Tucked in an office on the second floor of the Batten Student Center, flanked by news articles extolling the glories of sports teams past, surrounded by pieces of athletic history, jerseys from former players, plaques and trophies, sits a man by the name of David Macedo. Upon first interaction, Macedo’s greeting holds a gruff Boston accent. He gestures to take a seat in his office and immediately the accolades and history in the form of newspaper snippets lining the walls make their presence known.
Self described as “boring,” Macedo is far from it.
Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, Macedo was surrounded by sports growing up. He played multiple sports throughout high school, but basketball was his calling.
After high school, Macedo played for four years at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. There he gained his first taste of Division III basketball under coach Jerry Rickrode, an experience that would shape the rest of his life.
At Wilkes University, coaching caught Macedo’s interest through coach Rickrode. “He was an outstanding, you know, coach and mentor to me, and sparked my interest in the coaching profession,” Macedo said.
After Wilkes University, Macedo eventually joined Virginia Wesleyan as an assistant coach, where only two years into the job, he would become the head coach. “I went from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania to Virginia Beach, and never looked back,” Macedo said.
“When I took the job here, I was probably a little bit of a young know-it-all, and I got humbled real quick,” Macedo said. “We probably had the youngest staff in America at the time,” he said. “We started to grow the program, build the consistency and realize what it was like playing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference … the best conference, in my opinion, in the country.”
See MACEDO Page 8
12 Days
A partridge in a pear tree
BY CLAY YOKOM kayokom@vwu.edu
You could hear them from the Lighthouse. Shouts and Christmas music marking a spirited competition and the end of the semester. There were many winter festivities on the Virginia Wesleyan campus the week before finals, including back to back winter themed events on campus: the annual tree lighting on Dec. 5 and Finter Wonderland, run by Off The Hook, on Dec. 6. The tree lighting was held in the open area next to the chapel with a pine tree that was covered in lights. Hot cocoa and cookies were provided, ornaments were set out to be decorated and holiday themed glasses and hats were available to take.
Students were invited to enjoy the amenities before the excitement started.
Actors were available to take photos with: Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch. The Grinch was a new addition this
semester, and the actor sometimes posed with dogs, or photobombed some pictures taken with the Clauses. There were two dogs present for the entire event, Luna and Maverick.
“This is a special part of the Christmas season at Virginia Wesleyan,” President Scott Miller said when interviewed before his speech.
The event officially started off with a speech from Miller and a holiday prayer by a member of campus ministries.
After the group song, Jason Seward, Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management, recited a modified version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” that was instead called “Twas the Night Before Finals.” This variation keeps the pace of the original while retelling common end of semester experiences.
“Happy finals to all, and to all a good test,” Seward said at the closing of the
Youngkin aims for only ‘no-kill’ shelters in Virginia
The term designates a shelter with a greater than 90% save rate, but some animal activists don’t like the term.
BY ISAAC FICK ihfick@vwu.edu
While declaring November as Virginia Loves Shelter Animals Month, Governor Glenn Youngkin encouraged all Virginians to achieve no-kill in 2025. According to the certificate of recognition, no-kill is a “commitment to saving every healthy or treatable dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved and striving for at least 90% of the companion animals that enter its facilities to leave alive.”
If 0.1% more Virginians adopt
Virginia Housing funds 3D printed houses -- Page 2
rather than purchase animals, the no-kill standard for Virginia animal shelters would be met, “which would make Virginia the largest no kill state to date,” according to the recognition.
In the recognition, it is said that “Virginians should work together to achieve ‘No-Kill’ in the Commonwealth in 2025, and animal shelters can do this by employing lifesaving programs such as foster care networks; adoption programs; medical and behavioral programs; public education
“With this, we can create a mobile manufacturing printing plant” - Dr. Andrew McCoy, professor of Building Construction at VT
and awareness programs; and animal socialization programs to prioritize lifesaving.”
Best Friends Animal Society, a nonprofit organization that aims to save animals and provide them with homes, has a statement on the no-kill goal.
As stated in the Best Friends website, “No-kill is a benchmark Best Friends has established to help guide where we focus our efforts to save the lives of the pets most at risk in shelters.”
“In 2023, 415,000 dogs and See SHELTERS Page 3
Cross Country enters a new era -- Page 8
“The team morale and community has been very strong and positive this season” - Abby Peck
Students showcase artistic ability -- Page 5
“I think it’s in my blood; grandparents were musicians, parents were musicians, I’m a musician” - Cory Franklin, director
poem.
The 12 Days of Christmas competition between student organizations, unlike the wind, was heated. This competition has each of the 12 Days of Christmas represented by a student organization, and the organizations compete to be the loudest, most enthusiastic and most spirited when singing their part of the song.
There are some good natured rivalries between the different organizations, with some sports combining the women’s and men’s teams to attempt to overturn the softball team, who had won the previous year’s competition.
“I have a good feeling this year,” Salena Jones, a Biology major on the Women’s Volleyball team, said before the competition.
The final winner was determined by Off the Hook, and while there isn’t a tangible
See CHRISTMAS Page 4
Trump plans to eliminate the Department of Education
BY ISAAC FICK
ihfick@vwu.edu
President-elect Donald Trump said he plans to remove the Department of Education (DE) from D.C. In a video posted on YouTube by Forbes Breaking News on Sep. 13, 2023, Trump explained his plan for education in the United States. He said, “one [...] thing I will be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington D.C. and sending all education and education work and See EDUCATION Page 2
In defense of ‘kill’ shelters -- Page 6 OPINION
“Achieving a save rate of 90% across all shelters would be amazing, but as of now it is not generally feasible”
- Victoria Haneline
Snow Globe inspire Christmas spirit -Page 9
“Each snow globe tells a different kind of story”Haley Wise
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
The annual
of Christmas competition carries no prize, but is one of the most competitive events all semester.
Sarah Richards|Marlin Chronicle President-elect Trump has made claims that he will end the DE.
Virginia Housing funds 3D printed houses
BY CROSSON MILLER lcmiller@vwu.edu
Virginia Housing recently announced a new initiative to incorporate 3D printing into accessible housing. The $1.1 million grant was given to the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech in the name of Community Innovation Demonstrations.
With this grant, researchers at Virginia Tech look to purchase an innovative and mobile 3D construction printer. This printer is named the SIRA RC20, made by Tvasta. Additionally, grant funding will allow for testing, training, research and partnerships for 3D Concrete Printing, also known as 3DCP.
The primary goal of this initiative is to print 10 affordable homes in Virginia by the end of year in 2026. Virginia Housing has already printed four homes, using a stationary 3DCP printer.
The SIRA RC20, the printer being used to spearhead this project, has a few distinctions that make it effective for Virginia
Housing. This model features a robotic arm design, high payload capacity, customizable motion systems and an eco-friendly design. This machine was developed in India by tech startup Tvasta, which now specializes in construction innovation with five other models for 3DCP machines.
“This machine has treads on the bottom, and is much easier to move. [...] It has a robotic arm on top. With this, we can create a mobile manufacturing printing plant,” Dr. Andrew McCoy, professor of Building Construction at Virginia Tech, said.
Another priority for Virginia Housing is their sustainability goals. The SIRA RC20’s ecofriendly design helps with this. While the printing material of choice, concrete, is historically very carbon intensive, modifications are being explored.
McCoy and his team have reached out to various mining organizations to acquire waste material. This material deemed scrap by the mining organizations will be used to substitute for
“This grant gives us a lot of time and money to use so our goal is to then study new building materials, deisgns, systems, and test parts of the buildings.”
Andrew McCoy Professor of
Building Construction at Virginia Tech
and needs back to the states.”
“We spend more money per pupil by 3 times than any other nation and yet we’re absolutely at the bottom. We’re the worst,” Trump said.
The 2025 Presidential Transition Project, “the effort of a broad coalition of conservative organizations that have come together to ensure a successful administration begins in January 2025,” has a plan in line with Trump’s, according to its website.
As stated on the project’s website, one of the goals is to, “Improve education by moving control and funding of education from DC bureaucrats directly to parents and state and local governments.”
“[I]t is unlikely that this will come to fruition,” Beth Koroleski, director of Financial Aid, said. An article posted to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities website on Dec. 6, 2024 agreed with this statement.
The article, “Bill to Abolish Department of Education Is Unlikely to Pass,” mentioned the Returning Education to Our States Act, a bill introduced by the United States Senator Mike Rounds. This act, if passed, would fulfill Trump’s plan.
While “odds are against passage of the legislation, even when Republicans take control of Congress in January,” if
some of the more carbon rich components of concrete mixture.
Additionally, these new mixtures will be thicker than previous 3DCP walls. This will reduce a lot of waste, as well as exterminating the need for siding and interior wallboard.
McCoy also commented on the goals of the initiative from Virginia Center for Housing Research.
“This grant gives us a lot of time and money to use so our goal is to then study new building materials, designs, systems, and test parts of the buildings,” McCoy said.
This 3D printed affordable initiative was made possible because of a Community Innovation Grant that spans four grassroot phases. The first of which is already underway, and is the purchase and maintenance of the SIRA RC20.
The second phase will train construction partners in 3DCP technology education and application. There will be two cohorts in the year of 2025 and four in 2026.
Phase three will further progress research for the partner Virginia Tech. This research funding will expand 3DCP education and application at the university level.
The final phase aims to collaborate with developers in Virginia to act upon this education and start implementing the durable housing to meet community needs.
Robert Criner is the founder of Criner Remodeling, a Newport News and Yorktown based development company. He provided insight into the struggles of 3DCP housing with previous gentry systems, as well as possibilities for the new model.
He highlighted one story of 3DCP in Virginia where problems arose with the printer’s mechanics and materials.
“It was a really hot day and they found out that because of that temperature and since they weren’t moving it fast enough the concrete set up in the hose. Once they lost the hose, they had to go back and get one from overseas, which took a month and that delayed the whole project,” Criner said.
Some former projects have shown miscalculations and various errors. Criner believes similar issues could arise during the use of the new SIRA RC20 model.
Criner is also under the impression that with this new model, other issues could occur.
it were passed, the responsibilities of the DE would be transferred to other agencies, according to the article.
“[D]espite formal elimination of the Department, the bill would ensure that many of the agency’s functions and programs would continue,” the article said.
The reason that it is unlikely for the bill to pass, according to the article, is due to unclear support among Republicans, and “the GOP has just a slim 3-seat majority in the new Congress.”
Currently, according to the DE website, its mission is “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.”
Additionally, “Department programs also provide grant, loan, and workstudy assistance to more than 12 million postsecondary students.”
As said on the website, the DE’s responsibilities have increased while it has the smallest staff of Cabinet agencies and third largest budget. “In addition, the Department provides over $150 billion in new and consolidated loans annually,” according to the website.
Addressing what dismantling the DE would mean for higher education in a Inside Higher Ed article, Katherine Knott said, “critics warn that dismantling the Education Department could make it more difficult for students to access federal financial aid, imperil institutions that rely on federal money and make higher education a riskier bet, though that’s a
“The track system isn’t going to be as accurate as you need to be as you’re printing the stuff out. That’s why they would lock the other ones down [...] with a standard system and it’s very precise. You get a no attract system that goes over gravel and the gravel is gonna move underneath it. It’s gonna be off a little bit which is all it takes to screw up,” Criner said. Overall outlook on the new initiative within the industry is positive. Developing research around building construction at the undergraduate level and professional level with local partners will prove to be instrumental in this process.
worst-case scenario.”
“Of the many questions and logistics to figure out with breaking up the Education Department, one key issue stands out: What to do with the $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio and the broader federal student loan program,” Knott said.
Knott explained that Project 2025, among other proposals, suggest that the
“We spend more money per pupil by 3 times than any other nation and yet we’re absolutely at the bottom.
We’re the worst.”
President-elect Donald Trump
Treasury Department should assume the responsibility of student loans because it already handles money and lending.
“But critics question why Treasury is more suited to managing the student loan program than Federal Student Aid and whether the agency has the capacity to take on the program,” Knott said.
“To what extent moving Federal Student Aid to the Treasury Department would affect students is unclear,” Knott said. In the Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2025, it is said that “the […] DE is responsible for assisting States, school districts, and institutions of higher education in providing a high-quality education to all students and addressing the inequitable barriers underserved students face in education.”
Additionally, “The Budget requests $82 billion in discretionary funding for DE in 2025, a $3.1 billion or 3.9-percent increase from the 2023 level.”
The budget contains a section for “Education Beyond High School,” which details the budget for specific plans. Included among other plans in the list is “Improves College Affordability and Provides Free Community College,” “Invests in Services for Student Borrowers,” “Reduces College Costs for Students,” “Eliminates the Origination Fee on Student Loans” and “Supports Students through Graduation.”
One point made in these plans includes increasing the maximum amount awarded for the Pell Grant by $100 and reaching at least 7.2 million more students. Also, “The Budget provides $2.7 billion for the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), a $625 million increase above the 2023 enacted level,” which would benefit the administration of programs such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), according to the budget.
Andrew McCoy|Courtesy
Robert Criner|Courtesy
Paul Criner, co-owner of Criner Remodeling, standing with an old gentry printer used to print a house in Virginia before the grant.
VTAG undergoes benefit increase
BY VICTORIA HANELINE vfhaneline1@vwu.edu
The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant, commonly known as VTAG, is a program that supports Virginia residents who attend private colleges in Virginia, to the tune of about $5,000 a year. This year, it is being raised by $125 to a maximum of $5,250.
“Any student is eligible if they’ve lived in Virginia for more than a year before starting college,” Beth Koroleski, the director of Financial Aid, said.
Koroleski said that they offered VTAG to every student with a Virginia address, and about 750 students are on the program, or about half of the school. That’s a total of almost $4 million every year, just at Virginia Wesleyan.
“It’s huge,” Koroleski said. “Which is why we really try to get students to apply to it.” The program, unlike Pell grants and other assistance programs, is not need or merit based, requiring only living in Virginia for
a year before attending college. “You only really have to prove that you’re a resident,” Koroleski said.
“It’s really helpful, that’s what I know,” Reggie Weiss, a sophomore who is currently undecided, said.
Students express their appreciation for VTAG through a concerted system of letters, organized by Jason Seward, associate vice president for Campus Life and Operational Management, according to Koroleski.
Koroleski said that he is competitive and wants to be the school that sends the most letters to the government, and that Virginia Wesleyan routinely gets second only to Liberty University, which has almost 50,000 undergraduates. Virginia Wesleyan has about 1,600.
Additionally, there is a “Thanks for TAG!” day organized by Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV), which is an association of private colleges and universities in Virginia. It is on President’s Day and students go to the
General Assembly to thank the Legislature for sponsoring VTAG.
“It's huge. Which is why we really try to get students to apply to it.”
Director of Financial Aid Beth Koroleski
Submissions for Spring VTAG are due on Dec. 15, but Koroleski said it’s worth applying late in case they approve it late anyway. She said that a number of students with Virginia addresses do not apply.
“We try to make it as easy as possible for the students,” Koroleski said, referring to the system of assistance Virginia Wesleyan offers to make school more affordable.
Generally, she said, the only thing a
student needed to do was to fill out the FAFSA, and the school would determine how much need-based aid to offer based on that.
The VTAG likely gets fewer applications because it requires a paper application, Koroleski said, although they are working to change that to an online application in the future.
“It’s very nice, and I enjoy not having to pay as much money,” Sasha LaPonte, a senior studying Earth and Environmental Science, said about VTAG. The recent increase of $125 dollars is not uncommon. VTAG is generally increased, which Koroleski attributed to the continued vocal support for it from students and universities.
“They know that the cost [of college] increases,” Koroleski said. She said that in the future she was “hoping it will go up to $6,000.”
If it continues to be raised by this amount every year, the grant will reach a maximum of $6,000 a student in 2031.
SHELTERS
CONTINUED FROM PG. 1
cats were killed in our nation’s shelters just because they didn’t have safe places to call home,” according to the website.
Best Friends’ benchmark is in line with Youngkin’s, being a 90% save rate. The reason they arrived at this benchmark is because “Typically, no more than 10% of dogs and cats entering shelters are suffering from irreparable medical or behavioral issues that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being rehomed.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) argue for a form of opposition, that focus should not be placed on no-kill, and instead spay and neuter resources, according to
their website. As stated on their website, “Finding a home for one dog may save one life, but sterilizing one dog will save hundreds, if not thousands, of dogs’ lives by preventing generations of potentially homeless puppies from being born.”
“My personal view aligns with some of PETA's views; no-kill literally doesn't exist,” Kathy Bartkus said. “The label is a misnomer.”
Bartkus is active in the local shelter and rescue community and worked at Virginia Wesleyan before she retired and facilitated Animals and Society class activities and local connections for the class.
“Even those shelters who meet the standards for a ‘no kill’ label still euthanize un-adoptable pets,” she said. “Those shelters also indirectly affect the kill rates
at their local open admission shelters by turning pets away when they're full. Those pets are then surrendered to their local open admission shelter, where they face the possibility of euthanization.”
“I truly wish the founders of the movement chose a different name,” Bartkus said. She said that open-admission shelters are often labeled “kill shelters,” hurting their reputation. This labeling negatively affects the employees of shelters, too.
“Employees at those shelters are regarded as ‘animal killers’ by less informed members of the public,” Bartkus said.
According to the Animal
“My personal view aligns with some of PETA's views; nokill literally doesn't exist.”
Kathy Bartkus
Humane Society website, no-kill is “language we don’t ― and we won’t ― use, to describe ourselves or any other animal rescue agency.”
One of the reasons for this agrees with Bartkus, because “the ‘no-kill’ movement has actually been harmful to animals, as the organizations who need the most support have fallen out of favor with the public — all due to a divisive, and misunderstood label,” according to the website.
As said by the website, “The actual number of animals placed should be celebrated, not just the percentage.”
In a Nov. 28 story from Best Friends, Julie Castle explained that there is, based on the first three quarters of 2024, a 3.4% decrease nationally in healthy animals killed. If this continues, it represents the first positive national trend in lifesaving since 2020, Castle said.
The Best Friends website contains a national overview of the no-kill status. All of the data is based on 2023 and predictive modeling. For Virginia, the save rate is 83.3%, with 78 of its 138 shelters having the no-kill status.
The overview also identifies
cities and the shelters within them. Norfolk has two shelters: the Norfolk SPCA, which is no-kill, and the Norfolk Animal Care Center, which is not. Norfolk SPCA has reached no-kill, with 1,315 animals entered and 1,208 saved, having a 91.86% save rate. Norfolk Animal Care Center, with 3,464 animals entered and 2,730 saved, has a 78.81% save rate.
“No-kill is a benchmark Best Friends has established to help guide where we focus our efforts to save the lives of the pets most at risk in shelters.”
Best Friends Animal Society
Sarah Richards|Marlin Chronicle
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle
Data collected from 2023 showing the status of Virginia and local cities’ animal shelters sourced from Best Friends Animal Society.
Elliot Fylstra|Marlin Chronicle
The MARLIN CHRONICLE
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Victoria Haneline vfhaneline1@vwu.edu
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Community
Students take on research, internships
BY AIDEN CROGHAN accroghan@vwu.edu
Many students at VWU conduct undergraduate research and participate in internships, whether it is for a major requirement, course requirement or just for their own personal undertaking. Some research and internship opportunities are offered on campus, but some students travel off-campus to participate in these opportunities.
Students in the Sport and Recreation Professions pathways, those being Recreational Therapy and Sport and Recreation Management, are required to do a four credit hour research methods course in addition to a 12 credit hour internship for their Senior capstone. Dr. Jill Sturts is the chair of the Sport and Recreation Professions department and helps students to enter into internships.
“Our majors are very practice oriented, so it helps them gain lines on their resumes, but it also exposes them to things that they find out, ‘Wow this is something that I definitely want to pursue!,’” Sturts said,. The research methods course that goes alongside the internship allows students to create a research project that they can use to benefit the internship, using both quantitative research, such as surveys, and qualitative research, such as interviews.
Doots Glodek is a senior and a Recreational Therapy major who interned at the behavioral health unit of Sentara General Hospital in Norfolk. During Glodek’s
internship, she implemented games to help with patients’ cognitive skills, like Apples to Apples or trivia, games to help with patients’ social skills, like bingo or Uno, and activities to help raise patients’ self-esteem.
“When you think of the Special Olympics or Paralympics, recreational therapists are really involved in that. When you think about bingo for older populations, or doing activities like that for different people in the community, like everything from adult social clubs, which are for people with special needs who maybe don’t get to have certain experiences,
CHRISTMAS
CONTINUED FROM PG. 1
prize for winning, the honor is nonetheless fiercely fought for. The Softball team was this year’s victor, like last year.
“It’s always just a great opportunity for us all to get together as a community and to celebrate the semester and also appreciate the holiday season,” Miller said.
After the tree was lit, those at the festivities were invited to go to the cafeteria for a holiday themed meal.
The Finter Wonderland festivities were more subdued, with more involved crafts than those at the tree lighting, and warmer thanks to the event being held indoors. There was hot cocoa and cookies once again at this event, with toppings available for the cocoa. While the flyer distributed for the event said that there would be roller skating, there was instead indoor ice skating.
When asked, Abigail Villacrusis, a Communications and French double major who works with Off the Hook, said that it had been unclear what the outside company would bring to the CMAC.
The indoor ice skating rink took up a portion of half of the CMAC and the rink was plastic instead of ice, though skates with blades were used.
like prom would be something,”
Glodek said, explaining other ways that she could use skills from her internship in a different profession.
Evelyn “Ev” Weaver, a senior, interned over the summer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Portland, Oregon and also interned at a ceramics studio. Weaver majors in Philosophy, Environmental Studies and Studio Art. During this semester, she has worked on a project for her Honors capstone project that she feels she’s able to bring these three together with.
“I got to integrate those things together,” Weaver said, “It gets easier to see more opportunities for interdisciplinary work as you spend more time and learn about each of the subjects.”
Weaver’s project is an art collection of ceramic sculptures of invasive species near to the Hampton Roads area.
“Humans brought them to places that they weren’t naturally at, and then they took over these environments, so it’s not on them. So I’m trying to respect the natural beauty that these species do still have,” Weaver said. The project utilizes a technique called Kintsugi, which is where the pieces of art are broken and then patched back together with gold.
Weaver explained that she used Kintsugi, as it’s used to honor the beauty of broken things, which she felt was a similar situation to invasive species. Her project also includes educational information about the species.
Sophomore Haley Cummins, sophomore Madison Mellon and junior Mallory Dillon created a project for their Environmental
Chemistry course to install air sensors on local businesses in Portsmouth and use this data to help improve air quality there. They titled the project “Breathe Better Portsmouth.”
“We partnered with a local named Gary Harris, who owns a nonprofit looking at environmental justice issues in local communities. He’s focusing on Portsmouth and the air quality issues, because there’s a lot of factories, ports and highways that go through Portsmouth and a lot of lower income areas,” Cummins said.
To research for this project, the students put air sensors in the ceramics studio on campus to see how kiln firings and other events impacted the air sensors. They also had to research the logistics of putting air sensors up in Portsmouth, and how they can use the information that they collect to improve the air quality.
“There’s a lot that goes into putting these sensors up in a city where there’s a lot of regulations, rules…,” Mellon said. “In the future, we’re looking to actually implement the sensors in Portsmouth, collect data, analyze the data, and then further understand how we can go about helping the PM2.5 matter and data in Portsmouth and try to decrease it for people’s health.” The air sensors that the group used are called Purple Air Sensors and sense matter that is under 2.5 micrometers, or PM2.5. Several small businesses and a Portsmouth fire station have already agreed to host their air sensors.
Students are able to learn more about internships through The Lighthouse in Clarke Hall.
“It’s definitely different (the rink). It’s hard to find traction, like you can’t skate the same,” senior Elizabeth Smeltzer, an Environmental
Corrections:
Studies major with a Biology minor, said. The festive activities and snacks made spaces for the campus community to meet and interact.
In the last issue (published on 11/21), the article titled “Celebrating Veteran’s day on campus” incorrectly referred to Bobby Mazingo as Bobby Mazenko. The Chronicle offers our sincerest apologies for this error.
Aiden Croghan|Marlin Chronicle
Evelyn “Ev” Weaver presenting her research at the Academic Symposium.
Elliott Fylstra|Marlin Chronicle
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Students compete in the 12 Days of Christmas singing competition.
Students showcase artistic ability
The November Arts Showcase featured performances from the Orchestra and Jazz Ensembles, and a one-act play festival.
BY MIA DIEHL mjdiehl@vwu.edu
To wrap up the fall semester, the Arts at Virginia Wesleyan University had many performances open to students and the public. The Orchestra Fall Concert, Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert and One-Act Festival occurred from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23.
Alexander Chen directed the Orchestra Fall Concert. It is Chen’s first year at VWU. Cory Franklin directed the Jazz Ensemble; he has been at VWU for two years and is an alumnus. Finally, the One-Act Festival was directed and performed by students with a strong love for theater.
On Nov. 21, the orchestra put on its fall concert, performing classical music in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. At its conclusion, the performance received a standing ovation, which showed the students’ talent and the audience’s positive reaction to the concert.
On Nov. 22, the Jazz Ensemble performed different jazz styles, including pieces like “La Vie en Rose,” which was made famous by Louis Armstrong, and “All Blues” from the album “kind of blues,” written by Miles Davis. This concert was also held in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. The ensemble consisted of drums, saxophone, piano, guitar, trumpet and mallet percussion instruments.
Cory Franklin, the director of the ensemble, joined the students on stage
playing the saxophone, exacerbating the feeling of improvisational music, a defining element in jazz music.
“I think it’s in my blood; grandparents were musicians, parents were musicians, I’m a musician,” Franklin said.
“Dr. Squinobal, who used to be my professor here, gave me the opportunity. You know, set me up to be doing what I am doing right now, so I’d like to say thank you to him again for, you know, trusting me and giving me this opportunity,” Franklin said.
Franklin also discussed the process of selecting the musical pieces for the concert, saying that he wanted something the students would enjoy and would want to play.
“If the students, or the performers, like the music, they try to play it better,” Franklin said.
Luke Arters, a sophomore, played the drums for the performance. Arters has been playing the drums for six years.
“My passion for music made me pursue drumming in the ensemble because I wanted the experience of playing with others as a band,” Arters said. Arters also discussed how, in preparation for the performance, he was able to learn how capable he was of playing the drums. Arters said, “My favorite piece musically is ‘All Blues (Kind of Blue).’ My favorite piece to play on the drums is ‘Soul Intro/ The Chicken,’”Arters said.
Maddie Diaz, a sophomore, played the keyboard during the performance.
“Being confident was really hard in the beginning, but after getting to know everyone, it was a lot easier. Now I feel really comfortable being a part of the jazz band,” Diaz said. Diaz has been playing the piano since they were five years old and joined the ensemble because they love music and wanted to do something musicrelated on campus.
“I learned that it takes a lot of dedicated people to work together in an ensemble well,” Diaz said, discussing what they learned from preparing for the concert.
When asked about what he felt changed in the students from the start of the semester until the performance, Franklin talked about how he could see a confidence change in how they played, especially how they played together. Franklin mentioned that at one rehearsal, he had ended up arriving late, but when he got there, the ensemble was already playing the music, showing the passion they all had for the music.
Wrapping up the weekend was the One-Act Festival on Nov. 23, featuring 10-minute-long plays directed by students at VWU. The festival was held in Beverly Hall.
The directors of the plays were Annie O’Shea, a senior, who directed “First Communion;” Erin Andrews, a senior,
who directed “Members Only;” John Post, a senior, who directed “Smoke Scenes;” Emily Lutz, a senior, who directed “Too Much Lesbian Drama: One Star;” Judah King, a senior, who directed “Apres Opera;” Emma Wehr, a senior, who directed “A Matter of Husbands;” and Jacob Underwood, a senior, who directed “He Said, She Said.”
“It’s okay to be human. There were times when I didn’t know how to give direction to help an actor. The cast would assist each other and get the action I wanted. My most used quote during rehearsal was ‘It’s all right; we’re all human.’ Mistakes are a part of life, and I wanted to provide a consistent safe space for them to explore their characters,” King said when asked about what he learned from the experience.
Molly Brennan, a junior, played the role of a famous actress in “A Matter of Husbands.” Although Brennan did not originally plan on trying out, her friends strongly encouraged her, and she learned that she loved performing and entertaining others.
“It was definitely a bit challenging to not take myself too seriously while acting and just let myself have fun. However, my director and castmate were always incredibly gracious and helped me feel at ease,” Brennan said. Wehr directed “A Matter of Husbands.” Wehr talked about what it was like directing and what she had learned from directing.
“One of the biggest obstacles was making the comedy seem natural while keeping the story believable,” Wehr said. Wehr mentioned that the humor and cleverness of the play drew them to choose it, ‘the humor and clever manipulation in the play made it a fun challenge to direct,” Wehr said.
Wehr also talked about what she had learned during this experience.
“I had to quickly learn how to communicate and guide actors to bring out the best in their characters,” Wehr said. These three performances were a way to showcase the talent of the students here at VWU, their progress during the semester and the hard work they put into their craft. Another event in the arts to wrap up the semester was A Wesleyan Christmas, featuring performances from the choirs at VWU: Bravura, Camerata and Vox Vera, who performed traditional and contemporary holiday songs Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m.
Student successes shine at Symposium
At the bi-annual Academic Symposium, student presenters are tasked with explaining their research or internships to attendees.
BY BRADY KING bpking@vwu.edu
The Academic Symposium is an event that celebrates the academic achievement of students completing a variety of academic experiences, including research, internships, performance and global engagement.
The Academic Symposium is a conference-style event held on the Virginia Wesleyan campus. Students share their work with an oral, poster or panel presentation.
As part of the discussions following these presentations, students are encouraged to reflect upon their experiences and offer
advice to other students who are preparing to undertake their own experiences.
The Academic Symposium was held on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The speaker session was held at 2:30 p.m. This is where the students would go up in front of the faculty, staff and other students and present their topic up on stage.
The following event was the poster presentation at 4 p.m., where students set up their poster on their topic in the CMAC. Students and teachers could walk around and got a chance to ask questions oneon-one and get more information on what exactly they focused on.
Senior Harrison Smith presented his research project at the Symposium on the
Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program, which is an initiative focused on protecting and restoring the fragile coral ecosystems surrounding the island of Cozumel in the Caribbean Sea. Cozumel’s reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest coral reef system in the world, which serves as a critical habitat for diverse marine species. Over the years, human activities, climate change and natural disasters have significantly damaged these reefs.
“We wanted to make a recommendation of ideal shading that we could give to other conservation groups. Since these are very cheap and easy to reproduce, we can send them to other people and say this one
works well with bleaching, you can also use it too,” Smith said.
Due to the location of Smith’s project, he had to enlist volunteers to collect data.
“I had trouble in the beginning when the volunteers were first learning how to gather information and send it back to me. But then I was lucky enough for them to have a lot of interns there, and the interns are science majors like myself, so they were interested in learning more,” Smith said.
Another student who presented was Casey Bennett, a senior. He was studying MicroPADs as an Emerging Bacterial Diagnostic Device. This is an innovative and cost effective solution for bacterial diagnostics, particularly in resourcelimited settings.
“We were just doing a paper based test to identify bacteria, and based on the color change, I got to know certain traits about them, and that helps me identify them. This could be used for areas that don’t have the resources to implement, like bigger labs for, clinical based testing,” Bennett said. These devices utilize microfluidic technology integrated into paper, allowing fluid samples, such as blood, urine or water, to flow through pre-designed channels by capillary action. MicroPADs are highly portable, inexpensive and require no external power or sophisticated equipment, making them accessible for point-of-care testing.
According to Bennett’s research, in 2019, one in eight global deaths, estimated at 7.7 million, were directly linked to 33 bacterial pathogens. By 2050, deaths attributed to antimicrobial resistance are projected to increase up to 10 million. Low resource areas are disproportionately impacted by drug resistant pathogens and infectious bacterial disease.
The Academic Symposium is held biannually at the end of each semester.
McKenna Howenstine |Marlin Chronicle
Cameron Mailoux performs with his baritone saxophone.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle Director Alexander Chen (LEFT) plays cello with student performers.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Aria Kimiavi’s research project uses computer science to analyze the VWU men’s soccer team.
In defense of ‘kill’ shelters
No shelter wants to euthanize animals, but it has to happen somewhere.
BY VICTORIA HANELINE vfhaneline1@vwu.edu
It’s a very common misconception that so-called no-kill shelters, named such because they take policies to keep their “save rate” above 90%, are the most humane method of the fundamentally inhumane process of managing unwanted animals. However, in practice, no-kill shelters often turn away animals that need to be taken in. They do not euthanize (much), but animals die on the streets, in cages and abusive homes because of it. First, let us break down what the difference actually is. There is a common misconception that no-kill shelters do not euthanize animals, and that kill shelters euthanize. This isn’t true. Generally, no-kill advocates consider a shelter to be no-kill when their save rate is at or above 90%. That means that of every ten animals that enter the shelter, nine leave alive. This is, in and of itself, good. Euthanasia is done on animals that are suffering or have severe behavioral issues, but not incredibly often (animal shelters that never euthanize are both incredibly rare and incredibly selective). This is opposed to open-admission
animal shelters or closed shelters that euthanize more often, for a variety of reasons.
What this distinction misses, though, is that wanting animals to leave the shelter alive and cared for is a goal of every animal shelter. No shelter that I’m yet aware of euthanizes animals for fun (but please, let me know if you find one). Achieving a save rate of 90% across all shelters would be amazing, but as of now it is not generally feasible while still having open-admission shelters. Additionally, no-kill shelters will often go to lengths to maintain that no-kill policy, turning away animals at the door or sending them off (alive—good for the save rate) to other shelters to be euthanized there.
As an example, take two animal shelters in Norfolk. The first is the Norfolk Animal Care Center, run by the government. It is open admission, meaning that any animal is accepted, and the surrender fee (how much it costs to give an animal to them) is only $15. Consider also the Norfolk SPCA, which is no-kill. They do not publicize a way to surrender an animal to them on their website, and they don’t have an option on their phone to do so, either. This is common for no-kill shelters. They are selective. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing— the Norfolk SCPA does a lot of good work for the community, especially in its neuter programs, but this isn’t the only kind of shelter you can have. If you want to surrender an animal, there is often no place to go but an open admission shelter—and by the nature of open admission shelters, because they will take any animal, they often put down more animals. The sick, dying or violent dog that would be turned away at a no-kill shelter is euthanized here. This isn’t a bad thing either. Animals that are put down at a kill shelter are not left to die on the streets or with an owner that can’t or won’t care for them. So, then, if both open admission and closed admission benefit the community, what is so bad with no-kill shelters? Why have I written this article? Well, it’s because of the corollary—kill shelters. A shelter is not a kill shelter because its save rate is less than 90%. Almost every shelter in the country is doing the best to deal with the pet overpopulation crisis, and there is no reason to
deride a shelter that is performing a valuable service in the community by calling it a “kill” shelter. There are many situations where it is far better to put an animal down than leave them suffering.
Far worse than deriding shelters that are doing their job (and sometimes picking up the slack) is to insist every shelter in the city, or worse, the state, be no-kill. It’s important to recognize that shelters are doing their best, and if their save rate is lower than 90%, check first if they’re open-admission, and if they accept animals from no-kill shelters to euthanize. They’re also doing important, good, humane work.
If you’re upset by this story, if you don’t want animals to die, then good. I don’t want animals to die either. The best way to do that is not to shun “kill shelters.” You should donate your time and money at a shelter that you believe in, if you have the time and money, whether that shelter is open-admission or closed. You should support Catch Neuter Release programs (where strays are neutered and then released), because that reduces the number of strays. You should adopt an animal from a shelter, preferably an open-admission shelter, and never, ever, buy from a breeder.
Most memorable moment of 2024?
“Going through the ChickFil-A drive through with my friends dressed as Jesus, the pope, and a priest when we had nothing to do over fall break!”
Jocelyn Kaelin ‘28
“My favorite memory of 2024 has been the process of finding myself and the love everywhere. With a constant journey with many moments to remember, I only remember the overall positive energy in my everchanging life. I’m excited for 2025 and the rest of everyone’s lives.”
Isaac Fick ‘27
Student calls for institutional change
A student leader explains why he changed his mind about VWU.
BY CHRIS MERCER-GARRETT
When I first came to VWU, I felt this was a place I could grow. I had a great start in my freshman year of attending. However, that feeling has changed significantly since the start of my sophomore year.
There are many things the University needs to improve on institutionally. For example, the attendance policy is unreasonable in my opinion. I have seen many people come and go because they have to sacrifice their needs for a 1 hour and 15 minute lecture, where some professors utilize 30 minutes of that time going on personal rants.
Another issue is that some students are treated like children in response to others not being responsible enough to take care of their business in the classroom, finance office, etc. To say the university is striving for advancement, there is still a long way to go.
Staff and faculty accountability sucks!
Again, there are great staff members but also there are some who care less. In the same breath, we suffer from that.
I have had professors with incomplete syllabi and unclear explanations then attempt to justify their actions with bogus explanations. There are staff and faculty members who are great and some who carry themselves as if they are above God and
that is unacceptable.
I considered and made plans to transfer to other Universities for the Fall 2025 semester for better opportunities. That isn’t going to happen. Due to various factors, one being the college credit system which makes it difficult to transfer to other schools.
VWU can be much better than this. But collectively, are we willing to put in the work? That is the true question.
As someone who was recognized by the University as a student leader, I have felt that I have been quiet for too long, worrying about repercussions. The most difficult part of being a representative of the university is that you are expected to conduct yourself in a manner in which it portrays the institution in a positive light. Students are known on campus to have lost their jobs just simply for giving their lived experiences about issues that have come about and still are present. I would argue that I have a decent influence on campus, but to critique the institution comes with such risks. Sometimes I have questioned if the place I once put faith in is the same. This outlet isn’t to destroy the University. What I am asking is that
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle
Tori is a junior studying English and Environmental Science. She is the Editor in Chief for the Marlin Chronicle.
Chris Mercer-Garrett|Courtesy Mercer-Garrett speaking as SGA vice president.
Sarah Richards|Marlin Chronicle
MJ Matthews|Marlin Chronicle
Chris Mercer-Garrett|Courtesy Chris is a sophomore studying Criminal Justice and Political Science. He was formerly SGA vice president.
Women’s Volleyball makes history
out everyday with that underdog mentality,” she said, “playing every game like it could be our last.”
Women’s Volleyball had another dominant season this year, finishing with a final record of 27-6 and only dropping one game in conference throughout the regular season. The team surpassed last season’s success, making it all the way to the ODAC championship game and the second round of the NCAA tournament.
“I am incredibly proud of the girls,” said head coach Karissa Cumberbatch, better known as coach K. “I think a lot of people expected this to be a rebuilding year and we proved them wrong.”
The team rolled into this season losing key seniors and came out this year exceeding expectations. Doubt from outsiders helped to fuel the team this year as the team, according to sophomore setter Anita Nash. “We came
This mindset led the Marlins to a hot start as they maintained their undefeated streak in the Marlin Invitational on Aug. 30 and 31.
“After we won out on opening weekend, it was a real eye opener on what we could do,”
Cumberbatch said.
The success at the beginning of the year tracked as the team continued to win other than a few uncharacteristic losses in the middle of the season.
“The past few years we fell off at the end of the year. This year it was midseason. We made new changes and were able to get going again,” Cumberbatch said.
The wins continued into conference play, as they practically swept the ODAC’s with the exception of a single loss to Washington & Lee.
“We knew after every game we should be able to step off the court with no regrets and we carried that with us throughout the season which contributed to our success,” Nash said.
This was the regular season success the team had grown accustomed to over the past few years, but what pushed the team ahead this season was how they translated the winning to the playoffs. The season seemingly culminated in the ODAC championship in a rematch against W&L, as the Marlins ended up taking the match to five sets, coming up three points shy of being ODAC champions.
“The loss to W&L will leave a big impact and keep the team wanting more,” Cumberbatch said.
Despite the championship loss, the team was granted an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Nash attributes this achievement
to the team’s “chip on the shoulder” mentality. “Our most prevalent values were to play with grit and make big time plays in big time moments,” Nash said, “outworking the teams across the net from us.”
With an opportunity to play at the biggest stage in collegiate sports, the Marlins did not disappoint, winning the program’s first ever game in the NCAA tournament over Springfield. Their success came to an end in the second round, however, losing to Junieta, the eventual DIII champions.
Along with team success, Hannah Smith, a senior; Emma Claytor, a graduate student; Salena Jones, a junior; and Madeleine Hanes, a sophomore; were all named to ODAC AllConference teams. Smith also received First Team All-Region honors as well as All-American nominations for her exceptional
play this year as an outside hitter. Cumberbatch had nothing but praise for Smith. “She had a great year. She’s always been talented, always had an edge. She was able to take a mental step this year and started taking over games. Played like a big dog,” she said. The team looks to continue the winning trend and take this year’s result as a successful experience into the years to come. The outlook is optimistic from Cumberbatch as the incoming freshman look to maintain the winning air. “The future of the program is very bright,” Cumberbatch said.
As the regular season success from 2023 pushed the team to their first ever NCAA tournament win in 2024, the Marlins will look to use the playoff success from this year to be a threat to not only the ODAC but Division III as a whole in their 2025 campaign, albeit without key players such as Smith and Claytor.
The fall season at Virginia Wesleyan University has concluded, and hot on its heels are the end-of-season awards. With many fall teams having multiple members receive honors, it serves as a testament to the strength of VWU athletics.
Despite falling short in the semifinals of the ODAC Tournament, Men’s Soccer had a league-high nine members named to the ODAC All-Conference team, along with three USC All-Region award winners and one Fourth Team All-American, graduate player Alex Moody.
In light of this accomplishment, Moody advised the ODAC to take heed of the team’s talent. “They had the most guys on conference teams and they still didn’t win? They’re going to be trouble in the next coming year,” Moody said.
Women’s Soccer also had several members selected to the ODAC All-Conference team (6) and three players selected for the USC All-Region Team as well.
Field hockey’s standout season this year earned them three ODAC All-Conference team selections, with freshman Berkley Miller winning ODAC Rookie of the Year as well.
“My first season, they were 7-11 … it’s the first time we’ve had 12 wins since 2005,” said Tyler Costello, director of athletic communication. “You can see— physically see, stats-wise—the turnaround.”
Women’s Volleyball also had a historic season, making the
NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019 and winning an NCAA tournament game for the first time in program history.
“That’s history being made,”
Costello said. The team had four players named to the ODAC AllConference team, including their leading outside hitter, senior Hannah Smith, who also added AVCA First Team All-Region and an AVCA All-American honorable mention to her belt.
“The culture is really amazing,”
Costello said. “We have several established, successful programs with veteran coaches who, you know, almost have a system of doing it for so long, and they’re very successful at it.”
Shane Kohler, head coach of Men’s Soccer, also attested to the winning culture at VWU.
“I would say it starts at the top, from our athletic director and the support that we have from her. But then just from coach to coach, there’s a lot of hungry, hard working coaches that want to continue to improve, and you know, strive to be the best in their respective sports,” Kohler said.
Will VWU sustain this winning campaign in ensuing years?
Moody believes so.
“I think Virginia Wesleyan is going to become a powerhouse, and not only in the ODAC but in DIII Athletics.”
The Kansas City Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls and are the first team to win back-to-back since the 2004-05 New England Patriots. With the playoffs fast approaching, the Chiefs are setting themselves up for another successful season as they sit with a 12-1 record with four games left to be played. No team has ever won three Super Bowls in a row.
They control their destiny in terms of earning the first-round bye which would ensure that the AFC playoffs would run through Kansas City.
The only issue is the Chiefs have had a hard time taking care of easier opponents and have only won two games by more than one possession. Not only that, but eight of their twelve wins have come down to the final play.
The Chiefs have been on the right side of a couple of penalties, a blocked field goal, and with their recent win over the Chargers, a lucky doink. For more context, the Chiefs defeated the Chargers on Sunday night after making a game-winning field goal in the
final second that hit the upright and fell through.
With all of these situations going their way, it seems like something is off with the Chiefs and that this team might not be going to finish the job and win the Super Bowl for the third straight season.
They have faced their two most likely threats in the postseason already in the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs knocked off the Ravens by a score of 27-20 in week one as the Ravens had a late touchdown overturned in the dying moments, but they lost to the Bills in Buffalo by a score of 30-21.
If they do make it out of the AFC and get to the Super Bowl again, I believe that the winner of the NFC will take home the trophy. This is with the assumption that either the Lions or the Eagles will win the NFC and go to the Super Bowl.
Now of course the Chiefs do still have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Patrick Mahomes, paired with one of the greatest coaches of all time, Andy Reid, so anything is possible. They have proven in previous years that their defense is elite, headlined by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and that they can control games on the offensive side.
Overall, I am not saying the Chiefs will not win again this year. But I am saying that they do seem quite vulnerable this season and that they are more beatable this year than in the past. My early Super Bowl predictions as of now would be the Lions taking
with the
the
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
Cross country enters a new era
CONTINUED FROM PG. 1
In a profession where turnover is high, Macedo has coached the Marlins for 25 years. Through those years, he’s had the unique opportunity of being able to witness the rise of the Marlins basketball program.
“It’s been a great ride. I’ve absolutely loved watching the school and program grow,” Macedo said.
Two of his former players, Daryl Woodmore and Chris Teasley Jr., now competing overseas, reflect fondly on their time with coach Macedo. Under Macedo, both Woodmore and Teasley Jr. made four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.
“Coach Macedo is a one of a kind type of coach. He’s passionate and intense on the court, always trying to get the best out of his players,” Woodmore said. “There’s no one better in the country at what he does and he deserves all the credit, even if he won’t accept it.”
“Coach Macedo is a passionate coach… He wants everyone that walks through those doors to become the best version of themselves,” Teasley Jr. said, adding that he is proud to have spent four years playing under him.
Macedo is committed to two things in life: the Marlins and his family. He described himself as driven, passionate and intense. “This is the ultimate grind,” Macedo said. In a profession that takes the utmost commitment, all the time, Macedo doesn’t stop.
“My first impression of coach Macedo was that he was insane. I’ve never met someone with so much purpose and confi-
dence,” Teasley Jr. said. “He’s crazy about basketball.”
With such intense focus and drive, someone might expect Macedo to chase accolades and individual achievements. Not Macedo, not in the slightest. Coach Macedo only cares about the team. “He’s never taking credit for anything. It’s always been a ‘we before me’ approach with him,” Woodmore said.
“He never cared for the awards or the accolades, but he’s absolutely one of the best to ever do it. He embodies the word team,” Teasley Jr. said.
At Macedo’s Hall of Fame induction, senior guard for the Marlins Omari DeVeaux recounted Macedo being called up for recognition. “He’s walking with his head down, he doesn’t care about the accolades, the bright lights. Like, that’s not him at all,” he said.
Despite winning a National Championship and five ODAC championship titles as well as becoming the All-Time Winningest Coach among all ODAC basketball coaches, he doesn’t care. Each and every day he embodies a constant and consistent strive for excellence. “The way he prepares, the way he coaches, the way he recruits, the way he treats his players. He’s consistent in every way,” Woodmore said.
Macedo has had a profound impact on his players and staff. “One word for coach would be GOAT. My experience under coach Macedo and as a Marlin: life changing,” Teasley Jr. said.
Anyone who knows Macedo would let you know how much of a positive impact he has had on campus or on their life, but Macedo is wrong about one thing. He’s not boring. Not at all.
BY SYDNEE WASHINGTON sawashington2@vwu.edu
After enduring three coaching changes in the past three years, cross country seems to have gained its footing under their new coach, Stephen Register. For the first time in program history, the women’s team was invited to compete in the 2024 ECAC Mid Atlantic Cross Country Championship Meet. The team sent junior Abby Peck, freshman Kayla Kozulla and sophomore Robin Remias to compete. Peck finished 18 with a time of 28:10.95, Kozulla came in 23 with a time of 30:36.90 and Remias finished 26 with a time of 31:45.54.
Peck details the hard work put in this year to reach this achievement. “My teammates and I have ran 110 miles in the month of October leading up to this race, according to my watch history,” she said. “Our goal as a team for this particular race was really to practice racing and get better individual times.”
The team also sent two of its best runners, freshmen Salya Brown and Casey Black, to compete in the NCAA DIII South Regional Meet. Brown finished 62 with a time of 24:25.53, her second-best of the season. Black finished 98 with a time of 28:40.26, also his second-best run of the year.
Brown talked about her expectations for this season. “The only preseason expectation I had was to gain back all my progress after an injury,” Brown said. “The goal that was set by my coach was to reach nationals, but unfortunately, that goal was not
reached due to a sickness during regionals. I still came pretty close.”
Under coach Register, the team as a whole improved, according to Peck. “I am a transfer student so this is my first year at VWU. I will say though that almost every single person on the team has hit new personal record times,” Peck said. “Including myself, which is amazing since I had been in a plateau for a couple years prior to coming to VWU. The team morale and community has been very strong and positive this season.”
This improvement does not come easy, as the sport requires a high level of mental and physical resilience to run vast distances at a fast pace. To put this into perspective, Brown’s 24:25.53 performance at Regionals puts her at a sub 7-minute mile pace over a distance of a little under 4 miles.
“Cross country puts a severe toll on you both mentally and physically,” Brown said. “I was extremely burnt out the week leading up to ODACs, leaving with little to no joy for the race.”
Brown’s strategy for keeping herself in the race is singing songs. “During the race, I sing songs to keep me distracted from the pain and occasionally look at the sky and forget that I am even racing at all.”
The team plans to build on this success next season, and hopefully have a runner, or the team as a whole, qualify for nationals. The team is not too far off from this goal, as Brown’s personal best time, 23:10.3, is a little under a minute off from the individual qualifiers for Nationals this year.
Macedo
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle Coach Macedo is the All-Time Winningest Coach in the ODAC conference.
Sydnee Washington|Marlin Chronicle
VWU Cross Country|Instagram
Women’s Cross Country competes at Christopher Newport University.
Snow globes inspire Christmas spirit
The Christmas season is here and Town Center Fountain Plaza of Virginia Beach is kicking it off by hosting the annual Snow Globe Spectacular. Large, snow globes are filled with artistic scenes and performers at Town Center for the community to view and interact with.
This event is held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of December up until the 23rd, and it’s all about developing the local businesses of the Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach area, along with promoting the Christmas spirit.
The Central Business District Association (CBDA) has produced the Snow Globe Spectacular every year since 2019. According to their website, businesses and organizations can pay dues to become members of the CBDA, and by joining are provided with opportunities to build relationships and grow awareness for the business community.
Alex Liverman, director of the CBDA and the Snow Globe Spectacular, wants to fulfill the association’s mission through this event.
“As the Executive Director of the Central Business District Association, our mission and vision is the growth of Town Center and
beyond as the “Uptown” of Virginia Beach. This original 5 block radius has grown and continues to grow because of its successful and carefully selected businesses, retailers, restaurants and safe environment for all to enjoy,” Liverman said.
Three businesses that are a part of this association and specifically involved in helping present the Snow Globe Spectacular are the City of Virginia Beach, the Town Center of Virginia Beach and Armada Hoffler, which is a self-managed real estate investment trust.
The Snow globe Spectacular features large plastic snow globe displays filled with artistic scenery custom-designed by Studio Cultivate, as mentioned on CBDA’s Facebook page. These can be found on the outskirts of the Town Center Fountain Plaza and in front of storefronts.
“All of our events are free, family friendly and are paid for by the tenants and businesses in Town Center for your enjoyment,” Liverman said.
Each snow globe is filled with a themed scene, the majority being Christmas scenes. In particular, one enclosed a setting of a gingerbread house patterned truck surrounded by Christmas trees driving through the snow. Freshman Haley Wise attended this event and appreciated each of the snow globe’s individuality.
“They are very interesting to look at. They’re very particular in their art. Each snow globe tells a different kind of story, and they have their own little narrative in them,” Wise said. “My favorite was probably the one with the lighthouse and snowy beach scene in it because I like that it represents this area,” Wise said.
The most interactive part of this event though includes the inflatable snow globes that have live Christmas-themed performers inside, located within the Town Center Fountain Plaza, with performances happening from 7-9 pm each weekend of the event.
The acts can include singers, dancing elves, princesses, and tap dancers. This aspect adds a lively dimension to the Snow globe Spectacular because not only are people gathering to view the still
art displays, but they can be entertained through the live arts of dance and performance.
The most popular snow globe people visit contains live Santa and Mrs.Claus featured in a North Pole setting. This idea originated because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We began looking for a large Snow globe big enough for Santa so the children could still talk to him in a safe environment. The children speak into a microphone from the outside and they love it. The local media picked up on it due to its uniqueness, and we decided to keep the concept,” Liverman said.
Viewing Santa in a snow globe provides a way to get families involved, specifically children, and a new way to experience some Christmas magic.
Surrounding the snow globes, there are different Christmas light attractions for people to gaze at or use as photo-worthy backdrops. There is a large ornament covered in string lights with a tunnel underneath for people to walk through or take pictures beneath.
Two friends and visitors of the Snow Globe Spectacular, Lila and Sophia, love
to see the smiles on people’s faces while in the Christmas atmosphere.
“We really enjoy being able to take photos and seeing the cheery Christmas lights,” Sophia said.
There is a sleigh to sit in being pulled by a light-up reindeer, a large light-outlined picture frame and a Christmas tree stringed with lights that will dance along to familiar Christmas songs and carols. The CBDA is creating something the community looks forward to each year.
“Yes, we have been here before, we have both lived here since we were little so we just kind of knew about it, it’s become a tradition every Christmas,” Lila said.
The Snow Globe Spectacular is put on during a time of year when people love to celebrate, creating a fun themed activity where the sound of music and visuals of lights draw attention to the main area of Town Center.
People become surrounded by the shops, restaurants and other businesses that line the streets, making way for the CBDA and specific members to put on this event that is spreading Christmas cheer as a way to continue the growth and development of the business community in Virginia Beach.
First Landing state park offers students an escape from stress
BY CALEE LUKOWSKI crlukowski@vwu.edu
With the stress of finals and the end of the semester in sight, many students may find themselves searching for an escape from the anxiety. A great way to destress and unwind is to take a walk in nature.
Lucky for VWU students, there are plenty of great accesses to nature both on and off campus. The campus trails offer some escape, but for those wishing for somewhere they can truly forget about their stress for a while, off campus options may be more appealing.
“Whenever I need a break from classes I go to First Landing because it feels like a completely separated place from the business of Virginia Beach,” sophomore Haley Cummins said.
A great place to escape to is First Landing State Park. A short, 15-minute drive from campus, First Landing provides a little bit of everything for everyone.
The parking fee varies between seasons and is dependent on when in the week you decide to go, but is no more than 10 dollars at any given time. Especially if you are carpooling with friends and split the cost
of parking, the small fee is well worth the experience.
The park has three different “parts”. The first two parts can be accessed from Shore Drive. These parts are right across the street from each other. If you are traveling there from VWU, the left side has a beach access and some small trails. This side also has some picnic areas that might be a good study spot for students that are so inclined.
“It’s cool to have the option between water views and wooded trails within such a close range,” sophomore Madison Mellon said.
This side does have approximately a mile or so of beach to explore or relax on, though with the colder weather that might not be ideal. It is significantly less crowded than some of the more popular beaches in the area, especially this time of year.
“The trails on the beach side of First Landing are super nice and typically very quiet in the off season which is nice to decompress and be in a calm nature setting,” Mellon said.
The right side has more extensive trails for both walking and biking. A pretty moderate trail to walk is the Bald Cypress Trail. The trail is relatively short and is positioned in a loop so you can’t get lost. It also has wonderful views of the bald cypress swamps and other parts of the forest.
There are longer trails on this side of the park as well, if that’s more your style, as
well as trails suitable for biking. This side of the park also connects to the third part which can be accessed at 64th Street and offers many of the same amenities as this part. The 64th Street access has a boat launch located on the Narrows. From here boats can navigate to either Linkhorn or Broad Bay, as well as reaching the ocean by passing through three bays. The boat launch also has an additional fee of four
dollars for use. Regardless of your budget, there are plenty of things to do at First Landing. With extensive trails and places to simply relax, there is something for everyone to take their mind off the stress and anxiety of finals, even if just for an hour.
Kami Whisenhunt|Marlin Chronicle
Two festive snow globes at the Snow Globe Spectacular showcasing a woodland creature winter wonderland and a fun gingerbread car.
Madison Mellon|Courtesy
LEFT: The water access at the 64th Street entrance to the park is a wonderful combination of waterlife and greenery.
RIGHT: Madison Mellon walking the scenic trails near the water access at the 64th Street entrance to First Landing.
Haley Cummins|Courtesy
The trails on the beach side of the Shore Drive entrance are as beautiful as the ones deeper in the park, like the Bald Cypress Trail.
Kami Whisenhunt|Marlin Chronicle Santa and Mrs. Claus’ snow globe that started during the pandemic and allowed children to talk to Santa in a safe and healthy way.
Calee Lukowski|Marlin Chronicle Part of the Bald Cypress Trail at First Landing State Park that loops around a bald cypress swamp.
Madison Mellon|Courtesy The beach side of the Shore Drive entrance might be quiet but it certainly does not lack in the ways of beautiful views (BOTTOM) and interesting features like driftwood (TOP).
Newly opened plant studio incorporates community
BY GABRIELLE BARNETT gabarnett@vwu.edu
Lucky Leaf Studio, located at 4216 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite 165 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a new plant nursery that’s open Tuesday through Sunday. The shop offers a variety of different types of plants, suitable for a wide range of plant caretaking skills and climates. Additionally, the shop partners with local, small businesses to provide art, plant accessories and other sustainable products.
Lucky Leaf Studio is owned and operated by Melissa Smith. A former healthcare worker, Smith found her passion for plants during the pandemic, when she was quarantined and isolated outside of her work.
“I needed something that I have control over that was living and positive,” Smith said. She started small, with growing houseplants in her garage. However, when she realized how much better she felt when working with her plants, her collection grew until she had over 120 plants in her backyard.
wanted to find the next step.”
With the realization of how relaxing and invigorating the plants were on her mental health, she started to share her plants with her friends and teach her community the value of growing and connecting with nature. This later became the basis of one of the Lucky Leaf’s principles, which is pairing plants with people.
“Pairing plants with people started because my best friend loves plants but forgets,” Smith said. “I really wanted people to find plants that work for their lifestyle.”
Smith’s personal favorite plants are her pilea, nicknamed Penelope, and her spineless cactus that looks like a fern, but without the mess. However, she recommends that a potential plant parent take into consideration their own environment and skills.
“The house became consumed,” Smith said.
“I had rolling carts with plants and I
To help with this, the Lucky Leaf has a set of questions on their website that ask about different habits and the environment, such as whether a potential buyer has pets or will have a lot of time to take care of their plants. The Lucky Leaf offers suggestions of what plants to purchase, all of which can be found at the nursery. Smith points this out as one of the distinguishing features of the Lucky Leaf.
“You can buy plants almost anywhere,” Smith said. “I wanted to differ.”
For college students, Smith recommends a self-containing plant, such as a Moss Amigo moss ball, or a terrarium. Moss Amigos, one of the partnerships that Lucky Leaf supports within the store, sells their moss balls that grow in jars of water in the shop.
“My goal is really to work and support other people who are like-minded,” Smith said.
The Lucky Leaf has nine other vendors that create and sell pottery, painting, photography and more within the shop. Like Smith, many of the vendors come coincidentally from a healthcare background.
“Healthcare and wanting to give to others builds the creative spirit,” Smith said.
Sue Mako is one of the vendors who sells at the Lucky Leaf. She sews aprons,
tote bags and cross body bags, as well as repurposes vases, creates jewelry and art with sea glass and driftwood.
“During the pandemic, I started making face masks,” Mako said. She explained that she hadn’t considered herself to be much of an artistic person beforehand, but that when she started giving face masks out, people started giving donations to her daughter’s convent in response.
“I just like to buy things for [my daughter’s convent],” Mako explained. When she realized the interest in her work, Mako opened a vendor booth at Painted Tree Boutiques, a type of shopping center that specializes in small businesses and boutiques. Smith also started at Painted Tree Boutiques, which is where the two entrepreneurs connected.
“She knew my story and she asked me to make her some aprons,” Mako said. “She invited me to be a part of this.”
Mako feels proud to be a part of the Painted Tree and collaborate with other talented entrepreneurs. She especially likes the way that the items are all interwoven and displayed throughout the store,
describing it as a treasure hunt.
Tamara Hamlin, a visitor of the nursery, described it as a really nice place.
“They have things that are affordable,” Hamlin said. “And for people who are, you know, more interested in complicated plants, they have plenty.”
This was Hamlin’s first time visiting the nursery and she purchased her own Moss Amigo and another plant.
“It’s a cute, pretty easy to take care of plant,” Hamlin said. She described the Lucky Leaf as a great place to go as either a new plant parent or someone with more experience, like herself, just as Smith intended.
“We have to have plants to live,” Smith said. “That is my goal, for people, anybody, to be able to afford a plant.”
So whether looking for a larger plant such as a Calathea or something easy to take care of like a Moss Amigo, or simply decorative art or other sustainable gifts for the holidays, the Lucky Leaf nursery can help you find exactly what you are looking for.
Mini art makes a mighty impact
BY VICTORIA HANELINE vfhaneline@vwu.edu
Art, or at least owning art, is a hobby for the rich. Paintings, sculptures and many forms of traditional art require an immense amount of skill and time, and are priced appropriately. Unfortunately, this puts owning many pieces of art out of reach for the general public—or at least, that is the common conception.
The Garage, a small art-focused business, is attempting to change that. On Nov. 23, they held an event called “Mighty Minis.” 67 artists, including students at VWU, presented three artworks each, priced at $100 each. The canvas looked to be about six inches across and was square. This was the second such event, following a smaller one held earlier.
“It was the biggest event—people freaked out,” Jessa DuQuette, the owner of The Garage, said.
Sarah Richards, a junior double major in Psychology and Art, had pieces at the event. She is also an illustrator for the Marlin Chronicle.
“I tried to think about what would be meaningful to me, but also what would look good on display,” Richards said. The pieces were made specifically for the exhibit, and this is Richard’s second exhibit. She presented alongside artists like Mia Guile and other established artists in the area.
Walking around the exhibit at 7:00 p.m., just half an hour after the exhibit opened, a significant portion of the artworks were sold, maybe about half.
The Garage was perhaps a bit cramped
for such a big event. DuQuette said that she had originally planned for 25 artists but wanted to take all 67. The interior of the space was rather above capacity.
However, there was a spillover area outside with fires that was quite pleasant, although cold, and the overall atmosphere was friendly. The artworks themselves were quite impressive, especially for the relatively low price point.
“Everything she has done here is just magical,” Cathy Hyland, a volunteer at the event who is friends with DuQuette, said about The Garage. She estimated that she knew over half of the attendees at the event
at the time of our speaking.
“You never know who you’re going to meet,” Hyland said. She praised this event and The Garage as great places to meet fellow creatives.
DuQuette said she founded The Garage as “an inclusive space” where anyone could show their art. Especially, she said, women who were starting an art career.
“I turned 40 and got my first mural and changed my life,” DuQuette said about her start as an artist and her inspiration for founding The Garage. She didn’t receive support for her desire for art: “Nobody said I could do it.” The Garage is a place where people say that you can do it.
The art displayed was generally rather competent, with some especially stand-out pieces, almost all of which sold in the first hour of the exhibit being open. There were a lot of people there to support specific artists, like friends and family, but there were also quite a few aficionados looking to buy art at a reasonable price. The two groups seemed to have significant overlap.
The exhibit stayed up past opening for several days, which is something one could keep in mind if they wanted to see the art pieces without the crushing crowd and weren’t necessarily looking to buy anything for future events.
However, opening day has a certain appeal to those who either want to buy their choice of artwork or to meet other artists and aren’t afraid of crowds.
Many of the artists were in the crowd outside, warming themselves by the fire and more than willing to talk about the pieces they’d created for this exhibit. The
event was impressive from a networking perspective, the “art district” in the area, as Hyland named it, coming out.
The Garage as an initiative is admirable, supporting people who need it in pursuing art, and it is a welcoming space. The people were friendly—DuQuette chatted with passing artists and patrons by name during our chat—and authentic. Open fires helped combat the cold, and aside from the crowds the event was quite enjoyable.
The Garage is located at 1703 Mediterranean Ave. and posts on Instagram at @thegaragevb, for those looking to find them.
Landon Crooks
|Marlin Chronicle
Gabrielle Barnett |Marlin Chronicle Christmas decor for sale at the Lucky Leaf Studio, perfect for a Christmas gift.
Gabrielle Barnett |Marlin Chronicle
The interior of the Lucky Leaf Studio is full of many different plants and a homely feel with the soft lighting and simple decor.
Isabella Grosswiler |Marlin Chronicle
A wall of the mini art displays at the Mighty Minis art show with Sarah Richards’ pieces lined vertically on the right.
Victoria Haneline |Marlin Chronicle
Some mini art pieces were being bought during the show, each priced at $100, marked with sall red stickers.
