Breaking news, blogs and more at TCNJSignal.net. Vol. XLVIII, No. 1
January 24, 2018
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Police train for active shooter scenarios
By Brielle Bryan News Editor
Police cars lined up outside of Forcina Hall as officers raised their weapons, entering the building with steady hands and skilled caution. While students retreated into their homes, eager to relax over winter break, Campus Police took advantage of a relatively empty campus to educate its officers with its annual Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response course. Campus Police also invited officers from the Ewing Township Police Department and New Jersey Department of Human Services Police to the four active shooter training sessions held on Jan. 6, 7, 13 and 14. There were 16 officers from Ewing Township, 12 officers from Human Services Police and 16 Campus Police officers attending the training, according to Campus Police Lt. James Lopez. Last year, the training was held in Bliss Hall and Campus Police did not involve other police departments. “We will never know, if this
Brielle Bryan / News Editor
Campus Police Officer Tania Ryan practices maneuvers to take down a target. type of incident occurs, where it will occur,” said Campus Police Sgt. Scott Leusner. “Changing the environment keeps the training fresh for our officers who have been receiving the training yearly, and also changes the scenarios due to the different layouts of the buildings.” The active shooter training
School of Business alumni fondly regard program
evolves every time a mass shooting takes place. In 2016, there was a mass shooting in Pulse Nightclub, located in Orlando, Florida. The tragedy served as a lesson for officers and medics in training. “Police learn better tactics,” Lopez said. “Years ago, the mindset was you wait for SWAT. It’s changed 180 degrees where it’s
the first person on the scene’s job to go in and stop the shooter by whatever means possible. One of the things they found in Pulse Nightclub is that the majority of people died because they bled out in the bathroom because nobody could get to them.” In the past, EMTs were not allowed in a building unless the
see CAREER page 3
INDEX:
Nation & World / page 5
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see FORCINA page 2
Racist post leads to tcnj.snap shutdown
By Brielle Bryan News Editor The College’s School of Business was ranked No. 44 in Wharton Tops Poets&Quants’ Best Undergraduate Business Programs of 2017 on Dec. 5. Poets&Quants, the leading online publication for undergraduate business education news, configures its rankings by asking 2015 graduates to rate their schools based on 15 various open-ended questions, according to the College’s website. A main concern students have when applying to colleges is whether they will receive the education and resources they need to build their careers and have a job when they graduate. Alumni of the School of Business have found that their time at the College was very well spent. Alumnus Brian Dragotto (’16), founder of the College’s Entrepreneurship Club, felt that the College’s School of Business provided him a well rounded education. “It’s so important for students to get involved and be a part of those networks, develop those relationships and learn from some of the nation’s top-rated business professors,” Dragotto said.
active shooter was apprehended. There is a current nationwide initiative to incorporate EMTs into active shooter training so they can help the injured in a building that might not be 100 percent cleared to avoid additional casualties. “If you train like this with everybody in the county, when an incident like this happens everybody will already have an idea of who they’re working with and know the basics of what we need to do and how we need to set up,” Lopez said. There was one incident of a reported active shooter at the College about 10 years ago, but the situation turned out to be a hoax. Lt. David LeBaw of the Ewing Township Police Department said that back when he was a patrolman, he was called in to help Campus Police with an active shooter situation. The active shooter was said to be on the seventh floor of Wolfe Hall, and was reported to have shot someone in a bathroom. “We made our way up to the sixth and eighth floor and converged onto the seventh –– it was nothing,” LeBaw said. “We
Users take offense to the insensitive content. By Connor Smith and Elizabeth Zakaim Former Editor-in-Chief and News Editor
Whether students were traveling across the country Editorial / page 6
Studying Abroad Students share their experiences abroad in South Africa See Features page 10
or enjoying a much-needed winter break at home, the College’s unofficial Snapchat account, tcnj.snap, was uncharacteristically quiet. The yearly “TCNJ Takes” photos of students in exotic locations
Opinions / page 8
were gone, and they may never return. The reason: tcnj.snap was retired by its anonymous creator — who graduated last May and passed it on to a current sophomore — due to a lack of moderation that reflected poorly on the College and its students. The popular account, which shared user submissions from students and alumni to compile a “campus story,” was run by one person, so when he graduated, he left tcnj.snap in the hands of a new moderator, with a mutual understanding that she could have control of the account, as long as she exercised the strict vetting process that tcnj.snap had used in the past. “When you pass on anything to somebody else, you have to make sure that if they’re running something you built, the mission for that product or service must match up completely with what your original goal was,” said the account’s creator, who spoke to The Signal on the phone
Features / page 10
on the condition of anonymity. “I don’t believe that goal matched up. “I figured as long as she was learning, that’s all that matters to me, as long as TCNJ’s reputation and credibility stayed intact,” he added. “As long as the snap kept painting the campus in a positive light. But it didn’t happen that way.” While several students told The Signal they felt that tcnj.snap’s level of moderation dropped when its original founder graduated, the event that triggered the account’s deletion was a photo posted on Dec. 3 of two black women dressed in red with the accompanying caption, “What’s braken blood.” The post, according to students such as Yanaja Joyner, a sophomore journalism and professional writing major, insinuated that the women were part of a gang, and mocked gang culture in general. see POST page 2
Arts & Entertainment / page 13
Sports / page 20
The Last Jedi Newest installment of iconic series is a hit
Men’s Basketball Lions on a five-game winning-streak
See A&E page 13
See Sports page 16
page 2 The Signal January 24, 2018
Post / Lack of media moderation stirs controversy
Students voice their concerns on Twitter.
continued from page 1
“A lot of people who have grown up in an urban area have lost someone to gang violence.” Joyner said. “It’s a dangerous thing and people are making a joke out of
it — it’s nothing to joke about.” A student, who posted her Snapchat exchange on Twitter, messaged the account and asked for the post to be taken down for this reason. The current moderator responded, “You have to look at it a different way. There are over thousands of students on here that will like their opinions to be shared on the snap as well.” While the post itself would not have met the founder’s standards, the response exacerbated the problem. “My No. 1 rule was I wanted to make sure it never targeted anyone,” the founder said. “I wanted to make sure it never singled anybody out and I wanted to make sure that each post was constructive. That being said, my policy was that if a single person wrote in and said ‘I have a problem with this,’ I would take it down immediately, no questions asked.” Don Trahan Jr., the College’s director of diversity and inclusion, and Kerri Thompson, the chief diversity officer, sent out an email on Dec. 5 informing the campus community of the situation, and reminding students to treat others with civility and respect. The tcnj.snap founder responded by taking back the account and sending out a final message, informing its followers he would be deleting the account in 24 hours. “The last thing I wanted was for this to really spiral out of control and have this end up on the local news, that TCNJ is racist, or something to that effect,” the founder told The Signal. “I wanted to do everything I could to prevent that headline from ever coming up everywhere, because it’s simply not true. There was one bad apple that sent something in, and it spiraled and it spiraled and the actions of that moderator magnified the problem, and it was just a ticking time bomb. I sincerely believe that if I hadn’t diffused it that night, I think it would have ended up on the local news.” While the founder was disappointed to see the end of his creation, which began in October 2015 and peaked at 15,000 unique subscribers, according to the founder.
He felt the response was overwhelmingly positive. “When I closed it down, I couldn’t believe how many people, the original people, the people who were using it a couple years ago when I first started, they all messaged me,” he said. “So many people were saying ‘This was absolutely the right thing to do, based on what’s been going on. The snap is not the same.’ But they let me know all these little stories about how the snap helped them and made campus life easier for them.” From checking in on fellow students or connecting with new friends, tcnj.snap was a window into life at the College that may never be replaced. “When I ran it, it was used to make the campus feel smaller,” the founder said. “It was used to make everyone feel more connected to each other and to get everyone on the same page. So even if you didn’t talk to somebody that day, or you hadn’t seen them for a week, you had a common understanding of where things were on campus and just the general vibe of the campus and knowledge of events going on.” While junior marketing major Omobola Solebo supported the removal of the post, she thought that that should have been the final move, had the new moderator not responded how she did. “If they immediately took down the picture, if they immediately apologized, this wouldn’t have happened,” Solebo said. “When you tell somebody their opinions and feelings are invalid, you push them to the edge and make them seek a bigger way to respond.” Trahan felt he needed to touch on the larger narrative of diversity at the College after receiving emails on Dec. 4 from students upset about the post. “The intention of the email was to remind us that even if actions that we take are meant to be harmless, the impact could have detrimental results,” Trahan said. “As we’re making decisions or engaging in conversations we need to be sensitive to how this intention could be perceived. see IMAGE page 3
Forcina / Officers and EMTs train for emergencies continued from page 1
cleared room-to-room, trying to figure out what was going on, and it turned out to be a jilted ex-boyfriend who I guess was trying to get back at his girlfriend.” LeBaw stressed that nothing is routine or expected, and an officer must be prepared for any scenario. “It comes down to determination, no matter how you look at it,” Patrolman Matt Przemieniecki of Ewing Township Police Department said. “If you’re not determined to complete your mission, if you’re not determined to win, if you’re not determined to save lives, if you’re not determined to end an active shooter, then what do you have?” Lopez explained that all of the four training sessions had the same structure, and officers from each participating agency worked together in each session. “We break it down into individual components, teach those components and then put it together in a scenario,” Lopez said. The training session began with a PowerPoint presentation issued by the federal government, which broke down step-by-step how officers should enter a building with an active shooter. The training teaches police officers how to approach stairs and doorways, how to “slice the pie” and enter a room. “Slicing the pie” is a tactic used when clearing a hallway. The officer will strategically approach the corner of the hallway so that they can’t be seen if a dangerous person is standing on the other side of the corner. Przemieniecki emphasized how
the right mindset will get an officer through a tough situation. “You’re exercising your mind,” Przemieniecki said. “If a car pulls up and a driver gets out and starts shooting at me, what am I going to do? If you already exercised up and down this road before, you’re going to act as if you already thought about it.” LeBaw told the officers that they should play the “what if” game, where they constantly think of different scenarios that could arise. Officers who had experienced the training before felt that the program offered new and valuable information each time. “Every year you hone your abilities,” said Campus Police Sgt. Matthew Mastrosimone. “You’re able to accomplish the goal quicker and it’s great just to get out and practice.” After demonstrating how each tactic is executed, the officers acted out live simulations where they put what they learned about clearing a building and taking down an active shooter into action. While one officer played the role of an active shooter, student volunteers from TCNJ EMS and the fraternity Delta Tau Delta played the roles of victims and hostages. During the live simulations, all of the students and officers were required to wear protective gear. The guns used in the training contained Simunition, a non-lethal ammunition, that left behind a water-soluble, red compound. “Your objective is to stop the shooter,” Lopez said to the trainees. “Secure the person. Secure the weapon.” Dillon Hayes, a sophomore mechanical engineering major and
brother of Delta Tau Delta, played the role of the person who calls police to report an active shooter. “You get to see it from the active shooter and law enforcement perspective,” Hayes said. “It’s kind of cool to see how much planning and how much training there is for what could be all of 30 seconds.” Hayes also had the chance to run down hallways, serving as an obstacle that the officers had to account for. “It shows you how to respond to the situation, and how to cooperate with police so that you’re not accidentally put into the mix,” Hayes said. This experience not only taught students about what to do when faced with a situation where there is an active shooter, but also helped develop their relationships with the different police agencies.
“I think college students are kind of afraid of police, and this is just a great way to kind of get to know some of the officers, and just build a better connection to the campus’ police force,” said Luke Kearney, a junior history major and brother of Delta Tau Delta. Lopez advised students to handle the active shooter situation in three ways — run, hide and fight. “Run away from the situation if you can get away safely,” Lopez said. “If you can’t escape, find a place to hide, and secure yourself in a room — lock the door. If everything else fails and you are faced with someone who wants to end your life, fight for your life.” This was the first active shooter training session for some new officers, including patrolman Ricardo Sookhu for the Ewing Township Police Department,
who said he learned much from the experience. “This is as close as we’re going to get to the real thing,” said Sookhu. “Here’s our chance to make our mistakes.” Campus Police Security Officer Nick O’Brien also had never completed active shooter training before. “It’s not something you would ever expect to happen to you in your life,” O’Brien said. “Being in a live simulation teaches you to respond correctly with the proper training, and give yourself a better chance of survival.” The officers and student volunteers learned that when facing an active shooter, the scenario will never go as planned. The only way to make it through such a deadly situation is to keep a determined mindset and be prepared for any possible scenario.
Przemieniecki demonstrates how to prepare for a potential attack.
Brielle Bryan / News Editor
January 24, 2018 The Signal page 3
Career / Business students well prepared for graduation
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
The College’s School of Business ranks in Poets&Quants’ top 50 best business programs.
continued from page 1
Herbert B. Mayo, professor of finance, and Kevin Michels, professor of marketing & interdisciplinary business, made Poets&Quants’ Top 40 Undergraduate Business Professors list, according to the School of Business website. The College’s School of Business offers a variety of clubs for students to build their networks and enhance their learning experiences, such as the Entrepreneurship Club, Women in Business and the American Marketing Association. About 60 percent of the students who receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the College receive one or more job offers before they even graduate, according
to the School of Business’s website. “At a time when parents and students are confronting ever increasing tuition bills and levels of debt, the return on investment of a degree is more important than ever,” Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Poets&Quants for Undergraduates John A. Byrne said. Joe Salamone, a 2017 alumnus and former president of the Entrepreneurship Club, completed his degree in interdisciplinary business. Salamone currently works at PKA Technologies, an exclusive partner of Hewlett-Packard, and was offered the job a month before his graduation. “There is a learning curve with this new job but my major prepared me well for learning new subjects quickly,”
Salamone said. Dragotto is currently a financial advisor and managing associate at International Planning Alliance, but began his career at Merrill Lynch. He also received a job offer about a month before graduation. Almost 80 percent of business students at the College complete at least one internship or co-op before graduation, according to the School of Business website. During Dragotto’s sophomore year, he had a finance co-op at Johnson & Johnson. “Instead of being surrounded by my peers, I found myself surrounded by people who knew more than me and had a better work ethic than me,” Dragotto said. “They gave me the chance to learn, fail and grow alongside of them, which is hard to do in a classroom setting.” Salamone felt that in many ways the School of Business set him up for success, but if he could change one thing about the program, it would be to incorporate more Microsoft programs into the course curriculum. “TCNJ, in general, is very pro-Google,” Salamone said. “At my new job, I have had to relearn how to use Outlook, Word, Excel and Sharepoint instead of Google’s gmail, docs and sheets, just to name a few. It was a transition.” Aside from Poets&Quants, the School of Business was ranked highly by other publications as well. The College ranked No. 57 in Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance in America for 2018, according to Niche.com. In 2016, the College ranked No. 35 in Bloomberg’s Best Undergraduate Business Schools, up 28 spots from being ranked No. 63 in 2015. “TCNJ’s School of Business has consistently placed among the top undergraduate programs in the country,” said William W. Keep, dean of the School of Business. While it was a major achievement for the School of Business to make the list of top 50 undergraduate schools, if the program continues to maintain its focus on preparing students for a life after college, it may very well move further up in the ranks.
Image / tcnj.snap account deleted Kendall Main Stage nominated for award “If the president of the College were to watch this and didn’t approve, don’t post it.” —tcnj.snap founder continued from page 2 Trahan also wanted to clarify that neither he nor the administration had a hand in the account’s removal and that it was an action solely under the discretion of tcnj.snap’s creator. “We encourage freedom of speech and encourage students to use their voices,” he said, “but at the same time we want to model a culture of respect and inclusiveness.” Trahan invited students who felt disgruntled by the situation to the weekly Critical Conversations meeting, a platform for students to engage in unfiltered dialogue about a broad range of topics they may take issue with. During the meeting, which was held on Dec. 8, many students acknowledged that it was not the first time they saw a post they deemed racist on tcnj.snap. Solebo, Joyner and other students at the meeting recalled seeing pictures of fallen loose braids around campus with captions such as “somebody come get your weave,” which they felt targeted the black culture and community on campus. Joyner never saw any jokes about “blonde extensions,” or other cultural hairstyles posted on tcnj.snap, and that made her feel like the black community was being specifically targeted. Joyner said she noticed a racial bias in the account this past
fall semester, specifically when the moderators of the social media platform changed hands. This isn’t the first time the College’s reputation was damaged by an unofficial account, the tcnj.snap founder said. Early in its run, a competitor, tcnj_snap, cropped up, which posted images and videos that included nudity and drug use. “From my perspective, (tcnj_ snap) was doing the opposite of everything I would have done,” the tcnj.snap founder said. “They were posting nudes and crazy shit. That’s why they failed. The fact that they failed really helped me to understand that the only way for me to make this meaningful is to run it as if I was part of the administration. My rule was: if the president of the College were to watch this and didn’t approve, don’t post it.” A new account, Tcnj-snap, recently popped up to fill the void left by tcnj.snap, though it lacks the reach of the old account, especially in alumni circles. While not aware of the new account at the time, the tcnj.snap founder told The Signal he would be fine with another account stepping up to replace his creation, but assured The Signal that this is the end of his involvement in any social media channels representing the College. “I have no doubt there will be another tcnj.snap or a competitor or an equivalent, but I want to clarify that my involvement with any social media involving TCNJ ends today,” he said. “It won’t be me. I won’t be involved. I won’t be talking with the person. I’m excited to see where TCNJ students take it, but I won’t be able to swoop in and save the day again. I hope whoever decides to take a stab at it has a steady hand.”
By Elizabeth Zakaim News Editor The College’s Kendall Main Stage Theater was nominated on Jan. 8 for JerseyArts.com’s 2018 People’s Choice Award in the “Small Performing Arts Center” category, according to the College’s School of Arts and Communications newsletter. The Kendall Main Stage Theater has been hosting student productions and guest performances since it opened in 1932. This is the venue’s first nomination for an award, according to Albert Brown, the recruitment and outreach specialist for the College’s School of Arts and Communications. “It certainly is an honor,”
Brown said. “The Kendall Main Stage Theater has served as a home for the arts at TCNJ in all the best ways –– a sense of community, creativity, growth and entertainment. We would like to acknowledge students and staff who work tirelessly to make performances and events successful.” Jersey Arts is cosponsored by the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, according to the program’s website. The organization was created to increase awareness and appreciation of artistic endeavors within the state. Winners of the competition will be announced in March with awards presented soon after at the
New Jersey Tourism Conference, according to Brown. The award includes a special mention on JerseyArts.com and a gold plaque. Other performance centers nominated for the award include the Stockton Performing Arts Center, Shea Center for Performing Arts and Monmouth University Center for the Arts’ Pollak Theatre. The South Orange Performing Arts Center won the award in 2017. Campus stakeholders are encouraged to vote for the theater at JerseyArts.com/vote. Voting ends on Feb. 20. Voters may also enter a grand prize contest to win a $100 gift card by providing a mailing address along with their ballots.
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
Student productions have been held in the Main Stage Theater since 1932.
page 4 The Signal January 24, 2018
Nation & W rld
January 24, 2018 The Signal page 5
Coastal Peru suffers earthquake damages By Danielle Silvia Copy Editor Two people were killed and 65 were injured when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Peru on Jan. 14 at 4:18 a.m. The earthquake’s damage stretched over much of southern Peru, especially in the coastal towns of Acari and Chala in the coastal Province of Caravelí, according to BBC. Though the earthquake hit 25 miles off the coast of Acari, it was so strong that residents of the capital city Lima, 350 miles away, were able to feel its effects, according to NBC. One of the victims, a 55-year-old man, was discovered crushed underneath a rock in the city of Yauca. Another victim died in the same region, in the town of Bella Union, according to Hernando Tavera, president of the Geophysics Institute of Peru, via CNN. The earthquake caused power outages and landslides that blocked several major roadways. Many houses and buildings were damaged or destroyed entirely. Adobe
houses are common in southern Peru, but the structures are prone to collapse during earthquakes, according to BBC. The Peruvian government is taking action to help those affected and protect the people who are still in the area. President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski expressed his intention to visit the affected region via Twitter. Kuczynski plans to “verify the magnitude of the damage and send the needed humanitarian aid,” according to NBC. After the earthquake, a tsunami threat message was issued to coastal areas of Peru and Chile. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reasoned that the powerful magnitude of the earthquake posed a possible threat for tsunami waves along these shorelines and thus warned the citizens, according to NBC. According to the tsunami threat message, waves were reaching “0.3 meters to one meter above the tide level for some coasts of Peru.” The threat message was revoked once the waves died down at approximately 5:45 a.m., according to ABC. Some aftershocks were observed in coastal Peru, and evacuations occurred
AP Photo
Several homes in Bella Union are partially or completely destroyed. shortly afterward, according to The New York Times. The tremor began with a shift in the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. Throughout the last 100 years, 13 earthquakes with a magnitude over 6.5 began between these plates, according to BBC. Jorge Chávez, Peru’s Chief of Civil Defense, said that damage to the roads is
hindering rescue efforts. Many provincial and secluded roadways have become essential in connecting coastal regions to several neighborhoods in Peru, according to The New York Times. Planes carrying tents, blankets and other supplies have been dispatched to Acari and Chala in response to the disaster, according to BBC.
Panic ensues in Hawaii after false missile alert HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL,” at about 8 a.m. on Jan. 13, according to The New York Times. It was discovered nearly 40 minutes later that the message was sent out by mistake. The morning of the false alarm, an employee at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency arrived at work and began initiating a practice internal test of an emergency missile alert system not intended for public release. Instead of initiating the “test missile alert” system, the employee selected “missile alert,” according to The Washington Post. “In this case, the operator selected the wrong menu option,” said HEMA spokesman Richard Rapoza, according to The Washington Post. The false alarm contributed to recent rising tensions AP Photo in the Pacific. After emergency drills began at the end Messages clarify the erroneous alarm. of last year, Hawaii revived Cold War-era nuclear sirens By Rebecca Colnes in fear of an attack from North Korea, according to The Staff Writer Washington Post. Hawaiian senator Brian Schatz called the mistake “toHawaiians and tourists were bombarded by messages tally inexcusable,” and urged that the state must work to flashing on phone screens, televisions and highway signs establish a trustworthy alarm system, according to The New reading: “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO York Times.
Allyson Niven, a resident of Kailua-Kona, recalled her panic to The New York Times. “We fully felt like we were about to die,” Niven said. “I drove to try to get to my kids even though I knew I probably wouldn’t make it. It was awful.” Vern Miyagi, the administrator of HEMA, worries about the credibility he must work to re-establish, according to CNN. In the event a real alarm is necessary, the agency worries whether people on the islands will take the alarm seriously. Hawaii State Representative Matt LoPresti suggested that a second confirmation alarm should be necessary in the event of a real emergency. After the alert sounded, LoPresti and his family took shelter in a bathroom in their home and began to pray, according to CNN. “We all just got down, got in the tub, waiting for a flash and I was going to cover the kids with my body,” LoPresti said, according to CNN. North Korea lies less than 5,000 miles away from the Hawaiian Islands, meaning that the state would have about 20 minutes notice of an incoming missile from North Korea. Growing tensions leave Hawaii on especially heightened alert, according to CNN.
Mudslides devastate affluent California community By Dorian Armstrong Staff Writer 20 people were killed and three more remain missing after mudslides tore through the southern California community of Montecito last week, according to the Associated Press. Heavy rains on the morning of Jan. 9 washed mud and boulders from the nearby mountainside into the community, destroying over 100 homes and damaging nearly twice as many. This mudslide is the deadliest in the U.S. since 2014, when 43 were killed in rural Oso, Washington, according to ABC. By contrast, Montecito is an affluent seaside village just east of Santa Barbara and 20 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Several celebrities own property there, including television host Oprah Winfrey.
“It is breathtakingly horrible,” Santa Barbara County Supervisor Das Williams said, according to ABC. “Our community is going through something it has never gone through.” The storm wasn’t anticipated to be a “once-in-200-years event,” according to the local newspaper, the Santa Barbara Independent. The mudslides were preceded by California’s worst ever wildfire season, which killed 44 and destroyed 8,400 buildings last fall, according to the LA Times. Yufang Jin, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis who co-authored a study on the wildfires, described the dry summer, powerful winds and increasing urban encroachment as a “perfect storm of weather conditions.” Fatigue from recent forest fire evacuations prevented a preemptive evacuation of much of the
town, a decision which Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown has defended. “It was activated at the appropriate time actually when the event was occuring,” Brown said, according to the Associated Press. 21,000 people have since evacuated from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, according to NPR. “We heard the earth just groaning like a tsunami was coming our way,” survivor Rita Bourbon told NPR. “And my daughter and I had our moment of we are probably not going to live through this… there could be boulders the size of our house coming down the road.” Bourbon’s home escaped destruction, but two of her neighbors were killed when overflow from a nearby creek ripped their houses apart, according to NPR. One of the bodies was found in
AP Photo
Wildfires precede the deadliest mudslide in years. Bourbon’s backyard. Rescue efforts are still ongoing, though emergency officials are becoming doubtful that more survivors can be saved, according to Reuters.
“It’s devastating seeing the damage and knowing how hard it’s going to be for so many people to move on,” emergency responder Julie Purcell told the LA Times.
page 6 The Signal January 24, 2018
Editorial
Students should not lose track of their goals A new semester springs new opportunities to seize and desires to fulfil — a checklist full of ambitions like establishing a new club on campus, acing courses, losing weight, landing a competitive job or internship, asking someone on a date or simply maintaining your wellbeing. The energy and confidence is glowing. You feel like drinking some yolks, putting on a gray sweatshirt and running to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You feel like standing on the bow of the Titanic, screaming “I’m king of the world!”. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my time at the College, it’s always easier said than done. By spring break, you’ll already want to throw in the towel. Sometimes, you just can’t improve your grades despite visiting the professor’s office, going to the tutoring center and splattering drafts with edits, or start a new club when the proposal at the Student Finance Board meeting didn’t work out. It’s hard to land an internship when the employer already threw your application away, and maybe that awkward date could have gone better. Along the way there you will always have failures and shortcomings. I’ve learned that most people never achieved their goals because of high expectations and lack of patience. You’re not going to have a 4.0 GPA tomorrow. Johnson & Johnson is not going to knock on your door with a job for you next week. You’re organization is not going to fundraise enough money for a spectacular gala in the Decker Social Space by next month. The only thing I know that is certain is that every goal is about progress. Every ambitious goal is jam-packed with a subset of smaller goals. Something to do every day. Something to keep track of. Something that makes you motivated to wake up and realize that the dream is alive. Will there be challenges and setbacks? No doubt. Will there be a point where it’s easy to give up? No doubt. Will you feel hopeless and uninspired at one point? Of course, but the goal still remains! Be like Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers and trust the process. Trust yourself that every step you take is an effort to achieve your goal. If you do not believe me, just ask Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Nick Foles. He used to be a backup for the St. Louis Rams (Now Los Angeles Rams) not so long ago. Now he’s facing former teammate Case Keenum and the Minnesota Vikings with a shot to the Super Bowl. By keeping the goal in mind, nothing can’t stop you from seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. — Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo, Sports, Review and Social Media editors and the Business and Production managers, unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.
AP Photo
Embiid’s example highlights the importance of trust while working toward a goal.
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Mailing Address: The Signal c/o Forcina Hall The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Nadir Roberts Reviews Editor robertn5@tcnj.edu Meagan McDowell Photo Editor mcdowem4@tcnj.edu Julia Marnin Production Manager marninj1@tcnj.edu Heather Haase Web Editor haaseh1@tcnj.edu Maddi Ference Kristen Frohlich Social Media Editors ferencm2@tcnj.edu frohlik1@tcnj.edu Emilie Lounsberry Adviser lounsber@tcnj.edu Thomas Munnia Business/Ad Manager tmunnia@gmail.com
“If you’re not determined to complete your mission, if you’re not determined to win, if you’re not determined to save lives, if you’re not determined to end an active shooter, then what do you have?.” — Matt Przemieniecki, Patrolman for Ewing Township Police Department
“They were posting nudes and crazy shit. That’s why they failed.” — Founder of tcnj.snap Anonymous Alumnus
“At a time when parents and students are confronting ever increasing tuition bills and levels of debt, the return on investment of a degree is more important than ever.”
— John A. Byrne Editor-in-Chief of Poets & Quants for Undergraduates
January 24, 2018 The Signal page 7
page 8 The Signal January 24, 2018
Opinions
Give tcnj.snap a second chance
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
Students keep up with campus events through Snapchat. By Michael Battista Despite being away from the College for more than a month, last semester’s campus controversy and subsequent shutdown of the unofficial College Snapchat, tcnj.snap, by its faceless creator continues to chip away at me — I believe it was the
wrong way to handle the issue of racism in our community. Last semester, a photo was published on the account by a user, who may have been a student, of three black women dressed in red from behind with a caption that referenced the Bloods street gang. A student screenshotted the photo and her subsequent conversation
with the current moderator of the account — who is not the account’s original creator — and the moderator’s defense of the post. The College received a complaint via Twitter with the images from Snapchat included, and sent out a mass email to students saying they would investigate the situation. Soon after, the original creator of the account returned to announce they were shutting down tcnj.snap on their own accord. The post itself was racist and completely unnecessary, but the destroying a communicative platform for our students because of an ignorant post by a random user is where I draw the line. Last semester, I noticed that many were happy that the account was gone —they said there have been rude posts in the past and the account did not contribute much to life on campus. My friends and I saw it differently. To us, tcnj.snap was the best way to stay up-to-date on campus happenings, like upcoming events, or sales for textbooks or concert tickets. It especially meant a lot to my friends who are transfer students, who credited the account with helping them get acquainted to the College’s culture after transferring in as upperclassmen.
“I’m pulling the plug… An account with TCNJ’s name on it that only gets things right 99 percent of the time is not good enough,” tcnj.snap’s anonymous creator said in a quote given to Lions Television. “Even one negative experience from the snap is one too many and I am now destroying it to guarantee this never happens again.” The intention of shutting down the account is pure, but in its execution, tcnj.snap’s founder has damaged a vessel for discussion and growth. It almost seems cowardly. For now, tcnj.snap is gone, and a new account, tcnj-snap, has been set up by an unknown user. The idea that racism caused the downfall of the original account could mean something to some students. For others it will turn into a blame game, in which some may say the creator ruined it, or the girl who complained on Twitter ruined it or the offending poster ruined it. Destroying things that may have been touched by racism may seem like an appropriate solution, but doing so may lead to the repetition of the same mistakes. People can weaken racism by attacking its source, but if
what has been tainted originally existed for a noble cause, doesn’t it deserve a chance to be saved? Instead of shutting down the account, the creator should have taken immediate responsibility for the mistake and moved on. Keeping the same account but knowing a change has been made would send a message to users — either change your attitudes and be allowed to post or don’t change and possibly be blocked. Destroying the entire account punishes everyone who enjoys the account because of the actions of one. Take the example of the Trenton Hall discussions from a year ago. The students who took offense to the then-Paul Loser Hall did not want to tear the building down. Instead, the name was simply changed. It has become a part of the College’s history, reminding students that if you want something to change, change it. The admissions building was not destroyed after the College started discussing Loser’s racist beliefs, but altered to a more suitable name. I feel that tcnj. snap could have been altered the same way, but instead it was lost — not because of racism, but because of the inability to learn from it.
YouTube star misrepresents US in disrespectful vlogs By Katherine Holt YouTube star Logan Paul has recently been receiving heavy backlash due to a series of video blogs from his trip to Japan. In one of such videos, he entered the forest known as the Sea of Trees, a place infamous as a common site of suicide attempts, and filmed a hanging suicide victim who he found in the woods. In this video, Paul showed utter disrespect for the victim and his family. More recently, a mashup of Paul’s other videos during his trip to Japan has been gaining popularity. Paul is seen making fun of Japanese culture while chasing people with raw fish, jumping on the back of cars and trucks, threatening civilians, screaming in the streets, trashing merchandise and dressing in kimonos to purposely mock the Japanese. I see juvenile content blow up on the internet just about every day, but the Logan Paul videos really struck a chord with me. Starting at the age of 12, I have been participating in a program called People to People International. Through this program, I have traveled to 10 different countries. Before each trip, every participant has to attend meetings almost a year before our
Logan Paul’s videos from his trip to Japan generate controversy. departure to discuss the different cultures we would be exposed to and how we should handle ourselves in order to best represent the U.S. I had to complete educational courses on every country’s history, government, traditions, religion, table etiquette and art. This way, I knew exactly what I should and should not discuss with locals to avoid disrespecting their culture. It started all of this when I was 12 years
old. Paul is 22 years old. He has been an internet sensation for a few years now, and I can’t help but feel heartbroken when I reflect on the effort that myself and other American travelers have put into respecting other cultures, only for someone like Paul to counteract this progress. I cannot say I have never made mistakes while I was abroad, but as I’ve grown up, I have learned the difference between having fun and being rude,
negligent and thoughtless. Obviously I am not an online sensation and I cannot make an impression on the younger generation like Paul can. Overprivileged, uneducated and disrespectful people like Paul are the faces so many kids are watching on their computer screens. After receiving backlash for his videos, Paul has actually gained subscribers on YouTube. Many of his fans are eager to forgive Paul because this is not the star they are used to seeing. Because of his massive internet following, Paul makes money from creating these videos, giving him more opportunities to travel. If he continues this trajectory, Paul will continue to misrepresent the U.S. and the values of its citizens. I believe that for the most part, human beings are good. I have great faith that the American people as a whole are hardworking, kind and respectful individuals. More so now than ever, this is how I hope to represent our nation when abroad. I hope that Paul is able to recognize his mistakes now and learn from them, and that he is able to turn all of this criticism into something positive. America is a great nation with even greater people, and I believe that this will shine through above all else.
Policies
The Signal is published weekly during the academic year and is financed by the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and advertising revenue. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors. The letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed. All letters should be sent via email to signal@tcnj.edu. Handwritten letters should be sent to The Signal, c/o The Brower Student Center, The College of New Jersey, PO Box 7718 Ewing, N.J. 08628 or placed in our mailbox in the Student Life Office. Letters must be received by the Friday before publication and should not exceed 300 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All letters must be signed, with a phone number and address of the author. Requests to withhold the author’s name will be honored only if there is a legitimate reason. All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal. The editors reserve the right to edit or withhold all articles, letters & photographs. The Signal willingly corrects factual mistakes. If you think we have made an error, please contact The Signal at (609) 771-2424, write to the address listed above or email us at signal@tcnj.edu.
January 24, 2018 The Signal page 9
Students share opinions around campus “Do you agree that tcnj.snap should have been deleted?”
Emmy Liederman / Opinions Editor
Aaron Agustin, a freshman health and exercise science major. “Shutting down the account means getting rid of a resource for information.”
Emmy Liederman / Opinions Editor
Clare McGreevy, a freshman English and secondary education dual major. “Deleting tcnj.snap was an overreaction on the account owner’s part.”
“Do you think Logan Paul should be given a second chance?”
Emmy Liederman / Opinions Editor
Ukashah Shabazz, a junior psychology and African American studies major. “I don’t think he has anything to contribute. He’s not actually talented and his videos are trash.”
Emmy Liederman / Opinions Editor
Faris El Akbani, a freshman communication studies major. “Every view counts, so people should think before supporting him and watching his videos.”
The Signal’s cartoons of the week...
page 10 The Signal January 24, 2018
Features
Students prepare for new semester, new year
tcnj.edu
Left: Students get organized by purchasing school supplies early at the bookstore. Right: Planners can help keep track of goals. By Lily Firth Features Editor The start of the new year is historically known for new habits, mindsets, goals and of course, new year’s resolutions. January provides a clean slate, especially for college students returning to campus for a new semester. Every student has different ideas for taking advantage of a fresh start and preparing to tackle challenges the coming semester may present. Adrienne Dell’Aquila, a junior elementary education and English double major, always tries to stay on top of her to-do list. “To prepare for the new semester, I am trying to get my school supplies together and try to have everything set for the first day,” Dell’Aquila said. “You can never be too prepared, and getting rid of the stress ahead of time allows me to actually get excited for the first day of classes.” Mindful of the stress a new semester will bring, some students are focused on their mental health.
“I have also made sure that over winter break I have relaxed and unwinded enough to start the next semester with a clean head, in a relaxed mental state. I think it’s really important,” said Marina Cardona, a sophomore graphic design major. The new year isn’t just about preparing for the new semester, but also trying to make positive changes and resolutions for the entire year. Lauren O’Brien, a sophomore finance major, is looking to turn over a new leaf. “If you don’t start working on your dream today you are just getting worse,” O’Brien said. “Of course, everyone needs to continuously remind themselves of what they want to achieve, especially more than one time a year when the year changes. But resolutions are important because they give everyone a kick of inspiration for the new year.” Personal improvements and expressions of individuality are common themes among student resolutions. “For the year I just need to let myself be more positive and to stay true to my own values and beliefs
without falling into peer pressure,” Cardona said. But if you haven’t embraced a resolution for the new year, or even the new semester, don’t worry — you are not alone. Caroline Taffet, a junior English and secondary education dual major, chuckled a bit when asked about her preparations for the spring semester. “Honestly? I haven’t done much preparing for the new year. I feel like sometimes there’s not a set way you can prepare. I’ve looked at what books I need but have yet to order them or locate them in a library. A perk is that I never really unpacked from moving back home, so most of my clothes are set for the new semester, if that counts as preparation,” Taffet said. While some people argue that resolutions are pointless and personal improvements should be made yearround instead of all at once, Dell’Aquila disagrees. “I think New Year’s resolutions are meaningful, as they allow people to feel optimistic and hopeful about what the new year can bring,” she said. “I think it is helpful for people to have a goal they are striving towards in order to be motivated and and purposeful.”
Studying abroad creates new cultural experiences By Lily Firth Features Editor
The College offers numerous opportunities for students to study abroad in countries like Italy, Germany and India, to study courses through the Council on International Educational Exchange — a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that strives to help students gain experience and knowledge in foreign places, according to its website. Tommy Lipner, a junior interdisciplinary business major, decided to take the opportunity to study abroad over winter break in South Africa for 20 days. “I wanted to go abroad because I love to travel. I realized my love for traveling when I went on my first big excursion to the Galápagos islands my senior year of high school,” Lipner said. “Now I take every opportunity to travel that I can. Last year I went to Cuba through the College’s winter study abroad, too.” Deciding where to travel tends to be challenging because the College offers so many beautiful and diverse destinations. “I have always been interested in civil rights and the psychology of protest, so getting the chance to study apartheid and its effects in the place where it actually occurred seemed fascinating,” Lipner said, when asked why he chose to study
in South Africa. “I’ve also been fascinated by animals since I was young and I knew the place to go for that would be South Africa. And I was right — we had the chance to go on a safari and to see other incredible natural scenery.” Michael O’Connor, a senior interdisciplinary business major, went on the same trip as Lipner. “I wanted to go to South Africa because it was a chance to learn about the history of Apartheid. It’s interesting to see how it’s similar, yet so different to the times of segregation in the U.S.,” O’Connor said. Many students choose not to travel because of the anxiety and uncertainty that comes from being in a foreign place with a different culture, but Lipner and O’Connor said that new adventures don’t worry them. “I’m definitely more excited than nervous. I feel my happiest in new places and cultures soaking up a different environment,” Lipner said. “What many people fail to realize when talking about Africa is that South Africa is pretty westernized so the cities felt fairly similar to those of the U.S. The biggest aspect of culture shock was the strong evidence of racial injustice, and considering Apartheid just ended, the effects are still evident. The black communities are extremely impoverished, but correlation between
race and socioeconomic status is still very strong.” O’Connor was also surprised by the extreme culture shock he felt upon his arrival in South Africa, despite researching the area. “When we visited Kliptown, I was in utter disbelief at the poverty and hardships these people lived in,” O’Connor said. “Everyone was living in shacks they created from scrap metal from any place they could find. Despite this, the people in this community had such a strong bond of solidarity amongst each other. I’ve never seen a state of living like this and it certainly humbled me to my core.” Being abroad is not always just about learning about new cultures, it can be a journey of self-discovery when immersed in a new culture. “One thing I think we take advantage of as Americans is our resources. In reality, not every country is so lucky. Water can run out. Cape Town is experiencing an overwhelming drought and the effort to conserve is in play. As Americans we aren’t conscious of this, but water is a scarce resource and we shouldn’t be so wasteful of it or any other resources,” Lipner said. O’Connor was shocked at the lack of resources and amenities South Africans are used to. “Electricity was extremely scarce and they only had one source
of clean water throughout the whole community,” O’Connor said. “It’s important to remember the privileges I’ve had since birth and if anything this trip has taught me not to take opportunities for granted.” Some people are skeptical about studying abroad, and argue that travelling on one’s own time and budget creates a superior experience, but Lipner disagrees. “I was surrounded by 13 other students my age to converse with and soak up the experience, along with two professors who have worldly knowledge, and a tour guide that we became close with to explain certain cultural idiosyncrasies we may not have picked up
otherwise,” Lipner said. “Also, our days were packed and we learned so much in such a short period of time that we may not have been able to get had we come by ourselves.” Many students are on the fence about studying abroad, wondering if it is worth the money, effort and time, but Lipner and O’Connor encourage students to take advantage of the global opportunities that the College provides. “People need to travel and see the world! It is so easy to get trapped in the bubble that is the United States, and learning about other cultures truly gives you a greater perspective on the world and how to use your time,” Lipner said.
Photo courtesy of Tommy Lipner
Lipner (left) and O’Connor (right) enjoy the scenery.
January 24, 2018 The Signal page 11
page 12 The Signal January 24, 2018
:
Jan.‘86
Campus Style
‘Club’ shut down soon after opening
Photo courtesy of the TCNJ Digital Archive
The College attempts to create a space for students to socialize.
Every week, Features Editor Lily Firth hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories. Throughout the College’s history, there have been places for students who are of age to socialize and drink alcohol on or close to campus, including the Rathskeller — nicknamed “The Rat” — that closed down in May 2015. This summer, a new sports bar will be opening in Campus Town where students will have a safe place to drink and mingle — legally, of course. In January 1986, the College attempted to establish a place, dubbed “The Club,” that would be a centralized area for students of all ages to enjoy themselves. “The Club” was shut down soon after its opening, as it ended up strengthening the divide between underage students and students 21 and over. The idea of having a place where those who are of legal drinking age and those who are underage can get together and socialize is very noble. But the plans need to be well thought out and practical, down to the last detail, in order to work out best for all concerned. Thursday night showed that the Club is neither. Think about it this way. If the Club is sectioned off into two parts, one where there is the band, the dance floor, and the alcohol, and the other where there are a few pool tables and video games, where will everyone be? The answer is obvious. But what about those in the under-21 group, who are supposed to benefit from this plan, but end up stuck in the back?
Not much can be done about their not being able to legally drink alcohol there. But, from the back of the room, they cannot see the band, cannot talk to those in the “legal” group, and cannot dance on the dance floor. This is hardly “socializing together.” Later in the night, the rules at the door changed, no one under 21 was allowed in, and the entire room was open for alcohol. Those under 21 do not seem to be “benefitting.” Dean of Student Life Bill Klepper, whose idea this was, and Gilbert, who supported it all the way, had better make up their minds. Is it their plan to really do something for those students under 21? Or was this the only way to get the Pub to re-open, so that it could be used as the bait in Klepper’s package of Student Center/Phelps Hall renovations? Student leaders were promised, when Klepper presented his plans, that the Pub would be re-opened if it and the Student Center renovations were passed. That’s like offering candy to a baby. As for Klepper’s keeping his promise, and Gilbert states, what happened to the promise of having the Club open with alcohol last semester, and on a regular basis beginning this semester? That was part of the candy in Klepper’s original plan presented last summer. I want to see the Pub/Club re-opened as much as anybody. But I don’t want to see it done with lies and deceptions. Proposals such as these should be brought up and evaluated on their own merit.
The Culinary Club Presents...
Lions Plate
Left: Shearling coats add warmth without sacrificing style. Right: Statement shoes can spice up an old outfit. By Lexy Yulich Columnist
With a new year comes new possibilities, new resolutions and even new style options. The new year and semester is a perfect excuse to add new pieces to your wardrobe, change up your hair or try a new shade of lipstick. Here are five easy tips to start the semester with refreshed style: 1. Instead of completely outsourcing your old wardrobe, focus on a few statement pieces that don’t break the bank! Stores like Forever 21, ASOS, Urban Outfitters and T.J. Maxx feature trendy pieces for an affordable price. For example, I was lusting over a shearling teddy bear coat but did not want to pay tons of money for a coat that may only be in style for a season. I did my research and found an affordable but still cute coat from Forever 21. 2. Gather inspiration from social media. I’m a big Pinterest fan, so at the beginning of every new year I look at pictures of outfits that I like. Now that Instagram fashion bloggers are more popular and fashion retailers have their own Instagram pages to showcase their apparel, I like to gather inspiration from stores like Free People, Anthropologie, Nordstrom and Madewell. Once I find pieces I like, I try to plan new outfits around them. I never buy anything that will only match one outfit.
Healthy snack alternatives roasted chickpeas. Sneaking vegetables into your daily snacks is a great way to keep your body feeling good — all it takes is a walk to the nearest farmers market and a walk to the nearest oven. You’ll even feel a little better about skipping the gym. Cheesy zucchini fries Ingredients: 2 zucchini 1 egg white 1/4 cup milk 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs Olive oil for pan
Zucchini fries are a healthy alternative to French fries. By Julia Dzurillay Columnist
If you’re drowning in guilt from eating TDubs’ fries, you are not alone. I can’t count how many times I’ve wandered down to TDubs for mozzarella sticks at midnight, only to feel greasy and groggy the next morning.
3. Don’t forget about accessories. Sometimes all you need to refresh your wardrobe are some new accessories and shoes. If you love your clothes but feel like you’ve already worn every possible outfit combination, find some trendy jewelry, scarves or even belts. Shoes can change the look of an outfit too! For example, if you have a favorite all black outfit but want to change the look, you can add a colorful belt to give the outfit depth. 4. Head to the salon. There is something so renewing about getting your hair done at the start of the new semester. If you’re anything like me, my hair is usually in a ponytail or in a messy bun when I go to class. I decided that I would start actually taking care of my hair this year, and as a reward I got my hair cut and colored at the beginning of this year. If you’re feeling like you’re in a style rut, sometimes all you need is a haircut. Add layers, take a few inches off or even add some highlights. You’ll leave the salon feeling like a whole new person! 5. Be yourself. Sometimes I’m guilty of changing my style to mimic someone else’s. This year, I vowed to stay true to myself and to my style. If I wear clothes that make me happy, I feel happy and confident. If you’re not sure what your style is, simply go to the mall and look to see what you like. Find pieces that make you think “wow, I would look great in this” or “this is so me.” Once you have your signature style, you’ll feel ready to take on a new semester and year.
Now that I live on my own and cook for myself, I’ve learned a few recipes and hacks that still let me have all my midnight cravings, but with less guilt. Switch out chips and dip for pepper strips or raw carrots and hummus. Switch out curly fries with barbecue sauce for fresh zucchini fries. Switch out buttered popcorn for crispy,
Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 2. Cut zucchini into thin strips. 3. In a small bowl, mix egg white and milk. On a large plate, combine parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. 4. Dip zucchini strips into the egg mixture. Roll them in breadcrumb mixture until thoroughly coated. 5. Drizzle olive oil in small, even amounts
on a baking sheet to prevent sticking. Place zucchini on baking sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the fries are golden brown. 6. Let cool at least five minutes before enjoying. Add more cheese if desired. Chickpea ‘popcorn’ Ingredients: 1 can chickpeas (15 ounces) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons chili powder Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 2. Rinse and drain chickpeas. Dry with a paper towel. 3. Place chickpeas in a large bowl. Add olive oil and salt. Toss until chickpeas are evenly coated. 4. Add chickpeas to a baking sheet. Roast chickpeas for 20 minutes, flipping them every five minutes. Remove from oven once they are golden and crispy. 5. Let cool 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chili powder and more salt, if desired.
January 24, 2018 The Signal page 13
Arts & Entertainment
‘The Last Jedi’ balances old and new
Left: Many characters are developed further in ‘The Last Jedi.’ Right: Rey learns the nature of the force and makes peace with her past. By Julia Dzurillay Staff Writer Get ready for epic lightsaber fights, romantic connections and questions left unanswered: “Star Wars” is back and the force is strong with its eighth film in the main series, “The Last Jedi.” Heroine Rey (Daisy Ridley) stands out as she learns the ways of the Jedi Knights and makes peace with her past. With the help of Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and a few unexpected characters, Rey finds her role within the Force. As the second film in Disney’s new trilogy, “The Last Jedi” feels reminiscent of “The Empire Strikes Back.” Dark undertones linger through Rey’s actions and conversations, and leave her questioning what she thought she already knew. Villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) gets
deeper and more significant character development in “The Last Jedi.” The audience gets to see his internal struggles and learn more about his past, both in his Jedi training and in his decision to turn to the dark side and become Snoke’s apprentice. Driver easily steals the show. From his facial expressions to the infamous shirtless scene, fans across the globe praised Driver for his performance. Star Wars welcomed its first AsianAmerican actress, Kelly Marie Tran, who plays the fearless and spunky new character, Rose. Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) was joined by another female leader in the Resistance, Vice Admiral Holdo, portrayed by Laura Dern. Through these new characters, this film seamlessly touches on real-world problems, like class struggle, feminism, religion and grief. Most fans flock to “Star Wars” for the iconic lightsaber duels and outer space
battles, and the action scenes in this film go above and beyond even as compared to the other films. Each battle contributed to the larger narrative of the Resistance and the First Order, as well as on a personal level for our main characters. With amazing special effects and sound design, these fights stimulated and captivated audiences, regardless of whether they enjoy action or not. Sometimes, it felt as if there were too many subplots. Rey, Finn (John Boyega), Rose and Poe (Oscar Isaac) are on their respective journeys, rarely interacting with one another. This allows for uninterrupted self-exploration from our heroes, but makes the film as a whole feel fractured. Some fans and critics felt as though director Rian Johnson was reaching too hard for comedic moments instead of using the established personas of these
characters to their fullest potential. I would say this is just an attempt to grasp onto what newer, younger fans want: relatable characters, with a touch of humor. What makes this new trilogy special is its ability to stand apart from the rest of the “Star Wars” franchise. It’s a new and exciting story that includes old characters, but doesn’t rely heavily on old themes and plot lines. “The Last Jedi” breaks a few of the established norms of the “Star Wars” universe, and only adds to the list of unanswered questions piling up from “The Force Awakens.” “The Last Jedi” left me hungry for closure from the next movie. The movie ended with a sense of loss amongst several of the characters, yet this loss was punctuated with a ray of hope for the future of the Resistance and the Jedi. You better believe I will be reading fan theories until “Episode IX” is released.
East details lifelong struggles on ‘Paranoia 2’
East kisses his daughter on the cover of ‘P2.’
By Nadir Roberts Reviews Editor
Dave East, one of Harlem’s most talented artists, released
his second EP, “Paranoia 2,” on Jan. 16. A 15-track mix of nitty-gritty street rap and New York lyricism, the album details East’s life in the city, his
journey to adulthood and his role models. With strong features from artists like T.I., Tory Lanez, Lloyd Banks and more, “Paranoia 2” is a solid collection of songs. This extended playlist or EP is exactly what fans were expecting from East. When scrolling through the tracklist, fans saw a title that would make them even more excited for “P2” — “I Found Keisha” — which details (with exaggeration) the discovery and ultimately the death of a girl who robbed East in a previous song called “Keisha” on his 2016 mixtape “Kairi Chanel.” The album is well-rounded, as East details the darkest, brightest, scariest and realest moments throughout his 29 years of life. Songs like “Powder,” “Violent” and “Prosper” recount the many struggles East had endure to get where he is today. “Tryna understand what this pain about, half deaf in my left ear from them shots that them rang
out,” rapped East in “Prosper.” East uses his usual flow throughout the album with the exception of “Thank You,” the sixth song on the project. In 2012, East released a “Thank You” freestyle, which may be where he found inspiration to bring the song back and put it on an album. This song is clearly a jab at those who caused him hardship, in which he thanks his haters for making him stronger and motivating him to rise to fame and success. “If you hating, I just want to say thank you, know you doing something right when they hate you. Running around telling people how they made you,” East raps in the chorus. “Thank You” is simply not his style, but no one can be upset that East tried to switch up his sound. On the 10th track, “What Made Me,” East reminisces about how he was introduced to rap. He names rappers that influenced him like Jay-Z, Noreaga and his mentor Nas,
who signed East to his Mass Appeal Records in 2014. East then signed with Def Jam Records in 2016. “P2” stands out from East’s other projects. His previous EP, “Paranoia: A True Story,” was a taste of what East has been cooking in his lyrical kitchen. His most recent mixtape, “Karma,” was a teaser so fans can truly get excited for “P2.” East has clearly mastered his sound with “P2.” His calm but serious demeanor and vocal delivery allows listeners to truly picture what he has been through in his life. Many can tell 2018 is going to be a great year for hip-hop, and for music in general. A plethora of artists have alluded to or openly stated that they are going to release new music this year, including Drake, Migos, Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean, Travis Scott and A$AP Rocky. Hopefully, East will continue to stand out amongst such giants in the genre with his affinity for lyricism and storytelling.
page 14 The Signal January 24, 2018
England brings ‘The End of the F***ing World’
James and Alyssa disguise themselves to evade police.
By Heidi Cho Arts & Entertainment Editor
Drop everything — it’s “The End of the F***ing World.” This British dark comedy was released worldwide as a Netflix exclusive on Jan. 5. It was based on the American comic book, “The End of the F***ing World.” Riffing on “Heathers: The Musical,” the show follows the burgeoning relationship between
a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde — fictitious British teenagers James and Alyssa. James is a self-declared psychopath. When he was young, he put his left hand into a deep fryer because he wanted to feel something. He remembers each of his 35 furry victims fondly, but hasn’t killed a human yet. Enter Alyssa, the embodiment of teen angst. She often calls people out on their lies and excuses, causing trouble
Netflix
simply for trouble’s sake. When her stepfather makes advances on her and her mother turns a blind eye, Alyssa sees her life for what it is. She decides to run away from home with James, and so begins the “The End of the F***ing World.” When James and Alyssa’s stories intertwine with the lives of the people they encounter along their journey, the horrific truth comes out. A war veteran buys dogs to
abuse them. A distinguished author and professor turns out to be a serial rapist that keeps detailed records of his incriminating acts. These characters set up a gritty realism that takes a nosedive towards the end of the series. James’ character dramatically changes once he falls in love, which perpetuates the unrealistic and damaging notion that love can cure mental illness — even though mental illness can be as permanent as the disfiguration of James’s left hand. Despite this, the rest of the show compensates for this fallacy by being realistic in other ways. While the show doesn’t shy away from showing how terrible the world can be, it isn’t devoid of kind characters. One strong suit of the show is how it juxtaposed opposites to make both sides stand out — one security guard lets Alyssa escape with stolen merchandise, after Alyssa helped a lost child find her dad at a store at the risk of being caught and sent to a juvenile detention. The show tugs at your heart in between the dark humor featured in the cold opens. Usually an episode starts with a scene from that episode that makes light of a bad situation using overhead narration and dialogue. While the narration
reveals the character’s inner thoughts, the dialogue or actions performed often go in completely unexpected and hilarious directions. Frequently throughout the show, a character might think or feel one thing, but say, do or go along with something else entirely. At times, this can lead to moments like a make out session with one willing participant and the human equivalent of a dead fish as the other participant. At other times, the narration can make not just one, but two trips to the bathroom heartbreaking. These two 17-year-olds get to see more of life in the span of this one road trip than some people do in their entire lives, but both of them learn they can’t run forever. The audience is encouraged to follow their trail of blood to its very end. This show delivers in a way that can remind even the staunchest critics that they still have hearts. None of Chekov’s guns are left untouched by the end, and in a world full of sequels, trilogies and remakes, it’s refreshing to see something that’s wrapped up in one season with eight episodes. With each episode ending on an unexpected twist — and acting that feels more real than scripted — this show is easy to binge watch, but hard to forget.
January 24, 2018 The Signal page 15
‘Devilman Crybaby’ an apocalyptic thrill By Madeline Febinger Correspondent “Devilman Crybaby” tells the story of Akira Fudo, a meek high school boy who becomes possessed by a demon and gains superhuman powers. This anime, released as a Netflix original series on Jan. 5, is a remake of the original 1972 “Devilman” manga by author and artist Go Nagai. One afternoon, Akira finds his friend Miki being harassed by thugs on a dock in a scene that features freestyle rap. Even in the English dub version, the freestyle raps throughout the series are mostly kept in Japanese. The raps have a strong rhythm to them that go beyond the expectations for music in anime.
The scene becomes even more chaotic when Akira’s childhood friend, Ryo Asuka, mysteriously appears in a white coat with a gun. Although they’re the same age, Ryo has become a professor while Akira is still in high school. From his first dramatic appearance saving Akira and Miki, Ryo becomes arguably the most intriguing character. As Ryo tells Akira that demons are hiding in society disguised as regular people, they form a plan to expose the existence of demons to the rest of the world. They infiltrate a Sabbath party, a popular kind of party associated with Satanism, knowing that demons are commonly found there. Ryo knows that demons won’t show unless
there’s violence, and without hesitation, starts stabbing partygoers at random. Ryo’s attempt is successful, and the demons make an explosive entrance with their striking and vibrant character designs. To Akira’s surprise, Ryo asks the demon Amon to possess Akira in an unexpected twist. While the anime is cliché up to this point, this scene is memorable and sets the premise for the first appearance of Devilman, Akira’s demonic alter ego. Akira, weak and afraid, is shown running from a huge, menacing demon. The screen turns black, and all of a sudden, in bright red, we see a new Akira, stronger than before. Instead of losing complete control to the demon,
‘Devilman Crybaby’ explores what it truly means to be human.
Netflix
Akira becomes a demon with a human heart, or a Devilman. As a powerful song plays in the background, the Devilman becomes a hero who is able to fight back against the other demons. The plight of the protagonist is complemented by a striking subplot with strong female leads, like the witch of track and field, Miki Makimura. While Miki finds fame as the star of the track team without the help of demons, her friend Miko can’t keep up. Eventually, Miko fuses with a demon out of jealousy. Since it’s common for female characters in anime to exist only as romantic interests for the male characters, it was refreshing to see women with strong characterization and ambitions of their own. One weakness of the anime is that it’s only 10 episodes — the characters could have seen more development if it were longer. Still, for the short amount of time there is to learn about the characters, it’s easy to get attached to them. As the plot progresses, humanity learns about the existence of demons and the paranoia leads to apocalyptic chaos. The beautifully animated battle scenes are just as important as the more emotional scenes that deal with themes of love, trust and what it means to be human. Although the concept initially seems cliché, the dark tone and unexpected ending make it a thrilling watch until the end.
Yebba paves her own path to stardom By Julia Dzurillay Staff Writer
Few musicians can make their listeners cry, but, then again, not many musicians can perform like Yebba. Abbey Smith, who performs under the name Yebba, has been singing in subways and hidden corners of the internet for years. She has finally burst out from the shadows and is becoming an artist to watch in 2018. “Yebba,” which is “Abbey” spelled backwards, was a nickname given to her by her mother. After her mother’s passing, Abbey adopted the name “Yebba” in memory of her mother and as a reflection of her own identity. She began singing in small concert venues as Abbey Smith, then traveling across the country as Yebba. While each of her performances were different, one element remained the same: the way her love for music translates into her expressive singing. With a tone of voice somewhere between Adele and Amy Winehouse, her vocals became one of her trademarks. As she became increasingly popular, Yebba recorded covers and originals with artists like Clark Beckman, Luke Levenson and CAMM, and posted videos of herself singing to Youtube. Sofar Sounds, a concert venue in New York, eventually published a video of Yebba singing her original song, “My Mind.” It now has over 1 million views and countless reaction videos of listeners crying from the passion Yebba attaches to each lyric. Within the past year, Yebba’s talent gained recognition from mainstream artists, who praised her for her riffs, runs and soulful performances. In December
of 2016, Chance the Rapper invited her to sing backup during his Saturday Night Live rendition of “Same Drugs.” Chance later tweeted that Yebba was “stealing the show with (her) ridiculous vocals.” Ed Sheeran raved about Yebba during an interview with the radio station, 110.3 FM Z100. Sheeran co-signed her and invited her to be the opening act on his tour. Yebba became a featured artist on Sam Smith’s most recent album: “The Thrill Of It All.” Their song, “No Peace,” is the only song on the album that credits another singer. This November, Yebba made her debut on Spotify, iTunes and other music distribution platforms with her song “Evergreen.” This is yet another song crammed with emotion, close harmonies and effortless intensity. Written in honor of her mother, this song is about Yebba letting go, while still holding
on to hope for the future. While this is a challenging ballad to sing, it’s calming to listen to because of how well it showcases Yebba’s vocal range and ability. Since the release of “Evergreen,” Yebba released one more song. Inspired by the new year and losing her mother to suicide, Yebba posted her first original song, “My Mind,” to her website for fans to download for free. Listeners can also donate to “Bring Change to Mind,” a suicide prevention organization, to download the song. This organization is important to Yebba because it works toward opening a dialogue regarding mental illnesses, according to a post she wrote on Facebook. While there is not yet a confirmed release date for her album, fans anticipate passionate songs that are quintessentially and unapologetically Yebba.
This week, WTSR staff member EJ Paras highlights some of the best new albums that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.
Band: Cut Copy Album: “Haiku From Zero” Release Number: 5th Hailing From: Melbourne, Australia Genre: Synth-pop Label: ASTRALWERKS “Haiku From Zero” is Cut Copy’s breath of fresh air. It follows the release of their EP, “January Tape,” which only consists of simple instrumentals. Consider “January Tape” seeing a sunrise, and “Haiku From Zero” waking up to a fresh pot of coffee on a Friday morning. With this album, Cut Copy set out to highlight the weird and random beauty of life by experimenting with new sounds and arrangements. The funky rhythm and electronic beats make for moments where you feel like you can dance your troubles away. Must Hear: “Counting Down,” “Black Rainbows,” “Memories We Share” and “Tied to the Weather”
Band: Alyeska Album: “Crush” Release Number: 1st Hailing From: Los Angeles Genre: Dream pop, lo-fi Label: Shine On This album fits neatly into the works of artists like Frankie Cosmos, Waxahatchee, and Big Thief. The pieces are characterized by feathery-voiced female leads and distorted acoustic guitar. A few tracks notably diverge from the genre, while others fit right in, and others are simply forgettable. The album is overall well-produced and has a pleasant, full sound consistent with similar artists. There are a few tracks bursting with pizzazz that are definitely worth a play.
Yebba astounds listeners with her strong vocals.
YouTube
Must Hear: “Ribs and Greens,” “Sister Bucksin” and “Tilt-a-whirl”
page 16 The Signal January 24, 2018
Sports Men’s Basketball
Men’s basketball outlasts Kean in overtime By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
The men’s basketball team found itself in a tight spot on Saturday, Jan. 20. With only 11 seconds left in the game, Kean University left Packer Hall quiet as they completed two free throws and extended their lead, 69-64. Kean’s victory seemed inevitable, but the Lions refused to throw in the towel. The Lions outlasted Kean University, 78-73, in overtime at Packer Hall. On Jan. 17, the team defeated conference foe Rutgers University-Camden 98-88, at home. During January, the team continued their winning momentum from December and gathered significant conference victories against Rutgers University-Newark, Montclair State University and Ramapo College, a team nationally ranked 19th according to D3hoops.com. Coming into Packer Hall on Saturday, the Lions rode on a four-game winning streak while undefeated at home. The team did not expect a competitive match against Kean, who sat at a 5-12 record, but Kean proved to be a tough opponent. At the start of the first quarter, the Lions jumped to a 13-4 lead. Senior forward Elias Bermudez and junior forward Jordan Glover powered through defenders and hit layups. By the 15th minute, Kean began to crawl back when junior forward Michael Summerer got a layup. Kean then followed up with a three-pointer swished in by junior guard Justin Watson. Two minutes later, senior guard Eric Murdock Jr. scored a three-pointer to put the Lions ahead, 16-9. Kean immediately fired
back with two consecutive three-pointers by junior guard Keenan Williams Jr. The Lions responded with a combination of layups and three pointers. Bermudez and Glover were both good for low post baskets while sophomore forward Ryan Jensen and sophomore guard Randall Walko made three-pointers. By the end of the first half, the Lions were up by 39-32. Coming into the second half, the Lions were overwhelmed by Kean’s rally. It took three minutes for the Lions to score when Bermudez hit a layup beneath the basket. The Lions defense endured more pressure from Kean as they went on a methodical 9-0 run. By the 28th minute, Kean had mounted a 53-43 lead. After the team made two substitutions, Walko sparked a gradual rally when he made three consecutive free throws. Bermudez then followed up with two more to cut the Lions deficit to 54-48. With the clock down to seven minutes, Walko ignited Packer Hall when he stole the ball from Kean freshman guard Adrian Baucum and threw down a fast break dunk. After several turnovers by both sides, Jensen caught a quick pass by Bermudez and scored a layup to put the Lions just one point behind Kean. Free throws then became the instrument of choice for the Lions offense when Murdock knocked in four consecutive free throws to help the team gain the lead. Kean responded by scoring on four straight possessions and clamping down the Lions offense. On the next possession, sophomore guard Niall Carpenter drained a three-pointer and cut the deficit to two points. Yet, Kean still
Murdock scores 12 points against Kean. had the upper hand and possession with only four seconds remaining. Despite the dire situation, the Lions found a way to prevail. With seconds remaining, Walko caught an inbounds pass, leaped forward and scored the game-tying basket to send the match into overtime. Here the Lions secured another victory, 78-73. Head coach Matthew Goldsmith believed the team worked together to launch the last minute comeback. “I think the team just focused on one play at a time during that closing stretch,” Goldsmith said. “Every possession mattered and without all five guys doing their job, we would have never won that game. I was very proud of our effort in that last two minutes.” Goldsmith also acknowledged that any
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
player could have scored the game-tying shot and sent the game to overtime. “We came out with a plan and Randy ended up being the guy to get the ball,” Goldsmith said. “I think all five guys on the floor could have made a game tying shot for us. Randy had his name called and came through in the clutch.” The Lions do not have much time to celebrate, as they take on Stockton University and New Jersey City University on the road this week. The Lions play Stockton on Wednesday, Jan. 24 and NJCU on Saturday, Jan. 27. Goldsmith says every player will be needed to win future conference matches. “We need every player to be ready when there name is called and to play with 100 percent effort,” Goldsmith said.
Swimming and Diving
Lions splashed out by Ducks, women defeat Kean
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Skoog finishes in third place in the 100-backstroke with a time of 54.37. By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams endured a setback on the road against Stevens Institute of Technology on Sunday, Jan. 21.
The men lost 117-88 while the women were defeated with a similar score of 119-86. Earlier on Saturday, Jan. 20, at home, the women’s team grabbed a conference victory against Kean University, 119-64. Despite the loss to Stevens,
several members of the men’s team won races. Freshman Andrew Thompson was victorious in the 200-individual medley in 1:59.04. Thompson then finished second in the 100-backstroke, clocking in at 53.29. Junior Alex Skoog
was close behind and came in third with a time of 54.37. Head coach Brian Bishop applauded Thompson’s efforts during the meet. “Thompson is a very talented swimmer with an incredibly bright future,” Bishop said. “He showed tremendous determination in winning the 200 IM and kept us in the meet when things weren’t going our way.” At the 100-freestyle, freshman Griffin Morgan claimed first with a time of 48.17. Sophomore Harrison Yi also came in first at the 200-freestyle, clocking in at 1:45.91. While the men’s team was dominated by Stevens, Bishop complimented the talent and caliber of their team. “Stevens is a talented squad with an outstanding coach,” Bishop said. “They had a great day and put up some really fast swims. We were a little off and couldn’t overcome falling behind early.” Stevens posed a challenge for the women, who only won the 100-backstroke, in which the Lions took the first three places. Senior Jillian Galindo led the way with a first place finish followed by freshmen Katie Doyle and Kayla Krisak.
At the TCNJ Aquatic Center on Saturday, the women’s team outswam Kean University. Doyle won the 200-individual medley, clocking in at 2:22.90. The Lions kept the winning momentum going at the 100-freestyle. Junior Hailey Thayer claimed first placed and finished in less than a minute at 56.67. Galindo came in second with a time of 1:04.88. Galindo didn’t stop there — she also won the 100-breaststroke, clocking in at 1:13.69. The freshmen also had impressive performances. Freshman Elise Fraser snatched first place in the 100-backstroke with a time of 1:06.21. Later on, freshman Darby VanDeVeen took first in the 500-freestyle and clocked in at 5:41.55. The Lions capped off their successful meet when sophomore Annie Menninger, senior Marta Lawler, sophomore Anna Kisker and Fraser won the 200-freestyle relay with a time of 1:46.08. The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will compete at home against conference rival Rowan University on Saturday, Jan. 27. The meet is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. in the TCNJ Aquatic Center.
January 24, 2018 The Signal page 17 Wrestling
Lions dominate at Budd Whitehill Duals
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Cocozza wins the last match of the night against Messiah College. By Maximillian C. Burgos Staff Writer The wrestling team won nine straight matches from Dec. 9 to Jan. 13. The Lions swept their competition at the Mariner Duals at the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Dec. 9, then defeated King’s College and Muhlenberg College in back-toback duals on Jan. 5. The team also took second in the Budd Whitehill Duals on Jan. 12 before losing to Centenary University, 24-15 on Friday, Jan. 19. The team began their winning
streak by dominating the competition in the Mariner Duals. Sophomore Dan Kilroy and freshman Robert Dinger led the way as they won two bouts apiece. Dinger got two pins at the 141-pound bracket while Kilroy received a pin and a win by injury default at 174. Kilroy’s pin against Nassau County College came in just 33 seconds into the bout. Freshman Dominic Fano also earned his first college win at the 157-pound bracket with a pin against USMMA. Afterward, the Lions defeated New York University in the Mariner Duals, 24-17. At the conclusion
of last year, NYU was ranked 10th in the country. The Lions managed to beat them with wins from Fano, sophomore Dan Ortega at 125, senior Ryan Budzek at 149 and juniors Alex Mirabella at 197 and Kyle Cocozza at 285. The Lions handled USMMA with ease, winning 29-9. They then ended the day with a win against Nassau County Community College, 37-6. On Jan. 5, the Lions traveled to King’s College where they won 45-6. King’s College only won one bout during the match. Kilroy, Fano, Dinger and junior
Mark Gerstacker, all got pins for the Lions against King’s College. On the same day, the Lions went to Muhlenberg College for another dual. The team got out to a quick 19-0 lead against Muhlenberg. Ortega and Dinger both got pins in the first four matches to help the Lions take the lead. Senior James Goldschmidt also recorded a major decision at the 133-pound bout. Decision wins by Kilroy, freshman Thomas Anderson and Mirabella helped seal the match for the Lions. The Lions ultimately won 28-12. On Jan. 12, the wrestling team traveled to Williamsport, Pennsylvania to wrestle in the Budd Whitehill Duals hosted by Lycoming College. On the first day of competition, the Lions swept their opponents, winning three straight. Kilroy, Dinger and Goldschmidt all won three matches to lead the Lions to victory. Ortega also won both of his matches at 125. In the first day of competition, the Lions beat Ohio Northern University 23-12, State University of New York, Oswego 28-13 and No.18 Wesleyan University 26-19. A pin by Kilroy and a decision victory by Anderson also contributed to the Lions’ win. In the second day of the Budd Whitehill Duals, the Lions began with a victory against No. 17 Roger Williams University. Cocozza and Dinger both won their matches on the second day, making Dinger
5-0. In Cocozza’s heavyweight bout during the Roger Williams match, he was in danger of getting pinned and giving up back points, but managed a reversal with sheer grit and determination. Shortly afterward he pinned his opponent, turning the tables on Roger Williams and sealing the 26-19 victory for the Lions. In the championship match, the Lions faced off against Messiah College, ranked No.11 in the country according to InterMat Wrestling. In the match, the Lions jumped out to a 12-0 lead early, but lost the following six matches. Cocozza earned a victory to end the match, but it was not enough to beat Messiah. Ultimately, Messiah won 26-15 and broke the Lions nine-match winning streak. On Friday, Jan. 19, the Lions traveled to Hackettstown, New Jersey to wrestle Centenary University, ranked No. 19 in the country according to InterMat Wrestling. The Lions fought hard establish an early 6-0 lead, but Centenary then won two straight, taking a lead at 9-6. Junior JT Beirne tied the match for the Lions with a decision victory at the 157-pound bout, but Centenary then won three matches straight, putting the match out of reach for the Lions. Cocozza won the last match of the night by decision, but it was too late for the Lions to mount a borderline miraculous comeback.
Women’s Basketball
Basket / Lions win eight of last nine games
College improves to 13-4 for season, 8-2 in NJAC
Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Left: O’Leary contributes 10 points against Kean. Right: Byrne averages more than 17 points a game for the season. continued from page 20
Jackson emphasizes that senior leadership is bringing positivity to this season’s team. “There certainly isn’t a single player or person who is leading the team,” Jackson said. “We have some great senior leaders in Schum, Schott and (forward) Chiara Palombi, who are approaching every day with a winning attitude and helping to bring everyone along with them.” Last Saturday, the Lions continued their dominance in conference play as they defeated Kean University. After a quiet first quarter, the Lions’ offense sprung into action. In the 17th minute, Schott made two free throws to give the Lions their first lead of the game, at 14-12. Schott then caught a rebound and sent O’Leary on a fast break to scored a layup. Byrne and Schum finished the
second quarter with three pointers of their own. In the third quarter, the Lions defense only allowed Kean to score six points. The Lion’s defensive eventually carried the team to a 48-34 victory. After a successful start to the season, Jackson and the women’s basketball team plan to continue their process of practicing rigorously in order to make it far in the postseason. “I think that slowly but surely, the team is recognizing that we are capable of more than anyone thought at the start of the year,” Jackson said. “I hesitate to jump to predictions about how we will finish, because I try my best to stay process-oriented and focus on our game tonight and then practice tomorrow, but I do think we have the talent and heart to go far this year. I am looking forward to this final stretch to see how all the hard work can pay
off for this group.” The women’s basketball team will be on the road this week as they continue to compete in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. On Wednesday, Jan. 24, the Lions head to Pomona, New Jersey for a match against Stockton University. The team then travels to Jersey City for a game against New Jersey City University on Saturday, Jan. 27. Aside from all the recent victories, Jackson has enjoyed the College’s community atmosphere. “My experience at TCNJ has been great thus far,” Jackson said. “The people here are awesome and passionate about this place, and I am grateful that this is the team I inherited in my first year as a head coach. TCNJ has such a rich history of athletic success, which is a huge reason why this position was so attractive to me.”
page 18 The Signal January 24, 2018
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LIONS AROUND THE
D RM
January 24, 2018 The Signal page 19
Miguel Gonzalez “The Ref”
Alberto Gregorio ATD Correspondent
William Guttman ATD Correspondent
Michael Battista Staff Writer
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, “Ref” Miguel Gonzalez asked our panel of three experts — Alberto Gregorio, William Guttman and Michael Battista — three questions: 1. How have the Vegas Golden Knights ascended to the top of the NHL Western Conference? 2. Can Oklahoma freshman guard Trae Young lead his team to success this March? 3. Were the Pittsburgh Steelers unprepared for the Jacksonville Jaguars?
AP Photo
1. How have the Vegas Golden Knights ascended to the top of the NHL Western Conference? Alberto: The Golden Knights
are one of the best teams in the NHL because of their quickness. During the past five seasons, the NHL has been evolving into a
speed game. Shorter players are now finding success when they would not have a decade ago when the players focused on heavy hits. During the expansion draft, the Knights modeled their team after small and fast players who can outskate just about anyone in the league. Players like centers William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault are having career years. Previously, they were not playing with players as fast as them. Now paired with players who can keep up, the Knights are pushing the pace of play. As a result, they have tremendous success playing rush and transition games. They outskate their opponents on the rush, which naturally opens up holes that the Knights can easily pass through. They skate quickly and move the puck even quicker. Other teams have a hard time
playing at the speed the Knights do, and no one can keep up with the Knights’ pace. William: Las Vegas has become an elite team in the conference with a surprisingly good lineup and impressive goaltending. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre Fleury is still elite, and even with him out for a stretch, backup goalkeepers Oscar Dansk and Malcolm Subban have been stellar. With no big names on the team, it’s a stretch to say that no one expected much from the newest NHL franchise. In new roles as the team’s best trio, Marchessault, Karlsson and right winger Reilly Smith have been able to play to their fullest potentials, taking the league by storm. I don’t think anyone is still skeptical of this team’s ability to be successful in the NHL. Michael: The Golden Knights
are having the most success of any expansion franchise in North American sports history. To be honest, I almost hate trying to dissect this team because I simply enjoy watching them play. When looking at leading players in the NHL, besides goalkeeper Fleury’s leading the league in save percentage, not many Golden Knights are in top spots. This team works more as a unit than as a team with one big star. Every member is playing his part, whether it be as a third string goalie with Subban and Malcolm, or a young defender like Colin Miller. This team could be the first expansion team since the 1967-1968 St. Louis Blues to make the Stanley Cup Final in their first year, but I think they could actually win the entire thing in just four games.
Alberto gets 3 points for emphasizing the importance of speed. William gets 2 points for mentioning Dansk and Subban. Michael gets 1 point for being honest. 2. Can Oklahoma freshman guard Trae Young lead his team to success this March? Alberto: Trae Young is phenomenally talented, but March Madness is a different kind of monster Young has not experienced before. Since he is only a freshman, he needs more time to grow before he can lead Oklahoma to a deep run come March. William: The short answer: yes. The long answer: define success. Winning it all? No. Solid tournament run? No doubt. Trae Young is phenomenal. He is putting up Kevin Durant-like numbers and draws comparisons to Steph Curry. What do those two players suggest? Well to start, a few MVPs, not to mention many deep playoff runs and some championships. The numbers alone are enough to bet against even the best of teams and players, but you have to like what Young brings to the table. Expect his eye-popping numbers
to get even better as he gains experience and leads his team through the big tournament. Michael: He can, but I think we should be worrying about him leading his team to conference success first. The team has the eighth-hardest remaining strength of schedule and the Big 12 is stacked this year. The top four teams are all ranked in the top 10, and Oklahoma is in fourth place despite holding the highest national ranking. Young may be leading the team by averaging 30 points per game, but with tough Big 12 competition they may have to receive a bid into March Madness. As a lower seed, Oklahoma may be pitted against teams like No. 1 ranked Villanova or a team like Michigan State. Young and the rest of his team are going to need to show they haven’t peaked and keep pushing deep into the regular season if they want any hope of success come March.
AP Photo
Michael gets 2 points for talking about the Big 12. Alberto and William get 1 point for their ‘phenomenal’ answers.
AP Photo
3. Were the Pittsburgh Steelers unprepared for the Jacksonville Jaguars? Alberto: The Pittsburgh Steelers definitely underestimated the Jacksonville Jaguars. From the very beginning of the game, the Steelers were not ready. In fact, the Jaguars scored a touchdown on the first drive of the game and took off from there. The Steelers were left
surprised and played catch up the entire game. It took about halfway through the second quarter for the Steelers to answer the Jaguars’ hot start. By the time the Steelers scored a touchdown and got their first points, the Jaguars already had three touchdowns of their own. In the second half, the Steelers battled back to make it close, but by then, it was
William gets 3 points for emphasizing defense. Michael gets 2 points for mentioning Yinzers. Alberto gets 1 point for his play-by-play commentary.
already too late. William: The Jaguars are a very good team and the Steelers knew it. It’s hard to imagine any team underestimating their opponent in the playoffs, so I have to say no. Given that Jacksonville’s defense was the one thing that was expected to keep this game interesting, Pittsburgh showed that they clearly studied, putting up 42 points. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger picked apart the team for five touchdown passes and put them in their place. The terrible towels didn’t put any fear in Jaguars’ running back Leonard Fournette, however, and he quickly became an factor in this showdown. When two good teams clash, only one can win, but it doesn’t always mean the other wasn’t prepared, right? Michael: Without a doubt. Every Yinzer
in Pittsburgh, not just the players, had been looking toward the Patriots since they got whooped in last year’s conference championship. Steelers’ safety Mike Mitchell came out and said his Steelers could beat the Patriots in any location, from Hell to New England. It doesn’t seem crazy to think a team that nearly beat the defending Super Bowl champs in the regular season would overlook a Jacksonville side that managed 10 points against the Buffalo Bills. If star running back Le’Veon Bell felt like skipping the team walkthrough before the divisional round, I’m betting other players felt the same way. At the end of the game, the Steelers’ plain arrogance and underestimation of quarterback Blake Bortles and his slingshot arm led to their downfall.
Winner’s Circle Tom wins ATD 9-5-4 William wins ATD 6-5-5
“You miss 100% of the shots don’t repe “It’syou better totake”Faccus be lucky than good.”
Signal
Sports
Women’s basketball tears through competition
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Devitt delivers 13 points in the College’s 50-45 win over Rutgers University-Camden. By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
While a cold breeze swept through an empty campus this month, the College’s women’s basketball team brought nothing but blazing heat to Packer Hall. So far this season, the Lions are currently undefeated at home and hold a 13-4 overall record while dominating the New Jersey Athletic Conference with an 8-2 record. The team has already won more games than last season, when the Lions only had 11 wins. Head coach Chessie Jackson has been pushing the
team to succeed in her first year at the College. “I think that our success, both in and out of conference play, derives from our focus on one day at a time,” Jackson said. “We have been consistently pushing the team to care more about practices than games, compete a little bit harder every day and to gain toughness and chemistry throughout the course of the season.” This past week, the Lions secured two conference victories at home against Rutgers University-Camden and Kean University. On Jan. 17, the Lions barely beat Rutgers, 5045. The following Saturday, the Lions bested Kean with a score of 48-34.
The Rutgers squad challenged the Lions throughout the game. In the first quarter, Rutgers jumped to a 11-5 lead before the Lions gradually caught up. The Lions offense began to wake up when sophomore forward Jen Byrne hit a jumper in the seventh minute with an assist by freshman forward Shannon Devitt. The Lions then caught up with Rutgers and gained a 14-12 lead by the end of the first quarter. The team continued to lead Rutgers in the second quarter. The Lions defense was able stop three-point attempts by Rutgers freshman guard Jordan Harbaugh. By the 15th minute, the Lions built a 20-14 lead. Rutgers tried to make a comeback, but was constantly foiled by turnovers. Two minutes later, junior guard Kate O’Leary sunk a three pointer. On the next Rutgers possession, O’Leary stole the ball, but failed to score on a layup attempt. The Lions finished the second quarter with a free throw made by Byrne. The third quarter was similar to the second as the Lions withstood Rutgers’ offense and protected their lead. Rutgers forward/center Michelle Obasi initially caught the Lions off guard and scored back-to-back layups. The Lions responded with stronger, more coordinated defense. In the 26th minute, senior forward Nikki Schott made a layup. O’Leary followed the play with a threepointer. By the end the third quarter, the Lions were still ahead, 35-28. In the last two minutes of the game, Rutgers managed to retake the lead until the Lions scored four consecutive times. Senior guard Charlotte Schum started off by scoring three points off the arc. Devitt followed with a layup. Byrne then capped with the game with two successful free throws to complete the Lions 50-45 victory. see NCAA page 17
Track and field rises in Gotham, Collegeville By Malcolm Luck Sports Editor
The Lions have had their hands full with a vicicous slew of Division I opponents. Princeton’s New Year Invitational on Jan. 9 proved to be a tough endeavor, but the College did not back down. Sophomore Katie LaCapria and junior Kathleen Jaeger led the charge with their respective first and second place finishes in the 600-meter event, clocking in at 1:36.49 and 1:38.60. The 4x400 relay team of freshman Kim Lewis, sophomore Samantha Gorman and seniors Meagan McGourty and Jenna Ellenbacher topped both Princeton and Rider’s competitors to earn second place. The men did not fail to impress either, as junior brothers Noah and Nathan Osterhus each finished in third place in the 600-meter and 300-meter events, respectively. The team, however, lost a stride in the Towson Tiger Invite on Jan. 13, finishing in 11th out of 12. The women’s team carried its momentum to Staten Island, New York, where they finished best among non-Division I competitors in the Spartan Invitational.
Lions Lineup January 24, 2018
I n s i d e
On Friday, Jan. 19, the College returned to Staten Island to compete in the Gotham Cup held at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. The team’s extraordinary performance was highlighted by athletes such as junior Madeleine Tattory, who outraced all opponents for her first place finish in the 5000-meter event with a time of 18:18.90. This feat also set the new mark for the fastest finish in the New Jersey Athletic Conference this season. LaCapria was equally impressive in the 800-meter event, crossing the finish line second out of 59 competitors with a time of 2:16.12. Jaeger finished just moments behind in fifth place. The jaw-dropping finishes came despite the overwhelming competition of Division I and II teams. Collectively, the Lions were not done handling their opponents. In the 4x400-meter relay, the team of Jaeger, LaCapria, Gorman and freshman Shannon Lambert captured first place with a time of 4:01.37, ahead of 10 other competing teams. For the men, a number of Lions boasted impressive numbers, led by sophomore Mike Zurzolo who placed fourth out of 32 in the
3000-meter event with a time of 8:52.05. This number set the second fastest mark recorded in the NJAC this season. In the 800-meter event consisting of 55 participants, juniors Jack Wood and Noah Osterhus sprinted their way to fifth and 12th place, respectively, posting times of 1:57.30 and 1:59.62. Only a day later, the women’s team traveled to nearby Pennsylvania to compete in the Collegeville Classic on Saturday, Jan. 20.
Men’s Basketball page 16
Swimming and Diving page 16
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
LaCapria finishes first in the 600-meter event at Princeton Invitational. Despite the quick turnaround, the College managed to clinch a fourth place finish out of 19 teams, totalling 52 points. The resounding effort was led by a number of outstanding second place performances and highlighted by sophomore Kaila Carter’s first place finish in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking in at 9:48. Her second place finish came in the 60-meter dash with a time of 8.07. Other notable finishes came
Wrestling page 17
from freshman Shannon Lambert, beating 70 other participants with a time of 27.12 to earn second place honors. Junior Danielle Cozzarelli also propelled her way into second place in the pole vault event with a mark of 2.90 meters, while earning sixth place in the long jump. The Lions will rest until Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27 when the team heads north for competitions at Boston and Lehigh Universities.
Around the Dorm page 19