The Pendulum, February 10, 2021 Edition

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THE PENDULUM

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 Volume 50, Edition 17 Elon, North Carolina

U N DER THEIR WINGS ABBY GIBBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

At 3 Bluebirds Farm, campers are given opportunities such as taking care of chickens to expand their sensory capabilities.

Elon expenses exceeded projections during fall semester

Amid fluctuating COVID-19 measures across Wake County, autistic students find structure at 3 Bluebirds Farm Samantha Casamento, Abby Gibbs, Amanda Gibson and Courtney Weiner | Elon News Network

L

EANNE MENZO SPENT 100 days learning about autism from a black binder. Her 9-year-old daughter, Addie, was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old, and the binder was given to the family by Addie’s doctor. At the time, the family was moving around and doctors everywhere told Menzo that Addie’s case was “complicated.”

“The greatest advice they can possibly give you is exposure,” Menzo said. “Exposure is key. So you’re supposed to take your child out or take your adult out, and you’re supposed to expose them to a world that is not exactly ready for them.”

While exposure to the outside world has been limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, students with autism face a new set of challenges that have been exacerbated by fluctuating measures regarding hybrid instruction in the Wake County School System.

Approximately one year after the onset of the pandemic, parents with students in special education programs still find themselves left behind by Wake County.

Despite the challenges of enduring a pandemic as a parent, Menzo was assisted by 3 Bluebirds

Farm, a nonprofit south of Raleigh.

Three years ago, Menzo discovered the farm and found comfort in the fact that the activities of the camp revolved around Addie and not her diagnosis. The nonprofit is dedicated to assisting children and young adults with autism in a year-round camp setting, which has helped individuals with autism who are struggling throughout the pandemic.

Erin O’Loughlin, the founder of 3 Bluebirds Farm and the year-round Camp Bluebird which Addie attends, feels the issue of fluctuating special education funding and aid stretches beyond Wake County, the largest school district in North Carolina, and has only been exacerbated by the pandemic.

“I can, without a doubt, say this is not just a Wake County problem.

This is a nationwide problem,” O’Loughlin said. “And what COVID-19 did was basically shine a light on a problem that’s always been here, and that is special needs classes and special needs services do not get enough funding.”

COVID expenses in the fall were larger than anticipated, but the university is hoping spring costs will be lower

See WINGS | pg. 6

See EXPENSES | pg. 5

Kyra O’Connor

Enterprise Story Coordinator | @ko_reports

Elon University spent more money than anticipated during the fall semester due to pandemic related costs, according to Provost Aswani Volety.

Representatives of the university did not say how much was planned for in the annual budget or how much more it spent than anticipated during the fall semester.

Among the expenses BY THE NUMBERS were COVID-19 tests, cleaning supplies and the personal protection equipment required to open campus safely. was refunded to students in “While we did reimbursements for unused spend more money housing and meal plans in the than anticipated on Spring 2020 semester the COVID-related expenses, we’re hoping by the end of the year, it’ll be offset by reduction [of ] expenses,” Volety said. “You can’t really look at it at this point in time, but by the end of the fiscal year, I think it’ll even out.”

$13.5M

NEWS • PAGE 4

LIFESTYLE • PAGE 13

SPORTS • PAGE 14

Elon narrows down

Senior uses her art skills

Football prepares for

commencement plans

to start a business

spring season

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Wednesday February 10, 2021

THE PENDULUM MACKENZIE WILKES A PUBLICATION OF

GRACE TERRY JACK NORCROSS

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Managing Editor of The Pendulum

ELLIS CHANDLER

Established 1974 Volume 50, Edition 17

Executive Director of Elon News Network

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Catie Mannato, Jacob Kisamore, Ted Thomas, Andrew Zagari, Henry Zinn, Livy Smith and Caroline Bunder contributed to the design of this edition.

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| PHOTOS OF THE WEEK |

3

FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

College Coffee on Feb. 9 on Scott Plaza.

Two men’s tennis players playing doubles against North Carolina A&T on Feb. 6.

Wednesday February 10, 2021

JOSEPH NAVIN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

JOSEPH NAVIN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A member of Elon’s women’s tennis team prepares to serve the ball against North Carolina A&T on Feb. 6.

Senior guard Saadia Munford, followed closely by junior center Evonna McGill, performs a layup on Delaware on January 31 in Schar Center.

Elon beat Delaware 83-61.

JOHN LUKE FARAH | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

4

NEWS

Wednesday February 10, 2021

Elon narrows down graduation ceremony plans for class of 2021 and 2020

Twin Lakes Retirement Community vaccinates staff and residents Over 800 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given to the staff and residents of Twin Lakes Cailey Rogers Elon News Network

ABBY GIBBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Members of the Elon University class of 2019 make their way to the commencement exercises on Young Commons on the morning of May 24, 2019.

The university is closing in on a final decision regarding commencement for the classes of 2020 and 2021 Jacob Kisamore

Elon News Network | @jacob_kisamore

As seniors begin their last semester at Elon University, there is still some uncertainty regarding graduation. Though a final decision has not been made, the school has released various options for both the commencement for the class of 2021 and a belated celebration for the class of 2020.

The school has announced three potential formats for the class of 2021’s commencement: a fully virtual option with no in-person gatherings; an in-person ceremony with a limited number of guests which would also be livestreamed; and an in-person ceremony for graduating students only that would be livestreamed for everyone else. A final decision about the format is expected to be announced no later than March 26.

Jeff Stein, chair of the Ready & Resilient Committee, said the school decided upon these potential formats depending on the state of the virus at the time of commencement. One option for students is an in-person celebration, but the virus could force them to host a fully virtual ceremony.

“Students have expressed to us how important an in-person ceremony with friends, family and staff is, so that had to be in the mix, but if conditions require us to go virtual, we need to be ready to do so,” Stein said. “We also tried to find a middle ground between those two extremes in which some people could attend inperson, which is how we landed on the third option.”

Senior Jessica Flacksenburg, president for the class of 2021, has been working closely with members of Elon’s senior staff, relaying their thoughts to students

regarding any potential in-person ceremony.

“It has been a very cooperative process, and they are keeping us very updated, which has been great,” Flacksenburg said.

“Unfortunately, it is not a situation either party can really control, because it is seemingly always changing.”

According to Stein, the school is following the protocols implemented by the state of North Carolina, which discourages unnecessary travel, in the decision-making process, among other factors, such as local and state infection numbers and vaccination rates.

“

WE WANT EVERYBODY TO BE SAFE AND HEALTHY, AND AS MUCH AS WE ALL WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE ATTEND IN PERSON, WE DO NOT WANT ANYBODY TO GET SICK. JESSICA FLACKSENBURG SENIOR

“We are going to be watching campus conditions related to the virus, county and state conditions related to the virus, as well as vaccination progress and the variants of virus strands throughout the process,” Stein said.

The recent announcement of the possible formats was a relief for Flacksenburg, as plans regarding graduation for the class of 2021 have been uncertain ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began last spring.

“Prior to the announcement, we had no idea what was going to happen, so I am glad we have some solid options to look at now,” Flacksenburg said.

While Flacksenburg would like to have an in-person ceremony with guests, she said her first priority is the safety of the potential attendees.

“We want everybody to be safe and healthy, and as much as we all want to have people attend in person, we do not want anybody to get sick,” Flacksenburg said.

“I care much more about the safety and health of everybody than having my family there.”

Flacksenburg is urging all students and family members in the class of 2021 to be patient with the process and promises that any and all updates associated with commencement will be communicated promptly.

“I know it is a frustrating situation not knowing whether or not we will be having an in-person graduation, but it is really important to bear with us,” Flacksenburg said. “Any information that I receive regarding graduation is going to go directly to the senior class and their families.”

Stein said the school is in communication with the class of 2020 officers with the hopes of organizing an in-person ceremony for their cohort this spring. A final decision regarding plans for the class of 2020 is also expected to be made no later than March 26.

“They have made it clear having an in-person ceremony is a priority,” Stein said. “What that ceremony would look like really depends on what they want, and we are working with them to meet their needs.”

Stein said he believes it is important to properly recognize both classes and is hopeful that safe, appropriate celebrations can be held this spring.

“Their achievements need to be celebrated, and we are going to try to do whatever we can to make sure we have celebrations that live up to their great accomplishments,” Stein said.

Joe Hill, a 79-year-old resident at Twin Lakes Retirement Community in Burlington, woke up on Jan. 14 willing and ready to receive the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Hill is one of 800 residents at Twin Lakes who received the vaccine as part of the first phase of vaccine distribution within North Carolina, residents living in long-term care facilities.

“We know [frontline workers] are first in line basically to receive the vaccine, but the fact that we were able to get it just actually the same week as the folks in health care got it was really great,” Hill said.

Twin Lakes has been able to administer over 800 doses of the vaccine. All but one of the residents in their Memory Care facility, a state-certified program for adults with dementia, are now fully vaccinated.

Tara Kepley, the administrator of the Memory Care facility at Twin Lakes, is responsible for coordinating and organizing the administration of the vaccine to the staff and residents living there. According to Kepley, Twin Lakes has partnered with CVS Omnicare to help their residents receive the vaccine in the most efficient manner possible, and workers have put in many hours preparing and organizing the vaccine clinics.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, as of Feb. 9, over 46% of residents in Alamance County who are 75 years old and older have received the first dose of the vaccine.

North Carolina’s and Alamance County’s vaccine plans organize their populations into groups based on risk, with those in high-risk groups receiving the vaccine first. Currently, the vaccine is being administered to Groups 1 and 2, which include people who work in health care and those who work or live in long-term care facilities, such as Twin Lakes.

Twin Lakes set up a clinic where residents can make appointments to receive the vaccine if they are willing — Hill said most residents are. In addition to educating staff and residents on the vaccine, the Twin Lakes administration has taken steps to make the experience getting the vaccine smooth and stress-free. Prior to their appointment, the administration completes the scheduling, forms and screenings for the residents. “[The residents] have some data entry they may have to do, but beyond that, there’s not a whole lot on their end right now that they have to do,” Kepley said.

Hill said he encountered no complications or difficulties with his vaccination appointment.

“I have nothing but praise for the leadership here at Twin Lakes and how they arranged this and made it easy for us,” Hill said.

On the other hand, clinics meant for older adults that are unaffiliated with private organizations like Twin Lakes have been facing different obstacles. On the Alamance County Health Department’s Facebook page, residents have commented on the inefficiency of the appointment process. Commenters have mentioned being left on hold for hours at a time or having their appointments canceled altogether.

Cone Health, another major distributor of the vaccine, recently had a shipment of doses canceled, affecting over 10,000 people who had been scheduled to receive the vaccine after Jan. 25. All appointments at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Event Center were forcibly rescheduled, with those who already had appointments remaining at the top of the waiting list.

NEWS

Wednesday February 10, 2021

Elon University exceeded projected expenses during fall semester

5

Professors to be notified of quarantined students via OnTrack A student’s isolation status will now be available to instructors on Elon’s online attendance platform, a change from previous semesters Amelia Arcaro-Burbridge Elon News Network

COVID-related expenses caused Elon University to exceed their financial expenditure projections in the fall semester.

EXPENSES | from cover When students began online learning last spring, the university refunded nearly $13.5 million to students for meal plans and housing, and the university budget was reduced by 5%. To adjust their budget, some departments left open positions unfilled or eliminated travel expenses that were already being curtailed by COVID-19 restrictions.

Owen Covington, director of the Elon University News Bureau, said the budget was adjusted last spring to account for the costs associated with the university’s “extensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” and has not been adjusted since.

One factor working in Elon’s favor was a longtime policy by the board of trustees that required the university to maintain an emergency reserves fund, which is 10% of the operating budget. Volety likened the reserve as a “rainy day fund.” The reserve allowed the university to absorb expenses, such as room and board reimbursements.

Volety said the $1.49 million the university received in May as part of the federal aid from the CARES Act as well as money borrowed from the board reserve went toward COVID-related costs, including upgrading technology in classrooms for remote learning and stocking cleaning supplies across campus. While the university will not have to pay back CARES Act funding, Volety said the money from the board reserve is to be repaid over two years.

Volety said that each coronavirus PCR test could cost anywhere from $80 to $150.

During one of the largest weeks of random testing in the fall semester, the university administered 327 PCR tests, according to the COVID-19 dashboard. The cost of administering this many PCR tests could have been anywhere between $26,160 to $49,050 — the latter is more than a full year of undergraduate tuition.

During the winter and spring semesters, the university is using antigen testing, which Volety said could cost as low as $10 for the test and distribution. Antigen testing also takes less time to return results, meaning students can be tested more frequently.

Students are now being tested weekly for COVID-19.

According to Volety, testing more frequently is not just a precaution against COVID-19 but could also reduce costs for the university. More frequent testing will allow the university to identify clusters faster, Volety said, as well as decrease the amount of close personal contacts of a positive COVID-19 case.

“Because we have testing every week, we

don’t need to spend as much money isolating students,” Volety said. “All of our quarantine insurance... We were spending a lot of money on hotels.”

While the cost of a student in quarantine at nearby hotels is not the same as what a community member would pay, Volety said the quarantine expenses are “not cheap.”

Elon, like many private colleges, relies on tuition and room and board rather than state allocated funds. Michael Nietzel, former president of Missouri State University and senior contributor for Forbes, said the biggest challenges of the financial crisis will be faced by private institutions.

“Small private colleges, particularly those that do not enjoy an elite status, face serious financial threats,” Nietzel wrote in an email to Elon News Network. “They depend on tuition and room and board fees, and students are going to be reluctant to make a commitment to those schools unless they are reassured that a normal, in-person residential college experience will be available.”

The university did increase tuition for the 2020-2021 academic year by $1,806 for fulltime residential students, a 3.7% increase from the 2019-2020 academic year. Volety said there could be an increase in tuition for next year as well, proportioned to the increase in cost of living. By comparison, inflation as measured by the consumer price index increased in the South from 2019 to 2020 by .96%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

However, increasing tuition would be counterproductive to the university’s stated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, according to Asha Banerjee, a policy analyst for the Center for Law and Social Policy, which studies issues related to racial and economic justice. By increasing tuition, universities close themselves off to historically marginalized populations, Banerjee said. One of Elon’s stated goals for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts debuted in the fall was to increase minority student enrollment.

“Universities need to find this money from somewhere, but squeezing it out of the very people who they are entrusted to care for and provide an education and a home for should not be the solution,” Banerjee said.

Patrick Murphy, director of financial aid, said raising tuition would also increase the amount of financial aid students need.

Despite the pandemic’s financial impact, the university’s financial aid budget did not increase for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Financial aid, which comes from interest on the university endowment fund and tuition, does not fluctuate based on the amount of need in a given year. Murphy said one of the biggest challenges the Office of Financial

CAROLINE BUNDER | DESIGNER

BY THE NUMBERS

$26,160 -49,050

is the estimated cost for administering PCR tests, according to an Elon News Network analysis

Aid faced this semester was not being able to increase financial aid for students whose financial situations changed.

“We’ve got a finite amount of money that’s assigned to us out of the overall budget of the university for financial aid, and we don’t have the capability of just increasing students financial aid packages,” Murphy said. “It’s tough on us because we have a lot of people thinking that we’re going to be able to solve all of the issues that have been brought about by the pandemic, but we don’t have the money to do that.”

Murphy said because the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the current year accounts for a family or individual’s financial situation from the previous year, the financial aid office will not face as many new challenges next year, but could during the following academic year, 2022-2023.

“In two years is what I’m more concerned about, because the FAFSA for the 2022 year is going to be based on everyone’s income for 2020,” Murphy said. “Schools around the country are not going to have the capability of just suddenly increasing everyone’s financial aid to match what the FAFSA is saying.”

When the university tightened the budget, departments across campus had to find ways to trim their own expenses. But for the Office of Student Involvement, the budget did not change — instead, student involvement spent its money differently. Activities on campus like Late Night Elon and weekend activities are funded by a portion of the student activity fee, a set amount of money all full-time undergraduate students pay each semester. For the 2020-2021 academic year, students paid $146 each semester.

Student involvement fees, much like tuition rates, are set by the Board of Trustees.

“We know that the social connection that students really enjoy and part of what makes Elon such a special place are those relationships,” said Janis Baughman, director of student involvement. “I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to continue that and there won’t be a budgetary impact that limits our ability to offer that for students.”

Elon University professors will now be able to monitor a student’s quarantine status via OnTrack, using the online course roster.

Previously, instructors received an email when students were put in isolation.

Jeff Stein, the chair of the Ready & Resilient Committee, said this change was suggested by faculty members who did not find the original quarantine notification system to be satisfactory.

“Faculty members shared that this system was cumbersome and did not help them react quickly in supporting students,” Stein said.

In the fall semester, when a student was required to isolate themselves due to exposure to the coronavirus, their professors would receive an email alerting them of the situation.

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WHILE NOT AUTOMATIC, IT STAFF, WHO HAVE BEEN PRESSED TO CREATE MANY NEW PROCESSES THIS YEAR, HAVE WORKED TO MAKE THE MOST EFFICIENT PROCESS POSSIBLE, WITH AS MINIMAL A GAP AS POSSIBLE. JEFF STEIN CHAIR OF THE READY AND RESILIENT COMMITTEE

While Elon’s IT team has been working to keep up with the unique demands of education in the pandemic, the student’s OnTrack status may not update immediately, Stein said.

“While not automatic, IT staff, who have been pressed to create many new processes this year, have worked to make the most efficient process possible, with as minimal a gap as possible,” Stein said.

Despite this potential gap in time before a student’s OnTrack status updates, this change will still allow instructors to monitor the quarantine status of their students with greater ease and efficiency than the methods used in the fall semester.

In light of the adjustment towards convenience, Stein said he thinks students should remain vigilant in communicating with their instructors.

“Faculty and staff want to know how students are doing and want to support students,” Stein said.

6

NEWS

Wednesday February 10, 2021

Autistic students find community at farm WINGS | from cover A bird’s-eye view

Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is considered to be a spectrum because no two diagnoses of autism are the same. This provides a unique challenge to families and doctors, as there are many ways the disability manifests itself. The disorder affects the development of the brain, often in areas of social interaction, communication skills and cognitive function.

With more information on autism, doctors are better able to provide a diagnosis earlier in a child’s life. The earlier a diagnosis, the sooner the correct resources can be given to the child and their family. For Mary Spears and her son, Jacob, who attends 3 Bluebirds Farm, early diagnosis was key for helping his development.

Spears knew her son had developmental issues when he was 9 months old. Jacob, who is now 9 years old, did not walk until he was 2 and did not talk until he was 5. At first, Jacob communicated with crying and tantrums, Spears said.

“That was very challenging because I had never left him with anyone but my mom. He is kind of physically demanding.” Spears said. “I could tell that he wanted to. He was trying. He just couldn’t form the words.”

Now, Jacob does talk. Spears said it’s not a lot, but it’s enough to know what he wants and needs.

“We’re happy because I know there are some kids that are always nonverbal,” Spears said.

Winging it

Stephen Byrd, a disability classroom management specialist and an Elon associate professor of education, said for people with autism, having a structured day can help alleviate the stressors that trigger meltdowns due to the disability.

Structure, though, is a difficult thing to find during a pandemic. The uncertainty that comes with COVID-19 can cause fear or anxiety, even for non-disabled people. This stress can be intensified for autistic people.

“I think that maybe that has something to do with the nature of the disability,” Byrd said.

“It can make them very afraid. For someone who is all about structure and is very literal, hearing that 10 million people are going to be sick is very distressing.”

Last March, Wake County Public Schools suspended in-person classes and shifted the

ABBY GIBBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Arayel Pegues, 19, works with children on a game inside the farm’s main room. According to Andrea Rasmussen, director of programs, it is essential for autistic children to interact with each other socially.

entire school system online because of the coronavirus. This left autistic students with high support needs and their parents with few resources to provide their children with a quality education.

As a result of the pandemic, O’Loughlin and the rest of the 3 Bluebirds team adapted to try to become a better resource for autistic children and their families. Even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, O’Loughlin didn’t give up on providing services to children when she felt they needed it the most. Administrators and volunteers at the farm provide campers with a daily schedule of activities and can work individually with students on incorporating sensory and communication skills into their lives.

“We’re providing the support they need as well and inviting the community into our place so that they can learn about what their needs are and still have a very calm comfort zone for individuals as well,” she said.

Arayel Pegues, 19, has worked at the farm since she was 16. Even with a tight schedule,

BY THE NUMBERS

1 in 54

children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to the CDC. Autism spectrum disorder occurs in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups

1 in 6

children aged 3 to 17 were diagnosed with a developmental disorder from 2009-2017 including ADHD, blindness and cerebral palsy, among others, according to the CDC

“

WE’RE PROVIDING THE SUPPORT THEY NEED AS WELL AND INVITING THE COMMUNITY INTO OUR PLACE SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AND STILL HAVE A VERY CALM COMFORT ZONE FOR INDIVIDUALS AS WELL. ERIN O’LOUGHLIN 3 BLUEBIRDS FOUNDER

the year-round camp provides her with an opportunity to learn from all campers and to understand their individual needs.

“They just keep you on your toes. It’s really exciting,” Pegues said. “You learn different things. I learned about different things with the kids every day because not every case of autism is the same.”

Dani Lane, Elon assistant professor of education who specializes in inclusive education, said the differences in ways the disability appears in students can affect the way they interact with others and prefer to learn. She said autism also affects the manner in which these students learn during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lane said while some aspects of online learning might be more difficult for students with autism, the transition hasn’t been bad for all of them.

“It’s hard to put a blanket statement that COVID is negatively impacting all students because it really depends on that student,” Lane said. “A lot of it depends on home life as well. If I’m a student with autism and I have my mom at home who’s educated and is supporting and providing me the structure I need, I’m probably having a much better experience than if my parents are not at home.”

However, Spears — the mother of Jacob — said the transition to online classes has been anything but easy for her child.

“My son does not do the virtual stuff,“ she said. “Even when we’re sitting with him trying to get him to do 30 minutes in the morning, it just goes to pot most days.”

Jacob’s parents have tried various ways to make his online classes less overwhelming but have yet to find a solution.

“He tries to touch the keys and then we set up in the dining room. My husband puts a laptop on the side where he can’t reach it and we put an external TV there for the monitor.

He just sits there for a little bit and then it goes downhill,” Spears said.

His mother recalls countless times she has had to end his classes early after tantrums and meltdowns because of how overwhelming virtual learning is for Jacob.

“We’ve had a couple of days where he just said he doesn’t want to do it. And it’s been like an hour ordeal of screaming, throwing his glasses, crying, kicking, hitting himself, and that to me is not worth it,” she says. “So I just send his teacher a note and be like, ‘There is no way we can do it today.’”

Flocking Together

Jacob holds one of the farm’s therapy chickens.

ABBY GIBBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Susan Caldwell also feels frustrated with the fluctuating schedule of the Wake County school system when it comes to her son Cameron’s education. Regardless of how she helps her son — who also attends 3 Bluebirds’ year-round camp— she knows that there is nothing she can do that will make him sit at

NEWS a computer.

“He gets mildly aggressive,” Caldwell said.

“He does not like having to learn on the computer, so we’ve had to go through great efforts with Wake County to make them understand that our child is not going to be on the computer for four to five hours a day.”

While Caldwell is happy to have Cameron back in the classroom after Wake County recently transitioned to in-person instruction under North Carolina’s Plan B, other students had the option to remain in the county’s virtual academy for the rest of the year.

Still, Caldwell wants Cameron to abide by the school’s COVID-19 protocols and wear a mask, which she has been working on with him at home.

“It’s a heroic effort for parents, for people like myself to try to encourage my child to keep the mask on,” Caldwell said. “Even though my physician has signed off on him not having to wear a mask, I still think it’s really important that they do.”

Caldwell is dissatisfied with the efforts of Wake County to accommodate children with disabilities in a remote education setting, which has “let a lot of families down.” While she is appreciative of the teachers who have gone above and beyond for Cameron, she wants to increase inclusivity within the school system. She is planning on running for a Wake County school board seat in 2022 to advocate for her child.

“There needs to be some people who have a positive influence there, people who have kids just like Cameron, my son, on the school board who can really stick up for those kids,” Caldwell said.

“

IT’S KIND OF LIKE YOU’RE GOING DOWN A REALLY DARK PATH AND YOU KNOW THAT THERE’S AN END SOMEWHERE, BUT THERE’S NO LIGHT AROUND YOU. YOU’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR LITTLE BEACONS OF LIGHT EVERYWHERE TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT PATH. LEANNE MENZO WAKE COUNTY RESIDENT

Ruffled feathers

While COVID-19 has constrained students’ in-person instructional time, Wake County still faces budgetary fluctuations from the pandemic that can affect other services children with autism can receive.

The district’s 2020-21 budget allocated only $3,218,634 of state funding for children with disabilities, a decrease of 16% from the previous year’s $3,867,878.

This was a decrease from the 2019-20 categorical allotment of $3,867,878 by the state for Wake County Public Schools.

Beside the lack of state funding and for services for children with disabilities, a $41 million decrease in federal funding is apparent in the 2020-2021 budget proposal.

In a letter accompanied to Wake County Public Schools’ budget for 2020-21, School Board Chair Keith Sutton wrote that COVID-19 would hamper the services provided by the schools.

“We also know it falls far short of the educational needs exposed by this pandemic,” Sutton wrote.

Multiple Wake County Public School System communications officers did not respond to Elon News Network’s repeated requests for comment in time for the publishing of this article.

Back to the nest

For O’Loughlin, the lack of funding and resources for children with autism is personal.

After her son was diagnosed with autism, she

Wednesday February 10, 2021

ABBY GIBBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Students walk around indoors during their activities.

sought ways to help individuals with highsupport needs such as her son and other people with autism find a way to seek additional services and care. O’Loughlin eventually settled on starting her own nonprofit, Camp Bluebird, a year-round camp designed to help children with autism.

The farm also includes other opportunities such as Take Flight clubs, which work with teenagers with autism. Now, Camp Bluebird has transitioned to 3 Bluebirds Farm. After O’Loughlin moved to the property last November, the farm is still in the process of reconfiguring the space to best serve children with autism that have high support needs.

Pegues, the farm’s 19-year-old program assistant, was stunned when she saw the nonprofit’s new space while she helped her mother, who is a lead program assistant for 3 Bluebirds Farm.

“I actually started to cry. Knowing how long Erin and her family and Andrea and my mom have been wishing for a place like this to come here. It’s been eight long years, and they really have to work so hard,” Pegues said.

With vegetable gardens scattered around the farm’s main building, as well as a cage with two rabbits and a chicken coop, children with autism and their families can explore a myriad of sensory activities. Not only can this space provide more opportunities as the children grow up, but the farm’s volunteers and workers like Pegues are equally invested in their future.

“It’s kind of emotional too, because you know them since they were so little, and then when they grow up, it’s like three or four years and now you’re like, ‘wow they’re really growing up and they’re doing a lot better,’” Pegues said.

Taking flight

O’Loughlin’s goal for 3 Bluebirds Farm was to make children with autism and their families feel at home when they walk onto the farm.

Spears and her son felt at home almost immediately. On their initial visit to Camp Bluebird five years ago, Spears recalls Jacob throwing rice, used in a sensory activity, across the room when first meeting O’Loughlin.

When Jacob put his hands in the rice and started throwing it everywhere, Spears admits she was worried he wouldn’t get into Camp Bluebird and that they didn’t have any other options. However, O’Loughlin has a child with autism, so Spears said she can better understand Jacob’s behavior.

“I know that teachers who teach these kids every day obviously have a level of understanding because I deal with it every day,” Spears said. “But it’s different when you’re a parent and you deal with it 24 hours, 365 days a year. When I started freaking out about him throwing the rice, she was like, ‘it’s not a big deal’ and told me not to worry about it.”

When the pandemic disrupted schedules across schools in Wake County and the rest of the state, O’Loughlin immediately sought ways to provide services for her campers.

“Erin came and said, you know, we’re gonna make an attempt. Our kids need something, we’re gonna wear the masks. We’re gonna take

7

Students enjoy swinging in a hammock during outdoor free time.

Jacob races another child during free play time at camp.

temperatures. And I was like, ‘thank the Lord’ because the kid needed to get into some kind of routine,” Spears said.

In addition to the Spears family, Menzo and her daughter Addie now think of 3 Bluebirds Farms as their home as well. While Addie has only been attending camp since 2017, Menzo says it has only gotten better every year.

Since Addie has been at Camp Bluebird, the journey since Addie’s diagnosis continues to change. She has slowly developed better speech, but still has sensory issues. At times, Menzo said, the journey is dark.

“It’s kind of like you’re going down a really dark path and you know that there’s an end somewhere, but there’s no light around you,” Menzo said. “You’re always looking for little beacons of light everywhere to make sure you’re on the right path.”

But like every day with a child with autism –– it is impossible to predict the future, especially during a pandemic. The truth is, no one will really understand the challenges that come with it, Menzo said.

“One of the greatest things I always say is the whole journey in and of itself is predictably unpredictable,” she said. “Good luck trying to plan something that’s probably going to turn out totally different.”

ABBY GIBBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ABBY GIBBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 3 BLUEBIRDS FARM OR VISIT WWW.3BLUEBIRDSFARM.ORG

1. Open your phone camera 2. Focus on the QR code 3. Click the pop-up link

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NEWS

Wednesday February 10, 2021

ELON STUDENT MAKES SENSE OF A CHANGING WORLD

THRO UG H MUSI C One freshman talks about his aspirations and how his cumulative efforts have led him to create music Maddie Shosten and Frances O’Connor | Elon News Network

T

HE UNPREDICTABLE WAVES CRASH along the Virginia shoreline as the wind howls a discordant whistle. Drew Reuschlein channels this environmental turbulence and his own inner conflict into the lyrics: “Do you understand, nothing goes to plan.”

Reuschlein, a freshman at Elon University, featured this line in his latest standalone single “Catch Me If You Can.” Reuschlein has been writing songs since he was 12-years-old.

For Reuschlein, changes of scenery have always been a creative catharsis, like his August 2020 trip to Lake Anna in Virginia that provided the inspiration to write “Catch Me If You Can.” The song is “about watching things change and not being able to do anything about it,” he said.

“Sometimes it can feel like you’re constantly chasing an idealistic end goal that just isn’t meant to work out perfectly,” Reuschlein said. “You have to learn to adapt to life’s turbulence, and that’s something I have a lot of trouble with.”

Reuschlein’s interest in making music began in middle school and was inspired by musical artists like Billy Joel and Justin Vernon.

“I would try and replicate the instrumental track as close as I could on GarageBand on my phone, and I did this for about three years without officially releasing anything,” Reuschlein said.

During this stage, producing his own music was a mere ambition.

“It was just too hard to see my ideas through to their full potential with my … resources and knowledge. I never really

1

stopped trying, and one day I was working on this one track called ‘The Stranger Song,’ and I was really proud of the way it sounded,” Reuschlein said. “That was the track I would use to make the jump from SoundCloud to iTunes, Spotify and actual streaming services.”

“

I HAVE TO GIVE MY BRAIN THE FREEDOM TO FILL IN THE BLANKS THE WAY IT WANTS TO. IF I’M REALLY ON A ROLL, EVERYTHING KIND OF FALLS INTO PLACE. DREW REUSCHLEIN FRESHMAN

After the release of “The Stranger Song” in 2018, Reuschlein said he “really buckled down.” He continuously worked on expanding his creative capabilities by investing in higher-quality gear and working with mentors.

Now Reuschlein has eight original songs in his discography. He was able to

1. Open your phone camera 2. Focus on the QR code 3. Click the pop-up link

2

4

Reuschlein sings into the mic as part of his creative process

Reuschlein works on new tracks in Logic Pro on his free time.

7

SCAN TO LISTEN TO “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN” ON SPOTIFY

Reuschlein has a personal music session in his dorm.

Reuschlein plays his guitar to his new song “Catch Me If You Can.”

5

middle of a pandemic, Reuschlein has been able to take inspiration from uncertain times. In the absence of performing live, he has worked to improve his mixing and guitar skills.

Reuschlein has already started off 2021 strong.

“My biggest goal for this year is to stay focused and keep making music because I enjoy it,” he said. “Though I don’t know exactly what the future holds, I would definitely like to release more songs this year and reach more people with what I have to say through my music.”

Freshman Drew Reuschlein writes lyrics for his newly released song “Catch Me If You Can.”

Reuschlein has a personal music session in his dorm.

3

complete “Catch Me If You Can” in only three days.

“Every song is a different undertaking for me, but everything I write tends to start from something small, whether it’s a melody or an audio sample or a singular lyric,” Reuschlein said.

Comparing composition to “a puzzle,” Reuschlein uses a process of experimentation with his piano and guitar to flesh out the rest of a song.

Despite being a self-described perfectionist, he tries to avoid forcing creativity or inspiration, and rather, wait for it to come to him — a lesson he learned after rushing the release of his previous song “Cabin Fever.”

“I have to give my brain the freedom to fill in the blanks the way it wants to,” Reuschlein said. “If I’m really on a roll everything kind of falls into place.”

Even after one semester, Reuschlein has positive things to say about his first year at Elon. Being at the university has allowed him to connect with other creatives.

“There’s something so energetic about getting a group of musicians together all on different instruments and just fiddling around to see what sticks,” Reuschlein said.

He described the college envionrment as helpful for creating new music.

Even with my homework and academics,” Reuschlein said, “I have so much free time on my hands to write, record and produce.”

Living away from home is an additional benefit as he doesn’t have to “mind [the] volume.”

Despite coming to college during the

6

Reuschlein melodically strums his guitar while taking in the scenery.

1 FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

NEWS

Wednesday February 10, 2021

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3 FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

2 FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

5 MADDIE SHOSTEN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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4 MADDIE SHOSTEN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

7 FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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NEWS

Wednesday February 10, 2021

Elon student essential workers get COVID-19 vaccines

CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR

An Alamance County Health Department worker fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Jan. 18.

Some students who are Emergency Medical Technicians have received doses of the COVID-19 vaccines Cailey Rogers Elon News Network

Elon University junior Caroline Wolfe has not only seen the stress that COVID-19 has caused patients and medical staff from the back seat of an ambulance as an Emergency Medical Technician, but she has also been a COVID-19 patient herself.

At the beginning of January when Wolfe was offered the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a frontline essential worker, she jumped at the chance to receive the first dose.

“I am lucky enough because I’m an EMT that I was able to get it,” said Wolfe. “So I wanted to take that opportunity because, like everyone else, I want COVID to be over, so I was like if I can be one of the first to get the vaccine, then I’m gonna take that chance to do that.”

North Carolina’s vaccine plan calls for administering the vaccine by determining level of risk. In the state, over 300,000 people in the first two priority groups — health care workers, long-term care staff and residents and older adults — have been able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, as access to the vaccine increases and moves down the levels, those who want the vaccine and are eligible are able to receive it at no cost through hospitals and local health departments.

While most college students fall under the last category of “general public” and do not

CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR

An Alamance County Health Department worker goes through the pre-screening with those who are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. At the Career and Technical Education Center in Burlington, N.C. they test about 200 people who are 75 and older by appointment only. They are doing a mix of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccine.

have the vaccine available to them yet, some of the members of the Elon community are included in group 1A and have qualified to receive the vaccine.

Like Wolfe, senior Lindsay Barclay was able to receive the vaccine because of her work in the medical field, both as an EMT and by working at vaccine clinics for the Charles County Health Department in her home town in Maryland.

“I felt like one, because I’m working in the

medical field, it’s probably a good idea, and if people in that 1A group, which are first responders, healthcare providers and those high risk people, if they choose to not get it, it’s going to be harder and slower to move on to general population,” Barclay said.

Wolfe and Barclay both said their experience with taking the vaccine through their local clinics was a positive one — they did not experience serious side-effects and felt overall faithful and confident in the science

that went into creating the vaccine.

Even with the sense of relief that came with receiving the vaccine, Barclay and Wolfe said they will not stop wearing masks and physical distancing.

“I’m just one person, but I feel like [by] me getting the vaccine, I could potentially stop it from spreading to my friends or my family or other people around me so I feel like I am doing at least a small part to slow spread,” said Wolfe.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | page 11

LIFESTYLE

NEW COOKIES ON CAMPUS JACK NORCROSS | NEWS DIRECTOR

Sophomore Nathan Moskowitz takes out a tray of freshly baked cookies.

An Elon sophomore has started a cookie-baking business out of his apartment Julianne Quinn Elon News Network

Sophomore Nathan Moskowitz realized that Elon’s campus was sorely lacking a cookie business after his friend drove to Raleigh just for a sweet-treat.

“I watched a friend one night travel 45 minutes to Insomnia Cookies and 45 minutes back,” Moskowitz said. “We don’t really have good cookies around here.”

Moskowitz is the owner and founder of the small baking operation, Nate’s Cookies, which he runs out of his apartment.

“I always was obsessed with food,” Moskowitz said. “I basically studied it religiously. All my friends around me kind of know me as a food encyclopedia.”

Moskowitz has always been passionate about cooking and inspiring joy in others.

“Working in the kitchen and sending out a dish and seeing someone respond to something you created … there’s almost nothing better,” said Moskowitz.

Though Moskowitz started his cookie bakery only three weeks ago, he already has a four-week waiting list for cookies.

“I didn’t think that this was going to be big,” Moskowitz said. “I thought that it was just going to be like close friends.”

Now, Moskowitz has launched a brand-new website for Nate’s Cookies, and orders will now be placed online.

Currently, Moskowitz is selling a one kind of cookie called “The Dark Horse,” a recipe he created himself. The treat is a dark chocolate cookie with toffee, dark chocolate chunks, brown butter and espresso. Moskowitz said he did a lot of research to find the perfect flavor combination for this cookie.

Junior Anna Thompson was one of Moskowitz’s first customers and got to try the Dark Horse cookie.

“Nathan’s cookies are the perfect combination between salty and sweet,” Thompson said. “It tastes like something you would buy in a real bakery.”

Junior Jacob Hyle also got to try some cookies

and described them as “uncomprehendingly good.” Nate’s Cookies have been in high demand since their launch.

“I want another one so bad,” Hyle said.

“They are sold out every other week.”

Despite the growth of the business, Moskowitz said he wants to keep Nate’s Cookies exclusive.

“I make 36 cookies every week and when they’re sold, they’re sold,” Moskowitz said.

He is still working on new ideas for the future such as new cookie recipes and a Nate’s Cookies clothing merchandise line.

Moskowitz started the business on his own but quickly realized he might need some help in maintaining it. He assembled a team of his friends and roommates to keep Nate’s Cookies fully operational. Moskowitz has friends helping him with finances, videography and public relations.

“

IT TASTES LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD BUY IN A REAL BAKERY.

Sophomore Nathan Moskowitz finishes his cookies with a sprinkle of salt.

JACK NORCROSS | NEWS DIRECTOR

ANNA THOMPSON JUNIOR Moskowitz’s sister, Ellie Moskowitz, is a senior at Elon and has been supporting Nathan throughout his business journey. Ellie said Nathan has always had a passion for cooking.

“If you can’t find Nathan, he’s probably in the kitchen somewhere or sitting reading a cookbook or writing a recipe,” Ellie said.

“Anything that has to do with cooking brings this kid the most joy.”

Nathan made his first batch of cookies over Winter Break for Ellie and their family to try.

As of now, Nate’s Cookies is functioning fully on Instagram under the account @nates_ cookies. Moskowitz is grateful to everyone who has supported Nate’s Cookies; he refers to them as his “cookie connoisseurs.” To order a cookie, visit the official Nate’s Cookies website.

Raw “Dark Horse” cookie dough ready to be baked in the oven.

JACK NORCROSS | NEWS DIRECTOR

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lifestyle

Wednesday February 10, 2021

LOCAL GIRL SCOUTS

FORGE THROUGH PANDEMIC

After 10 months of virtual meetings, local Girl Scouts Troop 13214 continues to succeed Madalyn Howard

Elon News Network | @madalynhoward_

A disjointed chorus of voices cut in and out of the Zoom call, cheery but spastic due to poor internet connection.

“A circle is round; it has no end; that’s how long I want to be your friend!” sang the pixelated choir: three young Brownie scouts and two troop leaders from local Girl Scouts Troop 13214.

The last time Troop 13214 met in person together was March 5, 2020, two days after the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was identified in North Carolina. By the time their next meeting was supposed to take place on March 19, Gov. Roy Cooper had closed K-12 public schools statewide and banned mass gatherings. Troop leader Rosie DeMario knew she had to make other plans for her troop going forward, and in April 2020, they began meeting weekly on Zoom.

“At that point, it was more of a support system, because nothing was really structured yet,” DeMario said. “But it was really nice because, you know, it’s still scary now, but it was very scary then.”

Elon News Network spoke with DeMario back in September 2019 when Troop 13214 began gathering at Elon Community Church. The troop is now in its fourth year of membership and is currently made up entirely of Brownie scouts — girls in the second and third grades.

DeMario founded the troop shortly after the 2016 presidential election. She said she was disappointed by the results and began seeking opportunities to empower young girls and teach them the importance of self-confidence and leadership.

But when local governments began enacting stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic last March, Troop 13214 and other Girl Scouts across the country were forced to go virtual to continue their programs. Now, almost one year later, what began as a quick fix has become routine into the foreseeable future.

Girl Scouts councils have released guidelines for in-person meetings that adhere to state limitations on mass gatherings, but DeMario and her troops chose instead to observe measures taken by the AlamanceBurlington School System. DeMario said their membership fluctuated throughout the pandemic, but their Zoom meetings grew more organized.

“Sometimes our meetings are awful,” DeMario said. “Nobody’s paying attention, everybody’s off and it’s kind of like another obligation for people. And then we’ll recover with a meeting like tonight, where it’s all really fun, and everybody’s engaged.”

Troop 13214 ended last year with seven girls, and this year, they have five consistent scouts that participate in weekly virtual activities either organized by DeMario and troop co-leader Hannah Hendricks or borrowed from the Girl Scouts website.

Last week’s Zoom meeting centered around

Two Girl Scouts from Troop 1316 work together on a project in 2018. In 2021, many troops have opted for a virtual schedule.

a virtual activity that had the Brownies solve puzzles to distribute Girl Scouts cookies; the girls are currently in the middle of cookie season.

This year, the Girl Scouts organization shifted their cookie-selling strategies online.

Each scout has a unique sales link that can be used by customers to order their cookies, and customers who don’t personally know a scout have several ordering options including the Girl Scout Cookie Finder App and contactfree delivery via Grubhub.

According to DeMario, in-person group booths are permitted by the organization, but Troop 13214 opted out of hosting group booths due to the pandemic. Several of her scouts have hosted mini booths with their parents, DeMario said, and Troop 13214 is already close to passing their goal of 800 boxes sold.

Elon University’s chapter of Kappa Delta has also been counting down the days until cookie season. The sorority partners with the Girl Scouts as one of its national philanthropies, and according to Kappa Delta’s website, sisters from across the country dedicate over 125,000 hours working with Girl Scouts in their communities.

Lucy Ham, vice president of community service for Elon’s chapter of Kappa Delta, said the pandemic has made it more difficult to do hands-on activities with local Girl Scouts troops, but she is hoping to make the most of cookie season.

“Girl Scouts as a whole is a really great program for building social skills, life skills,

BY THE NUMBERS

800

boxes of cookies sold is the goal for Troop 13214 in 2021

confidence — we always talk about confidence, that’s kind of our big thing,” Ham said. “I think it’s awesome [for them], seeing older girls and being able to build those relationships.”

Ham said Kappa Delta will be using online order forms this year rather than working physical cookie booths. They will then work with several local troops to package orders, and Elon students can even get Girl Scouts cookies delivered directly to their campus mailboxes.

Ham’s sentiment was echoed by former Girl Scout and Elon sophomore Courtney Shanley, who fondly remembers her time as a Girl Scouts Brownie. Shanley said although she understands the necessity of virtual meetings, she regrets that today’s Brownies can’t experience all the organization has to offer.

“In the majority of the meetings, we talked about inclusivity and how to treat others with kindness — treat others the way you want to be treated,” Shanley said. “And I think the troops are somewhat missing out, since it was fun to be with your whole troop and make new friends within it.”

GRACE TERRY | MANAGING EDITOR

COOKIE BUYING

OPTIONS

• COOKIE FINDER ON GIRSCOUTCOOKIES. COM • ASK A GIRL SCOUT TO SHARE A LINK TO HER VIRTUAL COOKIE BOOTH • TEXT “COOKIES” to 59618 • DOWNLOAD THE GIRL SCOUT COOKIE FINDER APP

lifestyle

Wednesday February 10, 2021

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An Elon senior has begun selling commissions of her art on Instagram Olivia Roederer

Elon News Network | @OliviaRoederer

Arielle Brochin was raised in a household of creativity. With a fashion designer mother and an artist father, the Elon senior said she was destined to eventually find her niche. While grounded during her sophomore year of high school, Brochin uncovered her own passion for art.

“The night that I started drawing with colored pencils opened up a whole new world for me,” Brochin said. “The rest of the time I was grounded, I spent it in my room drawing random objects. I remember being pretty surprised with myself, that I could draw and color so accurately. And to be honest, I had no idea the talent and potential I had unlocked.”

It wasn’t until she was stuck at home again due to the coronavirus pandemic that Brochin realized she could turn this passion into a career.

“I had such a set idea in my head that you had to have a 9-to-5 to make money. Once I really got into [art] during quarantine, I realized, ‘this is really what I want to do,’” Brochin said.

Brochin began creating art in both her advanced high school art classes and in her free time. Eventually, she wanted to share this talent with others, so during COVID-19, she turned to Instagram to showcase her artwork. The account and business @the_goldencanvas was born.

“The idea behind The Golden Canvas comes with a notion that anything can be a canvas,” Brochin said. “On The Golden Canvas page, I paint on anything from sweatpants to canvas to ashtrays, jewelry, plates, sneakers and more. The opportunities are endless.”

Brochin uses her platform to showcase the art she creates in both her free time and in her Elon art classes. This work consists of everything from oil paintings to color pencil drawings. Additionally, Brochin uses this platform as a way to reach potential customers who are interested in buying their own customizable piece.

“

I JUST STARTED DOING FREE WORK FOR PEOPLE KIND OF JUST TO GET MY WORK OUT THERE, GET MY NAME OUT THERE TO SHOW PEOPLE WHAT I CAN MAKE. JUST LIKE THAT, IT TOOK OFF. ARIELLE BROCHIN SENIOR

In her latest commission — a piece for a couple’s anniversary — one of the customers wasn’t too sure what he wanted, so Brochin helped guide the client.

“I started asking him about what trips he has taken with his girlfriend. He mentioned they went to London last fall and visited a very beautiful high tea restaurant,” Brochin said. “This place holds a dear memory for them. So, I took that memory and that idea and am now painting a photo from their trip.”

In addition to regular clients, Brochin receives support from her close friends

Senior Arielle Brochin paints in Arts West on Feb. 2. Brochin sells her artwork on her Instagram account @the_goldencanvas.

who know to look to her for a unique fashion find. Senior Alex Covello is one of these friends and a loyal customer of Brochin’s.

“I fell in love with my order from [Brochin]. It’s like she really knew exactly what I was looking for,” Covello said. “She was texting me with questions constantly and got it to me really fast. I’ve since then put in two orders for her.”

After launching her business in early March, Brochin’s work began to gain recognition and she built up a client base quickly.

“I just started doing free work for people kind of just to get my work out there, get my name out there to show people what I can make,” Brochin said. “Just like that, it took off.”

As an artist, Brochin doesn’t confine herself to a box and constantly tests new mediums for her work. Her artwork is multifaceted and reflects the mission of

The Golden Canvas: to be unique and experimental.

Though the artwork embodies the brand, so does the customer experience.

There’s something rare and exclusive about wearing a product that no one else has. “[Brochin] was able to see a vision that I wasn’t able to see for myself and make it happen,” Covello said. “When I got the sweatpants, I posted them everywhere for everybody to see because they were custom-made. They were made specifically for me and I love that I couldn’t get them anywhere else.”

Brochin’s work reflects her two artistic styles: surrealism and hyperrealism.

She draws inspiration from people like contemporary Australian artist CJ Hendry, who mirrors both her vision and passion for creating.

“I draw inspiration from other artists that are doing the same thing I’m doing now,” Brochin said. “Just trying to get their

GRACE TERRY | MANAGING EDITOR

art out there and make a business out of it, make a living out of selling their art.”

Brochin believes one of the most rewarding aspects of @the_goldencanvas is the impact her work has on the customer.

“Usually someone asks me for a commission for someone’s birthday or anniversary, things like that,” Brochin said.

“Seeing the reaction to the commission is one of the greatest feelings ever.”

Brochin is eager for the future of @ the_goldencanvas. Recently, she has been working with other students and hopes to continue giving them a resume and work experience. In addition to collaborating, Brochin hopes that her work can have a greater impact on the world.

“I hope to reach a point where I have a large platform or following where I can influence others to care about art and how it impacts people’s happiness, as well as motivate other people to make a difference through my art,” Brochin said.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | page 14

SPORTS

CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR

Elon University senior and quarterback Davis Cheek throws a pass during a game against the Delaware Blue Hens on Oct. 12, 2019. The Phoenix beat the Blue Hens 42-7.

ELON FOOTBALL PREPARES FOR new type of season The Phoenix’s unique spring season will commence Feb. 20 Annemarie Bonner

Sports Director | @annemarie_bon

Elon University’s football team is coming off of a long break and is ready to approach this spring season. Although weather and practice schedules are different, head coach Tony Trisciani said the team’s goals remain the same: win one game per week, win the Colonial Athletic Association Championship and compete for a national championship.

Quarterback Davis Cheek’s Senior Season

In the fall of 2019, quarterback Davis Cheek came back to football after a torn ACL abbreviated his sophomore season. In his comeback campaign, the team went a modest 5-6 but capped off the year with a bang by upsetting Towson University — a top-20 team in the Football Championship Subdivision at the time — and spoiling their chances at the FCS playoffs.

For Cheek, the shift in schedule matters very little because he has been able to enhance his skills during the offseason and now return to the game he has played for years for one last time.

February

“It just feels like playing football now, which I’ve always enjoyed. I really don’t mind the cold. I think I actually kind of relish in it,” Cheek said. “Obviously this is a very different year than anything that we’ve been a part of with a lot of different protocols, things like that, but at this point it’s pretty much normal.”

His motivation headed into the season is in part due to the nature of the year.

“Every game means so much more because you don’t know whether or not you’re going to be able to play the next week.

If you get the chance to play on Saturday, you’ve got to really take advantage of that,” he said.

Cheek said his teammates also feel similarly motivated.

“Everyone’s just going to be really appreciative of the opportunity,” Cheek said.

“We’re going to have a little more fun than you might usually just [be]cause, it’s been taken away a little bit from you,”

“

EVERY GAME MEANS SO MUCH MORE BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU’RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PLAY THE NEXT WEEK. IF YOU GET THE CHANCE TO PLAY ON SATURDAY, YOU’VE GOT TO REALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT. DAVIS CHEEK QUARTERBACK

Coach Tony Trisciani’s Perspective

Due to COVID-19 protocols, the team has to reorganize meeting times to ensure protocols are being followed. Therefore, only a certain portion of the team can be allowed in the facility at one time. Trisciani said this affects team dynamics and has caused the athletes to spend more time in the facility

March

March

than usual.

The team is also not experiencing what would be considered a standard preseason, since that would typically occur over the summer before classes begin. The players would usually begin preparing for the season in June, which they did last summer.

Essentially, the team has now experienced two pre-seasons in one academic year.

However, the season was officially canceled due to the pandemic in early August.

According to Trisciani, the coaching staff ’s priority is to keep the players safe and healthy after 15 months without football.

“They spend a little more time here than normal because of the stagger and some of the mitigating efforts and protocols that we have in place. But at the end of the day, we’re trying to keep them safe,” Trisciani said.

To make this priority a reality, Elon Athletics are requiring testing three times per week.

“We are thrilled to be together as a team and practicing for a spring season and a tremendous amount of work and preparation by our players, our coaches, our administration and our sports medicine staff have gone into even getting us to this point,” Trisciani said.

The team will begin their season with a non-conference matchup at Rhodes Stadium at 1:30 p.m. against Davidson College.

April

vs Davidson College

vs James Madison University

vs University of Richmond

vs College of William & Mary

Saturday, Feb. 20; 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 6; 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 13; 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 3; 4:00 p.m.

sports

Wednesday February 10, 2021

15

Elon women’s basketball hopeful to make leap to greatness Despite COVID-19 alterations, women’s basketball has maintained the same amount of energy and drive Hope Suire

Elon News Network | @hopesuire

The Elon University women’s basketball team has been in their season for over three months, changing day-to-day starting lineups and implementing safety protocols to keep the players safe and on the court during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Head coach Charlotte Smith has had to adjust her coaching due to the pandemic both on and off the court.

“The biggest adjustment you have to make is you are having to coach mental health and taking care of yourself, not only physically, but mentally,” she said.

“

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY DESPITE THE CHALLENGES THE PANDEMIC HAS CREATED. BRIE PERPIGNAN JUNIOR GUARD

Despite the new COVID-19 protocols, junior guard Brie Perpignan said there have not been any changes to the team dynamic, and she does not feel that COVID-19 has caused any setbacks for the team.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to play despite the challenges the pandemic has created,” Perpignan said.

This season, the team welcomed two new players: redshirt juniors Peyton Carter and Evonna McGill. They both have begun playing,

Senior guard Ariel Colón blows past a Delaware defender on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 in Schar Center. Elon beat Delaware 83-61.

with McGill having waited a year to take the court due to transfer regulations.

Carter, a guard, previously played for the University of Colorado. McGill, the top center on the team’s depth chart, transferred from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Perpignan said the new additions fit in well on the team.

McGill started her first season on the team with a 17 point outing against Furman. McGill nearly outdid that in Elon’s win against James Madison, scoring 16 points off the bench and hitting all seven of her attempted field goals.

The team had a strong start to the season, going 4-2 in non-conference play and only losing to North Carolina State, which was ranked fourth in the nation at the time, and to North Carolina A&T, one of the top teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Perpignan and senior Saadia Munford are leading the team in assists and are first and third in cumulative points, respectively.

During the Phoenix’s first matchup against James Madison this season, Munford scored 21 points, distributed two assists and collected three rebounds — her personal season best performance.

“She was fortunate to be able to win a championship her freshman year, which is pretty rare for a lot of people,” Smith said. “That is her motivation, to leave out the way she came in, and I think with that chip on her shoulder, she’s done a great job of putting this team on her back and carrying them.”

With no freshman players on this year’s team, sophomores Maya Johnson and Vanessa Taylor are giving fans a glimpse of the future.

Johnson has averaged 2.9 points and 14.4

JOHN LUKE FARAH | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

minutes per game this season. Taylor is a guard from Norrköping, Sweden and has averaged 4.1 points and 19.7 minutes per game. She is one of two European-born players on the team, the other being Duru Tasman, who was born in Istanbul, Turkey.

Both Johnson and Taylor posted career highs during their freshman season and are elevating their game in year two of their Elon career. Taylor hit her career record, scoring 17 points during the Phoenix’s season opener against Gardner-Webb. In her second start of the season on Jan. 31, Johnson shined on against the University of Delaware, achieving a season-best performance against the Blue Hens with six points.

The Phoenix are scheduled to return to Schar Center this weekend for back-to-back games against the College of Charleston.

Burlington Baseball rebrands to new name Sock Puppets The Burlington Baseball team was formerly known as the Burlington Royals Annemarie Bonner

Sports Director | @annemarie_bon

After a six month search reviewing over 1,200 names as well as keeping in consideration Alamance County’s history in the textile industry, the owners of the Burlington Baseball team landed on the new name — the Burlington Sock Puppets.

The Burlington Sock Puppets, formerly known as the Burlington Royals, announced via Youtube Monday morning that their name change has become official.

The process began when Major League Baseball and USA Baseball announced that the Royals’ league — the Appalachian League — were no longer affiliated with the minor league. This change ended the team’s affiliation with the Kansas City Royals. The owners relied on history, season ticket holders, and the local community to decide on a new name.

For the club, the goal is to be “sockingly different”, instead of shockingly different, according to Assistant General Manager Thomas Vickers. They did not want to base their team name off of an MLB team, such as naming themselves the Blue Sox or Burlington Sox. Because they could not have a season last year, Vickers hopes the name change will excite the local community and encourage them to come to games.

“We are so happy about it because it is a one and only name. There’s never, ever been other sock puppets that’s been a sports franchise,” Vickers told Elon News Network in an interview. “We really want the city to

COURTESTY OF THE BURLINGTON SOCK PUPPETS

The Burlington Baseball team has rebranded to the Burlington Sock Puppets after the Burlington Royals became unaffiliated with the minor league.

take it and run with it and put Burlington and Alamance County on the map.”

Vickers said the re-branding of the team also opens up new opportunities and hopes it will excite the community. Once the pandemic is over, the organization plans to host concerts, offer an all you can eat buffet for season ticket holders and host comedian shows.

“We have a very civic duty to put on for this community and make sure that everyone that comes to the ballpark leaves with smiles and, has a blast and wants to keep on coming back,” he said.

BY THE NUMBERS

1,200

plus names were reviewed during the six month search of finding a new name for the Burlington baseball team

With the new team name, also comes reworking the stadium to incorporate the new logo. Vickers said that their goal is work with local businesses that have been hurt by the pandemic for signage and merchandise.

“We wanted to come up with something that was going to be fun for everyone from a 70-year-old man to a six-year-old little girl to come out to the ballpark and then have fun with a name and a brand,” he said.

The Sock Puppets will play the first game of their season on June 5, at Burlington Athletics Stadium.

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