, you’re exposed in a different way. As a woman, I really would like to show my daughter that she can follow the same path or whichever path she wants in her life.

What are some of the most important benefits and common struggles for those considering studying abroad?

I’ll start with the benefits: you gain a new perspective, you learn about yourself, you get a different way to connect with people and socialize, you get exposed to situations that you normally don’t get exposed to here, and you learn to embrace your own self and your own culture. When you travel as a student, you get to know who you are, connect with people, and also discover that there’s not just one way to do things. Struggles could be at the beginning when you have the shock of meeting a new culture, a new place, and I think that’s just the beginning of the journey with living abroad. Study abroad can be intimidating. We have many students who have never traveled abroad, or even outside the state, so thinking about going to another country can be very intimidating. You have to go out of your comfort zone. So when I was younger, I was more shy. But it’s like, we have something in Spanish we like to say, “Intentalo una y otra vez, hasta que el miedo te tenga miedo,”

Police Logs

Sunday, Sept. 24 03:29

Monday, Sept. 25 03:55

Tuesday, Sept. 26 10:53

100 State Street

McCarthy Center Room 410

Framingham, MA 01701-9101

Phone: (508) 626-4605

Fax: (508) 626-4097

gatepost@framingham.edu

Follow-Up Investigation Towers Hall Assignment Complete

Follow-Up Investigation Towers Hall Assignment Complete

FSU Tip Maple Parking Lot Party Was Advised

and it means try once and try again until the fear fears you. But we are here to help you and try to navigate with you through the whole process. We can also help students to find the place they want to travel or what they can take over there. It’s more advising, and students can come whenever they want to our office and we are more than happy to help all the students to find the path abroad.

What about students who want to travel abroad, but don’t speak the language of that country?

We have partnerships in all the universities we have in the exchange program, and all of them offer English classes. So you don’t need to speak a foreign language to travel to another country or study over there. If you have a second language - let’s say you spoke Spanish and want to try travel to South America - you can take a class in Spanish and you can take the rest of the classes in English.

What are some of your hobbies?

I used to run a lot, and I say that because it’s something I want to continue. I like to dance, I like to listen to music, and I love languages. So, I listen to a lot of podcasts every day in languages that I know so I can keep them at the same level.

CONNECT WITH ADAM HARRISON aharrison5@student.framingham.edu

Wednesday, Sept. 27 03:14

Well Being Check

Larned Hall Transport To Hospital

Courtesy of Cecilia Reyes Alarcon

SGA inducts eight new members and discusses campus events

By Sophia Harris Associate Editor

By Kaitlin Carman Staff Writer

SGA inducted eight new members and discussed concerns about stolen equipment and increased prices at the dining commons at its Sept. 27 meeting.

President Evelyn Campbell opened the meeting by addressing the passing of Djelia Barbosa.

Campbell said, “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of our community members. Our hearts go out to Djelia’s family, friends, and to anyone who knew her.”

She added, “All of our hearts go out to the ACDG members. Losing a person that you hold so close to your heart isn’t something I can even imagine.

“Djelia’s friends who spoke at the ceremony emphasized what a wonderful, caring, and free-spirited person she truly was. It was made clear knowing her was a privilege,” she added.

Campbell then held a moment of silence to “honor Djelia and the positive impact she has made here at FSU.”

She ended her statement by adding, “Thank you for taking the time to honor and acknowledge Djelia.”

During Open Forum, Senator Ben Hurney raised concerns about the increases in prices in the dining commons and Rams Den Grille.

The price to eat dining commons has increased this academic year from $10 to $11.50 for lunch and dinner and $5 to $6 for breakfast. Rams Den Grille prices increased overall as well.

This poses a significant difference for commuters since most of them use Ram Cash, Hurney said.

He added the quality of the food and the options in the dining commons have not improved.

“I just feel like dining has been the same over the past year,” he said.

Hurney added, “That just seems unnecessary, especially for commuters.”

Junior Bradley Collard discussed the lack of resolution regarding the broken and missing gym equipment in the

Correction

Athletic center. “How am I supposed to do hammer curls with one 20 [20 lb. dumbbell]?”

He added the treadmill and rowing machines were not working.

New senator Jim Wang raised concerns about the apparent lack of advertising for events by the FSAB, particularly regarding the upcoming apple-picking event.

“The problem is when I looked through my email, I could not find any apple-picking-related news and I did not want to miss out,” he said.

Hurney, who is president of FSAB, said the organization is “in the middle of transitioning” regarding leadership positions.

He added, “Ideally, by next week, every event in the future should be advertised more.”

Campbell added events are often listed on Presence, “RamLink.” She said for future events, that would be the best way to find out what was happening in or around campus.

Senator Billy Hubert said he was approached by a senior student who claimed that he was unaware of the $100 graduation fee. Hubert said that he “did not know that either as a senior.”

He said the fee should be “broadcasted more” so students are not surprised by it when it comes time to graduate.

Hubert said he would also like to be made aware of the reason for this fee.

“I would also like to know or be given an answer. Is there any ballroom fee or an application fee?” he asked.

Campbell provided an update about the multi-factor authentication (MFA) issues numerous students are dealing with. She said, “There is not much that students can do on their own due to the nature of security.”

If any students are still having issues with MFA, Campbell directed them to contact IT through myit.framingham. edu to submit a request, email them at it@framingham.edu, or contact them by phone at 508-215-5906.

Senator Cesar Matos, who is also a member of S.E.A.L.S, said that they are hosting a Pause 4 Paws event on Monday, Oct. 2 from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. There

Members

will be comfort dogs to help support students’ mental health.

Matos added the group is seeking involvement from SGA, hoping to receive sponsorship as well as receive additional funding for the event.

Vice President Raffi Elkhoury said the University is hosting NARCAN training on Oct. 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. in the McCarthy Forum. He said the training is “incredibly important for our campus community to know about, and attendees will receive free NARCAN.”

Elkhoury said there will also be a Fentanyl Facts talk, “a conversation surrounding rising rates of fatal overdose and counterfeit pills,” given by local Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents on Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. in the McCarthy Alumni Room.

Co-SGA Advisor Rachel Lucking said there will be a free COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic taking place in the small gym in Dwight Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursday, Oct. 12 from noon to 4 p.m.

During the meeting, Chris Brown, Bradley Collard, Raena Doty, Sean Keaveney, Cesar Matos, Jeremy McDonald, Jacob Sargent, and Jim Wang were inducted as new senators. Rachel Lucking was the advisor at this meeting.

Student Trustee Ryan Mikelis said he is impressed by the student involvement on campus, highlighting that SGA now has a full eBoard and many new senators, “which I love to see, so welcome everyone.”

The U-Rock was presented to Elkhoury by Campbell. “He’s been super helpful in my transition as president.”

She added Elkhoury has “been going above and beyond and is totally on top of everything.”

[Editor’s Note: Raena Doty is Arts & Features Editor for The Gatepost. Ben Hurney is Staff Writer for The Gatepost.]

CONNECT WITH KAITLIN CARMAN kcarman@student.framingham.edu

CONNECT WITH SOPHIA HARRIS sharris9@student.framingham.edu

In the article, “In memory of Djeila Barbosa,” published in the 9/22 issue of The Gatepost, there was a copyediting error in the first line of the article. It incorrectly stated Barbosa’s date of passing was Sept. 1 instead of Sept. 18. The Gatepost apologizes for this mistake, which was corrected in the online edition.

Weather

Sunday night Oct. 1

Mostly clear, with a low around 55. N wind about 10 mph.

Monday Oct. 2

Sunny, with a high near 70. N wind around 10 mph.

Monday night Oct. 2

Mostly clear, with a low around 55. SE wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Oct. 3

Sunny, with a high near 75. W wind 10 mph.

Forecast provided by the National Weather Service

www.weather.gov

Tuesday night Oct. 3

Mostly clear, with a low around 55. SW wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Oct. 4

Sunny, with a high near 75. NW wind 10 mph.

Wednesday night Oct. 4

Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. SW wind 10 mph.

Thursday Oct. 5

Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. S wind10 mph.

David Abe / THE GATEPOST

of SGA’s eBoard at their Sept. 27 meeting.

Homecoming

Continued from page 1

carry on the traditions for new students and families. Food and music, games and arts of all kinds—these are ways in which we celebrate who we are joyfully.”

She said it was hard to pick just one favorite event of the weekend but one of her favorites was the Moonlight Breakfast “where those of us behind the line were dancing and serving happy, hungry students and families.”

Gina Pacitto, program coordinator for the Center for Student Experience, said the best part of Homecoming is “the excitement.

“It brings everyone together. … Relax, have a good time. Have a good conversation. Catch up with old friends and eat some good food.”

She said the planning for Homecoming and Family Weekend involves “a lot of moving parts,” including contracting with the City of Framingham to close part of State Street.

As Homecoming kicked off, a food truck arrived and offered Latin soul food.

Joseph Mark, a sophomore, showed up an hour ahead of time to be at the front of the line. He said he loved Butter Ur Biscuit “so much.”

While waiting in line for food, Monet Turner, a sophomore, said she loved Homecoming because it brought about a sense of “togetherness” and “community.”

Ben Trapanick, executive director of family engagement, hosted the Family Reception and the fRAMily Network Meeting and helped plan the fRAMily Fall Festival.

Trapanick said a part of Homecoming is being able to invite families here so they can experience what student life is like on campus - what it is like to go to classes and eat in the dining hall.

“First-year families and transfer [students’] families really only came in the summertime when there weren’t any other new students and families here. So, now they get to see it in full force, what it’s like to be here, really getting a context of what the students are experiencing during the school year as opposed to just orientation-related activities.”

The Family Reception was hosted in Hemenway Labs on Friday night and offered a space for families to meet and interact with staff and administrators and enjoy hors d’oeuvres.

At the family reception, Oliver

Swanson said his family came from Kingston to visit him. Ellie Swanson, his mother, said it was “a beautiful day,” and that prior, they had the chance to stroll around the campus and play lawn games.

Also at the Family Reception, twin sisters Aubrianna and Audrey Oullette were visited by their mother, Sharon. Both are juniors and Audrey just transferred from another school. Audrey said she has liked the campus so far as it is not too far from where she lives, and that it is a lot better than her previous school.

Bruce Mattson, the pianist and singer for the Bruce Mattson Band, which performed on the McCarthy patio on Friday evening said it was a homecoming for him, too.

Mattson worked as the Assistant Director for the Christa McAuliffe Center for 25 years, retiring only twoand-a-half years ago.

Mattson said it was “a pleasure to participate” in FSU’s Homecoming and share his band’s music with students.

The Bruce Mattson Band is a Blues and Jazz Band. Rather than having

ularly enjoyed learning how to play roulette during the casino.

During the meal, Zachary Morrison, a first-year student, said his experience at Framingham State has

Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations

an assigned set list that is practiced intensely ahead of time, they are more of a jam group.

On Friday night, the Moonlight Breakfast occurred in the Dining Commons, where Administrators and Staff passed out paper plates and served breakfast to students and their families as WDJM provided some tunes. There was also a casino at which students could gamble with fake coins and dollars with Elvis’ face on them.

Emily Crossin, a first-year student, said her family came to visit her, and they enjoyed the family reception in Hemenway Labs. Clenching some of her Elvis dollars, she said she partic-

been wonderful so far as he has met so many new friends. He sarcastically said a highlight of Friday night was when he “mainly got broke at the casino.”

Tyrese Herring, a first-year student and member of the football team, said attending Framingham State has been an adjustment as his hometown is in Florida. Attending the Moonlight Breakfast with his friend, Andrew Louis, he emphasized how great the food was as he smiled broadly for The Gatepost’s photographer.

On Saturday, there were opportunities for alumni to engage in festivities at the fRAMily Fall Festival in the Dining Annex and the Alumni

End Zone during the football game at Bowditch Field.

Eric Gustafson, vice president of development and alumni relations, said an estimated 250 alumni turned out for the various alumni-centered events, but people were likely more hesitant to come out for outdoor-focused activities due to the weather.

He said Homecoming Weekend truly reflects “the fRAMily” because the students, family, and alumni are all together.

“I just love seeing the joy and the happiness that comes from people being here and celebrating together,” he added.

Gustafson said Homecoming Weekend is an opportunity for alumni to deepen their connection to Framingham State.

He said the fall festival was co-sponsored by his office and the office of family engagement to bring both families and alumni together. It was originally planned to be outside but was moved to the Dining Annex and featured a DJ, food, cake, prizes, and a balloon artist.

Although the Alumni of Color Network event was postponed, the annual inclusive excellence award was presented to Jean Connally ‘02.

According to the nomination, at Framingham State, Connally majored in Communication Arts, was a member of the Black Student Union and the Hilltop Players, and was a resident assistant. Connally is a founding member of the Alumni of Color Network.

In his professional career as an entrepreneur, Connally’s focus has been to “prepare the next generation of business leaders of color,” providing internship opportunities to FSU students, particularly in marketing, communications, and leadership skills. He is also a town meeting member in Dedham and was the first person of color in his precinct to be elected to this role.

Gustafson said alumni coming back to campus “strengthens their bond and connection to FSU, and hopefully, they had a great time when they were back and they want to continue to come back and be part of this community.”

CONNECT WITH EMILY ROSENBERG erosenberg@student.framingham.edu

Alexis Schlesinger/ THE GATEPOST

Oliver Swanson and his father play corn hole on the lawn across from May Hall.

“I just love seeing the joy and the happiness that comes from people being here and celebrating together,” Eric Gustafson

Dylan Pichnarick / THE GATEPOST [Left] Students playing lawn games. [Right] Balloon artist configures artwork for attendees during Homecoming Weekend.

Hark, dear students!

If you lent your sorcery to aid new pupils in their journey, a reward awaits thee!

Unveil the secrets of the enchanted code to find your name and claim a voucher for a $5.00 elixir of awakening from the mystical realm of Dunkin.

Should you require further guidance on this quest, seek counsel from the wise deanofstudents@framingham.edu.

When you reach the RamLink site, click on “Thank You for a Great Opening” Document. If your name appears on the list, it was submitted for this voucher. Stop by DOS (MC 504) with your FSU ID to claim it.

Cheer-ful Homecoming

Dwight Hall – Small Gymnasium

Spread by Photos & Design Editor Adrien Gobin

Photos by Adrien Gobin & Adam Levine

Student Transportation Center reduces hours, implements CATCH Connect

By Naidelly Coelho News Editor

This semester, the Student Transportation Center is operating under reduced hours due to staffing shortages.

RamTram now operates Monday through Friday from 5:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Transportation Services Coordinator Kim Galvani said the current obstacle regarding RamTram staffing is most students need to be off campus due to outside responsibilities.

However, a new “Uber-like” program will be available to students for free on the weekends.

Galvani recently met with the coordinator of the MetroWest Regional Transportation Service to talk about bringing the CATCH Connect service to FSU.

CATCH Connect operates like the Uber transportation service.

Like Uber, students can download the app and use their school email to make an account. Students can order the shuttles at a designated location and drop off at a location of their choosing. CATCH Connect only serves specific locations in the MetroWest area.

Students can use CATCH Connect service at no cost on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Galvani said.

She said the RamTram does not provide services before noon on weekends, and with the addition of the CATCH Connect service, students can request a ride as early as 8 a.m.

The shuttle takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to arrive after a ride is requested, she said.

CATCH Connect will provide broader services as students will be able to request a ride within any address of the Downtown Framingham, Downtown Natick and the “Golden Triangle retail area,” whereas the RamTram only provides services to Target, Shoppers World and Natick.

Galvani said when she first started at her current position, there were about 30 students working for the STC and now, there are only five students and two full-time drivers.

Galvani said those numbers dropped about 50% compared to last year.

“Our pool sometimes shrinks depending on how many students have graduated and how many students left before the end of the year. September is always the most difficult as students return. They tend to trickle in,” Galvani said.

Students are only allowed to work 20 hours maximum per week. However, students should “at least commit to 12 hours per week,” she said.

Galvani said there are some exemptions to the 20-hour restriction set in place for students.

According to the policy found on MyFramingham, “The only exceptions to the restrictions on hours are for resident assistants, hours that are worked during peak periods at the beginning of the academic year, Black and Gold Beginnings, or excess hours worked due to unforeseen/emergency situations. Even in these situations, student workers should not be permitted to work more than eight hours

per day, and may not exceed 40 hours in a week.”

Galvani said recruiting is very difficult because many students don’t check their emails over summer vacation during recruiting season, which results in STC starting understaffed at the beginning of the academic year.

campus functions, even outside of the STC, because despite the fact you’re employed at STC, you’ll also be interacting with tons of different clubs and staff since they’ll often request transportation to specific events from us.”

Jaymee Pelloquin, a sophomore, said the CATCH Connect service will

Student Transportation Center Student Driver

“Not everybody wants to drive the shuttle - it’s kind of a unique job. You have to be comfortable being able to drive a vehicle. They have to pass the DOT [Department of Transportation] physical and a DOT drug screen to work here. So, there’s a little involvement as a safety-sensitive job,” she said.

STC leases shuttles from Metrowest Regional Transportation (MWRT) in order to run the RamTram.

Galvani encourages students to work at the STC because if they have enough staff, the RamTram can run for longer periods of time.

“It takes about four hours or so of training, but we always offer more if they want more. And then we always do follow-ups and some managers will go and observe their driving once they start,” she said.

Galvani said the training is required and is paid.

She said she prefers students to have at least one year of driving experience before operating the shuttles.

STC also offers services to faculty members, such as providing a shuttle service for field trips that are in relatively close proximity to FSU, she said.

“We can’t always do that. If I had a big staff, we’d be able to do more, but I think that’s not going to happen anytime soon,” Galvani said.

Ben Clarke, an STC student worker, said he has not seen much change in the STC. His shifts have been about the same amount of time, but more frequent.

“I can make my own hours. I work another job, so it’s nice that I can fit this into my schedule pretty easily. It works for the students,” Clark said.

Owen Glancy, an STC student worker, said since the STC is understaffed, it is taking more of his time than he planned.

“I’ve been working 30 hours per week, which has definitely cut into [school] assignments and personal time,” he said.

Glancy encourages students to join STC because “it’s a great way to really familiarize yourself with how the

be a good opportunity for students because “better transportation will

give students easier access to things if they might not have a car here, like going to the grocery store, or just going out with friends.”

She said one day when she first arrived at school in the morning and was walking toward the shuttle, the driver saw her and left her behind. She had to walk from Maple Lot and was 10 minutes late for her class.

Jordan Ortins, a freshman, said that with CATCH Connect, she will go to the Natick Mall more often and hang out in more locations.

Olivia Alexander, a senior, said “I think it’d be helpful because I know a few times myself, I’ve been left at places by the STC. So I think it’d be helpful so I don’t get left anywhere.”

Galvani said once more students join as workers, “We become a little STC family, and everybody really supports each other.”

Students can get more information and apply to work at STC through Handshake.

[Editor’s Note: Owen Glancy is Assistant Arts & Features Editor for The Gatepost.]

“I can make my own hours. I work another job, so it’s nice that I can fit this into my schedule pretty easily. It works for the students.”

Ben Clarke

OP/ED

THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

Homecoming for whom?

Homecoming and Family Weekend brought students, families, and alumni to campus last weekend for an array of exciting activities and traditions.

Administrators and staff members showed up in their aprons to serve french toast sticks and sausages, and members of The Gatepost ventured across campus to capture photos of the events and gather quotes from attendees. We had a chance to participate in the action ourselves.

However, we couldn’t help but notice something missing.

The majority of the events lacked attendance from upperclassmen.

It felt as though there was a stigma that all of the events were “just for freshmen.”

It is called “Homecoming Weekend,” but first-year students just got here. How can they be coming home?

Other than the football game, the second day offered resource panels and classroom experiences focused on educating first-year students and their parents.

We understand how crucial these events geared toward the first-year family experience are for building a strong foundation for students so they have the necessary guidance to stay and succeed at Framingham State.

But a weekend like this is basically a second orientation - which few students are interested in or need because they already have this support in their First-Year Seminars.

Providing a fun student experience is also necessary for retaining students - including sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Considering Homecoming and Family Weekend is one of the biggest events of the year, it should be planned with all students and everyone in the FSU community in mind.

What student over the age of 20 or 21 wants to go to a fake casino where you gamble Elvis dollars?

You can do something similar at Toys R Us.

Other events throughout the first part of the weekend included giant lawn games, and a band.

These are all activities that were featured during orientation. The lawn games have been on the grounds throughout September.

Students should not have to go off campus to find age-appropriate and lively Homecoming festivities when their student fees and tuition pay for them.

Homecoming is supposed to be special.

Life is a highway

By Izayah Morgan Opinions Editor

Life hits you fast, like a speeding bullet. One day you’re at the top of the world, the next you think it’s the end of the world. It is almost impossible to be fully whole - as a man, woman, child, teen.

Sometimes thoughts race through my mind, what’s my purpose? Will I find love? How do I navigate the world around me, what’s my role as a young man?

Finding the answer to these questions can be difficult. As a young Black man navigating the world, it makes things challenging in their own way.

But how can Homecoming be attractive for students, even first-years, when featured activities are so strongly associated with orientation, or - in the case of the lawn games - not new or different at all?

We understand there are budgetary restrictions, but we expect the planning for the events for this exciting weekend to be more creative.

State Street was closed, but for what? Not everyone who stood in line for nearly an hour for the Food Truck was even served.

At least if there were two or three additional food trucks, everyone with a food voucher for a free meal would have had a chance to be served.

In addition, there could be live music throughout the weekend rather than just for a small two-hour window on the first day. Performances could be scheduled in the dining commons during Moonlight Breakfast or on Larned Beach.

The performers do not have to be big artists, either. We could feature local groups or alumni musicians, along with our own student bands.

Maybe there could even be a Homecoming Dance after the football game at the Warren Conference Center, which is even more of a no-brainer considering there is currently a ballroom being constructed there. Students could receive alcohol vouchers and quality food could be served.

Perhaps there could be an outdoor grilling party before the football game on Larned Beach for students, family, and alumni.

To generate more school spirit leading up to the weekend, various student organizations and sports teams could be spotlighted each day in the McCarthy lobby to give away swag. Events that are geared toward engaging first-year students are necessary and should not be excluded from the weekend. However, there should be a reconsideration as to how to make Homecoming more fun and engaging for returning students.

Homecoming is a wonderful time when the leaves are changing, and the community comes together to remember that we are indeed a fRAMily.

But it doesn’t make sense to do it without everyone here to celebrate.

Often you’ll ask yourself who can you confide in? Society tells us as men we shouldn’t share our tears - that is more of a feminine trait. That in order to be successful you need to make a certain amount of money, follow a certain major, have this job - it’s all too much.

So many of us are focused on the dollar bill. A green piece of paper with different faces on it, and when we get a certain number of green dollar bills then we’ll finally reach it.

However what people don’t understand is that feeling often never comes. Money can’t make you fulfilled by itself. It can’t give you more time. It can’t even buy you a successful life.

Success looks different for everyone.

Everything we see in the media is often so negative, all these people dying, people being homeless, shootings, breakups.

Not to mention social media where you constantly think another person’s life is going perfect. And when everything starts to go bad, this is when the environment around us forms our negative opinions of ourselves.

Even scrolling on things like Good News Network for just five minutes, will provide you so much positivity for the day.

After all, I’m only 19 and I may never find the answer myself, but I offer you my perspective.

Try to remember that your perspective is only what you’ve experienced - there’s a whole world out there for you.

Specifically to young people out there - never think that this is the end.

You have so much more to give.

It’s never too late to grow.

No matter your own self image, I can guarantee you that people need you, look up to you, and value you.

Finding your purpose is easier said than done. A lot of people spend their entire lives trying to find what fulfills them and forget the present moment.

So sit back and enjoy it for what it is. It’s easy to forget that when you are in a tough position mentally, physically, or emotionally, that eventually you’ll be out of it. Moments like that pass and you’ll look back and laugh.

I remember thinking my problems at 15 were world ending, then 17, and now I think my problems now are the biggest challenges I’ll face.

Take a step back and realize you have time. Time is something that you never get back, so cherish it in the moment.

Hard times don’t last, only the great person it creates!

Not all speech is created equal

By Richard Gill Staff Writer

Let’s begin with a definition of hate speech.

Hate speech is not what subjectively offends an individual, but something much more serious and threatening. Hate speech is the advocacy of the death of any group of people based on race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

And hate speech is the dehumanization of any of these protected groups, like calling a gay person a pedophile.

Unlike many other Western countries, the United States doesn’t have laws on the books that protect marginalized communities from hate speech unless violence is imminent because of absolutist interpretations of the First Amendment.

Some people see absolute freedom of speech as a necessary foundation for a functional democracy, but the fact that other Western secular democracies have made hate speech illegal, including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, and Germany, demonstrates that it can be acceptable to have a balance between civil liberties and safety.

Our democracy won’t crumble to pieces if we establish stronger prohi-

bitions against speech that can lead to violence.

Hate speech has sinister and serious consequences.

And a genocide such as the Holocaust isn’t just a freak occurrence in history - there has been the Armenian genocide, the Rwandan genocide, the genocide committed against the indigenous peoples of the Americas, and the ongoing genocide against gay men in Chechnya.

Outlawing hate speech is the least America could do to redress her history of genocide, slavery, and oppression of anybody who wasn’t a straight white man. And the legacies of these systems of oppression still live with us in contemporary times.

For example, right-wing terrorism against vulnerable groups of people continues to happen and it perpetuates oppression. Right-wing terrorism is more of a threat to American society than Islamic extremism. According to the Center for Strategic & International Studies, 67% of terrorist attacks stem from the right wing of the political spectrum.

Life is hard for anybody who isn’t a straight white man in America because society wasn’t designed specifically for them and our institutions are biased against them. If people are racist, ho-

Em’s Gems: Spotting Sam

mophobic, and sexist, then our institutions will be racist, homophobic, and sexist.

People from underrepresented groups have to work twice as hard in anything they do just to get the same recognition as a straight white man would receive.

Moreover, making hate speech unlawful in this country would help stop it from spreading to others. If the speech is removed, then it can’t reach as many people as it could if it were allowed to be practiced out in the open.

It would also disempower people from using their voices in the wrong way. People wouldn’t feel as though they have a license to spread hatred toward marginalized groups.

Laws preventing hate speech would serve to undermine any efforts made to organize a group of people on the basis of hatred for another group of people.

And while hateful voices are being legally undermined, the voices of marginalized communities would be supported and uplifted through the recognition that the laws give to their safety and protection.

Additionally, America already does have some limitations to freedom of speech such as the fact that one cannot make speech that is intended to

incite violence. This reflects that not all speech should be protected by the First Amendment.

And that it can be necessary and proper to have a balance between civil liberties and safety as well as order.

Not all speech is created equal.

Some people downright have beliefs that are not respectable whatsoever, and I don’t see any reason why I should respect their right to harbor beliefs that history has shown to be dangerous. Dangerous beliefs lead to dangerous actions - thus, everyone should be concerned about bad actors speaking hatefully about any protected group of people.

And if one thinks they don’t need to be bothered by the rhetoric of extremists because it isn’t them the extremists want to harm, I assure you that in one way or another, you would be affected by the nefarious plans of said extremists.

Because if they’ll target one group of people, then they’ll do it to any group of people.

It is problematic to have people who don’t respect human dignity and worth running around disseminating deleterious and unrespectable ideologies.

Campus Conversations

What is your favorite local spot?

By Ryan O’Connell, Associate Editor, and Dylan Pichnarcik and Alexis Schlesinger, Staff Writers

“Probably the mall.”

- Shalon Nesvacil, junior

“That’s a good question - I’d probably have to say campus just because it’s kind of the hub around here. Right now, my favorite place to be is in Hemenway because that’s where all of my classes are and it just seems kind of peaceful to study.”

- William Bescera, senior

“I like the Natick Mall. Just hanging out with friends [at] Hollister.”

“I guess it’s the Natick Mall. I hit that on my way to work - I work on the North Shore. Typically, I just walk around. It’s a little sad that Wegmans closed down.”

- Richard Stamos, senior

“I do like going to the mall. Usually, I probably will go to Lush, or maybe the Barnes & Noble that’s on the street. … I know a couple of times, I’ve been to Dave & Busters to go hang out and have fun with some friends.

- Kirsten LeBlanc, senior

“I guess Five Below. I feel like Shoppers World, there’s a lot of stores there. I don’t have a car, so I usually take the RamTram.”

- Jamie Kuenzel, freshman

“Probably Dunkin’. It’s a fun time - getting energy in the morning is always fun before class.”

“Probably Mad Willie’s Ice Cream. I think it’s really cool how it’s not actually ice cream- it’s frozen yogurt, but he calls it Mad Willie’s Ice Cream.”

- Chris Miller, junior

“My favorite is Saxonville Burritothey’re just so friendly in there. It’s always a great atmosphere going in- they just know how to take care of people.”

- Taylor Devoe, senior

“Ooh, I don’t know. I haven’t really explored much. I’d say Route 9, around the Natick Mall.”

- Kevin O’Toole, freshman

“My favorite local spot for probably two years now is Kalasha. Their bubble teas are very, very good, and they have very good Korean fried chicken, and good kimbap, and the workers there are very nice.”

- Alex LeBlanc, senior

“My home.”

- Dheralth Carmo, freshman

- Emma Brosnan, junior

- Camelia Gouda, sophomore

Football earns first win on Homecoming Weekend SPORTS

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

ing four drives, which consisted of each team both punting and throwing an interception.

Framingham’s cornerback, Elton Williams, intercepted a pass from Westfield’s quarterback on the Framingham 38-yard line, preventing a possible Westfield score.

Westfield’s defense forced a quick 3 and out offensive drive and the Rams punted the ball.

The Owls capitalized on their momentum and pieced together a touchdown drive in their final possession of the third quarter.

Westfield scored with a 22-yard touchdown reception capped off with a successful 2-point conversion.

The Owls led 8-3 entering the fourth quarter.

Westfield’s defense once again held the Rams to an unsuccessful offensive drive and forced a punt.

The Owls marched their offense down the field, traveling 31 yards over seven plays.

ulation, Westfield’s defense forced the Rams to punt.

The Owls pieced together a 43-yard drive to the Rams’ 15-yard line.

games, averaging 207 total offensive yards per game.

The Framingham State Rams defeated the Westfield State Owls 9-8 in their MASCAC matchup at Bowditch Field Sept. 23.

This marked Framingham’s first win of the season. The Rams now hold an overall record of 1-2 and a conference record of 1-1.

Framingham’s running back, Devaun Ford, who rushed for 158 yards, recorded 54 passing yards, and scored a rushing touchdown, said the win “feels refreshing.”

He said, “I know we started off kind of slow, 0-2. We got some points back up on the board today and our defense always holds it down. It was good to come out on the winning side today.”

The first half ended scoreless. Each team had six drives, but both the Rams’ and Owls’ defenses held strong.

Framingham fumbled the ball twice on the offensive end, while Westfield fumbled the ball once.

The Rams held the Owls to negative yards on two of their six offensive drives.

Framingham’s offense struck first in the first drive of the second half.

Framingham’s Ford and quarterback, Elijah Nichols, rushed for 26 and 21 yards, respectively, to open the half.

Framingham’s kicker, Matthew Farley, finished the drive with a successful 27-yard field goal. The Rams took a 3-0 lead.

Neither team scored in the follow-

Framingham’s defensive back, Adeboye Oyaronbi, stopped Westfield’s march by forcing a fumble just five yards shy of a Westfield touchdown.

The momentum shifted and Framingham’s offense sparked.

Ford and Nichols were in syncrushing, passing, and incorporating a trick play in which Ford completed a 54-yard pass to wide receiver Manny Lara.

Ford said, “Coach called it and I knew we were close to the end zone so my biggest thing was just not taking a safety.

“I rolled out, caught the pass, saw Manny wide open, and I just let it fly and he made a great play and did the rest,” he added.

Nichols said, “Some plays, when stuff breaks down, I know where Devaun is going to be.

“He’ll say something like ‘Yo, E! E!’ and I’ll find him and he’ll take it 20 yards.

“It’s easy to have somebody like that in the backfield with you,” he added.

Framingham’s crucial offensive drive finished with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Ford.

Framingham’s 2-point conversion failed, but the Rams took a 9-8 lead over the Owls.

The slow, defensive-driven game came down to Westfield’s final drive in the closing three minutes.

With less than 4 minutes left in reg-

With just seven seconds left on the clock, Westfield lined up for a 32-yard field goal.

As the clock ticked and with the game on the line, Framingham’s defense made the biggest play of the game.

Framingham’s linebacker, Najier Montiero, blocked Westfield’s field goal and the football was recovered by fellow linebacker Jared Martino.

Martino said, “Big-time players make big-time plays.

“I knew we got the dub. I knew there was no time on the clock, so I felt great.

“Seeing everyone on the sideline run on the field, it was a great feelingsomething I’ll never forget,” he added.

Framingham’s Defensive Coordinator, Rich McKenna, said, “We still had faith in our defense because we have some good athletes and I knew they still had to execute the field goal.

“Fortunately for us, we were able to get some penetration and get a hand on it,” he added.

Martino earned the 2023 Calder Award, named in memory of Ram John Calder and awarded to the MVP of the Homecoming Game.

Martino said, “It’s an absolute honor for the whole committee to decide for me to win this award.

“It’s bigger than football,” he added.

Martino earned MASCAC Defensive Player of the Week and Monteiro earned MASCAC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week Sept. 24.

Prior to their win over the Owls, the Rams were outscored by their opponents 62-7 and allowed an average of 293 total offensive yards per game.

The Rams only allowed 194 total offensive yards to Westfield’s offense and held them to just 8 points.

McKenna said, “On the defensive end, the first two games we’ve been put in some bad spots.

“We had to tighten up and we just had to accept the challenge that no matter where the drive starts, we’ve got to keep them out of the end zone.

“I’m just proud of our defense. I’m proud of our guys,” he added.

On the offensive end, the Rams’ offense recorded 187 yards and 227 yards, respectively, in their opening

In their game against Westfield, Framingham’s offense recorded 329 total yards, 114 coming from passing and 215 from rushing.

Nichols, who has played wide receiver for most of his FSU career, stepped in as quarterback for the game.

He said, “I actually got the call around maybe 7-8 p.m. [Friday] and they said, ‘You’re going to be the starting quarterback.’

“I was ready - extremely confident. I’ve been playing quarterback since I was 6 years old.

“I felt comfortable. I was ready to go,” Nichols added.

Framingham’s Head Coach Tom Kelley said, “A win’s, a win’s, a win. I’ll take it.

“We’re going to try to build on this and we certainly have a lot of things to clean up,” he added.

The Rams travel to Plymouth State for another MASCAC matchup Sept. 30.

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST

Jared Martino running to make a tackle during 9-8 win over Westfield State Sept. 23.

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST Manny Lara catching Devaun Ford’s 54-yard pass during 9-8 win over Westfield State Sept. 23.

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST Najier Monteiro making the game-winning field goal block during 9-8 win over Westfield State Sept 23.

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST Devaun Ford celebrating his rushing touchdown during 9-8 win over Westfield State Sept. 23.

Volleyball drops game to Suffolk; holds 11-3 record

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

we played well,” she added.

Framingham’s Hailey Sanders said, “We don’t have that chemistry quite yet, but we’re getting it slowly but surely.”

Framingham’s Anneli DiVirgilio earned MASCAC Defensive Player of the Week and Natalie Reynolds earned MASCAC Rookie of the Week on Sept. 24.

Both DiVirgilio and Reynolds are freshmen.

DiVirgilio said, “There’s a lot of things I still need to improve on, but I’m really doing my best to help the team in any way I can.

“I think we’re all working together nicely,” she added.

Reynolds earned Rookie of the Week three out of the four weeks this season. She said, “I get out on the court and I have so much fun.

“I could not do anything that I do

out there without the rest of the team.

“I’m trying my hardest - improving on stuff that I still need to improve on,” she added.

With just one MASCAC matchup completed, the Rams have six more MASCAC games before the regular

season ends Nov. 4.

Szymanski said the team matches up well in the MASCAC. “We’re playing teams like this that are really good and better than us to push us to be better so that when we are matched up in the MASCAC, we have a good chance of winning.”

The Framingham State Rams lost to the Suffolk University Rams in three straight sets Sept. 28.

Framingham’s loss ended their incredible 10-game win streak that started Sept. 9.

Framingham now holds an overall record of 11-3 and a MASCAC record of 1-0.

Framingham’s Anna Szymanski said the season “started out not slow, but just young.

“It took a while to mesh together and learn new things, especially with a lot of young people coming in.

“I think as the season has progressed, we’ve gotten a lot better and I think tonight was a tough match, but

Field hockey beats Bridgewater

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

The Framingham State Rams beat the Bridgewater State Bears 4-3 at the Maple Street Field Sept. 26.

Framingham’s win brings their overall record up to 4-4 and improves their MASCAC record to 2-1.

The Rams started their season 0-3, but won four of their last five games.

Framingham’s Brandi Core said, “I think it’s due to putting the work in at practice, definitely connecting on and off the field with our teammates, and just coming in with a good mindset.

“We want to win so we get the job done,” she added.

Framingham’s Cori Lawson said, “I think we’re just working together a lot more.

“Communication has upped - trying to connect on the field making sure everybody always has a pass option.

“It’s working really well,” she added.

The game started and Bridgewater scored a quick goal in the first four minutes.

Lawson said, “After we let the first goal in, I think something clicked and we all just could read each other’s minds.”

To end the first quarter, Framingham’s Kaylee Beck assisted teammate Emma Bailey on her first goal of the season, tying the game 1-1.

Within the first four minutes of the second quarter, Framingham’s Bella Kondi assisted teammate Kaitlin Loughlin on her first goal of the season. The Rams led 2-1.

Loughlin said, “It felt good.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” she added.

The Rams maintained their 2-1 lead for the rest of the first half and most of the third quarter.

With less than a minute remaining in the third quarter, Bridgewater scored and tied the game 2-2.

The Rams’ offense struck early in the fourth quarter with an assist from Kondi to Framingham’s Ashley Malmquist less than a minute into the fourth quarter.

Less than six minutes later, Kondi recorded her third assist of the night with a pass to Core.

Bridgewater scored to end the game, but Core’s final goal for the Rams secured their 4-3 victory.

Framingham travels to Worcester State for another MASCAC matchup Sept. 30.

Core said, “I’m feeling pretty confident.

“We’ve been watching their film. We kind of know how they play and we know exactly what we need to do to win,” she added.

FRAMINGHAM STATE 4 BRIDGEWATER STATE 3

Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com

CONNECT WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu

Framingham travels to Keene State for two nonconference matchups against Keene and Eastern Connecticut State Sept. 30.

Sanders said, “Definitely eager after this game especially.”

Szymanski said, “Two really, really good teams this weekend.

“I think it’ll be good to play our hearts out and get better,” she added.

Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com

CONNECT WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu

Softball alumni win annual game again

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

Framingham State softball hosted their annual Alumni Game at the Maple Street Field on Homecoming Weekend Sept. 23.

Head Coach Larry Miller said, “First off, the Alumni Game is one of my favorite days of the year.

“Over the years, going into my tenth year, the group that played for me gets bigger and bigger and really has that attachment to the program,” he added.

Rachel Desrochers ’17, an assistant coach, said she played second base during her time on the team as an undergraduate.

Desrochers said, “It’s really nice to see the people that I played with.

“Also being a coach, it’s awesome for our current players to see the people who came before them and how far the program has come.”

Gwendolyn Carpenter, a fifth-year student who plays outfield for the softball team, said there are roughly four or five players on the alumni team she played with.

Carpenter said, “It’s awesome to see the girls who graduated last year and the year before, but it’s also so much fun to see people who you get to know who you never played with.

“We get to see and talk to people who have played - who’ve been in our shoes for years before, and it’s a really cool day to be able to see the community that FSU softball has created through being a team together,” she added.

Desrochers said, “The alumni al-

ways win - always pull it out in the end.”

Miller said the alumni won “one hundred percent.

“There’s no question about that,” he added.

Carpenter said, “It’s funny, somehow every year, they seem to squeak it out.

“They might get a few extra outs here and there and a few extra runs, but I’m sure I’ll appreciate that when I’m on the other side of it,” she added.

Miller said there’s a “legacy” for the current team to continue to build on.

He said, “It’s hugely important to just continue building on that culture.”

Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST Natalie Reynolds attempting a kill during 3-0 loss to Suffolk Sept. 28.

Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST Camille Desrochers ’23 and firstbaseman Kelsey McGuill during Alumni Game Sept. 23.

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST

Anneli DiVirgilio diving for a dig during 3-0 loss to Suffolk Sept. 28.

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST

Hailey Sanders attempting a kill during 3-0 loss to Suffolk Sept. 28.

Meet the Captains - Women’s Soccer

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

Megan

Megan “Moo” McAuliffe, 21, is the starting left back for the FSU women’s soccer team.

McAuliffe, an elementary education major with minors in psychology and sociology, is a member of the Rams’ Class of 2025.

She said she wants to be a second-grade teacher after graduating. “School has always been my favorite thing in the entire world.

“I want [students] to fall in love with learning the way that I did,” McAuliffe added.

Originally from Haverhill, McAuliffe said she did not always play soccer growing up. “In elementary school, I decided that it might not be my favorite thing.”

McAuliffe said she picked up gymnastics, but was not good and she “did miss soccer a lot.”

McAuliffe said she chose between playing soccer or vol-

Jetta Oskirko, 21, is the starting goalkeeper for the FSU women’s soccer team.

Oskirko said she began playing soccer when she was 4 or 5 years old, but started playing goalie when she was 8 or 9.

She said, “I love being goalie. That’s never changed.”

Oskirko, a mathematics major with a minor in statistics, is a member of the Rams’ Class of 2024. She said she wants to do statistics for a sports team after graduation.

Oskirko said she came to FSU because of Head Coach Kristina Kern. “She was really fighting for me for sure, so I think she was definitely my biggest influence.”

She said her favorite part about FSU is the people. “I’ve never been anywhere where there’s a huge group of people that have been so kind and accepting.”

Victoria “Tori” Potter, 20, is a starting center back for the FSU women’s soccer team.

Originally from Rutland, Potter, an elementary education major, is a member of the Rams’ Class of 2025.

She said she wants to be a second-grade teacher. “I just want to be able to help students that have a harder time in the classroom like I did when I was younger.”

Potter said she began playing soccer at 5 years old. “Like I say, ‘so many kids start playing soccer so young, but not everyone sticks with that.’”

Potter said she chose Framingham because she “felt like it was the perfect, perfect spot for me.”

She said, “I knew I wanted to have the opportunity of being able to play soccer, but also focus on my education, and Framingham was able to offer that.”

leyball. “When it came to high school I had to pick and it was the most stressful thing that 15-yearold me ever had to think about.

“I don’t regret it,” she added.

McAuliffe said she heard about the University from a high school English teacher wearing an FSU crew neck and she did some research in her history class.

She said, “My history teacher was like, ‘What are you doing?’ And I was like, ‘I’m just looking at Framingham State’ and he’s like, ‘It’s actually a good choice. Keep going.’”

McAuliffe said FSU “is exactly what I wanted.”

She said, “It’s just such a great feeling to be like, ‘Oh, sorry, I can’t, I have soccer practice.’

“It’s just something I always grew up saying and I don’t want to ever stop saying it,” McAuliffe added.

Oskirko said she has been inspired by now-retired American goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Solo is commonly viewed as one of women’s soccer’s all-time greatest goalkeepers and is a large promoter of women’s soccer off the field.

Oskirko said, “For anyone that is coming into college, second guessing playing a sport, I say ‘1,000% go for it.’”

She said her favorite memory playing soccer at FSU was saving two out of the four penalty kicks against Salem State in the 2021 MASCAC Tournament Quarterfinals, securing her team the victory.

Oskirko said, “I think that’s probably the best game I’ve had here. That was a great memory.

“Hopefully I’ll make an even better one this year,” she added.

CONNECT WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu

Potter said her favorite part of being on the team is the “great atmosphere that keeps girls coming back and wanting to keep playing.”

She said her favorite memory on the team was a yoga practice her freshman year. “We were just doing all sorts of crazy yoga.

“Overall, preseason has to be my favorite time of soccer season every year just because the team gets the opportunity to get super close with each other,” Potter added.

She said she has always been inspired by watching girls older than she is “grow into these amazing soccer players.”

Potter said, “Having strong female coaches in my life has helped me develop with the sense of who I want to be as an adult.”

Adam Levine /THE GATEPOST Jetta Oskirko during 2-1 loss to Salem State Sept. 23.

Photo Credit / Frank Poulin Photography

McAuliffe

Jetta Oskirko

Victoria Potter

Adam Levine /THE GATEPOST Megan McAuliffe throwing the ball in during 3-0 loss to Clark Sept. 27.

Photo Credit / Frank Poulin Photography

Adam Levine /THE GATEPOST Tori Potter kicking the ball during 2-1 loss to Salem State Sept. 23.

Photo Credit / Frank Poulin Photography

Women’s soccer drops third consecutive game

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

The Framingham State Rams lost their last three games, dropping to an overall record of 1-4 and a MASCAC record of 1-1.

After playing five away games, the Rams hosted their last two games at the Maple Street Field.

The Rams lost to the Salem State Vikings in a close MASCAC matchup 2-1.

Salem took an early lead with a goal in the 16th minute of the match.

The Vikings maintained their lead and led 1-0 at halftime.

Framingham’s Hailey Baker scored on a penalty kick halfway through the second half.

Baker’s goal tied the match 1-1 and marked her third goal of the season.

Baker’s other two goals came in Framingham’s 2-0 MASCAC victory over the MCLA Trailblazers Sept. 15.

The Vikings reached the back of the net in the 82nd minute of the match, securing their 2-1 victory over the Rams.

Framingham’s goalkeeper, Jetta Oskirko, said, “We kind of fell through a little bit.

“It was a game that we thought we should have won and we didn’t end up coming up with a win.

“It was a little disappointing,” she added.

More recently, the Rams lost to the Clark University Cougars in a nonconference matchup 3-0.

The Cougars defeated the Salem State Vikings 7-0 Sept. 9.

Oskirko said, “We saw how [Clark] played against Salem and they really dominated them, so we were a little iffy.

“We came in confident like every game and I think it went better than we expected for sure,” she added.

Baker said, “Going into this game, we knew they were going to be a tough team - extremely physical.

“We knew that as long as we played strong soccer, we would be able to hang with them,” she added.

The Cougars scored all three of their goals in the first half of the match.

Oskirko said, “The first two goals in the first half were through balls - big gaps in our defense.

“Then there was one goal they just had a free shot on the 40 - missed marking,” she added.

After giving up three goals, the Rams held the Cougars scoreless in the second half.

Framingham’s Tori Potter said, “We came together during halftime - talked as a team, listened to our coach, listened to our players.

“Listening to each other really helps us as a team.

“Our offense was fantastic in the second half,” she added.

Baker said the halftime shift came from a “really big want” from the team.

She said, “The energy coming into the second half was really high.”

Oskirko said, “Clark’s a really good team, so I think being able to hold them scoreless in the second half was a big achievement for us.”

Framingham hosts Bridgewater State for another MASCAC matchup Sept. 30.

Baker, who scored all three of Framingham’s goals in MASCAC matchups, said, “Obviously, I’m hoping that I can put a few more in the back of the net.

“Overall, I think I’m just hoping that we can get stuff going on offensehoping that more people can get in on that,” she added.

Potter said, “We are absolutely going to take it to Bridgewater.

“They don’t know what’s going to come,” she added.

Meet the Coach - Women’s Soccer

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

Kristina Kern, 44, is in her ninth season as the Rams’ head women’s soccer coach and is a member of the Framingham State Class of 2003.

Kern said she started playing soccer when she was around 5 years old.

She said, “It’s just a fun sport.

“I started playing in the field and then I transitioned into a goalkeeper as I got into my teenage years,” Kern added.

Kern played three sports during her time as a student at FSU - soccer, basketball, and softball.

She said she played soccer and softball for four years, but played basketball her first three years.

Kern said, “I would say I had the longest career in soccer, but I thoroughly enjoyed playing multiple sports.”

She said part of the reason she came to FSU as a student was to play multiple sports. “I was looking at higher divisions but the opportunity to play multiple sports was a benefit.”

Kern said she also came to FSU because of the head coach at the time, Sarah Behn.

She said, “I wanted to play for her.

“The program was not that strong and she wanted to change a lot of things.

“I wanted to be a part of the program change, which I think I was, as well as the team was,” Kern added.

Kern said her favorite memory playing soccer is when she played overseas in Australia for a season after college.

In short, she said, “It was amazing. It was amazing.”

She said it was awesome “being able to play a sport that I love and to meet new people.”

Kern said a year after graduating from FSU, she began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Rams.

After that, she spent 10 years coaching women’s varsity soccer at Holliston High School.

Kern said she also coached a little bit of softball at Dover-Sherborn High School and Hopkinton High School and coached recreational basketball for her daughter.

Kern said she saw the head women’s soccer coach position was open at FSU nearly a decade ago.

She said, “I had a positive relationship with the athletic department and heard the position was open, so we both kind of mutually reached out to

each other.

“I thought it’d be a great opportunity to be able to go back and give back to the University that gave me so much.

“For me, it’s a positive way to recruit for players because I understand where they’re going and what the University has to offer,” she added.

Kern is supported by assistant coaches Kirsten Hansen and Shannon McCarthy.

She said, “I’m really excited about what we’re going to be able to do this year and for the future and our coaching staff.

“I also think it’s a benefit we have three women, not a lot of coaching staff have three women,” Kern added.

Kern said she got into coaching because of “the love for the sport.”

She said, “I love to be able to help explain the game to players - I love to be involved with them in a different capacity.

“I love to see them succeed and to progress each day,” Kern added.

Kern said she also works as a special education teacher in Holliston.

She said, “I love my students and I think I have a good rapport with them.”

Kern said her favorite part of being a coach is “the ability to lead a positive

CONNECT

team culture.”

She said, “The players make my job very enjoyable. I love coming and working with them every day.”

CONNECT WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu

Dylan Pichnarcik / THE GATEPOST Julia Rosano during 3-0 loss to Clark University Sept. 27.

Photo Credit / Frank Poulin Photography

Kristina Kern

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST

Melissa Romeiro kicking a free kick during 2-1 loss to Salem State Sept. 23.

Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com

WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu

ARTS & FEATURES

Authors ‘fly the flag’ for Irish children’s literature

By Raena Doty Arts & Features Editor

The English Department hosted three Irish children’s and young adult authors at FSU in the Heineman Ecumenical Center Sept. 25.

The authors, currently spending some time in the U.S., are all published with a small Irish publishing company called Little Island. Among the panel were Sam Thompson, Patricia Forde, and Siobhán Parkinson.

Matthew Parkinson-Bennett, the publisher at Little Island after Siobhán Parkinson - his motherstepped down, introduced the authors and talked a bit about his company.

He explained it is a very small publisher that has only one part-time and two full-time employees, and they publish about 10 books a year for children of all ages - from infants to older teens. He then introduced the authors, starting with Thompson.

Thompson read from his middle grade book “The Fox’s Tower,” sequel to “Wolfstongue.” He said the original novel follows a boy named Silas who struggles to speak, and when he discovers a world of talking animals, he feels deep kinship with the wolves who do not speak very well and are treated poorly for it.

The sequel, however, takes place some years later and follows Silas’s daughter, the start of the family theme between all three readings. He first read from the beginning of the novel, a passage where she saw her father apparently get kidnapped by foxes.

When he read the second passage, he said he thinks it’s one of the best parts of the book, but children generally aren’t very receptive to it. It followed Willow’s transformation into a wolf at the hands of the villain, and had a very rich description of her running through a forest, unsure of what to do in her new form.

Next to speak was Forde, introduced as Laureate na nÓg, or in English, Irish Children’s Laureate. She joked her “sentence - sorry, termlasts three years.”

She added as the Irish Children’s Laureate, her job “is to be an ambassador for reading for children and to promote Irish writers and illustrators.”

Forde read from her book “The Girl Who Fell to Earth,” which is a middle grade speculative fiction story about an alien girl and her father.

She said in this world, there’s a race of aliens from a planet called Terros who watch over Earth, while the people of Earth know nothing about them.

The young protagonist, Aria, was raised to believe humans are so far below her people and don’t matter,

and she accepts a mission to go to Earth and wipe out all humans with a disease.

Importantly, Forde added since Aria was taught because humans live such a relatively short time compared to people of Terros, they can’t form relationships at all.

The excerpt Forde read followed Aria and her father shortly after they released the first amount of virus which would eventually be used to kill all humans, and contrary to what Aria was raised to believe, she seesand mulls over - a whole lot of human compassion.

Forde also explained the people of Terros, in this novel, were ultimately the ones who created Earth. “They gave us everything. Our archeology, our history. Everything we think we know about ourselves,” she said.

She added, “Since this is a middle grade novel, it opens great discussions to be held with children about where you get your information from and who do you believe.”

The final author, Parkinson, used to be the publisher of Little Island before she stepped down and allowed her son to take the position.

She said she has mostly written middle grade books throughout her career because she “always thought that the most difficult form of writing for children is the picture book.”

She said because picture books tend to have so few words and the writer must anticipate what the illustrator is going to draw to go alongside the text, it can be very intimidating.

“I’m a very wordy writer,” she said. “I like sentences. I love paragraphs.”

Regardless, she shared her picture book called “Evie’s Christmas Wishes.”

She said Parkinson-Bennett asked her to write a picture book about a

typical Irish Christmas, and she decided to try.

“The idea was to represent a typical Irish Christmas,” she said, and added Irish Christmas looks “roughly similar” to how other cultures celebrate Christmas, but “Christmas goes on for about three weeks in Ireland.

“It starts around about the 18th or 19th or something of December and it goes right through to Nollaig na mBan which is the Women’s Christmas, which is the 6th of January,” she said.

Parkinson said she struggled with how to fit the representation of everything she wanted to show into a picture book with a limited number of words, while keeping it realistic.

She settled on telling the story of a young girl named Evie who goes through the regular routine of the Christmas season.

Throughout the book, Evie makes wishes - some realistic, some less so - and the narrative grapples with how to respond to these wishes in reasonable ways - for example, when she wishes for a reindeer, she finds a reindeer decoration in return.

The book also references Irish culture and history throughout - for example, Parkinson said Evie’s uncle who came visiting from outside of Ireland was included to represent the large Irish emigrant population.

The authors ended the discussion by taking questions from the audience.

When asked for general writing advice, all three authors agreed on the importance of sticking through with a story even when it doesn’t seem worth it.

“There’s no such thing as a bad first draft. Nobody will ever see it but yourself,” Forde said.

Thompson added, “Don’t get it

‘write,’ get it written.”

One audience member asked for advice on how to get published.

Parkinson-Bennett said publishing can be a really long process, and it’s important not to get impatient. He added small publishers like Little Island can be slow, but that’s not a bad thing.

He also said sending to more publishers isn’t always better, and that he as a publisher is able to tell the difference between an email sent to many publishers at once and an email written with a knowledge of what Little Island does as a company and what types of stories they publish.

All members of the panel also discussed why it’s important to talk about children’s literature, even among adults - or, more accurately, why it shouldn’t be seen as any different to talk about children’s literature as adults.

“Is it different to discuss books in general?” Thompson asked.

“As adults, it’s good for us to be reminded of that time when you read with that kind of unfettered imagination and wonder,” Forde said. “And I still love reading children’s books, it still appeals to a part of me - I was at my best as a reader when I was 10.”

Parkinson-Bennett added, “I think Little Island’s ethos about children’s books really would be that children’s books are different from adult books because of the audience that they were written for and that’s really it.

“We want to fly the flag for Irish children’s literature as literature,” he said. “We want to show the world that Irish children’s literature is also a very rich tradition.”

CONNECT WITH RAENA DOTY rdoty@student.framingham.edu

Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST

Matthew Parkinson-Bennett introducing his company, Little Island, with a copy of a book it published called “The Táin” Sept. 25.

He continued the discussion of advances made by the deaf community by explaining how a lot of the modern technology used today was originally created by deaf people to communicate.

“There’s Zoom, there’s FaceTime … it all started in the deaf community,” he said.

Bucci then introduced speaker Rachel Webber, who was there to speak about her experience with Deafblind culture. She was born hard of hearing but lost her ability to hear at a young age.

She attended mainstream schools, and during that time her vision began to worsen until she was blind.

While explaining her journey, she went over the different forms of communication that she has learned throughout the years, which included lip reading, sign language, and is in the process of learning protactile communication - expressing emotion through physical touch.

Webber then explained what it means to be Deafblind, and that it is a spectrum.

“It can vary from someone who is completely deaf and blind, to being completely deaf and having a little bit of vision, to somebody who is born with partial hearing and vision and that slowly declines over time,” she said.

Webber continued to discuss how she interacts with the Deafblind community. She stays involved in the community by attending activities and going to Deafblind camps and said that they have been doing this for around four years.

“I have really tried my best to develop myself as a Deafblind person. And doing things like this and giving these presentations is getting to show everybody who I am and where I am in my journey,” she said.

She then began talking on protactile communication and how it can be used by the Deafblind community.

Webber explained that not everyone in the Deafblind community uses protactile communication, and it varies depending on someone’s own individual blindness or deafness

“So it’s important not to assume that you know how this person wants to communicate and don’t just jump into tactile signing. … Always go that route of letting them choose the mode of communication that they prefer,” she said.

She also explained the importance of keeping everyone included in these conversations.

“I know that when I’m with family or with a group of people, it’s hard to keep everybody included but it’s very easy to feel left out,” she said.

Webber also talked about the importance of treating members of the Deafblind community with respect when speaking to them.

“Remember these are adults just

like you. And we’re not talking to them like children. So make sure that you are not using any degrading language. … The only thing that is different about them is that they are deaf and blind,” she said.

Bucci added to this sentiment, explaining that “I am not asking for anybody’s help. I am asking you to be

Webber continued to explain what protactile communication is, informing attendees that it is a form of communication that allows for emotions and movement to be interpreted by someone who is unable to see or hear.

using protactile signs with someone sitting near them. Webber guided the audience through different protactile signs and gave guests the opportunity to try them out on their own.

my ally and not my helper,” he said.

This was continued by Webber, who explained when it is appropriate to as-

She explained that because protactile communication is physical, the goal of it is to make it completely non-visual.

Webber then demonstrated the different physical signs that are used for

After this, Webber told a story to the audience of how she attended a conference in Boston and hired a support service provider (SSP) to accompany them. She described an SSP as someone who can “empower the deafblind person to travel independently and they will communicate environmental information.”

She explained how an SSP can be hired for everyday activities, but won’t take over or do anything for the deaf-blind person.

Webber informed the audience that to become an SSP, you will need to be trained through the Deaf-Blind Community Access Network Center, which is the provider for SSPs in Massachusetts.

The training of an SSP was described by Webber as “you learn how to communicate with deaf-blind people, how to lead blind people. … The different modes of communication they may use.”

Returning to her experience at the conference she attended, she recalled that an SSP was unable to accompany her for the event but was able to have her friends assist her.

During this, she recalled a moment where she wanted to walk back to her hotel. In the story, she told the audience that her friends recommended not doing so but she insisted, stating that “it’s my decision. I want to walk and it’s good exercise.”

This experience allowed Webber to have an independent choice with the assistance of her friends closeby.

sist a Deafblind individual. One suggestion included asking the individual if they need assistance, but reassured that is the choice of the individual.

“You can always ask, but taking over is never acceptable,” she said.

Other suggestions included alert-

emotions such as laughing, nodding, and shaking your head “no.”

She talked about how while it is still being developed, there was no way to communicate those kinds of emotions to members of the Deafblind community before protactile communication

Webber directed the audience’s attention to the screen, and asked those attending why the presentation was formatted to have a black background and white text.

This transitioned into a discussion on how to style presentations to best suit the needs of a deaf-blind individual. Simple designs like a black background and white text with little visual addition are the most optimal for someone who is deaf-blind.

After this, Bucci opened the discussion for the audience to ask questions to Webber.

One student asked if Webber is required to have someone accompany them if they are going out to run errands. Webber explained that while she can go by herself for these types of activities, they prefer to have someone accompany them due to the extra support.

ing a Deafblind individual of potential dangers in an area they are in, or offering assistance reading menus in a restaurant.

The presentation then took a look at the different reasons that individuals become Deafblind. Different types included illnesses such as cancer, genetic disorder, and severe accidents.

was established.

Webber talked about the benefits of having that extra level of connection with people when they use protactile communication.

“Even in situations like this where I can’t see the audience, it’s very helpful,” she said.

Attendees were then asked to try

At the end, Bucci expressed his gratitude for the event and for Webber’s presentation.

“This was so inspiring. I feel like I have tears of joy.”

CONNECT WITH JACK MCLAUGHLIN jmclaughlin7@student.framingham.edu

“I have really tried my best to develop myself as a Deafblind person. And doing things like this and giving these presentations is getting to show everybody who I am and where I am on my journey.”

- Rachel Webber, Deafblind Activist

“I am not asking for anybody’s help. I am asking you to be my ally and not my helper.”

- Bruce Bucci, ASL Professor

“Remember these are adults just like you. And we’re not talking to them like children.”

- Rachel Webber, Deafblind Activist

Grist media paves way for climate fiction

By Raena Doty Arts & Features Editor

The Henry Whittemore Library hosted Sept. 28 a discussion between Corey Farrenkopf, a librarian at Blue Marble Library, and Tory Stephens, the climate fiction creative manager and network weaver for Grist, a media organization.

Stephens runs a project called “Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors,” which he said is focused on “climate solutions, storytelling, [and] intersectional characters.”

The project focuses on bringing together authors from different backgrounds and allowing them to tell stories about the different walks of life they come from, focused on what the world looks like after climate justice is achieved.

Stephens began by describing how he entered - and helped pioneer - the field of climate fiction. He said he used to write letters to be sent to people’s houses in order to raise funds, for issues including HIV and AIDS treatment, protection for people on Medicare and Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.

During this time, he tried to connect with people and move them toward action, but found the statistics he worked with unmotivating, he said.

He said when he got involved with Grist, he gathered a group on the

“Grist 50” list and put everyone in groups to gather ideas for different ways to make people care about climate change, and the best one was the idea of climate fiction.

Stephens said an important part of climate fiction is that the stories they publish in “Imagine 2200” are focused on other justice movements outside

the characters aren’t “Lego characters.”

When explaining what this meant, he said, “If I can take the hat off and attach it onto another person and the story still flows, that isn’t an ‘Imagine 2200’ story, because we really want that cultural aspect.”

He gave the example of a few of the

lieves in making sure these stories are as accessible as possible.

For the same reason, he said there are no fees to submit a short story for “Imagine 2200,” and added submissions open once a year for three months, usually in the springtime.

He stressed “Imagine 2200” is not a publication intended for dystopia, and though utopian stories have been published in it, he said “Imagine 2200” should be more realistic - to grapple with the state of the climate in the present and invent creative solutions to get the world through to the year 2200.

Stephens described this as “through-topia,” a newer term stemming from the solar punk genre.

In line with Stephen’s focus on intersectionality and hope, he said many submissions he’s read have been less focused on the climate and more about the interpersonal issues once climate change is no longer a threat.

of climate justice like the Land Back movement, racial justice, LGBT+ justice, and other movements of social justice.

He added when this was first incorporated he thought of it as “woohoo” to climate justice, but he’s since come to understand it’s essential.

Stephens stressed the importance of intersectional identity to “Imagine 2200” and said it’s important to him

‘Bottoms’ comes out on top

By Owen Glancy Asst. Arts & Features Editor

Of all the films released this past summer, the one most noteworthy that seemed to fall by the wayside was “Bottoms,” and you can easily see why. On the outside, it looks like a generic high school comedy movie, but in reality, it’s a very funny generic high school comedy movie.

Before I start raining praise on this movie, one major criticism must be addressed first. This movie owes almost its entire identity to previous films in the juvenile comedy genre.

This does “Bottoms” very few favors, especially since its two biggest inspirations are “Superbad” and “Booksmart,” two of the best films in this genre. The similarities got so bad, that it felt like certain plot points were just copy/pasted from the films before it.

All that being said, this movie is very funny.

There is never a scene without at least one good joke, making this undoubtedly the funniest movie this year. Much of this can be attributed to the film’s method of making jokes. The writers put an unfathomable amount of humor into every scene, so if one doesn’t land, another will immediately replace it. While many of these jokes miss, they come at such a rapid pace that the ones that do land,

make the bad jokes much more bearable.

The plot, while derivative of other films, is still fun. It’s very simple, but absurd, with two lesbian losers start ing a fight club at their high school under the guise of a self-defense class so that they can get with their crush es. This is definitely the most surd of the raunchy high school com edy films and it fully leans into that, with extremely exagger ated characters and gore effects.

The main duo, while not as memorable as “Superbad’s” central trio, is very compelling. Their chemistry is great, and any scene where they’re just exchanging quips back and forth is guaranteed to get laughs out of anyone watching.

Sadly, their love interests in the film are not nearly as interesting. One of them gets so little screen time that she becomes irrelevant, and the other is too generic. The leads have no chemistry with these characters too, making the romantic scenes fall flat.

The jocks in this movie are funny

short stories that exemplified this, including “Broken From the Colony” by Ada M. Patterson, a story about the author’s own experience as a trans person, and “Canvas – Wax – Moon” by Ailbhe Pascal, a Wiccan author who wrote a story about abortion and miscarriage.

Stephens added all the stories published for “Imagine 2200” are available online for free because Grist be-

“There’s still going to be the societal problems of how we treat each other. There’s a lot of stories that are trying to work out, ‘What do we do after … the crisis has abated?’” he said.

“It’s inspiring to see people working out intercommunal relationships,” he added.

CONNECT WITH RAENA DOTY rdoty@student.framingham.edu

antagonists, and they are hilarious in every scene they’re in. However, the main jock Jeff, while funny, pales in comparison to Ryan Gosling’s Ken. With the rampant similarities between the two characters, it’s hard them and Ken wins in every category.

The character was surprisingly the PE teacher Mr. G, played by Marshawn Lynch. I was not expecting a football player to turn in such a memorable performance, but he does his absolute best. Nearly every single thing that comes out of his mouth is hysterical and he has a surprisingly emotional scene toward the end of the film.

The big advantage this film has over its competitors is its style. While many of the plot points and characters feel derivative, everything here has been cranked up to 11. While “Superbad” is absurd, it still feels like it takes place in the real world, and might happen to someone.

“Bottoms” on the other hand feels

like it takes place in a strange alternate reality where high school football teams are the most powerful force in the world, and where school is the most important part of your life.

It genuinelyw feels like a film made by the main characters, transporting the audience back to a time where high school was king. This unique perspective is very much welcome, and allows the film to be expressive and safe at the same time, making for a very consistent experience compared to its predecessors.

“Bottoms” is a movie that stands on the shoulders of giants and screams for attention. It isn’t as memorable as “Superbad” or as polished as “Booksmart,” but it is still an excellent film. The jokes are hilarious, the style is memorable, and the writing is consistent. While it owes much of its identity to its predecessors, its own quality cannot be denied.

Rating: B+

A modern comedy classic

“There’s still going to be the societal problems of how we treat each other. There’s a lot of stories that are trying to work out, ‘What do we do after ... the crisis has abated?’”

- Tory Stephens

Grist Climate Fiction Creative Manager & Network Weaver

David Abe / THE GATEPOST

‘DRUZY’ is a hidden gem

By Ryan O’Connell Associate Editor

In a year, 2023 is probably best characterized by its colossal entertainment strikes, affecting writers and actors on a national scale.

But it could also be just as easily remembered as a great year for independent comic artists.

Haus of Decline, an X (formerly Twitter) user, first got my attention in 2022 when he posted the first page of a 240-page series titled “Together,” his first long-form project on the site.

“Together” was periodically posted one page at a time and was an excellent read the entire way through, telling a story about a marriage rekindled by an abstract body horror which bound them together at their index fingers.

Now, a few months after the end of “Together” in March, another instant classic has popped up - “DRUZY.”

“DRUZY” is a 47-page minicomic by Beetle Moses - an independent online artist most well known for his short-form comics, which often feature wildlife in humorous social situations, dynamic posing, and absurdist punchlines.

The minicomic - Moses’ first ever longform project - follows an alien lifeform made of diamond-like gemstones who crashlands deep in the Amazon jungle, surviving Earth’s

harsh atmosphere only in a pressurized suit, after his spaceship and co-pilots explode.

Druzy, implied to be the alien’s name, is found by an uncontacted tribe, whose elders instantly accept him - the only hesitation and hostility coming from one younger man with a spear headed by a sharp purple gem.

The alien lives with the tribe for a few days, eating, sitting, and laughing with them, before rescuing a woman from a crocodile while she’s fishing. This prompts a celebration from the tribe, which irritates the defensive man from first contact.

It’s not easy to say any more about the storyline in “DRUZY” without giving it all awaybut what can be said is that it’s a masterful representation of the human experience.

The minicomic forgoes some typical elements of Moses’ work - the biggest difference being no dialogue - but retains Moses’ feel through the familiarity of his thick, stylized brushstrokes, simple panel geometry, and signature flat shading technique.

Still exhibiting saturated colors in every frame and his trademark sense of dry humor, however, all aspects of Moses’ skillset remain present, allowing the project to run away with the

page count.

“DRUZY” uses the time it has to its advantage, to put it simply.

The backgrounds of the Amazon are simplistic, but gorgeous, and the tribe’s community and acceptance of Druzy make his new life on Earth feel like it was destined all along.

Both of these aspects contribute to making the world feel incredibly vast, and paradoxically highlight just how small the tribe and their home is in the scope of the planet Druzy has landed on.

These worldbuilding elements are well paced as part of a longer story and feel unexplored in Moses’ other work, who is obviously restricted from this in the short-form style his comics demand.

Even with these strengths, the main draw is its emotional weight.

Moses has always been good at provoking emotion in his work, with even his comics providing a feel- ing of sentimentality, but “DRUZY” is unlike anything he’s done before in terms of storytelling.

Specifically, the protagonist’s relationship with one of the tribe’s women, who he first saw when he woke up from the crash, is touching.

They spend a lot of time togetherand where there would typically be a

romantic subtext between these characters, had they been human, Druzy and the woman exist in more of an innocent friendship due to their differences.

Part of this is due to a language barrier - of course these two cultures have no way of understanding each other outside of their emotions - happiness, anger, appreciation.

The limited interactions between the tribe and Druzy feel bittersweetDruzy integrates so well into the new society, coaxing readers to imagine a future between the established characters that doesn’t come.

Moses’ comic has a somber ending, and an even sadder epilogue. Its length is long when compared to his other work, short when contrasted with his peers’ projects like “Together.”

“DRUZY” is like a sunrise - beautiful, humbling, pure.

And because that fizzling length is what makes it sweet in the first place.

‘Good Omens 2’ elevates the show to godly levels

By Kate Norrish Staff Writer

After a successful first season, released in 2019 on Amazon Prime, and based on the book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, “Good Omens” returned for a second season July 28.

After averting the apocalypse together, the angel and demon pair Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), and Crowley (David Tennat), find a memory wiped archangel Gabriel wandering near Aziraphale’s bookstore.

The rest of the season features a series of vignettes as the two try to rectify the situation without angering Heaven and Hell, alongside various stories featuring their relationship throughout human history.

Despite Terry Pratchett’s death in 2015, many of the scenes have a feel that is reminiscent of his many comedic fantasy novels, to the point where I found myself wondering how those scenes were written with minimal to no involvement from him.

A prime example of this is a scene where Aziraphale and Crowley meet a woman robbing graves for money, and disagree on the moral implications of this.

His signature dry humor is also fully present throughout the season. My favorite example is when a group of characters enter Aziraphale’s store expecting a shop meeting, but instead

find a formal ball tailored so that two characters will fall in love.

Although fan favorites from season one such as Anathema The Witch and Adam do not appear, the side characters this season, consisting of the eccentric shopkeepers who work around Aziraphale’s bookstore, are just as en joyable.

We get to see a more in-depth look at some of the oth er angels and demons’ perspectives on the world, adding to the tension behind Aziriphale and Crowley’s unique lifestyle, and giving an interesting thematic element to the story.

My favorite new character was Muriel - an angel sent to investigate Gabriel’s disappearance, who lives in constant awe as they experience Earth for the first time.

The relationship between the two leads is simply adorable, and is enhanced by the occasional speculation of various human characters.

Aziraphale, being a literal angel, acts as the friendly, gentle one, and Crowley is more worldly, often correct-

ing his black and white world view. Their love of the world around them is infectious, and it often seems like you are feeling their every emotion alongside them.

Little moments, such as a special dance performed for apologies, and Aziraphale referring to ley’s loved car as “our car,” really drive home that these characters have known each other since the beginning of the Earth itself.

While I felt their old married couple chemistry was perfect for most of the series, I was proven wrong by a fight scene that is hands down some of the best television I have ever seen. Michael Sheen and David Tennant were acting like their lives depended on it, and everyone present, including me, began to sob.

In fact, the acting combined with masterclass writing made it so that I was still processing that scene, and even tearing up, days later. I would have never seen that fight coming,

Rating: A+

Take a chance on that independent artist

but rewatching various scenes, it was being built up to in every episode.

My only criticism of the series is the fact that Aziraphale and Crowley have the power to perform “miracles” - little acts of magic that make the world a slightly more pleasant place. While they can only do little things, such as make it rain or fix a broken cellphone, they solve a few too many problems that way for me to feel that it is not cheating.

However, I can see many people disagreeing with me, especially since one could argue that the “miracles” are an important thematic symbol of their power, and sometimes lack of power, as ethereal beings.

Overall, the show is an amazing piece of commentary with unique views on religion, free will, and love, and I am praying for a third season.

Rating: A+

Some of the best TV writing I’ve ever seen

Ben Hurney / THE GATEPOST

Ryan O’Connell / THE GATEPOST

French Toast and Friends

Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST Dining hall staff serving students at the “Moonlight Breakfast” Sept. 22.

Dylan Pichnarcik / THE GATEPOST Students at the “Moonlight Breakfast” Sept. 22.

Dylan Pichnarcik / THE GATEPOST

(Left) Jeffrey Coleman, vice president of DICE, and Lorretta Holloway, vice president of Academic Enhancement, smiling for a picture while serving students at the “Moonlight Breakfast” Sept. 22.

Emily Rosenberg / THE GATEPOST Professor Joe D’Andrea serving students at the “Moonlight Breakfast” Sept. 22.

Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST Students at the “Moonlight Breakfast Sept. 22.

Spread by Photos & Design Editor Adrien Gobin

ACROSS

43. Well-known

45. Burnt ___ (BBQ Bits)

46. Vintage vehicle initials

47. Tour grp. since 1950

48. Collection of web pages

50. Church seat

51. ___-Seltzer

52. Minor quibble

53. “___ be my pleasure!”

54. Place to buy a tent

55. Greek letter that symbolizes summation

57. Green org.

58. Singer/song-writer Lauper

61. June honoree

62. Whi from a certain candle

64. U.S. Women’s ___ (47-Across event)

65. Award quartet for Viola Davis, brie y

66. Tranquility

67. Pigpen sound

68. Excellent, in slang

69. Useful quality

70. Parakeets, perhaps

DOWN

1. Cod or May 2.

31. anksgiving treat

32. Zee: English :: ___ :

Gatepost Mix Alumni Anthems

EVAN LEE ‘20 - “THE POLITICS OF DANCING,” RE-FLEX

ELLIOT MICHAEL DESILETS ‘69 - “THE WILD ROVER,” CLANCY BROTHERS, TOMMY MAKEM

ROBERT JOHNSON JR. ‘21 - “KEEP YOUR LOVE AROUND,” THE WHISPERS

KATHLEEN MOORE ‘22 - “EXILE,” TAYLOR SWIFT(FEAT. BON IVER)

SPENCER BUELL’13 - “PRIVATE EYES,” HALL AND OATES

MARK HASKELL ‘23 - “LAGOON OF FORGETTEN DREAMS,” JULIAN FUEYO

STEVEN BONINI ‘22 - “MAGIC MOMENTS,”PERRY COMO

LEIGHAH BEAUSOLEIL ‘23 - “GOGO DANCER,” LANA DEL REY

ZACH COMEAU ‘12 - “THREE LITTLE BIRDS,” BOB MARLEY

KIM PITA ‘90 - “WISH YOU WERE HERE,” PINK FLOYD

CARA MCCARTHY ‘21 - “HOW WOULD YOU FEEL,” ED SHEERAN, “THE PRETENDER,” FOO FIGHTERS

SHAYNA YACYSHYN ‘18 - “CINNAMON,” JOME

ANDREW WILLOUGHBY ‘18 , “UNDERGROWTH,” SQUID

SEAN CABOT ‘22 - “IT’S LOVE,” RABBIT

DEB CLEVELAND ‘73 - “MAGIC IN THE AIR,”WAYNE JARRET

Fall into Homecoming

Photo Spread by Emily Monaco, Staff Writer