Misc.04.10.24

The Miscellany News

In Memoriam: Avery Kim ’26

On April 7, 2024, Avery Kim passed away. Hailing from Brooklyn, he was a bright, goofy, social, kind soul. He was only 20, and had so much of his life left to live. His death is difficult beyond comprehension, and our hearts go out to everyone near and dear to him as well as his surrounding community. He was a son, a friend and a community member. We wish we could have seen him grow in all of these roles. It is not fair that he was taken from us so soon.

Avery was a sophomore majoring in Economics and was on the Vassar Fencing Team. More than anything, he was a silly, wonderful kid.

As the community processes such a profound loss, resources are available for members of the Vassar community both on and off campus. Immediate resources include Vassar’s Counselor on Call (845-437-7333), the Dutchess County Helpline (845-485-9700) and the Crisis TextLine (741741). Offices across campus are also holding daily spaces to collectively grieve. More resource information can be found via emails from administrative offices.

Alumnae house commemorates centennial

Maryam Bacchus, Sufana Noorwez

Auniversal experience of first-year orientation week is begrudgingly hiking up the hill to Alumnae House to receive one’s first Vassar Devil—a traditional sundae-like dessert. For the Classes of 2024 and 2025, this tradition was starkly different, as the former did not have an orientation week and the latter received a version of the tradition modified to accommodate social distancing. As a current senior and junior, we have long been wistful about this missed experience, but we were privileged enough to experience a milestone in the history of Alumnae House: The centennial.

The space primarily serves as a hotel for visitors to campus, but has also hosted exciting student events throughout our years at Vassar, including the Loeb Gala, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, and the recent 100

Nights, which commemorated the 100-day mark until graduation for the Class of 2024. This past week, however, we were able to come together in community to celebrate Alumnae House, joining with alumnae/i, underclassmen, friends and family.

The festivities began with a procession from Vassar’s Library Lawn, through and up toward the house. The procession was composed of current members of the campus community, including many student athletes, and was accompanied by a brass band that announced the presence of the celebrants. Attendees gathered on the steps and in the driveway of Alumnae House to witness the procession as it made its way up the steep hill. After the procession arrived at the front steps of the building, a tap dance performance by Vassar on Tap was admired by the crowd on the front terrace. This series of events was concluded by a ceremonial cavalcade around the front loop of Alumnae House. An antique

Vassar hosts peace workshop

Allison Lowe Assistant News Editor

On Friday, April 5, Engaged Pluralism hosted a workshop for both the Vassar community and the wider local community. “PHOENIX: Livable Futures for Palestinians and Israelis” aimed to help participants identify practical steps toward post-war futures for both Palestinians and Israelis. The facilitators—Rawan Odeh, Eran Nissan and Tarek Massarani—shared insights gleaned from a collaborative democracy process formulated in Geneva, Switzerland, in February. The Geneva conference was organized by New Story Leadership (NSL), an organization that equips young Palestinian and Israeli leaders with the leadership skills necessary to foster social, economic and political change in the region. NSL’s mission is based in storytelling; they affirm that telling one’s personal story and listening to the stories of others is essential in helping Palestinians and Israelis to navigate livable futures for themselves and their loved ones. At this workshop, Odeh and Nissan discussed their stories and connections to Palestine and Israel, in addition to sharing the work that came from the Geneva conference: The Phoenix Plan. The workshop also illustrated the potential role of real-time survey technology in navigating difficult conversations.

Amanda Munroe, the Director of Restorative Practices and Engaged Pluralism, reached out to Massarani after seeing a video that he had made to advise colleges and universities on how to respond to the conflict. Engaged Pluralism, as well as the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Contemplative Practices (RSLCP), were seeking opportunities for students and community members to be able to have conversations with one another. Massarani expressed that the Livable Futures workshop was searching to expand. “They just convened in Geneva in February, and they want to take the Phoenix Plan and the deliberative [technology] on the road and make it a much bigger thing,” Munroe said. Vassar’s April 5 workshop was the first of its kind.

Munroe collaborated with the Office of Community Engaged Learning to advertise the event to the local community, as she sought to include a diversity of perspectives at the workshop. Members of the Dutchess County Interfaith Council, Jewish Voice for Peace, the Jewish Federation, Temple Beth-El, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Hopewell Reformed Church were all present, in addition to other Hudson Valley residents. Munroe explained that she also communicated with Muslim community leaders who were interested in attending. “I primarily planned it for students and

Earthquake hits Northeast

Sufana Noorwez Senior Editor

At around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5th, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit Lebanon, New Jersey, with effects felt as far south as Maryland and as far north as Maine, according to NBC News. Earthquakes in New York are extremely uncommon, and Friday’s earthquake was among one of the most intense ever recorded in the state’s region. Vassar students expressed a mixture of different reactions to this practically unheard-of event.

Senior Natalia Fay stated, “I have never experienced an earthquake before, so I thought it was a cart on the floor above me

or a very loud truck going by the [Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center], but then no one else knew what was happening.” Fay added that she is from New Jersey, which very rarely experiences seismic activity. Other students from the northeast, for whom earthquake contact is limited, expressed similar confusion. Eliza Gilbert ’25 had just woken up when the earthquake hit Vassar. “By the time I’d completed my wake-up tasks—a few minutes of despair followed by some forehead-pressed-to-thewindow time—it was 10:23. I laid on my back for a moment to gather myself before launching into Morning Phone Time. At that moment, TH 88 began to rumble,”

See Earthquake on page 3

Image courtesy of Jill Schneiderman.

Charlotte Robertson

Sufana Noorwez

Sashinka Poor

Sandro Lorenzo

Will Sorge

Monika Sweeney

Clara Alger

Makenna Monaghan

Allison Lowe

Allen Hale

Jesse Koblin

Emma Lawrence

Carina Cole

Luke Jenkins

Yaksha Gummadapu

Lev Winickoff

Jyotsna Naidu

Nicholas Tillinghast

Oliver Stewart

Nick Villamil

Caris Lee

Igor Martiniouk

Molly Delahunty

Amelia Gracie

Ellie Kogan

Julia Weinberg

Willa Jewitt

Anabel Lee

Ailynn O’Neill

Karen Mogami

Sadie Keesbury

Felix Mundy-Mancino

Olivia Kahn

Richard Lu

Catherine Borthwick

Fallon Dern

Kai Chang

Michael Yang

Britt Andrade

Cassandra Brook

Soren Fischer

Henry France

Anna Kozloski

Gwen Ma

Oliver Stewart

Josie Wenner

Andrew Chu

Ian Watanabe

Kathryn Carvel

Darja Coutts

Grace Finke

Willa Jewitt

Claire Miller

Ailynn O’Neill

Emma Sandrew

Emma San Filippo

Edward Welch Morgan

Image courtesy of Natalie Sang ’27.

Professor Justin Patch talks populism, art and propaganda

Makenna Monaghan News Editor

Vassar College Libraries hosted their inaugural event for the revival of the Featuring Faculty series on March 26 . Associate Professor of Music Justin Patch kicked off the series with a lecture titled “Populist Art or Propaganda? Investigating Citizen Made Pro-Trump Works Large and Small,” discussing topics in his forthcoming book “The Art of Populism in US Politics” which is slated to be published this summer by Taylor & Francis.

The series is presented by Vassar College Libraries and is designed to showcase faculty research, scholarship and projects. It was a hallmark of the College before it was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, the series focuses on expanding the network of communication between faculty, students and community members, as well as uplifting their work and scholarship. With the election year and timely publication of his book, Patch was chosen as the first faculty member to begin the revival of the series, which will continue with one event per semester.

The presentation was guided by three animating questions: “What is propaganda?,” “Is all political art propaganda?” and “Why Populist art?”

Patch recalled he first heard the term “populist” when his parents were discussing Jimmy Carter. Populism has had many iterations and consists of varying political functions, but has been a permanent fixture of American politics. Part of Patch’s project is understanding each of the definitions populism carries and

how they have changed over time. Propaganda is essential to this project, particularly the notion of participatory propaganda, laid out by Patch as both univocal and polysemic. Additionally, he notes the work exists uniquely in the post-industrial age. The lecture focused on the importance of collective expressive culture and the subsequent uses of DIY-based expression. It also covered the topic of identity building, and how identity building is informed by political ideology—specifically political ideology that blurs the lines between partisan propaganda and political expression.

In addition to a general outline of his work and upcoming book, Patch highlighted three examples of participatory propaganda: one large, one small and one abstract. The largest piece is the Rossi “Trump House” located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The exterior of the house was repainted in 2016 to showcase an expansive American flag design and features a 19-foot statue of former President Donald Trump. The second piece was a Jack Daniels-inspired Trump woodcarving found on the Instagram account @jab_patriotic_designs_. The final example was taken from the Instagram account @trump_burgers and represents Trump as Ares, the Greek god of war and courage, seemingly an AI image based on an erotic goddess book titled “The Golden God.”

Patch explained the research process for gathering the pro-Trump works of art to The Miscellany News. While he split the work with two research assistants, it was still hard to consume some of the intense pro-Trump art. “We did a lot of looking … Honestly, it’s easier to look at the art than it is to look at the

videos,” he said. “That’s the main thing for me, and part of it is just the way that the news is edited, to show the wildest things. I found art a lot easier to stomach just looking at it, because I can take a more sympathetic view.” In the lecture, Patch emphasized the need for compassion and empathy in his research and writing in order to understand how people found belonging in the participatory propaganda he studied.

The three art pieces—art being used as shorthand for politically expressive culture objects—varied dramatically in medium and form, but all speak to the ever-changing relationship between the self, politics and creative expression. Lecture attendee Lucy Gundel ’25 spoke about this relationship concerning the third example and a more general conversation on the aligning of Trump and other populists with superheroes saying, “I thought it was an interesting comparison. It makes sense in a political moral desert that people would want to find a heroic morally driven character or leader.”

The impact that new forms of media have on political relationships was also investigated at length. For individuals, information, both true and false, is now readily available and accessible, as are the tools to create the AIbased images at the heart of some Trump pages. Patch explained how it has also changed the positionality of politicians. “Just the way Twitter has changed, I mean to think about Twitter was mostly text and then made way to pictures and videos,” he said. “Instagram, like the Instagram story thing, is a relatively new tool for politicians, not for just regular users, but for politicians to have really figured

out how to make the most of that.”

Patch further explored how new media landscapes allow for bits and pieces of ideology to be separated and found in groups with contradictions, expressing only the ideologies that fit. Kwabena Adae ’26 noted, “I was interested in the idea that with participatory media different sects of people supporting populism can celebrate the same figure with our new technology, while not having to reckon with irreconcilable differences between the sects.”

In contemporary political campaigns, Patch stressed that there must be an idea that people can make in their own image, but that is not the only requirement. Looking forward to the upcoming presidential election, Patch remarked, “My principle, just from the research in 2008, 2012 and 2016 is what is it that matters? More than anything? And this, again, this is not my original thesis, this is Ted Brader’s work and George Marcus’s work. Enthusiasm really matters. And there’s enthusiasm on one side and fear and anxiety on the other.” Although enthusiasm is a key factor, especially in the upcoming presidential election, Patch stressed the difficulty of judging any election based on the past because new formations and media landscapes are constantly in flux. He added, “It’s very difficult to think about what the new rules are. And I think what I’m grappling with most is trying to figure out if there are new rules at all. What are they? And what is going to appeal to voters, and perhaps one of the most diverse electorates in 2024. It’s really hard to anticipate that.”

The Featuring Faculty series will continue next semester in the Fall of 2024.

4.8 magnitude earthquake shakes up campus

Continued from Earthquake on page 1

she wrote in an email correspondence. She added, “When the rumbling continued, I assumed that I must be the problem, that I was rumbling—obviously, this was a complicated cardiac event.” Kathleen Langston ’26 noted: “I’m from New York City, and I’ve never experienced an earthquake before, and when it happened I was in the Deece. I was with a friend from California and I thought she was messing with me. I thought she was jiggling the table.”

Impressions of the earthquake varied widely across locations, with some students barely registering the event, and others feeling relatively strong movement. In a written correspondence to The Miscellany News, Harrison Phipps ’26 recounted: “I was eating breakfast at a big table in the Deece when it suddenly started wobbling, quite noticeably, from side to side. I could also feel the ground vibrating.”

Grace Miller ’24 noted: “I didn’t notice the earthquake was happening at all, I only found out that anything had happened when I went into the library and people were talking about how the building had been shaking.” Miller mentioned that she had been giving an admissions tour, so she had been walking outside for the duration of the earthquake.

Sophomore Sadie Hammarhead echoed Miller’s perceptions of the event, saying, “I was in the shower and I did not feel the earthquake. I almost thought everyone was pulling a prank on me. I felt like it was a big joke that I just wasn’t let in on.”

“I’m glad I was able to experience [the earthquake] and I feel bad for all the people who didn’t,” reported Maggie Greenberg ’26.

Scientists were quick to respond to the seismic event, with the U.S. Geological

Survey (USGS) recording the activity almost instantaneously. On its website, the USGS mentions that: “Earthquakes in the eastern US are infrequent but not unexpected. Since 1950, 40 other earthquakes of magnitude 3 and larger have occurred within 250 km of [this] earthquake. In that time range, the April 5, 2024, earthquake is the largest.”

Despite the fact that many students on campus have never experienced a geologic event of this scale before, Schneiderman noted that this type of earthquake is not particularly surprising in this area.

Closer to home, the Vassar administration was also quick to respond to the earthquake. Around half an hour after its impact, Gary Hulbert, Emergency Management Sergeant, sent out an email to the entire Vassar community. In his email, Hulbert stated that the campus had not experienced any safety issues and that Facilities Operations would be checking buildings around campus to ensure that there was no damage.

The Earth Science Department at Vassar also provided helpful information regarding the seismic event. In an Instagram Reel uploaded to the official Vassar College Instagram page, Professor of Earth Science Jill Schneiderman said: “[The earthquake]

occurred at a depth of seven kilometers beneath the earth’s surface. That’s why it was felt so strongly.”

In a written correspondence to The Miscellany News, Professor Schneiderman explained the readings on Vassar’s seismograph, which they published on the College’s Instagram. “Seismographs are instruments used to record the motion of the Earth during an earthquake… A seismogram is the recording of the ground shaking at the specific location of the instrument.” She further explained that the horizontal axis on a seismograph represents time passed, while the vertical axis represents how much the earth moves, usually in millimeters. During times when no earthquake is occurring, there is usually just a straight horizontal line, barring any local disturbances.

Aftershocks are always a possibility after an earthquake, and many smaller earthquakes were felt throughout the region on the evening of April 5. According to CBS News, the magnitude of the most widely felt aftershock was 3.8, felt around 6 p.m. on Friday.

The aftershock was not felt as widely as the initial earthquake. When asked about the aftershock, both Greenberg and Hammarhead noted that they did not feel anything around the time that the strongest aftershocks were reported.

On the other hand, some students such as Anusha Subedi ’25 did notice an aftershock. “By the time the aftershock was done, I was by my kitchen door. I ran from my living room to the kitchen door,” she said. “It felt like PTSD, because in Nepal we have bigger earthquakes, so it felt like it was going to be the same scenario.” Lucy Gundel ’25 said,“What was even more surprising [than the earthquake] to me was

that there was an aftershock later that day that I felt, but many didn’t.”

Despite the fact that many students on campus have never experienced a geologic event of this scale before, Schneiderman noted that this type of earthquake is not particularly surprising in this area. “The April 5, 2024 magnitude 4.8 earthquake in New Jersey occurred along a fault [line] that is at least 250 million years old (not that old in terms of geologic time),” she wrote. “Earthquakes in the eastern U.S. are infrequent but unsurprising.”

Additional reporting by Clara Alger, Charlotte Robertson, Maryam Bacchus and Makenna Monaghan.

Image courtesy of Jill Schneiderman.

First-of-its-kind workshop investigates peacebuilding methods

faculty, so I found a time when there were the least amount of classes on Friday… This was a big mistake on my part. The leaders in the Muslim community called me and [said] that they really wanted to come, but [the workshop] was right during Friday prayers.”

Massarani moderated the initial conversation between Odeh and Nissan. Odeh was born in Palestine and moved to Brooklyn with her family when she was three years old. She described, “As a young immigrant, I was part of the fabric of New York City and what made it this beautiful melting pot.” Odeh explained that, after 9/11, public attitude toward Muslims in New York changed. She watched someone rip her

Program, which brings young Israelis and Palestinians to intern in Congress.

Leonisa Ardizzone, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Education who specializes in peace education, was particularly moved by this component of the workshop. “To be honest, when the presenters were sharing their personal stories and their collaborative work, it was the first time I’d felt hopeful in a while,” she shared via written correspondence with The Miscellany News

After sharing their stories, Odeh and Nissan described the Phoenix Plan, which is a document that outlines paths toward change and justice in the region. Prior to the NSL meeting in Geneva, while speaking on Zoom, they determined that forging a new path forward is necessary. Odeh said,

mother’s hijab off her head and endured harassment from classmates and teachers. After observing Odeh’s subsequent reluctance to claim her Arab and Muslim identities in the hostile climate, her family decided to move to Hewara, Palestine, when she was 15. Living in the West Bank, Odeh explained how her Brooklyn adolescence helped her become an advocate, saying, “In Hewara as a Brooklyn teenager, I saw the injustice and said, ‘Why aren’t we talking about it?’ And so I kind of became the de-facto spokesperson for my village in conversations with the army because of my English language, but also my Brooklyn feistiness.” Odeh later became the Executive Director of NSL, where she was often the only young Palestinian woman in locations of political power in Washington, D.C.

Nissan, who joined the conversation from his home in Jaffa via Zoom, is an Israeli peace activist. He currently serves as the CEO of Mehazkim, an Israeli progressive movement. Born and raised in Israel, his father was born in Iran and his grandparents are Iraqi Jews who fled Baghdad in the 1940s. Nissan became a peace activist following his mandatory military conscription, where he served as a combat soldier in the Special Forces of the Israeli army. He explained, “I’m a peace activist because of the things I’ve seen. Because of the things I did. Because of the people I lost.” Through his peace activism, Nissan became involved with the concept of co-resistance, which is the term used for the global movement of young Israelis and Palestinians who have come together in order to fight against the occupation for equality, peace and justice. In 2019, he joined NSL’s D.C. Leadership

cy and reconciliation.

A key aspect of the Phoenix movement is combining new technology with older peacebuilding strategies. The facilitators introduced the concept of peace polling, where public opinion polls are utilized to enhance progress toward peace. A peace poll works by sending out questions relating to the conflict to members of all involved parties.The parties can then vote on the questions and give their opinions. This practice first began in Northern Ireland, where it aided negotiations that occurred during the Troubles, a 30-year ethno-nationalist conflict. Peace polling allowed negotiators to gain a strong sense of public opinion in advance of voting on the Good Friday Agreement. This method has subsequently been used in locations such as the Balkans and Sri Lanka.

The facilitators of Friday’s workshop explained how a real-time survey system, Polis, can replicate the results of a peace poll in a more accessible, streamlined fashion. During the workshop, Polis functioned by giving the participants—over 40 in total—a series of questions upon which they could vote “yes,” “no” or “unsure.” Participants were also able to write their own statements for the group to vote on. Statements included “Dialogue is an effective tool our campus has for addressing the crisis in Israel and Palestine” and “Boycott is an effective tool,” among dozens of others.

bias of the tool, and of the Phoenix Plan itself, after which he began to yell at Massarani. Munroe said, “[Massarani] firstly rushed him the microphone and let him speak, and then also responded to it in a way that effectively de-escalated the situation and allowed the person to say, ‘Okay, I’m interested in learning more. I understand better.’”

Vassar students who attended the workshop learned about how conversations such as these can model effective peacebuilding techniques. Munroe explained, “We don’t have a Peace Studies major, so I think that it’s really vital to have opportunities to connect to experts in the field of peacebuilding and what could be possible there.”

Kyla Putterman ’25 found the workshop valuable, writing to The Miscellany News, “Events like this one are vitally important for Vassar to hold. I could tell that the majority of participants, many of whom were from the community, came into the space with an open mind. This ability for open-mindedness is something I hope all students can learn to have with regards to this issue or anything else that is polarizing. It is important for people to truly listen to each other before responding, and I saw this occur at this event.”

“It starts with expanding a little bit on ‘don’t talk about us without us.’ So as young Palestinians and Israelis, specifically for me as a woman, when I see our issue talked about—whether it’s in newspapers, whether it’s political leaders—it almost always excludes the younger generation.” It became clear that they needed to create a solution through unprecedented means. In creating the Phoenix Plan, Nissan explained, “We wanted the same sentiment of the Marshall Plan on a comprehensive political infrastructure [and] a long-term vision for the region, but we wanted something closer… We don’t want an external plan that is imposed from an external actor.” They also outlined how the Phoenix Plan is closer to a movement than a stagnant document. Like a phoenix, Odeh elaborated on how the plan itself will continually rebirth itself, saying, “We’re going to introduce different iterations of the document as we expand access to it and invite other young Palestinians and Israelis to participate.”

There are several important pillars identified by the document: the reconstruction and rebuilding of Gaza, Palestinian leadership, Israeli leadership, transitional justice, the role of the international community, and preparing the public for peace. Odeh said, “Starting with the reconstruction of Gaza…it will be built and we will see a future where Gazans are living in freedom and dignity. Our biggest push was to make sure that there was a locally led initiative giving agency to Gazans and their insights, expertise and innovations.” She then guided participants through the current draft of the Phoenix Plan, which includes vital principles such as climate-sensitive rebuilding practices, participatory democra-

After 15 minutes, Polis then generated a report that highlighted the most agreed-upon and the most controversial statements. It also offered data on the three general opinion groups that participants fell into. Massarani illustrated how Polis can be used in times of conflict, saying, “You have a unifying algorithm that is able to highlight the invisible common ground that often exists, that we often don’t see because the most radical voices are the ones that are heard most.” The hope is that this platform will generate some points of consensus for even the most polarized of groups, through which they can then begin to investigate bridging values and potential solutions.

The Polis report raised some contentions. One man questioned the potential

In terms of the potential of Polis as a tool, Putterman commented, “I particularly liked it because reading the comments written by those in the community allows me to better understand those around me. Despite liking the tool, I took issue with the fact that it is impossible for us to respond to every comment as the number kept growing every time we read and responded to new messages.”

When reflecting on the workshop as a whole, Munroe said, “The most powerful thing to me was experiencing the action steps that came out of honestly sharing with each other about our stories.”

Ardizzone echoed this sentiment, writing, “As a peace educator, I think that a workshop like this creates a dedicated space for those who are willing to listen and learn to do so, and that’s necessary if we are going to address the numerous horrors happening in the world today.”

Image courtesy of Amanda Munroe.

Image courtesy of Amanda Munroe.

ARTS

Reinventing ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ as bingeable TV

Madeleine Nicks Columnist

Over Spring Break, I found myself craving some episodic TV, but I was not in the mood to try to painstakingly re-watch a comfortable favorite. My parents suggested I try out the new Amazon Prime series “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” a re-imagining of the 2005 movie of the same name, which famously brought together Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. I will admit I had not seen the movie before watching this series, and I enjoyed going in with no expectations or prior knowledge of the plot. I attempted to watch the movie after finishing the show, but it had, to me, extremely outdated gender dynamics and an overly obvious plot that made it almost unwatchable. All that being said, the two takes on the story are entirely different, so whether you are a fan of the movie or not, do not let that deter you from exploring the show.

I did a little bit of research before watching the show, and it turns out this production had some swirls of drama around its beginnings, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge originally tapped to star and write alongside Donald Glover. The two parted ways on the project— with Glover staying on—citing creative differences as the reason for the restructuring.

Glover explained in various interviews that they both had strong visions for the series’ direction, and due to their incredibly different backgrounds in the entertainment industry and how they view the writing process, they could not seem to find common ground.

Glover felt more of a love and ownership over the series, so Waller-Bridge willingly stepped down.

This review is my plea for everyone reading to watch the series, so I will do my best to

avoid spoilers. I recommend watching it over the course of a few days and really leaning into the addictive thrill and shocking cliffhangers that characterize the series. The show feels completely modern and original, which is an almost unattainable feat when it comes to revamping something that has been done before. Both characters are equally complex and interesting, and the world that is created around them is stylish, detailed and enhances the overall tone of the show.

The general premise, thankfully, is nothing like the original movie. Rather than John and Jane keeping their occupations (they are spies, to be exact) secret from each other, they have applied to be a part of a program that pairs two people together as secret agents fronting as a married couple. They have also elected to be part of a high-risk tier within the mysterious company that has hired them, so their missions are deemed extremely dangerous and life-threatening. What ensues is eight episodes of said missions and the temperamental, hilarious and authentic relationship between Jane and John that develops throughout their risky adventures.

The thing that surprisingly stood out to me was the fashion, done by costume designer Madeline Weeks. Much of the current TV that I watch feels unnaturally costumed, out of touch with current trends or lacking personality. In every scene, the characters are not only well-dressed but create and maintain personally distinct senses of style. Their missions take them to all different kinds of climates and locations, including New York City and both the snowy mountains and glittering coast of Italy. Even as the costumes have to conform to those environments, they are still cutting-edge, relaxed and perfectly curated. One of my biggest issues with the

“Mr. and Mrs. Smith” movie was how Jolie’s version of Jane was limited to upholding femme fatale stereotypes, never seen in anything but high heels and ultra-feminine outfits. Maya Erskine’s depiction of Jane, however, maintains her confident femininity through more androgynous, relaxed outfits reminiscent of Carolyn Bassette’s style, opting for comfort and mobility most of the time. Glover’s John is perhaps the more fashion-focused one of the pair, combining his personal style with elements of an off-duty Sean Connery-era James Bond.

The couple’s style is symbolic of their relationship. There is a deeper connection between the two of them, with both of them trying to navigate the cryptic instructions for their missions, with their tasks ranging from something more specific without casualties to longer, in-depth attempts to gather information. The stereotypical gender roles that were incredibly pervasive in the original movie are replaced with the pertinent problems and tension that arise in any relationship, as both Jane and John try to learn to work as a unit while remaining confident in their instincts, both romantically and as spies. The reality of two people with complicated pasts volunteering their lives while simultaneously trying to survive manifests itself in subtle and explosive ways. It is clear that Erskine and Glover have no problem being authentically mad at each other, but their banter-centric chemistry still helps the audience believe in the romance of the show.

The other element of the show that surprised me was how the violence and gore of the movie was handled. I am not at all a fan of horror movies or jump-scares and get queasy at medical shows. I was nervous to watch this show because suspenseful, bloody, bru-

tal scenes do not always sit well with me, and there is no shortage of those elements in this series. But instead of being left with a pit in my stomach or wanting to turn away from the screen, I was excited to be shocked and surprised by the twists and turns of the show, no matter how violent they were. Even in the safer moments of the show, there is always the potential threat of danger that anyone the couple meets could turn against them. On the contrary, John and Jane may themselves turn against the people the audience least expects, leading to betrayals in either direction. The perfect amount of dramatic irony is used, stringing the audience along by cautiously keeping viewers in a state of questioning. I found myself gasping, screaming and laughing out loud multiple times in each episode, and those moments kept me completely entranced, wondering what was going to happen next.

I do not know how it is possible that this show has flown under the radar, but it is undoubtedly a must-watch. Both Erksine and Glover give tour-de-force performances, playing off each other’s personalities and strengths, taking advantage of their scenes to be front and center while letting the other have their own moments in the spotlight. The cohesiveness and flow of the show is expertly done, blending differing tones from comedy, thrill, action to romance. The creatives behind this series found the balance and were able to maintain it throughout the many twists and turns across the episodes. Just when you think you have a grasp on the story or the mystery, they unravel your expectations quicker than imaginable. I do not want to give anything away, but I will just say that whoever you think the neighbor is, you are most definitely wrong.

Model Mars Kubani ’23 ascends from Vassar to the stars

Richard Lu Social Media Manager

The modeling world is often out of our reach, stories of which are indefinitely confined to the screens of our phones. It exists only as a distant reality, an echo chamber of fame, riches and glamor. Similarly to how top universities admit students, the modeling industry is highly selective in how they choose their candidates. According to Vogue, only eight prospective models were selected out of over 60,000 applicants to participate in their 2023 Open Casting. For many people, the mystique of modeling remains unknown and alien. However, for one Vassar graduate, this wild dream became a reality when they were chosen to partake in Vogue’s 2023 Open Casting. I had the privilege of interviewing Mars when they were in their home in New York City. This is their story:

Mars Kubani ’23, who goes professionally as Mars, started their modeling journey at a very young age. At just 14 years old, they found themselves under the wing of their mother agency, VISION Los Angeles, following their rescue from a dangerous encounter with a fake talent scout. Mars is thankful to their parents for helping oversee their career as a minor: “They really have supported me through all of this… I would not, I would not be here without them.”

Despite being signed very early on in their career, Mars did not have time to pursue modeling while in school, instead opting to prioritize coursework. “I was raised as a very academically focused kid. And that was a big part of my identity,” Mars explained. “And so I mostly did school, and

“On the day of the interview, Mars skipped all of their classes to seize this once-in-alifetime opportunity. This proved to be a pivotal moment in their career, being nonchalantly informed about the signing on the Metro North train back to Poughkeepsie.”

I would do stuff on the weekends or take a day off school here and there when things came around.” Their career was put on a partial hiatus starting from the day they were signed until March 2023, where they were given the fortuitous opportunity to interview with Ford Models. On the day of the interview, Mars skipped all of their classes to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This proved to be a pivotal moment in their career, being nonchalantly informed about the signing on the Metro North train back to Poughkeepsie.

Since then, Mars has landed gig after gig. Perhaps one of their most significant roles is their participation in Vogue’s 2023 Opening Casting. After applying on a whim, Mars immediately disregarded the thought of being chosen. To their surprise, they were

one of the models personally handpicked by Vogue to take part in this important project. “I forget about so much of the stuff that I send because I send in so much stuff,” Mars recalled. “And then like two weeks later, I got an email that was like, ‘You are a finalist for this thing. You are one of the chosen eight out of 60,000 flying to London in three weeks. You’re gonna do a full spread in global Vogue.’ And I was like, ‘What the fuck?’”

This casting gave Mars the opportunity to do a variety of photoshoots, video features and news appearances with seven other upcoming models, all of which can still be viewed on social media. Mars’s favorite moment from the experience was when the models were all together for their final shoot: “If you’ve seen the photos, there’s a photo of all of us in black and white, wearing robes… It was the first time all of us had really hung out and chatted, and it was just really fun.”

Vogue’s 2023 Open Casting was an initiative designed to diversify and expand the definition of what it meant to be a model. As a non-binary model, Mars found it profoundly meaningful to have the opportunity to represent the queer community in the Vogue Open Casting. “I owe this position to… queer activists as well, like Marcia P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and any other queer person who has stood up and yelled about being queer,” they said. “I am so humbled by the people who have come before me to allow me to be in this spot.” In an industry where so many models are forced to conform to a binary scope, this open casting has spearheaded much needed change. Mars and the seven other models who participated in the experience are game changers.

After finishing the shoot, Mars returned to living a normal life: “I go to the grocery store, take the train and make coffee for people. It’s, for the most part, very normal. And then there’s like a weird little blip where [I model]... I live two lives, basically.” As for the future, Mars intends to continue this double life: “I know that at some point, I’m going to go to grad school, probably to get my master’s [in] social work. I don’t know if that’s going to be next year or in six years or when I’m 80. I have a part time job. I might stay at it, or I might leave and try to work in corporate… I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Much like how the seasons return in cycles, Mars’ journey doesn’t stop but rather remains in constant flux. It is an undeniable reality that many aspiring models will not have the opportunity to model, but it is comforting that a vast majority of models, like Mars, live normally and with uncertainties.

In an industry where so many models are forced to conform to a binary scope, this open casting has spearheaded much needed change. Mars and the seven other models who participated in the experience are game changers.

ARTS

Beyoncé takes a kaleidoscopic approach to country music

Nicholas Tillinghast Humor Editor

Beyoncé has made an ambitious entry into the country world with “COWBOY CARTER,” a sprawling 27-track project with a fairly unique structure. The album provided me with an opportunity to not only talk hip-hop, but also country music, a genre that this campus community largely shies away from.

On the album, Beyoncé incorporates a range of sounds, from stripped-down country all the way to densely produced hip-hop tracks with minimal inclusions of country instrumentation. With such a wide spectrum, it is worth categorizing the songs to give an overview of the project. There are 13 country-forward tracks with various depths of production, including two covers (“BLACKBIIRD,” “JOLENE”), 10 countryhip-hop-fusion tracks, all with fairly bouncy beats (“SPAGHETTI,” “DESERT EAGLE,” etc.) and also four voiceover skit tracks featuring Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell. I would like to highlight a bit of music from each category and then shout out some additional tracks at the end.

My favorite Big C Country song on the album is “ALLIGATOR TEARS.” While not a particularly flashy track, it features sour guitar finger picking, tense drums and some surprisingly bluesy chords. Over the track, Beyoncé’s signature tight harmonies shine through. Lyrically, a typically-empowered Beyoncé is reduced to a bitter lover who is attempting to resist a manipulative, demagogic partner by ignoring them. The track is so stark that it almost reads like a wonder-

fully strange A.I. wish fulfillment of Beyoncé doing a stripped-down country song, sort of like a recent edit of Kanye West singing “Wonderwall, though this is far more cohesive.

While not a particularly musically or thematically deep track, its excellence comes through in its simplicity, which is where country music usually excels for me. I love country songs with uncomplicated structures, like nursery rhyme levels of simple. For example, the 1987 track, “All My Ex’s Live In Texas” by George Strait. Why does George Strait reside in Tennessee? Because all of his exes live in Texas. The entire song is just him listing exes whose names happen to rhyme with Texas cities, and it is great.

Inversely, many modern country tracks feature excessively maximalist elements: featuring ear-splittingly loud drums, superbly twanged guitars and vocals and deeply white trash subject matter. To this extent, I can understand this campus’ aversion to country music. While certain tracks on this part of the album are a tad over engineered (“PROTECTOR,” “LEVII’S JEANS”), the vast majority of them are in line with the content on albums such as Chris Stapleton’s toned-down 2020 project “Starting Over,” and Sturgill Simpson’s incredibly dynamic “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth,” elusive gems in today’s country wasteland.

Going back to the country tracks on the album, “JOLENE,” a song originally performed by Dolly Parton, is another country track that stands out but for mixed reasons. While featuring an added bridge that propels the song’s second half, the song inverts the original song’s themeing to its

detriment. Instead of a song about a pop star pleading with a woman they admire(Jolene) to not seduce their partner, it becomes one where the cheated-on spouse is unfazed by Jolene, removing the stakes of the track and its compelling undertones of desperation. While Beyoncé has covered infidelity with such tones on Lemonade’s “Hold Up” and was perhaps not looking to repeat it, she severely defanged “Jolene” in the process.

In terms of Country-fusion, “SPAGHETTI” is a stand-out track. It features Beyoncé rapping pure braggadocio for the first half before slowing down into a spacey melodic verse from fellow country-hip-hop-fuser Shaboozey, with Beyoncé providing angelic vocal ad libs. The track exhibits her skill across genres and moods brilliantly. Looking at other fusion tracks, “RIVERDANCE” has a great bounce to it, “DESERT EAGLE” is led by a delightfully funky bassline, “TYRANT” features punchy 808s and fiddle and SWEET HONEY BUCKIN,” though a little chaotic, has an infectiously driving beat. The fusion tracks are strong throughout, with one or two being forgettable at worst.

Lastly, I enjoyed most of the album, I think Beyoncé should have cut all four skit tracks and the intro dialogue on “SPAGHETTI,” which felt like a particularly egregious use of skit dialogue. On the track, Linda Martell posits, “Genres are a funny little concept, aren’t they?” While this part functionally signals the transition to the largely country-fusion half of the album, I think it takes, at minimum, two listens to realize this statement is incredibly bland, somewhat preachy and completely unnecessary. I think listeners are pretty aware of the fluid-

ity of genes of artists switching genres: Last year, André 3000 made a well-praised flute album, and Lil Yachty made a successful psychedelic rock album. Lil Nas X pulled the ultimate hip-hop-country crossover with “Old Town Road” in 2018. Furthermore, hiphop is basically built on innovatively sample-flipping other genres.

Nelson and Parton’s skits follow a similar script, saying some form of, “Hey, you should be open-minded to this project even though it is not a typical Beyoncé or country album,” all of which feels defensive. “COWBOY CARTER” will earn its fans through the quality of its music, not its skit rhetoric. Even if the skit rhetoric was compelling, the country stars provide little energy. Their performances are adjacent to Cameo videos: benign but ultimately quite flat.

To round this out, I will just mention a few more highlights. “MY ROSE” features beautifully layered vocals and is perhaps too short—a similar problem is present in “FLAMENCO” and “DESERT EAGLE”— though all are quite compelling regardless. “II MOST WANTED” is a gorgeous duet featuring Miley Cyrus, and “DAUGHTER” has Beyoncé breaking into operatic singing out of nowhere. While I am no Beyoncé nut, moments like these certainly make me consider converting.

While there are a few clunkers here and there, like the vapid “LEVII’S JEANS,” the somewhat misguided “JOLENE” and the skippable skit tracks, Beyoncé’s country project is not only superbly executed, but it has provoked far more discourse than I offer here. That is perhaps worth far more than the album’s sonic value alone.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

FEATURES

Community celebrates 100 years of Alumnae House

Continued from Continues on page 1

cerulean blue car looped around the driveway, with President of the College, Elizabeth Bradley, in the backseat.

After this series of events, much of the crowd filtered inside to the spacious rooms of Alumnae House. An initial attraction was the historic guestbook, which is often signed by visitors upon arrival. Guests then lined up in the lobby to receive their name tags with their full name and class year. On a side table was a selection of keepsakes, including programs describing the history of the hotel, chocolate bars engraved with the image of the house and a bookmark.

In an adjoining room, guests circled the

outskirts of the room and sampled light fare snacks including sliders, desserts, charcuterie-style nibbles and drinks of various kinds catered by campus favorite, Twisted Soul. As we weaved through the throng of guests, we found another back room with seating and a bar area. Here, we were able to obtain the highly coveted Vassar Devils and Vassar Angels. For the uninitiated, the former consists of a hefty chunk of devil’s food cake, topped with marshmallow fluff, a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzle of fudge. The latter is essentially the same, but uses a white vanilla cake instead of the traditional chocolatey devil’s food cake. For the two of us, obtaining these desserts with relative freedom was a new experience. One of us never actually got to enjoy a Devil during her first week at Vassar, and the other had a predetermined, structured block of time during which she could eat her Vassar Devil, in an effort to space people out and allow for social distancing. As we enjoyed the treats we long craved, we were able to flip through archived materials like old pub menus, advertisements and postcards. We lamented the loss of the pub and restaurant that had once resided within Alumnae House, where you could order a warm cup of mac and cheese or a Vassar Devil whenever you pleased.

Throughout the house, guests of all class years were found socializing and reminiscing on their various definitions of the “Vassar experience.” The two of us found that this event in and of itself was a quintessential example of the “Vassar experience”—we were able to spend time with each other outside of studying and business, meet and talk to

members of the Vassar community who no longer attend this school, and admire one of the most beautiful and historic buildings on campus. For the one of us who is a senior, it was a slightly bittersweet experience to think about how I will very soon be on the other side of this interaction—as an alum rather than as a current student.

About halfway through the evening, President Bradley and President of the Alumnae/i Association of Vassar College Monica Vachher ’77 took to the floor in one of the larger sitting rooms in Alumnae House. They spoke fondly of the Vassar community, time spent in Alumnae House and the opportunity to be together for such an important milestone in the campus’ history. While we were unable to visually locate the two speakers, blocked by the excited, buzzing crowd, the warmth of

their tones relayed to us their feelings about participating in such an event, feelings that we were also experiencing.

We came away from the event with a new appreciation and love for the Vassar community: Its people, its places, its experiences. On our way out of the celebration, we both signed our names in the guestbook, right next to each other forever, along with all of the other alumnae/i and Vassar community members who have signed that storied volume. As proof of the importance of this Alumnae House tradition, a picture of the guestbook was posted to Vassar’s Instagram in a series of photos celebrating the commemoration event. If you zoom in carefully, you can see the spot where we have both signed the page, a fitting testament to the experience of being a Vassar student.

Library hosts research zine event

Luke Jenkins Assistant Features Editor

Our library hosted a “Zines For Research” event on Wednesday, April 3, to help students utilize the medium for potential research projects and theses. The hosts of the event—which was held in the Class of ’51 Reading Room—provided craft supplies, example zines, pizza and drinks for attendants.

A zine, shortened from fanzine, is usually a small-scale, self-printed publication about a unique subject matter. Zines originally became a popular tool among fandom groups and feminist punk subcultures, like the Riot grrrl movement. They have a long history of challenging the mainstream and bringing together marginal groups in society. The form is aided in this mission by its accessible means of creation and distribution, bypassing traditional publication routes. One can make a zine quite easily at home with one sheet of paper.

Vassar’s library is well-equipped to handle student interest in the art form and is actively seeking to give life to Vassar zines. The College employs its own Zine Librarian—Melanie Maskin. The college also has its own zine collection and zine-making kits available for check-out during the library’s operating hours, at the circulation desk. The zine collection is located on the second floor of the building near the Class of ’51 Reading Room. The library has been collecting works since around 2015—you can get in contact with the curators of the collection at their very own email address, zines@vassar.edu. They are happy to accept student submissions to add to the growing catalog.

One interesting zine in Vassar’s collection—brought as an example to the talk—

is entitled “Cats Hate Cops” and contains newspaper clippings describing various cat attacks, whether it be against law enforcement or otherwise. There is no commentary or additional writings in the zine, just the clippings. It is an example of the versatility of a zine’s purpose. It can truly be about anything.

I plan to make use of library resources to publish my own limited-run zine about figures from my hometown, Kent, Ohio. The process of zine-making has led me to explore my hometown libraries’ archives, the archives of local private schools and my local historical society. I have learned of an early gay author, Lucien Price, who attended Harvard University and referenced Kent in his fiction books. I have encountered tales of (alleged) election-rigging that prevented Kent from having its first woman mayor in 1937. One underrated aspect of zine-making is experimentation. The scanning, collaging and formatting to create a new reading experience can be done in a low stakes environment, essentially for fun. It has helped me? invigorate stories from local history.

For seniors, the library is looking to assist with the performing and presenting of thesis work. A zine is a potential tool for communicating about topics, scientific or otherwise. “They’re an effective way to communicate aspects of your research to a variety of audiences, both inside and outside of academia, and you’re completely in control of all of the contents and visual elements of your zine,” says Maskin. “As the Zine Librarian, I’m always delighted to consult on zine projects! I’ve met with students one-on-one and in classes, and also worked with student orgs and campus departments to host zine-making workshops and events.”

Carina Cole/The

Sufana Noorwez/The Miscellany News.

Carina Cole/The Miscellany News.

FEATURES

Beacon provides a perfect small-town day

Although weekends are often packed with studying and fun events to attend on campus, I have to admit that one of my favorite pastimes is hopping in my car with friends and traveling to a nearby town. From Rhinebeck to New Paltz, I have spent many hours wandering in and out of the vintage stores and coffee shops that these picturesque Hudson Valley mainstays offer. One spot, however, holds a special place in my heart: Beacon. Admittedly, I stayed at a hotel in Beacon—The Roundhouse—the night before move-in day my first year–so maybe my perspective is slightly swayed by nostalgia. Regardless, I truly believe that there is something for everyone in Beacon. Roughly a 30-minute drive from campus or just two Metro-North stops away, the town is highly accessible from a transportation standpoint. Most shops and eateries are on the Main Street, which is both convenient and easy to navigate. Each time I have been—and, yes, I have been many, many times—families and friend groups have dotted the sidewalk, contributing to an overall energetic and pleasant atmosphere. Sounds interesting? Well, lucky you. I have curated a list of restaurants, shops and activities for a day well-spent in Beacon.

To Shop: Blackbird Attic

Although I usually struggle to find affordable clothing at curated consignment (rather than thrift) shops, I had plenty of luck at Blackbird Attic. Each clothing section is neatly sorted, and they offer a variety of sizes and cater to many different groups—they even had a children’s clothing section the last time I went. A highlight for me is their jeans section, featuring styles from boyfriend to bootcut. I had incredible luck the last time I went, scoring a pair of black Roberto Cavalli jeans in their sale section for only $20. The jeans were such a win that they were worth the trip alone, but lo and behold, I spied a pale pink, gorgeously ’80s Gunne Sax by Jessica McClintock top (if you know, you know). I had been searching for ages for a Gunne Sax that would not break the bank, let alone an authentic Gunne Sax at all. I genuinely could not believe my eyes that I found one. This shop alone is almost worth the 30 minute drive.

Hyperbole

The adorable decorations and curated mug collection drew my attention at first glance. If I had to use one word to describe

this store, it would be versatile. They offer a delightful clothing selection, artwork and cards. The main attraction, however, is the jewelry. One of my most-complimented pairs of earrings—stunning clay handmade drops featuring a blue teacup-esque pattern—was purchased here. A big jewelry trend right now is stacked rings. Whether you opt for a funky mixed metal set or chunky stones, Hyperbole can cater to every ring-wearer’s taste. The employees are super helpful if you are having a ring-related shopping crisis, or if you just want advice on how to spruce up your jewelry collection.

Mountain Tops Outfitters

Although I grew up along the Appalachian Trail, I am surprisingly not a huge hiking gal. But I must admit I have a soft spot for a good outdoors-wear store. What can I say, I am a Pennsylvania girl at heart. Mountain Tops Outfitters has a great selection of clothing, hiking shoes and accessories, as well as water bottles both trendy and practical. Last time I was there, there was an adorable dog trotting around the store that I was elated to pet. I had fun flipping through the hiking guides that they had and eyeing the Patagonia fleeces adorning the walls. If you are part of the Vassar Outing Club, this might just be the perfect store for you.

To Eat:

Hudson Valley Food Hall

This place truly has something for everyone. As a food hall, it houses numerous stalls with cuisines from around the world. Are you with a picky eater? No problem, there is great mac and cheese at Miz Hattie’s Southern Barbeque. Craving some spice? Dulce Cielo Mx has delicious tacos that have the perfect amount of kick. Have a sweet tooth? They are opening an ice cream spot called Five Pennies Creamery in Spring 2024. The energy is fun and lively, with great music blasting while patrons line up at each respective stall. If you feel so inclined, you can even sample from more than one spot.

The Vault

This restaurant is perfect for dining with a group—their speciality is tapas. Their truffle fries are to die for. I have also recently been on a shishito pepper kick, and theirs are cooked to perfection and served with a side of zesty ranch. Although the booths and tables are comfortable, they also have a shaded outdoor seating spot. Beyond their usual tapas menu, they also offered unique omelet options for brunch, such as broccoli and cheese, as well as mushroom. The Vault is super accommodating if you want

to make substitutions (my mom switched her roast out for a side salad).

Glazed Over

I love a fun dessert shop, and this doughnut joint delivers. You can customize your doughnut, or pick from pre-selected flavor combinations. It would be fun to split a box with friends and do a little taste-test session, or you could just enjoy the box all to yourself. I particularly admire their more daring combinations—you can even put bacon on top if a sweet-salty duo suits your fancy. They also offer coffee and tea if you need something to pair with your sweet treat.

To Drink:

Kitchen and Coffee

On Easter Weekend, my family and I stopped for a pick-me-up at Kitchen and Coffee. My dad is a bit of a tea snob, and my mom is a bit of a coffee snob, but both parties were pleased with their drinks. The atmosphere is warm and inviting; the windows allow plenty of bright natural light in. Although my London Fog was delicious, the real highlight was the mini chia pudding cup with fresh fruit that I got as a little snack. They made the chia pudding in house, and it was like eating tiny, coconutty clouds. I do not know why, but the pudding really had a grip on me. I definitely want to go back and check out the various toasts they serve—lemon hummus and crostini, yes please!

Matcha Thomas

If you are like me, you are obsessed with tea—specifically, matcha. Coffee just makes me too jittery, and matcha just seems to hit the perfect balance of energy without restlessness. Luckily, Beacon offers a tea house specifically catered to that perfect green beverage. Sure, you can go with a classic hot (or iced) matcha, but Matcha Thomas also offers a number of fun variations and other teas. Not to mention, all of their drinks are both vegan and gluten free, which is great if you are traveling with friends or family who have dietary restrictions. Although I have not personally sampled them, I have been eyeing the rose and elderflower varieties for the next time I go.

Bank Square Coffeehouse

This spot is a Beacon classic. But, I do not want to simply grant them ol’ reliable status, because they truly never disappoint. For train travelers, this coffeehouse is in close proximity to the train station so it makes for the perfect first stop on your Beacon adventure. For the warmer months,

they have a super cute outdoor seating area. I do not know much about coffee or espresso, but they have some seriously high-tech coffee-making appliances. And, hey, the drinks taste good, so I guess that means they are working. I also recommend their frozen chai and smoothies if you are in the mood for something refreshing.

To do:

Beans Cat Cafe

The storefront that caught my eye the most the first time I went to Beacon was Beans Cat Cafe. Through the glass, I gazed at a sleeping tabby cat surrounded by fellow furball friends, all being petted and played with by customers. So, for the next trip I planned, I made sure to make a reservation at the cafe (walk-ins are welcome if a reservation falls through, but I highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time). The cafe side provides your typical lattes and pastry selection, but the main attraction is the cat room. Before entering, the employees will give you a quick rundown of how to handle the cats and other guidelines. While I was there, I sat on the floor and let the cats crawl all over me, occasionally using a fishing rod toy to capture their attention. The best part is that all of the cats in the cafe are available for adoption, and their website features plenty of adoption success stories.

Hudson Beach Glass

This place is just the coolest. They have a half-outdoor, garage-door-style setup where you can view the various glassware they produce, almost like a mini-museum. I am always amazed at how intricate the detail is, and how vibrant the colors are. You can purchase vases, plates and other artisan glass products, or just watch the magic happen. They also offer glass-making classes, which I personally have not done but are for sure a bucket-list experience. If you celebrate Christmas, there are some awesome ornaments they make around the holidays that would make a great gift for parents.

Binnacle Books

What is a trip to a small town without going to a local bookstore? This shop first drew me in with their outdoor $1 book selection, which is great if you are looking for a good read on a budget. The store itself is small, with books seemingly spilling out at every end. The employees are super friendly and helpful, and they boast a variety of different genres. Despite the multitude of books they sell, the store is still highly organized and super inviting. I recommend this stop for any English majors or correlates or, well, anyone!

Carina Cole Features Editor

Carina Cole/The Miscellany News.

Carina Cole/The Miscellany News.

Carina Cole/The Miscellany News.

Carina Cole/The Miscellany News.

From the desk of Nicholas Tillinghast, Humor Editor

Your professor is wearing shorts today; student reactions divided but extreme. Breaking News

Good food, great bands, fire hazard?

Over the weekend, I attended “Light the Night,” an event involving music, s’mores and other foods on the quad. Truly, I enjoyed the event. The catering from Bacio’s was delicious (who could say no to pasta?), and the bands that I saw (before I promptly left to do my homework because I’m a nerd) were quite good, especially considering how cold it was and how the band members’ fingers should have become icicles. But there was one glaring issue: fire.

Now, about a week before the event, I noticed something quite mysterious on the quad: stacks of wood. As any normal person would, I immediately thought, “Hmm. Witch burning?” But then I realized that was just not realistic. Though an internet blog I read before I came here argued that Cushing was Hogwarts-esque, it isn’t actually a magical place with witches and warlocks. Rather than seeing a witch soaring on a broom, the only flying creatures I’ve seen in Cushing were a bunch of bats. This school doesn’t need a witch burning. What this school really needs are ghostbusters. Between all of the creaks and croaks in

my dorm, I’m starting to get really jumpy, and the only thing that can soothe me is Bill Murray, his glorified vacuum and low technology special effects. But that’s a problem for another day, because there’s a more immediate threat at hand: fire. Upon attending Light the Night, I discovered that those Salem witch trial-esque stacks of wood were indeed built for burning, but in a haphazard-could-burn-down-the-campus-way, rather than a keeping-womenfrom-having-rights way.

It’s highly dangerous. The logs had no stones or gate around them and just sat burning in the grass. That’s like unleashing a polar bear at a children’s birthday party and just letting it roam.

There’s nothing wrong with a little bonfire or barbecue, even if it does occasionally malfunction and wipe your eyebrows off. The problem with this ignited setup was that there was no division whatsoever between the fire area and the non-fire area. It was like a flex workspace, where no one has an office and everyone gets to hear the sound of their annoying coworker mouth breathing at nine in the morning. Although mouth breathing often ruins your patience and can leave you scrunching your nose so aggressively that your face actually gets stuck that way, fire causes much worse damage than something as superficial as a reverse nose job; it ruins buildings and campuses. It’s highly dangerous. The logs had no stones or gate around them and just sat burning in the grass. That’s like unleashing a polar bear at a children’s birthday party and just letting it roam. I’m sure the polar bear will just cautiously walk around, won’t be aggressive at all and won’t sumo wrestle a child’s dad while licking Red 40 off its nose. While it’s at it, maybe it will perform a little ballet because polar bears are very gentle creatures. Whenever the fires would slow down and I was able to take a breath and calm down,

someone would come and pour lighter fuel directly into the wood in the direction of people. How is that safe? Did someone miss Camping 101? I personally learned a lot in that class: how to make a tent, how to obtain the perfect golden marshmallow and how to not put kindling literally everywhere. Also, embers would literally fly off onto people, and I’d pray that Vassar wouldn’t become the site of the next forest fire. I mean, a s’mores event is a less embarrassing way to start a forest fire than a gender reveal, but it’s not worth decimating Vassar’s arboretum. If Vassar burns down and starts smoking like a factory, how will we ever reach carbon neutrality?

Maybe this was actually just an elaborate plan by PB to start renovating. It would certainly be overdue. And I’m pretty sure I heard on college.com that all good campus renovations start with arson and a side dish of student bands. Now that I think about it, it might have actually been an anarchist website. That could explain the virus I got and the large satanic symbol between every paragraph. Well, I hope the FBI doesn’t check my search history. I can’t afford to be questioned by the police again.

Cassandra Brook Giles Corey Jr.

HUMOR

Perspective: My upstairs neighbor caused the earthquake

Jeremy Irritable Concerned Citizen

My upstairs roommate has frequently woken me up before, but never has he woken up the entire tri-state area until Last Friday. I was sitting on my bed when he started moving his desk and noticed that this time, his furniture rearrangement had woken up all of Manhattan.

My neighbor Robert DaBilder had finished his “upstairs neighbor” training last week, which involved three rounds of jackhammering on the floor before setting off a round of TNT. To top off upstairs neighbor training, he had to claim he had no idea where those sounds came from. We all know it was you, Bob.

While he accidentally dumps his bag of rocks on the ground almost every day, never has he done so at such a large scale. I am beginning to think that he is a Quaker because he caused so much quaking last Friday.

When Governor Hochul was asked for an update on the earthquake, she stated, “Yes, your ENTIRE BUILDING just moved. Like bouncing up and down. A building. Okay, carry on with your days like nothing happened, please.”

To protect its citizens, New York State sent out a push notification about the earthquake. But the alert went out nearly two hours after the seismic event. “Our alert

I am beginning to think that he is a Quaker because he caused so much quaking last Friday.

team has now been branded our asleep team,” Hochul stated. “We still commend them for their bravery in the face of absolutely no danger or confusion whatsoever.” Americans have said this leaves them feeling very assured about our country’s nuclear weapons alert system.

In response to the earthquake, the College is expanding its wellness floors to provide even more safety. “Today, we are announcing wellness continents,” President Bradley stated in an email to the community.

In response to the earthquake, the College is expanding its wellness floors to provide even more safety. “Today, we are announcing wellness continents,” President Bradley stated in an email to the community. “To keep wellness floor occupants safe from loud partiers, we are now introducing our own Antarctica-sized, substance-free wellness islands available for any student affected by seismic changes in lifestyle.”

Bob DaBilder, despite condemnation from people across New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, claims that the event wasn’t his fault. “Maybe it was San Andreas’ fault,” he stated. “Who knows.” DaBilder has promised to be quieter in the future, he says, while preparing to drop 25 anvils simultaneously from his ceiling.

Perspective: No, I didn’t cause the earthquake

It has recently come to my attention that a certain disgruntled neighbor of mine has been making spurious claims regarding my alleged connection to the 4.8 magnitude earthquake which rattled the tri-state area last Friday. These claims are false and defamatory, and I object to being slandered in this way.

Yes, I occasionally engage in amateur blacksmithing. No, I am not “preparing to drop 25 anvils simultaneously from [my] ceiling.” Let’s be serious here.

“My upstairs roommate has frequently woken me up before,” he says. No I haven’t. That isn’t true. It is neither my fault nor my problem that he is bad at sleeping.

He accuses me of undertaking “three rounds of jackhammering on the floor before setting off a round of TNT.” False. That didn’t happen. Besides, when did it become a crime to set off some light explosives in your room?

Forgive me if some of us have hobbies, Jeremy

The ridiculous media frenzy that my neighbor has whipped up around this whole

thing has been frankly absurd. Yes, I occasionally engage in amateur blacksmithing. No, I am not “preparing to drop 25 anvils simultaneously from [my] ceiling.” Let’s be serious here.

Besides, if my neighbor didn’t spend every moment of the day sitting in his room, he wouldn’t have to hear (and moan about) every little noise I make. Do I drop a rock or two every now and then while studying them for my geology thesis? Sure. But maybe if Jeremy tried getting out once in a while, he’d have other things to worry about than harassing me. Ever heard of a party, bud?

In any case, if my existence is such a pain for him, I hope he finds some solace on his new “Antarctica-sized, substance-free wellness island.” It’s not like anyone would want to live within shouting distance of a buzzkill like him anyway.

Actually, if we’re airing grievances, I have a bone to pick with him. A few weeks ago, I left campus for the weekend and asked Jeremy to water my plants while I was away. When I returned, they were all dead. Even the succulents. How do you even do that? He probably killed the vibe so hard that they all died of depression.

I hope this clears up once and for all the obscene fiction that I somehow “caused” the “earthquake” last week. I don’t know who or what did, but I can tell you for a fact that I had absolutely nothing to do with it. And that’s that.

P.S.: Actually, before I run out of space, let me bust one more myth for you: I have not, in any way, shape or form, “promised to be quieter in the future.” Wish fulfillment much?

Robert DaBilder Innocent Victim

Image courtesy of Benjamin Savel ’26.

Image courtesy of Oliver Stewart ’25.

OPINIONS

Republicans are hypocrites in discussions of bodily autonomy

Sufana Noorwez Senior Editor

Although only a quarter of the year has passed, measles cases in the United States have already exceeded the amount for 2023, according to The New York Times. Most of these cases have occurred in unvaccinated travelers, who have oftentimes brought the disease into the US from abroad. However, these are not isolated cases; many of them have resulted in transmission of the virus beyond the initial case. Earlier this year, seven students at a Florida elementary school in Broward County contracted measles.

Though it has not been specified in all cases of measles infection, it is not a stretch of the imagination to assume that many of the people infected were unvaccinated. Anti-vaccination movements have existed for a long time, but the early 2000s brought a resurgence of anti-vaccination efforts, spurred on by the assertion that specific vaccines could be responsible for health problems. In particular, the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is falsely believed to be one of the causative agents of autism in children. While this claim has been debunked countless times, this belief persists across many anti-vaccination groups, and it is possible that this belief has led to lower rates of MMR vaccination across the US. The CDC reports that the rate of MMR vaccination in kindergarteners across the US has dipped from 95.2 percent to 93.1 percent between the 20192020 school year and the 2022-2023 school year, which is below the threshold required for herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when a certain percentage of the population is vaccinated against a disease and it becomes especially difficult for that disease to be spread throughout a community due to the high prevalence of vaccination. This concept is crucial for protecting members

of the community who cannot get vaccinated against diseases for medical reasons, such as allergies to the components used to create the vaccine, or issues with weakened immune systems.

In times like these, when national health is under serious threat, state governments have taken different approaches to handling local outbreaks of measles. One notable outlier is Florida. Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who was, until recently, one of the Republican contenders for the 2024 presidential election. Throughout both his tenure as governor and his campaign for the presidency, DeSantis has upheld a supposed commitment to personal freedoms and bodily autonomy when it comes to matters of public health and vaccination. A press release from DeSantis during the measles outbreak earlier this year noted: “Once again, Florida has shown that good public health policy includes personal responsibility and parents’ rights.” This sounds good in theory, but in practice, DeSantis’ words and actions have failed to endorse and support vaccination as a safe and effective method of preventing infection and the spread of various diseases, including measles.

The reasoning for this general approach to public health is because the Republican Party has long believed itself to be a champion of personal freedoms and protection from federal oversight and intervention. Thus, it aligns with the broader goals of Republicans for DeSantis to endorse “bodily autonomy” and “personal choice” in the realm of public health and vaccination. This is echoed by the people who work in DeSantis’ government, including State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who has stated that it should be left up to parents whether they want to send their unvaccinated children to school or not, despite the fact that most medical and public health advice suggests otherwise.

This example would make one believe that the Republican Party is intent on promoting personal freedoms and choice when it comes to decisions regarding bodily autonomy. However, this is far from the case regarding issues of abortion and women’s health.

To continue with Florida as a case study of Republican attitudes and policymaking, it has among some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. On Monday, April 1, the state Supreme Court allowed a six-week abortion ban to take effect, according to NBC News. This effectively bans abortion in the state, given the fact that most women do not even know that they

The reasoning for this general approach to public health is because the Republican Party has long believed itseld to be a champion of personal freedoms and protection from federal oversight and intervention.

are pregnant six weeks into their pregnancy.

This begs the questions: Why are women not granted the same bodily autonomy as those who decide not to vaccinate? Why is it that children are allowed to spread deadly, communicable diseases in the name of “personal freedom,” while adult women are barred from making decisions about their own bodies and health?

This is just one example of the hypocrisy that runs deep within the Republican

Party. Now that we are once again in an election year, one where it is not unlikely that the Republican frontrunner will take the presidency, it is important that we consider public health issues as we decide who to vote for, both on a local and a national level. It is unconscionable that Republicans like DeSantis allow vulnerable people to die from easily preventable diseases while limiting women’s reproductive freedoms. It is clear that DeSantis and Republican policies do not have the best interests of the public in mind. Instead, they allow personal religious beliefs to color their policies and laws, to the point where the lines between state and religion become muddy and barely perceptible.

These are not issues that are removed from you or me. Spreading infectious diseases anywhere may affect any of us. Though I am not personally allergic to vaccines or immunocompromised, I know and love people who are, and it does not make any sense to me that anyone, given the choice, would not vaccinate, knowing rationally that it is the safer and healthier choice for everyone involved. I am also a woman, and it terrifies me that there is a significant proportion of the country that believes that I should have no control over my own future and my own health. While I have been privileged throughout my life to live in places that protect my reproductive freedom, this is certainly not the case for women throughout the US, and it pains me that women are subjected to such harsh restrictions across the country.

Thus I ask that as we enter voting booths throughout the rest of the year, we carefully consider what is at stake. Voting should not be a single-issue endeavor, and there are certainly other considerations that must be taken into account when voting, but I ask that we at least consider the health and safety of our communities as we choose the next leaders of this country.

Image Courtesy of Tori Kim ’25.

Internships are not as valuable as you think

this summer camp-adjacent job.

“So, what are you doing over the summer?” Hearing this question fills me with dread, partly because it often feels like the “right” answer is an internship. I am regularly bombarded by “Hot Internships for Vassar Students!” emails from the Center for Career Education and LinkedIn intern alerts. January’s Sophomore Career Connections event left me with the impression that the path to success is paved by internships. Catch-ups with friends in Gordon Commons often involve stories about submitting applications in the double-digits. But the chase for this perfect internship feels both vital and futile.

Internships are advertised as necessary stepping points for students to discover their interests and gain experience before entering the world of work. Cynically, I also believe students think that they need an internship for their resume, and that it is somehow more worthy and professional than working a classic summer job. Though I understand that internships can be a wonderful experience, I just hope that college students do not feel that it is what they have to do.

Planning for the summer after my first year of college began in late January (which I would later realize was already too late). I applied to several internships during my spring semester. One gave me an interview before ghosting me, while some never even wrote me back. I did not apply to other internships I looked at because I had missed deadlines, or I was too young, or the timing was strange, or most frequently, it was unpaid.

So as the internship search was failing me, I decided to apply for a job that I felt was the opposite of an internship: working for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Three Mile Island. A camp on New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee, it seemed to contain the outdoorsy, unplugged environment I was looking for in a summer experience. When I doubted my decision, I reminded myself that college might be the last time I have a structured summer break, so it made sense to embrace it with

In June 2023, I officially joined the crew (or “croo,” as we call it) of 18 young adults who would do all the necessary work to run the rustic summer getaway. The croo is responsible for completing all the tasks to keep the camp going, including serving campers three meals a day, stocking and cleaning outhouses, staining cabins and lifeguarding on the lakefront.

Though I initially had some hesitations over how I would fit into this new ecosystem, over time my relationship with both the island and the people on it grew through shared space, time and labor. I left with a new tan and amateur haircut, along with new relationships and skills. I will not be returning this summer, but I am very grateful I made the choice to go. In fact, I found this kind of physical, outdoors summer job can be more valuable than an internship.

First, I think this kind of summer job can be an indispensable part of your path in professional life. For one thing, it gave me new practical skills. I became a certified lifeguard, I learned how to paint a cabin and cane chairs, I cooked 50 pork chops in one afternoon and I perfected my salad recipes. Although these skills may not seem applicable to future corporate job applications, I believe that they demonstrate on a resume tangible competency that internships may not always provide. My job also included customer service, which is essential to growing interpersonal skills, patience and problem-solving skills.

Furthermore, my work on the island was essential to the place I was in, just as in a restaurant job or a sleepaway camp position. These kinds of summer jobs entail a very real contribution to a community. At Vassar, what I am doing each day can feel abstract: read, write, repeat. On the island, I had concrete responsibilities necessary for the campers’ well being. My ability to fulfill these needs added to my own sense of capability and agency as a person within the wider world.

Building on that, the physical summer job is just a very different lifestyle from mine at Vassar. The expectation is that you work hard all day, but when you are done,

you are done. In college, and potentially in an internship, work is never really done, so I felt like this change of pace and mindset was refreshing.

Secondly, unlike an internship where you may be mostly surrounded by mid-career adults, the kind of summer job I chose offered a social environment among other young people. This aspect of the job was a huge reason I chose it. If I had stayed home for the summer, I knew I could be socially isolated, living in a suburb mostly full of young families and retirees. Instead, college is a time in my life where I want to be around other young people, and this job centered around social interaction with my peers.

An added bonus came from meeting people I would not come into contact with within my social circle at Vassar. Although my friends at Vassar come from all over the country, in terms of social and political values, and academic and professional aspirations, we are very similar. I admittedly stick to a certain bubble here, but on croo I had to become tight knit with everyone. The forced jumble of people was exciting, and because of the fact that we worked and lived together, I got to know them on an intimate level.

The structure of our life on the island meant that I spent almost all of my waking hours among other croo members. We worked together, ate together, relaxed together, partied together—we would even brush our teeth together, since there was only one sink in the back room of the kitchen for all of us to share. By the end of the summer I was in awe of how special, or unique, the camaraderie we had built through sheer time together was.

Additionally, my time at Three Mile Island taught me how a relationship or experience can be meaningful even if it is destined to exist only for the moment or a short period of time. Even as I was living on the island, I felt aware of the fact that my connections there were fleeting. Though many croo members choose to return for a second summer, I had a feeling that I would not.

My time on the island was not entirely blissful—the work was hard and I had my

qualms with the systems in place. When fellow croo talked about their return next year, I felt compelled to do the same, in spite of my misgivings. Yet, I had to learn that I can both love an experience deeply and know that it is time to move on. The day I left, I cried for an hour-long stint of my drive.

Lastly, my summer on the island gave me time to connect with nature in a way that I cannot in my regular life. I swam every day, multiple times a day. I fell asleep to the sound of rain. I woke up with the sun.

During cold and rainy days at Vassar, I hold close those memories of a summer spent outdoors.

My job at Three Mile Island is not what I expected I would be doing back in January 2023. When I was deciding whether or not to accept the position, I remember wondering if I was making a rash decision, because it had been drilled into me that I should be getting an internship.

Yet out of the positions I applied to, this was the place that wanted me and that I ultimately decided was my best option. Through the skills and memories I gained from the job, I was able to see that my time on Three Mile Island was just as, if not more, valuable than an internship.

For the majority of the year, we live in an academic environment that is focused on preparing us for a professional world. What I want people to feel is that it is okay, and even worthwhile, to choose to step away from that for a summer. The aspects that are found in a non-internship job—customer service, manual labor, an environment with young workers—teach important skills and offer a contrasting experience to the professional office life that Vassar is preparing us for. It can be good to do that while we still have the chance.

This spring, I once again tried my hand at applying to multiple internships and research positions. I got some rejections and some interviews, but I think I knew from the beginning that what I really wanted was to return to New Hampshire. So, this summer, I will be back in the mountains in the Appalachian Mountain Club’s hut system, ready to meet new demands and a new community of people.

Clara Alger News Editor

Clara Alger/The Miscellany News.

Men’s volleyball progresses towards championship

Henry France Columnist

Last season, the Vassar men’s volleyball team lost to North Central College (IL) in three sets in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball tournament. Heading into the Final Four, Vassar boasted a record of 26-1, largely thanks to their high-powered offense that featured three American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) First-Team All Americans. In the end, the Brewers emerged as National Championship favorites, so their loss was a disappointing conclusion to an exciting season. This season the team returned to action with a completely renewed look, fueled by a sharp hunger for vengeance from last season’s performance.

Of the team’s three all-Americans, they retained one: setter Jacob Kim ’24, who also earned The Betty Richey “Performer of the Year” Award in 2023. As a senior and captain, Kim had his work cut out for him as he also transitioned into playing opposite hitter for the team. Still, going into the season, Kim felt as though the team was ready to contend. “We are long overdue for a national championship,” he

told The Miscellany News before the season started in January. Middle blocker and fellow senior, Colin Jones ’24, echoed Kim in his sentiments coming into the season, saying that the goal every season is to win a National Championship. Led by Head Coach Richard Gary, who was named the 2023 AVCA National Coach of the Year, the team has shown that this is a feasible goal. Since Gary took over the program in Summer 2016, he has posted a record of 132-48. Coming into this season, Gary felt that there was still some work the team had to do. “There’s definitely unfinished business going into this year,” he said.

This season, the Brewers have in fact been taking care of business. The team has earned a record of 22-6, emerging as United Volleyball Conference (UVC) regular season champions for the second year in a row. This success, however, has been rockier than last year’s. In 2023, the team lost their first match of the season and then proceeded to win their next 25 games, garnering a number one national ranking after topping Stevens in a five-set classic. This year, the team has faced tougher circumstances, losing six matches and falling out of the top five. Nevertheless, Kim and

Gary emphasized the importance of the process. “The goal is to peak in April. We’ve felt like we can compete with anyone in the country in bursts this year, so our goal is to continue increasing our capacity to focus and play steady volleyball,” Gary said, reiterating Kim’s growth-centered mentality in his comments this week. Gary’s comments are reflected in the team’s success so far, as Vassar has beaten nine nationally ranked opponents.

Still, Gary maintains that the team must continue their growth. “Our strong team chemistry has brought us to a great spot at this point in the season, and even last week we grew in key areas that were struggling the week before, so if we keep up that growth focus we’ll have a great chance to push in the UVC’s.” Coming off a pair of ranked wins over New Paltz and Springfield College and now heading into conference playoffs, the team is antsy to get another shot at the title. Kim is adamant that in order to achieve this goal, each piece of the puzzle is critical to success. “There’s not one person on this team that’s more important than another and everyone plays a crucial role in our team’s success,” Kim expressed. Co-Captain A.J. Erickson ’24

echoed Kim’s comments after wrapping up the regular season this weekend. “I think an important part about moving forward into a better future as a team is reminding everyone that every single role matters. We were bought in last year and we were very talented, but this year I think we have gone a step further and used the sting of last year’s loss to get better in every facet of our game.” Both Kim and Erickson are clear: The success of the Vassar Men’s Volleyball emerges through synergies where the group outweighs the sum of their parts. Kim and Erickson’s attitudes have played a critical role in the team’s success, boosting their teammates’ morale and motivation.

Gary also spoke to the value of this year’s senior class as the team’s leaders following their senior night last weekend. “The current seniors have also been one of the most unified classes I’’ve coached, with a really great combination of love and care for one another while not being afraid to push one another and maintain very high expectations,” he said. These high expectations have set the team up with an opportunity to win the UVC playoffs for the second consecutive time, and subsequently to compete for the national title that they were

Image courtesy of Tori Kim ’25.

SPORTS

Brewers Ballin’: Jones leads two senior day sweeps

Our goal with Brewers Ballin’ is to feature Vassar athletes who starred for their team the week previous to publishing. If you would like to nominate an athlete, please email nvillamil@vassar.edu.

Brewers Ballin’

Name: Colin Jones

Year: Senior

Team: Men’s volleyball

Stats: UVC CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jones led Vassar to three wins on the week as the Brewers clinched the United Volleyball Conference regular season title. On Wednesday, April 3, he hit 0.500 with nine kills and three blocks in a four-set win over No. 16 New Paltz. On Saturday, April 6, he hit 0.778 with seven kills, seven blocks and three service aces in a sweep of No. 10 Springfield and added eight blocks and six kills in a three-set win over Hunter on his Senior Day.

Statement: “I’m really happy with how the team played this week, we couldn’t have done it without our collective hard work. I’m hoping we can make another great run in the UVC tournament!”

Box Score: Baseball bests Skidmore in extra innings

Image courtesy of Colin Jones ‘24 and Matt Erickson.

The Miscellany Crossword

Category Match

By William Flachmeyer

In the word bank below, there are 16 words that belong to four categories. Each word belongs to only one category. You don’t know which words belong together, nor do you know what the categories are! Try to find similarities between them, and place them into four categories below. Answers (which words belong together, as well as the categories they belong to) will be revealed in next week’s issue. Have fun!

Example category:

1: Toyota Car Models COROLLA PRIUS TACOMA HIGHLANDER

Stock Images

By Sadie Keesbury and Carmen Skinder

WORD BANK

BOOK FOOT OLIVE

STONE LEAGUE

EMERALD KELLY

SAND INCH

MEAL LAWRENCE

EAR

FIELD EMERALD

MILE FOREST

In each of the three drawings below, the picture will clue you in to a word. For example, a drawing of an Altoids tin on home plate might be BASEMENT (BASE MINT). These three words will allow you to fill out the short sentence below. Have fun!

The Miscellany Crossword

“Mini”

By Felix Mundy-Mancino

Answers to last week’s puzzles: “Beginner’s Puzzle”

By Sadie Keesbury and Felix Mundy-Mancino