November 10, 2023

Volume 92 • Issue 9

November 10, 2023

FSUgatepost.com

Chrysalis to couture

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST Sophomore Emily Crossin modeling sophomore Kat Wilder’s butterfly dress, made of duct tape, for the Fashion Club’s “trashion show” Nov. 8.

FSU receives $503,000 from MLSC

By Naidelly Coelho News Editor The Mass Life Science Center (MLSC) awarded a $503,000 grant to FSU to buy new science instruments, according to an Oct. 18 press release from Communications Director Dan Magazu.

MLSC supports the growth and development of the life sciences and encourages innovation through investments in good science and good business, according to the MLSC website.

Chemistry Professor Sarah Pilkenton said life sciences needed two new instruments: a liquid chromatogra-

phy-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).

Chemistry Professor Shelli Waetzig said an LC-MS is an instrument that does liquid chromatography which separates complex mixtures, determines molecular weight, and helps piece together the structure of molecules. This instrument is used in pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Pilkenton said, “We really wanted to have two pieces of equipment that tell us a lot about the structure of molecules and also allow us to follow chemical reactions and explore natural samples, soil extracts, water samples, all kinds of stuff, and let us know what is in those materials.”

Waetzig said an NMR analyzes reaction products and determines if the reactions have done what they are supposed to do.

She said this instrument is very important for research and for classes because in Organic Chemistry, there is a module that deals with NMR and “the students get to learn and it’s sort of more hands-on for them.”

Pilkenton said FSU did have an NMR before. However, due to the global helium crisis, the University was no longer able to “procure liquid helium compressed gas to keep our high field NMR - nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer going.”

News SGA pg. 3 CAMPUS SAFETY WALK pg. 4

Opinions EDUCATION pg. 6 MENS HEALTH pg. 7

Sports

See MLSC GRANT page 4

New exhibit explores history of Mary Miles Bibb

By Jack McLaughlin Arts & Features Editor The Special Collections and Archives team at Framingham State works to collect, preserve and present items that are important to the history of the University.

Since September, an exhibit has been on display in the Henry Whittemore Library showcasing artifacts during the time Mary Miles Bibb studied at the school in the 1800’s, when it was previously known as the Lexington Normal School.

These items include letters of recommendation from students who were studying at the same time as Bibb, school bells, and even a notebook that

was owned and used by Cyrus Peirce, the school’s first president.

Colleen Previte, archivist and special collections librarian, helped bring this exhibit alive to allow for anyone in the library to stop and learn more about the rich history of the University.

Previte has been working for Framingham State since 2004 as an archivist for the library, and said this exhibit gave her the opportunity to learn more about Mary Miles Bibb.

She said the original idea for the exhibit was for it to coincide with a visit from speaker Irene Moore Davis in September.

Previte explained that the letters in the exhibit were provided by the Independent Association of Framingham

State Alumni (IAFSA), who have been Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST holding onto them since Harvard UniFOOTBALL pg. 9 versity gave them the letters in 2003.

Some of the items in the exhibit are FIELD HOCKEY pg. 10 being shown publicly for the first time.

For these items to maintain good condition, extra care has been taken such as having UV film on the display cases to prevent any damage from light.

When talking about creating the exhibit, Previte explained that “you have to work with what you have.” She specifically noted some of the cases being used to store the items are older, and would like to see them all be upgraded to newer ones in the future.

The letters of recommendation on Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST display were a result of the Lexington ‘SHE SAID’ pg. 12 See SPECIAL COLLECTIONS page 12 ‘SPIDER-MAN 2’ pg. 14

Arts & Features

INSIDE: OP/ED 6 • SPORTS 9 • ARTS & FEATURES 12

NEWS

2 | NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Gatepost Interview T. Stores

Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Emily Rosenberg Associate Editors Ryan O’Connell Sophia Harris News Editor Naidelly Coelho Asst. News Editors Kaitilin Carman Adam Harrison Opinions Editor Izayah Morgan Sports Editor Adam Levine Asst. Sports Editor Riley Crowell Arts & Features Editors Raena Doty Jack McLaughlin

Dean of Arts & Humanities

By Kaitlin Carman Asst. News Editor What are some of your hobbies?

I have a 200-year-old house - and I love my house, but it has a lot of needs, so I have learned to be a fixer-upper.

I love transforming spaces and I love old spaces and that goes along with my other love, which is gardening. My father was a construction guy and he had digging machines, like ditch diggers and things like that. I love to dig.

So I worked as a landscaper when I was younger and it’s in my blood - all my grandparents were gardening people.

My mother was a gardener and my dad was a digger. I learned to drive on a ditch digger.

What is your educational and professional background?

Asst. Arts & Features Editors I was a non-traditional student. I Bella Omar went off to college when I was 17 and Owen Glancy my father said, “College education is wasted on a girl and I’m not paying or supporting you if you want to go to Design & Photo Editors college. That’s your business. You’re Maddison Behringer either going to get married or pregAdrien Gobin nant. ... You don’t deserve to work.” I was working full-time at a supermarAsst. Design & Photos Editors ket to put myself through college at the Dylan Pichnarcik University of Florida. I was working all Alexis Schlesinger the time and changed my major three times. I couldn’t figure out what I really Illustrations Editor wanted to do so I dropped out of college Ben Hurney after a year and a half. I finally finished my bachelor’s degree at the University Staff Writers of Colorado in Boulder when I was 29 Jesse Burchill years old. I majored in English with an Carly Paul emphasis on creative writing. I decided Liv Dunleavy to go back to Florida for three years as a high school teacher. I went to Emerson, Jackson Clyde completed my M.F.A. in creative writEmily Monaco ing, wrote my first novel as my master’s David Abe Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez thesis. … As part of my master’s work, I did an internship at Sojourner which, Dante Curry at the time, was the country’s oldest Richard Gill feminist newspaper. I put my Ph.D. on Andrea O’Brien hold and … ended up at [the University Paul Harrington of] Hartford and I was there for 22 years.

Dorcus Abe I am working … on a doctorate now … at the University of Hartford in EducaAdvisor tional Leadership. My dissertation projDesmond McCarthy ect is a grounded theory study of college Asst. Advisor deans whose origins were in creative Elizabeth Banks disciplines.

What are some goals you would like to accomplish during your time at FSU? First of all, I want the College of Arts & Humanities to be a place where students understand and can articulate how and what they do as humanists and as artists in their own personal,

Courtesy of Hartford University day-to-day lessons, reading, thinking, writing, making, creating - how they can articulate how that is important to the world. As we think about the next 10 years, all the research - all the reports are that generative AI - jobs are going to change. And what’s incredibly exciting for those of us in my world is to think about what it is humans can do that machines cannot. I would like for this college to be a place where we are able to talk about that and are able to show the rest of the world what that means and to think about the future - how we can, as humans, shape the future in a way that is more productive, more enriching for other humans … I think about how we can, as humanists and creative people, think about the strengths that humans bring to the world. We can work with AI, we can offload some of the tedious stuff to AI, but we have to be able to make judgments, and decide what is truth, and what is good … to think critically about those hard questions. I think it’s something we have to get better at - not just preserving humanity, but improving it. Getting to the hard stuff of interpersonal conflict. If we just shut down conversations instead of trying to keep working to find the place where we can agree or the place we can come together and be human together and understand the value of human life - then we’re lost.

Do you have any advice for stu-

dents?

My advice for students is to follow what you love and find a way to live doing what you love. No matter what it is, figure out what you like to do, what makes you happy, what brings you happiness and fulfillment and joy. We all want to do work that is fulfilling, right?

I don’t know why, but we do. I want to do work that is fulfilling - that’s why I’m being an administrator. It’s fulfilling to help other people and to serve a fantastic institution like Framingham, right? “Live to the Truth.” To be able to work toward that mission and work toward those ideals, those lofty ideals, that’s great. And to do that by helping other people work toward those ideals for themselves, that’s great. That’s what gets you up in the morning and keeps you at your desk. … It makes a life. You can still reserve plenty of time for gardening, digging holes, shoving rocks around, planting a few things, and loving the people that you are close to, but it’s also loving the whole world. ... Find what you love, what makes you feel useful and strong within yourself, what makes you feel like you have made the world a better place, and then just find a way to make a living at it.

CONNECT WITH KAITLIN CARMAN kcarman@student.framingham.edu

Police Logs 100 State Street McCarthy Center Room 410 Framingham, MA 01701-9101 Phone: (508) 626-4605 Fax: (508) 626-4097 gatepost@framingham.edu

Friday, Nov. 3 22:55 Well Being Check West Hall Checks Ok

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

Thursday, Nov. 9 12:03 Noise Complaint Larned Hall Adsived

Thursday, Nov. 9 12:22 Alarm (Fire/Smoke) Miles Bibb Hall False Alarm

Tuesday, Nov. 9 4:25 FSU TIP Towers Hall Transported to Hospital

NEWS

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 | 3

SGA approves new funding request and recognizes “most spirited” member

By Andrea O’Brien Staff Writer SGA approved a funding request for the Outing Club and provided updates on broken washing machines in residence halls at its Nov. 7 meeting.

The meeting began with Open Forum, at which Senator Brad Collard discussed an elevator in West Hall that is out of service.

Collard said he reached out to Executive Director of Facilities Dan Giard, who said they are waiting on parts and are aware of the issue.

Aimee Takoud, Student Activities Trust Fund (SATF) treasurer, introduced Ellie Lynch, vice president of Outing Club, who put in a funding request on behalf of the club for their rock-climbing budget.

Lynch said the club tries to go rock-climbing at Central Rock Gym in Worcester at least once a week.

Outing Club requested $3,000 more for their rock-climbing budget, according to Lynch.

“This is just so we’re not asking week after week. We’ll have more breathing room to do more activities come the spring. We want to do camping trips, kayaking, and just sort of expand,” said Lynch.

Students who attend the rock-climbing trips pay no money out of pocket and are not required to have a membership to Central Rock Gym, according to Outing Club Activities Chair Oliver Swanson.

Trips are fully funded through the club and transportation is provided, Swanson added.

Vice President Raffi Elkhoury said he thinks this is a really good use of student funds.

“This is a club that’s doing a ton of work. They put on a lot of events.

They’ve had a 117% member increase over the past year and I believe their funding should reflect that,” said Elkhoury.

The motion to approve the funding request passed.

During the president’s report, Evelyn Campbell provided an update on broken washing machines in various residence halls that was brought up at the Oct. 24 meeting.

Campbell said Glenn Cochran, associate dean of students and director of Residence Life and Housing, updated her, saying from Dec. 5 to 7, all washing machines on campus will be replaced.

“Right now, he says they are unable

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST

SGA eBoard during a general meeting Oct. 24. to go into the system and see which laundry machines are broken or need repairs, so if you notice that your laundry machine is not working anymore, report that directly to your RA or residence director, so that way, they can send out a maintenance request,” said Campbell.

Student Trustee Ryan Mikelis said

emailed Mike Newmark, the acting general manager of Dining Services, regarding a request to have straws available to students in the dining hall as they’re available at Ram’s Den Grille, Sandella’s, and Red Barn Café.

“It’s something that I’ve been vying for for a while now,” said Sims.

Diversity and Inclusion Officer El-

“This is a place to professionally discuss your concerns that you have about campus to administrators.”

- Ryan Mikelis Student Trustee the Town Hall, previously Administrators’ Forum, is on Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the McCarthy Forum is a required event for SGA members to attend. He encouraged them to invite friends as well.

“This is a place to professionally discuss your concerns that you have about campus to administrators. We’re one of the few schools that has this opportunity so it’s really important that we have student representatives there,” said Mikelis.

Senator Tony Sims reported he

Weather

len Lopes said she had a meeting with J.U.I.C.E. (Justice, Unity, Inclusion, Community, Equity) and they are in the process of becoming an official community group on campus.

During the advisor’s report, Meghan Larkin announced three new clubs have been reinstated – Disability Advocate Network for Students, Marketing Club, and Food Science Club.

Larkin also said she put in a reservation to increase the number of chairs for the meetings because the turnout is “continuing to grow.”

She added she is “super impressed and super excited about it.”

“Hopefully, by our next meeting two weeks from today, we’ll have up to 35 chairs and longer table space. We may be reworking designs just to fit the chairs,” said Larkin.

Outreach and Events Coordinator Liv West announced recognition for “most spirited” senator would be given out for the first time at the meeting and then at every meeting moving forward.

Elkhoury was named “most spirited.”

West also announced SGA will be hosting a table at the Rams Resource Center’s Fall Philanthropy Festival from 1-6 p.m. on Nov. 15 in the McCarthy Center.

“We are going to be making blankets that are going to be donated,” said West.

Larkin announced Takoud as eBoard Member of the Month and Senator Raena Doty asSenator of the Month.

Senator Jeremy McDonald presented the “U-Rock” to Takoud because “they are doing a great job and they do a lot of work that goes without credit.”

[Editor’s Note: Raena Doty is an Arts & Features Editor for The Gatepost.]

CONNECT WITH ANDREA O’BRIEN aobrien3@student.framingham.edu

Forecast provided by the National Weather Service www.weather.gov

Sunday night Nov. 12 Mostly clear, with a low around 25. NW wind around 5 mph.

Monday night Nov. 13 Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. SW wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday night Nov. 14 Mostly clear, with a low around 30. NW wind around 15 mph.

Wednesday night Nov. 15 Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. SW around 10 mph.

Monday Nov. 13 Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. NW wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Nov. 14 Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. NW wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Nov. 15 Sunny, with a high near 50. NW wind around 15 mph.

Thursday Nov. 26 A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. NW wind around 10 mph.

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

4 | NOVEMBER 10, 2023

NEWS

MSLC grant Continued from page 1 NMR does not require cryogens.

Cryogens are substances used to produce very low temperatures. Also, there are no maintenance costs associated with it, according to the press release.

Pilkenton said FSU had an LC about 17 years ago which no longer functions.

“These are both instruments that students will use a lot if they were to go into the industry of biotech,” she

Courtesy of Shelli Watzig LC_MS instrument

said.

Waetzig said students in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, or food science will benefit from the instruments.

Boston is the number one biotech center in the country, Worcester is number 15, and FSU is in between them. The FSU community will benefit considerably from having those instruments, Pilkenton said.

According to the press release, Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Margaret Carroll said, “The life science sector in Massachusetts is booming, and at FSU, we are fully committed to providing the highly educated workforce needed to fill these great job opportunities.

Graduate students enrolled in the University’s professional science master’s program in biotechnology will also benefit from the news instruments, according to the press release.

Pilkenton said these instruments will also help faculty who are undertaking research.

Waetzig said the University did not have any funding available to buy more instruments, and because it had received MLSC grants in 2014-15, the College of STEM turned to them for assistance.

Waetzig said they applied for the grant in March 2023.

She said they are still in the process of buying the instruments and they are “pushing” to get them purchased before the end of the fiscal year.

She said she and Pilkenton have taken multiple trips to different companies to price out the instruments and find the best option.

“We’ve been trying to make the most of the purchases that we have, but we do need to get to purchasing them pretty quickly because some of

NMR instrument. these can take as much as six months to procure,” she added.

Waetzig said the application for the grant was very extensive and included questions about who would benefit from those instruments and what students would get out of having them.

The grant application also asked to specify the student body that would use the instrument.

Pilkenton said support letters from the U.S. Army Natick Soldier System Center were included in the application.

Pilkenton said, “A lot of schools don’t have these pieces of equipment.

So, it’s something that future Framingham State students will be able to use.

Students at other schools wouldn’t

Courtesy of Shelli Watzig have that opportunity.”

She added, “These are great resources for our students to have. It’ll be great for them to be able to operate and have experiences.”

Waetzig said she hopes the new equipment will help with recruitment.

She said, “We’re grateful for the support of MLSC because these are not cheap instruments - obviously a half million dollars and we’re only getting two instruments. Without the money, things would have been a lot harder and our students wouldn’t have had that benefit.”

CONNECT WITH NAIDELLY COELHO ncoelho3@student.framingham.edu

SGA hosts biannual safety walk

By Adam Harrison Asst. News Editor Members of SGA held their first safety walk of the academic year to address inadequate lighting and concerns about handicap accessibility on campus on Nov. 8.

SGA President Evelyn Campbell said during previous safety walks, there had been a “concern about a light not being in front of CASA and Horace Mann.”

She said since the concern was raised, a light has been put up to resolve this issue.

SGA Vice President Raffi Elkhoury said, “The road that leads to the athletic parking lot - I think it’s Maple Street - is basically pitch black at night, and if there could be a light that shines up to that road, I think that would be definitely a big help.”

Facilities Director Daniel Giard said he doesn’t think it’s possible to have a light shining up the road “because it would shine in people’s eyes, coming up the road.”

He said he would look into a solution.

While stopped in front of Dwight Hall, Elkhoury said, “There’s no wheelchair ramp anywhere on this side.

There’s just three sets of stairs.” Stu-

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

dents who use wheelchairs currently have to go all the way around the building.

“We’re pretty far from a blue light out here,” he added.

Elkhoury said, “It’s been brought to our attention that resident students feel like it’s really dark in front of Hemenway on this path up as well as on this side in front,” in reference to the hill leading up to Larned Hall.

Senator Cesar Matos raised concerns about snow clearance during the winter. “When I lived in Larned, the night was pretty difficult to go anywhere, but the day after, they usually did a pretty good job at cleaning.

“But then it was a question of maintaining that cleanliness because, after a few hours with students walking around, the snow got in places where people were walking,” he said Senator Raena Doty said, “I think there’s just always going to be concerns about that hill in the rain and snow. I’m not sure how practical solutions are to find for that but you know, it’s easy to slip, especially if you live in Larned or Towers.”

Senator Brad Collard said, “The same goes for the hill from West.”

Campbell said previously, there had been concerns about the lights above

Miles Bibb Hall being dead, but noted they were currently on, “so that was a concern that was fixed.”

While walking in the parking lot behind O’Connor Hall, Campbell noted there was no “real lighting when you’re coming from the back parking lot.” She suggested “to turn the lights up a little bit or to put more lighting.”

Giard responded, “Maybe we make that one even bigger.”

Elkhoury added, “This is a one-way.

A lot of people use this as a two-way, and I see a lot of cars coming through here the wrong way. So maybe just more signage, or if there’s any better way to enforce it.”

In the Church Street parking lot, Campbell said, “The church lot is really dark. … There are no lights beside it.

“Maybe if there was a way for the outside lights to either be bigger or to be turned more out toward the church lot,” she added.

Senator Michael Trueswell said he thinks it’s a good idea to have these kinds of events to double-check everything is safe. He said, “All the steps now on campus have those yellow lines - I think that’s good. That was done last year I was told because people were tripping and they noticed it on one of

these walks.”

Senator Megan Rokicki said she came on the safety walk to participate in looking for issues. “Student safety on campus is a general priority in college,” she said.

Freshman Iz Shields said, “My friend Liv told me about the safety walk and I wanted my voice to be heard.” They said it’s important to have events like this because “it’s a way we can actually have the issues we have on campus addressed instead of just posting about it on social media.”

Campbell said the student participation was greater than in recent years.

She said she encourages even more students to attend the next one. “I think it’s really important not only for SGA members to be a part of the safety walk, but all students.

“Because we are a part of the FSU community. … Make a difference and our slogan was ‘Be the change,’ so be the change,” she said.

CONNECT WITH ADAM HARRISON naharrison3@student.framingham.edu

NEWS

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 | 5

Framingham State’s support of veteran students shines through for Veterans Day

By Sophia Harris Associate Editor Veteran Services Coordinator Christine Denaro is developing new programming and assistance initiatives to further support veteran students at Framingham State.

There are 115 veterans enrolled at Framingham State, as well as 25 military-connected students, according to Denaro.

Denaro said the Office of Veteran Services is currently working to establish a Service, Academics, Leadership, Unity, Tribute, and Excellence (SALUTE) chapter at FSU, to honor veterans and military-connected students’ academic achievements.

The chapter provides formal recognition for “service and academics, leadership, volunteering and resume development, community engagement, opportunities to network with as well as give and receive assistance to fellow veterans, eligibility for SALUTE scholarships, and more,” according to Denaro.

She said SALUTE, which was established and has its headquarters at Colorado State University, “is the only national honor society in the nation recognizing and honoring the service and scholastic achievements of veterans.”

Denaro added she “is always looking for ways to make things easier for veterans, but FSU faculty and staff are caring and accommodating and instrumental to their success,” also.

To make things easier for veteran students, Denaro said she has partnered with Bedford Veterans Affairs Healthcare to make the Veterans Integration To Academic Leadership (VITAL) program available to student veterans.

This program is a national veterans’ health initiative that helps veterans transition to and succeed in college, according to Denaro.

She said the innovation helps veterans connect to VA healthcare, academic achievement, mental health treatment, and employment exploration.

Denaro said most student veterans at FSU will be spending the upcoming Veterans Day with their families.

She added, “A few of us plan on going to Gillette Stadium Field for Boots

on the Ground for Heroes.”

Boots on the Ground for Heroes is a “patriotic memorial displaying 7,026 boots honoring U.S. service members who were killed in the Global War on Terror post 9/11,” according to Denaro.

The Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation, in partnership with Cross Insurance and Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, will be hosting this memorial in Gillette Stadium on Nov. 12.

In conjunction with the new programming and initiatives that will be offered at FSU to further support veterans, the Veteran Services Center, located in Dwight Hall 113, is a place for community, support, and guidance.

Denaro said the Veteran Services Center is a designated spot on campus for veterans to “facilitate connections through veteran-centered events and activities because interacting with other veterans helps maintain the sense of camaraderie that was shared while in the military.”

She said the Center provides easier access to multiple resources on and off campus partly due to the collaboration “with local, state and national veterans-support organizations.”

She added because most student veterans commute, the “Vet Center becomes their home away from home.”

Veteran student Shiba Nankya, who is now in the reserves, said her experience with the Veteran Services Center is “enjoyable.”

She said it is a nice place to study and drink a cup of tea.

Nankya said she enjoys having a spot on campus to meet and connect with other veteran students on campus.

Tom Mahan, who served for approximately four years on active duty in Washington state as a military police officer, said Framingham State does a “great job of having resources available” for veterans.

He said as a commuter, it is pleasant to have a designated space on campus that provides a spot to do homework and enjoy the company of other veterans.

He said the Center has “plenty of desks and outlets, making it a nice place to do your homework or just study or just hang out with some other veterans.”

Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST (Left) Jared MacLeod, Tom McGowan and veteran student enjoy the veteran lunchon.

He added it helps him connect with people in the same community.

He said through his time at Framingham State, he has learned about veterans’ assistance and benefits that are available to him.

Jared MacLeod said he feels “really supported” as a military-affiliated student at Framingham State.

He said, “Christine does a really good job making sure we get what we need” to succeed at FSU. Marc Chan said he was on active duty for five-and-a-half years and is now fully separated from the military.

He said when he first came to Framingham State, he was worried about fitting in as a non-traditional student.

He said Veteran Services helped him transition and find his place at FSU. He is now studying computer science.

Chan said when applying to schools, Framingham State was the most helpful and accommodating to him as a veteran and that is the main reason he chose to go to school here.

He added, “Christine was very helpful with the forms I needed to submit and what I had to do to be here.”

Tom McGowan, who was on active duty in the Air Force for six years in the Middle East, said the Veteran Services Center is “wonderful.”

McGowan added he values the sense of community the Center provides.

“If you are having a bad day, you can

talk it through with people. It doesn’t matter what - whether it’s school or life problems.”

He said, “I think if someone’s having a life problem, we have enough life experience to hopefully help anyone else - whether they are veterans or students.”

Peter Chisholm, FSU’s government relations representative, said the Veteran Services Center “provides a really nice sense of community - we have a great group of veterans here,” at a Veterans Day Lunch at the Center on Nov. 8.

President Nancy Niemi said she thinks the Center and the resources provided to students are excellent.

Niemi said the University can do even more for veterans’ needs. “We can support their educational endeavors and also in ways that are specific to their circumstances.”

She added, “I want people who are working here and who are working with veterans to help understand what those [the circumstances] are so we can grow our work.”

Denaro said, “We strive to support veteran and military students from their first contact through their graduation and into rewarding careers.”

CONNECT WITH SOPHIA HARRIS sharris9@student.framingham.edu

Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST (Left) President Nancy Niemi watching Peter Chisholm cut his suprise birthday cake with Kim Dexter in the Veteran Servces Center Nov. 8

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

6 | NOVEMBER 10, 2023

OP/ED THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

Planning after the pandemic This is the first Fall semester since 2020 the administration did not announce a University-wide COVID-19 protocol and Massachusetts is no longer in a state of emergency due to the pandemic.

In 2020, the University collected data of the number of students at FSU who contracted COVID-19. Students, faculty, and staff were required to test if they came to campus, as well as receive a COVID-19 vaccine and a vaccine booster. We were also required to wear masks and distance from our peers in most buildings.

Over the following semesters, these regulations were mitigated following CDC guidance, but up until this academic year, for those who followed the rules, the oddities of life during a pandemic persisted.

But now the state of emergency is over, and as the majority of us are vaccinated and leaving the house daily without masks, we are left reflecting on the effects this period of isolation and uncertainty had on us.

We are left to wonder how this long stretch of no in-person contact is affecting and will affect students’ learning. Students spent long stretches without seeing their teachers and their friends.

This issue has already become the subject of research, but not much touches the subject of higher education and it is arguably too early to study the long-term effects of years of COVID-19 isolation.

However, much of the preliminary research shows students have lost years of critical education, and a recent study from the Harvard Graduate School of Education shows some students in K-12 would need at least three years of extra instruction to catch up on material missed during the isolation period.

And this doesn’t even consider interpersonal skills that are learned from interacting in a physical classroom and other school settings.

Class of 2027 first-year students who arrived directly from high school are the first class of students to have spent the majority of their high school education learning behind a Zoom screen.

So what does this mean for Framingham State?

As the administration prepares for strategic planning, it needs to consider the resources faculty and staff need to help students to recover from the loss of learning and the emotional and communication deficits they suffered because of the two-year isolation.

Maybe this includes more professional development for faculty.

After all, the plan will guide the Universi-

ty for the next five years. Students enrolling during this time span will have missed years of learning during middle and elementary school - formative years.

Offices on campus such as CASA offer incredible programs and resources. But do they need more support to assist students who have lost years of critical learning?

Specifically, CASA offers resources for firstyear students such as Academic Success Peer Tutoring and supports the mandatory firstyear experience course RAMs 101.

The purpose of RAMs 101 is to introduce students to the University and teach them common skills that will be useful throughout their college career. However, the classes often spend much of the class time more geared to their academic content.

Moving forward, this program could be re-evaluated in how to focus more on student emotional needs and teaching students important college skills than on rigorous academic content.

Furthermore, student-focused offices such as the Counseling Center and the Center for Student Experience and Careers must be further supported and even expanded.

The Counseling Center is a valuable resource on campus that provides services that are critical to student success and wellness.

This was true before the pandemic, but it is even more so now.

Additionally, student engagement suffered incredibly during the isolation period. Student engagement with clubs, internships, co-curriculars, and job opportunities are essential to a student’s college experience. However, many are missing out simply because they do not know how to engage.

In President Nancy Niemi’s Oct. 16 State of the University Address, she said, “If we admit students, we are making an implicit promise to help them succeed.”

This couldn’t be more true.

As the University prepares for the years ahead, the deficits of learning and social and emotional development students have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic must be at the center of its planning.

Prioritizing student readiness will be crucial to the University’s mission of enrolling and retaining students.

Taking a stroll around the University, it may look and feel as if the pandemic has come and gone.

But its effects will continue to be felt for a generation.

Have an opinion?

Feel free to email it to: gatepost@framingham.edu Opinions should be about 500 words.

Anyone can submit.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Gatepost Editorial reflects the opinions of the newspaper’s Editorial Board. Signed Op/Eds reflect the opinions of individual writers. @TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

I want you to...

Izayah Morgan Opinions Editor Thank you to everyone.

The next time you see me writing for The Gatepost I will be 20 years old.

It feels like a much bigger stage than what I was told. I mean, I will be officially leaving my teen years - it’s exciting, scary, and well some part of me does not know.

And I think that is a good thing, I remember at a time I was scared of not knowing what the future held.

At times I would question if I was what I thought I’d be when I was younger.

I remember in my early adolescence I would go through phases where I didn’t want to grow old. Because I was scared of the future and becoming in my mind “useless.”

However, that’s the beauty of the human experience - the fact that we grow old is why we have youth, meaning, virtues, and value in our lives.

I struggled to write an oped this week because of a combination of factors - current events, friends and family going through major illness, and my own mental health.

Though I must thank my admirable colleague Adam Levine for his beautiful oped this week. Reading it before publication influenced me to keep writing, and to keep going.

Adam, thank you.

To The Gatepost, thank you.

We all need good people in our lives.

To ground us and remind us why we are here.

To remind us we do grow old.

To remind us we love it here.

As I get older, I realize life is perspective. We have different perspectives because of what we went through, our trauma, and experiences.

Does that mean I hate you?

No, I dislike bigotry, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia.

In other words I hate hate.

But I love people. I don’t think we get told that enough as children. That’s why I think hate continues to perpetuate in this world. We don’t show enough love to people, when they are children, adolescents, adults, or seniors.

Maybe that’s my purpose in life - just to show that we can share a little more love, to everyone, to even those we may think we hate.

The teaching is in the pain we’re going through now, and I don’t think young people get told this enough. Especially by another young person.

You are learning, growing. Pain is a part of that.

My life’s been a rollercoaster, from times of poverty, to the joy of existence, to the painful reality that life can end based on something that was completely out of your control.

I’ve faced death a few times in my life, whether it was my own decision or not, the one thing that kept me here was love.

Love of people and humanity.

Whatever you’re going through please know you’re not alone in your experience. And that there are people here right now who need you.

As I get ready to close this chapter in life, a new one opens, and I believe I have so much story left to tell.

I want you to love yourself.

I want you, to want yourself.

OP/ED

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 | 7

Campus Conversations How did COVID-19 affect your learning style?

By Izayah Morgan, Opinions Editor and Alexis Schlesinger, Editorial Staff

“I’ve been able to become more efficient in my reading … picking up key words.”

“It’s why I decided to go here. I was originally a [biochemistry] major but switched it to [biology]. … Doing pretty much the same thing - helping people not go through stuff like this.”

- Ian Gordon, junior

“More dependent on technology. Now I utilize technology better and learn to adapt.”

- Sarah Synder, freshman

- Derrick Bonsu, junior

“I don’t think it’s changed me much because growing up, I always had technology in my life.”

- Scarlett Thomas, sophomore

“It’s easier for me to learn online now because we have done it for so long.”

“It made me realize I need to be in class.

I can’t use the online system.”

- Krystalee Fernandez, junior

- Charlie Zecena, junior

Em’s Gems: It’s Time

Emily Monaco / THE GATEPOST FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

OP/ED

8 | NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Support men’s health Adam Levine Editorial Staff Everyone has a man in their life.

Whether it be your partner, guardian, brother, bestfriend, or the barista at your favorite coffee shop that makes your order just right, everyone has a man in their life.

This is the framework of Movember Foundation, the world’s largest non-profit organization supporting men’s health.

For the month of November, known by many as “No Shave November,” is a time for me to reflect on my own experiences and those of the men in my life.

Movember’s charitable initiatives focus on three major aspects regarding men’s health - men’s mental health, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.

According to Movember.com, Movember Foundation began in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia with two friends that decided to bring the mustache back into style and fundraise for men’s health and prostate cancer.

In 2003, 30 “Mo Bros” participated.

During the 2022-23 Movember fundraising campaign, 322,346 participants raised a combined $128.2 million.

Movember Foundation has funded over 1,320 men’s health projects since 2003, according to their website.

Everyone has a man in their life.

I first joined the fundraising campaign during November, 2019, as a sophomore in college during my time at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

This is now my fifth year as a Mo Bro and I plan to show my support by

growing a mustache over the 30 days of November.

On September 29, 2020, I survived my first, and only, suicide attempt.

During my 2020 campaign, I raised over $13,000.

I raised the second-highest amount of money among college students, but the money stopped having meaning to me.

Once I hit a cycle of raising and surpassing my fundraising goal, I realized my mustache was no longer about raising money, but was about spreading awareness.

For me, fundraising for the Movember Foundation during the month of November is more about spreading awareness than anything.

According to research shared on the Movember Foundation’s website, it is evident men’s health needs support.

Globally, one man takes his own life every minute.

In the U.S., four out of every five suicides are men.

Globally, over 1.4 million people are diagnosed with prostate cancer.

It is the most diagnosed cancer in the U.S. As I do every year, I shaved all my facial hair on November 1.

Every few days, I shave my face again, leaving just the growing mustache remaining.

I wear my mustache proudly.

I wear it for the men that did not survive their attempts on their own life.

I wear it because I survived mine.

I wear it for the ones that cannot speak up for themselves and share their feelings and emotions.

Adam Levine during his 2020 Movember fundraising.

I wear it for millions of men across the globe dealing with the side effects of prostate cancer treatment.

I wear it for the men diagnosed with testicular cancer, many diagnosed at a young age.

I wear it to spread awareness and I wear it proudly.

Everyone has a man in their life.

Whether it be your partner, guardian, brother, bestfriend, or the barista at your favorite coffee shop that

makes your order just right, everyone has a man in their life.

Give them a hug. Ask them how they’re doing, and really mean it.

Show them your love and appreciation.

Show your support for men’s health.

For additional information or more ways to get invovled and support men’s health, visit https://us.movember.com/.

The Gatepost wishes all students, faculty and staff who are veterans a happy Veterans Day. We thank you for your honorable service to our nation. We would also like to recognize assistant news editors Kaitlin Carman, who is a U.S. Army veteran, and Adam Harrison who is an active member of the U.S. Army National Guard. Having joined this semester, both are talented and critical members of our staff.

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

Courtesy of Adam Levine

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 | 9

Volleyball upsets top-seeded Westfield; advances to finals

By Adam Levine Sports Editor The Framingham State Rams beat the Westfield State Owls 3-2 in the semi-final round of the MASCAC Tournament Nov. 9.

Anna Szymanki, a captain and a graduate student, said, “We feel fantastic about the win.

“There is no doubt in my mind that tonight, we were the team that wanted it more,” she added.

Sophomore Stella Bailey said, “We all worked hard. With a regular season that didn’t go as well as we wish it did, it feels as though things are coming together.

“Being the fourth seed beating the number one seed was huge, but we knew that it had to be done,” she added.

This victory comes after a 3-0 win over the fifth-seeded Bridgewater State Bears in the quarter-final round of the MASCAC Tournament Nov. 7.

The Rams entered the 2023 MASCAC Tournament as the fourth seed after finishing the season with a conference record of 4-3.

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST (Left) Anneli DiVirgilio, Carly Beaulieu, and Anna Szymanski getting set during 3-0 win over Bridgewater Nov. 7.

During their win over the Bears, the Rams played five freshmen in their rotation of nine players.

Carly Beaulieu, a sophomore, said, “I was in their position once last year, so it’s kind of fresh in my head.

“I struggled with confidence a lot on the court last year,” she added.

Beaulieu said it is important to put in perspective what the freshmen are going through to support them and cheer them on.

Szymanski said, “I believe in them every single step of the way. Having so many freshmen in the starting line-up just shows how powerful they are.

“None of them are freshmen in our eyes anymore - they have a full season under their belt,” she added.

Beaulieu led all players with 17 digs, 10 more than the second highest number of digs in the game.

She said, “I feel like I did pretty well.

“I think that we win as a team and we lose as a team.

“It’s a team effort,” Beaulieu added.

Senior captain Hailey Sanders said the Rams “needed” their win over the Bears.

“It shows that we can finish a game and have so much energy through and through,” she said.

Just two nights after their firstround win, the Rams traveled to face the top-seeded Westfield State Owls.

The Owls earned the number-one seed after an undefeated season in MASCAC matchups.

Four of Framingham’s players recorded double-digit kills during the game.

Szymanski said, “All of our hitters owe the defense for hitting double digits. Our passing was on, so our hitting was on.

“We would not be able to hit with-

out defense. Our defenders gave it their all and our hitters finished the job,” she added.

Framingham trailed most of the first set, but held on as much as they could.

Westfield took the first set 25-23.

The Rams dominated the second set early.

They steadily outscored the Owls and took a strong 16-7 lead.

Westfield fought back, but Framingham used its early lead to coast to a 25-18 victory in the second set.

The third set proved to be the closest battle yet.

There were four ties before the Owls broke away.

After the Rams led 15-14, the Owls responded with a seven-point run and led 21-15.

Westfield closed out the third set with a 25-19 win.

Framingham entered the fourth set with their season on the line.

The Rams pieced together a few scoring runs and a steady defense to capture the fourth set 25-21.

The race to 15 points in the fifth and final set began.

Westfield and Framingham battled back and forth, alternating the lead as both teams inched closer to 15 points.

Framingham led 3-2, Westfield led 5-4, Framingham 7-6, Westfield 9-7.

Back and forth, back and forth.

Westfield led 13-11 and Szymanski recorded a kill, which began Framingham’s final push.

Bailey stepped up to serve for the Rams.

She said, “My mindset every time I serve, especially in games as important as these, is, ‘My team needs this right now’ or ‘I am the best person for this job right now.’

“I served well the whole game and

I feel comfortable having pressure on me, as I perform for my team and not myself,” Bailey added.

With the help of Bailey’s serving, the Rams scored the next three points and secured the victory, punching their ticket to the MASCAC Championship game.

Bailey recorded a career-high 62 assists in Framingham’s win.

She said, “My work is to put a hitable ball up for my hitters and they pound away at it. We all do our job.”

The Rams travel to MCLA for the MASCAC Championship game Nov. 11.

Bailey said, “I feel incredibly confident.

“Losing to MCLA in the regular season left an awful taste in our mouths.

We will work harder. We want it more,” she added.

Szymanki said, “We are extremely excited to go into the championship game. This is what we have worked all season for.

“It’s an opportunity any athlete would kill to have and we are ready to give it our everything,” she added.

NOVEMBER 7 FRAMINGHAM STATE BRIDGEWATER STATE

3 0

NOVEMBER 9 FRAMINGHAM STATE WESTFIELD STATE

3 2

Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com

CONNECT WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu

Football loses to Bears on Senior Day

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

The Framingham State Rams lost to the Bridgewater State Bears 21-7 on Senior Day at Bowditch Field Nov. 4.

The Rams now hold an overall record of 4-4 and a conference record of 4-3.

Framingham honored 10 graduating seniors and graduate students for their final home game as a Ram: defensive backs MoMo Nazaire and Don-

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST Zylas Abney making a catch during 21-7 loss to Bridgewater Nov. 4.

ald Noudjom; defensive end Kymauny Roland; defensive tackle Anderson Larosilliere; defensive lineman Adeboye Oyaronbi; linebacker Jared Martino; offensive linemen Tevin Cadet and Brian Callahan; quarterback Terry Smith; running back Devaun Ford; safety Chase Buono; and wide receiver Johnny Rosario.

Among their graduating seniors are captains Buono, Callahan, and Ford.

The game was very defense-driven, with most drives ending with an interception or fumble or with the offense punting away the ball.

Bridgewater’s offense broke through and scored two touchdowns during the first half, taking a 14-0 lead over the Rams.

As time expired in the first half, Martino intercepted Bridgewater’s pass on the 1-yard line and ran it back for a 99-yard touchdown.

The Bears led 14-7 entering the second half.

After forcing the Rams to punt away the opening offensive drive, the Bears capitalized with another touchdown.

The momentum from both teams then slowed down on both sides of the ball.

Bridgewater led 21-7 and scored the final points of the game during just the second drive of the second half.

Callahan said, “Obviously, we didn’t do what we wanted to do.

“But at the end of the day, it’s a family,” he added.

Buono said he believes the team could have had a better season, but he is “proud” of them and everyone “tried their best.”

He said next season, “It’s on them to pick it up.

“I think overall, they’ll be pretty good next year,” Buono added.

BRIDGEWATER STATE 21 FRAMINGHAM STATE 7

Despite their loss, Ford passed the 1,000-rushing-yard mark for the season, an impressive feat he accomplished three of his four seasons as a Ram. Ford said, “It’s really all from my o-linemen.”

He said his rushing yards are viewed as stats for the offensive linemen, but “it’s just as much as my 1,000 as it is theirs.

“We’ve reached 4,000 [yards] together currently today, so shout out to my o-line,” Ford added.

Framingham travels to MASCAC opponent Worcester State for their final game of the season Nov. 11.

Callahan said the team will “hopefully end the season on a positive note” to send off the seniors and graduate students.

Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com

CONNECT WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

10 | NOVEMBER 10, 2023

SPORTS

Field hockey loses in MASCAC finals

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

By Dante Curry Staff Writer The Framingham State Rams field hockey team’s season ended with a 2-0 loss to the Worcester State Lancers in the MASCAC Championship game Nov. 4.

Senior captain, midfielder Angeline Serra, said, “I am so proud of what we did this season as a team.

“We don’t know the last time Framingham State field hockey has made it to the championship game, so that itself is a huge accomplishment,” she added.

Senior captain, defender Cori Lawson, said her sophomore year the team celebrated ending the season with five wins, which was highpoint for Rams’ field hockey.

“The team has come such a long way, and the way this season went makes me so excited for what’s to come,” she said.

Junior captain, forward Kaylee Beck, said, “To the MASCAC, we might not seem like champions.

“But to my team, my coaches, and myself, we won that game in so many aspects,” she added.

The game came after a clutch double-overtime win over Westfield earlier in the week.

Framingham ended their season with an overall record of 11-10 and a MASCAC record of 5-5.

This is an improvement from records of 10-8 and 4-13 during the 2022 and 2021 seasons, respectively.

Beck said the team “chemistry” improved this season.

She said, “Last year, we had a great team, but by far, this year’s FSU field hockey program is unmatched.

“Every girl wanted to be here and improve in their own ways every day,” Beck added.

The Rams began the season 0-3, but then won their next three games.

This back and forth, up and down, win, lose, win, lose pattern, would follow the Rams all season.

Framingham never won, or lost, more than three consecutive games.

Lawson said, “There were so many highs of the season. Every playoff game felt special. Making the championship was certainly a high.

“In smaller, less obvious victories, only losing in OT to Plymouth is something that this team, even last year, couldn’t imagine.

“Overall, even in wins and losses, this season does not have many big low moments,” she added.

In the 2023 MASCAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll, the Rams tied for second place. The preseason poll held true and the Rams lost in the conference finals.

Even though their season ended in a loss, the Rams had a spectacular award-winning season, action packed with five overtime wins.

Among Framingham’s individual standouts are Head Coach Allie Lu-

centa and freshman forward Ashley Malmquist.

Lucenta earned 2023 BSN Sports Field Hockey Coach of the Year and Malmquist earned 2023 MASCAC Rookie of the Year.

Malmquist said, “Honestly, coming into this season, I was not expecting to have as successful a season as I did individually and as a team.

“I feel honored to be named Rookie of the Year and can thank everyone who has been by my side for allowing me to play with confidence.

“The team had a great season and I’m so proud of everyone and what we accomplished as individuals and a team,” she added.

Midfielder Bella Kondi and defender Cori Lawson, both of whom are senior captains, joined Malmquist as members of the MASCAC All-Conference First Team.

Senior forward Brandi Core earned a spot on the MASCAC All-Conference Second Team.

The Rams’ roster had seven seniors and a graduate student this season and most will not compete next year.

Beck said, “The impact of playing with graduating seniors is unmatched.

“It’s heartbreaking to know I have to see them go, but I am so proud of them and can’t wait to see what they do with their degrees in the upcoming years,” she added.

Framingham tucked away their sticks for now, but are optimistic for next season.

Kondi said, “I think this team is only

going to grow.

“Hopefully, the lessons that have been learned from this season and foundations that have been set will aid the underclassmen in striving for a MASCAC championship,” she added.

Malmquist said, “I think next year, we are going to come back stronger and hungrier for wins and that we will take the MASCAC by storm again.”

Beck said, “The fans should expect to see this team in the championship again next season.

“And hopefully, that time with a medal around us,” she added.

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST Ashley Malmquist, 2023 MASCAC Rookie of the Year.

NOVEMBER 3 FRAMINGHAM STATE BRIDGEWATER STATE

2 1

NOVEMBER 5 WORCESTER STATE FRAMINGHAM STATE

2 0

Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com

CONNECT WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu

Framingham State Rams and Worcester State Lancers during MASCAC Championship game Nov. 5.

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST

CONNECT WITH DANTE CURRY dcurry@student.framingham.edu

Men’s soccer loses in MASCAC semifinals

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

By Dante Curry Staff Writer The Framingham State Rams ended their season with a loss to the top-seeded Bridgewater State Bears 1-0 in the MASCAC Tournament semifinal game Nov. 3.

Senior defender Cam Lau said, “Our goal is always to try to win the MASCAC, so when we don’t, it always feels like the season is cut short.

“I still felt like the season was a strong performance for us,” he added.

Framingham started the season hot, with a 3-0 win over UMass Dartmouth.

Goalkeeper Joseph Sturzo saved 11 shots in this impressive season opener.

In the opening week of the season, Framingham swept the MASCAC Weekly Awards when Sturzo earned Defensive Player of the Week and freshman forward Kaio Santos da Silva earned both Rookie and Offensive Player of the Week.

In addition to Santos da Silva, the Rams’ young roster consisted of many

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

freshmen, up to eight of whom regularly saw the pitch.

Senior captain and midfielder Kunphel Sinha said all of the freshmen “carried their weight for the team.”

After their strong 4-1 start on the season, the Rams hit a cold streak.

Over the span of eight games, from Sept. 19 to Oct. 14, Framingham lost six games, tied one, and won one.

Lau said, “We had some low points that we found a way out of and continued to work hard to our goal.

“Our coaches pushed us and made the changes when we needed to find a way to win,” he added.

After their bounce back, the Rams ended the regular season with a fivegame win streak.

Framingham rode their momentum to a 3-1 double-overtime win over Worcester in the first round of the MASCAC Tournament.

The Rams boasted many individual standout performances during the season.

Sinha scored seven goals and four assists, which totaled 18 points during the season. He earned 2023 MASCAC Offensive Player of the Year, which

also earned him a spot on the MASCAC All-Conference First Team.

Three Rams, none of whom are graduating, earned spots on the MASCAC All-Conference Second Team: junior defender Lachlan Forgan, sophomore forward Gustav Hemmingsen, and freshman forward Kaio Santos da Silva.

The Rams hung up their cleats with their loss to the Bears, but are hopeful for next season.

Lau said, “I think people can expect another strong group of guys hungry to win and prove themselves more.”

After his final season as a Ram, Lau

said, “I’m sad to leave the program since it has given so much to me.”

He said it has been a “pleasure” to be a part of the men’s soccer team’s dominance in the MSACAC and he knows it will continue in the future.

Sinha said, “They say the end of something is the start of something fresh, and that’s what the fans should expect.

“We still have a lot of young talents and I believe in all the guys to work harder in the offseason to get back the MASCAC title,” he added.

BRIDGEWATER STATE FRAMINGHAM STATE

1 0

Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com

CONNECT WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST Kunphel Sinha, 2023 MASCAC Offensive Player of the Year.

CONNECT WITH DANTE CURRY dcurry@student.framingham.edu

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 | 11

Meet the Captains - Field Hockey CONNECT WITH ADAM LEVINE alevine5@student.framingham.edu

By Adam Levine Sports Editor

Kaylee Beck

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST Kaylee Beck dribbling with the ball.

Kaylee Beck, 20, is a starting midfielder for the FSU field hockey team.

Beck, a child and family studies major, is a member of the Rams’ Class of 2025.

She said she either wants to work in a high school and help students with their Individualized Education Programs or work as a child specialist in a hospital, specifically with children diagnosed with terminal illnesses.

Originally from Tyngsboro, Beck said she started playing field hockey

in sixth grade as a defender.

She said she played during all four of her years in high school.

Beck said she chose FSU because it has a good education program.

She said she talked to the former Head Coach of the women’s track and field team, Scott VanderMolen, and joined the team as a thrower.

Beck said she joined the field hockey team as a sophomore for the 2022 season.

“A lot of the girls were like, ‘We would love to have you,’” she said.

“I just wanted to get through my freshman year and know that I was able to do school and a sport,” Beck said. “My sophomore year, I was like, ‘All right, I’ll just join.’ And I did and then it was awesome.”

Beck said field hockey helps her as a track athlete because she trains different muscles than lifting weights.

She said she grew up with two older brothers, both of which inspired her as an athlete.

“I try to really just focus on myself,” Beck said. “When it comes to goals, the most important person to be is yourself.”

She said when she joined the field hockey team, “It felt like I just got a whole bunch of sisters that I didn’t have the opportunity to really have while growing up.”

Cori Lawson Cori Lawson, 21, was a starting defender for the FSU field hockey team.

Lawson, an American Sign Language (ASL) major with a concentration in deaf studies, is a member of the Rams’ Class of 2024.

She said her sister is deaf and “I grew up using the language and preferred, on occasion, signing to speaking.”

Lawson said she originally wanted to be a social worker at a school for the deaf.

But after working at the Learning

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST Cori Lawson playing goalie-like defense.

Center for the Deaf in Framingham over the summer, she said she wants to be a teacher at a school for the deaf, preferably in a middle or high school setting.

Lawson said she began playing field hockey when she was 7 years old, as soon as she had the opportunity to play.

She said she played on her high school’s varsity team all four years as the goalie, but has since transitioned to a defender in college.

“I prefer defense I think,” Lawson said. “‘I play defense like a goalie’ is something I’ve been told frequently.”

Lawson, originally from Columbia, Maryland, said Framingham State was one of three schools she applied to, all of which fit her criteria of East Coast schools with an ASL program and a field hockey program.

She said she ultimately chose FSU after meeting the team on her visit.

“Their vibe was nothing like anything else I’d experienced,” she added.

Lawson said her favorite part about the team is how “close-knit” they are.

“We make it a very open familial environment,” she said.

Aside from field hockey, Lawson said she has worked at the security desk at Miles Bibb Hall for three years.

“I love when people stop at the desk and accidentally have a twohour conversation with me,” she said.

Bella Kondi Bella Kondi, 22, Class of ’23, was a starting midfielder for the FSU field hockey team.

Kondi finished her undergraduate degree majoring in fashion design and retailing and is now in graduate school for management.

She said she wants to work on a coaching staff for a field hockey program and also design athletic wear.

“When I was in middle school, I was always a little more muscular than the other girls and their uniforms would fit them differently than me,” Kondi said. “In high school, I was able to take a textiles class and learn how to sew and make my own thing and that kind of just sparked my passion for sewing.”

She said part of her passion is “making sure that other people can feel confident and comfortable in their clothing” and designing athletic wear combines her worlds of fashion and athletics.

Kondi, originally from Canaan, New Hampshire, said she began playing organized field hockey when she was 12 years old, but she watched her older sister and cousin play starting before that.

Kondi said choosing FSU was “like a Cinderella story” because it offered both fashion design and business programs.

She said, “One day the Framingham State brochure ended up in my mailbox out of nowhere.

“My dad threw it on the counter

Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST Bella Kondi defending her opponent at midfield. and was like ‘I think this is the school you’re gonna go to.’

“A week later, we booked a tour here and as soon as I got on campus, I was like, ‘Yep, this is exactly where I want to be,’” Kondi added.

She said her favorite part of being on the team is that all her teammates come from “different aspects of life and all have such different personalities, but we can all connect.”

Kondi said it “feels like a family.”

Angelina Serra Angelina Serra, 22, is a starting midfielder for the FSU field hockey team.

Serra, an early education major, is a member of the Rams’ Class of 2024.

She is a part of the 4+1 special education program in moderate disabilities and is expected to graduate from FSU with a master’s degree in 2025.

She said after college she would like to be a paraprofessional in a classroom or be a teacher of a special education classroom.

Serra, originally from Chelmsford, said she began playing field hockey when she was in third grade.

She said she didn’t play in town leagues until they started two years later, where she began her career as a defender.

Serra said she played for Chelmsford High School as a defender her four years there, but made the switch to midfield in college.

She said her favorite memory playing field hockey was traveling to Disney for the ESPN Wide World of Sports with her club team in 2016, 2017, and 2020.

Serra said one of her biggest motivators in field hockey is her younger sister, Remoré, who plays DI field hockey at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Serra said she did not plan on playing field hockey in college and was looking for schools with strong education programs.

She said all of the daughters of one of her high school teachers went to FSU as education majors.

“I started to reach out to the coach,” Serra said. “When I found out I had the opportunity to get some of the best education and play field hockey, I knew it was the place for me.”

She said her favorite part about the FSU team is how they are a “family.

“I feel like it would be that way even without field hockey,” Serra said.

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST Angelina Serra passing the ball.

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ARTS & FEATURES

Glamorous garbage

Designers compete in Fashion Club’s ‘trashion show’

By Ryan O’Connell Associate Editor Fashion Club held a “trashion show” - a fashion show featuring garments constructed with unconventional materials - in the Dwight Performing Arts Center Nov. 8.

The trashion show included pieces from 11 designers who contributed to a diverse lineup of dresses in both style and material. Designs ranged from garments made of leaves to duct tape, and being short skirts to having long trails dragging along stage.

Following the models group runway, each designer had the opportunity to give a brief description of how the submission was made.

The 11 participants were then evaluated by a judge, and three winners were chosen - two by the judge, and the third place recipient by the audience.

The first place winner, Melanda Alcuis, said she was surprised to have won.

Alcuis, a junior fashion design and retailing major, said she was shocked partly because she had to change her vision for her dress far into the design process.

She said her dress - a corset molded to her body shape using tape and sa-

ran wrap with a trash bag skirt - had to have its visual appearance changed at the last minute due to the fragility of the material - leaves.

“I wanted to make a gradient start with red, green, yellow, orange, all those colors. But my leaves kept changing color and they turned gray,” she said.

Alcuis said she got advice for working around this from her mother and a friend at school.

The suggestions included attaching fake flowers to the corset, she said, using the colorful leaves she already had near the torso, and having the leaf pattern fade into the plain black trash bag as it crept down.

Alcuis said although this was her first trashion show, she participated in the 2023 Spring Fashion Show, and said again she was stunned to have won.

“I know I should’ve just kept my reaction very humble, but I was shocked,” she said.

Sam Reynolds, a junior fashion design and retailing major, said she had a good time creating as well as working with a close friend as her model.

Reynolds, who described her dress as being made from masks and bags, said she was inspired by Chanel and other high-end fashion companies.

She said the closures - how the dress fits to a wearer, traditionally a zipper, button, or even staples - were the most difficult part as typical methods of sealing it were not allowed by the trashion show’s rules.

In the end, “I glued the top part and then I put a ribbon [and knotted it] really tight,” she said.

Reynolds said she’s very happy with the way the dress came out, and loved working with Bella Raeside, a longtime friend, who she admits she bothered quite a bit during construction.

“I kept bugging her a lot, I’m like, ‘Come here please I need to try t h i s on you,’” she said.

Reynolds said this was her first fashion event, and was happy to be involved. She added she’s excited to be participating in the 2024 Spring Fashion Show as well.

Kat Wilder and Aili Schiavoni, sophomore fashion design and retailing majors, contributed jointly on an entry, another dress built from leaves.

In addition, Wilder also submitted a dress resembling a Monarch butterfly. This garment, she said, she had made out of duct tape a few years a g o for a scholarship competition r u n

by Duck Brand duct tape.

Wilder, who the two said original-

ly came up with the design last year, worked with Schiavoni and other friends to bring the dress to life for the trashion show, which Schiavoni modeled.

“It’s the perfect timing with the trashion show being in November and all the leaves changing and everything. And so we would just go around picking up a bunch of leaves,” Wilder said.

“Climbing trees,” Schiavoni interjected.

Schiavoni added they ran into difficulty working with leaves too, as they would dry up by the time more had been added. She said they discovered they could wrap the leaves in saran wrap and apply wet paper towels, however, to extend the leaves’ life.

Wilder and Schiavoni both said they were proud to see the dress come together, and they stayed up early into Wednesday morning preparing the dress on the final night.

“When you make something and you see it come together, it doesn’t matter how tired you are. You just want to see it happen,” Schiavoni said.

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Special collections Continued from page 1 Normal School requiring students to submit them for entry to the school, Previte said.

“Every letter is in some way connected to Mary Miles whether they were in school while she was there or whether they were classmates,” she said.

The letters required transcription from cursive, and Special Collections Intern Anthony Sims, a senior English major, had a prominent role in that process.

“I remember a lot of cursive from before, and my mom has taught me to sign my name in cursive - I think I had a significant leg up, so I was getting pages done within a few hours,” he said.

Sims, who began interning with special collections this semester, explained the process of transcribing each letter also involved working with Previte to decipher some of the harder to read letters.

“Sometimes we’d tag team them it was a real process at first,” he said.

Sims also creates content for the FSU archives Instagram page, @fsuarchives, which includes posts of the letters in the exhibit encouraging followers to try deciphering the hand-

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writing for themselves.

He said he also makes posts for the Instagram page with archived photos, showing before-and-after photos of the older buildings on campus like May Hall.

Along with the artifacts on display, the exhibit also features a series of posters containing information about significant figures involved with the Normal School, such as Prudence Crandall and Samuel May. When looking at the exhibit, viewers will notice that there are no photos of Mary Miles Bibb present. The existence of such a photograph is unknown, but is assumed to be lost, Previte said.

“We figure that she should have a photo, but it’s probably in family records or just not labeled,” she said.

Sims’ favorite part about the exhibit are the documents - and the satisfaction of knowing he had a helping hand in making these letters readable for viewers.

For Previte, she enjoyed being able to build connections with various people during the process of putting the exhibit together.

“It’s always great to be able to meet other historians and professors. … I just enjoy when it all comes togeth-

Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST An inkwell and quill on display in the Mary Miles Bibb exhibit. er,” she said.

Sims explained the importance of having the exhibit available is to recognize these aspects of history in our country.

“We need to acknowledge how her story is important to the overall narrative of slavery and her accomplishments and involvement with the school,” he said.

When providing these primary sources in environments such as classes, Previte noticed that students responded positively to them when

incorporated in their learning.

Previte hopes that when students visit the exhibit, they can take a step back and recognize that the University has a rich history.

“People live so much in the now, so if they can look back and sort of see how difficult it was even with the Normal School itself - they called it an experiment … some people didn’t want it to succeed,” she said.

CONNECT WITH JACK MCLAUGHLIN

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ARTS & FEATURES

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 | 13

‘She Said’ shown, Times writer Megan Twohey in attendance

By Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez Staff Writer The Center for Inclusive Excellence and Arts & Ideas held a screening of “She Said” at the Dwight Performing Arts Center, followed by a Q&A with New York Times journalist Megan Twohey over Zoom Nov. 6.

The film “She Said” was directed

by Maria Schrader and shown as part of The Arthur Nolletti, Jr. Film Series.

Sally Shafto, an English professor, introduced the film and organized the showing.

“She Said” is an adaptation of a book with the same title written by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, and is based on the true story of their investigation into sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein.

The article Kantor and Twohey published sparked the #MeToo Movement, and led to Weinstein’s conviction and 23-year prison sentence. The film showcases Kantor and Twohey’s investigative journalism.

After the screening English Professor Elizabeth Banks began the Q&A with Twohey. She asked, “Can you tell us a little bit about your career path, how you started in journalism? Did you major in the field?”

Twohey said she was not a journalism major and only took one class on

it. She added she was initially more focused on being an activist, but decided to take some jobs in journalism after she graduated.

She said she became more interested in investigative journalism over time, especially when she saw the impact it could have on the world.

She added, “You could write stories that can help change laws or send bad guys to jail, and help protect people.”

Twohey said she worked with a variety of publications before joining The New York Times in 2016. In that same year she reported on Donald Trump’s sexual misconduct. She added this was a strong beginning into her experience at The New York Times.

She said she enjoys being able to follow facts and expose the truth as an investigative journalist.

She added one of the times she helped to change laws was while she was at the Chicago Tribune, before working at The New York Times. She said during her time there she helped to uncover the police’s untested rape kits, which were valuable evidence that was being ignored.

Twohey added after writing an article on this, the kits were used as evidence and a new law requiring the testing of all rape kits was passed.

She said while she was with Reuters

she once spent a year investigating the practice of “rehoming” adopted children to strangers on the internet.

She said once this investigation was published, countries passed better laws to protect these kids.

Twohey said, “I always had an inclination to want to dig deeper and not just report what was visible, but report into the kind of things that were more hidden.”

Sophia Harris, a junior, asked, “How did you keep going even though you kept hitting all of these brick walls?”

Using the investigation shown in the film as an example, Twohey said she was able to keep going once it became clear that the rumors about Weinstein were true. She added she and Kantor were quickly able to find women who did have troubling encounters with him.

She said when no one would go on the record, they would focus on finding other types of evidence. She added if you kept working at the case, there was usually a “significant break” that proved what you uncovered.

Adam Levine, a senior, asked, “How many other stories would you say you have ideas for or leads for but you just didn’t have enough to go on to continue making a story like this?”

Twohey said she had to abandon stories several times. She said wheth-

er or not the investigation goes well is often up to luck.

She added typically the editor gives the journalist a few weeks to investigate, but only gives more time if the reporter finds something.

Paul Harrington, a sophomore, asked, “What is one thing you wish you knew before going into that?”

Twohey said she wished there was a way to know ahead of time whether or not the investigation was going to work, but there was never a guarantee.

She added she now knows the phases she goes through during the process. Enthusiasm followed by self doubt, practically in a cycle.

Twohey said she got into journalism in the first place because she wanted to make an impact.

She said, “As cheesy as it sounds, I desire to try to help make the world a better place.”

[Editor’s Note: Elizabeth Banks is the Assistant Advisor on The Gatepost. Sophia Harris is an Associate Editor on The Gatepost. Adam Levine is the Sports Editor on The Gatepost.

Paul Harrington is a Staff Writer on The Gatepost.]

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‘Golden’ - the album blessed with Midas’ touch

By Liv Dunleavy Staff Writer As 2023 comes to an end, the Earth is once again graced with a new solo project from a BTS member. This time it was none other than the one and only Jeon Jungkook. His new album, “Golden,” features 11 full-length English songs which is a new album style for BTS in general.

With songs written by Jon Bellion, Ed Sheeran, and Shawn Mendes, and produced by names like DJ Snake, Diplo, and BloodPop, it seemed very out of left field for Jungkook as an artist, as his music released in BTS is generally a different sound and is also usually in Korean.

Don’t worry though - if we know anything about Jeon Jungkook - the “Golden Maknae” (or “Golden Youngest”) of BTS - it’s that he turns anything he touches to gold.

The album includes two pre-released singles from earlier this summer, “Seven (feat. Latto)” and “3D (feat. Jack Harlow),” so BTS fans, called ARMY, were very curious what the vibe would be for the other new eight songs.

Jungkook kicked off the album release on Nov. 3 at midnight with a stunning music video for the main track of the album, “Standing Next to You.” This smooth and funky song captivates you the whole time you listen, leaving you dazed as you consume Jungkook’s always impressive vocals and the song’s rhythmic beat.

The music video for the song gives excessively. After seven days, I’ve a whole other experience. With Jung- listened to it over 400 times. Somekook’s exposed tattoos and slicked thing about his sultry yet jaded tone back hair, he was not coming to play. of voice is so alluring. He makes the The track features its own dance break song sound like liquid gold.

If you’re looking for a new track where Jungkook lets out his inner Michael Jackson, doing some signature to cry your heart out to, look no further than MJ moves and “Hate You.” capturing all This song is of our hearts track numwhat a babe! ber seven But the main on the new track just barealbum, and ly grazes the I’d describe perfection of it as getthe rest of the ting stabbed album.

From through the the snippets heart, but released by the with words. company earHonestly, lier last week, I feel like everyone had “Hate You” is no clue what to Olivia Rodriexpect. go on crack.

The whiplash I experienced from Liv Dunleavy / THE GATEPOST The song is a ballad each song in the progression of the wherein Jungkook’s soft, heartbroken album left me dizzy. I never knew I voice croons the most heart-wrenchcould feel this many feelings in 31 ing lyrics of experiencing pain after a breakup. It seems like a soundtrack minutes and 46 seconds.

My favorite song that’s been on for some sappy K-Drama that makes loop is 100% “Somebody.” I honest- us all cry harder than “The Notebook.” ly cannot even describe the physi- The level of emotion in his voice is cal gut-wrenching emotion that fills comparable to an Emmy award-winmy body when this song plays. It’s ning actor.

I can feel his pain, I can feel the a moody, emotional track that describes Jungkook’s need to end his re- heartbreak, the tears that I cry make lationship and his hopes his partner me feel like I’m sitting in the room watching him experience his own will find someone else.

I find myself replaying this song heart breaking over this failed rela-

tionship. This song is a complete 180 from “Please Don’t Change” and “Yes or No,” two really fun dance-y songs.

Jungkook says in “Hate You,” “I’m gonna hate you, paint you like the villain that you never were … Hating you is the only way it doesn’t hurt.” I honestly cannot even express in words the way his voice trembles when he said that and I could hear - no, feel himself breaking inside and out.

I feel like many ARMY felt excited and proud of Jungkook for releasing an all-English album. There were some skeptics who argued against an all-English release due to the fact Jungkook had no writing credits on the album.

I felt this way in the beginning as well, but now I realize these are songs Jungkook chose to work on, so he made a connection with the songs before deciding to put them on the album. And in the end, it doesn’t matter, as he has the power of Midas’ touch.

“Golden Maknae” stays true to his name, after all.

Rating: A+ Baby Star Candy strikes again

CONNECT WITH LIV DUNLEAVY

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ARTS & FEATURES

‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ brings back 2014 pop princess

By Emily Rosenberg Editor-in-Chief I remember rolling my eyes profusely when my seventh-grade teacher tried to get hip with the kids by making a “Shake It Off” pun on a flier for skate night.

“Skate it off! Skate it off!” - the flier read.

The release of the original “1989” was one of the most successful and controversial moments of Taylor Swift’s career. As Taylor took her music off of streaming platforms, serially dated, and finally won the Album of the Year for her first pop record, calling out Kanye West for calling her a “b*tch” in his song “Famous,” the world was torn over whether to love or hate her.

I was unfortunately someone who hated her. Now she is pretty much all I listen to.

But now Taylor is again at the pinnacle of her career, having just finished one of the highest grossing tours of all time, and has continuously ranked on the Billboard Hot 100 charts since 2020.

So “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” was bound to be her most highly anticipated re-recorded album.

Of course, the album is sonically the same, with five from-the-vault tracks.

These 2014 classics that we all know and love are radiating with an

amplified level of glitter and metal- some bad takes claim producer Jack lic. Much like every Taylor’s Version, Antonoff ruined vault tracks with his most tracks have a different produc- love for electronic ’80s synth sound. tion style, allowing them to sound But that’s just it, they’re bad takes.

“Now That We Don’t Talk” sounds much more crisp. like a Bleachers song For example, background vocals by “Hide David Abe / THE GATEPOST sung by Taylor Swift, but who says that’s and Seek” singa crime? Actualer Imogen Heap ly, the only crime on “Clean” can this song commits be heard more is how short it is, clearly, creating a coming in at 2:24. chilling effect on The magic of the already slowAntonoff’s proburn anthem. duction, that c a n The snapping be heard i n in the second much of his faverse of “Shake It mous work such Off” is so sharp, if as Lorde’s “Green you’re listening Light,” or Bleachwith headphones ers’ “Rollercoastit sounds much like someone is clicking their cheek er,” is that these pieces literally burst next to your ear. through the seams with melancholy, In “I Know Places,” her belt has be- but echo hope and underline strength.

“Now That We Don’t Talk,” and this come so desperate and angry, I’d believe she was actually running from vault track’s twin sister, “Is It Over something at the time of recording. Now?” both embody the Antonoff Actually, the whole track radiates a effect. And through Swift’s intimate sense of maliciousness never heard lyric writing, fans too will experi-ence on the original track, and this made it the sense of freedom of leaving a toxone of the most enjoyable re-records. ic person that she portrays in “Now As far as the vault tracks go, Taylor That We Don’t Talk,” with a compelherself upon announcing the album ling outro that lists off all the reasons said these were some of the coolest she is “better off now.”

On the other hand, “Is It Over tracks to be left behind - and she was Now?” which instantly became a fan not kidding.

For niche sides of social media, favorite, drops lines referencing scan-

dals from her relationship with Harry Styles. It captures the constant instability felt right after a break up, as well as the question of when the relationship truly faded away.

This song is not only iconic because it would have caused chaos in the One Direction fandom in 2014, but because it is another instance of great lyricism that was kept from the public for almost 10 years.

However, of all the vault tracks, “Suburban Legends,” while not musically anything phenomenal, does not fit into the “1989” single in New York era, it is an adorable song as it paints a cozy picture of humble, domestic living.

As a Swiftie, I cannot objectively sum up this album in any other way than to say Swift’s re-recorded albums are providing a sparkling avenue for old fans to fall back in love with her old tracks, and for new fans to discover them while adding a new list of unapologetic ballads to her discography.

Rating: A Her most scandalous re-record yet.

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‘Spider-Man 2’ - bigger isn’t always better

By Jack McLaughlin Arts & Features Editor Like any fan of Marvel’s wall-crawling menace, Insomniac Games’ “Spider-Man 2” was at the top of my most anticipated games to play this year.

The first game, and its spinoff featuring Miles Morales, were both fantastic and offer the best of the web-slinger in gaming.

“Spider-Man 2” is a bolder game than the first two. Everything is seemingly doubled here - the story, the characters, and the stakes, which means there’s a lot here that works and a lot that doesn’t.

To start, the gameplay simultaneously feels like an upgrade and a downgrade. The traversal is still addicting and satisfying to pull off, and you even have web wings that let you swiftly glide across the city, which is useful, given that the map size allows for more exploration of New York.

Unlockable suits also make a big return - incorporating a generous mix of suits from both the comics and movies. Miles and Peter both get some sleek additions, even if the best ones take a lot of grinding to unlock.

Another upgrade to the gameplay is the noticeable spike in difficulty.

Bosses and enemies take a bit more skill to eliminate, and playing on the highest difficulty actually offers a decent challenge.

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The removal of web abilities and the symbiote suit storyline.

The satisfying feeling of the powheavily limiting your gadgets is what really took me out of the combat. You erful abilities, along with watching how Peter gradually changes from get used to it, but the freedom of having the suit, makes for picking a combo of abilsuch a great switch-up ities and gadgets to in gameplay and story take out your foes compared to the last is now gone and two entries. isn’t nearly as Unlike previfun. ous incarnations The game’s of this storyline, plot kicks it up a notch - and Peter’s descent into dependency throws in not on the symbiote only Kraven is handled with the Hunter but a serious tone. also Venom as It isn’t played the main vilup for jokes like lains. You don’t in the particularly see a whole lot divisive film “Spiof Kraven - you’re der-Man 3,” which is mostly only told a good or bad thing deabout how strong and pending on your opinion menacing he is, but are of that underrated masterrarely shown it. piece.

Rest assured, when This approach to the Kraven is on-screen Ben Hurney / THE GATEPOST he is an incredibly intimidating and iconic storyline worked in the game’s fun villain - but you just don’t spend favor, and gave the story serious enough time with him to be fully in- stakes which resulted in gameplay vested. moments that exceeded both its preVenom is the more interesting of decessors. the two main villains - and of course Despite not having a hostile alien his inclusion means we get to play as attached to him during the game, Spidey with the symbiote suit. This is Miles proves to be the more fun Spieasily the most interesting part about der-Man to play as at many points. the gameplay and story, and is proba- The game unfortunately didn’t take bly the best on-screen adaptation of the time to give him a story that

matches the emotional stakes or thrills that Peter’s had.

Miles gets a story - but it’s so unbelievably basic, and a number of his missions are in service to Peter’s arc, which gets noticeably more attention.

It almost feels deceiving promoting him as the game’s co-lead given how little thought seemingly went into his storyline.

“Spider-Man 2” has so much of what made the first two games amazing, but there’s enough here that doesn’t work gameplay and story wise that it doesn’t feel like a true successor.

With how good the first two games were, there were high expectations for this sequel and unfortunately it didn’t stick the landing perfectly.

The story was still a fun ride to take, but I think there’s no need to run out and buy a PS5 to check this out - wait for a sale or an eventual PC port.

Rating: B Not so spectacular

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ARTS & FEATURES

Puzzles

ACROSS 1. Pancake syrup flavor 6. Unfriendly mutt 9. In the style of, on menus 12. Parcel out 13. Word after “Bay” or “gray” 15. Ad ___ committee 16. Ruler, e.g.

19. Followed, as a tip 20. Rugged four-wheeler, briefly 21. Muscles above the beltline 23. Worry 24. Doritos company 26. August 1 births, astrologically 28. Ancient 29. “The __” (Discovery series about camper owners) 30. Signal strength measure 31. Chauffeur-driven sedan 33. Squeezing snake 34. Springboard

40. “Jeopardy! Masters” network 41. Overflowing (with) 42. Hunk of a trunk 43. Bone of contention 46. Spare ___ (piece of barbecue) 47. No easy task 48. Repertoire on a resume 50. One gets hammered 52. Song that everyone’s singing 53. Female sheep 54. Army enlistee 57. In other words ... or a hint to the ends of 16-, 24-, 34-, and 48-Across 60. Gibbon or gorilla 61. “A ___ technicality!”

62. Find a new function for 63. It ends on the first Sunday of Nov. 64. Angler’s apparatus 65. Works at a keyboard DOWN 1. Cry from a doll 2. Original Bon Jovi bassist ___ John Such 3. Party line 4. They never win 5. Piano practice piece 6. Abel’s slayer 7. Ornamental case 8. Take into consideration 9. Bigeye tuna 10. Site 11. “Star Wars” admiral who says, “It’s a trap!”

14. Italian wine mecca 17. Wood deck concern 18. Cliche on shows 22. Part of CBS: Abbr.

24. “Hit the gas!”

25. This shape: 0 26. Pres. sworn in abroad Air Force One 27. Water, en francias 28. “Gasp,” in text 31. Defamed in writing 32. Business magazine 33. One to share deep secrets with, informally 35. Harlem Renaissance figure Robeson

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 | 15

36. Unimportant lie 37. Like Times Square at night 38. Whisper affectionately 39. It has a yolk 43. “Kinda” 44. YouTube button for the impatient 45. Core exercises Puzzle solutions are now 46. Marijuana cigarette exclusively online.

47. Poitier who was the first Black man to win an Oscar 49. Skinny dip, say 50. Neither rhyme ___ reason 51. Notify 54. Ranked competitor 55. You and who ___?”

56. Certain whiskeys 58. Vietnamese New Year 59. To’s Counterpart

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PHOTOS

From Trash to Treasure Spread by Design & Photos Editor Adrien Gobin and Asst. Design & Photos Editor Dylan Pichnarcik Photos by Design & Photos Editor Adrien Gobin and Asst. Design & Photos Editor Dylan Pichnarcik and Alexis Schlesinger

Congratulations to designers Courtney Shires-Freeman, Samantha Reynolds, Kat Wilder, Aili Schiavoni, Ildanita Campos Rosas, Jenna Butch, Yessenia Gamez, Lola Mwilelo, Melanda Alcuis, Angelina Casucci, Madelyn and Malina!

Congratulations to the beautiful models who brought these gorgeous creations to life!

@The Gatepost | FSUgatepost.com