The Marlin Chronicle
Women’s Volleyball dominates
Women’s Volleyball won a home tournament 4-0; Emma Claytor won ODAC Defensive Player of the Week, the first ever awarded.
BY CROSSON MILLER lcmiller@vwu.edu
Once again, the Women’s Volleyball team opened their season with a successful run. The team won the first four games of the season in front of a healthy home crowd at the Marlin Invitational. In the ODAC preseason poll, the Marlins stood atop the competitive rankings. After week one concluded, the Marlins dominance was recognized by sweeping the ODAC awards for Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week.
Senior Hannah Smith was named ODAC
Offensive Player of the Week, leading Virginia Wesleyan’s attack across their first slate of games. She led the team with 55 total kills during the Marlin Invitational, as well as three aces against No. 22 ranked opponent, University of Mary Washington.
“[We] used the same [offensive strategy] that we did last year. Mixing up who we’re giving the ball to. We can have more of an open net to hit on. We did a pretty good job on that,” Smith said.
After earning her award and the team’s top ODAC Ranking, Smith expects nothing but success this season.
“I expect to win the ODAC. I always set high expectations. Last year we weren’t ranked number one and we didn’t win, so I’m hoping that we win,” Smith said.
Graduate student Emma Claytor earned the ODAC Defensive Player of the Week for her performance in the Marlin Invitational, tallying 20 total blocks and nine digs. She credited her offseason training for the strong performance. This was the first time that the ODAC had awarded a Defensive Player of the Week in Women’s Volleyball. Previously, there had only been an Offensive Player of the Week.
MOCA construction raises concerns about parking, safety
BY AVERY BELISLE lcmiller@vwu.edu
Largely regarded for years as a “hidden gem” of Virginia Beach for its diverse and thought-provoking works, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is working in collaboration with Virginia Wesleyan to relocate through the creation of a facility on campus.
The new facility will provide around 20% more exhibition space than the previous facility, a substantial improvement for such a comprehensive museum. Such an increase allows the museum to bring in more works, more perspectives and garner further acclaim.
This is an impactful step forward in their mission to increase accessibility to art and art education, and will open the new MOCA facility to a wider audience. The current location of the museum only has around 468,000 people within its 35 mile radius, while
Inside Look:
the new facility at Virginia Wesleyan has around 1.6 million in the same radius.
Along with a larger population, the new facility is closer to more schools, opening up many opportunities for younger audiences to be introduced to the world of contemporary art.
President of Virginia Wesleyan Scott Miller particularly emphasizes the importance of the museum’s proximity to more schools.
“When K-12 schools — public and private — plan field trips, transportation logistics like busing and mileage play a critical role in what gets approved. By relocating Virginia MOCA to our more central campus, we shift the conversation around arts exposure and education for children in our region, making it more accessible and impactful for future generations,” Miller said.
Many faculty members are excited about the introduction of the museum
Marijuana usage heightens on campus -- Page 2
to the university. Dr. Travis Malone, professor of Theatre and dean of the Batten Honors College, is “so ecstatic” to hear about its construction.
“It will elevate our exposure to the community, to the region, and will give our students an opportunity to interact with world-class artists,” Malone said.
This collaboration is regarded as an enhancement to the alreadystrong liberal arts culture at Virginia Wesleyan and strives to further broaden the horizons of the university’s students. “As a nationally recognized liberal arts college, the addition of Virginia MOCA to our campus further reinforces our commitment to that distinction, enhancing both our academic environment and cultural presence,” Miller said.
“A liberal arts education is
See MOCA Page 3
“We have seen an increase already coming into the third week of reported incidents.” - Director of ResLife Elyse Rosen
“I was just more consistent, going to open gyms. I played a lot more volleyball over the summer,” Claytor said. Claytor’s performance played a key role in the team’s defensive front, especially after the recent injury of the team’s libero, Maddie Haynes, rendered a hole in the team’s defensive gameplan.
“We had a lot of people step up to fill that role. [Jada] took on a big responsibility, changing positions. She was an outside
Perspectives on Campus Leadership -Page 4
“I say hi to some people that walk by, even if I don’t know them, I say hello. They say hello to me.” - Junior Opeyemi Kareem-Ojo
From the EditorPage 6
McKenna Howenstine
|Marlin Chronicle
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle
Marijuana usage heightens on campus
Seward and Rosen weigh in on the increased usage of the federally prohibited substance.
BY ISAAC FICK ihfick@vwu.edu
As of July 1, 2021, the use and possession of marijuana by individuals 21 years of age and older is legal in the state of Virginia. However, according to the VWU Student Handbook, “Virginia Wesleyan receives federal funding through student financial aid, and therefore must uphold all federal guidelines and laws.” Due to this, the use and possession of marijuana by anyone, regardless of age, is prohibited on VWU’s campus.
“We have standards. We have standards of Student Conduct. We have community standards. We distribute those to everyone,” Jason Seward, associate vice president for Campus Life and Operational Management said.
“All students actually accept the terms of the Student Handbook, which these are clearly outlined in,” Seward said.
“While laws and regulations have relaxed throughout the state and everything, we have seen an increase already coming into the third week of reported incidents.”
Elyse Rosen
On Sept. 3, the Office of Residence Life distributed an email reminding students that marijuana on campus is prohibited. The email said, “So far this semester we have already had 4 incidents involving marijuana on campus.”
Elyse Rosen, Director of Residence Life, added that, “The intention with using this specific number at that time was because, while laws and regulations have relaxed throughout the state and everything, we have seen an increase already coming into the third week of reported incidents.” Rosen said.
Rosen explained that even off campus, marijuana should not be possessed or used by anyone under the legal age. “Students under 21 shouldn’t be smoking, drinking … because you have to be 21 in order to possess any marijuana or alcohol,” she said.
“Your body is a container,” Seward said. He elaborated that the use of marijuana off campus does not exempt students from repercussions. “If students choose
to engage in activity off campus and then come back to campus, if … a cause for university awareness or response [is created], then the university has a duty to respond,” Seward said.
Seward emphasized that if the university is made aware of a situation, it has the duty to step in. “All the incidents that we respond to are brought to our attention, either through someone intercepting, or someone reporting through the LiveSafe app, or someone just blatantly calling Security or Residence Life,” he said.
“We’re not going around hiding in cars and waiting for people to start lighting up or hear bottles clinking,” Seward said.
In response to finding students in possession or use of marijuana, Rosen outlined the university’s actions. “Myself, our assistant director, and then our two
village coordinators will conduct related meetings with students of concern or who were engaging in policy violations,” Rosen said.
Rosen explained that if a student were to be found smoking on campus or in possession of paraphernalia in their room, the next step would include conduct probation. “Conduct probation, which is our first level of probation, just kind of a warning that should they be involved in any policy violations during that time it would be … subject to further disciplinary action,” Rosen said.
Additionally, Rosen said, “We notify parents and or coaches if they’re members of the student athletic group and population because they also have their own expectations and requirements.”
In regards to supporting students, “...
Residence Life|Courtesy Residence Life dispensed flyers across residence halls to respond to the increased presence of marijuana on campus.
we also have drug education courses, so students who are found in possession or in use of illicit substances such as marijuana would be subject to complete a drug education course online,” Rosen said. “It does come with that fine associated to complete it.”
Rosen added that the intention of the course is to avoid further incidents. “[It is] just like drug probation to make sure that that behavior is not continuing and they understand the safety and risks associated with such activity,” Rosen said.
“We want students to be supported,” Seward said. “They may be in a difficult time and they’re turning to drugs and alcohol to manage those stressors.”
When students need help, Rosen described that there are a variety of resources. “There are layers of support and different levels for who they can go to and who they can see to kind of get that assistance,” she said.
“Ultimately, we don’t want this behavior, this choice, to kind of snowball and become more of a pattern than a mistake or a negative choice that occurred,” Rosen said.
“The real judge of character for a person is how you move forward from that moment, how you move forward from the adversity you face, or a time where you made a mistake.”
Jason Seward
“The real judge of character for a person is how you move forward from that moment, how you move forward from the adversity you face, or a time where you made a mistake,” Seward said.
Seward shed light on the consequence to the institution and all students at Virginia Wesleyan if federal laws are not followed. “Imagine no federal financial aid for you to attend college here,” he said. “If we were to choose not to follow those guidelines, then we would lose federal funding, and that doesn’t benefit the students at all.”
“Even though it’s legal in the state of Virginia, it is still illegal at the federal level,” Seward said. As a federally funded institution, VWU is required to adhere to federal law, rather than state law.
Wesleyan explores dropping research vessel
BY CLAY YOKOM kayokom@vwu.edu
The Ocean Explorer, a boat purchased and maintained through an agreement with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and Virginia Wesleyan, is being sold.
On Aug. 23, Dr. Victor Townsend, professor of Biology and dean of the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics, informed faculty members by email not to schedule trips on the Ocean Explorer for the 2024 Fall Semester and that the vessel was going to be sold.
Purchased in 2009 through a partnership with the Virginia Aquarium, this vessel has been used in multiple classes including Oceanography, Marine Ecology and Marine Invertebrate Zoology.
“We split the operating costs and the maintenance costs with them,” Townsend said.
Dr. Soraya Bartol is the supervisor of the Ocean Explorer and is on sabbatical at this time.
When asked for details on the vessel, Bartol wrote “I too just found out that the Ocean Explorer was being sold and I do not have the latest information.”
Townsend assured that this decision will not affect students.
“It’s not going to have a student impact at all,” he said. “The funding available for renting boats is more than sufficient to supply the courses that we currently offer with access to boats,” Townsend said.
Students still have access to the
water monitoring equipment and trawl, according to Townsend, “all of that is housed in Greer when it’s not in use.”
Classes will have the same amount of boat trips as previous semesters. “The University is committed to offering the same educational opportunities as last year as they will have this year, as well as in the future,” Townsend said.
“The University is committed to offering the same educational opportunities as last year as they will have this year, as well as in the future.”
Victor Townsend
Those pursuing a minor in Marine Science are familiar with the watercraft. Bartol said there are currently 23 students pursuing the minor. Harry Smith, a senior and Biology major, has spent a significant amount of time on the vessel for BIO 319 Studies in Marine Coastal Environments.
“We spent 19-20 hours on that boat,” Smith said.
Because Smith thought access to the Ocean Explorer would be through “one of the super upper level classes,” he didn’t expect to
have as much time on the vessel as he did.
Smith was aware of the watercraft before enrolling at VWU. “I had heard about a partnership with William and Mary, VIMS, and the aquarium about a research vessel … It was definitely a factor in picking Wesleyan,” Smith said.
In the beginning of the semester, Smith said he reached out to Bartol about the future of the vessel. Smith also brought up his concerns to Susan Larkin, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, through an email. “Raising my concerns with the school community was a very professional process,” Smith said. “She got back to me, it was like eight minutes.”
Dr. Maynard Shaus, professor of Biology and Environmental Science, is the current Oceanography professor. He has had to restructure the syllabus as a result of the vessel not being available.
When making a syllabus for a class, professors traditionally adapt the schedule from the previous year, according to Shaus. The news was “fairly late notice, not when we were drawing up the schedules,” Shaus said.
Finding a boat “took a little scrambling at the last minute, but we were able to do it,” Shaus said. Instead of the Ocean Explorer, he said students will be going out on one of Old Dominion University’s vessels.
This semester Shaus is looking
forward to new activities for the oceanography class. “We’re also using other resources in the area, like the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab,” he said.
While there, Shaus mentioned that students will study sea level rise and coastal sustainability.
“The students are still going out on boats this fall,” Shaus said. “It’s just going to be a different
boat.”
“Oceanography lab is not just going out on the boat,” Shaus said. “Instead of on the Atlantic Ocean it’s going to be on the Chesapeake Bay.”
Although the boat used for the field trips will be different, the opportunities afforded to students will be the same.
Kimberly Koscinski|Courtesy Shaus samples during a trip on the Ocean Explorer in 2022.
about nurturing the whole person, encouraging critical thinking, creativity and personal growth,” Miller said.
“The arts enrich this experience, offering inspiration and insight in ways few other disciplines can, while deepening our understanding of ourselves and the world around us,” Miller said.
In addition to the increased access to a new world of various art installations and unique exhibits, students can expect opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
“It is the plan that students can expect internships or work opportunities,” Malone said.
“We have a number of art majors [who] will be able to do internships and work directly with world-class artists here on campus without having to go around the world. You can begin that art journey and your creative work right here rather than
having to seek it elsewhere.”
Despite the optimism of the staff surrounding the construction of the museum, many students are beginning to have various concerns about what the future of the museum holds, especially in terms of student parking options and campus security. “The campus is difficult enough to secure as it is, with all students and off campus organizations using our space. It is a constant flow of people from
the local area. Now we have a main attraction for the state to consider as well,” graduate student Rowan Stuart said. “I am not sure how they intend to do security… I don’t expect [them] to be able to coordinate with another independent team to guarantee the same safety we are accustomed to.”
Stuart underscored the critical need for accessible parking for students. "Our parking in relevant spaces [is] already stretched, and we cannot reasonably anticipate the limitation of patrons to the Goode lot,” he said.
Stuart highlighted the impact on residential students in particular: “This campus is a home; you wouldn’t park a mile away from your house in the rain and be expected to walk the distance because someone parked in your driveway.”
Despite student concerns about security and parking, Miller and Malone emphasized that the potential benefits of the museum surpass any temporary inconvenience of the installation.
“The minor inconvenience of having to walk the extra two minutes from Allen Village or the Honors Village parking lot is nothing compared to the benefits we’re getting from this project,” Malone said. “The construction location is in an area already designated for future development,” Miller said. “It was considered surplus parking, pending the construction of a new building.”
Additionally, Miller reinforced VWU’s commitment to student
safety. “The DeFord Gatehouse will continue to ensure the safety of the campus by monitoring all visitors,” Miller said. “Museums of contemporary art most frequently attract a particular type of audience that is easy to monitor,” he said, largely citing students from nearby schools as the prime example.
This collaboration between the MOCA and Virginia Wesleyan was a largely unanimous decision from many of the sponsors and supporters behind both organizations. President Miller discussed how philanthropists like Jane Batten, Joan Brock and Susan and David Goode “rallied behind the idea.” Miller boasts that this project is “truly a winwin-win.”
“It’s a win for VWU, offering our students exposure to contemporary art, while providing opportunities in nonprofit and arts management. At the same time, it opens our beautiful campus to the wider public,” Miller said.
“It’s a win for Virginia MOCA, allowing them to expand their exhibit space and advance their mission of arts education in a brand new facility. And it’s a win for the City of Virginia Beach, as the new location…[makes] it more accessible to guests from across Coastal Virginia and beyond,” he said.
The new facility on campus is expected to expand student opportunities and include new perspectives for the campus population.
“This campus is a home; you wouldn't park a mile away from your house in the rain and be expected to walk the distance because someone parked in your driveway.”
Rowan Stuart
“The minor inconvenience of having to walk the extra two minutes from Allen Village or the Honors Village parking lot is nothing compared to the benefits we're getting from this project.”
Travis Malone
WesBridge program prepares freshmen
New directors and returning mentor Judah King share perspectives, updates.
BY BRADY KING bpking@vwu.edu
The WesBridge Program is an opportunity for freshmen to get a kick start to their college experience. The arrival date for the students involved was Aug. 9, giving them two weeks to get a handle on the program before the start of the fall semester.
The WesBridge program first gained attention for its focus on kickstarting students' college years, back in the summer of 2021, after the success of its pilot term.
According to an article on the Virginia Wesleyan website, it is designed to ease students into their college education and help them build the skills needed to succeed at VWU.
When asked about her first experience co-directing the WesBridge program Student Success Coordinator Amanda Battle provided information on what to expect when arriving on campus. “When
students arrived that Friday the 9, we did some community building activities over that weekend, and then their classes started on Monday the 12,” Battle said.
Some of the activities included a scavenger hunt that would take them to certain buildings to help get a feel for the Virginia Wesleyan campus. “When they went to the Counseling Center upstairs in Batten, they got some Play-Doh for stress relief,” Battle said. This was intended to show students that there can be a place for quiet and peace.
Battle also mentioned that some of the WesBridge team members went out on a store run to help students complete their dorm rooms. “We did a store run for students who might not have transportation to get some supplies that they might need to finalize outfitting their room,” Battle said.
The WesBridge program tries their best to make sure students feel the most welcomed and have fun. “We also did a Bush Gardens trip then hit up a Tides game,” Battle said. In addition to classes and activities, the article on the VWU website states, “staff will offer orientation sessions to educate students on financial assistance, academic resources, health services, dining options, employment opportunities, and other aspects of the Virginia Wesleyan experience.”
When asked about how the WesBridge program has changed, returning mentor Judah King said, “I believe the program has improved over the years.” He states that changes such as allowing students to choose subjects and incorporating downtime were examples of how the program has improved.
King has been involved with the WesBridge program since his sophomore year. “I am the only mentor who has been here the longest for WesBridge,” King
said. He believed he had gotten a “firsthand view on how the program has changed and evolved from the start to now.”
When King was asked about how some of the changes have reflected the outcome of the program, “I feel like they reflected them positively,” he said.
Coming in early may make it seem as if you are not as smart or prepared as other freshmen arriving later, according to King.
“There is nothing wrong with needing additional assistance, whether you are considered smart or dumb,” King said.
The WesBridge program is what students make of it. It can help them as little or as much as they need. Through this program, freshmen get the opportunity to jump start their college education and further develop their academic skills, so the transition to college can be as smooth as possible.
When asked about their experience helping with planning for the WesBridge program, Outreach and Access Services Librarian Kelsi Dunman said, “It was a seven to eight month planning process for a two week event, we started planning in January.” After seeing students go through the program she realized that the WesBridge students were more prepared for Marlin Nation Orientation.
When it came time for the orientation activities, Dunman said, “We had library resources activity during regular orientation, one of our WesBridge students would be the first one to complete the activity … It was really rewarding to see the actual impact that the program had on them for school.”
This year Virginia Wesleyan University welcomed more than 50 new students to the program.
Kelsi Dunman|Courtesy
WesBridge Students gather in front of an octopus statue at the Little Theatre of Norfolk before watching “Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) {revised} (Again).”
Kelsi Dunman|Courtesy WesBridge Students pose at CinemaCafe before watching “Deadpool and Wolverine.”
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle Active construction of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
The Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center parking lot on Founders' Day, Sept. 5, which was asked to be cleared of vehicles for the event.
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The MARLIN CHRONICLE
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Community
Putt-putt event lights up CMAC
The
Eric
Nyman Golf Simulators
BY VICTORIA HANELINE vfhaneline1@vwu.edu
were donated by a VWU grad and are almost never opened to the public.
Putt-Putt After Dark was a minigolf event held at the Cunningham Multi-Activity Center (CMAC) and the Eric Nyman Golf Simulators in the Batten Student Center at 9 p.m. on Sept. 6. The event was a blackout event and marked one of the rare times that the Golf Simulators are available for general student use, as they are normally restricted to the golf team alone.
The event was hosted by Off the Hook, with CNY event specialists providing the mini-golf equipment and glow bands. Simulator access and golf clubs were provided by the Virginia Wesleyan Golf team.
“We got a nice piece of technology here,” Evan Cooper, a freshman on the golf team, said about the simulator. “It’s nice to have it open every once in a while.” Cooper has been playing golf for four years.
There were about 12 people in the simulator from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“It was fun— I still have a lot to learn,” JB Brewington, a freshman Cybersecurity major, said. Brewington is on the track team, not the golf team. Several golf team members were present to manage, including Cooper.
The event in the CMAC was blackout, with nine mini-golf holes. Participants wore glow-inthe-dark bands and played with glow-in-the-dark putters and balls.
Em Dajc, a junior and Psychology major, said they liked the prompts, which were optional challenges on each course, which included challenges forgoing the putters and hitting the ball with your foot or hitting the ball between your legs. “It was kind of fun,” Dajc said, who said they particularly enjoyed the prompt on the ninth hole, which was to spin
around five times before a putt.
The event was organized by Off the Hook, with sophomore Tia Durand taking the lead. She said she got the idea from her job at Ocean Breeze, a waterpark in Virginia Beach.
“We have a putt putt section next to us, a mini-golf area, so I was like ‘this would be fun,’” Durand said.
Bob Sutherland, who has been an assistant coach for the Golf team since 2008, was present at the event.
He said that Eric Nyman, (after whom the area on campus is named) who donated both golf simulators, is a Virginia Wesleyan Grad. Nyman is the CEO of Vista Outdoor Inc., according to the Virginia Pilot and many other sources, which owns Foresight.
Nyman graduated from Virginia Wesleyan in 1994 and is also a member of the board of trustees. He played basketball at Virginia Wesleyan, according to the university website.
“The one they put here is the first one they’ve ever installed anywhere,” Sutherland said. He said that although some DI college teams have similar technology, “no one in DIII has it.”
“It’s very accurate,” Cooper said, “obviously not the real thing,” Cooper said the accuracy of data collection and practice it offers is valuable for training the golf team.
The golf simulators replaced racquetball courts which previously occupied the area in an at the time controversial decision, largely due to the lack of information given to students that used the courts. This was possibly the first time that students not on the golf team were allowed to try the simulators, although information on the subject was conflicting. It has been the largest event that uses the
simulators since the system was installed in February.
“It’s fun watching these,” Sutherland said, referring to the non-golf players taking a stab at the simulators. He said that the simulators are usually closed for a reason—”It’s an expensive piece of equipment.” The Foresight Falcon, the open golf simulator, retails at $14,999, according to Foresight, not including the screen or green.
He described hearing a non-golf player, who said that he swung so hard he almost threw the club. “We don’t need a club to go through the screen,” Sutherland said.
The mini golf in the CMAC had rather less possibility of property damage, although there was still a
sizable crowd there.
Along with the nine-hole minigolf field, there were refreshments and glowsticks provided.
“It’s a lot better than I was expecting it to be,” Brewington said.
Mini-golf is a difficult skill. “I hit it too hard,” Durand said. Dajc, when asked if they were any good, said “My entire goal when I’m playing minigolf is to hit the ball as hard as I can.”
Cooper said that being able to play golf “absolutely” allows someone to play better mini-golf, although it doesn’t necessarily go in the other direction. “Putting is one of the easier parts,” Cooper said.
Perspectives on Campus Leadership
BY GABRIELLE BARNETT gabarnett@vwu.edu
Three leaders of the Virginia Wesleyan University campus share their thoughts on campus life and how to get involved at the start of the school year.
These leaders include the president of Marlins Go Green, a popular community leader and the associate vice president of campus life.
The president of Marlins Go Green is senior Jessica Wilson. Marlins Go Green works with local nonprofits to promote sustainability in Hampton Roads, and Wilson has been part of the club for the past three years before becoming president. She said that there were a lot of opportunities for the club in the area, but that it was harder to plan and organize events due to a lack of members in the club.
“My focus this year really is to build community,” Wilson said. More involvement in the club would have a larger difference in environmental help, both on and off campus.
“Since COVID, the club kind of lost a lot of student engagement. So since freshman year, I’ve been really involved with trying to promote it and rebuild.”
Wilson also commented on the fear associated with a new club that could prevent people from wanting to join.
“I feel like it’s kind of scary when you don’t know people,” Wilson said. She acknowledged that it could be frightening, but that clubs were an open, welcome space for anyone to join and that Marlins Go Green was a welcoming club that was happy to have new members.
Wilson added that clubs could also be a good
“Just get out there and try the best you can and try the best you can to learn and develop, develop new perspectives.”
Opeyemi Kareem-Ojo
way to connect with a larger collective, such as the way that Marlins Go Green works with a global community that Wilson is also a part of.
Junior Opeyemi Kareem-Ojo is what many people would consider an unofficial student leader, due to his friendly and present interactions around campus. He described the campus community as a tight-knit collection of smaller groups that come together to create a high energy atmosphere.
“And you can just see, the energy comes from everyone,” Kareem-Ojo said. He added that certain events could bring the whole community together.
“Midnight breakfast is a really big one, where people come together. It’s a really fun time.”
Kareem-Ojo also said he believed that coming to the larger events on campus were a vital part of getting involved in the campus community.
Kareem-Ojo is also a part of the Black Student Union and the VWU Track and Field
Team. He mentioned that being a part of the student community has changed him as well.
“I say hi to some people that walk by, even if I don’t know them, I say hello. They say hello to me. It’s just a very refreshing thing,” KareemOjo said.
Director Jason Seward, associate vice president for Campus Life and Operational Management, stated that he was proud of the VWU campus community and the opportunities for involvement on campus.
“It’s like no other institution I’ve been involved with or been on the campus,” Seward said. “There’s no other community where I’ve found that students can be so involved in the classroom, out the classroom, out in the community and it’s that community feel, in general, that allows those to happen.”
Seward stated that the campus community was also unique in the amount of opportunities that VWU students can take advantage of. From athletic teams like Track and Field to clubs like Marlins Go Green, the list of opportunities in the community is lengthy.
“Being a small community allows for our students to have an incredible amount of opportunity to be involved at various levels, from leadership roles to advocate roles to professional development, to social development, spiritual development. The opportunities are endless,” Seward said. He added that the opportunities that VWU students could take advantage of continued to grow, especially with new partnerships like the MOCA institute.
Each campus leader shared their individual advice on how to get involved on campus. Wilson suggested that one of the best ways to stay connected is to read the weekly newsletter.
“You’re always welcome at any of those events,” Wilson said. “Even if you haven’t been a member before.”
Kareem-Ojo and Seward both advised that all students and community members take part in the many opportunities around campus to get involved.
“Just get out there the best you can and try the best you can to learn and develop, develop new perspectives and whatnot,” Kareem-Ojo said.
“Don’t let the reasons that you shouldn’t, stop you from actually doing,” Seward said. “Just jump in.”
Students are able to get involved through clubs like Marlins Go Green, athletics, or by simply attending student events.
--Scott D. Miller, Ph.D President
Jessica Wilson|Courtesy
Off The Hook|Courtesy
Opeyemi Kareem-Ojo|Courtesy
New leaders and constitution for SGA
BY AIDEN CROGHAN accroghan@vwu.edu
The Virginia Wesleyan Student Government Association (SGA) began anew this school year, starting this year’s legislation with a new constitution, president and vice president. The new president and vice president are Miles Pifer and Christopher Mercer-Garret, respectively. Both are sophomores and new to participating in SGA.
According to the SGA constitution, the SGA exists, “for the purpose of defending the interests of the Student Body, creating a desirable campus experience, and promoting social outreach in the Virginia Beach region to be achieved through the democratic legitimacy granted to them by We, the Students.”
Pifer ran for president after being encouraged by a brother in his fraternity, Sigma Nu, where he also holds a leadership position. “They believed that I had the leadership qualities and a great drive and they said that I would make a good president, so I took what they said to heart and ran with it,” Pifer said.
Pifer said that his primary goal as president of the SGA is to increase general campus knowledge of and participation in SGA. “They can let us know of any problems, any concerns they have, and questions, or just anything that they’d like to see on campus because what we’re here for is to just help staff, students, anyone we can, and make the campus experience here at Virginia Wesleyan the best possible campus experience,” Pifer said.
In Pifer’s first major vote as president, on Sept. 9, internal elections were held for executive board positions within the SGA. These positions were Treasurer, Events Coordinator and Secretary. These positions were voted on by the student senators in SGA, who run for them as well.
Senior Abby Moyers and junior Joy Ramsay ran for Treasurer, with Moyers coming out on top. Shortbed Bowden initially ran alongside the two, but during her speech, she announced her decision to drop out of the race.
Senior Veronika Murphy was the only candidate for Events Coordinator and as a result, was elected unanimously.
Junior Isaac Awogboro and sophomore Erin Beaudry competed for Secretary, with the race initially resulting in a tie, possibly caused by the dropout of sophomore candidate Lucas Gordon. This led to a standstill where the new constitution had to be interpreted.
It was decided that based on part of Article V, Section 7, “In the instance of a tie in the Student Senate Election, the current President will break the tie,” that Pifer had to break the tie. Pifer cast his vote for Awogboro, officially electing Awogboro as Secretary. Awogboro served as secretary during the 2023-2024 school year as well, meaning he is the only returning member of the executive board.
Awogboro has been a part of the SGA since the second semester of his freshman
year. He was inspired to join the SGA after struggling with his own mental health, and hoping to increase accessibility to resources on campus. “There’s a lot of people who I think could benefit from it that are too scared to use it,” Awogboro said, referring to mental health resources on campus.
Both Awogboro and Gordon are returning as senators from stints in past years. Gordon has stated that his goals include making the processes of the SGA more efficient so that it can be a more effective governing body. Gordon’s first year as a student senator was filled with lengthy debates surrounding rewriting the constitution with a lack of legislation being passed.
Gordon is also planning to introduce legislation that could help to bring down the cost of class materials, or make their prices transparent before registration. “At the end of the day, not everyone can afford these without either financial aid or having
to save their own money, which could be used for other things to elevate their educational experience,” Gordon said.
Other legislation discussed during this meeting was a hurricane preparedness plan, continuing the Free Pad program, which distributes free pads in restrooms across campus, continuing to distribute RA appreciation baskets this semester, and voting to donate for the 9/11 Stair Climb event. This donation would be supplies for the Virginia Beach Fire Department that matched the amount of flights climbed in dollar value.
The hurricane preparedness plan legislation discussed implementing hurricane education on campus, including flyers and a sample survival kit. It was voted to table this until the next meeting. All three other items passed this meeting. SGA meetings happen at 7:15 p.m. every Monday and attendance is open for all students.
Involvement Fair Presents Students With Opportunities
BY KAMI WHISENHUNT kjwhisenhunt@vwu.edu
The Student Involvement Fair occurred outside The Cove on Friday, Sept. 6. Tables were lined up with student leaders eager to share information about their clubs and organizations. The options were endless, from getting involved in volunteering, saving the environment or wanting to be a leader to baking, dancing and even gaming with the Esports team.
Students have the opportunity to share personal interests by creating clubs with their peers. Senior Katie Baker took advantage of this by agreeing to help graduate student Rowan Stuart with the creation of the Fishing Club in 2021. The club started off with low member numbers so Stuart handed it off to Baker, leading to the club officially taking off in Fall of 2022.
“We started about a year and a half, two years ago. There wasn’t really a fishing club on campus, and it’s something I missed a lot from home,” Baker said. “We can meet up outside of school to go fishing together, and it just creates sort of a sense of community.”
A partner of the Fishing Club, Marlins Go Green, was a hit during the involvement fair. Prospective members were crowding around the table admiring the club’s homemade, fabric MGG patches as well as listening to the involvement activities offered throughout the semester, oyster gardening in particular.
“They are all about sustainability, so we partner with them to promote sustainable fishing practices because a lot of people
don’t think about how important fishing regulations are,” Baker said.
Senior Corinne DeLawrence, a member of Tri Sigma, describes the importance of considering a balance between a social and academic life when choosing a club or activity. She gave her advice to incoming freshmen worried about how to manage their time when joining a sorority, as well as described how Tri Sigma was very accommodating from her personal experience.
“I’m on the track team, I work, I’m in a sorority and I used to be an RA,” DeLawrence said. “But we have time for things like studying. If you can’t make it to an event just let us know prior to.”
DeLawrence also emphasized how joining this association has a positive impact on job opportunities. Through knowing an older member of Tri Sigma, DeLawrence herself was able to find an internship.
“I have an internship that I didn’t think I was going to be able to find this spring because one of my sisters, an alumni from here, reached out to me,” DeLawrence said.
Having the ability to boost a career through an extracurricular is a bonus, a few tables were set up to inform students of this. Some job options available could be joining the Wesleyan Ambassadors who get to be the face of the school by giving tours to potential students, or another option would be getting a tutoring position through the Learning Center.
If a student is looking for something more fun and relaxing, other groups to
join are the Half Baked Club, Poetry Club or the Marlin Gems Dance Team, where students can express themselves outside of their studies.
Nyah Rivera is a senior and co-captain of the Marlin Gems Dance Team. She said her team is important to campus because “Dance is a really useful tool for people to express themselves, especially when they’re concentrating on schoolwork. I think having a dance team and having a place where people can go to just kind of be themselves is really important,” Rivera said.
The team organizes a few events like an annual showcase typically held in the spring, with plans to host one in the month of December this year. Additionally, they have planned a “Marlins Got Talent” showcase where both the dance team and students can perform. They are excited about this because it can create a better
sense of involvement and community. Other clubs that focus on the involvement of campus are the Latino Student Alliance, Black Student Union and Spectrum. Through these, students are supporting students and encouraging each other to have a voice by advocating for themselves. This is also relevant to the Students Against Continued Homelessness club, who educate those who aren’t aware of the impact of homelessness and emphasize the issue to raise support for those who are homeless. Additionally, Campus Ministries where students can go to have deep discussions, attend spiritual retreats or volunteer, caught the eye of many students. Each student has their own sense of individuality and the clubs and organizations of Virginia Wesleyan allow them an outlet to explore new interests, and provide a variety of ways for them to find
Aiden Croghan|Marlin Chronicle
The upcoming election ultimatum
Presidential stances on Israel disallow democratic function
BY AIDEN CROGHAN accroghant@vwu.edu
Today, America faces a historically divisive election. Many people feel very strongly towards or against both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. However, in this election, a significant portion of Americans feel like their political needs aren’t being met. This is a symptom of a government that does not function democratically, and refuses to stop funding an outright genocide committed by Israel in Palestine.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the intensification of the conflict on Oct. 7. However, a study done by The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, finds that the death toll in Gaza could be over 186,000 due to uncounted deaths, such as bodies buried by rubble. With Gaza’s population being 2.27 million before Oct. 7, this means that Israel has killed at least between 1.76% and 8.19% of Gaza’s population. These deaths are completely unacceptable. No country has the right to kill innocent people, especially such a staggering number.
and Media & Communication. He is an editor for the
Aiden’s opinions do not necessarily reflect that of the Marlin Chronicle.
As of the end of 2023, 1.7 million Palestinians in Gaza, or 83% of Gaza’s population were internally displaced according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. According to Time Magazine, 70% of Gaza’s homes have been damaged or destroyed, meaning that a majority of Gazans will never be able to simply return to their homes as they once were.
These numbers also do not take into account Palestinians killed in the West Bank through settlement or military operations, which would bring the number of deaths and displacements even higher, as Israel has ramped up its military presence in the West Bank since Oct. 7.
It is my opinion that we need a ceasefire, and America needs to stop arming Israel in order to stop contributing to genocide. According to CBS and YouGov, 60% of Americans want to stop sending arms to Israel. If America truly functioned democratically we would have a popular candidate running on a platform of an arms embargo on Israel.
This leaves the American people without many options for stopping the genocide. There are third-party candidates who support stopping the genocide, such as Jill Stein, however, based on predicted results, a thirdparty candidate has an immensely low chance of winning the presidential election. It appears clear to me and to many Americans that voting does not reflect your values, especially now, when most mainstream American politicians are for the continuation of violent conflicts overseas and fight against our civil liberties here at home.
The question then arises, “What can we do?” Some options to encourage an end to the genocide are BDS
(“Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions”), protesting and encouraging our institutions to withdraw support from Israel.
BDS is a movement to end support for Israel’s genocide on Palestine through boycotting companies that support Israel economically or provide weaponry for Israel, encouraging institutional divestment from Israel and advocating for sanctions against Israel. Some popular companies that are on the BDS list are Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald’s and Puma. Other companies are pressure targets. Pressure targets are companies that hold large control over a market and may be difficult to boycott, but it is encouraged to advocate against these companies, which include Google, Disney and Amazon.
The genocide in Palestine and America’s support for it will be a stain forever on America’s history, and the longer we allow it to continue, the larger the stain grows.
Letter from the Editor
BY VICTORIA HANELINE vfhaneline1@vwu.edu
is a junior studying English and Earth & Environmental Science.
Students, faculty and other readers of the Marlin Chronicle;
I greet you as the Editor in Chief of the Marlin Chronicle, a position that I am happy and somewhat surprised to hold.
I am glad to be here, and I will serve this newspaper to the best of my ability.
In this day and age, with a dearth of local newspapers and a decline in news readership, it is as important as always to inform our community in both big and small ways. Hopefully, I will be able to explain that without sounding too pretentious.
In this issue, there are articles ranging from the sale of the school’s research vessel to volleyball dominating the ODACs to a review of a local bakery.
Many of these things will have an impact, great or small, on the readers of this paper, just as it has an impact on those of us writing it. That is what news is about, I think. The covering of a story that is important, interesting or fun.
To that end, the news is as important as we all make it to be. Information rapidly pings around social media sites before it is verified, and truth has much less of an impact than the story an issue provides.
As the Editor in Chief, I will uphold the same strict dedication this newspaper has
always held to accuracy in news because it remains important. The newspaper serves as a way for the community to interact with each other, and truth in that is as important as it always has been.
On that subject, the Marlin community makes the newspaper what it is. We as a paper can’t cover the construction of MOCA or SGA or fun events on campus without this campus and the community on and around it.
So, if there is something newsworthy, I invite you to reach out to us. We are members of the community, and you’ve probably seen all of us around campus. If you know about something you think other people should know about, consider emailing me. It doesn’t matter if it’s a photo, an opinion, an illustration, a letter to the editor or simply a fun event at the Cove you think needs covered.
And, if you find yourself wanting to contribute further, we are more than happy to accept that as well. There are many ways to use your unique skillset to contribute to the Chronicle if you find
that the initiative I’ve described here is something you’re interested in being a part of.
I’m likely going to be the Editor in Chief for only one semester, so I’ll try not to take up too much space talking about myself, but I love this newspaper. It’s important for students to have a way to learn about the campus they’re on told from and with interviews of other students. The importance of journalism has, I’ve heard, been said a few times before by people rather more eloquently than I’ve attempted here, but I’ve quoted a lot of people for the Marlin Chronicle, and so just this once, I will refrain. I’ll end with this: The Marlin Chronicle is about the community, and the work we put in here is for the community. At the end of the day, that’s what this is all about.
Victoria Haneline Editor in Chief, Marlin Chronicle
Diversity or lack thereof in the Batten Honors College
BY MJ MATTHEWS
mjmatthews@vwu.edu
I am white. I make the grand majority of my Batten Honors College cohort. Despite the population of Virginia Wesleyan University having an over 45% population of students of color or varying ethnic backgrounds, only about 12% of my cohort is non-white. That number is similar for the class of 2028 cohort. I and many others were quick to notice this disparity. Still, there is sizable confusion as to why this is. The pools of applicants and Honors Competition attendees do not represent this final percentage and look more akin to how the rest of the student population does. There is a question of if this is due to a lack of people of color accepting offers, or if this is a matter of non-holistic applicant review.
Further, how can this be abridged? How can the Batten Honors College better access and serve the VWU and local community as a whole? As a school that represents diversity of thoughts and background, how is it that in this area we are so lackluster, continuously failing and flailing?
It is not a secret that VWU serves a community that heavily relies on Federal Financial Aid. With this being the case, the BHC is a great opportunity for bright young adults to fund their academic futures and be in a space where they can thrive in a living and learning community. Generally, the BHC isn’t marketed well. In my freshman year here at VWU, I learned that many of my peers were unaware of the Honors College up until they stepped foot on this campus–many of whom I would consider ideal candidates for the BHC. I can see marketing being a general issue of this program, with that amplified in communities where college visits and conversations are somewhat rarer.
Taking the geographic community into consideration, the BHC may attribute some of its lack of diversity to our
proximity to Norfolk State University, an HBCU. NSU also has an honors college that appeals to academically successful and voluntarily involved students. These factors contribute more substance to the general applicant pool of VWU than to the BHC specifically from what I can assume. If this is the case, VWU could do a better job at making other students on campus aware of the BHC prior to their attendance here.
The BHC is exclusive, extending to only freshman students, unlike many other universities. With our BHC, if you are not made aware and do not apply before February of the spring prior to your fall attendance, there is no possible way to be considered for the honors college. VWU is delightfully flexible in its rolling admissions status, serving as a place for those who weren’t sure what college would look like for them, or thought it may be “too late” to apply to a 4 year.
This flexibility ends at the Honors College. The reasons for this are listed and explained in detail throughout the BHC curriculum and university website, mostly with the reasons of required coursework by academic enrollment year, fixed amounts of BHC cohort students, and required Study Abroad experiences. VWU could take a look at other universities and see how their honors college and applicant pool acceptance compares, considering adding a second-chance pool for sophomore applicants.
Every year, students who initially joined the BHC or enrolled at VWU find that either the BHC program or the university are not for them. The coveted 40 slots per cohort is suddenly no longer at capacity, and could be filled again with sophomore applicants instead. Many made belatedly aware of the BHC have interest in it, but just missed the opportunity. This circles back to the conversation of diversity. Students who come from communities where college is not best supported or seen as a possibility may not initially see the BHC as an option for them.
Being able to take that chance while already enrolled at VWU would be a game changer, and could absolutely aid in the leveling of our statistics.
Diversity is not inherently correlated to race and ethnicity–it encompasses differences of thought, religion, background, family status, ability, identity and more. The BHC does a decent job of maintaining diversity in the other areas listed, but, just maybe, the pendulum has swung too far, and the initial characterizers for diversity–race and ethnicity–are now neglected. I would like to see this community that I have such an appreciation for being representative of the university population as a whole. Every student should be able to look at the BHC and, in some manner, see themselves there.
MJ is a sophomore Earth & Environmental Science major. She is also the Opinions editor.
Tori
Aiden is a sophomore studying Philosophy
Marlin Chronicle.
Chronicle
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Mars Johnson|Marlin Chronicle
High hopes, slow start
The fall is here as the 2024 Marlins Women’s Soccer team heads into their season with high expectations despite losing multiple seniors this past year. After tying the University of Mary Washington this past weekend by a score of 1-1, the Marlins currently sit with a record of 0-22, as of Sept. 17. It is safe to say that this is not where the team wants to be after going into the preseason ranked No. 12 nationally, and No. 1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). But, it is early in the season as the Marlins are still over a week away from in-conference games.
The roster has changed a significant amount this year compared to the last with many
players graduating this past spring. Senior Kaitlyn Duswalt gave her input on the transition from last year to this season.
“Having 11 players graduate, and about eight of those being starters, we are figuring out how to play together as a new group,” Duswalt said.
The team being so new together has led to a few mistakes in some key moments from the first few matches.
“Against UT Dallas, we competed neck and neck, only letting in two late goals from set pieces. The small moments of disorganization led to us giving up these goals,” Duswalt said.
Duswalt believes that the first few matches are all a part of the learning curve and that it can only keep getting better. “We have been working on our formation, and communication, along with
figuring out which combinations of players are strongest and who works best with whom,” Duswalt said.
Besides changes in the field, the Marlins also have a new fulltime starting goalie this season.
Graduate student Ashleigh Lockard is focused solely on winning the ODAC championship and beyond. “There has been a lot of talk about us losing 11 seniors, two All-Americans and eight starters. I want everyone to realize that we are still a great team with a lot of talent,” Lockard said.
The Marlins are the reigning ODAC champions and are going for their third title in just four years. “My sister sent me a quote that reads, ‘It’s not what you did last year, it’s what you are going to do this year that is more important,’” Lockard said. Lockard believes a national
championship is within reach for the program after falling to Christopher Newport University last year in the Sweet 16.
The two teams rematched in the Marlins’ first game of the season which resulted in a 0-0 tie.
“We have a lot of potential and depth. Once we learn how to play with each other and build our team chemistry, we will be tough to stop,” Lockard said. Lockard believes that even with a newly arranged squad, they can get back to the tournament and win the whole thing.
“I took my COVID year so that I could have a chance to play and accomplish this dream of mine to win the national championship. But it is one game at a time. One play at a time,” Lockard said. Graduate student Camille Jernigan believes that the early offensive struggles will start to go away with time despite the team scoring just one goal in the first three games. “I think we’ve been getting a little unlucky with finishing our chances, and we need a little more confidence in ourselves to finish those chances,”
Jernigan said.
The Marlins have outshot their opponents by a total of 41-34 through the first three games. “It all starts at the top. If we press and win the ball and can keep it in their half, we are going to keep generating those opportunities to score along with keeping the ball out of our half,” Jernigan said.
The team has only allowed three goals through the first three games and Jernigan would like to take some of that pressure off of the defense moving forward. While the team’s aspirations are high, Jernigan is trying to keep a steady mind and not get too far ahead. “The goal is to win the NCAA tournament, but we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves,” Jernigan said.
Even with the slow start, the confidence remains high. The focus now turns to an out-of-conference matchup against Salisbury University on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and against Trinity University (Texas) this Sunday at 1 p.m. These are the final out-of-conference matches before ODAC games begin.
In 2013, junior field hockey goalie Lindsey Baker was awarded with ODAC Player of the Week. Little did the program know that this would be the last player of the week award it would receive for the next twelve years. That is, until freshman goalkeeper Berkeley Miller won it in less than a month of play.
Miller has kicked off the season with an undefeated 3-0 record and a 0.00 goals-against average. Playing 160 minutes in the first three games of the season, she totaled ten saves, with a whopping seven saves in the 1-0 loss against Hood College on Aug. 30.
As a freshman, the transition from high school to collegiate athletics can be a challenge; however, for Miller, the transition has been nothing short of smooth.
“The transition between high school and collegiate athletics has no significant change but one little change such as practice being held at a higher level of play. On the field hockey team, you practice how you are going to play and coaches and teammates hold each other accountable for that,” she said.
In her transition, Miller held herself to a high standard, striving for consistency and excellence.
“My goal coming into this season as a freshman was to be able to start in games. I wanted to be consistent throughout every practice and every scrimmage to be able to uphold that starting position,” she said.
Although Player of the Week
“This
very unexpected but also a very cool experience to be the first ODAC Player of the Week since 2013 in the field hockey program with only a month of being with this amazing team,” Miller said. “I could not have done it without my team.”
Despite the award coming as a surprise for Miller, field hockey Head Coach Ryley van der Velde anticipated it. “We had big expectations for Berkley when she arrived on campus. We knew Berkley had the potential to help our program do special things,” van der Velde said.
She also gave Miller gratitude for her dedication and grit.
“Playing time is something that has to be earned within our program. She has taken her opportunities and utilized her minutes to show us and our opponents just how much she is capable of. Berkley knows she needs to keep raising the standard. This is just the beginning for her and our women,” van der Velde. Receiving such an award, this early at that, can be accompanied with increased pressure on a player to sustain this high level of play, but for Miller, the pressure is the driver of her success. “I feel like receiving this award is a lot of added pressure especially since I am a goalie, but I thrive off of pressure. I will just continue to work hard every day at practice and continue to get better no matter what,” she said.
With this work ethic and mental toughness coupled with an aptitude for the game, Miller shows great promise in her contribution to the program.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle Freshman Molly Sheehan strikes the ball.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Freshman goalkeeper Allie Greco watches fellow goalkeeper practice.
BY COY CAMISCIOLI
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Freshman Berkley Millers looks onto the field during practice.
SportS
[blocker] and then she played libero. We were able to have Maddie for half, they split time,” Claytor said.
Head Coach, Karissa Cumberbatch, also commented on team efforts in the absence of a libero.
“Jada has done an amazing job, she’s an outside. Kudos to the coaching staff for recruiting outsides who are really good ‘six rotation’ players. We’ve had a couple of new incoming people, Jada being one, Alina being another, that are playing out of position. And Kendall Abercrombie is too, it just makes our practices more competitive,” Cumberbatch said.
Cumberbatch went on to describe the team’s expectations coming into the new season, after last year’s loss in the ODAC
Tournament.
“Over the last several years, we’ve had the same expectations for ourselves. We’ve been really successful for a while and had some regional recognition. Obviously, I think it’s a little bit of pressure, we graduated a lot of leadership, and we have some new kids trying to step into those leadership roles. I think that first weekend was a lot to prepare for. We have not necessarily been healthy through preseason. The fact that we came out and got four wins definitely gave us the confidence we needed and we are right where we need to be,” Cumberbatch said.
One of the Marlin’s early wins this season was against the No. 22 nationally ranked University of Mary Washington on Friday, Aug. 30 at the Marlin Invitational.
“It meant a lot. We needed to realize how talented we still are. I think that any win over any ranked opponent anytime
in the season means a lot and gives your team confidence. It showed us that we are capable of competing at a really high level, and we can win just like we always have,” Cumberbatch said.
Building confidence has been a key factor for this team to start the season. This was amplified by sweeping the weekly conference awards. “It was awesome that we were able to sweep and be the first team to do that. And for Emma to be the first player to get that recognition is awesome.
I think we got that number one vote in the preseason poll. So the fact that we came out and earned those two honors back to back, I think just helps build confidence in the team in general. It’s always nice to be recognized publicly for your success,” Cumberbatch said.
The team continued their dominance the following week, winning both matches against Haverford College and Messiah
University, three sets to two each, despite missing their defensive leader, Claytor, who suffered an injury prior to the match against Haverford.
Their first conference game was Wednesday, Sept. 11 in Townebank Arena against Eastern Mennonite University, where they also won three sets to zero. Their most recent outing was the Franklin and Marshall Quad on Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14.
Their first match was against Franklin and Marshall college, in which they fell to the Diplomats in the fifth set, recording their first loss of the season. The Marlins bounced back in the following matches, defeating Montclair State University in four sets and sweeping Clarkson University in three sets.
The program’s next match is Friday Sept. 20 against conference opponent Roanoke College.
Women’s Volleyball Defends Homecourt Against EMU
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
It’s a
BY CALEE LUKOWSKI crlukowski@vwu.edu
The NAS Oceana Air Show is coming back to Virginia Beach for fun and festivities for all ages on Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22. The NAS Oceana Air Show is a whole weekend of exciting performances and great vendors.
The legendary Blue Angels are scheduled to once again fly in the air show, performing at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Gates for the event open at 8 a.m. both days and the air show begins at 10 a.m., ending around 4 p.m. While the event is on the Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base, there are plenty of locations to watch the air show from off base as well.
If you want to be up close and personal, don’t worry. The base will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to around 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Entry and parking are completely free, but be advised a valid photo ID is needed for entry.
While the Blue Angels are a big name in terms of performers in the air show, they certainly are not the only ones performing. Many different flight and demonstration teams will take to the air throughout the day.
As well as incredibly impressive aircraft, the air show will also host jump teams, civilian performers, the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Demonstration Team and the World’s Largest Rubber Duck.
As well as amazing performers, the NAS
Oceana Air Show will also have Ric Peterson as their official air show announcer and Wayne Boggs as the Air Boss.
Peterson and Boggs are both well accredited in their respective fields. Peterson is an award winning broadcast journalist and has been the voice of multiple different air shows for almost 30 years.
Boggs is considered one of the best air bosses in the country, with over 25 years of experience and 10 years spent serving his country as a United States Marine.
Aside from being an exciting event, the NAS Oceana Air Show is also dedicated to shaping the lives of children. Every year the air show opens its gates to fifth graders from all Virginia Beach City Public Schools and this year is also extending
BLYSSful Ice Cream
their reach to fifth graders in Chesapeake Public Schools.
The fifth graders are invited to the air show’s practice day where they can experience flight demonstrations and STEM engagements. The air show has a theme this year as well: “Inspire. Educate. Soar!” This theme recognizes NAS Oceana Air Show’s mission to inspire the young minds of the next generation.
The NAS Oceana Air Show is sure to be an exciting and fun filled day. Both days have the same scheduled events, so don’t worry if you can’t make it one day, you won’t miss anything. If you are interested and want to know more, have a look at their website at www. oceanaairshow.com.
BY MATTHEW SMITH mjsmith3@vwu.edu
BLYSS Ice Cream and Desserts, located in downtown Norfolk, has experienced great success, becoming a prominent postdinner sweets stop for foodies and families alike. From classic flavors such as vanilla and chocolate to seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice, BLYSS maintains an ever changing menu bringing new flavors and experiences to their customers.
The modern design and aesthetically appealing decor is the first thing patrons will notice when walking into the ice cream parlor. Vibrant colors mixed with unique and intriguing furniture provide an atmosphere that lives up to the blissful nature of the shop’s name. The ambiance aims to draw in children and adults alike, acting as a lighthouse to draw in those craving a sweet treat after dinner.
Lakia, an employee at BLYSS, said, “I was so happy when I got hired here,” she said. “It’s hard not to love working at such a pretty place.”
The stunning interior does not only draw customers in but has a sense of modernistic beauty. This charming atmosphere provides an air of comfortability, aiming to please the customers eyes as well as their pallet. Consumers eat with their eyes before their stomachs and BLYSS feeds both to fulfillment, satisfying the customers cravings even while waiting in line for their dessert.
This is not to discount the ice cream, as the weekly rotation of flavors make for a continually unique experience whether customers are ordering fan favorite flavors like strawberry cheesecake or pumpkin spice, or breaking away from the norm and trying the experimental ice cream nachos.
The experimental menu allows for customers to enjoy the classics while also having opportunities to tap into their wild side and try something new. Monae, another BLYSS employee, said, “People usually stop by once or twice a week to try the new flavors or get their favorites.”
Although the shop’s beauty itself is profound, BLYSS’ true character comes from its staff, particularly the owner and manager, Bria Suggs. Suggs is more than just a smiling face that matches the ambience of the shop itself; she puts customers at ease, and is an inspiration that brings the best out of her employees. “I love working for Bria, she’s always around to help and keeps the after-dinner rush running smoothly,” Monae said.
Suggs is an army veteran, stationed for nearly a decade in Hampton at Langley Air Force Base. Making the jump from the military to ice cream may sound like a stretch, however her first job was serving Blizzards at Dairy Queen.
Although youthful experience in the ice cream industry cannot be discounted, much of the success Suggs finds today she attributes to the time she spent on active duty while in service of her country. “It taught me discipline. It taught me how to focus. But most of all it taught me how to stay focused on the goal and never give up,” Suggs said. Suggs started to achieve her goal at the first mobile location she opened, Shake
It Up. It is a vendor style milkshake bar, setting up shop all over the greater Virginia Beach area.
This original business was a starting block for Suggs as it led into the opening of a more grounded storefront. This allowed her customers to engage easily with Suggs, the welcoming staff and the flavorful product.
Through the opening of BLYSS the foremost focus on public relations within the business trickles down from Suggs herself, to the rest of her employees and seeps into the walls of the business. Suggs made it clear that customer satisfaction is top priority, wanting BLYSS to become an, “ice cream shop for all ages,” giving people of all ages an ailment for sweet tooth cravings.
Suggs’ pride for BLYSS and attitude
towards the people who walk in her front doors is reciprocated back to her which creates a community through ice cream. “I absolutely adore my customers and employees, they help me stay encouraged,” Suggs said. This positive frame of mind is the basis of the welcoming nature of the shop. “Even when I forget the positive impact I have or maybe I’m having a tough day, I can look outside of myself and encourage myself to bring smiles to others,” Suggs said.
Filled with tasty treats, a vibrant atmosphere, positive attitudes and smiling faces, BLYSS is a great example of a locally owned business. Located at 112 Granby St., Norfolk, just 15 minutes off campus, BLYSS offers many options for a delicious after dinner treat.
Mars Johnson|Marlin Chronicle
Matthew Smith|Marlin Chronicle
A milkshake with an interesting piece of wall decor inside BLYSS Ice Cream.
Matthew Smith |Marlin Chronicle Classy and chic interior wall decor.
BY ELI CASEY emcasey@vwu.edu
Not your mother’s bakery
Just off of Northampton Boulevard, 10 minutes away from Virginia Wesleyan’s campus, sits the Flour Child Bakery. Selfdescribed by its owners, mother-daughter team Cathy and Cassie Baker as, “your favorite old-fashioned neighborhood bakery.” The Flour Child Bakery is more than just a bakery. Every item is made from scratch and almost all ingredients are locally sourced, reflecting the Bakers’ commitment to not only serving the best product, but also their community.
Founded in 2010, the Flour Child Bakery has an interesting family backstory. Cathy worked as a waiter for 31 years in addition to decorating cakes on the side for 14 years before founding Flour Child Bakery. Her daughter, Cassie, was studying Sociology when she realized that her dream was to open up a bakery. The two teamed up and the result is a delicious family owned bakery.
The family feel isn’t just in the story, as their bakery is decorated floor to ceiling in a fun, family friendly decor style that can only be described as hippy meets chic. Laidback music playing in the background, walls filled with tie dye decor, peace signs and baking related posters bring the bakery to life.
If the feel of Flour Child Bakery doesn’t sell itself, then the flavor will. According to customer Maryann Shreck, “the carrot cake explodes with flavor, and it’s a really pleasant dish all together.” The carrot cake was well presented. Additionally the carrot flavor balanced out the sugary sweetness of the frosting.
“Though you can’t just try the carrot cake, you gotta have the scones too!” Schreck said.
Among the plethora of delicious treats stacked in the multiple glass viewing cases sits the most popular item. According to Naya, a staff member who has been there for 3 months, the homemade apple cake is by far the favorite, with at least 3-4 cakes sold per day. Naya’s personal
recommendations are the key lime pie and banana pudding.
“The best part about working here is the environment,” Naya said. “Being away from a big corporation because this is a mother-daughter owned thing” is her favorite part about working at Flour Child.
In an industry that is increasingly dominated by corporations and chains, the Bakers have managed to differentiate themselves as a family owned business, one that more than makes up for its potential competitors’ lack of character.
“The bakery definitely has a family feel. … Not like when a business or corporation says we’re all a big family, here they actually mean it and you definitely get that impression,” Naya said. She also was a big fan of being able to express herself and not having to worry about a dress code, which keeps in line with the free style and vibe of the bakery.
While proclaiming yourself as a “neighborhood bakery” is easy, it takes actual effort to achieve that title. The Flour Child Bakery unequivocally deserves it. The bakery strives to always use local ingredients and participate in local
community events and outings. One of their latest community ventures is at the East Beach Farmers Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon, May 4 to Nov. 23. Bakery treats aren’t the only thing that Flour Child Bakery specializes in, they offer everything from made to order cupcakes, pies, cookies and even wedding cakes.
In addition to their lengthy normal menu and their flexible dietary customization options, they also offer a variety of specialty holiday treats. In the coming fall and winter months, the bakery offers its very own homemade hot chocolate and a plethora of cider recipes. They even offer a special menu for Thanksgiving, their most popular holiday of the year.
“Around Thanksgiving this place turns into a pie factory, so keep your eyes peeled” is what Naya had to say on the exciting holiday menu options that include Sweet Potato, Key-Lime, Maple Bourbon and many others.
Especially with all the exciting additions to their menu, the Flour Child Bakery is a great spot for a sweet treat year round.
Lively’s latest film is anything but
REVIEW
BY CALEE LUKOWSKI
crlukowski@vwu.edu
As one of the most anticipated movies of the year, “It Ends With Us” drastically falls short of expectations. Based on Colleen Hoover’s book of the same name, the movie should have been a guaranteed success. The book stood solidly on The New York Times Best Seller list for 165 weeks. The book is an obvious success, but the movie was met with mixed reviews from book lovers and movie lovers alike.
The story follows Lily Bloom, played by Blake Lively, as she moves to Boston to follow her dreams and overcome the troubles of her childhood. She meets the charming Ryle Kincaid, played by Justin Baldoni, and quickly falls in love. The story then follows their relationship, while they navigate life and some of the not so beautiful aspects of their relationship.
The story line is a wonderful telling of surviving domestic violence and breaking generational curses. While the movie does a decent job of highlighting the importance and seriousness of this issue, it seems as if there is a disconnect between the themes and the movie itself.
With a subpar soundtrack, simple cinematography and bland acting, the movie can be considered a disappointment to many audience members. The
movie might not be hurting in the box office, but reviews online range from viewers that loved the movie, to viewers who saw it as a pitiful and almost misplaced attempt to represent people in abusive environments.
“It Ends With Us” only scored a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it with a “rotten” rating. Although the movie only missed the “fresh” rating by 3%, it still raises some questions about the production, especially given the success of the book.
Many book lovers have said the movie doesn’t follow the plot line of the book, while others seem to think that “It Ends With Us” is the movie of the year. With a Google rating of only a 3.5, it seems that “It Ends With Us” is nothing worth celebrating.
Audience members seem to be split on whether or not “It Ends With Us” was worth the initial hype. One Google reviewer said, “A beautifully directed, poignant and bitter sweet melodrama that tugs at your heart strings,” while another claimed “If you need a movie to help you drift off to sleep, this one might do the trick.
The story moved slower than a 2G connection.”
With a running time of just over 2 hours, the movie could have included something more. Parts of the movie seemed as if the characters were moving in circles; something similar to a poorly done teen coming-of-age film.
Now that the film is out, there have been some complaints circulating about Lively’s promotion of the film. Many audience members are concerned that Lively isn’t handling the film with the proper amount of care. According to Business Insider, Lively was quoted as saying, “Grab your girls, wear your florals!” as a way to promote the film and encourage audiences to buy tickets.
Lively has also reportedly been using promotional interviews about the film to push her hair product line and other products. She has also been wearing brightly colored floral outfits to promotional events and to premiers. In terms of her character, Lily, the bright colored florals would be on brand. Many audiences believe, however, that the bright florals take away from the serious message of the film.
Regardless of whether or not Lively is in the wrong with these actions, many audience members seem to agree that the movie does not do justice to the proposed storyline. One review on Rotten Tomatoes said, “It Ends With Us has lofty goals it ultimately cannot meet, and the end result is a bad film that is borderline insulting in its depiction of the very subject it seeks to explore.”
It is true that “It Ends With Us” had lofty goals, and certainly sky high expectations, but in the end the film simply could not pull through. There was nothing
colleenhoover.com
The cover of Colleen Hoover’s book, “It Ends With Us”, the inspiration for the film.
in this film that was particularly engaging or attention grabbing, and the ending seemed to be more of a let down than a conclusion.
If the film wasn’t a complete failure, it certainly was greatly disappointing to many audience members.
Landon Crooks
|Marlin Chronicle
Eli Casey |Marlin Chronicle
Beautiful dessert case inside the bakery filled with wonderfully decorated treats.
Eli Casey |Marlin Chronicle
Fresh and fun wall decorations hanging in the entryway of the bakery.