Mar 23rd, 2023

The Marlin Chronicle

Study abroad check-in from opposite sides of the world

BY PHOEBE COX pecox@vwu.edu

Spanning all over the globe from New York City to Japan, Marlins can be found off campus both near and far. This semester, many students have had the opportunity to engage with study programs, enabling them to travel and learn in unique ways.

Junior Alyssa Lane is one such student who is currently experiencing the opportunities that international study abroad programs offer. At the University of Malta, she has been living in Msida, Malta, a small island country right below Sicily.

“I like the variety that comes from living in such a small country. Malta is a country built out of pieces of other countries,” Lane said.

Living in a completely new country can be scary, especially when you don’t know anyone, but Lane talked about how the Erasmus Student Union on campus, a society for international students, has been a big help for her experience abroad.

Because of her involvement in the organization, Lane has been able to participate in many fun activities.

“I’ve been able to have a surfing lesson, a trip to Gozo (the island next door) and a trip to an open market on the other side of the island,” Lane said.

Also, Sophomore Rowan Stuart has been able to do many fun things during his time at Lakeland University in Tokyo, Japan. “I’ve

See ABROAD Page 5

Men’s Lacrosse enters season with win streak

BY MK MORRIS LARKIN mmorrislarkin@vwu.edu

Under the direction of Head Coach J.P Stewart, who is entering his 21st season, the Men’s Lacrosse team has started off the season strong with a current record of 4-3 after starting the season last year 3-4. This is the first time since 2020 that the team has started off with a winning streak.

The Marlins’ winning streak comes after defeating Neumann University, Husson University, Wabash College and fellow conference member Averett University. Out of the 34

players on the team, 16 of them are freshmen, most of which complete the starting lineup or get substantial minutes on the field.

They have started off the season with a breakout freshman Midfielder Liam Murphy. He is second on the team in goals with 21, only trailing senior Mark Sprague, who has 26.

Murphy said his favorite goal is against Wabash University on March 5. “The goalie had the ball and he stepped out of the crease. He went to pass it and I just put my stick up and he threw it directly into my stick, and then it was a one-on-one after that with

me and him.”

These two are not the only standouts on the team. Assistant Lacrosse Coach Prince Charles said, “Kris Barnum, the face-off kid, has been a standout. Seth Bearb has been a guy who you will see making very important plays happen but maybe not scoring every time.”

They are not the only ones that Charles thinks are doing great. Between the goalies defending the goal and the offense on the field scoring the goals, the team is coming together. Even the ones not playing are

See LAX Page 7

Composting project breaks ground in Caf

BY LILY RESLINK lbreslink@vwu.edu

After much trial and error, a campus-wide composting initiative has come to fruition through a joint effort between VWU community members.

The addition consists mainly of dining hall food waste collection, but extends beyond to practices such as collecting the grounds produced by the Lighthouse’s daily coffee service.

The implementation most visible to students is the bin now located in Boyd Dining Hall.

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

DEIC organizes forums in pursuit of student opinions

BY HOUDA TOUCHEN htouchen@vwu.edu

In recent years, diversity and inclusion have become hot button issues at universities across the country.

At VWU, the administration has been making efforts to address issues of diversity and inclusion, with a number of initiatives aimed at creating a more inclusive campus community, particularly through a targeted department.

President Scott Miller unveiled the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (DEIC) in 2022.

The DEIC is considered the institution’s chief provider of activities that are intended to improve the educational value of

the campus community via deliberate conversation and the appreciation of diversity, from purpose to function.

The DEIC intends to spearhead the university’s endeavors to not only comprehend the complexities of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, but also to furnish resources and services for students coming from different backgrounds and experiences.

The goal is to ensure that Virginia Wesleyan consistently values and respects differences, and that every member of the campus community has a voice.

DEIC deputy diversity officers include Academic

See DEIC Page 2

Carnegie Hall hosts Camerata

BY BREANNE BESSETTE bebessette1@vwu.edu

Editor’s Note: Breanne, the author of this article is a member of Camerata and took part in the New York City experience.

New York City, with its bustling streets even in March, was the destination of 34 Virginia Wesleyan students and alumni. Members of the VWU Choir, Camerata, performed March 11 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The students combined with three high school choirs, sang “Sunrise Mass” by Ola Gjeilo.

“Sunrise Mass” is a piece in Latin that is split up into four distinct movements: The Spheres, Sunrise, The City and Identity. When combined with a string orchestra, this piece is designed to represent the journey one goes through as their identity evolves. The composer, Ola Gjeilo, expresses this journey in a very cinematic way, which allows audiences to connect with the message of the piece without understanding the actual Latin lyrics.

VWU Chair of Fine and Performing Arts, Associate Professor of Music and Choir Director Dr. Bryson Mortensen directed rehearsals and conducted the piece in Carnegie Hall on March 11. He chose the piece specifically to fit the venue, as well as the VWU choir and high school choirs that would be performing.

Performing at Carnegie Hall was a special experience for everyone involved.

“I think Carnegie Hall has such history and the reason that it’s still thriving as a venue for the arts is that it’s such a beautiful place to sing. It’s so rewarding to be there and experience that sound,” Mortensen said.

This short-term study away experience was unique for many participants, not only because of the opportunity to perform at such a prominent venue but because, for many college choirs, performing at an event that sold over 2,000 tickets is a rare experience. For many of the attending students, this was their first time in New York.

This trip provided the opportunity to experience New York from its center

in Manhattan. It also allowed students to experience New York culture via the performing arts. Students involved in this experience learned more about the role music plays in their lives both personally and academically.

The trip’s itinerary included seven hours of rehearsals, a Broadway show, attendance at the Metropolitan Opera, a cruise of the New York Harbor and time for students to explore Manhattan. Just as with any offcampus experience, this trip to New York was costly and required a significant time commitment for many students.

When asked, participants overwhelmingly said that the experience was well worth these costs and that they would be willing to go again if VWU were to perform for a fourth time at Carnegie Hall.

“Being able to perform at Carnegie Hall is not something that all choirs get to do,” freshman choral member Elena Lichtenwalner said. “It’s very rare and special. It was definitely worth the time and effort.”

A good portion of the four-day trip was spent observing other aspects of the performing arts. Everyone had the opportunity to attend both the opera and a Broadway show. New York City is well known in America for many reasons but significantly

See

Senior Abigail Mahoney set the ball rolling for the project by choosing to do

ChatGPT learns human behavior, disrupts academic integrity

Mel Lhuillier|Marlin Chronicle

Grace McGhee|Courtesy

Men’s Lacrosse scores 20-4 against Husson University on Saturday, March 4.

VWU choir and students visit New York City for performances and immersive experiences.

Carnegie Hall|Courtesy Wesleyan Camerata performs at Carnegie Hall on March 11 with other choirs from Maryland and Minnesota.

Lily Reslink|Marlin Chronicle

Senior Garrett Page and sophomore Kaitlyn Duswalt guide consumers through the composting process.

Cara Caruso|Courtesy

Junior Cara Caruso visits the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with new friends.

Nursing, Biochem prepare students for medical fields

BY FRANKLIN WASHINGTON fdwashington@vwu.edu

Virginia Wesleyan University has recently added two new programs of study, Nursing and Biochemistry, to its list of majors to select. These additions increase the number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) majors for students to choose from.

Mary Brennan is a student of the Nursing program at VWU.

“I decided to study nursing during the pandemic because I saw how few caregivers there were and how much we all relied on them, especially during that time,” Brennan said.

The job and career field of nursing is one connected to emotion and humanity.

“As a kid, I remember one nurse, Miss Francis, always gave me shots and she hated them as much as I did. But she would always make me feel comfortable and safe and to this day I have yet to find a nurse as caring as Miss Francis. She made me want to care for and help others just like she did,” Brennan said.

Brennan said the Nursing program inspired her to come to the university and many aspects of the new nursing program will benefit the students in the future.

“One of the reasons I decided

to attend VWU is because of their partnership with the Sentara Family Medical Center. I will apply for their program at the end of this semester and, if accepted, I will be taking classes at their School of Nursing as well as electives at VWU,” Brennan said.

Anna Milligan, a junior in the Nursing program, is complementary of the program. “I definitely would recommend it to anyone that thinks they want to be in the medical field,” Milligan said.

The nursing program at VWU offers a wide range of classes. “So far, I have found that the hardest class in the nursing program is anatomy and physiology, which makes sense because there's a lot to learn,” Brennan said. “We were also required to take psychology during our first semester and that class was very intriguing.”

“There’s so many opportunities to see so many different things at Sentara so there’s something for everyone,” Milligan said. “The education is top tier, with an NCLEX pass rate of 90% or something. The professors are really passionate about education and they will hunt down clinical experiences for their students.”

What makes the nursing and biochemistry fields so interesting is the fact that the students

can be academically challenged and persevere through the tough workload.

“In all, the classes I have taken so far, while challenging, have been very rewarding and prepared me to continue studying a profession that is near to my heart,” Brennan said. Biochemistry is a field that combines disciplines from biology and chemistry to understand and explain more complex situations and problems.

According to the Virginia Wesleyan website, Biochemistry is a major applicable to a variety of careers.

“The program accommodates chemistry and other science majors, pre-med/pre-vet students and students planning to pursue health and allied health professions, as well as students wishing to teach

CONTINUED FROM PG. 1

Liaison Modupe Oshikoya, Athletic Liaison Cameia Alexander and Robert Nusbaum Center Liaison Kelly Jackson.

Audwin Harris, Felipe Hugueño, Marina Maye, Juliana Mushala and Bethany Tsiaras serve as deputy diversity officers of the council as well.

biochemistry at the secondary level,” the website said.

Brooke Anderson, a senior Biology major, expressed interest in the Biochemistry major.

“I think the Biochemistry major is a great addition to the options for a major here at VWU. If it had been an option when I was declaring a major I would have picked it. It provides an amazing integration of the biology and chemistry classes at VWU. A great option for any kind of Pre-medical track,” Anderson said.

Students interested in the Nursing program or Biochemistry major can find more information on the fact sheets at vwu.edu. The program chair and faculty contact for the Biochemistry major is Dr. Kevin Kittredge at kkittredge@vwu. edu.

Nusbaum Center welcomes feedback from community

BY RHIAN TRAMONTANA rjtramontana@vwu.edu

From Ukraine to Hollywood, from climate change to abortion, the Robert Nusbaum Center is a cultural and religious hub for students and community members alike.

Dr. Craig Wansink, the director of the Robert Nusbaum Center and a professor of Religious Studies, runs the Nusbaum Center with Associate Director Kelly Jackson. With smiles and welcoming words, Wansink and Jackson host speaking and discussion-based events from the campus community and the community beyond the bounds of campus.

Kainaat Trehan, a junior and student employee for the Nusbaum Center, praised the discussions that occur at Nusbaum Center events.

“You are exposed to so many perspectives, and these are also very unique perspectives,” Trehan said.

For Trehan, the speakers are very skilled and respectful of

the possible diversity in perspectives from the audience.

“Even if you don't understand that perspective, or even if you don't know a lot about it, I think the speakers don't bombard you,” Trehan said. “They are presenting their story.”

Abigail Peterson, a senior and Biology major, is interested in the events that the Nusbaum Center hosts. “The Nusbaum Center, in my opinion, has the most interesting events on campus,” Peterson said.

On March 2, Rev. Claude Atcho presented on the writings of Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen in a talk entitled “Jesus Hanging from a Poplar Tree.”

Atcho, a writer from Charlottesville, Va., described the current view of Jesus and his crucifixion in terms of a “diseased social imagination” that relied on racialized topics.

Cullen, in contrast to the current view of crucifixion that Atcho discussed, wrote about Jesus as a Black man hang-

ing from a poplar tree in the southern states of the U.S. Using Cullen’s writings, Atcho urged the audience to analyze the historical context of Jesus to understand how Christianity has been used to oppress and reduce the struggles of the African American population.

Another such event occurred on March 9 with Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg, the Senior Rabbi at the Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk. Rabbi Mandelberg spoke on the protections that the Jewish religion has in place for abortion.

Rabbi Mandelberg quoted everything from the Book of Genesis to the Talmud, a Jewish commentary on the Hebrew Bible and a source of Jewish religious law and theology.

With the support of Jewish law dating back centuries, Rabbi Mandelberg discussed how and when abortions are permitted or even expected within Judaism.

She emphasized that women should be free to choose if an abortion was their best decision based on the mental and physical health of the fetus and mother.

Rabbi Mandelberg said that it is a necessary religious freedom to be able to receive or refrain from an abortion.

Peterson complemented the Nusbaum Center, but hoped for more variety as well. “I wish they would include more variety in political opinion, but for the most part everything with the Nusbaum Center has been excellent,” Peterson said.

The events are often held in Blocker Auditorium for a crowd of students and adults, with attendence varying based on the event and night.

“It’s sad to attend events with little attendance,” Peterson said.

Trehan attributed much of the smaller attendance sizes to the complexity of the issues discussed.

“You need to have a certain level of respect and maturity to

come to these events, which is why the audience is very limited,” Trehan said.

Given that the Nusbaum Center links the college community and the larger community, there is a wider audience to cater to.

“I don't think they cater to every person's interests, because not everybody thinks about these things,” Trehan said. “But regardless, it is a good thing that they don't because through that they're bringing a unique perspective on campus.”

Peterson was interested in seeing a wider variety of events from the Nusbaum Center.

“I would like to see maybe some live debates or a variety of events like movie nights or something else. The Nusbaum Center mainly hosts speaker events,” Peterson said.

For Trehan, the events bring opportunities to campus that otherwise would be difficult to find.

“They're kind of uplifting the community on campus because we don't really think about these things or we're afraid to talk about these things,” Trehan said.

Peterson recommended that students find the time to attend. “I know that students are incredibly busy but attending these events are both interesting and challenge your perspectives,” Peterson said.

The Nusbaum Center will continue to host events throughout the semester and beyond.

On April 6, Robert Shoup will discuss music’s ability to heal or divide society, and on April 21, the Generation Uniting to Address Climate Change Symposium will offer multiple panel discussions and a career and volunteer fair.

More speaking events can be found in the Spring 2023 publication of the Nusbaum Center’s pamphlet and at vwu.edu/academics/robert-nusbaum-center/ spring-events.php.

Cee Cee Tucker serves as the president's special advisor on diversity, equity and inclusion. Senior Vice President Keith Moore and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Larkin act as ex officio liaisons to the President's Cabinet. They also co-chair the council.

The first official project of the council was organizing a series of student focus groups that included members of oncampus communities, with representation of different races, ethnicities, genders and sexualities.

“The members of the DEIC are a fairly new group, and we wanted to get an idea about the culture of the campus community. That's why we started with focus groups for the students, and are hoping that what we learn from those will help to guide us as we go forward and focus on areas that we might be weaker in and then also tell us where we're doing very well,” Robert Nusbaum Center Liaison Kelly Jackson said.

The council’s plan is focused on establishing a hub for related programming through student organizations, academic departments and centers such as the Robert Nusbaum Center.

collect this information from all the different constituents across campus and then be able to advertise it in a unified way highlighting diversity ”

“We have established a form that people can fill out online. For example, we were in touch with departments if they were planning any events during Black History Month to let us know, and now we're into Women's History Month. Going forward, what we hope is that the DEIC can collect this information from all the different constituents across campus and then be able to advertise it in a unified way highlighting diversity,” Jackson said.

Regarding the focus groups, there were three 90 minute sessions of in-person student focus groups. The questions centered around students' perceptions of the campus climate as it relates to the DEIC in the classroom, the VWU community and as individuals.

“I signed up for the focus group because open forum discussions intrigue me, especially on touchy topics like diversity and inclusion,” senior and History major Zion Purvis-Allen said.

The focus groups were facilitated by Veleka Gatling, assistant vice president for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence at Old Dominion University. The usage of a third party ensures authenticity and confidentiality among the participating students.

Oliver Chauncey, junior and Education major, expressed that any impactful efforts made after the focus groups should focus on effective communication, as it was one of the highlighted challenges, particularly between administration and student community.

Since the third party has yet to validate any reports from the focus groups, developing strategies and plans is still a work in progress. Nonetheless, the intention is to use the student reports and input to inform the council's future activities.

“I think now change will come in the form of understanding,” Purvis-Allen said. “I believe the change will come through openly expressing opinions about issues without bias.”

Focus groups examined students' perceptions of diversity and inclusion in the classroom, in the campus community and as individuals so that the council could gain a comprehensive understanding of the next measures they may take to maximize diversity and inclusion within the community.

Mel Lhuillier|Marlin Chronicle

Sasha Saxon|Marlin Chronicle

Students in Advanced Biochemistry work in groups for lab.

“Going forward, what we hope is that the DEIC can

Kelly Jackson

Ross Winner|Marlin Chronicle

Top: Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg discusses abortion as a Jewish imperative.

Bottom: Rev. Claude Atcho speaks about Countee Cullen.

Sara Sewell argues for women’s history importance

BY CYRIL COEFIELD ccoefield@vwu.edu

The beginning of March officially marks Women’s History Month, where women’s history is recognized and celebrated.

Historian and professor of history at VWU, Dr. Sara Sewell, is committed to spreading awareness about Women’s History Month.

“Women’s History Month, and international women’s history, or International Women’s Day, they go hand in hand. They’re both events about recognizing the contributions of women in society and advancing equality for women, which I really believe is about human rights,” Sewell said.

Sewell discussed the history of Women’s History Month and the movement of female appreciation in history.

“First it was a week that the United States recognized as a way to put women on the agenda. So before the 1970’s, if you were to look at history books, very few even mentioned women. It was kind of a great white man’s history,” Sewell said.

Sewell also brought up the idea of how women’s appreciation isn’t only about women’s rights, but also human rights and how the betterment of women’s rights is beneficial for human rights as a whole. “It’s not only about women, because anytime we advance any one group or one person’s right, we advance all of our rights,” Sewell said.

This sentiment resonated with freshman Kaza Dayton, who specifically noted this point in Sewell’s lecture. Dayton, who majors in Hispanic Studies and Education,

also said, “As a future educator, I thought it was really interesting to hear about how women’s access to education has evolved.”

Sewell spoke on the lack of coverage of not only women but other marginalized groups throughout history, recognizing that one group can potentially lead to other groups being recognized as well.

“What happened in the 1970’s is that there was a big change in historical analysis. And all of a sudden, lots of groups of people said, ‘Hey, we are not in your history books.’ This is true for women, African Americans, Native Americans and so on and so forth,” Sewell said.

Sewell noted that some courses on campus teach students about women’s history and rights across multiple cultural perspectives.

“We offer courses that you can do a lot deeper analysis about women’s history,” Sewell said.

Within the history department, she mentioned women’s courses that are specific to U.S. history and European history. Sewell said she will be teaching a women’s history course in the Fall 2023.

She spoke on how courses can sometimes extend beyond women’s studies to more comprehensive gender studies.

As an example, Sewell said that she is currently teaching a course called “Love, Family and Marriage.”

“We have morphed into something that we call gender history. So certainly my ‘Love, Family and Marriage’ course treats more than just women and wives and daughters. We also talk an awful lot about husbands and sons,” Sewell said. “How

quick to point to the others that made the initiative a reality.

“It definitely was a team effort with regards to the implementation of this compost bin,” Mahoney said.

As pillars of this project, Mahoney mentioned Tim Lockett, the general manager of Sodexo Dining Services on campus, Skyler Lattuca, a recent VWU graduate and current horticulturist of VWU’s Greer Gardens and Jessica Wilson, the vice president of Marlins Go Green.

Marlins Go Green (MGG) is a student organization at VWU with the intention of “making strides for awareness and sustainability through education, activism, and volunteer opportunities,” as written in their Instagram bio. The organization has been integral to the project’s funding and coordination.

Although the compost bin technically already made its dining hall debut on March 1, the results were less than ideal.

“The hardest part, truthfully, is working to get students to follow the directions on the sign,” Mahoney said, noting that it took less than 30 minutes for dairy to end up in the bin.

To ensure a smoother operation for the compost, Mahoney said, “We are working now on bringing on some volunteers to help the students on campus transition into using the compost bin.”

As of dinner time on March 20, the compost bin was put back in the dining hall for student use under close supervision of volunteers.

Sophomore Jessica Wilson, executive member of MGG, echoed Mahoney’s logistical explanation. “For the first few days, MGG members will be helping educate students on what they can and can not compost,” Wilson said.

Leading up to the bin’s reintroduction, MGG focused on educating the student body on composting practice through platforms such as Instagram. “It is crucial for students to pay attention to what they put in the compost bin for this program to remain successful,” Wilson said.

For reference, compostable items include the remnants of fruit and vegetables, as long as they are uncontaminated by animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs. An example would be banana peels, apple cores or leftover veggies that have not had dressing on them.

Getting the composting system to its current point of operation took contributions from several other team members.

Having been the former president of MGG, Skyler Lattuca possessed all the necessary background to play an indispensable role in making the compost bins possible.

According to Lattuca, preparing for this required a strenuous combination of both hands-on work and community training. “The new composting system was built by me and one of my interns Eric O’Dea, and has two different sources: food waste accumulated as a result of the preparation of meals in the dining hall and post production food waste from the dining hall.”

Lattuca said, “The major difference between the two is

can you talk about the family without the whole family in it?”

Sewell spoke about International Women’s Day, detailing how it is used to not only celebrate and appreciate women, but also as a day to protest.

She pointed out that there are still a lot of places in the world where women are treated unfairly and oppressed to the point where it can be dangerous for a woman to just live their life.

The acknowledgment of problems outside of America was another aspect that Dayton appreciated from Sewell’s talk. “I really like how the speaker represented women from all countries and not just the U.S.,” Dayton said.

Sewell said, “International Women’s Day is often a date for many people to protest because there’s lots of examples where women have not actually achieved equality.”

Junior Paul Nelson, who majors in Political Science and minors in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, said that Sewell’s talk shed light on “things that are often hidden in public day news and really was inspiring in a way to try and find more out about this holiday and the struggle of women around the world.”

Sewell mentioned Iran and the oppressive dress code that she said women of their country are subjected to.

“They’re forced to abide by a, what I would say, it’s an oppressive dress code where all their body has to be clothed in some ways and then they have to wear this headscarf or the hijab, and if they don’t, they are taken into custody. They’re ar-

that the latter requires a lot more education, as the students need to know what parts of their meals are and are not compostable to avoid contamination.” On the contrary, Lattuca said it was much easier to educate the few individuals responsible for food prep.

With so many moving parts, Lattuca highlighted the importance of liaisons in various sectors. “When implementing projects like this, there are often many different parties involved that don’t usually work together, which requires a lot of flexibility and adaptation. In my position, I have little communication with, for example, the dining hall staff,” Lattuca said.

Due to this, he pointed out the necessity of students like Wilson and Mahoney to “facilitate that communication and create a plan based on the abilities of both of our departments.”

“Beyond that, having an individual to maintain a project long-term is probably the biggest obstacle to any studentplanned project,” Lattuca said. His position will alleviate this challenge by removing the dependence on the revolving door of students.

“As much as we’d love to believe that incoming students will be passionate enough to fulfill roles that graduating students occupy, that is not a source that can be relied on when proposing these projects. In this case, my role as a full-time employee on campus has been useful to take on that responsibility,” Lattuca said.

Despite only now achieving dining hall composting from the student side, Wilson said this is far from a new idea. “I have heard from current senior Marlins Go Green members that the composting initiative has been attempted many times prior to their time, but they could not achieve faculty support until now,” Wilson said. “Over this past year I have heard composting being discussed all over campus.”

Lattuca explained that VWU even had a successful composting system at one point, run by former Professor Phillip Rock before his recent retirement.

“The original bins were mostly kept a secret, known only to my interns and a few of his students, as they were difficult to utilize and access,” Lattuca said. When Lattuca took on responsibility for those bins, he hoped to make some upgrades. This includes expanding their capacity and reducing the need for maintenance through a stackable design.

The current system is as follows: Once collected, Lat

tuca said the food waste from the dining hall moves to a tower of earth-worm filled compost bins.

“Each tower is made of 4 stackable compost bins, each with a wire mesh bottom that allows the worms to travel between the bins while still containing the food waste. The theory here is that the worms will slowly consume the food at the bottom of the tower and work their way upwards, digesting the food waste and producing vermicompost: a more nutrient-rich version of standard compost,” Lattuca said.

“This process was chosen because it is more compact and faster than standard composting, which can take upwards of 2 months to break down food waste in comparison to the 2 weeks that our bins can do it in,” Lattuca said.

Wilson emphasized the importance of composting given

rested, sometimes beaten.”

In her open talk given March 7, discussing International Women’s History Month, according to Sewell, wearing a hijab used to be illegal in Iran, which was just as oppressive as the necessity to wear a hijab.

These global issues can pose the question of what can be done to fight against oppression and inequality on such a large scale.

However, Sewell underlined the importance of starting small. “I always believe that activism starts in your own backyard. Rather than trying to figure out big global problems,” Sewell said.

Continuing on this idea, Sewell said she believes a potential way to begin understanding a situation of oppression is by gauging others’ perspectives on if they feel like they’re treated equally.

Sewell said, “Maybe you want to ask some people this question: Do women feel like they’re treated equally on this campus?”

Sewell emphasized open discussions as a start for addressing inequality. She said for there to be change, the people have to be the ones to actively make it happen, and for Sewell, this generation is a good example of that mindset.

“The one thing I love about your generation is that you just are a lot more committed to real equality than previous generations, like the discrimination that still exists clearly in this society. But to you all, it doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

This generation may be, in Sewell’s opinion, the one to make it better for the next.

its environmental implications. “Landfills do not allow food waste to properly decompose because it is deprived of oxygen. Under these conditions, the food waste generates methane, a greenhouse gas that is 27-30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 100 year period.”

Alternatively, Wilson said that composting food waste “creates nutrient rich fertilizer with less emissions that can be used on campus or sold in the community.”

Wilson said a part of why this project is exciting to her is because it shows faculty members’ openness to studentled initiatives.

For any students looking to pursue campus projects of their own, Lattuca shared three tips. First was to “Find an employee willing to oversee/maintain the project long term.”

Second was to “Consider your stakeholders.” For this, he encouraged the questions of “Who will this project affect? Who is needed for this project to succeed?” Make sure these parties are informed and on-board with your idea.

Third was “Utilize the EES Endowed Fund offered every fall semester to propose your idea. It’s free money offered to students willing to propose sustainable projects.” He added, “This resource alone can make your project idea a reality, so long as you take the time to do your research and iron out any potential issues.”

Mahoney wanted students to know that acquiring the needed support doesn’t have to be a roadblock to seeing their ideas realized.

“I know approaching people, especially authority figures, can be daunting but I genuinely think most faculty on this campus are willing to work with students. After all, our success reflects positively on them,” Mahoney said.

Mel Lhuillier|Marlin Chronicle

Lily Reslink|Marlin Chronicle

Senior Garrett Page composts a banana peel with the guidance of Marlins Go Green volunteer, sophomore Kaitlyn Duswalt.

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Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne lpayne@vwu.edu

Career & Internship Fair gains interest

The Spring Career & Internship Fair hosts 13 more tables than the Fall

BY KAMAL WOMACK krwomack@vwu.edu

Virginia Wesleyan University’s Career Development Program (CDP) held the VWU Spring 2023 Career & Internship Fair on March 9 in the Jane P. Batten Student Center from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event was a partnership between the CDP and Wesleyan Engaged and combined career, internship and volunteer opportunities. It was held to allow students to connect with a variety of businesses and employers who provide opportunities to learn and gain experience in a wide variety of industries.

The CDP is in a position to bring students and employers together; their main activities are assisting students in discovering their professional interests and pathways and developing plans to achieve them. They offer various services such as internship and externship opportunities that enable meaningful career development.

CDP resources are available to all students from first-years thinking about career options to seniors who are getting ready for employment after graduation. It is their mission to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity. The Career & Internship Fair is one way that this is accomplished.

Director of Career Development

Alice Jones discussed the effort it takes to host one of these events.

“It takes a lot of work and collaboration from different areas,” Jones said. This collaboration includes working with Wesleyan Engaged, a campus-based organization which promotes a culture of service and civic responsibility among students and faculty.

Preparation for the event also includes complicated scheduling, marketing and local partnerships to raise awareness and connect with employers to get them on campus for students. Despite the effort it takes to pull off a fair, Jones takes pleasure in successfully connecting employers to students and hearing later that their internship and volunteer experiences were beneficial.

Employers who attended the fair had various choices for student engagement. All of them had company information tables where

they could have their displays and information about their company to hand out in the student center. This allowed them and students to speak informally with each other. There were also rooms reserved for company presentations on different topics related to careers or specifically about their organization and opportunities. In addition, there was the option to schedule interviews through preselection prior to the event or open appointments on the day of the event.

Companies that attended had local affiliations but also came from a wide array of different industries. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) was one of the local companies that participated.

CBF provided information on a variety of volunteer and internship opportunities, such as stream monitoring, habitat restoration or helping with education and outreach activities like leading school groups on field trips or staffing information booths at public events. In addition, internships are offered in different areas such as communications, education and

science. Potential interns can work on real-world projects and gain valuable experience in the environmental field and the CBF table seemed to be a crowd favorite as it was busy throughout the fair.

Another association was Volunteer Hampton Roads, a local non-profit organization based in Norfolk, Va. that connects volunteers with local organizations and causes in the Hampton Roads region. They have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for students, including one-time events and ongoing commitments in areas such as animal welfare, arts and culture, education, the environment, health and wellness and social services.

Other tables represented local employment agencies for area youth, which can include VWU students, such as the Virginia Beach Summer Youth Employment Program. This group assists in the hiring of youth from 16 to 21 years old for meaningful paid summer work experience. Employees can learn entrepreneurial skills and gain experiences to build their resumes.

Fair.

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All tables, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Volunteer Hampton Roads, proved successful at this Spring’s Career & Internship Fair. In comparison to the Fall Career & Internship Fair, the Spring Fair attracted more interest. The event increased from 30 tables in the Fall to 43 tables in the Spring.

VWU students also showed appreciation for the Spring 2023 Career & Internship Fair.

“I think it’s great that VWU put in so much effort to get all of these companies here. I found about three or four internship opportunities that might be good for this summer,” sophomore Luke Pride said.

Junior Kevin Williams felt a similar way about the fair.

“I didn’t realize how many choices and opportunities there were for volunteering and chances to build my resume. I also like how everyone seems pretty local and hopefully easy to get to from campus,” Williams said.

Pride and Williams were among many VWU talkative and excited students that attended the fair on March 9.

‘Airness’ prepares to rock the stage

BY CAREY SEAY clseay@vwu.edu

Virginia Wesleyan University’s Theater Department will present “Airness” by Chelsea Marcantel from Thursday, March 30 through Sunday, April 2. The production will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. All performances will be held in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.

“Airness,” according to playscripts.com, “is an exuberant reminder that everything we need to rock is already inside us. A comedy about competition, completion and finding the airness inside yourself.” The play follows its lead, Nina, as she enters an air guitar competition with a group of friends. Sophomore Emma Wehr is taking on the lead role of Nina.

“I am pretty new to acting and this being only my second year, it’s a bit nerve-racking having such a big role,” Wehr said. “But I am super excited for everyone to see all the hard work we have done in the past few months.”

With all of the fun that comes with performing a show like “Airness,” a lot of time and effort goes into perfecting the performance as well.

“We spend about 15 hours a week in rehearsals. Activities in rehearsal include not only working on the lines and scenes but also crafting the numerous air guitar performances,” Professor

CARNEGIE CONTINUED FROM PG. 1

for being a hub for America’s performing arts. This center of the arts was especially appreciated because everyone participating has a clear connection with the performing arts through choir.

“Choir has been my foundation for the better half of my life,” participating alumni Jacob Barnett said.

Seeing professional Broadway performances such as “Hadestown,” “Book of Mormon” and

of Theatre, Chair of Political Science and Director Dr. Sally Shedd said. “The main characters are individuals who participate in competitive air guitar—that’s not something that anyone in the cast or company knew much about until taking on this project.”

Learning these moves isn’t an easy task, either.

“We have rehearsals for three hours every day Monday through Friday, and outside of scheduled rehearsal, I typically work in the dance studio for extra practice choreographing and rehearsing performances,” Wehr said.

To make the play even more realistic, the stage set and lighting design have also been curated over the course of the semester.

“A lot of my preparation work is in the research and design stage,” senior Tucker Barco said.

“My main goal with the lighting design is to amplify the attitude on stage. ‘Airness’ is a rock concert, so my goal is to create a design that makes the audience really believe they are at a rock concert.”

“Airness” performers and behind-the-scenes members look forward to the show.

Shedd wants to give this advice to those participating: “To quote the show: ‘Everything you need to rock is already inside you.’”

Sally

“Chicago” allowed students to reconnect with the important roles music and performance play in their lives.

“Performing at Carnegie Hall but also seeing professionals on Broadway is a real chance to see what’s possible,” Mortensen said.

Many students in Virginia Wesleyan’s Camerata choir are Theater or Music majors and minors. This experience allowed them to engage with their field of study and have firsthand experiences with professional performances. Combined choirs like the one that performed in New York present many challenges as it is difficult when bringing so many people together

who have different levels of experience. Carnegie Hall, with its rich history of spectacular concerts, raised expectations regarding the quality of the performance.

Rehearsal, while time consuming, was essential to the success of the concert. With extensive practice, the performance of the choir combined with the orchestra resulted in a beautifully symphonic concert.

Carnegie Hall has hosted some of the nation’s most famous performances and remains a beacon for musicians of all kinds. For the VWU Camerata choir, singing in such a renowned venue was truly a life-changing opportunity.

Kazuki Yamada|Courtesy

Students visit tables of employers, including with representatives from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Shedd|Courtesy Junior Rob Lindsay rehearses his air guitar moves before the first showing of “Airness,” planned for Thursday, March 30.

Art faculty exhibition showcases talent

BY VICTORIA HANELINE vfhaneline1@vwu.edu

The 2023 Art Faculty Exhibition opened in the Neil Britton Gallery, located in Hofheimer Library, is running from March 3 through May. It features pieces from Art Department Professors Phil Guilfoyle, Joyce Howell, John Rudel and Sharon Swift.

Guilfoyle contributed a wide array of ceramics to the display, most of which are for sale. He said that he was not selling the pieces he liked the best because he wants his children to have some of his best work.

“Not everything’s for sale in life,” Guilfoyle said. “Some things I like living with and that’s one of them.”

He talked about his process for firing pottery. Most of it was wood fired, which he said gave

it a more ancient look, as it was not as uniform as modern firing methods.

“This buildup of ash on the pot makes it look a thousand years old and it was just brought to life,” Guilfoyle said.

To woodfire the pots, they actually have to be driven three hours away to a kiln in North Carolina. Then, a team of about a dozen people have to fire it around the clock for 36 hours. According to Guilfoyle, the effort is more than worth it for the unique result it gives.

Rudel, who contributed mostly abstract art pieces, said that one thing he worked for in abstract art was the idea of multiple interpretations.

“You’re looking at some suggestion of life, but they can be seen in a couple different ways,” Rudel said.

Regarding his main piece, which looked somewhat like microorganisms or a galaxy, according to Rudel, he said that he had made it before COVID-19. He said that it could be seen as a micro or a macro view, depend-

ing on people’s viewpoints.

“I was really just thinking about life and flat versus three dimensional space, so just color and light is what I’m thinking about,” Rudel said.

“The experience of the image is up to the viewer,” Rudel said. “What do you see?”

The Rising Tides, Rising Tensions exhibit is currently on display. Several VWU art students from the course Artist and Society, taught by Professors Howell and Shedd, have contributed pieces. The main artist was Renée Calway, but she had support from many people, including Kelly Jackson, who led the research.

The display is meant to show the race differences between areas most affected by flooding in Hampton Roads.

“As the tides rise, our community is seeing through a scope of truth which reveals socioeconomic inequalities that lead to disparity in the neighborhoods most affected by flooding,” according to the authors website.

The exhibit takes up the space of a small classroom, and is meant to be walked through. Newspaper clippings, artwork and photographs of race relations, cover every inch of the walls as the viewer slowly proceeds through the exhibit.

CONTINUED FROM PG. 1

been able to visit cool climb ing gyms, shopping districts, museums and parks,” Stuart said.

Since living in Japan, he has been surprised by various things that have made the transi tion of liv ing in a different country easier.

“The fast food places all have menus you can point at to order at the counter,” Stuart said. “There is also a lot more English writing and speaking than I expected.”

He excitedly added his love for the convenience stores. “They have literally everything here from steak dinners to photocopying services. They are truly a one-stop shop,” Stuart said.

For those interested in travel experiences without mak ing the semester commitment to an international program, Spring Break offered two week-long courses that students could sign up for.

EES 250: Field Experiences in Earth and Environmen tal Sciences was led by Professors Maynard Schaus and Marielle Postava-Davigon in Puerto Rico. It was an in tensive field experience course that allowed students to study a variety of habitats.

Senior Abigail Peterson was motivated to take the course due to her interest in going on another study abroad trip before she graduated.

“I was excited by the biodiversity in the area [of Puerto Rico] and thought it would be a great chance to do another

research project,” Peterson said. One of the most enjoyable parts of the trip for her was going on a night hike.

tears because of how in awe I was at the experience,” Underwood said. “This trip reminded me of just how grand music can be. I get to sing with my best friends everyday, but to do it on a stage like that one was something so different. It felt like we were making art together.”

If you’re worried about making the decision to potentially study abroad at all either short or long term, Junior Cara Caruso, who is studying at FAAP in São Paulo, Brazil right now, reassures that it’s not as bad as our minds make it out to be sometimes.

“You find that there are a lot of people in the same boat as you. It’s not as scary because you are not alone,” Caruso said. “Everyone should study abroad!”

Carley Tantlinger|Marlin Chronicle

Top: Professor Sharon Swift poses with her piece, “Russian Sage, Carmelite Monastery, Santa Fe.”

Bottom: Professors group together in the Neil Britton Gallery.

Carley Tantlinger|Marlin Chronicle

Left to right: Professors John Rudel, Phil Guilfoyle and Joyce Howell stand in the Neil Britton Gallery.

“The experience of the image is up to the viewer. What do you see?”

Professor John Rudel

ChatGPT: Useful tool or easy way out?

AI influences

BY CHRISTIAN PALMISANO clpalmisano@vwu.edu

As an AI language model, ChatGPT has revolutionized the way we interact with technology. With its ability to process natural language inputs and generate coherent responses, ChatGPT has quickly become a go-to tool for people seeking answers to their questions or looking for intelligent conversation partners.

One of the most significant advantages of ChatGPT is its versatility. It can be used in a wide range of applications, from customer service chatbots to virtual assistants and language translation tools.

ChatGPT’s ability to understand and generate responses in multiple languages makes it an invaluable tool for businesses and individuals operating in an increasingly globalized world.

Furthermore, ChatGPT’s ability to learn and adapt over time is a game-changer. Its machine learning algorithms allow it to continually improve its responses and better understand the nuances of human language. This means that as users interact with ChatGPT, it becomes more accurate and efficient in its responses, making it an indispensable tool for anyone seeking quick and reliable information.

Despite its many benefits, some have raised concerns about the potential risks of AI language models like ChatGPT.

There are concerns that these

models could be used to spread disinformation or perpetuate biases if not trained and monitored correctly. However, the developers behind ChatGPT have taken steps to address these concerns, including implementing bias detection and mitigation tools and partnering with human moderators to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of its responses.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a remarkable achievement in the field of AI language models. Its versatility, adaptability, and accuracy make it an invaluable tool for anyone seeking information or engaging in conversation.

While concerns about its potential risks should not be ignored, the developers behind ChatGPT are working diligently to address these concerns and ensure that it continues to be a safe and reliable tool for years to come.

The article above was written entirely by Open AI’s ChatGPT. This was the first time I used ChatGPT to generate anything and I was impressed with the program’s remarkable ability to write, and the speed at which it is able to do so.

It is not difficult to understand why ChatGPT is taking the academic and higher-learning world by storm, and Virginia Wesleyan is no exception. As impressive as the AI generator is, it poses a major threat to academic institutions both public

and private when students use it to complete their assignments, as they are not applying reading, writing and research skills they might have otherwise learned in the classroom.

Students must be careful using ChatGPT, especially for research papers; many have criticized the AI for providing false information.

Moreover, it will make a college degree worth less than what it is now, to the extent that employers may no longer

consider the writing or even the research abilities of potential job candidates when hiring.

Institutions of higher education and their faculty might be able to assure student learning by altering their methods of measuring student achievement.

Already, I have heard from others about how their professors implemented in-person testing methods rather than giving paper-writing assignments for fear of ChatGPT.

Regardless of one’s opinions

on ChatGPT, it, and other AI programs, are likely to continue to improve and be implemented into nearly every facet of our personal and professional lives, for better or for worse.

Christian Palmisano is a sophomore History major. He enjoys playing video games and listening to music in his free time. Contact him at clpalmisano@vwu.edu.

BY JALEN MAJOR jmmajor@vwu.edu

I am currently a sophomore at Virginia Wesleyan University pursuing a degree in Biology. I am from Virginia Beach, just thirty minutes away, but live on campus.

Many students that go to school far from home have to learn the landscape and culture of their new home which can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful. This is especially true if a student has not lived away from home for an extended period of time prior to college. This was the case for me and was a prevailing reason for choosing Virginia Wesleyan.

I had never lived far from home without my family for more than a few days, so the thought of moving hours or even states away was certainly anxietyinducing.

Familiarity with Virginia Beach was very comforting, as I already knew where I could get an off-campus job, food or other resources. In fact, I started working in the fall semester for a business that I had become familiar with growing up and greatly enjoy.

I am also able to get food and other things I need from stores that I have

gone to for years already, meaning that I have not had to change my normal behaviors much, allowing me to adapt to a new situation.

The most substantial benefit of going to a local school is the close proximity to family and friends. I am very close to my family, and, as stated before, I had not lived without them prior to moving onto campus.

I felt that taking a small step away from home would be better than throwing myself into a brand new environment many miles away. I would instead be able to slowly adjust to living in a new location to build greater interdependence and overall maturity, while also maintaining support from my family if need be.

This decision has been especially beneficial as I can see my family at virtually any time and go home when I please.

The cost of going to an out-of-state school was a critical factor in my education. In-state tuition is already expensive, so paying up to double that to study out-of-state can be absolutely insurmountable.

Additionally, the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant was a great benefit of staying in the state covering an appre-

Tutors of all disciplines wait, hope to assist in the Learning Center

BY KAYLA BISSETTE knbissette@vwu.edu

The Learning Center and Writing Studio’s services are woefully underutilized by Virginia Wesleyan University students.

Monday through Friday, over twenty student tutors are available for both scheduled and walk-in tutoring sessions every week, yet, the majority of tutors see very few, if any, students over the course of each week, despite how effective they are at furthering students’ understanding of their courses’ curriculums.

The college experience provides ample opportunities to develop a

crucial skill: acknowledging what you don’t know and what you need help with.

Don’t wait until the day before an assignment is due or an exam is scheduled to ask for help—be proactive! The more time you give yourself and the tutor, the more time you have to work through any struggles you might have.

Writing tutoring, especially, is most beneficial over the course of multiple appointments. Every writing tutor— myself included—is prepared to help with each step of the writing process, from brainstorming, to drafting, to revision. However, we cannot help you with each step in a single thirtyto-sixty minute session. By breaking

up your writing assignments with regular appointments with a tutor, you can receive helpful feedback before proceeding with the next step.

Tutors are more than happy to help anyone who asks for it, and scheduling an appointment is incredibly easy! You can sign up online at https://vwc. mywconline.com, or you can come to the Learning Center, located on the second floor of Clarke Hall, and one of the front desk assistants will assist you.

Kayla Bissette is a senior Theatre and English double major. She loves to assist her peers as a tutor in the Writing Center. She can be reached at knbissette@vwu.edu.

ciable portion of my bill.

Another benefit of living so close to campus is the reduction in costs. Even though in-state and out-of-state tuition for Virginia Wesleyan is the same, I was still able to save money by being so close to home. Being near campus means that traveling is less expensive due to less stops for gas, and I am able to save money on supplies.

Whenever I go home, my parents supply me with food and I am able to grab whatever toiletries or other items we already have instead of buying new things just outside of campus.

If I ever miss home or just want to see my sister in person, I can take a short trip home for a weekend without much inconvenience. I can also meet up with friends from high school during long weekends and vacations, which is nice when we have been gone for months at different schools around the country. This proximity to those closest to me is assuredly the greatest perk of going to school locally.

Jalen Major is a sophomore Biology major. He is a member of the orchestra and enjoys reading. Contact him at jmmajor@vwu.edu

academic and professional worlds following increased usage.

Madelyn Yale|Marlin Chronicle

Sophomore Jalen Major in front of the Greer Envrionmental Sciences Center.

Mel Lhuillier|Marlin Chronicle

Track and Field ODACs results in nine medalists

BY CHLOE BOOHER crbooher@vwu.edu

On Feb. 25-26, the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field teams competed in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Indoor Track & Field Championships in Salem, Va. at Roanoke College.

Several Marlins on the men’s team claimed individual championship titles, helping the team place 4th overall. The women’s team placed 6th overall.

Senior Geni Roberts became a four-time champion in the long and triple jump with a 7.13m in the long jump and a 15.05m in the triple jump to break his previous best and school record of 14.92m.

Roberts’s school record in long jump is now 7.36m after competing at the 2023 DIII NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 10 in Birmingham, Ala.

Senior Terrian Smith claimed first in the high jump with a new school record of 1.96m.

“I sometimes dreaded going to early morning practice, during these moments I had to remind myself of the goals that I’d set. I tried to do little things that my competitors weren’t doing, like analyzing film consistently, bugging my coaches for advice and bringing intensity to every meet. As a result, I ended up winning ODACs,” Smith said.

First-year Ja’Marri Henderson picked up where alumni Landry Moffo left off by winning the men’s 60m hurdles, which Moffo had won for the last four years. Henderson ran a time of 8.54.

“At the beginning of the season, the coach had the team set challenging goals to help us get through the season. I found myself an inch away from my goal, qualifying for ODACs which seemed like a long shot in the beginning; especially as a freshman, knowing that there were others that had been here much longer and had more experience than me,” said Henderson.

“When I had to perform my best, I would remind myself to run like it was my final race. I noticed every time I’d put my head down or feel like I wasn’t where I wanted to be, anyone on the team was there to give me encouragement which was helpful especially coming from the juniors and

seniors on the team,” Henderson said.

Junior distance runner Cecelia Aten ran the mile and the women’s distance medley at the meet.

“The team as a whole motivated each other to get that next PR, and always celebrate our individual achievements that help us get better as a whole. Ultimately, this togetherness helped us to achieve noteworthy team scores and numerous individual records,” Aten said.

Other highlights for the women’s team included first-year Lyric Hoggard placing 3rd in the 60m dash with a PR and new school record of 7.86.

Sophomore Norah Ciano placed 2nd in the high jump, with a PR and school record of 1.61m. In the women’s 4x400 meter relay, the group placed 3rd with a time of 4:06.93.

SportsHead

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the Olympic Esports Series.

BY SHIRELL WASHINGTON sawashington@vwu.edu

Is Esports finally going to be part of the Olympics? Simple answer, no.

The Olympic Esports Series is essentially an Olympic style event for Esports. It is not part of the actual Summer Olympics but it has been used as a promotional event in the past. When it was held in 2021, everything was completely virtual. People–amateurs and professionals–could compete from home or at their training facilities. However, this year the event will host qualification rounds (which have already begun) for each featured sport. Once the rounds are over, qualifiers will then participate in the first-ever live, in-person finals in Singapore from June 22-25.

Terrian Smith

The hard work that the Men’s and Women’s Track Teams put in can be applied to any aspect of life.

“My advice to people pursuing anything is to stick to it. Even the most successful people have setbacks, it’s how they respond to those setbacks that separate them from the average person,” Smith said.

Catch the Marlins back on the track Saturday, April 1, when half the team goes up to Williamsburg, Va. to compete at the Colonial Relays at William and Mary.

The other half of the team will go to Fredericksburg, Va. and compete at the Battleground Relays at Mary Washington on the campus of the University of Mary Washington.

The series will feature nine sports; Archery, Baseball, Chess, Cycling, Dance, Motorsport, Sailing, Taekwondo and Tennis. So, if you want to live out your dream to become an Olympic champion here is the chance. However, these “Esports” games are not your average Esports games. Most of us, when thinking of Esports, picture games such as League of Legends or Rocket League. Your average college campus Esports team is not playing baseball or dancing while streaming, so why did the International Olympic Committee (IOC) choose these sports over the existing framework?

In a statement provided to the Guardian, an IOC representative said, “It is important to us that the featured games align with the Olympic values… avoiding any personal violence.” An easier explanation is that existing games in Esports are too violent.

For one, I think the IOC is trying to keep the actual meaning of sport in “Esports.” Also, not everyone plays/ watches League of Legends or Fortnite, and if the IOC wants to appeal to the general public, they have to choose games that appeal to the masses.

On the other hand, this is not a good way to embrace Esports and it is just going to make it harder for others to understand what makes gaming competitions compelling. Personally, I enjoy watching gamers on YouTube or Twitch but I feel like if I wanted to watch someone play baseball, I would go to a baseball game…outside.

Many gamers expressed their criticism towards this event. One user had expressed the platform being used for Archery, Tic Tac Bow, has a 1.9 out of 5 stars rating on the Google Play store.

Obviously, the IOC is using Esports in a different meaning with a focus on sports simulators and virtual reality, but I can understand why some may criticize the format of this virtual series.

moments of the team range from them coming back from a difficult score to the team just having fun with each other.

CONTINUED FROM PG. 1

working hard to support their teammates on the field.

“This year, I just think we’re a little bit more fired up because we have such a young team,” junior defenseman Caleb Tascione said.

The Marlins have been getting stronger, as they won two games back-to-back on March 4-5.

They defeated the Eagles of Husson University with a score of 20-4 and followed up the next day with a win over the Little Giants of Wabash College, 22-17.

These two games have proven to show the team increasing in dynamic and working to find and fix the holes in their lineup.

This year, the Marlins are focusing on getting better for each game, whether it is working on catching or getting better at communicating on the field.

“We devise team wall ball sessions and individual wall ball sessions to make sure that our teammates are getting their sticking and their hands that will allow them to be more capable or more comfortable with the ball in your stick,” Tascione said.

The team started with fall ball as a team bonding point and for getting to know their new teammates. The best

Team bonding and support are a big part of the making of a sport that relies on teamwork.

It is something that the coaches can see the team doing throughout the season. Charles said what the team does best is “they support each other.”

Coach Stewart’s words have a heavy influence on the team as a whole. Even when the score is not in their favor, he reminds the team to take it one thing at a time.

“Our coach talks about the 1-0, no matter how many games we’ve won, or how many games we’ve lost, we are still going out with a winning mindset to go win the first game,” Tascione said.

This influence can be seen in the first game of the season against Neumann University when they were down 0-4 but ultimately ended up winning 14-12. Murphy credits this to Coach Stewart’s words. “Coach Stewart called a timeout and said, ‘How do you eat an elephant?’ and then everyone was like, ‘one bite at a time,’ and then the team just got hype, and then we started to come back.”

The hard work is paying off already with a winning record and a team dynamic that focuses on working hard and being in the moment at the games.

The players are excited to see the season continue and

BY COLETTE KEARNEY cmkearney@vwu.edu

In March of this year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the Olympic Esports Series. For the first time in history, professional and amateur players can play in 18 video games, including nine sports, for a chance to play in a live, in-person event taking place in June in Singapore.

According to David Lappartient, the Chair of the IOC Esports Liaison Group, “The Olympic Movement brings people together in peaceful competition.” Lappartient went on to say that this competition is a continuation of that.

The archery game being played is called Tic Tac Bow. It is a mix of tic tac toe and archery into one. To play, you need to shoot arrows at an archery board, and, just like in tic tac toe, you need to hit a whole row. The baseball game is called WBSC e-baseball. You can pick your teams, hit, pitch and play a field position. You can play against your friends and play against people from around the world.

The chess game being played is chess. com, where you play against someone online. The app called Zwift is what is being used for the cycling game. You can cycle with others and it has popular cycling tracks. You need some sort of cycling machine to be able to compete in this.

For the dance game, the IOC is using JustDance, the same game that many college students loved as a kid. Another sport that is a part of the Esports Series is Motor Sport. The game being used is called Gran Turismo, which was created by a Japanese developer. The game sees simulation, close to real life gameplay and a variety of cars to choose from.

The sailing game being used is called Virtual Regatta, an online race simulator. It uses real life weather conditions and close to realistic controls.

Virtual Taekwondo is the game being used for taekwondo. With sensors on players’ legs, the game responds to movement to give scores.

Tennis is played on an app called Tennis Clash. In order to play you need to swipe your finger across the screen where you want to hit the ball.

When I think of esports I think of games like Fortnite and FIFA, I don’t think of games like the ones being included in this Esports series. If I want to watch tennis, I will go outside and watch a tennis match, and get some Vitamin D while I’m at it. If I want to watch some archery, I will wait for the Olympics where actual professionals are playing. I see no point in having this competition, it takes away from the competitiveness of watching high level athletes and high level sports.

hope to go to the end.

“I just want everyone to know that it doesn’t happen overnight. And with crews like this, this is a perfect example of consistency and hard work and using that community to your advantage,” Charles said.

Catch the Marlins back on the field when they face the Wildcats of Randolph College at home on Birdsong Field on April 5. Face-off is set to begin at 7 p.m.

Ryan Purrington|Courtesy Freshman Julia Hathaway, senior Geni Roberts and sophomore Norah Ciano pose for a photo with their medals at the 2023 Indoor ODAC Track and Field Championships at Roanoke College in Salem, Va.

Emily Uzzle|Marlin Chronicle

“My advice to people pursuing anything is to stick to it. Even the most successful people have setbacks, it’s how they respond to those setbacks that separate them from the average person.”

The VWU Track and Field team excels at the 2023 Indoor Track and Field Championships in Salem, Va.

Grace McGhee|Courtesy Freshman face-off player Kris Barnum engages with opponent during a game on March 4 against the Eagles of Husson University.

Tyler Costello in six questions

Tyler Costello joins the VWU athletics staff from NCAA Division II Tiffin University in Ohio. He replaces Alysse Scripter as Director of Athletic Communications.

This interview was done by Sports Correspondent Josh Heller.

Josh Heller: What is your academic and work background?

Tyler Costello: I graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a Sports Management degree. I then was working as an Assistant Sports Information Director at Southern for two-and-a-half years. Next, I got my master’s degree from the University of New Haven. I was hoping to become a nursing major at Southern. I went there originally to be a nursing major, but quickly realized that I don’t really like needles or blood. I played men’s soccer, I ran track and I also was on the men’s lacrosse team during the spring in high school. I missed that team atmosphere and just wanted to find a chance to get back into that. So I became a Sports Management major and the rest is history. I came from Tiffin University. I’ve been there for the past two years.

JH: What are your hobbies?

TC: I love to play pool. Before I moved, I was in the American Pool Association (APA). We have teams, I got to play other teams and there’s a national ranking. Though I’m not nationally ranked, it’s just a hobby that I really like to do.

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JH: Are you excited to be the Director of Athletic Communications?

TC: I’m super excited, I have a lot of responsibility as far as the social media aspect of it. I ran social media and I was the marketing point for all 24 sports at Tiffin University. Every school wants to have a great social media presence and that’s something that I’m really excited to help this program do and grow. Finally, during my interview process, I came to visit and I was really blown away by everyone’s enthusiasm. The culture and overall energy of the athletic department was just amazing.

JH: What are your favorite sports to play or watch?

TC: My favorite sport to play and just watch weekly is soccer. I’m a big Tottenham fan so every single week I watch the Premier League. I grew up playing soccer and have been playing since I was four. The only reason I didn’t really play in college was because I tore my ACL two different times. I sort of play casually now. But I also like volleyball, I think it’s one of those sports that just brings a lot of energy and I think people really do seem to like it. At my

last school, one sport that was a little surprisingly fun to watch was wrestling. The fact that they like to make a certain weight and the way that they contort their bodies is just crazy.

JH: What is your favorite movie?

TC: The movie is “A Beautiful Mind,” which is about a professor who develops schizophrenia and he’s a genius. He basically gets a grant to go to school for free and he’s smart enough to realize that the images that he’s seeing are not real. Which is, I think, a really impressive discovery. It’s just a great movie overall. But that’s something to especially like in today’s age with all these mental health problems, it’s just super amazing that he was able to overcome that.

JH: Cats or dogs?

TC: That’s always a tough question because I like both truly. But I grew up with cats, so I’m going to have to say cats.

Colette Kearney|Marlin Chronicle

VWU’s athletics new Director of Athletic Communications, Tyler Costello, stands in front of the Marlins sign in the athletic suite in the Jane P. Batten Student Center.

Richard Stravitz’s pocket-sized museum

BY SASHA SAXON ansaxon@vwu.edu

Richard Stravitz injects life into the bronze veins of his painstakingly crafted figurines. In a similar manner, his gallery— the Stravitz Sculpture and Fine Art Gallery—contributes to the artistic livelihood of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, as the area’s largest fine art gallery, a mere mile from the famous Neptune statue.

Enveloped in a coat of teal paint, one cannot miss the two-story building on the border of a friendly neighborhood and a slew of small businesses. Its massive windows entice passersby with select artwork. The 7,000 square foot space is a work of art itself, thoughtfully displaying sculptures and glasswork, paintings and collages, even jewelry—all of which are for sale.

The gallery frequently rotates its featured artists, cycling the most prominent exhibits to maintain relevancy and impartiality. Most importantly is the diversity of their selection. Within the exhibits, every artistic niche is celebrated. One can find Monetinspired landscapes adjacent to psychedelic still-lifes and life-sized seagulls. Truly, the diversity of the artists’ inspiration and methods can be seen splattered over canvas or carved into sculptures. Virginia and seven-cities natives find a home for their art

alongside international artists from Turkey, Italy and Russia.

As stated on the website, the curator and owner, Richard Stravitz, is a Long Islander and former marine who later moved to Virginia. While he used to pursue art in his spare time, once he reached retirement, he developed his relationship with sculpting. His work is now proudly displayed in prestigious settings such as the Supreme Court Building of Virginia and the United States Naval Academy. His work has been recognized and praised by numerous groups, from the International Olympic Committee to The Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show.

As his chosen medium is bronze, he is most notable for his proficiency with the ancient Roman “lost wax” technique. According to the gallery’s website, the complicated process begins with a wire and clay model, which is then molded in plaster. A wax figuring is made from the plaster mold and perfected, then finally coated in a sturdy ceramic shell. The wax is melted away to allow molten bronze to be poured into place, hence the name.

Despite the rigidity of bronze, Stravitz’s pieces are wrought with movement. As it states on the website, he is “widely recognized for his distinctive ability to sculpt emotion.” He employs mathematical precision to dissect the angles, proportions and shapes of his model. Entranced and inspired

by the powerful movement of athletes and the curvature of the feminine form, his work encompasses many subjects. Within his own gallery, he portrays sensuous belly dancers, contorted yoga poses, ballroom dancing, baseball batters mid-swing, wrestlers just before a tackle, Olympic runners and duetting ice dancers.

By some form of alchemy, he captures his model’s essence and their strain. His little figurines are no longer just artistry, but a carefully crafted science—a study of human anatomy. On the first floor of the gallery, the dancers are often displayed on rotating platforms to enhance their swirling illusion.

On the second floor, the pocket-sized museum is a maze of oddly shaped rooms, sunlight and strategic lighting. Paintings by the same artist are grouped together, but not necessarily with similar work.

Within five feet, you could pass by wispy sunsets, a bed of vibrant vegetables and sultry portraits composed from a mosaic of recycled junk mail. As the art ranges so drastically, from political statements to stoic looking zebras, the collections are always paired with the artist’s biography. The aspect of surprise is always present and talent is emblazoned on every wall, even in the hallways on the way to the restroom.

An artist himself, Thom Drinkard is a friendly and knowledgeable employee of the gallery. He found his footing as a medi-

From London...

Recap of ‘YOU’ Season 4 and ‘Outer Banks’ Season 3

cal illustrator, creating art for anatomy and medical textbooks, once he had participated in some of Virginia’s prestigious artistic programs.

Drinkard was more than happy to provide a thorough private tour, with humorous insights and facts not available on the website. He coined his favorite room the liquor room—a series of hyper realistic paintings of bottles and cocktails that could easily be mistaken for photographs.

Overall, the Stravitz Sculpture and Fine Art Gallery is an unmistakable treasure. More intimate than the Chrysler Museum and more diverse than the VA MOCA, it is well worth the eighteen minute drive from campus.

BY MIKAYLA MOSCATELLI mamoscatelli@vwu.edu

“I told myself this is the last time, it’s YOU or nothing.” This haunting quote echoes in the minds of viewers as they start Season 4 of this Netflix fan favorite. This season of “You” follows “Jonathan Moore,” an American Professor, through London; but all viewers know he is just a subtly disguised Joe Goldberg.

For those who may not know, this Netflix hit follows Joe Goldberg as he runs from city to city, escaping the problems he creates and changing his identity every time his past alias is involved with a horrendous crime.

Joe, played by Penn Badgley, is a man who develops an unhealthy obsession with a new woman each season, until this most recent season.

Joe is an obsessive, sociopathic and narcissistic individual who approaches every romantic relationship with a psychotic level of faux commitment. Despite his efforts, he can never stay with the same person for a long period of time, as he always finds them guilty of a multitude of sins.

If a “threat” appears, he easily disposes of the problem with deadly force.

Candice, Beck, Love and Marianne, played by Ambyr Childers, Elizabeth Lail, Victoria Pedretti and Tati Gabrielle respectively, are the main women (victims) that he meets in each season. Following the character growth and emotional development of Joe, despite his atrocities, the viewer comes to the realization that Joe desperately wants to change his way of life. Goldberg is nothing but a hopeless romantic, with the heart of a serial killer.

In Season 3, fans begin to see Joe in a new light with fears and worries, just like any suburban husband. Finally,

we see him paired against a formidable foe, his wife, Love. Joe and Love were a near perfect match due to their complementary personalities, but her psychotic tendencies got in the way when she pressured Joe into helping her with the murders she had committed, despite promising to start a new chapter.

Four seasons in, we are still grasping onto the minimal knowledge we’ve gleaned of Joe’s childhood. What we do know is that he was abandoned by his mom after he killed his abusive father. This traumatic experience provides reasoning behind why he behaves the way he does now: readily killing to prevent any issue and to gain control.

Each season, Joe truly changes, not wanting to resort to violence and ultimately death of his victims. With Season 4, he began innocently, wanting to make sure there were no threats to his relationship, that is until the “eat the rich” killer enters the picture while Joe is in London.

The second half of Season 4 is absolutely mind boggling, leaving viewers on the edge of their seat, constantly wondering what is going on with Joe and Marianne. Will she be his newest victim, or will he finally break his pattern?

to Poguelandia

“Once a Pogue, always a Pogue,” is the famous catchphrase every person hears when they watch “Outer Banks.” The most recent season starts with six teens stranded on a deserted island, which they appropriately named Poguelandia. But, before we get into the newest twists and turns of the newest season, let’s take a dive into the rocky past of the Kooks and Pogues.

Four Pogues–the working class of the Outer Banks–John B., JJ, Kiara and Pope, played by Chase Stokes, Rudy Pankow, Madison Bailey and Jonathan Daviss respectively, only desire to live as young, wild and free individuals.

Unfortunately, they are often deemed as troublemakers, who are almost always up to no good. As John B said, “The downside of Pogue life is we’re ignored and neglected. But the upside of Pogue life? We’re ignored and neglected, which means we do whatever we want, whenever we want.”

The Kooks–the Outer Banks’ old money families–of the show are the Cameron siblings Rafe and Sarah alongside Sarah’s ex-boyfriend Topper, played by Drew Starkey, Madelyn Cline and Austin North respectively. Kooks have always been in the positions of powers. In proper Romeo and Juliet style, Sarah turns to the Pogues when she is stranded in a city and falls in love with John B. Jumping forward to the present, the Pogues are still desperately trying to locate the hidden treasure John B.’s

father, Big John, played by Charles Halford, supposedly died searching for. The group of teenagers set out on a wild chase, taking on deadly obstacles, overcoming hostage situations, fighting against family and forming new relationships along the way.

A recurring theme of the show is John B. and his never ending search for his father, Big John, even after he is presumed dead when his sunken boat is found. John B never gives up on the idea that his father is alive and safe. In an effort to find Big John and to connect with him, John B. is hooked, trying to find the treasure his dad spent his life researching.

The Pogues realize they find a family within each other and that being blood related doesn’t always mean they are family.

Throughout the whole series, the Pogues are constantly on the hunt for the truth and for treasure, hoping to prove they are more than troublemakers and thieves. In their exciting search, the Pogues travel from Kildare to Barbados, and even from a remote island to the wild jungles of South America.

Right before Season 3 aired, the cast of “Outer Banks” hosted a music festival, in which they announced that they are indeed releasing a Season 4. At the end of the season they are asked to search for another hidden treasure. Will there actually be more treasure? Only time will tell.

“Once upon a time, I believed in Love. Sure, I’d been hurt before, but I had learned from that and I wanted to fight for a fresh start.”

Joe Goldberg

Sasha Saxon|Marlin Chronicle

“Neptune Equinox” by Mark C. Campbell, a stunning depiction of a local spot, featured on the first floor of the Stravitz gallery.

Sasha Saxon|Marlin Chronicle “Culture and Pride” by Mona Dworkin.

Sasha Saxon|Marlin Chronicle “Eat Your Veggies” by Mike Haubenstock.

Unexpected Guest From Farm to Table

BY KYLEA MCCAREL ksmccarel@vwu.edu

Occupying a small but comfortable spot in the middle of Chesapeake’s Greenbrier shopping area is the Baker’s Crust Artisan Kitchen. The restaurant is a part of a franchise local to Virginia, with locations in Northern Virginia, Richmond and near campus.

Known for their “Neapolitan Pizzas” and “Farm to Plate Salads,” Baker’s Crust offers a variety of handcrafted dining options sourced from Virginia’s farms, that cater to all tastes and dietary restrictions. The Baker’s Crust not only serves lunch and dinner, but a significant breakfast menu, featuring benedicts, sweet treats and omelets. Additionally, they offer catering options, desserts and libations for all cravings at any time of day.

When arriving at Baker’s Crust location in Chesapeake, the parking lot can seem quite full. As the restaurant is a part of a shopping center, it shares its space with several other businesses in its block. However, their waitresses offer the most current and accurate wait times when you call beforehand for convenience.

The waiting area can accommodate a party of any size and even connects to their bar if you’re looking for an alcoholic beverage while you wait. Larger parties may wait longer than others as the smaller dining area contains tables and booths built for parties of six or less.

When being seated, the hostesses offer drink menus as well as their gluten free menu for those with allergies. This is a nice touch to their service, as many places don’t readily offer gluten-free menus or tailor well to customers with allergies.

Madison Dzwonkowski, a Virginia Wesleyan senior who was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, a disease that requires a strict gluten free-diet, said, “Their gluten free menu is definitely worth it!” Unlike other carb-heavy restaurants, the menu is quite large, encompassing both the front and back of a page.

“There are a lot of options!” Dzwonkowski said. Offering a full menu to those with allergies allows people like Dzwonkowski easy places to eat with friends and family without the worry of unpleasant or limited options.

When dining at Baker’s Crust, Dzwonkowski ordered a gluten-free margarita pizza. The pizza was around eight inches in diameter, which is roughly two inches

smaller than the non gluten-free options. However, it was a flavorful option.

“I did wish it was a bit thicker, rather than flat breadlike,” Dzwonkowski said. “I was definitely still hungry afterwards but that’s my only complaint.” All pizzas are baked in their 900 degree Stone Deck Neapolitan Pizza Oven. They pride themselves in only using hand-stretched dough and fresh, housemade mozzarella cheese. Dzwonkowski’s gluten-free pizza was “a little burnt but overall not bad,” leaving her wanting more. Her friends, however, had a slightly different experience with their food. Another diner at the table, Mikayla Moscatelli, ordered the Thai Chili Shrimp Tacos with a side caesar salad. When the tacos arrived at the table, everyone was excited, as they looked full of flavor. The caesar salad was well dressed and came with the usual parmesan cheese and croutons.

However, upon further inspection of the salad, an unwelcome guest appeared in Moscatelli’s lettuce. A worm or caterpillar about the length of a fingernail crawled out from its caesar’s palace to greet her and her friends. Shock and disgust came over the table as Dzwonkowski moved the worm to a nearby napkin for a closer look.

“I had lost my appetite before I could finish,” Moscatelli said. The women waved over a nearby server to come take their new friend away.

“I’m sorry, I don’t blame you,” the server, Jackeline,

Safe Night program looks to improve nightlife

tering an establishment must abide by the rules in place regarding weapons and behaviors, especially as they are about to impair their judgment with alcohol.

Junior Avery Sutherland said, “I was at Mojo’s one night, and a guy was like, ‘I got my Glock’ and I feel like right there the bounce shouldn’t have even let him in. The guy shouldn’t have even brought his gun in the first place. But, since the bouncers knew the guy, they just let him in. That makes others feel unsafe.”

Safety is a huge issue that should be enforced with bouncers and bartenders. We asked the interviewees what they and their group of friends do in order to ensure they are all safe.

“My friends and I just have a group chat and when we can’t find someone we just text each other,” Albritton said.

said. “I’m gonna go show the kitchen.”

After a few moments of waiting, Jackeline reappeared with manager Megan Etheridge who offered a not-so-reassuring apology. “Our salads are farm to table so sometimes it happens,” Etheridge said. Regarding this mishap, no assumptions can truly be made on whether this occurrence is a common experience, or an unfortunate accident.

The comment from the manager was not well received from the table, as they were unsure if any of their food was properly prepared and handled. Etheridge removed two out of the three salads from their bill and offered coupons to each person for a free pizza and dessert upon their next visit. “I personally feel like they handled it okay,” Moscatelli said. Nonetheless, “the phrase ‘sometimes it happens’ shouldn’t have been used as an excuse,” she said.

All of the women at their table had the same weary answer to if they’d return. “This is the first time something like this has happened to me there,” Dzwonkowski said, who had a more positive outlook on the situation.

The idea that a well-respected and nice dining restaurant does not appropriately wash their vegetables can be quite unsettling. Be that as it may be, this is a risk every patron takes when going out to eat. The choice, however, is yours. We hope you don’t come across any unexpected guests in your salads from the farm to your table.

‘Scream VI’ is a Cut Above the Rest

BY RYAN ABRAHAM rsabraham@vwu.edu

“Scream VI” sees directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett return after directing the fifth “Scream” film, released in 2022.

BY MADISON DZWONKOWSKI mkdzwonkowski@vwu.edu

A huge part of the college life experience is going out with your friends on the weekends, and the Marlins have some of the best locations around. However, it could be challenging to know where the best place to go is, especially while safety is still a top priority.

The Downtown Norfolk Council (DNC) is now partnering with Safe Night LLC to develop and install safety protocols in the Norfolk area.

The Safe Night Out program has been noticed and applied in Arlington, Va., Dallas, Texas and now Norfolk, Va. SafeNight is confident that their practices help in reducing alcohol related harm, establishing trust between businesses and the community, training active bystanders, partnering with public transportation and influencing bar and restaurant staff to comply with the laws.

This type of program is being implemented to boost the city’s night time economy and improve the relationships and safety between businesses and its customers.

Due to the differences in operations, the beta phase of this program includes business in the downtown area, including Bacter’s, Brothers and Legacy Restaurant and Lounge. Eventually more businesses will be added, and the model will be extended beyond the entertainment district.

Legacy Restaurant and Lounge experienced a huge operational change, after a quadruple shooting in August of 2021.

As they had just reopened in February of that year, the DNC left a zoning certificate on the business, allowing them to operate with zero alcohol sales, no entertainment and no late hours, ensuring the safety of the community.

The Safe Night LLC has also hosted training in the past with businesses, and its staff, to enable the program.

This type of program could benefit the community, however, the Marlins don’t believe this will benefit any of the businesses around campus.

On an Instagram poll, students were asked if they have ever been to these businesses before and they all replied with, “No.” The most popular businesses for our student body included: PBR Waterside, Mojo Bones, Ballyhoos, Hot Tuna and Central Shore.

“Installing something like this may stop people from getting violent at the bars, but it could also result in a loss of profit too,” junior Morris Albritton said. Bouncers, however, are there for a reason. Patrons en-

“We ALWAYS use the buddy system. Say someone needs to use the bathroom, we all go together or if we are in a larger group two people will go together. Even if we need a breath of fresh air or want another drink, someone always goes with another person, no one gets left alone. My friends and I always have a DD for the night, and alternate, so we always know when everyone gets home, since we are all together,” Sutherland said.

Just by these two answers we can observe that girls are more cautious and aware when they go out to business like the ones in the Safe Night Out program rather than boys.

We also opened up a poll on Instagram asking students “What makes you feel safest when going out on the weekends?” A very popular answer was going with a big group of people they know, whether it be friends or a significant other.

SafeNight is sought to either thrive or completely miss the nightlife area in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. If the community took it seriously, and looked at the brighter picture, it would definitely make a change.

There is always room for improvement, especially in the entertainment industry; night life is supposed to be fun. People are not supposed to get hurt, or risk their lives.

There is so much violence and unsafety in the world, that it’s hard to know what businesses are trustworthy to go to. If the businesses who participate in this program advertised they are working with SafeNight, students would feel comfortable going there as well.

Unlike the previous film, which was set in Woodsboro, the town from the original “Scream” (1996), this film relocates the action to New York City. In setting the film in New York, “Scream VI” delivers larger setpieces and more intense chases as this film’s Ghostface hunts the leads throughout the city.

Leading the cast is Melissa Barrera’s Sam Carpenter, who was introduced in the previous film. While the character’s portrayal was a controversial element in the previous film, Sam is a standout in “Scream VI,” thanks to both the character being given a stronger storyline, as well as due to the strength of Barrera’s performance.

Sam is joined by her sister, Tara, played by Jenna Ortega. Ortega gives a great performance, as her character struggles with both Sam’s need to protect her, and the challenges of moving on from the prior film’s events.

Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding also return from the previous film with larger roles as brother and sister duo, Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin, respectively.

Both actors give likable, compelling performances and provide much of the comedic tone that the “Scream” franchise is known to incorporate.

Particularly, Brown’s Mindy once again plays the role of the horror movie expert, who uses her knowledge to provide a meta-commentary on franchise tropes as the film’s characters attempt to discover who Ghostface is.

The returning cast from “Scream” (2022) are joined by Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers, who has been featured in all of the franchise’s entries.

Cox’s Gale is once again a welcome presence, and one of the highlights of the film. This is due to both Cox giving another great performance, as well as having potentially the best chase scene in the franchise yet.

Cox’s Gale is not the only “legacy” character to return, however, as Hayden Panettiere returns as Kirby Reed from “Scream 4” (2011). Panettiere’s performance as Kirby is another highlight of the film, as she maintains the humor and charm that made her character a fan-favorite, while also giving the character more of an edge in response to how she was changed by her previous near-death experience.

“Scream VI” is the most intense entry in the franchise yet, due to both the location change to NYC and the high frequency of chases and attacks throughout.

This intensity is complemented by Roger L. Jackson, once again providing the chilling voice of Ghostface. The film also features strong visuals throughout, thanks to cinematographer Brett Jutkiewicz. Overall, “Scream VI” is easily the best “Scream” since the original 1996 film.

Madison Dzwonkowski|Marlin Chronicle Madison Dzwonkowski and friends enjoy a night out in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area.

Mel Lhuillier|Marlin Chronicle

Kylea McCarel|Marlin Chronicle

Aside from the colorful Thai chili shrimp tacos, Baker’s Crust also serves a variety of pastas, pizzas and salads.

Elaine Robbins|Courtesy Elaine Robbins and her sisters visited Hot Tuna.

Mel Lhuillier|Marlin Chronicle