04/18/24 Full Edition

Old Gold&Black

“ Covers the campus like the magnolia s ”

Student Government announces 2024 election results

New officers will begin their term on May 1

STOPYRA Editor-In-Chief

PBS Foreign Correspondent Nick Schifrin discusses global conflicts and reporting with empathy

In an uncontested race, junior Hannah Elluru was elected student body president on April 10. She and those elected in the three other executive positions — speaker of the house, treasurer and secretary — will begin their term on May 1.

“I am both honored and excited to serve as Wake Forest's next Student Body President,” Elluru said. “It is a big role to take on, but I am looking forward to stepping into this position and continuing to advocate for my peers and the place we all call home.”

was elected speaker of the house in an uncontested race. He shared that he is eager to begin his term and work with the other executive officers over the summer.

and excited to start my term as Speaker,” Strassmann said. “My main goal at the moment is to hit the ground running on initiatives that matter to the student body. As an exec team, we're going to start this work right now and continue into the summer so we can get off to a great start next year.”

that we will work hard to fulfill the

we laid out during the campaign, and collaborate with one another to further improve life on campus. I look forward to working with Hannah, Bayla, Shelby and our other student leaders in SG.”

Unlike student body president and speaker of the house, the races for treasurer and secretary positions were contested. junior Shelby Balmer was elected treasurer against junior Micah Bozkurtian. While she commends the work of her predecessor Tim Erday, Balmer is excited to make the position

“I am excited to get to work next year,” Balmer said. “I am so proud of the work Tim and the rest of SBAC has been doing this year and I cannot wait to be back on campus and work on making sure SBAC is for everyone! SBAC applications are open now and anyone with an interest is encouraged to

In a race against sophomore Blake Sterling, junior Bayla Sheshadri was elected student government secretary. With promoting Student Government visibility as a priority, Sheshadri is

“I am incredibly grateful to represent the student body through the office of Secretary,” Sheshadri said.

“This upcoming year, I am

looking forward to bettering Student Government visibility and access to students, collaborating with campus organizations, increasing accessibility efforts and bettering information dissemination. As we have begun preparation for the upcoming school year, I am confident that next year will be a time of positive growth and development for the University and its students. I look forward to getting to work with such an amazing executive team!”

In addition to executive positions, senators were chosen during the election. Like the new executive officers, senators will begin their term on May 1 — the last day of classes. Here are the results, according to the Student Government Instagram.

Class of 2025 Senators: Lillie Davenport

Maureen Murray

Stella Ross

Class of 2026 Sentors: Salvatore Cascio

Nandini Dube

Theresa Murphy

Samantha Servin

Amaya Williams

Class of 2027 Senators: Hailey Auster

Ayden Boucher

Maddox Braue

Jazlynn Carela

Mary Brooks Hall

Cate Hardin

Emily Kilgallen

Kevin Lee

Thomas Long

Gray Lowder

Evan Lichtenstein

Carter McDonald

Camille Rogers

Hanna Shakarov

Jaxson Williams

PBS Foreign Correspondent

Nick Schifrin was a senior at Columbia University when the first of the twin tower fell on Sept. 1, 2001. He was managing editor of The Daily Spectator and a history major — though he likes to joke that his professors would say he majored in the newspaper.

The morning of 9/11, Schifrin went from trading an advertising space in the paper for free pizza to hearing and telling stories he would never forget.

Members of The Daily Spectator’s staff were told not to report on the ground of the attacks due to safety concerns. Instead, the student reporters wrote short vignettes about the experiences of those near the University — including Columbia students and people on the street. According to Schifrin, the most impactful ones included a bartender whose girlfriend was missing and the video game room where students were playing on their computers and consoles while the aftermath of the atrocities raged outside.

“[I now have] this belief that even [for] the biggest story in the world, the most impactful or most memorable stories can be the smallest,” Schifrin said, who, as a senior in college, didn’t know the breadth of international conflicts he would cover in his career, in which this motto would continue to hold true.

The Face to Face Speaker Forum hosted its Annual Appreciation Event on April 10, where Schifrin spoke about his perspective on past and current global events — including the IsraelHamas war and Russia-Ukraine war — as well as the importance of empathy throughout his journalism career. The event was closed to the public, with only Wake Forest donors, the Board of Trustees and certain members of the administration invited.

MADDIE

SHAILA

Evan Harris/Old Gold & Black

Old Gold & Black

This column represents the views of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Committee

Students deserve to practice their religion safely

The Spring season symbolizes the importance of new beginnings and transformations. While there is certainly value in the act of reinvention, this season can also be used as a time of reflection and honoring tradition — something that many religious communities on campus find themselves doing this time of year.

For the Abrahamic religions — Christianity, Judaism and Islam — Spring is a time of several holidays. For Christian students, some of these holidays include Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter. Jewish students may be celebrating Passover, and some Muslim students just finished celebrating Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr.

Additionally, while not an Abrahamic tradition, several members of the Wake Forest community recently celebrated the Hindu holiday Holi, which

has widespread cultural influence.

For some students, this holiday season may feel different than those past, particularly as tensions on college campuses have been continuing to rise since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

When events like this happen, the entirety of our campus feels the impact. For Jewish and Muslim students who are meant to be spending this time celebrating their faith and religious history, this impact can feel even heavier.

Ramadan is a Muslim holiday celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar in honor of when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It directs Muslims across the world to reorient themselves towards Allah and their faith in light of the innumerable distractions working against them.

Its message of furthering societal welfare has taken on a new meaning in light of the Israel-Hamas war. Amidst a month of self-reflection, the ongoing suffering of Gazan Muslims has been a call to action for many supporters across the world in the spirit of Ramadan.

The events and fallout of Oct. 7 have also impacted our Jewish community on campus as they prepare to celebrate the sacred holiday of Passover this weekend.

Passover is a Jewish holiday commemorating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, where they had been an enslaved people. It is a time to celebrate overcoming challenges as a community — a theme that hits home today during the challenging era we live in.

As Passover arrives, the Jewish peo-

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ple are similarly reminded of their own liberation from a history of religious and political violence. Like Ramadan, Passover reinforces the spiritual dedication of its adherents through a period of suffering.

These holidays belong to distinct religious traditions, but share a message of renewal through community. As recent events have sought to divide our population, we should not forget that Ramadan and Passover have more in common than it might appear.

While this holiday season may feel heavy for some of our students impacted by global events, we want to voice our unyielding support for students of all faiths across campus to continue practicing their traditions. We urge all students, those celebrating the holidays or otherwise, to hold space for their neighbors.

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Face to Face: Speaker Forum hosts Annual Appreciation Event

Continued from page 1

A returning speaker

According to Sue Henderson, executive director of the Face to Face Speaker Forum, the event was held “in appreciation” of the donors who have made each keynote speaker possible.

“We couldn’t bring any of these speakers, pay for the projection, and all the other operational expenses that go into producing one of our keynote events without these [attendees],” Henderson said. “The people who [were] invited that night are the people that give us money to bring Face to Face to fruition.”

In the 2023-2024 season of the Face to Face Speaker Forum, Wake Forest has hosted Doris Kearns Goodwin and Michael Beschloss, Daymond John and Liz Cheney and Jon Meacham. Trevor Noah will be coming to campus on April 30 as the next Face to Face speaker.

According to both Henderson and Lynn Anthony, chair of the board of advisors, Schifrin was invited back to Wake Forest due to popular demand and because of the relevance of his area of expertise.

Schifrin visited campus in November of 2022 to moderate a Face to Face event with author and reporter Thomas L. Friedman. Along with Schifrin’s accolades — including being one of the first journalists in Abbottabad, Pakistan after Osama bin Laden’s death — that stood out to organizers, his character and insights were most memorable.

“We’ve found that you can have great people on stage, but the moderator is just as important as the person invited to be interviewed,” Anthony said.

Henderson echoed her sentiments and emphasized that the donors were especially interested in understanding current events from Schifrin’s perspective.

Wake Forest Professor of Journalism Justin Catanoso moderated the event. The discussion began regarding Schifrin’s experience as a student journalist in New York during 9/11, and how it impacted his career path.

“[Covering 9/11] inspired me to want to do what I have read about in my teenage years, which was to travel to the Middle East and Southeast Asia,” Schifrin said. “[I wanted] to understand, one: how did this happen? Beyond that, [I wanted to] truly try to understand the notions of how someone or something could believe that this is the best way to affect change.”

The Israel-Hamas war

Schifrin was one of a handful of journalists who had the opportunity to enter Gaza during the 2014 Israel-Hamas war. Catanoso asked Schifrin if he could relate the latest Israel-Hamas war to his experiences 10 years ago, to which Schifrin had a simple response: no.

“This is nothing anywhere near [2014],” Schifrin said. “It’s really important to understand how much has changed in fundamental ways in multiple ways.”

On Oct. 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack at a music festival and Israeli towns bordering the Gaza Strip — a Palestinian territory that Israel and Egypt have blockaded for 16 years (Editor’s Note: The Old Gold & Black follows AP Style guidance, which is to refer to Hamas as a militant group). The attacks resulted in the death of roughly 1,200 people and the capture of 240 people. In response, Israel carried out air strikes and sent troops into Gaza. The Gazan Health Ministry says Israel’s offensive, precipitated by Hamas’ attack, has resulted in the death of over 30,000 people.

Schifrin discussed his views on two main differences between the latest conflict and his 2014 experience: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Nentanyahu’s (‘Bibi’) willingness to sacrifice military personnel and the implications of the possibility of peace before Oct. 7 within the region’s countries. Netanyahu has been in power for over 16 years, and,

according to Schifrin, has always been averse to casualties. In 2014, 74 Israelis were killed in the month-long battle and Netanyahu, focused heavily on how “[his] goal is not to hurt a single individual, not to hurt a single civilian.”

“That’s not a personal decision of Bibi, that is simply the most popular politician for many years in the country not believing that a policy of high casualties would be supported,” Schifrin said, though he now argues that Netanyahu’s attitude has changed.

Secondly, Schifrin discussed a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. In exchange for the United States providing Saudi Arabia with security support and nuclear enrichment, Saudi Arabia would agree to “normalize relations” with Israel — a step forward in progressing toward a two-state solution with Palestine. The discussion of this agreement was, according to Schifrin, scheduled for Oct. 10, three days after the Hamas surprise attack.

This meeting did not happen.

On April 4, an Israeli airstrike resulted in the death of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers who were delivering food to Palestinians in Gaza. Among the victims were British and American citizens, causing outrage from not only President Biden but British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as well.

Founder of WCK José Andrés said he suspected the Israeli forces targeted the vehicles “systematically, car by car,” despite Israel’s apology. Schifrin agreed with Andrés’ statement and described it as a turning point in the Israel-Hamas war.

“It was kind of shocking how an organization that had told the [Israeli Defense Force] where it was going was struck such that the first car was hit [and] anybody who survived that one ran to the second car. [Then] the second car was hit [and] anybody who survived that one ran to the third car. Then the third car was hit,” Schifrin said.

He continued to emphasize Andrés influence: “[Andrés] has access to the most senior corridors of power in Europe and the United States. When he calls the president, the president answers … which ignited President Biden to say ‘enough.’”

At the same time, according to Schifrin, the deaths gave Netanyahu the opportunity to tell his right-wing coalition to “cut it out,” before they lose the support of the United States. Instead, with a push from President Biden, 468 aid trucks entered Gaza on April 9 — the most since the war started six months ago.

Schifrin acknowledges the possibility of Hamas taking the aid intended for civilian Gazans, but emphasized that these changes are a pivot point regardless. And yet, Iran enters the conflict.

The complexity of Iranian involvement

Israeli ground forces have pulled out of Southern Gaza, with the U.S. and Israel agreeing that the final four Hamas battalions in Rafa must be defeated — but disagreeing on how. However, as of April 1, an Israeli air strike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, Syria killed at least 11 people, including a senior commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC).

Schifrin described this attack as the most senior strike on the IRGC ever and expressed concerns about Iran’s retaliation.

“What the president said publicly today and what his officials have been saying privately recently is that Iran is about to attack Israel,” Schifrin said. “The concern right now is not only Gaza, and how that goes, but is this about to become a regional war?”

Schifrin and the president were right to be concerned.

This past weekend, Iran fired hundreds of drones and missiles into Israel. According to Schifrin, although Israel has not said how or when they will retaliate, “if” they will is not a question. Simultaneously, Israel has to navigate the underground tunnels in Gaza — which could be anywhere between 350 and 450 miles long — making it an even more difficult fight.

Russia’s growing war economy

As Catanoso put it, Schifrin has had the “professional responsibility to cover two of the worst wars that have happened in decades” — the other being the Russia-Ukraine war.

Schifrin compared Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approach to the fight to Joseph Stalin, who believed in strength in numbers. But he also called it “cannon fodder” — military personnel who are treated as expendable.

“Hundreds of thousands of Russians have died to achieve not very much gain in terms of territory,” Schifrin said. “But what they have done is they have bled the Ukrainians dry.”

According to Schifrin, Russia is recreating a war economy — flagging the rapidly increasing Russian economy. In 2024, Russia’s defense spending is expected to double.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is struggling to stay afloat, with a “lack of ammunition, a shortage of well-trained troops and dwindling air defenses.” Schifrin highlighted this as a challenge for policymakers.

“[Ukraine] won’t win because they get $60 billion of United States money, they’ll simply not lose,” he said.

However, although the Senate passed a Supplemental Security Assistance Bill — which has $95.3 billion for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan — it hasn’t been as successful in the House of Representatives.

With the unpredictable future of American politics, and the possible return of former President Trump, Schifrin described his sources in NATO with one word: terrified.

“NATO only exists because of Article Five, because of the commitment that the United States will be there if Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania is invaded,” Schifrin said. “That doesn’t mean anything beyond that. And if the United States can’t be trusted, then I’m not sure NATO can be trusted.”

Reporting with empathy

Schifrin credits a lot of his learning to his time at Columbia, reminiscing on his days as a student journalist in the Upper West Side, which has a rich history of local activism.

“I met people whose stories deserved to be told,” Schifrin said. “It’s where I learned the principles that I would later apply in my career.”

It’s with this mindset that Schifrin has often run toward danger — from ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza to the borders of Syria.

“Presenting yourself as someone who cares and then trying to extract something from that where your readers care, it’s a beautiful thing,” Schifrin said.

Many in the audience appreciated this sentiment, including attendee Emily Shoffner.

“[Schifrin] not only wants to cover a story but he really cares about people,” Shoffner said. “I don’t think you’ll always see that.”

During Schifrin’s reporting in Ukraine, he was at the gravesite of a man who had been killed by Russians when they occupied his town. The Russians thought the man was in the military, so they tortured him and murdered him. Schifrin stood next to the man’s mother — to this day he claims he can still smell the graveyard.

“You have to think, ‘Who am I to ask her anything on what is probably the second worst day of her life, after the day that her son died,’” Schifrin said. “I have to believe that when I ask her a question, my goal is not because I think it’s an adventure or because I think this is an interesting place to be. My goal is to create a dignity for her son that the Russians had stolen.”

He continued: “I hope when I cried with her, she understood that she was not being exploited. That she was being asked a question by someone who cared to ask it, and someone who cared to listen to the answer.”

Contact Shaila Prasad at prassp21@wfu.edu the

POLICE BEAT

• An individual took a soil wagon and four farm carts from Reynolda Gardens. This report was filed at 8:07 a.m. on April 8.

• Money was taken from an individual’s wallet in Greene Hall. This report was filed at 4:55 p.m. on April 12.

• An intoxicated individual was transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center from Lot Q by Forsyth County EMS Unit 34. This report was filed at 10:49 p.m. on April 12.

• Individuals damaged a fence behind a residence on Fares Lane. This report was filed at 12:02 a.m. on April 12.

• An underage individual was found intoxicated and transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center from Collins Hall. This report was filed at 2:16 a.m. on April 13.

• An individual’s air pods were taken from the Sutton Center. This report was filed at 6:24 p.m. on April 13.

Faith Forum brings a Christian view to conversation about the Israel-Hamas war

Local Christian leaders encouraged discussion and emphasized the importance of peace

Caroline Khalaf Staff Writer

To incite conversation about how the IsraelHamas war impacts those with Christian backgrounds, senior Hazik Azam brought three campus ministries together for a Faith Forum titled “Christian Perspectives on the Middle East Crisis.”

“I felt there wasn’t the same room being given towards students of Christian backgrounds or denominations to speak about what was going on,” Azam said.

Held on April 8 in Pugh Auditorium, the event was moderated by Dean of the Divinity School Corey D.B. Walker. Daughter of Palestinian Christian refugee Hala Matalka, who is on staff at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, as well as leaders from Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), Baptist Student Union (BSU) and Episcopal Student Fellowship (ESF) spoke about how their faith impacts their perspective on the conflict.

“It seems like it’s a Muslim and Jewish conflict, but it’s not because there are Christian Palestinians who are still mistreated and humiliated,” Matalka said. “The Palestinian Christians feel the same way the Muslims do about their land, stolen and controlled.”

The event centered on the current Israel-Hamas war, which began on Oct. 7, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns bordering the Gaza Strip — a Palestinian territory that Israel and Egypt have blockaded for 16 years (Editor’s Note: The Old Gold & Black follows AP Style guidance, which is to refer to Hamas as a militant group). The attacks resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 Israelis. Individuals who identify as Christian make up approximately two percent of Israel’s adult population.

In response, Israel has carried out air strikes and sent troops into Gaza, which, according to the Gazan Health Ministry, has killed over 30,000 people. As of December 2023, there were approximately 1,000 Christians in Gaza, according to The Wall Street Journal — a number that has been decreasing for years. On Oct. 19, the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius — Gaza’s oldest active church — was struck, killing 18 people and injuring at least 20. Approximately 400 civilians, mainly Christian, were taking shelter in the church compound.

Across campus, students and faculty have hosted events in response to the Israel-Hamas war, including a teach-in organized by professors and vigils held by the Jewish community and the Muslim Student Association (MSA). Wake Forest Chabad and Hillel invited Lee Sasi, a survivor of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on the Nova Music Festival, to campus to share her story. Alongside these events, an anonymous group of students organized a display that included banners and white flags arranged on campus. The Faith Forum was the first event held since Oct. 7 that centered on Christian’s response to the Israel-Hamas war.

Episcopal Student Fellowship Minister James Franklin explained that his Christian faith led him to advocate for peace in the Middle East. His decision to speak at the forum resulted from observing the hurt his students have experienced since Oct. 7.

“Our traditions all say that we’re going to love, and when we hear that someone’s hurting we answer the call,” Franklin said. “We’re all just a bunch of bleeding hearts.”

He explained that he feels that a ceasefire is necessary to move forward.

“I just want to say we need a ceasefire,” Franklin said. “We come from a tradition that is rooted in restorative justice and not retributive justice, and I’m frustrated that it seems like that’s the only narrative.”

Franklin also referenced Philippians 4:7, a passage in the New Testament of the Bible, as a basis for which he builds his views.

“I’m approaching this conversation today from a place of peace, both very literally and also peace from a Christian perspective as a peace that passes all understanding, which Jesus gives to us,” Franklin said.

The discussion then shifted to a conversation about how students can understand the IsraelHamas war and support each other. Christopher Towles, campus minister of the BSU, emphasized finding “compromise” through discourse.

“Simplifying things to be either pro-Palestine or pro-Israel and coming into conversations with no intent to compromise are other aspects of what makes it frustrating and makes people not want to

engage in conversations,” Towles said.

Agreeing with Towles, RUF Campus Minister Chris Horne called students to take action as individuals and within their community at Wake Forest.

“What I’ve noticed pastorally here is that there’s a fear to engage because there’s a fear that, if you engage with something in the wrong way, you’ll be punished in some way,” Horne said. “I want to encourage each of you to think deeply and compassionately even if you’re afraid. I also encourage you to build deep friendships with folks that you don’t quite understand because I think it really matters right now.”

After the forum concluded, Intern for RUF Slaton Schneider reflected on what she took away from the forum.

“It was an affirmation to my faith that as Christians we are called to bring about justice and love,” Schneider said.

Freshman Ella Allen attended the talk because she wanted to learn how to relate greater world issues to her faith.

“I think the Christian perspectives that they had were really interesting ones,” Allen said. “I learned that it’s really important to look at a mixture of identities and realize how that informs their view of what’s going on.”

To incite conversation about how the Israel-Hamas war impacts those with Christian backgrounds, senior Hazik Azam brought three campus ministries together for a Faith Forum.

Caroline Khalaf/Old Gold & Black

Photo courtesy of Wake Forest School of Divinity The Faith Forum was moderated by the Dean of the Divinity School Corey D.B. Walker

Annual Fast-A-Thon brings students and community together

The annual event was hosted to bring awareness to Ramadan and the Muslim faith

Approximately 100 Wake Forest community members gathered at the fire pits on Manchester Plaza, socializing and listening to organizers of the annual Ramadan Fast-A-Thon until the sun set. Together, all attendees, regardless of their religious beliefs or if they fasted, waited to eat until the fasting period was over.

“I believe [in] opening up the event to all students because Islam and Ramadan is about community and unity,” Khansa Ahmed, sophomore and Muslim Student Association (MSA) diversity and inclusion chair, said. “There are many Muslim people who do not fast, so it would be wrong to only address those who are fasting and not include those who can’t fast. We as a community welcome anyone who attempts to fast, can’t fast or is fasting.”

The event was hosted by the MSA on April 2, in collaboration with Muslim Life, the Intercultural Center and the Women’s Center. According to Ahmed, the Fast-A-Thon aims to bring awareness to the Muslim faith and educate non-Muslims on their traditions and values.

“[Ramadan] is a time of great spiritual importance for all of us in MSA,” MSA President and senior Hazik Azam said. “It’s a time where we all come together across the Muslim world, and even in the U.S. where there are millions of Muslims. Ramadan is a time of festiveness [and] celebration.”

Ramadan is a Muslim holiday celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar in honor of when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It is intended as a period for self-reflection and an examination of spirituality and devotion. Prayer is a key element of Ramadan; Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran and recite it during special prayer nights. Fasting, or Sawm, is one of the five pillars (core beliefs and practices) of Islam and is intended for Muslims to gain God-consciousness, or taqwa, and practice discipline and moral virtue. Fasting takes place each day from pre-dawn to sundown, during which time those

practicing abstain from all food and drink. It is an encouraged practice for all adult Muslims, though there are exceptions for those who are ill, traveling, elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding.

“[Ramadan] is a time of great spiritual importance for all of us in MSA,” MSA President and senior Hazik Azam said. “It’s a time where we all come together across the Muslim world, and even in the U.S. where there are millions of Muslims. Ramadan is a time of [festivity and] celebration.”

As students participated in the Maghrib prayer, Zobia Akhtar, program coordinator of the Women’s Center, explained the tradition of breaking one’s fast with a date or water, which emulates how Prophet Muhammad broke his fast.

While waiting for the sun to set, attendees had the opportunity to listen to event organizers speak about the implications of Ramadan during the ongoing Israel-Hamas War, which has affected students across campus.

“There is neither peace nor security for Israelis or Palestinians,” Akhtar said. “We pray that everyone is granted an equal right to freedom, dignity and prosperity. It is my daily prayer that the suffering and genocide will end.”

In his speech, Azam also emphasized that while Ramadan is a time of celebration for some, there are

many Muslims across the world who do not have such privilege.

“It’s also a time for remembrance of those across the world who are suffering, who are starving, who are poor and who are hungry,” Azam said. “When we starve ourselves for a day and don’t have any food or water to drink, it’s to remind ourselves to be grateful for what we have.”

Some non-Muslim individuals chose to fast in solidarity with Wake Forest’s Muslim community, including a few members of the men’s soccer team. Freshman Daniel Krueger said he fasted to support his Muslim friends and teammates — voicing a similar experience of gratuity.

“It actually made me feel really grateful to be able to have food every day throughout the day, and it showed me how blessed I am,” Krueger said. “Especially with working out this morning and waking up early to eat with the team, it showed me how tough it would be to fast for a whole month.”

According to Azam, regardless of whether students choose to fast, the Fast-A-Thon was meant to educate the Wake Forest community and increase an understanding of the experiences had by those fasting. Azam said that when he fasts, he is not only appreciative when others are understanding of his circumstances, but feels a strong sense of community when he is not made to feel out of place.

“One example of my personal experience with fasting is with intramural soccer,” Azam said. “My fast [breaks] during the game, and the other people playing know that I’m fasting when I’m pausing to take a [sip] of Gatorade or something. It’s things like that — people knowing and being aware and having an understanding that [fasting] is not just some strange phenomenon. We wanted to focus on educating people.”

He continued: “It’s all geared towards making sure we create an environment where Muslim students feel like they’re actively involved on campus, but also that other students don’t feel separate from events like this, and that everyone is viewed as a Demon Deacon at the

the day.”

end of

President of the Muslim Student Association addresses the crowd as they gather to celebrate the breaking of the fast at sundown.

Rocio Polanco/Old Gold & Black

Community members gather to share a meal after sundown to celebrate the end of Ramadan at the Ramadan Fast-a-Thon event hosted on Manchester Plaza on April 2, 2024.

Rocio Polanco/Old Gold & Black

FEATURES

London through the eyes of Tolkien

A semester at the Worrell House

SOLTREN Contributing Writer

The sun was barely up when my alarm woke me, telling me to get out of bed and start my adventure. Quickly and silently, I slipped out of my sheets and into a colorful wool sweater, fur-lined boots, jeans and a beanie, careful not to wake my two roommates. With hair and teeth brushed, I grabbed my tote bag and descended the slightly uneven steps of the staircase.

In the kitchen, I made a sandwich to pack away for lunch — breakfast consisted of buttered toast and an apple to go. Cool morning air filled my lungs as I stepped outside of the Worrell House, welcomed to a brand new day in the city of London. But today, I would be venturing out a bit further, all by myself.

I didn’t want to risk being late, so I made haste towards the nearest Tube station. Catching the next train brought me to Paddington Station with enough time to spare. I located the train that would be departing for Oxford, boarded it and settled in my seat. Before I knew it, I was watching city skylines fade into meadows of green. My first solo trip was underway.

At this point, it was a bit difficult to believe that I was struggling to pack a suitcase only two months before. I had figured out how to fit a semester abroad into my busy class schedule filled with pre-med courses.

“Why not?” I thought. “It sounds like fun.”

The decision

When applying, Wake Forest’s Worrell House

program in London had sounded perfect for me. Much to my excitement, my application was accepted for the spring of 2023. However, even with all of the preparation, I still didn’t really know what to expect. Living in another country for four months with none of my family close by was something entirely new — having been born and raised in Fayetteville, N.C.. And yet, here I was embarking on a new journey.

But I was also embarking on something else that I had brought with me: a book series you might know as The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien. Finally cracking open the final book in the series, The Return of the King, while on my train to Oxford — a city where the author once lived — was nothing short of magical.

But that’s not where the magic ended. Sometimes, my excursions forged a deeper connection with my books. I took another personal trip to Dover to see its towering white cliff sides sculpted by the sea at its feet. When I arrived, the ocean was enshrouded in a dense fog.

Trekking along a hiking trail for 12 miles, it felt as if I was walking alongside the edge of the world itself. It was views like these that I imagine Bilbo and Frodo, the main protagonists of the series, saw on their travels across the vastness of “Middle Earth.” If so, perhaps I could have kept up with them.

To be honest, any walk I took was easier after climbing Arthur’s Seat, the highest point in Scotland, at my professor’s request during our class trip to Edinburgh. Although there was no blizzard at the time, I still empathized with the Fellowship who had attempted to climb Caradhras in the first novel. I also came to realize why Aragorn’s garments were described to appear as if they were permanently caked in mud.

Similar to the journeying hobbits, I felt myself continue to grow as I spent more time exploring London. I never knew that learning to navigate the Tube system would be so fun and empowering. Despite my adoration for the Tube, I also enjoyed taking walks, which gradually became longer as I learned to appreciate my surroundings. The tranquil parks with their lush flowers, sun-dappled pathways and charming birds are memories that I still gush over.

I got to explore incredibly diverse markets and museums with my classmates, who eventually became my friends. I befriended my professors and the house managers as well, who taught us about the history of London and offered us tips for living there alongside bits of gossip. At last, I even completed my every book and watched the movies for the first time with one of my friends — who was a bigger Middle Earth fan than myself. Every day brought a new adventure, great or small, as I grew accustomed to the ins and outs of the city. But before I knew it, it was already May.

While trying to ward off the inevitable sorrow with warmer memories of my experiences, I realized, to my pleasant surprise, that the end of the journey in my books and of my semester bore similarities as well.

Just as a great audience celebrated the coronation of Aragorn, thousands of people gathered in London for King Charles’ crowning, too (and yes, I stood in a crowd for nine hours to see him). Following this, Frodo and his companions began their journey home, gradually parting ways one by one. I also watched my new friends pack their things and depart, leaving the house in which we had spent so long together feeling

OLD GOLD & BLACK

Photo courtesy of Alyssa Soltren

ALYSSA

a bit colder. When Frodo finally made it home, he carried back with him the feeling that he had changed forever, and not even the tranquil familiarity of his hometown could cure him. Although my adventure was far less perilous than his, I also couldn’t shake the feeling upon arriving home that I was trying to fit into a place where I didn’t quite belong anymore.

And so my summer break began. You would think that I took that time to do something meaningful. After all, it would be my last summer break before “real life” came around. Not to mention I had set my sights upon medical school, meaning that I should have been a responsible aspiring doctor and begun preparing already. Instead, I fell back into old routines, perhaps more so physically than mentally. Here’s the thing, at the beginning of the summer I had thought that I wanted to live a quaint life like they did in Hobbiton — the books make it sound so appealing. But as the weeks wore on, I became less sure.

Have I ever related to characters in a book this much?

The readjustment

I sat around for the majority of the summer, feeling utterly useless at times. It’s so wonderful and so frustrating to return from such a long, extraordinary journey and find that your home didn’t really change. But you changed, and even if you try to convey your experiences to your family and peers, you’re still somehow out of place.

Did they know that I trekked along cliff sides hundreds of feet high, where one misstep would have been disastrous? Did they know that my friends and I, with no reception in the Tube tunnels, had to figure out how to reunite with the rest of our group after being separated? Did they know that I learned to prepare three meals a day, nearly every day, for four months straight (when I barely cooked at all before)?

Did they know what I found out I was capable of?

I was really there, and now I was back again, sleeping in until noon. “Jeopardy!” at 7 p.m. sharp was the highlight of my day.

As I’m sure Bilbo or Frodo could tell you, coming home to old habits and a familiar lifestyle might sound nice, but not quite satisfying once you try to settle in. You’ve got to do something about it. The newly adventurous Bilbo sought to learn more about the world beyond his little Shire, and he took the village’s odd rumors about him in stride. When Frodo found it impossible to conform to the old way of life, he left to find a new world altogether, with his uncle Bilbo joining him.

What could I do, though? As the summer drew near its end, I was sadder not because I was leaving my home life, but because I felt that I hadn’t done enough. Precious time was wasting away. Moreover, I missed my friends and the enchantment I had felt while abroad, and I dreaded what lay beyond.

Going through your senior year can be stressful and terrifying at times. I’ve been constantly anxious about what will happen after I graduate. Getting into medical school isn’t guaranteed; but if it does happen, I have a long road of grueling work and debt ahead of me. Add that on top of the new responsibilities that I’ve become increasingly aware of, and now my time in London seemed nothing more than a silly dream — yet I couldn’t let go of it.

Maybe this is what growing up feels like. Scary thought, I know. But it might not be as bad as many think it to be. Yes, work will be hard, and some tasks will be daunting. Great challenges or foes may hold your attention on only the worst outcomes, a fate that plagued Denethor as he spent his hours staring into the depths of the palantír. He scorned the idea of searching for happier, more hopeful things, having given them up for what he believed was a dark reality. However, finding joy and wonder in every place doesn’t have to be something strictly for children. That’s how stories are born, isn’t it?

Even tales as fantastical as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings have roots in the trenches of World War I.

I began to think about Sam. This character was made by Tolkien to represent the fellow soldiers he

met in the war — the “common men” who led simple lives until they were brought out to fight. Tolkien admired their bravery and spirit in the midst of it all, so much so that he immortalized their memory in a now much beloved character. So what did Sam do when he returned from his own journey, with the rest of life ahead of him?

The lesson

“You have so much to enjoy and to be, and to do,” Frodo said to Sam. And so he did. He returned to what he loved by raising and caring for new gardens; he mustered the courage to marry his love interest and started a family; and he ensured that the deeds performed by his friends and himself would be remembered for ages. Sam did all of that while living in the Shire, and I think we can learn from that.

Although I had a grand adventure like Bilbo and felt anguish afterwards somewhat like Frodo (he had it worse), I don’t have to take off to somewhere new — at least not yet. Studying abroad was a wake-up call for the fact that I simply wanted to break out of my everyday routines.

I take different routes to classes, I stop rushing to appreciate the serenity of nature, I’m trying to become more of a morning person. I imagine myself

in different kinds of careers and get more excited than scared. I try to spend more time with the friends I made at home and abroad because being alone isn’t as cool as it used to be. I have enough to do here, guided by the confidence and independence and friendship that I cultivated overseas.

So go on that adventure! Chase down the departing wizard and his band of dwarves if you must. No one knows what you’ll end up finding or learning (or what you’ll have to do to make it back safely). What is certain is that it will be an experience unlike any you’ve had before, and it will also come to an end. But when it does, it’s okay to feel sad about it.

As Gandalf has said before and would probably tell you as well, “I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.” Just remember to keep going, or you’ll miss what may come next. The road goes ever on and on.

Whenever my next journey begins, expected or not, I will take it. Or perhaps I will be living a calmer lifestyle, in which case I will be finding the magic in the everyday. Whatever happens, though, I will always be glad to greet an old friend should they stop by my door.

Photo courtesy of Alyssa Soltren

One of London's distinctive red telephone booths stands against a brick wall, nestled in ivy. This particular telephone booth was spotted by Soltren on her way back from the National Gallery.

Muslim Student Association members share appreciation

The multi-national student union fosters Islamic community on campus

ANITA DONGIEUX & NATASHA HEISENBERG Contributing Writer & Features Editor

Since its founding at Wake Forest in 2011, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) has created a sense of belonging for Muslim students on Wake Forest’s campus.

“The Wake Forest Muslim Student Association fosters a safe and inclusive space for Muslims on campus, promotes a sense of belonging by serving the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities, and provides opportunities for intellectual discussions regarding Islam,” said President Hazik Azam, class of 2024.

The MSA is a multi-national student union, spreading across the United States and Canada. The religious organization is dedicated to the establishment of Islamic societies on college campuses, as well as maintaining a sense of Islamic community in the academic world.

The MSA was created in 1963, with the intent of serving millions of Muslim students throughout their academic years. From its inception at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the MSA has made its way onto several college campuses.

There is a dedicated lounge on Wake Forest’s campus for the MSA, located within Collins Residence Hall. This lounge includes a prayer space where students are free and encouraged to engage with their Muslim identities.

On top of this, there are several events hosted by the MSA. These include weekly Friday prayer, biweekly hangouts and group outings to bowling or cookouts. Other activities the MSA puts on are providing food and community during Ramadan — the Islamic month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. In observance of this holiday, the MSA demonstrates Iftar (breaking one’s fast) and Suhoor (starting one’s fast) as well as incorporating interfaith collaboration events in their monthly activities.

Khansa Ahmed, class of 2026, began her involvement with the MSA before even attending Wake Forest.

“I toured the campus back in March of 2022, the semester before I became an official student, and saw a flier about Muslim Awareness Week,” Ahmed recalled.

After seeing the flier on campus, Ahmed decided to attend the open Jummah event — an afternoon Friday prayer — and has since been a dedicated member of the community.

“MSA, our chaplain and the students within the organization really shaped my experience at Wake [Forest], helping me adjust to the campus and college life,” Ahmed said.

One of many things Ahmed values about the MSA is how welcoming and kind all of the members are.

“They really encouraged me to be myself and helped me through some tough times,” Ahmed said. “I’ve made lifelong friends within the MSA and gained many opportunities from just being associated with them.”

Alizeh Chamadia, a sophomore and secretary of the MSA, also joined MSA when she was a freshman. Since then, MSA has been integral to her fostering a college community where she felt represented. She echoed Ahmed’s sentiment.

“I feel like we’re very good at supporting our community when it comes to difficult times, especially with everything going on right now with Israel and Palestine,” Chamadia said. “I feel like we did a good job of providing a safe space for our community members.”

Through her growing love and appreciation for the MSA, Ahmed chose to run for an executive position on the board at the end of her freshman year. As a sophomore, Ahmed is the chair of diversity and inclusion.

In this position, Ahmed works to help students feel as she felt when she first joined the community. “I want others to feel welcomed, seen, heard and safe,” she said.

A vital part of Ahmed’s role is connecting with students: asking for feedback on coordinated events and understanding what events others would like to see in the future.

“I heavily encourage students to speak their minds, provide feedback and attend open executive meetings,”

Ahmed said. Through this engagement, Ahmed is able to serve as an advocate for these students, showcasing their thoughts and values during executive and Wake Forest administrative meetings.

As well as engaging with fellow students, Ahmed connects with other organizations across campus to create events for everyone to enjoy. “My favorite event that I came up with this year was the ‘make your own hijab workshop,’ where I collaborated with the Waker Space to spread awareness about the hijab,” she said.

One of the most important takeaways Ahmed shared is that the MSA is not only a community for Muslim students, but for everyone. Ahmed shares that many of her non-Muslim friends will attend the MSA’s events and even help provide feedback for further collaborations and activities.

“Everyone is welcome to the MSA, and we really appreciate and love having students come to our events,” she said.

Chamadia agreed.

“I always love the festival which we had, I think, around

last week,” Chamadia said. “It’s usually near the end of Ramadan, and our community comes together — but it’s not closed off. It’s open to members of the Wake Forest community in general. And so that’s always nice to see.”

She continued. “I love when I hear about non-Muslims also fasting with their Muslim friends. I think that’s just incredible to see the support that even non-Muslims on campus show to our community.”

Muslim or not, members of the MSA reinforced, the organization provides a space for students to be seen and heard.

“It is essentially a home away from home for me,” said Ahmed.

The Wake Forest Muslim Student Association can be found on Instagram @wfu_msa and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wfumsa.

Contact Anita Dongieux at dongap21@wfu.edu and Natasha Heisenberg at heisng20@wfu.edu

Members of the Wake Forest community line up to receive food at the annual Fast-A-Thon, an event held by the Muslim Student Association in celebratation of the holiday of Ramadan.

Rocio Polanco/Old Gold & Black

ENVIRONMENT

Ella Klein, kleiek22@wfu.edu

Addison Schmidt, schmac21@wfu.edu

OLD GOLD & BLACK

Are you a fun guy? Come to Fungi Fest!

A month-long mycology centered festival takes place under Earth Month celebrations

MIA SPRINGER Staff Writer

While we often think of our closest relatives as the ape, humans are interconnected to many strange species –– most notably, Fungi.

Una Wilson, a senior, has been a mycology fanatic since high school. It was then when she listened to a podcast that spoke about how trees communicate using mycorrhizal fungi –– a passion she furthered in her collegiate academic pursuits.

“One of the most common misconceptions is that fungi are plants, and they are not. They are a separate kingdom, and fungi are more closely related to animals,” Wilson said. “Evolutionarily, fungi are our closest relatives.”

Wilson is hosting a month-long festival, in tandem with the Office of Sustainability’s Earth Month lineup of events. Fungi Fest, according to Wilson, was months in the making, and includes multiple other offices and outside collaborators, including two sponsored events from the School of Business. Since the fall of 2023, Wilson has been planning each of the festival’s eight events — making an idea she fi rst developed in 2022 a reality two years later.

“Th is festival is a dream child of mine — really just to educate people about fungi because they have been so meaningful to me, and it’s rewarding to see how people react when they

learn about fungi,” Wilson said.

An event about the intersection of queerness and fungi led by Wilson on Wednesday, April 3 was held in the Wake Forest Women’s Center and was co-sponsored by the Women’s Center and the LGBTQ+ Center. A talk led by journalist Doug Bierend on April 11 was co-sponsored by the Environmental Program, and Outdoor Pursuits hosted a fungi identification walk on April 13.

Other events this month will include a tour of a mushroom farm, a documentary screening, a garden party and a mushroom cultivation workshop.

Wilson joined Dr. Brian Tague’s mycology lab her sophomore year, where she fi rst learned the in’s and out’s of being a mycologist. To round out her senior year, she enrolled in Biology 327: Mycology: Biology of Fungi, an undergraduate course taught by Tague this semester.

On Thursday, April 4, I attended two Fungi Fest events: Dr. Brian Tague’s talk on the science of spores and a spore printing workshop.

In his talk, Tague gave students insight into what a spore is, how they differ from human haploid cells and how fungi reproduce. According to Tague, there are over five million fungal species, and most have gone undiscovered. Fungi are decomposers and are vital to keeping our ecosystem healthy and balanced.

However, they can be difficult to understand, even for scientists.

Fungal reproduction varies greatly from human reproduction. The mushroom that grows above ground is called the fruiting body, and the mycelial network grows beneath. The fruiting body releases single celled reproductive units, called spores.

“Spores come out of mushrooms, land, germinate, and start making hyphae,” said Tague. Those strands interact with each other to make mycelium…”

Hyphae are the fi laments that make up multicellular fungi. Collectively, they are called mycelium. According to Tague, most fungi are fi lamentous, and these networks span forests wide beneath our feet.

After soaking up Tague’s lecture, attendees moved on to a more hands-on activity: spore printing!

Wilson is passionate about the arts but rarely gets to nurture it as a biology major. Using old shirts and pieces of paper, Wilson showed students how to take a carved linoleum block, add paint and stamp away using the six unique linoleum prints. Designs ranged from the outline of a mushroom to the underside of its cap, which she carved herself.

Sophomore Azul Correa-Dibar attended this event to tap into her passion for art, which intersects with her love for nature.

“I learned that there is so much we don’t know, and I think that it is super interesting that the organism that has been here the longest … is something we know so little about,” CorreaDibar said.

Wilson was proud to report that these events were a success, as evidenced by the eager students who ran up to her afterward to ask follow-up questions.

“Even though I am a senior, I hope that next year’s interest garnered from the Fungi Fest will lead to another one or a club being started,” Wilson said.

Students who want to learn about fungi are invited to attend the remaining Fungi Fest events, which are happening around campus over the next couple of weeks.

Secondhand stories

Get Off the Rack, and on the runway!

BEZA ZELALEM Staff Columnist

Th is past Friday, the Wayward Fashion executive board (including myself) stopped by Off The Rack to pick out clothing and accessories for our upcoming annual Spring Fashion Show.

Off The Rack is a small vintage clothing store located in WinstonSalem’s Downtown Arts District.

Here you’ll fi nd the epitome of streetwear. Off The Rack has it all: graphic t-shirts, jorts, overalls and trucker hats –– just to name a few. Most of their clothes run large, making the perfect store to create an oversized look.

During my trip to Off The Rack, I was joined by my fellow exec members, Abby McCabe and Mwinso Denkabe. Every semester, Wayward hosts a fashion show, highlighting local vintage and sustainable businesses. Th rough them?, we met the owners Toby Lemley and Fabio Sandoval.

Lemly and Sandoval graciously allowed us to sift through their newly released items, which were primarily a wide selection of summer clothing in preparation for the warm weather.

Our fashion show is meant to emphasize that thrifting and creativity is the hottest new thing, so we went into the experience with an open mind, selecting pieces in spite of the trends. I can’t reveal too much about what we found – you’ll have to come to the show to see the cool items we picked out!

The models will be showcasing both clothing from the vendors we’re working with and thrifted pieces from the exec members personal closets.

At the end of the fashion show, Wayward will host a market showcasing a variety of Winston-Salem vendors. There will be small vendors like the previously highlighted Finders Keepers, with larger suppliers like Off The Rack also present.

Be sure to visit Off the Rack’s booth to peruse their selection, or stop by the next time you’re in downtown. When you come to the market, be sure to thrift mindfully, and not just shopping for the trends!

OPINION

Virginia Noone, noonvc21@wfu.edu

Dillon Clark, clardj22@wfu.edu

The views expressed in all opinion columns represent those of the article’s author, not the opinions of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Board

‘Work hard, play hard’ is incredibly overrated

Glamourizing ‘Workforest’ isn’t something to be proud of.

VIRGINIA NOONE Opinion Editor

“Work hard. Play hard.”

Th is is the repeated, overly glorifi ed mantra used to describe Wake Forest, or “Work Forest” as we often call it. Th e idea behind this philosophy is to split your time between two extremes: grinding out work and then releasing briefl y to social activity before crashing — then repeating the cycle all over again.

For a Wake Forest student, this method materializes as students work non-stop Sunday through Friday afternoon before spending Friday night and all of Saturday going out with friends non-stop before resuming the grind Sunday morning.

Th is way of life in theory provides both socialization and productivity — but it completely denounces any semblance of moderation through over-intensifying both sides of the work-life balance.

According to the 2022 National College Health Assessment, 80% of college students reported feeling overall moderate to high stress with 50% reporting academics were a factor. Of that 50%, 89% reported academics causing high distress. High stress can lead students to experience an all-too-familiar burnout.

Jennifer Moss, a workplace culture expert, wrote “Burnout Epidemic: Th e Rise of Chronic

Stress and How We Can Fix It” to investigate the rise of stress levels. She found that too large of a workload is the primary cause of burnout. She argues millions of people die from overworking as it causes weight loss, body pain, exhaustion, sleep loss and high levels of cortisol.

You cannot cancel out continuously overworking yourself by going out on the weekend and drinking with friends. As fun as drinking with friends and dartying can be, it isn’t providing your body and mind with the rest and relaxation it needs. It feels like being a student at Wake Forest means that you’re always “on.” But is this hyper specifi c to our school or has this disregard for relaxation become a cultural phenomenon for young adults?

With the risk of sounding like my grandfather — I blame technology.

When my grandfather and parents went to college, students were limited to working only in the classroom and when they found designated times and places to sit down with their books and pencils. Th ey had no way of contacting their professors outside of class and offi ce hours and vice versa. Th ey never had assignments due at midnight after class or at random times — instead they were almost always due the next class session. Wherever they spent their freetime, whether it be lunch or on

walks, it was impossible for such time to be contaminated with work-related interruptions.

Even with the rise of cellphones in the ‘90s, they hadn’t evolved into computers yet. Th ey were more closely related to landlines than the cellphones we have now.

We all carry around computers with us at all times of the day where we’re constantly berated with emails, Canvas alerts, texts from classmates about assignments and other stressors that impede us from separating ourselves from being in “work mode.” Moreover, we have the ability and option to be working at any time and in any place. Th is makes the weight of school so much heavier than it was for students of previous generations.

Th e natural barriers that historically gave students breaks throughout their days have been torn down by technology. We must, therefore, carve out time to relax by ourselves and for the good of ourselves.

Since 1933, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has been studying the same 724 participants to research what leads to happier lives. Th ey found the key to be good relationships, which are nurtured by quality time. Another study found that having hobbies makes people healthier and happier. Both spending time with people and investing time in hobbies requires individuals to consciously fi nd time away from the “grind.”

When Wake Forest reviews undergraduate applications, they emphasize the importance of being a holistic individual with hobbies and interests outside of the classroom. Th is quality of Wake Forest heavily appealed to me, which is why it’s been so disheartening to hear that so many of my close peers have abandoned their hobbies due to lack of free time.

It’s a terrible mindset to spend fi ve days a week counting down to enjoyment on Friday. It’s important to fi nd equal enjoyment on random Tuesdays as it is on the weekends, no matter what that looks like for the individual. By carving out even one hour on your Google Calendar to turn off your phone and do something solely for yourself you will fi nd a better work-life balance at Wake Forest.

World renowned physician, Dr. Gabor Mate, said in a recent interview with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee that if he were to live his life over again, he would not have spent so much time working and trying to justify his place in the world.

“When you’re driven to work too hard, you ignore what actually matters,” Mate says. “People sacrifi ce their playfulness, their joyfulness, being driven by unconscious needs to validate your existence.”

Wake Forest must grant communities of color proper space

At a PWI, on-campus spaces mean safety for students of color

BEZA ZEALEM Contributing Columnist

My identity as a Black woman raised by Ethiopian immigrants is one I’m proud of. From the way I view the world to how I interact with others, it shapes my everyday life. Coming to Wake Forest, I knew I would be the minority. The tiny speck of diversity. Naively, I believed this would push me out of my comfort zone in positive ways and that maybe I would even graduate with a newfound perspective on life.

What I experienced when I arrived as a freshman was more than culture shock — it was being repeatedly hit with the disturbing realization that my identity would never be one that’s appreciated or acknowledged on this campus.

I quickly understood I would never be a normal student. I experienced either a constant hyperfi xation on my appearance, compounded with a multitude of microaggressions, or a complete disregard of my existence. The reality of existing as a minority student at Wake Forest started to weigh heavily on my mental health.

Each February, Wake Forest University celebrates Mental Health Week with intention of fostering a healthier environment amid the stressful “work hard, play hard” culture that the school is known for. As a friend and I walked past a sea of green hearts with slogans like “Not feeling completely ok is ok,” we couldn’t help but roll our eyes and take in the irony of the display.

“They don’t really care about us,” my friend commented. His reference to “us” meaning students of color. (Editor’s note: The Old Gold & Black has agreed to provide anonymity to this student due to the student’s desire to avoid personal backlash).

At first I brushed it off, but then I really took the time to think about his comment. I wanted to fi nd a way to explain this universal experience among students of color. While doing some digging, I came across the notion of racial weathering.

According to the National Library of Medicine, the weathering hypothesis states that chronic exposure to social and economic disadvantage leads to an accelerated decline in mental health outcomes. Th is exposure can partially explain racial disparities found in various health conditions.

I started thinking about the notion of safe spaces on campus and how significant they are for students of color

when we are already marginalized.

Apart from inherently common spaces around campus like classes, dining halls or the library, which all students must frequent — the disappearance of students of color from social spaces is a blatant reality.

If you’re not a student of color here, you might not understand why this separation occurs. To avoid feelings of discomfort experienced in many social spaces where we are the minority, we often resort to isolating ourselves because the constant exposure to feeling like an outsider is emotionally draining.

It’s important to understand historical contexts contributing to the marginalization of minority communities. Simultaneously, we must acknowledge how this is inextricable from the contemporary perpetuation of stereotypes and hierarchies that aid in the erasure of the minority experience at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI). Th is means critically engaging in discourse about how institutions are contributing to this marginalization within student populations.

Wake Forest is actively contributing to this marginalization.

While speaking with a classmate who’s on the leadership board of a student-led cultural-based organization, I discovered that Wake Forest’s administration has not granted this group a physical space of its own to hold meetings and events.

It’s no surprise to any student of color that the university passively contributes to marginalizing communities of color but learning about their active role angered me. Especially when it affects people that I care about.

Immediately after learning about what feels like Wake Forest’s lack of commitment to granting communities of color the proper space to feel safe, I knew that keeping this information to myself wasn’t an option.

My classmate was willing to talk further about the issue but wanted to remain anonymous. As a writer, I understand that as students of color, we often do not receive the same protection as white students, so I respect their choice to remain anonymous. (Editor’s note: The Old Gold & Black has agreed to grant anonymity to this student due to their desire to protect the organization they help lead).

They pointed out that most of the predominantly white fraternities and sororities have spaces, yet many cultural organizations are grouped together and have to share spaces. Th is seemed problematic to me because students of color are the ones who need spaces of comfort because

they are the minority

When asked about the direct correlation between Wake Forest’s failure to grant students of color proper space and the limitation to express our identities, they responded, “We need spaces where we can be relieved of the pressures to assimilate to the PWI environment and be free to express ourselves and our cultures individually. The mental well-being of minority students is a priority and should be respected as such through the distribution of safe spaces”

Racial weathering is exacerbated due to white fragility. Th is occurs when systems are set up to insulate white people from discomfort in racial discourse. One of my favorite Netfl ix shows “Dear White People” portrays a group of Black students at a mostly white elite university where racism is felt by this group but ignored by others.

The show allows Black students to see the experiences of characters and say, “I’m so glad someone fi nally put it that way.” Despite this positive outlet for Black students across college campuses, “Dear White People” received backlash due to a hyperfi xation on the title and the belief that its focus on identity was inherently divisive.

The misconception that racial discourse and a focus on the experience of marginalized identities is divisive prevents us from having crucial conversations such as the importance of space for communities of color.

The mere ability to be able to choose to avoid these difficult conversations is simply a privilege that many in my position do not have.

It’s difficult for anyone to speak up about this traumatizing experience. As someone who is fearlessly passionate about social justice, this topic was difficult for even me to write about.

I will gladly be a voice for those who have been silenced because our voices must be heard and our experiences shared. If you are a student of color reading this — you are not in this alone.

Until Wake Forest addresses this pervasive issue, we must keep creating and fighting for space.

When asked for any fi nal words, my classmate said, “Wake Forest is setting the precedent that individuals who identify with these organizations do not deserve to be acknowledged and appreciated to their fullest on [Wake Forest’s] campus. Th at they are not worthy of respect and recognition but merely acknowledged as an effort of performative necessity.”

Demon Deacons, Hedgehogs and Foxes: Religion in Diplomacy Through the Eyes of Dr. Shaun Casey

Religious understanding is crucial: in international diplomacy and at Wake Forest

GRAY LOWDER Contributing Columnist

“Ignorance of religious dynamics can lead to cascading disasters.” - Dr. Shaun Casey in an individual interview

International diplomacy decisions are made in a constantly evolving world with infi nite cultural, political, and economic differences across societies. Calculating answers to problems requires attention to every detail, and our diplomats are aware of most of them.

What if we are overlooking one? Well, we are, and you guessed correctly: it’s religion.

In my interview with Dr. Shaun Casey, Former Special Representative for Religion and Global Aff airs at the U.S. Department of State, we explored how religious studies intertwine with diplomacy, different administrations’ actions, Wake Forest’s relationship with religion, and the importance of religious studies in academia as a whole.

Untapped resources

On Feb. 20, 2024, the Wake Forest University Department for the Study of Religions hosted Dr. Casey. He was selected by Secretary John Kerry and the Obama administration to lead the new office of Religious and Global Aff airs and to serve as an advisor on all diplomatic matters relating to religion, serving from 2013-2017. His office represented the fi rst significant intelligence network focused on religion that directly supported our diplomatic efforts.

Following the elimination of the Office of Religion and Global Aff airs office during the Trump administration, Casey published his novel, “Chasing the Devil at Foggy Bottom: The Future of Religion in American Diplomacy,” to tell the story of religious studies in global politics. Casey and his team provided religious expertise to American embassies and consulates that guided wellinformed, successful international diplomacy.

The Biden Administration has not reinstated his office, which was introduced while President Biden was Vice President. To be absolutely clear, they should.

From confl icts to new international partnerships, understanding religious complexities requires expertise. We have access to tested, proven, and highly skilled religious experts. Any reason for not taking advantage of these resources is unjustifiable in comparison with the benefits of religious knowledge in diplomatic decisions. In reading Dr. Casey’s book, hearing his speech, and addressing him personally, I can say this: Our government needs to prioritize understanding religious dynamics in their decision-making, no excuses.

Fighting for accountability

In his novel, Casey presents the ultimate case study of a diplomatic decision that lacked religious understanding: the Iraq War. The United States’ decision to invade resulted in over 900,000 deaths and has cost our nation $8 trillion. To explain President Bush’s significant oversights, Casey cites the leadership differences between a “fox” and a “hedgehog.”

In every organization of leaders, there are hedgehogs. They approach decisions with a single vision, using any means necessary to bring that vision into reality. On the other hand, foxes possess a “breadth of knowledge,” as Casey puts it, able to draw their views and decisions from many different perspectives.

The distinction between the two is found in how each reaches their decisions: knowledge. A hedgehog’s deep knowledge of one line of thinking can have advantages over the fox’s skeptical, broadly informed views. President Bush was a hedgehog pursuing a single vision, with little knowledge of the crucial religious and cultural aspects of the Middle East. The Iraq War is not the only example of decisions lacking religious understanding. Take the Cold War for example. Scholars have analyzed the true reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union,

which contradict the initial ideological explanations for the confl ict as capitalism and communism. Now, we see that religious tensions – across what is now Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Chechnya – were largely responsible for Cold War confl icts, yet were not taken seriously. There are several other examples where religious understanding could have prevented or deescalated international confl ict. Well, the results speak for themselves, and we need to accept that every hedgehog must have a den of foxes ready to scrutinize and inform their decisions.

During our interview, I asked Casey for his views on the Biden administration’s diplomatic leadership. Specifically, I asked if he saw a balance between hedgehogs and foxes. His response was insightful, and he echoed the stance during his speech. The Secretary of State, in Casey’s experience, cannot know every single international event occurring at all times; however, “what they should have, at the other end of the telephone, is somebody who can answer their questions about religion in any zip code in the world.” The Office of Religious and Global Aff airs, led by Casey under the Obama administration, provided just that.

Although the Biden administration has not reinstated Casey’s office, there is little doubt that the RussiaUkraine War and Israeli-Palestinian Confl ict may have been remedied more effectively with the support of the Office of Religion and Global Aff airs. Even where religion may seem irrelevant, Casey has identified how sensitivity to religious tensions are vital to accurately assessing these crises.

Unbeknownst to many Americans, Putin has given several since-deleted speeches that always include a call to restore greater Russia. A religiously tone-deaf government may miss the undertones of the Russian Orthodox Church in his speeches, but Casey did not.

- Dr.SeanCasey “

Ignorance of religious dynamics can lead to cascading disasters.”

“Why not take a leader at his or her word when they say that they’re doing this in part to restore some form of glory to their national religion?” Casey said. There are obvious influences of religion in confl icts, such as the Israeli-Palestinian Confl ict, but religion can be hidden in less obvious situations. Without Casey and his den of foxes to advise on religious dynamics in global contexts, how are we to know if our diplomatic decisions are truly well-informed?

A student’s takeaway

When I asked Casey what academia could learn from his approach to elevating religious studies in foreign policy and apply it to education, his response was blunt: “Ignorance of religious dynamics can lead to cascading disasters.” While the value of religious studies in higher education can be difficult to understand, Casey’s success in bringing religious studies to the forefront of our federal government proves its importance. The ability to understand and research religious undertones in society strengthens individuals across every discipline.

Regarding the inclusion of religious studies in Wake Forest University requirements, Casey states, “The ability to interpret religion also makes you a better interpreter of other disciplines […]. To be a well-educated human being and citizen in the United States, an ability to grasp and interpret religion and all of its complexity are an asset to that person as a citizen of a liberal

democracy.”

So, what can students take away from Casey’s teachings and the broader role of religion in diplomacy?

The complexity. Religion is embedded in foreign affairs in ways that we do not understand, adding even more dimensions to current confl icts around the world. Just from Casey’s anecdotes of addressing crises in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ukraine and Cuba and advising directly on diplomatic relations with the Vatican, RussiaUkraine and Israel-Palestine, we can see the depth of knowledge and experience necessary to interpret religion in cultures around the world. For students, our jobs will not require graduate-level religious knowledge, but as Casey teaches, our lives will demand literacy in religion as a whole, and the ability to understand the many ways religion manifests in society.

Casey’s tireless work and eventual success in integrating religious understanding and foreign policy will not be forgotten. Without a doubt, the scholarly community, international community and Wake Forest community recognizes the value of people like Casey. Those who hear Casey’s story will learn that the wisdom of a den of foxes is crucial to guiding the hedgehog that we know as the United States of America.

Afterword

Casey is the second speaker in the Yeazel Speaker Series that was established by Wake Forest alumni Melissa and Bryan Yeazel, who graduated in 1997. Bryan graduated with a double major in religious studies and political science while Melissa graduated with a mathematics major.

Th is event was made available to students, faculty and staff who fi lled the auditorium to hear Casey’s insight and to take advantage of the opportunity generously provided by the Yeazel Family. The discussion that Casey fostered and the opportunity for a one-on-one interview is yet another example of the exposure to religious studies that Wake Forest University prioritizes. Th anks to the hard work of the Department for the Study of Religions, the generosity of community members like the Yeazel’s and the institutional focus on religion from Wake Forest, the work of religious scholars will not go unnoticed.

Contact Gray Lowder at lowdag23@wfu.edu

Dr. Sean Casey speaking to members of the Wake Forest community on Feb. 20, 2024.

Photo courtesy of Mary F. Foskett

OLD GOLD & BLACK SPORTS

Sean Kennedy, kennsm21@wfu.edu

Andrew Braun, brauar23@wfu.edu

No. 12 Baseball bests Boston College

Kurtz continues hot-hitting streak, defeats Eagles to earn conference Player of the Week honors

ANDREW BRAUN Sports Editor

What’s the best way to let the college baseball world know you’ve returned to relevance? Easy: runrule your opponent in the Friday opener.

As if sweeping ranked Virginia Tech last weekend and dominating Coastal Carolina midweek weren’t enough of a statement, No. 12 Wake Forest continued to put the league on notice of their resurgence this weekend. The Demon Deacons had another fantastic road trip to take their weekend series over Boston College and return the team to an even record in the ACC.

“We had to have that win to get back to .500 in the league. It's good to win any series on the road,” Wake Forest Baseball Head Coach Tom Walter said after Sunday’s series-sealing win.

Wake Forest blasted their way to victory in the series opener, seeing hits from all nine starters to ultimately run-rule the Eagles in just eight innings on Friday. The team then recorded a season-high 15 hits in their 9-3 win for the series on Sunday.

Of course, the story of Wake Forest baseball’s reawakening continues to be the hot-hitting bat of first baseman and top Major League Baseball (MLB) prospect Nick Kurtz. Kurtz extended his current streak of having at least one hit to ten consecutive games, and hit 13 of his 16 home runs in his last nine games. After a largely dormant first half of the season, the All-American team captain is rolling and

shows no signs of slowing down.

Meanwhile, RHP Chase Burns continues to make his case to be named National Pitcher of the Year. During his eight-strikeout win over Boston College on Friday, Burns became the first Division 1 pitcher to break 100 strikeouts this season.

But while Burns and LHP Josh Hartle have successfully kept runs off, so has Wake Forest’s fielding defense. The fielders have made just four errors in the Demon Deacons’ last eight games.

Wake Forest, however, continues to face uncertainty in their bullpen. Despite a season-high eight strikeouts in just over five scoreless innings from Saturday starter Hartle, two of the Demon Deacons’ relievers gave up a combined four runs in just one inning. Those game-tying runs and a homer off RHP David Falco Jr. in the ninth inning ultimately cost Wake Forest the game and the chance at a series sweep.

It might have been better for the Demon Deacons to find their groove earlier in their season in series against ranked ACC rivals like No. 7 Duke, No. 10 Virginia and No. 11 North Carolina. But with showdowns against other ranked conference contenders like No. 8 Florida State and No. 6 Clemson close on the horizon, Wake Forest has still managed to hit their stride at a crucial point in the season.

If the bullpen can find a way to finish behind Hartle’s solid Saturday starts and close out the weekend series, the high-flying offense can continue slugging the Demon Deacons to hosting an NCAA playoff

game.

Wake Forest will face No. 8 Florida State at David F. Couch Ballpark for the weekend series starting this Friday.

Josh Hartle (23) pitches against the Boston College Eagles on Saturday. Hartle had a season best zero earned runs allowed (ERA) over 5.2 innings pitched during the matchup. Hartle now ranks seventh in wins and 12th in career strikeouts in Wake Forest program history.

Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics

Chase Burns (29) sets up for a pitch. Burns had another fantastic outing with 8 strikeouts.

Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics

Contact Andrew Braun at brauar23@wfu.edu

Carr enters transfer portal, NBA Draft

Junior forward leaves after two seasons; will test draft waters and has one year of eligibility remaining

SEAN KENNEDY Sports Editor

Wake Forest Men’s Basketball forward Andrew Carr is entering the transfer portal, per reports. The news was first reported by Demon Deacon Digest and 247Sports. Carr also entered the 2024 NBA draft process, according to his official social media announcement.

Carr will have to decide on returning to college before the NBA early entry withdrawal deadline on June 16.

Carr came to Wake Forest as a junior from Delaware. He started all 34 games for the Blue Hens during the 2021-22 season, averaging 10.0 points and 5.1 re-

bounds per game during the campaign. Carr entered the transfer portal in April 2022, before choosing Wake Forest that May.

Carr was a mainstay in the Demon Deacons’ frontcourt, playing (and starting) all 68 games over the past two seasons. Carr averaged double-digit scoring during both campaigns, including a career-high 13.5 points per game this past season. Carr also averaged 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game during the 2023-24 campaign.

He departs Wake Forest with a single year of eligibility remaining.

Sallis declares for NBA Draft, keeps eligibility

ANDREW BRAUN Sports Editor

In just one season playing for Wake Forest Men’s Basketball, Hunter Sallis became a star.

After a breakout season with the Deacon Deacons, the junior guard says he will declare for the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility to play again in college. Sallis quickly proved indispensable for Wake Forest as one of the team’s most

dynamic scorers during their 2023-24 campaign.

“This decision was not made lightly, but I am confident that it is the right step towards pursuing my dreams and aspirations,” Sallis said in his announcement via social media on Sunday.

A five-star recruit from Omaha, Neb., Sallis transferred to Wake Forest from Gonzaga ahead of the 2023-24 season after two seasons with the Bulldogs. He headlined a

massive offseason of transfer portal commitments for the Demon Deacons alongside fellow starters guard Kevin “Boopie” Miller and center Efton Reid III.

Once at Wake Forest, Sallis dazzled by finding ways to score from anywhere on the floor. His 18 points per game led one of the ACC’s highest-caliber offenses in scoring on 40.5% three-point shooting. Sallis had fifteen 20+ point performances at Wake, including a 29-point game versus ACC Champion NC State, and a career-high 33-point outing in Wake Forest’s cornerstone victory over ranked Duke.

Under men’s basketball Head Coach Steve Forbes, Sallis emerged as one of the best guards in the highly-competitive ACC conference. Behind a season average 18 points, four rebounds and three assists per game, he earned First Team All-ACC honors and was named AP ACC Newcomer of the Year.

Sallis is now projected by multiple outlets to be selected during the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. His prolific scoring and diverse shooting array is expected to make him a scoring threat from nearly anywhere on a professional court. If drafted, Sallis would become the second Demon Deacon selected to the NBA from Forbes’ Wake Forest program, joining 2022 firstrounder Jake LaRavia taken by the Memphis Grizzlies.

“We are so very proud of your son!!!” said Forbes on Twitter replying to an announcement of Sallis’ decision posted by Sallis’ mother. “It’s time for Hunter to turn his dreams into reality!!!”

The NBA Combine will be held May 1319 in Chicago, Ill., and the draft will begin on June 26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y..

Evan Harris/Old Gold & Black

Isabella Parolini/Old Gold & Black Carr looks to drive against North Carolina’s Jae’lyn Withers at the Tar Heels’ Dean E. Smith Center. He scored 14 points in the matchup.

Evan Harris/Old Gold & Black

Hunter Sallis (23) celebrates a clutch 3-pointer to put the Demon Deacons ahead in their 83-79 win over No.

Duke on Feb. 24.

Evan Harris/Old Gold & Black

Carr shoots from behind the three-point arc as head coach Steve Forbes watches on. Carr hit three-pointers at a 37.1% rate this past season.

Sallis shot 40.5% from three-point land this season, a career-high.

Men’s Soccer wins Spring Soccer Cup at home

The Demon Deacons defeated NC State on penalty kicks in the championship match

ANDREW BRAUN Sports Editor

Wake Forest Men’s Soccer kept fans on the edge of their seat en route to hoisting the 2024 Spring Soccer Cup.

Scoring a last-second goal to force a penalty kick shootout on Sunday afternoon, the Demon Deacons beat NC State to win the Spring Soccer Cup Finals match.

The ten college soccer programs from across the nation participating in this year’s Spring Cup have won a combined 20 national and 41 conference titles. Under the tournament’s format, teams winning their Spring Cup match during regulation time were awarded three points in the standings, and those tied after 90 minutes were decided by penalty kicks. The winner of PK-decided matches earned two points, while the loser picked up one point.

Wake Forest entered the championship match having faced three other programs throughout the tournament. The Demon Deacons first lost to North Carolina before downing Georgetown in regulation and Pittsburgh in penalty kicks.

NC State took a 1-0 lead early in the first period over Wake Forest with an undefended open-goal shot. Demon Deacons junior Babacar “Baba” Niang tied the match with a crossfield shot to the top-right corner of the Wolfpack’s goal.

After scoring late in the 73rd minute to go up 2-1, an NC State victory seemed certain. Then, a deflected shot from Niang ultimately found sophomore Cooper Flax, who made the last-second goal for Wake Forest to tie the match and force the match to a decision by penalty kicks.

All-ACC goalkeeper Trace Alphin played elite defense after regulation, making two saves to give Wake Forest the chance to win the championship match in a penalty kick shootout.

After a winning 2023 regular season, the Demon Deacons were disappointed in the postseason, failing to win a postseason game. The No. 2 seed in last year’s ACC Tournament, Wake Forest was knocked out

by ranked North Carolina before losing to Big Ten champion Indiana in the NCAA Tournament.

But with a successful outing for Wake Forest on both sides of the ball this past Sunday, the Demon Deacons could be looking forward to another campaign as a premier national soccer program.

Two Demon Deacons �inish top-10 at Masters

Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young finished even par and tied for ninth place at Augusta National Golf Course

TEE JOHNSON Contributing Writer

Two former members of the Wake Forest Men’s Golf team took part in the 88th Masters Tournament in Augusta, Ga. this past weekend.

Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young were a part of an 89-person field, where the world’s best golfers competed for the ultimate prize: the Masters green jacket.

This was the fourth Masters appearance for Zalatoris, who came closest to his first green jacket in 2021, where he finished second by a single stroke. Young competed in his third Masters, where he looked to finally win his first major championship, after finishing top 10 in four of his previous seven major appearances. Ultimately, the Demon Deacon alumni put together very respectable performances, finishing even par and tied for ninth place.

Wake Forest has a rich history at the Masters. The most famous Wake Forest Golf alumni Arnold Palmer has four green jackets, putting him at No. 3 on the all time Masters list behind only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Palmer was also a member of Augusta National Golf Club, one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the country. Joe Patton, Webb Simpson, Curtis Strange and Jay Haas have all come close to capturing a win at the Masters.

This year, the two Men’s Golf alumni played great golf at Augusta National. The first round was particularly good for

the pair of Demon Deacons, where both shot 70 (-2) and put themselves in good position heading into Friday.

Young continued his good play into Friday, shooting a 73 (+1) and guaranteeing that he made the cut. One under after Friday was also just five shots back of the lead, so Young was very much in contention to win approaching the third round. Unfortunately, Zalatoris did not have a good second round, and ended up shooting 77 (+5), which effectively took him out of the running. More fortunately,

three over was good enough to make the cut and continue playing into the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday were more of the same for Young, where he shot an even par 72 and then 73 (+1), respectively. His consistent play solidified a top ten finish and secured $540,000 in prize money. Zalatoris was a bit more erratic in his scoring, shooting an even 72 in round three and a fantastic 69 (-3) in the final round. His great play on Sunday helped him sneak into the top ten and tie Young

at even par overall. This is yet another strong showing in a major championship from both Zalatoris and Young.

“This tournament is always special, but one day I hope to get that green jacket,” Zalatoris said on his Instagram. “Let’s win one, we are close!”

The next major for the Demon Deacon pairing will be the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Course in Louisville, Ky. beginning May 16.

Will Kunisaki/Old Gold & Black

Will Kunisaki/Old Gold & Black Trace Alphin (1), Cristian Escribano (19) and Cooper Flax (18) celebrate their win over NC State on the �ield with the 2024 Spring Soccer Cup.

The Masters Leaderboard at Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Ga. before the start of the �irst round. Two Demon Deacons, Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young, �inished top 10 in the tournament.

Photo courtesy of yourgolftravel.com via Creative Commons

Babacar Niang (10) linked up with Cooper Flax for a decisive goal.

ARTS & CULTURE

OLD GOLD & BLACK

Lydia Derris, derrlf23@wfu.edu

James Watson, watsjc22@wfu.edu

Wakeville arts festival celebrates year two

The interdisciplinary arts festival drew in crowds for its second year

BEZA ZELALEM Staff Writer

Over 500 students across a dozen disciplines gathered at scales fine arts center to display the rich arts community at Wake Forest.

On Saturday, April 6, the Wakeville arts festival took place for the second time ever. At Scales Fine Arts Center, over 100 students came together across a dozen disciplines to display the rich arts community at Wake Forest.

Beginning in 2023, Wakeville is a student-led, interdisciplinary arts festival held annually in the spring. For six hours, dance performances, art exhibitions, musical performances and film screenings were showcased for students to experience. The show ended with an informal open-mic night where all students were welcome to show off their talents.

Groups like Wayward Fashion, Minor Variation and Deacon Dhamal, along with bands such as SCOBY came together to represent Wake Forest’s diverse, creative community.

There were also exciting workshops where students could get a more hands-on experience. Sophomore Alice Chong was in charge of a clothing swap booth at the event.

“Students that want to clean out their closet are free to bring items here and trade them out with clothes they like. All the clothes that don’t get swapped are donated to a local shelter,” Chong said. When asked about the importance of secondhand buying, Chong emphasized the importance of finding inspiration in clothing without feeding into consumerism.

Following similar sentiments, Wayward Fashion, Wake Forest’s student-run sustainable fashion club, showcased looks upcycled by the group's members. Models walked across the Scales breezeway stage, giving attendees a sneak peek of the club's upcoming spring show. Finally, they announced the show’s theme: “Timewarp Trends.”

Senior Lauren Franques who volunteered as a model for the show commented on the experience, “It’s a mission I truly believe in. To be on stage with the women who have worked so hard to make this happen, I feel honored to be repre-

senting such a cool group of people.”

There wasn’t a moment of stillness in the artpacked event, and this excitement radiated off attendees, performers and organizers.

Senior Alyse Harris shared that she was most looking forward to “seeing all the diverse forms of art on campus and everyone banding together over art.”

Harris herself is heavily involved in many artbased organizations on campus as the founder of Wayward Fashion and station manager of Wake Radio. When asked what it meant for her to see these groups taking the stage at Wakeville, Harris took the time to reflect on her experience at Wake Forest.

“It’s kind of like a sentimental answer. I’m a spring semester senior, and I’m getting super nostalgic. It’s such a pleasure to see all of these different groups come together over expressive forms that we all enjoy,” Harris said.

Wakeville would not have been possible without the students running around from start to finish with purple “Wakeville 2024” t-shirts, making sure everything went smoothly.

Jackie Sparnicht, event coordination committee chair, spoke on the behind-the-scenes that most don’t get to see.

“Honestly, it’s been a labor of love. For a long couple of months. Blood, sweat and tears. While it’s difficult to plan an event of this scale, it’s worth it at the end of the day.”

For students who don’t spend a lot of time in the arts and feel intimidated by Wakeville, Sparnicht spoke on her own experience as a psychology major and chemistry minor. “Personally, I used to do a lot of art, but because of my major, I haven’t had much time to celebrate that side of myself.”

She continued: “If you’re not in the arts department here at Wake, it can be hard to find time for that in your schedule. This is a space to encourage that and open up that area to the whole community.”

There seemed to be a general consensus that students, regardless of what they choose to study at Wake Forest, should pursue their interests and passions through the medium of Wakeville. The supportive atmosphere and shared feelings of community with everyone in attendance were proof of this.

Recent graduate and fellow in Campus Life Gretchen Castelloe took part in the leadership team last year and spoke proudly about being able to watch Wakeville transform. She encouraged students from all backgrounds to consider joining next year.

“Wakeville is such a joyful celebration of the arts, and you’re guaranteed to have a bunch of people come and celebrate you,” Castelloe said.

For students experiencing Wakeville for the first time, like freshman Salima Zeira, there was a lot of enthusiasm for the future of the festival. Zeira hopes to see “possible networking opportunities with alumni professionals, providing stu- dents with valuable connections in the arts and more interactive exhibits that encourage audience participation and exploration.”

Looking towards the future of Wakeville, there was a general consensus of anticipation for what’s to come in future years. Both organizers and attendees seemed hopeful for increased participation from students studying a variety of disciplines outside of the arts to share their passions with the Wake Forest community.

“Art is universal, and whatever form that you choose to partake in, it brings us together and that is a beautiful thing,” Harris said.

Contact Beza Zelalem at zelam22@wfu.edu

Maryam Khanum/Old Gold & Black Members of the Wake Forest theater club, the Anthony Aaston Players, performed "Miscast." The performance was made up of "miscasted" characters and actors.

Maryam Khanum/Old Gold & Black

Oraganizer Jackie Sparnicht, pictured on the left, dances on as student perfomers play on the stage specially set up for the event in the Scales breezeway.

The Banshees deliver in their last performance of the year

CAROLYN MALMAN Staff Writer

On April 3, Wake Forest’s most infamous comedy troupe, The Lilting Banshees, delivered their last performance of the year: “Pants Down.” I attended the 8 p.m. performance, which was one of two sold-out performances. Th is is the third Banshees show I’ve attended and the second Banshees performance that I’ve covered. The Banshees never fail to disappoint me with hilarious content from our Mother So Dear.

The show began in typical Banshees fashion with a video segment featuring “Alyssa’s Legacy,” the story of a stereotypical sorority girl character that met her fatal demise crossing Polo Road. The segment began at her funeral with friends mourning her loss. It then transitioned into an overview of her demise, which began with “Drinks Around the World.” Instead of drinking around the world in Epcot in Disney World, Alyssa had to settle for the various fraternities of Wake Forest University. She started with Sigma Pi, moving through Chi Psi and Lambda Chi Alpha and eventually highlighting Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s stereotype of having only European members. The skit plays on the motif that all fraternities at Wake Forest throw similar parties with little to distinguish them from each other. The skit ends with Alyssa getting hit by a bus crossing polo road with her friends and all the members of the Banshees reflecting on her life with her cause of death listed as “faded than a hoe.” I loved this concept, and I loved being an audience member during this segment. As a member of a sorority, I thought it was genius to imagine the downfall of a typical sorority girl. In common Banshees fashion, the show uses popular stereotypes of the Wake Forest student body for comedy. Th is year, the group paid particular attention

“Pants down” show lambasts Wake Forest community

to Kappa Delta sorority with three skits centered around them. The group’s trademark intermission, the dance break, is a quality of the Banshees I always look forward to. Each member of the troupe looks to be having the time of their lives dancing with their friends and fellow group members. They dance like crazy to some obnoxious music that is basically just screaming or intense EDM beats. After the first dance break of the evening, a skit began with President Susan R. Wente conducting a graduation “roast ceremony” where she roasted graduates as they walked across the stage. After Applebaum, the third graduate, stated that he did in fact have a girlfriend in Kappa Delta, Wente continued her roast by saying no … “that’s a boyfriend!” followed by a male Banshee coming on stage in short shorts and pigtails to carry Applebaum over his shoulders out of the graduation ceremony. A skit about Stoplight — a popular date function in Kappa Delta where you wear red if you’re taken, green if you’re single and yellow if it’s complicated — excited

me. However, this skit did not translate well. Th is skit felt reminiscent of the Among Us skit from last semester where a Wake Forest graduate student murders various characters from the Wake Forest demographic. Th ree characters, each in red, yellow and green discuss their motivations of the color they chose to wear. Suddenly, a Banshee in a yellow taxi costume zooms onstage murdering someone. As the dancing continues at the date function, the rest of the party guests get run over by the yellow car. Though this skit fell flat, it still contained some hilarious punchlines that focused on Kappa Delta stereotypes, including “perfect to hide my bisexuality!” which the Kappa Delta in green said of her date to the event.

The last skit of the performance was equally memorable. When Chi Omega sorority gets a dog (a Banshee dressed up in a dog costume), the Delta Kappa Epsilon members, known as DKE, want a fraternity animal of their own. They get a gorilla, which they endearingly name “Dorilla.” They want a gorilla, so that

‘Civil War’ divides

they can sexually abuse someone without any consequences, in essence grilling the DKEs over their pervasive allegations of sexual assault. Their plan, however, goes south when the gorilla murders the Chi Omega dog and runs away. The DKEs fi nd “Dorilla” at Wake Forest’s “Consent Con,” which aims to spread awareness about sexual assault. In a dramatic exit, Dorilla proclaims that he is transferring to Mormon Brigham Young University in Utah, and the DKEs plead on the ground for him to stay.

These fi nal two skits felt original and well thought out unlike some of the other skits of the night. The “Wake Forest Mom’s Club” hilariously interacted with the stereotype of Wake Forest privileged moms who have nothing else to worry about but if their children identify as gay. Similarly, I thought the “Dorilla” skit was clever in its interpretation of DKEs stereotype as brutish and animal abusing. The most hilarious part was that Dorilla fought back. The Dorilla went to “Consent Con”, and learned information that taught Dorilla to stand up against sexual assault.

The last Banshee’s performance of this year showcased the ingeniousness of the Banshees group while also drawing attention to the particular facets of the institution where we go to school. Critique in the form of comedy is crucial to our existence. It both acknowledges the problems in the environment on campus while also celebrating the creative forces that thrive here. Though comedy can be trivial in nature, the Banshees continue to prove themselves an important part of the Wake Forest community by challenging ideologies and stereotypes that each student interacts with.

Contact Carolyn Malman at malmci22@wfu.edu

Staff writer Ally Wrestler calls Alex Garland’s new thriller ‘the decade’s most important film’

ALLY WERSTLER Staff Writer

“Civil War” was the most memorable viewing experience that I have had in recent memory. The film was not only visually stunning, but simultaneously absolutely terrifying. Alex Garland, writer and director of an impressive slate of sci-fi action flicks, including “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation,” dives into unfamiliar territory in his newest feature “Civil War.”

The film stars Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny and Stephen McKinley Henderson as four journalists who embark on a deadly road trip to war-torn Washington, D.C. to interview the president of the United States before his inevitable surrender to the fictional groups, the Western Force Alliance of Texas and California. Although the plot may seem bizarre at first glance, the divisiveness of today’s America presents “Civil War’s” premise as a grim look

into a not-so-distant future.

“Civil War” takes a unique approach to telling the story of America’s downfall, as it is through the impartial perspective of the four journalists that we see the war crimes of not only the authoritarian United States and Western Force’s military but also the sick and twisted rogue civilians who take matters into their own hands. In my opinion, it is not the government’s acts of violence that are the most sickening, but that of the civilians who mercilessly take over their rural towns.

Because journalists are just meant to present the hard facts of a situation, “Civil War” does the same by refusing to depict any side as the “heroes” of this war, but instead provides a warning as to what America can become if we continue to lose our humanity.

Although the film does a fantastic job of capturing the physical and psychological horrors of civilianon-civilian violence, it loses itself in the third act during the siege of

Washington, D.C.

Don’t get me wrong, the tanks plummeting through barricades of abandoned cars, explosions of historic monuments and helicopters flying through abandoned streets are visually spectacular; however, these moments detach themselves from the personal core of the film. Although I was slightly disappointed by this narrative decision, the last five minutes of the film were fantastic. I have never left a movie theater feeling as speechless and numb as I did leaving “Civil War.”

Of course, the film could have never been as emotionally gut-wrenching without the immensely talented cast. “Civil War’s” standout performances are Spaeny as Jesse, a young aspiring photojournalist whose idol is Dunst’s character Lee Smith. Their relationship blossoms as Smith increasingly sees her younger self in the ambitious yet naive Jesse. In this sense, the film does not revolve around the plot but the

character’s development, which is something that I always prefer in my movie-watching experience. So, is “Civil War” perfect? No. But it’s still one of the best movies I have seen in the past decade. I had high expectations going into “Civil War,” as it was one of my most anticipated films of the year, and it’s safe to say that I was not disappointed by the final product. If you have the chance, I highly recommend seeing this movie in IMAX, as the sound and picture elevate the viewing experience immensely. IMAX also takes the horrific imagery to another level and easily makes “Civil War” one of the scariest pictures that I ever witnessed. If you want to support original filmmaking and see a movie that will leave you with an everlasting impact, see Garland’s “Civil War” on the big screen. I promise you, it’s unlike anything you have or will ever see.

Contact Ally Werstler wersaj21@wfu.edu

Ahead of the performance, a series of memes were projected on a screen about the broader Wake Forest community. The OGB was not spared.

Alex Keating/The Old Gold & Black

MELINA TRAIFOROS Staff Writer

When you first walk into Xcaret Mexican Grill and Cantina on Fourth Street, dozens of art pieces vie for your attention. Starburst piñatas cascade from the ceiling, 3-foottall masks depicting places from London to Mexico City command the walls and a swirling desert landscape on canvas announcing “Xcaret!” hangs in the back — lest you forget where you’re dining.

Some of the art is functional: every

booth, bar chair and table for two is covered in hand-painted Mexican folk art from Monterrey, Mexico. According to Chris Ariza, Xcaret’s manager, the decorations and furniture were flown in by the original owner from Mexico when the restaurant opened six years ago, replacing Downtown Th ai & Pho after it moved next door.

Ariza’s favorite painting is of a glamorous 1940s actress next to the left hand window.

“I like her eyes, how she watches you,” he said.

If you’re not an art buff but still fancy a spot for cheap margaritas with friends — the perfect small town cantina — Xcaret’s menu beats Arriba and Mi Pueblo by a mile. Although he was only promoted to manager six months ago, Ariza has been waiting tables at Xcaret for four years — long enough to witness its evolution from your run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant to a bustling business with customers from Greensboro and High Point.

PEREZ Videography Editor

Nocturne turns to life within the inner machinations of the piano onstage. An angelic voice projects “Liebeszauber” to an engrossed audience. “Sonata Fantaisie in G sharp minor” tickles the brain as it rings out. Th is is the 47th Giles-Harris Music Competition, where melodies marinate to create an experience like no other.

Held at Wake Forest annually since its conception in 1977 by Paul Sina, the GilesHarris competition is open for all Wake Forest music students regardless of their major. The competitions offer Wake Forest student musicians the chance to perform and compete for cash prizes, judged by some of the region’s fi nest musicians.

With $4,500 in prize money on the line, it would be easy to assume that the competitors would be tense as they got up on stage. After all, such a competition should breed intensity, and such an atmosphere during the event should be suffocating. But not here, not now. A much warmer and light ambiance is in the air during this competition.

Before the doors to the Brendle Recital Hall even open, people await in anticipation in the lobby of Scales Fine Arts Center for the day’s performances. These patrons are the parents, the grandparents and the teachers of these music students, so greatly invested in this performance that they’re willing to get up for a 10 A.M. matinee.

“He doesn’t get a ton of us visiting

constantly,” Michigan resident Genelle Corey said about her son John Corey, who performed “Partita No. 3 in A minor” during the piano competition. “It’s a good reflection of all the work he put in, to be able to go in and have fun ... And if you really truly love classical music, then you just love listening to everybody. I’m excited to hear them.”

Perhaps it is the love of art that allows these strangers to intermingle with each other naturally. Their interactions feel as though they’re all meeting at a family reunion, rather than a school music competition. Friendliness and affi nity seems to resonate throughout the space, and anyone passing by may be enticed to join in on watching the performances. Entering the auditorium feels like peeling back the curtain of OZ. Unlike more formal performances, all the lights are kept on in the auditorium. The competition itself is set upon an empty stage, a lone piano at its center, devoid of the dramaturgy of a typical musical performance. However, the yellow lights contrast with the white backdrop of the stage to create a warm spot that is easy on the eyes, and bathed in this warm glow is where the competitors perform.

The audience is sparse. Groups of people, family and friends, are dispersed upon the upper rows of the auditorium. The judges themselves sit at a row right in front of the stage, a trifecta of judgment, heads darting up and down to their personal notes and the competitors up on stage playing.

In addition, Xcaret has upped its beverage game for readers over 21, transitioning from a generic house margarita option to a multi-page drink menu with wine, beer and signature cocktails. They offer a rotating list of specials — the Jimador pitcher and watermelon paloma were featured on the Saturday I went. Personally, I went with the mojito, which was refreshing and lacked an overly sweet aftertaste.

The kitchen’s signature dish is birria tacos, made by braising goat or beef in an adobo with dried spices before cooking it in consomé, or broth. The flour tortillas are soaked in the spicy broth, fried and stuffedwith meat, Oaxaca cheese and cilantro. Finally, they are served with a side of more broth for dipping. The result is a warm, savory dish that melts in your mouth when done right — trust me when I say this place does it right.

One of my favorite touches were the homemade flour tortillas. You can just tell when a tortilla was rolled by hand instead of coming from a plastic bag. It’s thin, flaky and slightly stretchy to ensure no fajita

During Ariza’s time, Xcaret has solidified its list of fan favorite dishes, such as traditional arroz con pollo and the California burrito, which is as big as your head and smothered in queso. But there are also some additional adventurous menu items. The birria ramen, a dish that combines flavorful birria broth with Korean and Japanese noodles, is generating buzz among foodies for its innovative fusion of Latin and Asian flavors. Recently, Xcaret added a Sunday brunch offering huevos rancheros and mimosas.

peppers or chunks of meat go cascading from your wrap. I was shocked to see that level of attention from a mid-priced Mexican restaurant, which usually gets your order wrong and serves the chicken still clucking.

The competition goes at a fast clip. The competitors enter the stage, and then begin their piece. There is no hesitation, no fanfare, no anticipation. Like breathing, these artists perform their work unabashedly. They have worked through intense lessons, long sessions, and are now happy to share their hard work with people who will appreciate it and appreciate them.

After three years of voice lessons and three weeks preparing her pieces for the competition, Senior singer Elsa Maurizi was one of the few singers to be rewarded for her hard work and dedication. As a first time competitor, Maurizi managed to win the Richard E. Heard Award for Outstanding Performance by a Singer during the open competition with her rendition of three classical German songs: “Liebeszauber Op. 13 No. 3,” “Man sagt mir, deine Mutter woll es nicht No. 21” and “Die Mainacht Op. 43 No. 2.”

“I was totally surprised. The other singers that I was singing with in the competition are all friends of mine, and I’ve heard them all sing and they’re absolutely incredible, some of the best musicians I ever heard, so I was really shocked to say the least,” Maurizi said.

David Levy, former professor of music, chair of the music department and associate dean at Wake Forest, has plenty of experience with this competition and how these incredible musicians work through it. A friend of Paul Giles (for whom the competition is named after), Levy has been to this competition many, many times, and

has even presented the awards during the competition. “They may never do this again in their lives. But it’s a learning experience to see if they can memorize the music, to practice, to perfect as best as they can their skills — to have the courage to go out on stage knowing that they’re being judged,” David said. “There’s a psychological lesson to be learned, I think, in how to deal with stressful situations.”

For the most part, it seems as though the competitors have excelled at learning to handle their stress, as they gracefully perform looking as though they haven’t a care in the world. It’s clear to everyone in the room that great, great artistry is at work here. But unlike most formal performances, it feels intimate.

The intimacy comes from the performance feeling less like a performance and more like a rehearsal, a look into private moments most people aren’t privy to. In these moments you can see the musicians and singers’ love and admiration for their profession. There is a bond created by this music tying each musician and singer that transcends simple competitiveness.

“The competition as a whole was not necessarily about winning the award, it’s more about just accomplishing it for yourself,” Maurizi said. “I’m certainly very, very grateful to be given the award, and it’s such an honor, but I share it with all the other singers that were there.”

Melina Traiforos/Old Gold & Black

A sizzling cast iron of chicken, shrimp, vegetables and steak fajitas.

Ariza’s favorite painting in the restaurant looms distinctively inside.

Melina Traiforos/Old Gold & Black

LYDIA DERRIS Arts & Culture Editor

Group leader Blue Tie, “Turkish Quandal Dingle,” Tomato Boy and White Shirt Guy were just “showing how it’s done at Jillian’s sweet 16,” according to the caption of a video posted by the event company Island Entertainment in early March. The account posted a video featuring a group of teenage boys belting the lyrics to “Carnival” by Kanye West, making silly gestures and accumulating 56.2 million views and 7.4 million likes. Now that the group has gone viral, the internet has been formulating different angles of the group’s social dynamic and there are mixed opinions on the friend group’s hierarchy, creating deeply rooted lore.

Although I’m no teenage boy, this honorable tale of nobles, scribes and the petty peasantry has captured my attention — and apparently the attention of Wake Forest students.

The internet wants to know who the real king of the party is and who merely tends to the sheep in the village. It all went down, dear readers, at the TikTok Rizz party (T.T.R.P).

Over 260 users on the Anonymous social app Fizz are calling for the frats to throw a TikTok themed Rizz Party. More than that, I’m interested in people’s desire to place, orient and define a group of boys’ social rankings.

In an effort to help myself understand the phenomena the T.T.R.P a bit better, I reached

TikTok Rizz Party

Does the TikTok Rizz Party indicate a meme recession or surplus?

out to my best friend’s younger brother — a tried and true TikTok aficionado, but perhaps more importantly, a high schooler — who sent me a slew of TikTok Rizz Party analyses. The most compelling of which was this video posted by TikTok user “lucaiszesty,” laying out the group dynamic hierarchy in an easily digestible triangle — much like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Apparently, the TikTok Rizz Party lore runs deep.

Blue Tie, who stands in the front of the viral video, carries the weight of the world on his shoulders by guiding the group across the treacherous waters of the highschool social scene. He displays the highest levels of confidence and the other members look to him for assurance.

Second in command is White Shirt Guy, who has agency over the other group members and displays the greatest physical dominance. He chooses to pose as a pillar of support for

The Word Search

Blue Tie. The internet speculates that they have been friends since early childhood given the effortless dynamic between them.

Tomato Boy is a tertiary member of the group who, according to observers, wants to overthrow Blue Tie’s supremacy, but consistently fails due to issues of insecurity.

Last, but not least: “Turkish Quandale Dingle.” Dingle, derived from a meme of a guy of the same name that went viral roughly two years ago, has appealed to the masses as super funny and silly to laugh at. People have taken to Dingle due to speculation that he could usurp Blue Tie. And maybe he could.

The boys have embraced their fame. Sebastian, the kid behind the blue tie, under his Tik Tok handle “Seby_261” has posted various videos capitalizing on the trend. As internet users have begun shipping Blue Tie and Dingle, Sebastian has clapped back with various parody responses.

The way people mull over the slews of T.T.R.P analysis on TikTok reminds me of the way Wake Forest students obsess over Greek Life on Fizz. It seems to be some kind of collective projection that people have about their own group dynamics, or perhaps lack thereof. Perhaps because they enjoy involving themselves in external analysis of group dynamics. This allows for the processing and compartmentalization of the interactions that constitute their daily life and their ability to interpret the world.

Words:

- AARDVARK

- LLAMA

- DEER

- MANATEE

- DOLPHIN

- MOOSE

- GIRAFFE

- RABBIT

- GOAT

- RHINO

- HIPPO

- SHEEP

- HORSE

- SLOTH

- HUMAN

- WOLF

- LION

-WHALE

“Anonymous” Fizz user takes the temperature on campus, checking to see how many students are really down for a TikTok Rizz party.

Photo courtsey of Fizz