The Oswegonian 3-12-21

Look Inside: A3 Residence Halls announce a new ban on mattress toppers

Friday, March 12, 2021 VOLUME LXXXVI ISSUE III SINCE 1935 www.oswegonian.com

SUNY supports student, staff researchers Grant funds research on how to better detect mutations of COVID-19

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Kylie Annable | The Oswegonian Student and staff researchers at SUNY Oswego use the SUNY grant to research COVID-19 and potential mutations of the virus.

Kaitlyn Goodwin Staff Writer news@oswegonian.com

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In December, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced awards of up to $10,000 to several SUNY campuses, including SUNY Oswego, to fund research on how to better detect COVID-19. In the Spring 2021 semester, Dr. Julia Koeppe and Dr. Kestas Bendinskas have been working with students, Angela Wu and Vikrant Jandev, to see how future mutations might impact the effectiveness of current COVID-19 testing methods.

“We are specifically focusing on…mutations that may be occurring at the site where the primers would bind to the PCR-based COVID testing,” Koeppe said.

“Because if there are mutations in this site…this could mean the testing would stop working so well because what we’re using to do the testing now doesn’t recognize the mutations. How different can it be before the testing no longer works?”

Koeppe said that the group will later write a paper on how it developed the experiment in

Crossword................... C6 Contact Info................ A2 Laker Review.............. C1 News............................. A1 Opinion........................ B1 Sports........................... B3 Sudoku........................ C6

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**Positive rate over a seven-day average**

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Spanish professor shares experiences in publications

the hopes that other universities will be able to use it. She also said that she hopes their work helps them anticipate future actions that might need to be taken to adjust testing.

With news of new variations of the virus popping up around the world, it is no wonder that the team would dedicate their research to making sure the virus will not be able to go undetected and spread at a more rapid rate.

Wu explains there are two parts to the research; the experimental and the background research.

In the experimental portion, the team is focusing on predicting how mutations might affect testing efficiency, while in the research they are looking for any information that might help them in their process.

“Viruses mutate, and when they mutate, the primers might not work as efficiently,” Wu said.

The grant application emphasizes the value of the opportunity for students to participate in a live and constantly changing situation, making it a great opportunity for both the students currently developing the process, as well as the other students that will have the opportunity to learn about the re-

search later in the semester.

Bendinskas elaborated on what the opportunity could mean for students.

“We hope to prepare biochemistry majors to be successful when going to work for the biotech industry, [as] graduates of professional schools,” Bendinskas said. “The idea is that they should not be making mistakes like some CDC scientists made in early 2020 when they designed ineffective primers for the virus detection.”

He then explained that the lab will help train other biochemistry majors, and he has hoped that by fall, the lab could be used on campuses across the nation.

“Researching is different from class work…you have to think on your feet,” Wu said. “The professors might not even know what the next step should be. They don’t know what results we should be expecting most of the time.”

Wu is excited to develop skills through this research that she might not have been able to develop in a classroom setting.

Wu also highlighted that the research was about helping people too, and she hopes that their findings will soon contribute to the fight against COVID-19.

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The Oswegonian file photo from 2020

Tomas Rodriguez Staff Writer news@oswegonian.com While the pandemic has shaped the way in which instruction is delivered, for one Spanish professor at SUNY Oswego, it has served as a pathway to inspiration for several publications.

Visiting assistant professor Beatriz Salcedo-Strumpf has recently written two short testimonials related to the pandemic, having presented one of them before a literary jury in the Mexican city of Guadalajara.

Salcedo-Strumpf had said that while the sudden transition to online learning presented some difficulties as it relates to teaching a foreign language remotely, she was determined to share those experiences through her writing and publications.

“To be honest, it has been difficult to teach classes via Zoom,” Salcedo-Strumpf said. “First, because I have had to learn how to teach efficiently across these various plat-

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Image from Marvel via YouTube

forms; secondly, students who take Spanish as a requirement must be motivated, but if they are interested in the class or if it is their specialty, students learn likewise via Zoom as they would in a face-to-face classroom environment.”

Salcedo-Strumpf’s experience mirrors that of other instructors who, during the pandemic, had to reinvent the way in which they deliver instruction remotely and quickly adjust to the ever-changing circumstances.

“At first, I thought we would be returning to campus in April,” SalcedoStrumpf said. “But with the alarming news of so many new infections and knowing that this deadly virus was attacking the elderly and the most vulnerable living with chronic illnesses, I assumed we were not going to teach in-person.”

When it comes to teaching a foreign language remotely, she said it can be quite challenging for non-native students, especially when cameras are turned off and students’ microphones are muted.

See PROFESSOR, A4

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The Oswegonian file photo from 2020

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THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, March. 12, 2021

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Joseph Bouck, 19, was arrested at 5:17 p.m. on March 6 for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree.

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On the Opinion Cover!

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I think many people have refused to get vaccinated. I always advise my students to read reliable sources.”

-Beatriz Salcedo-Strumpf, from A4

New ban on mattress toppers announced

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

A3

Students living in residence halls face random fire inspections

Annika Wickham Copy Editor awickham@oswegonian.com Fire inspections began for SUNY Oswego students the week of Feb. 15.

The usually pain-free visits by the fire marshal to residence halls has caused more anxiety for students this year, however, due to new regulations.

In an email sent by Shaun Crisler, the Assistant Vice President for Residence Life and Housing, on Feb. 15, students were told they would be asked to leave their room while inspectors looked for prohibited items, and a new rule against foam mattress pads would be implemented. If found, they would be confiscated.

As the random fire inspections happened, students found that they were not as strict as expected and did not seem to follow some of the guidelines in the email.

Ken Ayhens, the SUNY Oswego Chief of Environmental Health and Safety and fire marshall, said that mattress pads would fall under the same category as the rest of the prohibited items, which are only taken if they are in the open or if they are obviously a fire hazard.

“We don’t tear people’s mattresses apart looking for these things,” Ayhens said. “If we see it, we write it as a violation.”

SUNY Oswego implemented the ban on foam mattress pads starting this semester after an incident in Onondaga Hall last semester resulted in a small fire.

“It is the fire chief’s belief and my belief that if that fire had gone on for about another minute, it would have caught a foam mattress topper on fire,” Ayhens said. “Those foam-rubber pads are made out of flammable materials, so when they burn, they not only burn hot, but they burn very smokey. We probably would have lost that room if that mattress pad had caught on fire.”

The Oswegonian file photo from 2019 Waterbury Residence Hall, above, prohibits students from having mattress toppers in rooms.

Ayhens also said there are laws against foam and rubber mattress pads in the New York state fire code and after the commotion in Onondaga Hall, “we took a harder look into the laws.”

“This law has been in existence for some time,” Ayhens said. “But when they write something in like that, it’s not because someone thinks there will be a problem, it’s that they have had a problem.”

Students also found that contrary to the email, they were not asked to leave their rooms during the fire inspections and the inspection itself was very brief.

Ayhens said inspections typically take between a minute and a minute and a half because they “are only doing quick checks.”

Ayhens, the assistant hall director or any resident assistant that is assisting during the fire inspections do not open drawers or go through students’ personal items. The most common violations they look for are tapestries, extension cords or smoke detectors that are covered.

Due to COVID-19, the amount of rooms that are checked during fire inspections was significantly decreased, though the rooms chosen were still completely random.

In previous years, between 3540% of each residence hall would be checked but this semester only 10-15% were, according to Ayhens.

Though fire inspections only cover a small percentage of rooms, RAs do their own room checks of every room

on their floor. In order to maintain social distancing, room checks will be completely virtual this semester.

According to the email, students will schedule a time in March to meet with their RA via Zoom to “identify safety hazards.”

One RA, Alanna Hill, who also assisted with fire inspections, is unsure of how effective virtual room checks will be, as students actively hide prohibited items when the checks are in person.

Over Zoom, they can control what is seen with even less effort.

“When you knock on a door for a fire inspection, there is a delay, a really obvious delay, before the student opens the door, so you know they are hiding things that they don’t want confiscated,” Hill said. “I think that delay will still happen over Zoom. It will be easier for them to delay it because they have control over when we can see their room.”

COVID-19 restrictions have caused changes in how students’ rooms are checked for prohibited items and though the fire inspections played out differently than expected, Ayhens said he hopes residents will continue to take room checks seriously.

“We tell people not to bring these things to the [residence] halls for a reason, and that’s part of the reason,” Ayhens said. “They cause problems for other people if they get out of hand.”

Virtual room checks have not started and students should expect more information about the process before they begin this month.

Musician speaks to students about challenges faced by women in theater today

Martha Rebone visits SUNY Oswego students virtually, shares her experience, story Dylan McGlynn Staff Writer news@oswegonian.com

Accomplished musician and songwriter Martha Redbone visited SUNY Oswego students on March 1, via Zoom. She spoke about her recent work and about challenges faced by minorities and women in theater today. Specifically, Redbone spoke of her experiences, bringing the story of her family to life on stage and why it was important.

Redbone has worked extensively alongside her husband, Aaron Whitby.

Initially, the pair found work as songwriters for pop artists in countries such as Australia, France and Canada, while also writing material that Redbone would sing in their band.

“After that experience of working with major labels, as kind of [an] inhouse songwriter, I felt as an artist, I wanted to express something that

Photo from Flickr Martha Redbone shared challenges faced by women and minorities in theater to students.

brought me closer to home,” Redbone said. “I just had a different calling.”

As a woman of both Native and African-American descent, “home” for Redbone is especially meaningful.

“My dad got very sick, which gave me the chance to move back home to be closer to him,” Redbone said. “That reconnection to home…really reconnected me with the importance of

where your beginnings are.”

After returning home, Redbone and her husband committed to their work as grassroots artists, playing within the local community and to those whose voices were not being properly heard.

“I truly believe that representation matters,” Redbone said. “If you don’t see people that look like you, then you don’t think that anything is possible.”

to COVID-19, as the annual “OzFest” was not held in the spring of 2020. The income from the student activity fees also decreased slightly from 2018-19 due to a decrease in SUNY Oswego’s attendance, which reportedly saw a drop of 230 students in the fall of 2019, and decrease of an additional 250 in Spring 2020.

SA received its annual audit during a meeting on March 2. The Student Association’s total assets increased by over $400,000, mainly caused by the lack of spending in Spring 2020 due to COVID-19. SA’s net assets also increased by nearly $475,000, after their undesignated assets grew from a deficit in 2018-19 to nearly Chief of Staff Justin $550,000 in 2019-20.

Techmanski spoke to the Senate, detailing new projects for SA. Speaking in place of President Lizeth Ortega-Ramirez, Despite the increase in he detailed work on a net assets, the Student possible virtual scrapAssociation’s income fell book, which would be from 2018-19 to 2019-20. used to commemorate This was also mainly due the spring 2020 semester.

Redbone also described the unification of Native Americans and African-Americans during the Civil Rights Movement and said that she felt the two came together again within the past year as well.

“These are all, for me, calls to home,” Redbone said.

The meaning of home is not just important to Redbone, but for everyone coming from an underrepresented background. Redbone’s desire to return home and connect with her roots led to the creation of “Bone Hill,” a dramatic musical show that covers the history of her family.

“When the public theater invited me to do this theatrical storytelling, I knew right away what I wanted to do,” Redbone said. “I wanted to dig deeper.”

She shared her unique perspective as a woman of indigenous descent in the industry.

Redbone shared a preview of “Bone Hill,” showing students a performance of a song titled “One Drop,” which essentially covers the story of her family.

“This, to me, was a very important story,” Redbone said. “As a musician who’s Afro-Indigenous, I am singing these songs and singing these stories...

Artists are supposed to push forward by raising the questions…We want people to leave our shows having discussions.”

While “Bone Hill” is directly focused on the story of Redbone’s family, she emphasized that it means much more. “‘Bone Hill,’ is not just a story about Appalachia,” Redbone said. “‘Bone Hill’ is an American story, and anyone who has been here, from the original people to anyone who has come to this land.”

The discussion also focused partly on women in the arts and specifically women in theater.

“In theater, when it comes to not only women in theater, but when you’re doing pieces that are cultural, that’s another obstacle to overcome,” Redbone said. “Even now, [women] still have to fight for any kind of equality, and it still is not equal.”

SA is also looking to improve the Get food app, which is available for all students.

Techmanski also detailed work on an upcoming town hall meeting.

The meeting will reportedly be held by both SA and the Oswego Police Department. The main purpose of the town hall is to provide a focus on the new plan passed by the department. The “Police Reform and Re-invention Plan” was passed on Feb. 9. It includes specialized responses for mental health crises involving trained professionals, as well as antibias and de-escalation training for officers.

The Student Association held a Presidential Debate on Wednesday, March 10. The debate was broadcast via SUNY Oswego’s student radio station, WNYO 88.9 FM and was also on WTOP10 TV. Throughout the debate, numerous topics were touched on, most notable was the Student Association Fee. There are currently two candidates running for President, sophomore Alanna Hill and junior Takayla Beckon. Voting will take place from March 11 to March 12, with the winner being sworn in on May 4.

The winner will succeed the current SA President, Lizeth Ortega-Ramirez.

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Photo Briefs

COVID-19 Test Verification

The Oswegonian file photo from 2020

Sydney Havens Contributing Writer news@oswegonian.com SUNY Oswego students must now use a new COVID-19 testing verification resource. This app will allow students, faculty and staff the ability to verify that they have taken their weekly COVID-19 test.

The app can be accessed from a smartphone or laptop online.

After logging onto the website, using this link: oswego.edu/covid-test-verification, one will see their ID number, name and date along with the word “YES” or the word “NO.” The word “YES” indicates that the person has been tested within the last week, in the current week or if they have a medical exemption. The word “NO” means that the individual has not been tested in the last week and is not medically

exempt from testing. Students in quarantine and isolation also will also receive a “NO.” “We hope you find the new ‘COVID-19 Testing Verification”’app helpful, and it removes some of the confusion associated with the Green dot/Red dot system that is directly connected to the daily health screening,” SUNY Oswego President Deborah Stanley said in an email.

The app is being used by SUNY Oswego faculty and staff as a means of verifying that students have been tested prior to class or entering on-campus facilities such as the dining hall.

“I think the new app is more effective than the previous one and a lot quicker to access because you don’t have to answer a questionnaire,” said Rachel Dickson, a junior adolescent education major.

Students will still be required to fill out their daily health screening.

Learning Strategies Workshop

Image from Academic Success Workshops via Oswego.edu

Sydney Havens Contributing Writer news@oswegonian.com

One of SUNY Oswego’s academic success advisors, Cathleen Mangano, hosted an academic success workshop on Wednesday, March 3. Mangano discussed retrieval practice, spaced practice and new study techniques aimed at helping students improve their learning habits.

Mangano began the virtual workshop by interacting with students through polls on Zoom. She tested their knowledge on certain study habits such as simply rereading notes for class. Mangano discussed the issues with some of the most common study techniques and continued by introducing more productive ways to tackle your assignments.

One suggestion Mangano gave was to use retrieval practice. This can be done by creating flash-

cards, testing yourself or using an app such as Kahoot. According to Mangano, retrieval practice can be a great way to make sure you are not falling into a fluency illusion trap. Fluency illusion occurs when you memorize notes rather than actually learning the content within them.

Mangano also advised students to use the spaced practice technique. This study technique involves reviewing material in short sessions over a long period of time. The spaced practice study technique also discourages cramming, which can very negatively affect students.

Lastly, Mangano suggests that students space out their study sessions. She emphasized that cramming right before a test will not help you remember the information long-term, and it can lead to increased stress.

More information about SUNY Oswego academic success workshops can be found on the SUNY Oswego website.

NEWS

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

A4

Professor enjoys flexibility of online teaching

Despite agile virtual learning, Salcedo-Strumpf urges students to get vaccinated

Photo provided by Beatriz Salcedo-Strumpf Salcedo-Strumpf received her vaccine as soon as she was able to and expects to write one more piece on COVID-19 vaccine conspiracies.

SPANISH from COVER “I think for some students it is more comfortable to take their classes online, but many do not like to be seen on-camera and prefer to turn their video off,” Salcedo-Strumpf said. “So by doing this, they will not learn efficiently, since studying a language requires a lot of concentration, discipline and perseverance.”

Although an online environment can be challenging for the non-native students, SalcedoStrumpf said that she feels confident that her students will succeed given the flexibility that online learning provides.

Last semester, the challenge for Salcedo-Strumpf came as some of her students had to quarantine or self-isolate in order to meet the health guidelines set by SUNY Oswego.

A milestone came for Salcedo-

Strumpf as she was able to receive her COVID-19 vaccination when professors, along with University Police officers and front-line health service workers, became eligible.

“I am already vaccinated, and I feel so free to travel and leave my home without any concern of contagion,” Salcedo-Strumpf said. “I follow the hygiene protocol as if I were not vaccinated. I think it is very important to be vaccinated both to protect oneself from the virus and to protect the students.”

Salcedo-Strumpf does recognizes the need for both students and faculty to get their doses of the vaccine in order to avoid further contagion, a topic that has inspired an upcoming project of hers.

“I will be writing one more short passage on all the false conspiracies in this regard, which were many,” Salcedo-Strumpf said. “I think many people have refused to get vaccinated. I always advise my students to read reliable sources.”

315-343-6429 176 East 9th street

Library hours need adjusting

Photo from Flickr

Abigail Connolly Opinion Editor aconnolly@oswegonian.com As a full-time student, there is nothing more valuable than time. Classwork and extracurricular activities take up significant amounts of any student’s time and without the right resources and spaces, that time has the potential to double.

Entering into the spring semester at SUNY Oswego, a number of spaces have reopened for students use. The Marano Campus Center Ice Arena was converted into a gym, dine-in options have become available in the dining halls and students can rent out spaces in the Marano Campus Center for group work. With all of these transitions being made, there is still one area that has not been made particularly accessible to students: Penfield Library.

SUNY Oswego’s on-campus library has reduced its hours following the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving from the regular 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Monday through Friday to 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., plus a cleaning hour between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

While the importance of cleaning and sanitizing high-contact surfaces is not something that should be taken lightly, considering the nature of the world we are living in today, it is absurd to think that the entire three-story building is being cleaned in one hour.

Furthermore, closing the main sections of the library force many students to go work in the “24-Hour Room,” leaving less distance between individuals and a higher concentration of people in one enclosed space. Not only is this increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19, it is an unfortunate reflection of SUNY Oswego’s focus on academics.

“It is questionable that the fitness center, which generates some revenue, might adjust hours for an entire buildings, but the building representative of academia goes ignored.”

After the fitness center opened in the Marano Campus Center, the hours of operation for the building immediately changed, offering students more options for their schedules. While I am not disparaging the decision to reopen the fitness center or to allow students more opportunities to increase their fitness, I do find it questionable that the same adjustments have not been made for the library.

Many students rely on the library to complete classwork or access the various resources that are available. Now, more than ever, students need space to work on assignments and classwork other than their dorm room, where many students spend all day taking online classes. Without a safe space to complete assignments and work uninterrupted and undistracted, it is difficult for students to remain diligent and focused.

As someone who personally benefits from doing work outside of the living space, it has been frustrating to see a valuable resource removed. Closing the library at 7 p.m. does not account for the various students who need a quiet, private space to work after getting out of class, work, practice or meetings. Further, having one of the most high traffic times, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. closed puts further strain on the limited private spaces near class buildings and interrupts the students already working.

It is questionable that the fitness center, which generates some revenue, might adjust hours for entire buildings, but the building representative of academia goes ignored.

OPINION American intervention best, only move

Backlash after first drone strike in Syria under new administration Nathan Beer Staff Writer opinion@oswegonian.com Newly minted President Joe Biden carried out his first drone strike in Syria Feb. 27, sparking renewed debate over the legitimacy of American intervention abroad.

While the American foreign presence has been admittedly spotty, this drone strike was combated by the Democratic Party’s leftmost wing with little to back it up.

Biden has been noted for his restraint in much of the interventionist discourse in the last 15 years or so, even suggesting to former President Barack Obama that the U.S. should not have carried out the strike that ultimately killed Osama bin Laden, citing uncertainty of the intelligence’s accuracy. On March 4, Biden showed restraint once again as The Independent reported that the president halted a strike at the last second upon learning of “a woman and children” at the site of the proposed attack. While it is indeed a sad reflection on the state of war that this is a victory rather than an obvious strategy, it is good to know that the weapons of war are in more temperate hands once again.

However, antagonism toward Biden’s first strike is puzzling. The strike only killed armed non-Syrian combatants who were backed by an adversarial nation, Iran, in a reciprocal strike after they had attacked one of our bases in the area. No foreign policy expert contends that the strike will push us to the brink of another war. Even the most dovish members of Congress acknowledge the problems with an American retreat from the Middle Eastern theater, which would allow our adversaries to exert considerable control over the area, halting any progress made by our allies, such as the Kurds, who do give their support. Even

Sen. Bernie Sanders, the kingmaker and heartthrob of such doves, said in a 2019 Tweet: “I condemn Trump’s reckless decision to abandon our Kurdish allies...”

On the same day as Biden’s strike, Russia released footage of their targeting and bombing of a hospital in Aleppo, which appears to confirm the suspicion that they have been purposefully targeting hospitals. The Russians, along with the Iranians, who still execute gay people, and the Chinese, who are currently committing a genocide of the Uyghurs in their own provinces, are the hegemonic alternative to an American-based attempt to stabilize the region.

Make no mistake: an American retreat does not mean that the region will be free to try and stabilize itself; another power will come to fill the void and it will be

vastly more brutal.

The drone program offers a better alternative to boots-onthe-ground, being demonstrably better in terms of getting the right combatants and avoiding civilians, but, while we must recognize its imperfections and work tirelessly to improve the accuracy of our strikes and the amount that we use them, we must still antagonize those who wish to see our power in the region minimized, or risk the consequences of amoral, authoritarian regimes in the area who are unresponsive to even its own citizenry. The American system is by no means perfect, but it is receptive and it is accountable to its people. We must remain firm in our support of our allies and in their defense against our enemies or the ramifications will be devastating for decades to come.

Photo from Flickr President Joe Biden issued his first drone strike on this area of Syria in early March, sparking debate.

Excessive fire alarms, drills cause stress Drills anxieties rise, resident halls not healthy environment

Seneca Hall had five fire drills on March 6 between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m.

In one night, the number of drills we have had this semester doubled.

The alarm in Seneca, for anyone who has never experienced it, has been described as “purge-like.”

An ear-piercing alarm is followed by a menacing voice saying, “Attention. An emergency has been reported. Please walk to the nearest stairway exit.”

The deafening noise of the alarm coupled with flashing lights and the slamming of the automatic doors is enough to make anyone nervous and jumpy, even if it is one drill.

As someone with anxiety, the fire alarm has always made my heart race and left me feeling on edge even after I left the building.

Having five fire drills each about 20 minutes apart was extremely overwhelming and I only suffer from very mild anxiety. The fear that I would calm down and then be startled back into a panic left me unable to be comfortable far after the last drill.

I was also hanging out with my boyfriend at the time and he was able to help calm me down after each alarm sent me into a minor hysteria.

I cannot imagine what it would be like for anyone who struggles with severe anxiety and had to go through this alone.

Still, Seneca Hall residents have not received an explanation about

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Wellness or stressful days?

Photo from Flickr

Sarah Skibickyj Staff Writer opinion@oswegonian.com SUNY Oswego introduced wellness days for the Spring 2021 semester for students. The goal for this was to allow for students to take care of their physical and mental health in the mid of the pandemic.

It was stated in the Spring 2021 Oswego Forward Plan that there would be no spring break due to COVID-19 and instead these days would be provided to give a break from coursework.

The school provided different resources for students to utilize such as wellness coaching, getting healthy nutrition tips and career services.

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Annika Wickham Copy Editor awickham@oswegonian.com

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

why there were so many drills.

There was a rumor that the alarm was broken and maintenance had to be called to come fix it. If this is true, why not send everyone an email explaining the situation and apologizing for the inconvenience?

Another concern having this many drills in one night raises is residents seeing fire drills as “boy who cried wolf” scenarios.

The first drill caused most of the building to evacuate, just as we practiced earlier in the semester. By the third and fourth, less than a half of the building had come outside, and the fifth saw less than a third.

What happens if there is more than one drill in one night again, except the second or third is an actual fire? Students will see it as another meaningless waste of their time and

not leave their dorms.

Five fire drills in one day, let alone within three hours, is insane and can take a major toll on the residents.

Campus is already very restricted, with little for students to do to relieve their anxieties and improve their mental health. Add a spine-chilling fire alarm that goes off repeatedly with no explanation as to why, SUNY Oswego basically wants on-campus residents to go home.

At the very least, Seneca Hall residents should be told why we were put through Hell, whether it was a malfunction or people being careless. And if the college wants people to stay on-campus, they should take more responsibility for residents’ mental health.

Photo from Flickr

Onondaga Hall (above) and other resident halls are equipped with fire systems similar to Seneca’s.

“...since it is one, it might not have been extremely beneficial to focus on all of the things that make someone physically and mentally healthy.”

The first wellness day was on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and there will be another on Tuesday, March 23. In a way this was helpful but at the same time it did not serve much purpose. If a student had a busy class schedule on one of these days, then they would get a break and that would be nice.

Since it was only one day, I think it was used as more of a homework catch-up day rather than a day to relax and focus on mental and physical health.

I personally did not have any classes during the first wellness day, so it was like a normal day for me where I caught up on my work. I did not really see it as a day to focus on my mental health. If the day was a Monday or Friday, that could have been more beneficial since it would be like a three-day weekend.

The wellness days were in replace of a spring break. However, giving two random days off is not equivalent to having a week long spring break. If the SUNY Oswego administration gave us a handful of days off it would probably be better but since it is just two random days, they are basically just normal days used to do homework.

I have heard from other students that it was nice to have a day off and not have classes. It probably was not helpful enough to have a positive impact on a student’s mental health. I agree with this, I think if you are stressed and have a busy schedule, it is nice to have a day off every now and then.

But since it is one day, it might not have been extremely beneficial to focus on all of the things that make someone physically and mentally healthy.

I can understand how everyone would be more stressed with a lot of courses being online and adjusting to life postCOVID so it makes sense that the campus would want to relieve stress from students. I think these wellness days could be something students enjoyed or thought was unnecessary.

It would really depend on the student’s own personal life and schedule and what they decide to do with their day off.

OPINION SYRIA STRIKE

B2 Photo from Flickr

OPINION

VOLUME LXXXVI ISSUE III

“Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech or of the press.”

SPORTS B3

PRACTICE PLANS

The Oswegonian file photo from 2019

FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

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One year of COVID-19: have we adjusted, will we ever?

Strange normalcy Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, I do believe I have adapted well, but I do not think that anyone could ever adjust fully to these strange times. Being a freshman, I have no other memories to compare my college experience to. But I do remember just last year, a world before masks and weekly testing. I have found myself used to online learning, having finished my senior year of high school and entering college over Zoom, now it is just a part of life. Looking back, it is strange to remember sitting in a classroom with 20 other students without wearing masks or social distancing. With the one-year anniversary of everything shutting down, I am reminded how bad I just want things to go back to some kind of normal.

-Kylie Annable, News Editor

Hard to believe For one, I cannot believe that is has been almost a year to the day since we had been sent home for the rest of the Spring 2020 semester. In some ways it blows my mind how easily certain adjustments have been such as accepting that certain things like live shows and performances could very much be a thing of the past, or at least the recent past. But the fact that I still have not been able to see my grandmother in months is still something that I have not quite adjusted to.

-Mary Katherine Moylan, Laker Review Editor

Need more time This is certainly one of the more painful anniversaries that I have ever experienced. It is nearly impossible to think that one year ago we had just started to hear the phrase “social-distancing” and just began reminding ourselves to carry a mask with us when we leave the house.

We have been so focused on getting back to “normal” that we have forgotten to give ourselves time to heal, time to forgive and time to grow as individuals. With this in mind, I find it hard to believe that anyone could feel truly adjusted to the “new normal” of living during a global pandemic.

Looking forward, however, I believe it will be more difficult to transition back to a time of normalcy, if we never pause to think, we cannot hope to grow stronger.

-Abigail Connolly, Opinion Editor

From my seat: The Editor-in-Chief’s column

Back to my roots: hockey beat writing Giving thanks to the sport, people that taught me the most

Ben Grieco Editor‑in‑Chief bgrieco@oswegonian.com

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For the second-straight issue, I am going to #StickToSports.

From late September to March for the last three years, my weekends and newspaper coverage were swallowed up by Oswego State NCAA men’s and women’s hockey, as well as Oswego State ACHA men’s hockey.

I covered 132 hockey games in three years. I traveled across New York and dipped into Pennsylvania a few times. I ate a lot of fast food (shoutout to McDonald’s for always being a lovely host to write my post-game story). I put a lot of miles on my Volkswagen Golf. I lost a lot of sleep with late-night traveling. I enjoyed a lot of hotel waffles during the weekends where I was able to stay overnight.

There were games where I witnessed history. I watched Olivia Ellis become the first women’s hockey player to reach 100 career points as a Laker. I saw the women’s hockey team tie national-powerhouse Plattsburgh State, the only league game the Cardinals have not won in the four years of the league. I followed along as Steven Kozikoski took over the goal from two seniors while he was only a sophomore. I sat in awe as Oswego State men’s hockey defeated Plattsburgh State in Whiteout Weekend for the first time in six years.

This time last year, I unknowingly covered my last Oswego State men’s hockey game while a beat writer for The Oswegonian. It was Oswego State vs. SUNY Geneseo in the SUNYAC Championships. You could not ask for a better matchup between top teams

in the nation fighting for a trip to the NCAA Div. III Tournament, which was later canceled due to COVID-19.

But I would trade anything to see an Oswego State goaltender lead his or her team onto the ice for pre-game warmups one final time.

Knowing that this typically would be the time that I publish my endof-season wrap-up article, I have been thinking about my three years on the hockey beat for The Oswegonian. The games I witnessed, the memories I made and the people I met along the way, it is all something I will cherish forever.

Eighteen-year-old Ben Grieco, who was blindly given the women’s hockey beat during his freshman year from then-Sports Editor Luke Scoville and then-Assistant Sports Editor Ryan Zalduondo, could not even fathom what would happen over the next three years. Eventually, he worked his way up to the men’s hockey beat during his sophomore year and then ran with it even further last year.

As 22-year-old Ben Grieco, now a senior, I still cannot entirely comprehend what happened. Every game gave me the same excitement as my first game, which was an exhibition game between Oswego State women’s hockey and the Toronto Midget

Aeros on Oct. 21, 2017. Every time I heard the beginning of “Kickstart My Heart” by Mötley Crüe when the men’s hockey team skated onto the ice for starting lineups, I got chills and could not stop smiling.

The amount of ideas that I had going into my third year covering the men’s hockey team, I was on top of the world. I was looking forward to finding new, unique ways to cover the team and providing the best content possible. More importantly, I was excited to teach whoever would be taking over for the 2021-2022 season.

As much of a cop-out as it sounds, I want to end this stint covering Oswego State hockey with a simple, “thank you.” To the coaching staffs who let some random kid into their office every week with questions for stories; to the players that came off the ice and minutes later needed to come to the hallway to talk about the game; to the readers who read my stories and followed along for the entire season: thank you.

I hope that I was half the beat writer of whoever will take over for me in the future seasons, taking on the challenge of covering two of Oswego State’s premier teams, spending night after night in the Marano Campus Center.

Photo via Jenn Robilotto The Feb. 2020 sports coverage personnel from all three media orgs. bring Oswego State sports to life.

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Opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not always reflect those of The Oswegonian.

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SPORTS

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, March.12, 2021

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Spring sports are starting practices; Women’s tennis eager to get back out on court caution still necessary for athletes Evans, DuPont ready to build winning culture in 2021 Trina Catterson Sports Writer sports@oswegonian.com With the recent news that spring sports are back, coaches are beginning to plan out their practice schedules for the 2021 season.

Daniel Kane, interim athletic director and men’s soccer head coach, is doing his best to make sure all student-athletes are safe and cautious. Kane said all spring sports are following new guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

“Our student-athletes are being tested once a week to keep up with school guidelines,” Kane said. “[They] are also being tested three days before away games to ensure they have a negative result before traveling to another institution.”

Each team will play home and away games within the SUNYAC and are now allowed to schedule non-conference games. Kane knows that makes being careful more important, and the culture that has been built at Oswego State during the pandemic has played a role in doing so.

“We have installed a culture of if you are not feeling well, don’t come to practice,” Kane said. “We social distance whenever possible. Masks are also worn whenever we are inside, that includes during competitions.”

While athletes are doing their very best to stay safe and virus-free, there is always a chance that sports will shut down again. The Oswego

State softball head coach Gabrielle Rivers advises her athletes to make sure they are following the rules so athletics do not go back on a pause.

“There’s always that fear in the back of your mind. It never goes away,” Rivers said. “With the athletes, I just tell them to make sure you are following all the precautions and staying safe. You know what it’s like to have a season taken away so make sure you are doing the right things.”

For women’s lacrosse head coach Britt Howard, she and her athletes are beyond excited to get back on the field and resume action.

“It’s definitely a different type of year just because the returners haven’t played in a while, and some of the high school players have never even played at the college level,” Howard said. “It’s going to be a learning experience, but we are super excited to be back on the field working on our stick skills.”

With all this time away from lacrosse, Howard has emphasized building chemistry in practices right from the beginning.

“During practices, we’re really focusing on making sure we’re building that chemistry up,” said Howard.

“Lacrosse is truly a team sport, so we are focusing on developing that team culture.”

Practices have already began for both the women’s lacrosse team and the softball team as both teams are practicing as a full team, five days a week, with COVID-19 regulations in place.

The Oswegonian file photo from 2020 Spring sports began practicing on Feb. 24, teams are set to begin conference competition on March 26.

William Rogers | The Oswegonian The last women’s tennis match was on Oct. 5, 2019, where doubles partners Eliza Johnson and Lorrayne Broach won the only match for Oswego State.

Michael Gross Asst. Sports Editor mgross@oswegonian.com It has been 524 days since the Oswego State women’s tennis team has touched the court and now, they are gearing up to start the season.

In the fall of 2019, the team went 3-10 in match play and did not find the win column in any conference competitions. That being said, the Lakers’ goal this season is to play to the best of their ability, and head coach Shane Evans is optimistic his team can string together a couple of wins.

“I would obviously like to win more matches, but I would like to build more consistency on the team,” Evans said. “I think we have what it takes to get to where we need to go, but I just think we need more time [together]. COVID-19 has impacted our ability to get out there and build on those fundamentals and the team chemistry, but I am very hopeful.”

Evans has been the head coach of the team since 2015 and has always focused on the learning aspect of sports the most.

While the team is hopeful for the upcoming season, the pandemic has impacted its ability to practice and build chemistry.

“We have done a lot of virtual

meets and group chats because we cannot be on the court. What we do is talk about tennis in any way, shape or form that we can,” Evans said. “Whether it is watching videos or even digesting the stuff that is going on TV around the world. If we cannot play tennis, I want us to think about tennis, watch tennis and reflect on it.”

Though the current weather in Oswego makes it difficult to get out on the courts, when they do get the chance to get out on them, Evans wants to make the most of his time with the team to get it ready for the season.

“I am hoping to make things a lot easier for our players and bring some sense of normalcy,” Evans said. “I am hoping to get out there as soon as possible. We could get out there [now], but it is moreso the season at this point.

I am hopeful for early April, we can actually get out there, but I am normally a little disappointed because of the snow.”

Jessica DuPont, a transfer sophomore from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, is a twosport athlete at Oswego State playing both tennis and softball. DuPont is excited to join the team and feels very welcomed by the players to the point where she feels it will be easy to transition from virtual meetings to onthe-court practices.

“I was put into a group chat with all of the players before I got here and you can kind of get to know them over text,” DuPont said. “Everyone is really super nice, and it is [going to be] really easy to transition into practices because you already feel like you know everyone.”

The Catskill native is very intent on beginning her collegiate career at Oswego State on the right foot and wants to get out there to start building a winning culture.

“I want to win,” DuPont said.

“I want to go out there and win as much as we can. Being able to go out and hit and keep working to better ourselves so when it comes to the matches, we win.”

Last season, Evans found his team struggled in the competitive setting and did not find much success. He intends to turn that around this season with the right mindset and a great work ethic, any improvement from his players is a win to him.

“I want to improve off of last season,” Evans said. “That does come with wins, obviously, so pretty much I just want to see any kind of improvement in all of our players. Even if we are close, I want to see competitive matches and want to see that intensity and passion in all of our players. To me, that is in and of itself, winning.”

Morisette setting example for women’s hockey, despite losing senior season Digby praises senior, says legacy she will leave, impact she has on team is unmatched

The Oswegonian file photo from 2020 Emma Morisette scored 10 goals and eight assists in 76 games, giving her 18 points in her Laker career which spanned over three years.

Matt Watling Managing Editor mwatling@oswegonian.com Amid turnover and turbulence, there was a significant steadying force for the women’s hockey team at Oswego State, Emma Morisette. After more than half of the class of 2021 left the team and former head coach Diane Dillon retired in favor of Mark Digby, Morisette was one of the constants in the locker room and on the ice.

Coming from the well-regarded Honey Baked Hockey Club, the Wyandotte, Michigan, native

came out of the gate flying as a freshman. She played in every game of the 2017-18 season, tallying 10 points. Her five goals were second among freshmen, and she led her class in assists.

While the scoring took a back seat in her final two seasons as a Laker, scoring just eight points in 49 games, the leadership is what took off.

“The biggest thing she brings to the team is her maturity,” Digby said. “You’re not talking to a college kid. You’re talking to an adult, somebody that understands the importance of playing hockey. Not so much to play

hockey, but the lessons you’re getting out of it.”

That was the first impression Digby had of Morisette when he joined the team in the spring of 2019. Morisette anchored her line last season alongside Maura McKeown and fellow senior Aislinn McAleer. The trio was constantly praised by Digby game after game. While they did not score, they were a near perfect third line: tenacious, puckhounding and excellent in their own zone. Morisette was almost the perfect image of that line.

She worked hard in the corners, hemming the opposition in its

defensive end, determined to set up her fellow lines with tired defenders and a great in-zone scoring chance when they could get a line change.

“Emma was kind of that person that if I was on the other team, I would be mad to play against because her stick was everywhere, getting the puck back,” McAleer said.

Digby felt the same way about his center.

“You look at somebody who is one of the more difficult people to play against,” Digby said. “The way we want to play, you’ve got to have people like that, that are hard to play against.”

Beyond her play, Morisette was just as important on the bench, as an extension of the coaching staff. She was a calming force, someone who knew how to keep her teammates engaged and learning. While she did not wear a letter on her jersey, Morisette was someone who was heavily relied on to teach underclassmen the ropes of college hockey and how to improve.

“When you’re playing with [freshmen and]…you have a junior who has the maturity that she has, she is very level-headed,” Digby said. “I think it’s calming for a freshman to get back to the bench after a good shift or a bad shift and look over, you see someone who has the experience that she has, it’s [a nice] balance. She has the ability to communicate what was good on the shift, what was bad on the shift, what they can do better.”

While Morisette was awarded an additional year of eligibility, ultimately, she decided it was time to move on. It was Digby who described her as “an adult,” in terms of maturity.

“I really wanted to be with my class for one more year, I’ll really miss those girls,” Morisette said. “But eventually I got to the

conclusion that I’ve got to be on my way.”

That next step for Morisette is still undecided, but the English major will be remembered as a culture setter, as will the entire remaining class of 2021.

Morisette added that the senior class had some weird situations but worked together to get the team on “a good track.”

“We had people coming and going,” McAleer said. “But me, Emma and Phi [Teggart] have been here since the beginning, and then Amber [Thomas] joining last year, we just supported each other a lot last year and this year, especially with things going on. We…knew how to act to make the program better along the way.”

Besides getting on a good track, this year specifically was very odd. With COVID-19 shutting down the season and practices, the seniors foregoing their extra year of eligibility, like Morisette and Thomas, could have packed it in. They could have given up on the team since it did not benefit them. Instead, the two put in the extra effort to make the new players comfortable and reestablish the team’s culture and identity.

“This year, you’ve got a senior who is not coming back and we’ve been meeting a lot as a team, trying to make sure the culture of the team is moving in the right direction. Why would she show up, right? That doesn’t benefit her, but she’s been there every single week,” Digby said.

“It’s pretty impressive to know that it means that much to her to leave that legacy. That’s the legacy that she is going to leave, that impact she is making right now on our freshmen who have never got to tie their skates at Oswego and they get to see the passion [of someone] who will never lace their skates up again at Oswego.”

NEWS MUSICIAN SPEAKS

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Photo via Flickr

SPORTS THE OSWEGONIAN

OPINION FIRE

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ALARMS

Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian

VOLUME LXXXVI ISSUE III • www.oswegonian.com

FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

Jeff Solow on his journey to Oswego State after being Div. I transfer

Solow, who has traveled extensively early in his life due to hockey, looks for next destination

The Oswegonian file photo from 2020

Jeff Solow (21) played in 26 career games for Oswego State, scoring one goal and three assists over the course of those games.

Ben Grieco Editor-in-Chief bgrieco@oswegonian.com Jeff Solow’s time on the Oswego State men’s hockey team was already abbreviated when he stepped onto campus in January 2019.

After Solow transferred from Div. I Merrimack College, playing two-anda-half seasons with the Warriors, the Oswego State coaching staff promised it would give Solow an extra year of eligibility following a redshirt freshman year.

Due to COVID-19, Solow will not exercise that extra eligibility he was granted, and he is choosing not to return to Oswego State next season.

Gosek called Solow’s shortened time as a Laker “unfulfilled.”

Gosek mentioned that Solow had been training hard in the offseason, looking to come out of the shadow from the large senior class

from last year.

“This year, I don’t want to say it would’ve been a breakout year for him, but I think he would’ve been able to put closure in his college career in the way in which he would like,” Gosek said. “But, unfortunately, with the way that the season never materialized, we never got to see that.”

Growing up, Solow went all around the country to play top-level hockey for his age group. In Florida, Solow’s home state, competition was limited. He used to drive an hourand-a-half to play for a team based near Tampa, Florida, every weekend for a few years.

Now at just 24 years old, Solow has visited 47 of the 50 states, thanks to traveling for junior hockey. With stops in Alaska and Iowa, among others, Solow eventually found his way to Amarillo, Texas, home to his favorite program to play for, the Amarillo Bulls of the North American

Hockey League Going from Amarillo to Merrimack College in Boston, Massachusetts, Solow added it was definitely a big shock, especially when it came to the winter.

“In Amarillo, where it was 60 or 70 degrees in January, then I get to Merrimack and there’s snow everywhere and it’s freakin’ 10 degrees outside,” Solow said.

Also while in Florida, he was close with his cousin, Zach Solow, who is a couple years younger than him. The two never played with or against each other growing up, being in different stages of youth hockey.

After Amarillo, Solow committed to Merrimack College, joining the program halfway through the 2016-2017 season. Zach committed to Northeastern and was a freshman a year later. For the first time, the two played against each other competitively. In the one game they squared off against

Kevin O’Donnell leans on team defense in net

Goaltender no stranger to big games, ready for season sprint

each other, Zach scored a short-handed goal in Northeastern’s win. “[Zach’s] the captain at Northeastern now. He’s really embraced that program,” Solow said. “Him being my little cousin, I still see him as this little guy, but he’s definitely grown up into a great guy and player.”

After playing only 10 games during his second full season with Merrimack College, Solow decided it was time for a change of scenery. He contacted numerous colleges, mainly Div. III. He reached out to some friends at Oswego State — Tommy Horn, Colton Fletcher and Joseph Molinaro — and once he visited in January 2019, Solow was sold.

Gosek claims Solow visited Oswego State in the middle of a snow storm, but Solow added that with all the snow, “it could have been a storm, but you can never tell in Oswego.”

Solow recorded his first collegiate point with an assist against Morrisville State on Jan. 26, 2019. He did not find the back of the net until the following season, with his first goal against SUNY Potsdam on Nov. 9, 2019, where the Lakers won 8-1.

But that season, Solow did not always find the lineup, playing just 15 games. Plagued by an injury, Solow could not evolve into the top-six defenseman for the Lakers that Gosek hoped he would be.

Solow was moved around a lot, as well, whenever he did crack the starting lineup. There were a couple games that he skated on the second or third forward line, using his speed to his advantage.

“You could never question him on his work ethic or his commitment to the team,” Gosek said. “He had a couple of games that there were mis-

takes that occurred that were glaring on him, where the puck ended up in the back of the net. Had the goalie made those saves? Things may have been different.”

Now that Solow’s collegiate career has concluded, he said that he has a lot to consider after graduation in May. He mentioned that he would love to play professional hockey for a year after college, “just to say [he] did it,” but also wants to get a job somewhere.

With his extensive traveling across the country, Solow said that hockey has set him up for later in life, in terms of where he may want to live.

“I really like Boston or Florida.

Ideally, I’d like to be in one of those spots. If I play pro hockey somewhere, I might be in the middle of nowhere again,” Solow said.

“Whatever I choose, I’m just going to go with it. If I choose to work and I don’t like it, maybe I’ll try to make a comeback for a year.”

While his collegiate career was anything but normal, Solow said he has no regrets about his time as a Warrior and a Laker. He added that some of his favorite moments while at Oswego State included the atmosphere of Whiteout Weekend and feeding off the “natural energy from the crowd.” It was all about the relationships for him.

“The relationships you make along the way, they carry more than the sport. You’re not going to have hockey your whole life,” Solow said. “The relationships that I made with the guys that I played and lived with, even the freshman this year, I think it’s going to last a lifetime.”

Photo Brief

Super Seniors

The Oswegonian file photo from 2020 Graphic provided by Oswego State Athletics Kevin O’Donnell has started in net for the Lakers for 32 games, posting a .586 save percentage and winning 20 games.

Jack Perdek Contributing Writer sports@oswegonian.com After its 3-1 start to the 2020 season, the Oswego State men’s lacrosse team was another team put in the backseat because of the global pandemic. Now spring sports have been granted the goahead from the SUNYAC to return to play after such a long and difficult waiting process. For coaches and players like Kevin O’Donnell, they have not even scratched the surface of what they envision their expectations to be.

“It means a lot to myself, and to our team in general, especially after playing only four games last year,” O’Donnell said. “I think there are a lot of people on the team who had not realized how much they really missed the sport until we came back and had 10 months off.”

In four games last year, O’Donnell totaled 57 saves on a .620 save percentage throughout the shortened season. The senior said his defense is the cause of his increase in saves and is a big reason he is able to perform at the level he does.

“I will credit my defense very heavily for that,” O’Donnell said.

“We have a majority of our defensive [midfielders] back from a year ago. I would say that my increase in save percentage from sophomore to junior year was

from my defense.”

Leadership from the captains on this team goes a long way in terms of benefiting its culture.

This upcoming season, O’Donnell and junior Weston Gray plan on instilling the great things they have learned from their teammates over the years to incoming freshmen.

This year, the process for new teammates to be acclimated into the team is a different and new process for every team returning to its respective sport. For the captains on this team, communicating advice to new roster members is a main priority.

“Socialize and learn as much as possible from the older guys. We have a great group of seniors and a great group of captains,” O’Donnell said. “I think we have done a great job establishing the culture in the last three years, and I think there is even more to improve on.”

New members of the team will be at an advantage with players like O’Donnell anchoring the defense. For players like Gray who are in a leadership position, having another captain like his goaltender makes life easier on the field.

“Having Kevin to look up to as a captain and a senior makes it easy on me to be a captain,” Gray said.

“To me he is the best goalie in the SUNYAC, but like he said, we have a great defense that helps out a lot.

It is great for the offense.”

Head coach Drew Bezek described O’Donnell’s attributions to the team as an expectation since he has been a constant for the team throughout the past four years. For Bezek, this whole process of having a season taken away is something he had never endured. One thing that can be said for Bezek is that he is excited to work with his goalie again.

“It is a huge luxury from a coaching standpoint to have a few guys that are knowns, that know what we are getting with our captains who have been consistent for four years,” Bezek said.

“They understand what our expectations are, and it allows me to coach more on the team oriented things with the younger guys and lead by example.”

The theme going into this season is capitalizing off of everyone’s energy and excitement to return to a somewhat normal season.

With a fast start to the previous season, players and coaches are just excited to get back at it and continue to strive to be the best versions of themselves. Keeping a good energy around the team should not be a big issue considering the anticipation to return to the field.

“That energy really breeds victories,” O’Donnell said. “We can go a long way if we can keep that going.”

Matt Watling Managing Editor mwatling@oswegonian.com With the NCAA’s ruling to offer an additional year of eligibility for its student-athletes, two seniors on the Oswego State women’s hockey team will return for the 2021-22 campaign. Seniors Philomena Teggart and Aislinn McAleer will take the extra year to play one final season in the green and gold.

Both women have been key contributors to the team on and off the ice. Teggart will lead the defense after graduating Madison Byrne and two-year captain Kate Randazzo, two crucial defenders from last season. Teggart was instrumental on the powerplay last season, scoring 21 points in 27 games, as well as four power play goals which was tied for second on the team. Her ability to move the puck efficiently and smoothly jump started an offense that reached an extra gear in the team’s run to the NEWHL Championship.

McAleer was an important part of an excellent third line last season, one that was very reliable defensively and even drove play into the offensive end. The Manasquan, New Jersey, native scored her second career goal against SUNY Cortland, as she netted two points in 26 games last season. While McAleer was set to graduate in 2021, the extra year of eligibility provides her the opportunity to get her master’s degree

in 2022.

“Over the summer, I kind of thought about how it could possibly happen, we didn’t know what was going on,” McAleer said. “I talked to my parents and coaches and teammates and I think it was the best decision for me to stick around…while I could get the chance to play with my team for another year.”

Head coach Mark Digby is excited for the opportunity to return both seniors for next season. The three can continue to build and grow the culture of the team that Digby is in the process of instilling, as this is his first year at the helm. While it is an excellent opportunity for Teggart, McAleer and the rest of the team to build on their previous success, Digby knows the 2021-22 season will mean much more. “[We are] excited to have Phi and Ash back,” Digby said. “I don’t want to add extra pressure on them that they’re playing for Emma [Morrisette] and Amber [Thomas] too, but the reality is, when they get back here and put the jerseys on representing that class, it’s more than just the two of them that are going to be there. It’s bittersweet when you think of it because, yes, we are excited you get Phi and Ash back, [but] you’d give everything to just have a practice and give Emma [and Amber] an opportunity to round out [their] college hockey career the right way.”

INSIDE

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‘Shadow and Bone’ TV adaptation announced

C3 ‘WandaVision’ provides new C5 Student film ‘False Promises’

experience for MCU fans

explores dark themes

FRIDAY March 12, 2021

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LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

‘Shadow and Bone’ TV series adaptation to be released on Netflix friend, Mal, to save the nation. She is expected to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the Darkling. As AliOn Dec. 17, Netflix rena learns to use her powvealed new information ers, she uncovers secrets about the release date of not only about herself but the new TV show adaptaalso of the Grisha and the tion of the “Shadow and fate of Ravka.

Bone” trilogy by Leigh BarThe second series that dugo. Bardugo is an Amerthe show is going to be ican young adult and adult based on is called “Six of fantasy writer. She is best Crows.” The first book of known for her Grisha Unithis duology was released verse, or the Grishaverse, in 2015. “Six of Crows” folbooks which involve two lows criminal prodigy, seperate series. The “Six Kaz Breker, who is given of Crows” duology and the the chance to pull off the “Shadow and Bone” trilogy deadliest heist he’s ever which are both young adult pulled. But to accomplish fantasy books. The “King it, he must team up with of Scars” duology is also five other people: a conpart of the Grishaverse vict thirsty with revenge, world. She released her a sharpshooter who can’t first new adult dark fanwalk away from a wager, tasy novel, “Ninth House,” a runaway with a priviback in October 2019. “Rule leged past, a spy known of Wolves,” the sequel to as the Wraith, a Heart“King of Scars” is releasing render using her magic on March 30. to survive the slums and There are a total of a thief with a gift for unseven books set in the likely escapes. Kaz and his crew, the crows, must go through all odds to complete this impossible heist that may cost their lives, if they don’t kill each other beforehand.

The show is going to be a Netflix original TV series if season one does well.

Set to premiere on April 23, season one is called “Shadow and Bone.” It is rumored that season one will only cover the events in “Shadow and Bone” and won’t continue onto the next book, “Siege and Storm,” until season two. This ,is because one of the characters that is introduced in “Siege and Storm” is not cast yet leaving the fans to believe that there will be no content from the sequel as of now. The events that happen in the “Shadow and Bone” trilogy happen two years before anything happens in “Six of Crows.”

This jump in time between the two storylines makes fans wonder how it is even possible. It is has been confirmed by the direcCaitlin Alicea | The Oswegonian “Shadow and Bones“ and “Six of Crows“ both exist within the Grishaverse world. tors and Bardugo that the

Caitlin Alicea Contributing Writer laker@oswegonian.com

Grishaverse.

It hasn’t been confirmed whether or not Bardugo will continue in this world.

“Shadow and Bone” was the first book she wrote set in the Grishaverse, released June 5, 2012. In “Shadow and Bone,” we follow 17-year-old Alina Starkov who grew up in the great nation of Ravka, which has been split into two by the Shadow Fold, where darkness lingers.

When her regiment gets attacked on the Fold by the volcras (creatures), she triggers a well-built power that both she and her regiment had never encountered, or at least that was thought to be true. She is brought forth to be questioned by the Darkling who is the leader of the Second Army. When she is seen as a valuable asset to the Darkling’s plan to destroy the very thing that tears Ravka apart, she is to leave everything familiar to her behind, including her best

Caitlin Alicea | The Oswegonian Follow @writingwithcaitlin on Instagram for more book reviews and updates.

“Six of Crows” content in the show is all brand new.

That is why when the first teaser trailer was released on Feb. 26, the crows were barely shown. They didn’t want to spoil anything for both fans of the books and new fans.

While there will be no already known content from the “Six of Crows” duology, it is still recommended to read them to get familiarized with the characters that will be introduced. While watching the teaser trailer, it can be kind of confusing as a newcomer into the world to figure out what is happening in the trailer. There are specific scenes that fans of the books may be able to point out that other people can’t.

Fans of the books are worried about the adaptation falling short to the expectations but do have confidence in it. Bardugo has been involved in the show as much as an author can be, and if she liked the way it turned out and loves

the cast, then it’s predicted that the fans will too.

A common question that’s asked to her and the directors is how this show will appeal to not only fans of her books but also to new people as well who may have seen the trailer and are interested in watching. Considering that “Shadow and Bone” was written back in 2012 and is considered a young adult novel, she made it clear that it’s been a struggle finding a way to satisfy more than just readers that are familiar with the series so that the show does well.

The show is rated for mature audiences which makes the readers assume that the show will have more violent scenes but also more sexual activity. With the books being originally targeted to young adults, the show is now aiming to attract older audiences. Whether you’ve read the books or not, this show is not one to pass up watching.

LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

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‘WandaVision’ series excites audiences despite unanswered questions

John Custodio Staff Writer laker@oswegonian.com

Rating: The “WandaVision” TV series on Disney+ follows Elizabeth Olsen (“Avengers: Endgame”) as Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany (“Avengers: Infinity War”) as Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Set days after the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” “WandaVision” shows Wanda and Vision living a peaceful life in the suburbs, with each episode styled after a different decade’s popular television sitcom. Episode one starts in the 1940s, moving up a decade to parody shows like “I Love Lucy,” “Full House” and “Malcom in the Middle.”

While not the typical style of Marvel shows, which are usually a lot more action-packed like “Daredevil” or “Agents of Shield,” this pays off tremendously for “WandaVision.” Every episode can be combed for tiny details that hint about what’s truly happening, and each character can

be meticulously examined as the viewer tries to figure out exactly what’s wrong with Wanda’s world. Characters from the comics could pop up at any time, and because this is the first Disney+ MCU show, these characters can have a real impact on major movies like the next “Avengers.”

“WandaVision” quickly takes a dark turn, setting it apart from other Marvel shows. While keeping it kid-friendly, “WandaVision” looks at the psychological trauma endured after Thanos snapped, temporarily destroying half of all life. In the case of Wanda, “WandaVision” looks at what someone who is crippled with grief would do if they had literal reality-altering superpowers. “WandaVision” blends superheroes with “The Truman Show,” keeping the same paranoia going from episode one to episode nine, with viewers quickly realizing that they might not be the only ones watching Wanda and Vision.

With Disney’s budget, it’s no wonder the challenge of changing styles every episode was easy for “WandaVision.” From the tiniest background details to the

way characters spoke, each episode felt like it truly belonged in the decade it was parodying. The style changes are a fun way to distract viewers from some darker themes and ethical problems posed in the show.

Where “WandaVision” really thrives is in its potential for expansion and impact on the rest of the MCU. Old and new characters play major roles in “WandaVision,” and each episode brings just a hint of what’s yet to come and how it could change the MCU. Often touted as the “strongest avenger,” or at least the strongest character, it’s strange to see Wanda at peace, not having to fight someone new every five minutes. The implications of a deeper power besides just raw mystic strength quickly calls to mind comic book arcs like the “House of M” and Wanda’s connection to mutants. The connection to mutants is especially important, with guest star Evan Peters (“American Horror Story”) having a role despite playing the character Quicksilver in Marvel’s X-Men cinematic universe.

However, “WandaVision” fails

(“Captain Marvel”), Benedict Wong (“Doctor Strange”) and Daniel Dae Kim (“Hellboy”).

Like other recent Disney films, “Raya” sets itself apart from the works of other studios due to its gorgeous, intricatelydetailed animation. Perhaps what stands out the most in terms of the visuals is the film’s scenery, which is astounding due to its photorealistic qualities. As it depicts a variety of locations with deviant environments throughout the story, the film provides an array of vi-

sual treats as the audience beholds each dynamic setting as each is displayed.

Unlike most other Disney films, “Raya” is devoid of humor, though it does occasionally attempt to have comedic moments. Though this may be a con for some, others may find themselves to be rather delighted by what is a rather unorthodox film for the studio, given its serious tone. Though some of the themes that it explores may be somewhat similar to those found in the

Image from Marvel Entertainment via YouTube “WandaVision“ impresses with attention to detail and costumes for each sitcom decade.

in ironic self-imposed containment. Throughout the weekly releases, forums such as Reddit have been buzzing with exciting fan theories about possible involvement from characters like Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel or even comic book characters like Mephisto. “WandaVision” unfortunately follows in the footsteps of other MCU shows and falls a bit short of its true potential.

The potential for “WandaVision” to hit the next level failed due to demographics as well.

Knowing that their younger audi-

ences would consume anything with their favorite superheroes attached, especially on Dinsey+, Marvel couldn’t fully explore the implications posed by Wanda’s actions nor the trauma she inflicted on her victims.

While a fun new format with major implications for the MCU, don’t go into “WandaVision” with hopes of a mind-bending masterpiece or even an actionpacked Avengers movie. While the show is well worth the watch, “WandaVision” still falls just a bit short of expectations.

studio’s past projects, the film’s willingness to explore them in a more mature manner makes them all the more compelling to consider. Furthermore, this gives the audience the opportunity to behold a protagonist who may be recognized for being emotionally complex, especially for a Disney princess, in addition to a cast of characters who could be seen as equally, if not more, dynamic.

“Raya’s” stellar animation and serious tone make for a remarkable mixture when it comes to the film’s action sequences. Well-choreographed, these fight scenes prove to get even more exciting each time they occur throughout the film.

Furthermore, these scenes carry their own emotional purposes, as they allow for certain characters to settle their own scores and vent out their own problems and complexities, thus doing so in a way which proves to be all the more entertaining and effective in the eyes of the audience.

Finally, although “Raya and the Last Dragon” may take

place in one collective kingdom, it also creates a sense of intrigue because of the different territories and characters that exist within it. Through how it showcases the differences of their landscapes and people, the film demonstrates world-building that is practically unheard of in other Disney animated films. Though it may not elaborate upon these areas or characters completely, the film gives more than enough material to warrant potential spin-off stories regarding them, thereby providing even more reasons to be excited about the world of “Raya.”

Though sequels such as “Frozen II” may be fun in their own right, they simply lack the freshness of original stories due to the familiarity of their characters and stories. Keeping triumphs such as “Raya” in mind, perhaps Disney shall feel more compelled to develop even more original content in the future. That way, audiences will have an even greater reason to flock to theaters to see their films.

‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ ignites hope for new original Disney+ films Ethan Stinson Asst. Laker Review Editor estinson@oswegonian.com

Rating: For the first time in five years, Walt Disney Animation Studios has produced a film which is not a sequel to a preestablished work. The film, “Raya and the Last Dragon,” stands out as one of the studio’s more impressive productions to come out of the last decade. From its awe-inducing visuals to its subversive take of various Disney-esque tropes, “Raya” proves that the studio, despite its reluctance to take risks, may achieve great success when it tries to break the mold.

The film follows the titular Raya (Kelly Marie Tran, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”) as she sets out to find the legendary dragon Sisu (Awkwafina, “Jumanji: The Next Level”) who may help save her kingdom from monstrous creatures known as the Druun. The cast also includes Gemma Chan

Image from Walt Disney Animation Studios via YouTube “Raya and the Last Dragon“ thrills with stunning animation and dynamic charcters.

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LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

Dr. Suess Enterprises decides to reduce 6 books by Suess Abigail Connolly Opinion Editor aconnolly@oswegonian.com In early March, the Dr. Seuss estate announced that it would no longer be printing six titles: “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “If I Ran the Zoo,” “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!” and “The Cat’s Quizzer” due to racist portrayals of characters. This decision is both well within the rights of this estate and a decision that should be respected.

Scrolling through Twitter last week, it was easy to see that not many people felt that this was a move that needed to be made. What was meant to be a respectful and open decision, soon turned into a “cancel culture” war.

What needs to be understood is that this was not a decision made by a group of people trying to damn Dr. Seuss but by Dr. Seuss Enterprises itself. This decision was made by a group who did not want to continue to associate with a number of books that

depicted cultures offensively, who did not want to add to the increasingly negative narratives that surround minority groups worldwide.

The beloved children’s author has written over 60 children’s books including classics like “The Cat in the Hat,” “One Fish, Two Fish” and “Green Eggs and Ham,” but this is not the first time that there has been a controversy surrounding his works. In fact, in Dr. Seuss’ later life, he made alterations to a variety of his works that also depicted offensive terms or images. The racial controversy surrounding Dr. Seuss has been debated by numerous scholars and is by no means a new discovery.

The history of this racism aside, it is necessary to reiterate that this was a decision made by the estate of Dr. Seuss. This was not a political decision. This was not a decision made under pressure.

This was a decision made by a group with intentions of respect and reverence. It is upsetting, now, to see this decision be politicized.

Image from Netflix via YouTube Dr. Seuss Enterprises has stopped printing six of its namesake’s books due to the insensitive imagery found in them.

thing that it does not believe portrays a positive image.

Perhaps the most shocking thing about this decision is that it was not made due to public pressure. In the highlypoliticized world that we live in today, it is surprising to see a decision made that was not a result of significant public outcry. In the past year alone, the U.S. has seen a significant rise in public displays of disapproval and frustration.

Wrestling with this turmoil certainly must have

an effect on the way Americans view racial controversy, and in this sense, it is not surprising to think, “Why is this, the Dr. Seuss controversy the thing we are deciding to focus on?”

The decision by Dr. Seuss Enterprises is a move towards inclusion and equity. It is a decision rooted in respect and made through understanding, a preventative move that is meant to prevent harm, not cause it.

enjoying the company of others, the song also focuses on the fever pitch one can feel with a new love and how they never want that initial love and honeymoon phase to end. The music video also creatively hints at the other tracks on “Dahlia” as well with “What Month Is It?” written on a cassette tape.

“What Month Is It?” definitely takes the energy down a notch from “1,000” but it leans more into the R&B roots heard in previous singles of Owen St. A very peaceful song that Image from OwenStVEVO via YouTube displays more of the vocalizations Owen St’s “1,000” delights because of its upbeat tempo and positive nature. and the range of the artist, “What and SoundCloud, released his debut Soul show much more in his earlier Month Is It?” almost acts as a lulextended play, “Dahlia” on Feb. 26. singles while “1,000” is a refreshing laby and ode as to how all the days Otherwise known as Owen Stuart, work that has many of us facing seem to blur especially when one is the young artist is quite an impres- winter in a summer state of mind. head over heels. “You melted all my sive one. Having only released four Maybe it’s the use of watermelon January / Can’t wait ‘til May, may we singles before this initial debut, that seems to be a staple in summer get married? / On the 30th of Februhe’s now settled down with It’s Like hits like Harry Styles’ “Watermelon ary / That’s every day for you and I That Records for his 2020 singles of Sugar,” or just his silky voice and / You and I.” Much like “1,000,” “What “Confetti” and “Laela” and the 2021 amazing beats, but Owen St hits it Month Is It?” teases the next and EP release of “Dahlia,” whereas his out of the park with this groovy and final song of “Dahlia” with the lines first two singles of “Lilac” and “Baby- catchy single. Paired with a color- “On where you’re taking me, will you blues” were with Neon Eden. ful and fun music video that seems turn the page for me? / Will you turn Releasing the single “1,000” to encompass the likes of an ideal the page?” along with its music video, Owen summer with friends within three “Paige” is possibly one of the St’s established sound of R&B and minutes between reminiscing and most fun tracks on the EP between

all of the imagery full lyrics and play on words. “But I can’t put you down, Paige Turner / My lovely leather bound, Paige Turner.” Daniel Frank Kelley, otherwise known by the stage names of Showbiz Spitfire, and Paige Turner, solidified their career for being one of the original creators, producers and hosts of “So You Think You Can Drag,” focused out of New York City. The song “Paige” plays with this knowledge, especially with lines like “The talk of every town, Paige Turner / A lady in the street, but the man of the house.”

Focused on the likes of portrayal and perception, this track rounds out an exciting first EP by Owen St. Busting out of the gates with an amazing first EP, Owen St displays a range of talent and potential that is only just getting tapped into. In his own words, courtesy of Instagram, the artist has said, “I am going to keep on creating, until the quality of my art aligns with what I see & hear while my eyes are closed.” With such a beautiful and riveting start to his career, Owen St is just getting starting and is bound to turn heads.

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy even put his two cents in after taking to Twitter to share a video of himself reading “Green Eggs and Ham” in support of Dr. Seuss. This was not one of the books that is no longer going to be in circulation. Additionally, this makes the decision to not print the books a bit more muddled. This was not some radical leftist decision to eradicate a children’s writer in favor of the Socialist agenda. This was a private enterprise’s decision to cease the production of some-

Owen St shows talent, promise in his debut EP ‘Dahlia’ Mary Kate Moylan Laker Review Editor mmoylan@oswegonian.com

Rating: Coming up on the first anniversary of a global pandemic, one tends to think of all that they could have accomplished, or all that they have accomplished despite the challenges COVID-19 has presented. However, some artists have prevailed and managed to utilize the time spent at home to hone their craft and push their talents during these times of lockdown.

With some musicians just getting started in their career, like Holly Humberstone (“Falling Asleep at the Wheel”) who are using this time to strengthen their fanbase, or industry veterans like Taylor Swift (“cardigan”) who have used this past year to release two full-length albums within a matter of months, music has still managed to succeed tremendously despite the lack of live shows and performances.

Owen St, who started releasing singles within the past year between the platforms of Spotify

LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

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Student Film Spotlight 'False Promises' their own narrative purposes, as Ethan Stinson Asst. Laker Review Editor they help to discern between the estinson@oswegonian.com darker and more beautiful moIn his short film "False Promises," student filmmaker Damian Merkert explores a reality that nobody wishes to think about but inevitably must confront at some point in their lives. Though unfortunate, everybody must eventually experience the death of a loved one or close person in their lives.

"False Promises" focuses on a man as he deals with the unexpected loss of the person closest to him. As he confronts his new reality without this individual in it, he solemnly wanders through areas of wilderness and dilapidated structures.

The film mostly utilizes menacing red lighting, especially in shots that would otherwise feature nothing more than darkness. In moments depicting the wilderness, pink clouds and the sunset are used as a backdrop, with the dark orange sun appearing in a breathtaking shot by the lake. While aesthetically-pleasing, these shots also work to provide

ments of the film.

Also present throughout the majority of "False Promises" is narration from the man, which comes in the form of a gruff, somber voice. While driving home the film's primary themes through his words, his tone and presentation go even further to demonstrate the emotional complexity of these messages.

Overall, the man's narration provides some much needed context as to why he wanders throughout the course of the film and how recent circumstances have permanently affected him.

Through his short film, Merkert has touched upon a subject that very few people would be willing to address.

In doing so, he has provided a poignant, crucial perspective on something that all people must eventually come to terms with at some point during their lives. Despite its brief runtime, "False Promises" comes packaged with lofty themes that are approached in an honest, respectable fashion. The student filmmaker's short film is deserving of much praise because of its universal nature.

Image from 'False Promises' via YouTube The film poses the thought that life is filled with hardship and trauma.

Sony Pictures has recently confirmed talks regarding a "Jumanji 4."

Image from 'False Promises' via YouTube "False Promises" follows a man as he deals with having lost the person closest to him.

Quote from the director:

"This is a short project about losing those closest to you when it's least expected. Life is sometimes filled with suffering and there's some type of beauty in that."

The cast of "The King of Queens" will hold a reunion table read in honor of Jerr y Stiller on March 12.

Photo via Liam Morgenstern

YouTube: "False Promises" Watch Here:

A "Spongebob Squarepants" spin-off titled "The Patrick Star Show" has been announced

by Nickelodeon.

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FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

Crossword Puzzle

Across

Sudoku Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 block contains 1-9 exactly once.

1. Leave port 5. Intense anger 8. Fiber source 12. Common skin problem 13. Tennis divider 14. Citrus fruit 15. Produce 17. Pinnacle 18. Commotion 19. Renter’s rooms 21. Go on 23. Reporter’s question 25. Capture 26. Amtrak depot (abbr.)

29. Spanish title 32. Mailbox item 34. Moist 35. The I in TGIF 37. Tidy 38. Put up with 41. Paused

44. “Leaving ___ Vegas” 47. Test 48. Most precipitous 50. Swamp 51. Overhead railways 52. Threesome 53. Recipe direction 54. Look at 55. Urgent abbr.

Down

1. Epic 2. Passed perfectly 3. Not guilty 4. Confederate general 5. Not appropriate 6. Keep 7. Perpetual 8. Find fault with 9. Ready to eat

10. Prayer close 11. Ensuing 16. Sped 20. Toothpaste container 22. Artist Yoko ___ 23. Wind dir.

24. Giggle sound 26. Pittsburgh football team 27. Oolong, e.g.

28. Picasso’s field 30. Rampage 31. Map books 33. Explosive inits.

36. Decide 38. Oven gadget 39. ___ Witherspoon of “Legally Blonde” 40. Citrus beverage 41. Skirt bottoms 43. Eastern garment 45. The Orient 46. Street sign 49. “Harper Valley ___”

For this week’s puzzle answers ...

Go to Oswegonian.com and click on the Laker Review tab!

LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, March 12, 2021

You Wouldn’t Believe Me

by Lucas Fernandez

The thing living in my basement is not my daughter.

“So sorry, really I am.”

The thing living in my basement is not a person.

“How are you holding up?”

The thing living in my basement was not there a week ago.

“Take as much time as you need.”

No one can know about the thing living in my basement.

Laying in bed is as much of a chore as anything else. But what else do they expect me to be doing? A bed is comfortable, caring, and safe. A bed is silent. It won’t say things to me, even in the dark.

“Daddy, are you up there?”

The thing in my basement is not my daughter.

“Come down and see what I’ve made for you.”

My daughter died a week ago.

“It’s cold down here. It’s cold down here.”

A week ago I saw my daughter die.

I’ll be happy when they let me go back to work.

Damien says I should work on resting while I still have time to do it. I think resting is making everything worse. You ever have nothing to do but listen to the little noises in your house?

Meanwhile he’s already back to work.

“I wasn’t in the car. You need it more than I do.” He’s trying to be sweet. He wants to be the nurturing one, like always, even though he looks like he hasn’t slept for a month. He would be better off at home than I am. He doesn’t hear it.

“Come and find me!”

“Come and find me!”

Don’t stop at the door. Don’t touch the handle.

“Come and find me!”

Don’t listen, don’t look, don’t answer, don’t think.

“Come and find me!”

The thing in my basement is not my daughter.

My daughter was difficult and particular (something she got from me), and I was always tired.

My daughter always asked to sit up front in the car, but I was a good parent. I always said no.

“Why not?!”

I usually said no.

“I hate you! I hate you!”

I should have said no.

“Look out!”

Then the swerve. The screech. The crash. What did she see?

Something in the road.

I didn’t see anything.

What was in the road?

There was no trace of anyone.

Not a person in the road.

There was nothing there.

Something awful in the road.

Nobody will believe me.

There’s something in the basement.

Who’s going to believe me?

There’s something in the basement.

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Shea McCarthy

Jacob Fallat