The Signal: Fall ‘17 No. 12

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Vol. XLVII, No. 12

November 29, 2017

Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885

Professor discusses Audienceeatsup‘SweeneyTodd’ Women in STEM panel shatters stereotypes family history in

By Michelle Lampariello News Editor Holocaust memoir Michelle Lampariello News Editor

Ellen Friedman, an English professor at the College, has been working since 1985 to combat the complications that come with passing on the memories of others by conducting interviews with family members.

These oral testimonies, intertwined with Friedman’s own words and thoughts, are the core of Friedman’s family memoir “The Seven, A Family Holocaust Story.”

In a book discussion and reading hosted by the College’s English department, Friedman spoke about her writing process and read a section of the memoir to a full audience in the Library Auditorium on Nov. 14.

“My family memoir, ‘The Seven,’ is an account of Holocaust survivors in their own words, as well as the post-memory effects they have had on the generations that followed them,” Friedman said.

In her family memoir, Friedman provides an account of Polish Jews who survived World War II in the Soviet Union — a population that Friedman feels is underrepresented in literature. “(Polish Jews) contribute to Holocaust cultural memory, but also they then connect in a cosmopolitan way to the memories of millions of see BOOK page 5

Natalie La Spisa / Staff Photographer

For young girls and women considering a career in the sciences, the Women in STEM panel, comprised of three female students who study science and one chemistry professor at the College, made one thing clear: Women belong in STEM. The Women in STEM panel, held on Nov. 15 in the Library Auditorium, is part of an effort to reduce the male-dominated stigma around the science industry.

The event began with a round of Kahoot!, a game in which participants can vote in polls using their smartphones, to gauge the audience’s awareness of women’s involvement in STEM on campus. The results indicated that several female audience members felt uneasy taking STEM classes at the College.

Panelists addressed this uneasiness while discussing their professional journeys thus far, and some of the obstacles they have faced as women.

“Once I got into the workplace, I realized that there was definitely a gender bias that existed,” said Stephanie Sen, a chemistry professor at the College. “It has a lot to do with how when you’re a woman, the expectation is that you’re a nurturing individual — you’re somebody who will maybe not take a leadership role and instead maybe take a supportive role, and

TMT puts its own twist on a classic show. Read the story on page 16.

see GENDER page 5

Four-legged friends provide emotional support

By Brielle Bryan Opinions Editor

Duck, a five-pound chihuahua, happily wags her tail as students line up in Alumni Grove to pet her. She sits patiently, smiling at her owner.

Duck’s owner is Sophie Guss, a junior psychology major. Guss registered with the College’s Disability Support Services and provided a doctor’s note so she could get permission for Duck to live with her on campus.

“Dogs are natural therapy,” Guss said. “They have unconditional love. I always say that it is almost impossible to be sad when you have a dog that loves you so much and is so happy just to be with you. My dog has completely changed my life for the better.”

Duck is one of many four-legged friends to join the campus community. Students and faculty are starting to bring their dogs with them to class and into the office for mental health benefits.

Emotional support animals provide comfort and support through affection and companionship for

INDEX:

individuals suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression, according to the United States Dog Registry.

Service dogs are different from emotional support animals, and are required to perform a specific task for someone with a disability, such as helping a person with vision loss navigate their surroundings or informing a diabetic when their blood sugar gets too high.

Residential Education and Housing dictates that in order for a student to own a dog on campus, the pet must be registered as either an emotional support dog or service dog, and the student must provide a doctor’s note.

Some students at the College have registered emotional support dogs and recognize the emotional and physical benefits of growing close to an animal.

Chelsea Jorgensen, a senior finance major, lives with her boyfriend and his dog Maggie, a 3-year-old goldendoodle, in an offcampus house.

“I definitely feel like sometimes in the winter I can get really depressed and not want to go outside,

Nation & World / page 7

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Editorial / page 9

Brielle Bryan / Opinions Editor

Dogs make students happy through the ‘natural therapy’ of affection.

and (Maggie’s) always pushing me to do things,” Jorgensen said. “It brightens my day when she wakes me up and kisses me.”

Professors also find value in bringing their pet with them to work.

Lina Richardson, a professor Opinions / page 10

in the department of early childhood education, brings Natasha, her 3-month-old Labrador-shepherd mix, with her to the office.

“I definitely feel myself being more productive, because she can’t stay in the office all day,”

Features / page 13

Richardson said. “I have to get up every hour and just kind of get her walking, so it definitely forces me to be very focused and get up, stretch myself out and get some see PETS page 3

Arts & Entertainment / page 16

Sports / page 24

Bunkasai Students celebrate Japanese culture

TCNJ Wind Ensemble Student musicians perform ballet pieces

Women’s Basketball Lions on a three-game winning-streak

See Features page 14

See A&E page 16

See Sports page 24

page 6 The Signal September 6, 2017 page 2 The Signal November 29, 2017

SG hears proposed changes for dual major classes

Left: SG denies Plan of Action official recognition. Right: SG proposes a bill to increase transparency with the campus community.

By Erin Kamel Staff Writer

The College’s Committee on Academic Affairs sought testimony on two potential policy changes for dual majors and learning assistants at the Student Government meeting on Nov. 15.

The first policy change will allow students with dual majors to have two courses that count for their majors also count toward their minor. This policy change is expected to be in effect at the start of the next academic year and will not apply to students with a double major.

The second policy change addresses the roles and responsibilities of learning assistants at the College. The policy will include a statement that learning assistants are expected to enhance the learning experience at the College and do not have the authority to grade students.

SG came to a general consensus that the language in the policy distinguishing the distinction between teaching assistants and

learning assistants at the College needs to be made clearer.

The Student Feedback on Teaching task force requested feedback from SG regarding the student feedback request forms sent out at the end of each semester, since the response rate has dropped by 50 percent, according to Cathy Liebars, the vice president of the Student Feedback on Teaching task force and an associate professor of mathematics.

Student request forms ask students for demographic information, feedback on professors and questions about course material at the end of each semester.

Cassandra Kriegel, SG’s vice president of student services and a junior English and secondary education dual major, said some students were uncomfortable with how feedback goes straight to the professors. Kriegel also said some students find some of the questions, such as questions that ask how interesting a mandatory class is, to be nonessential.

Baldween Casseus, SG’s vice president

of diversity and inclusion, expressed concerns regarding how time-consuming the feedback forms are. She also raised the issue that because the feedback is requested at the end of the semester, the students are not able to benefit from the potential impacts of their feedback.

The task force took SG’s comments into account for improvements with their feedback forms.

SG also proposed two bills to be voted on at its meeting on Nov. 29.

The first bill is to enhance transparency between SG and the campus community by allowing for a public voting record indicating how each member of SG voted on a bill or resolution. The second bill is to correct rollover SG participation points from spring to fall semesters.

SG passed two bills that were introduced at last week’s meeting.

The first bill was introduced to modify qualifications of voting members of the

Miguel Gonzalez / Sports Editor

governmental affairs committee. The second bill will ensure that individuals who experience extreme personal circumstances can remain active members of SG despite attendance issues.

SG approved the Strategic Communications Club for official student organization recognition. SCC maintains a base of 11 members, and offers students opportunities for networking, mock interviews and LinkedIn workshops.

SG did not approve the Plan of Action club for recognition. POA maintains a member base of 21 official members, and aims to benefit the Ewing and Trenton communities.

The club’s founders refer to the organization as a leadership-focused service club.

POA plans to use small fundraising events throughout the year to support one large annual charity of the club’s choice.

SG agreed that while the club’s ideas are valuable for serving the community, the club is not yet ready for official recognition.

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November 29, 2017 The Signal page 3

Pets / Animals alleviate student stress continued from page 1

fresh air — it’s mutually beneficial.”

Bringing a dog to campus makes more than just the owner happy.

“When I walk around campus with Duck, she always puts a smile on others’ faces,” Guss said. “In a school environment, where everything is serious and you have to be oriented towards your work, having a dog just puts a happy, lighthearted spin on the day for myself, my friends and any students who see her.”

Jorgensen also stressed how much joy Maggie brings to every person that meets her.

“She loves going on campus,” Jorgensen said. “She lights up around people. Whenever people come into the house, she always interacts with them. She doesn’t ignore anyone. She’s always there.”

About 40 percent of all households in the U.S. have dogs, according to the ASPCA. Many students who have a dog at home miss their pet while they are away at school.

“Some people are kind of isolated from things or really can’t express themselves to other people, and they need an animal,” Jorgensen said. “They’ve always been around animals and then they come to college and they’re taken away from that, and it kind of sucks.”

Having a dog on campus reminds students with dogs at home

Natasha loves meeting students on campus.

of their furry friends, and brings delight to their stressful daily routines. There is currently no policy that specifically addresses bringing dogs on campus, into the classroom or inside other buildings. However, Jacqueline Taylor, the College’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, believes this may soon change.

“We are about to issue a charge asking the appropriate committee to consider whether we need a policy on pets,” Taylor said.

Not every member of the campus community feels the same way about having animals in classrooms and residence halls,

Brielle Bryan / Opinions Editor

and Taylor believes these concerns must be considered as pets become more prevalent on campus.

“I hope we won’t get so prescriptive that there’s no place for animals on campus, but we have to be respectful of people who have allergies and people who are afraid of animals,” Taylor said.

“We also have to think about the possibility of having owners of pets who don’t take the responsibility to train them and make sure they’re not creating a nuisance.”

Taylor personally understands some students’ desire to have their pets live and go to class with them; she started bringing Trudy,

her 2-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi, with her to her office in Green Hall when Trudy was only 3 months old. “(Having Trudy around) raises the comfort level of the office and makes us laugh,” Taylor said.

Some students feel that pets should be allowed to come with them to class if the animal is trained to behave in a manner that does not disturb other students.

“I think (emotional support dogs) should be allowed in the classroom because they are trained to be calm and quiet, so they would not cause a distraction or disturbance,” said Lindsey Davidson, a sophomore

marketing major.

Guss occasionally brings Duck to class with her and believes her peers haven’t had any issues with it.

“My dog is very quiet and tiny and just sits on my lap and sleeps all class without making a noise,” Guss said. “She puts a smile on other students’ faces at the beginning, but does not distract throughout the class time. I think she actually enhances my own learning because if I am having a rough day and am really stressed, she calms me down and enables me to focus on my school work.”

Other students believe that having a dog in the classroom might not be the best idea.

“I’ve seen (emotional support dogs) on campus, and I think they’re nice to see every now and then because I love dogs,” said Ben Schulman, a junior finance major.

“I’m probably against having them in the classroom because it might get a bit distracting.”

If the College does decide to establish a policy allowing animals to be brought to class, the owner would be responsible for making sure that the animal does not interfere with anyone’s work, according to Taylor.

While having dogs on campus brightens the days of both students and employees at the College, it is still held in question whether allowing animals in the office and classroom environment is a practical idea.

SFB funds variety of guest speakers for campus events

By Eric Preisler Production Manager

The Student Finance Board funded all kinds of speakers at its weekly meeting on Nov. 15.

The Class of 2021’s event, Night on the Winter Town, was fully funded after being tabled at last week’s meeting. The event will be held at Freddie’s Tavern, a local restaurant and catering hall, on Dec. 2 from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

SFB provided $3,036 to cover the cost for security, Freddie’s Tavern venue and service fees and busses. The costs proposed last week were reduced after deciding to use a playlist and speakers instead of paying for a DJ. A wide range of food, non-alcoholic beverages, entertainment and music will be provided at the event, which is intended to promote class unity and to allow different types of people to interact in an environment outside of school, according to the event’s proposal packet.

SFB fully funded Women in Learning and Leadership $7,823 to have keynote speaker Vandana Shiva speak to students for Women’s History Month at its weekly meeting on Nov. 15.

The event, which was tabled at SFB’s Nov. 1 meeting, will be capped at 310 people and will be held on April 12 at 5 p.m. in Mayo Concert Hall.

WILL was able to reduce the amount of SAF funds needed for the event after receiving funds from several of the College’s schools and departments, including $10,000 from the office of the dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, and other contributions from the Office of Diversity, School of Science, Office of Leadership, School of Engineering, School of Nursing, Health & Exercise Science, School of Business and the department of biology.

Shiva was invited to speak as part of

Women’s History Month and to address the College’s theme, “Who We Are,” from her perspective as an internationally renowned Indian scientist, author and environmental policy advocate, according to the event’s proposal packet.

“The interdisciplinarity of Shiva’s perspectives will bring together a broad-cross section of the TCNJ community,” the proposal packet reads. “Her world-class stature as an intellectual and activist will also connect TCNJ to groups in the surrounding community who are concerned about environmental science and policy.”

Students, faculty and community members will also be given the opportunity to meet with Shiva in smaller groups.

The Leadership Development Program’s event, Leadership Lock-Up, which will be held in the Brower Student Center on Jan. 20 from noon to 7:30 p.m., was partially funded $4,207.10.

The event will give students an opportunity to network with each other through presentations and group activities, which will have an emphasis on team building and leadership skills, according to the event’s proposal packet.

Speakers at the event will include Don Trahan, the College’s director of Diversity and Inclusion, and Darryl Bellamy, a professional speaker who specializes in diversity and inclusion within leadership. Bellamy will speak on the importance of creating networks in a multidimensionally diverse era, according to the event’s proposal packet.

“We hope to be able to allow leaders on campus who decide to attend the event to gain a better understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion,” said Adwoa Nantwi, the vice president of programming of the Leadership Development Program and a senior biology major.

PRISM and Amnesty International’s

SFB partially funds speakers for Leadership Lock-Up.

event, World AIDS Week, which would include speaker Scott Fried, was fully funded $2,500. The event will be held on Nov. 30 from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Science Complex.

Fried is a noted speaker on HIV/ AIDS and has discussed his experiences throughout the country as an individual living with HIV. This would be his second time speaking at the College after visiting last year.

“He speaks about his experience with becoming HIV positive and he goes into other details such as self-love and self-care in the face of stigma,” said Max Nazario, a senior chemistry major. “It is very emotionally impactful, but at the same time very uplifting and inspirational.”

I-Tunes, an a cappella group, was fully

Miguel Gonzalez / Sports Editor

funded $307 for its winter concert, which will be held on Dec. 9 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Mayo Concert Hall. Funding for this event includes the costs of recording materials, paying a student technician and house manager, ushers and expendable supplies.

This event can benefit the campus community because it provides a diverse arrangement of cultural music in a cappella style, according to its proposal packet.

“We incorporate a lot of international music into our repertoire, which encourages the student body of all different walks of life to attend our event, which sets us apart from the other a cappella groups on campus,” said Mallory Ilves, a special education and women’s, gender and sexuality studies double major.

page 4 The Signal November 29, 2017

Book / Professor reveals Polish family history

November 29, 2017 The Signal page 5

Kim Iannarone / Photo Editor

Friedman reads a passage from her memoir.

continued from page 1

refugees and exiles going through these experiences right now,” Friedman said.

Friedman acknowledged how support from the College aided her writing process.

“TCNJ has supported this project for the many years it took to get it done,” Friedman said. “During that span of time, I went from chairing the women’s and gender studies — now women’s, gender and sexuality studies — to returning to the English department, where beginning with Jean Graham (associate chair and professor of English), the English chairs have been very generous with department time and money.”

Friedman thanked the College’s administration for all of the travel grants, student and graduate researchers, hardware and software she has received, as well as the College’s librarians for the research they conducted on her behalf.

“I have had the benefit of an institution that has been very gracious to me,” Friedman said.

Friedman read the second section of the book, titled “Joseph,” to the audience. Joseph was a Jewish relative of Friedman’s who left Warsaw in 1939 for the Soviet Union.

“When I was 12, Joseph, the eldest of the three brothers in this story, grabbed my ass,” Friedman read. “I told my parents and they talked to him, and he denied having meant anything. After that, he stayed away from me, didn’t talk to me directly until I interviewed him for this book.”

Friedman detailed Joseph’s experiences during the German invasion of Poland, and how Joseph was later drafted to the Russian labor front. “‘Before mine eyes I didn’t even know what happened,’” Friedman read from her interview with Joseph

on the German invasion. “‘A lot of soldiers were killed right when they were running into the ditches. The shooting came from both sides, so a lot of us got killed, and meanwhile we were always going more to the east.’”

Students in Friedman’s capstone class, Postmemory and the Holocaust, were eager to hear Friedman’s comments on her memoir.

“I think it’ll be interesting to hear from her to see what she has to say about it in this sort of setting as opposed to what she would say in the classroom or what the book actually says,” said Emily Miller, a junior English major.

Hope Sirimis, a junior English major, agreed.

“I’m excited to have this conversation outside of the classroom and see how we can continue discussion about her book in class and see how it relates to the material we’ve been discussing throughout the year,” Sirimis said.

Friedman wrapped up the session by taking questions from the audience. When asked about how younger generations can shed light on historical family narratives, Friedman stressed the importance of communicating with older generations.

“I think it’s so important because that’s where the personal history is, and that’s where the inherited history comes from,” Friedman said. “I think it’s really important for your own sense of identity to know that history of your family.”

Gender / Panelists discuss pressures on women in science continued from page 1

that is probably the most difficult thing to deal with in STEM.” Christina Vassalo, a junior iSTEM and elementary education double major, suggested that this gender bias is rooted in how children are raised.

“Getting children at a young age to be immersed in STEM, and not separating the boys to the sandpit and the girls to a garden, having them be equal with the toys and the lessons and what you’re choosing to teach them — I hope I can help foster that sense of equality in STEM,” Vassalo said.

Student panelists acknowledged that while they have not experienced much adversity at the College, they are prepared to encounter gender-based challenges in the workforce.

Archana Menon, a senior biology major, addressed her goal to become a surgeon, and how the male-dominated field of surgery may pose challenges for her as a woman.

“I want to become a surgeon, and I feel like that is the most discriminated field a doctor could go into in terms of men and women because you don’t really see a lot of female surgeons,” Menon said. “Surgery has always been a passion of mine, and I’m a little anxious about meeting those obstacles, but I really think that I would be able to overcome them just because of how much I want it.”

Cristina Nardini, a senior psychology major, offered advice to young girls seeking careers in the sciences.

“You’re a new generation,” Nardini said. “You don’t need to follow suit with everything that has been going on. You can be those doctors. You can be those engineers. You can be those professors that have a crazy amount of publications.”

After the panelists spoke, the audience played another game of Kahoot!. In contrast to the first game, the majority of the predominantly female audience indicated that they feel confident about getting involved and taking STEM classes at the College.

Kim Iannarone / Photo Editor

Students hope to conquer gender-based career challenges.

This change was perhaps due to a concept stressed by all of the panelists — women can, and should, identify as scientists and set career goals in STEM.

“I don’t just want to be a doctor,” Menon said. “I want to revolutionize something, somehow. I want to innovate, because that’s who I am. I’m a scientist.”

Students monkey around with jungle juice

By Brielle Bryan Opinions Editor

Campus Police finds student drunk and pantsless On Nov. 12, at 2 a.m., Campus Police was dispatched to one of the men’s bathrooms in Travers Hall on a report of an intoxicated male. Upon arrival, the officer met with a male student in the bathroom. The student was standing up without his pants on, with vomit on his shirt that had subsequently dripped onto the bathroom floor, police said. The student appeared highly intoxicated, looking at Campus Police through bloodshot, watery eyes and slurring his words when explaining what happened. The intoxicated male stated that he had consumed an unknown amount of jungle juice while at a party off campus, police said.

TCNJ EMS arrived on scene to assess the male student. Ewing Township EMS arrived on scene at 2:40 a.m. and transported the

male student to the hospital for further medical aid, police said.

The male student was issued a summons for underage consumption of alcohol.

Intoxicated male caught in midst of fire alarm On Nov. 12, at 3:10 a.m., Campus Police was dispatched to Cromwell Hall to investigate a fire alarm. Upon arrival, the officer observed activated audible and visual alarms, in addition to the building being evacuated. When the officer arrived at one of the elevator lobbies, the officer observed a light mist in the air and an odor indicating that a fire extinguisher had been utilized. There was no apparent need for the use of it. The officer located the fire extinguisher in the first floor stairwell, with the glass protective door hanging off the wall, according to police reports.

The glass door and frame were stored in the hall office. There are no suspects at this time and TCNJ Facilities was advised of the incident.

On the same morning of Nov. 12, at approximately 3:30 a.m., two Campus Police officers were dispatched to Cromwell Hall on a report of an intoxicated male. A community adviser told Campus Police that a male resident was found to have gone in the wrong room instead of his assigned room following the fire alarm evacuation and subsequent re-occupation.

Campus Police approached the male student, who was sitting in the lounge with bloodshot, watery eyes and the odor of alcoholic beverages emanating from his breath. The male student stated that he had consumed vodka in his room, and then consumed several beers from a keg at an off-campus

party, police said. The male student further stated that he didn’t know the exact location of the party. TCNJ EMS and Pro-staff deemed the male student fit to remain in residence, and he was escorted back to his room.

The male student was issued a summons for possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages under the legal age.

Beer, jungle juice and vodka don’t mix well for student On Nov. 11, at approximately 2:50 a.m., a female student contacted a community adviser and requested medical attention for a male student in Allen Hall.

The CA contacted Campus Police while the female student provided assistance to the male student, police said.

Upon arrival, Campus Police observed the male student slumped over a trash can. Campus Police spoke with the female student who reached out to the CA for help. The female student advised Campus Police that

she was at an off-campus party with a group of friends, which included the male student. According to police reports, the male student was observed drinking beer, jungle juice and a shot of vodka throughout the night. He became ill at the party and needed assistance walking back to campus.

TCNJ EMS deemed it necessary for the male student to receive additional medical attention. The male student, who was observed shivering and vomiting, did not follow EMS commands, police said. Ewing EMS responded to transport the male student to the hospital for medical attention.

Pro-staff also responded to Allen Hall and accompanied the male student to the hospital. Request for assistance from the male student’s peers fell under the guidelines for amnesty, and he was not issued a summons for underage drinking.

Anyone with information can contact Campus Police at (609) 771-2345.

page 6 The Signal November 29, 2017

Nation & W rld

November 29, 2017 The Signal page 7

Moore denies alleged inappropriate sexual encounters

By Joanne Kim Staff Writer

Roy Moore, a 70-year-old Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Alabama, allegedly initiated sexual encounters with a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30’s.

Moore strongly denied that allegation and other alleged sexual encounters with teenage girls, according to The Washington Post.

Moore was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney when he allegedly met 14-year-old Leigh Corfman sitting on a bench in Etowah County, Alabama with her mother, Nancy Wells. As he chatted with Corfman, Moore learned Wells would be attending a child custody hearing. Wells said Moore offered to watch Corfman during the court proceedings.

“I thought, how nice for him to want to take care of my little girl,” Wells said.

Eventually Moore asked Corfman for her phone number.

Moore picked Corfman up from a street corner on their first visit without her mother’s knowledge, according to Corfman on Today.

Corfman assumed they would be meeting romantically. Though her friends warned her

against seeing an older man, she went along with Moore’s plans, according to Today.

Moore drove Corfman to his home, complimented her repeatedly, and began to kiss her, according to Today.

On the second visit, Moore allegedly laid down blankets on the floor and took off his own clothes and eventually Corfman’s, according to Today.

“I was expecting candlelight and roses, and what I got was very different,” Corfman said, according to Today.

He touched her over her underwear and bra and guided her to touch him over his underwear, according to Today.

“Please just get this over with,” Corfman thought, according to The Washington Post.

Other women say Moore pursued them when he was in his early 30’s. Wendy Miller claimed he asked her out on a date when she was 16 years old. Debbie Wesson Gibson also said Moore asked her out when she was 17 years old. Gloria Thacker claimed she was 18 years old when she began dating Moore, according to The Washington Post.

In a written statement, Moore called these allegations “a desperate political attack by

Moore and his supporters believe the accusations are a political attack.

the National Democrat Party and the Washington Post on this campaign.”

John Skipper, a former chair of the Mobile County Republican Party, is a firm supporter of Moore, according to The New York Times.

“Most of (the Alabama Republicans he knew) will not be shocked and will rather be expecting these shenanigans being pulled by the Democrats as standard operating procedure,” Skipper said, according to The New York Times.

AP Photo

Corfman voted Republican in the last three presidential elections. She confessed she decided against confronting Moore in his first campaign for supreme court justice of Alabama in 2000. She was worried about how it would affect her two children still in school, according to The Washington Post.

Republicans are aware Moore could lose voter support.

Some senators like Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado want to expel Moore if he wins the election, according to Politico.

Iran-Iraq earthquake kills more than 500 people

AP Photo

Rescue workers search for survivors among the wreckage.

By Elizabeth Casalnova Correspondent

It was felt as far away as the Mediterranean coast of Israel, about 660 miles from the epicenter. DevAn earthquake with a magni- astation swept the two countries, tude of 7.3 struck the border of Iran as thousands of people lost their and Iraq at 9:48 p.m. on Nov. 12, homes and loved ones. killing more than 500 and injuring Kokab Fard, a 49-year-old more than 7,000 people. The epi- housewife from Sarpol-e-Zahab, center was located around the town Iran, was one of thousands who lost Ezgeleh, Iran, according to The New their homes and belongings in the York Times. earthquake, according to The New

York Times.

“Immediately after I managed to get out, the building collapsed,” Fard said. At least 14 Iranian provinces have been affected by the earthquake, according to the Iranian Labour News Agency.

Many people spent Sunday night sleeping outside in the streets in fear of another quake. With destroyed homes and no electricity, the people of Darbandikhan struggled to find food and water, according to The Washington Post.

Former Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose term ran from 2005 to 2013, followed through on a project to build lowincome housing that later collapsed in the earthquake. Political opponents blamed the destruction on the fragility of the buildings.

Others simply blamed the location, as the collapsed homes were built on fault lines, according to The New York Times.

“The whole city has been destroyed, it is wrecked,” said a resident of Sarpol-e Zahab that appeared to be in his 30s, surrounded by the rubble that used to be Darbandikhan.

Another resident of Darbandikhan, Ali Namiq, felt the destruction was unavoidable.

“It is a divine act that no one can prevent,” Namiq said.

The most reported casualties come from the province of Kermanshah, which borders Iran and Iraq.

Residents were seen in the streets next to collapsed buildings, according to The Washington Post.

Due to the location and angle of the fault line, more casualties occurred in Iran than Iraq. The geological formations of Iraq absorbed the shock better, according to Iraqi seismologist Abdul-Karim Abdullah Taqi.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sent his condolences on the morning of Nov. 27.

Khamenei urged rescue teams to continue searching for survivors and to help those in need. The rescue missions were nearly over on the evening of that same day, according to The New York Times.

Iran President Hassan Rouhani was also scheduled to visit the devastated region of Kermanshah, as well as other affected areas, as reported by Associated Press.

Turkish military stood by the sides of victims as they offered condolences and aid. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wished those who were injured a speedy recovery.

The U.S., which otherwise does not have normal diplomatic relations with Iran, also sent aid, according to The New York Times.

Iran is an earthquake-prone region. Previously, the worst earthquake to hit the region was in 2012.

It killed more than 300 people, nearly half of the casualties from this year’s, according to Time Magazine.

US Navy plane crashes in Philippine Sea, three airmen lost

By Heidi Cho Nation & World Editor

A U.S. military aircraft crashed in the Philippine Sea near Japan on Nov. 22. This is the fifth accident the Seventh Fleet of the U.S. Navy have experienced this year, according to NPR. Eight of the 11 airmen aboard were safely rescued and now aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN 76, in “good condition,” according to the U.S. Navy.

Three airmen are still missing however, according to The New York Times.

Lt. Steven Combs, Matthew Chialastri, an aviation boatswain’s mate airman, and Bryan Grosso, an aviation ordnanceman airman apprentice, were lost in the crash, according to the official statement from the U.S. Seventh Fleet.

Together the USS Ronald Reagan and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force covered more than 1,000 square miles in search of the lost airmen, according to the U.S. Seventh Fleet.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire team onboard Ronald Reagan go out to the families and friends of our fallen shipmates,” Capt. Michael Wosje, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five, said, according to the official

U.S. Seventh Fleet statement. “We are thankful for our professional search and rescue teams and their incredible bravery.”

Eight additional warships and aircraft joined the search, according to The Washington Post.

President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida, where Trump celebrated Thanksgiving, according to The Guardian.

“The @USNavy is conducting search and rescue following aircraft crash. We are monitoring the situation.

Prayers for all involved,” Trump tweeted on Nov. 22.

Search and rescue efforts ceased for the three airmen after two consecutive days on Friday, Nov. 25.

Their families have been notified, according to U.S. Seventh Fleet.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these sailors,” Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, the commander of the Seventh Fleet, said in the fleet’s statement.

“Their service and sacrifice will be lasting in Seventh AP Photo Fleet and we will continue to stand the watch for them, The U.S. Navy safely recovers eight passengers. as they did bravely for all of us.”

The C-2A Greyhound crashed en route to the aircraft This is the first time a C-2A was involved in a fatal carrier USS Ronald Reagan in a routine transport flight. crash since 1973, according to The Washington Post.

The twin-engine aircraft is typically used to ferry perThe investigation is ongoing, according to The New sonnel and cargo, according to The Guardian.

York Times.

page 8 The Signal November 29, 2017

November 29, 2017 The Signal page 9

Editorial Students should appreciate the holiday season Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is just over the horizon. For students here at the College, this means a month without homework, exams or in my case, editing stories for The Signal. It’s a break that I remember waking up on Christmas morning at the crack of dawn when I was a kid, absolutely elated to open my presents and spend time with the family members that I only see a few times a year. It’s the only holiday that ever had a seemingly magical quality to it.

As I got older, Christmas for me became less about fun and excitement and became another checklist of things to get done. I inherited jobs that used to fall to my parents, like setting up the tree in our living room and stringing lights on the outside of our house.

While rushing to get everything done in whatever time I had left before Dec. 25, I lost my capacity to appreciate the purpose of all the decorating.

By the end of high school, I honestly thought I would never enjoy the Christmas season like I used to. That changed completely after a few years in college. At home, the holiday hype can become overwhelming, especially after so many years of the same family traditions. At school, however, I’m way too preoccupied with other responsibilities to put almost any thought into the holidays.

As a result, I’m almost surprised to come home and see people getting excited for Christmas after watching jaded college students taking hours to meticulously decorate the tree with lights and ornaholiday with both nostalgic bliss and serenity.

This change in thinking made me realize that Christmas never changed, I did. Even something as joyful as Christmas can be ruined if you center all your stress on it. Most of our stress is caused more that when I am at my most stressed, it’s usually about things that I’ve done many times before and can absolutely do again. So when I realized that I was actually getting frazzled over hanging Christmas lights, it forced me to put my problems in perspective.

Even though the holiday season doesn’t have the same mesmerizing effect on me as it once did, it still puts me at ease and forces me to take some time and appreciate how fortunate I am. Besides my possessions, I have great friends, a loving family and a pretty darn good GPA. relax and unwind. So whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or something else entirely, take the time to appreciate the festivities, as well as the people around you that make it festive to begin with.

— Thomas Infante Managing 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.

Flickr

Don’t let yourself get wrapped up in holiday stress.

Quotes of the Week tcnjsignal.net Email: signal@tcnj.edu Telephone: Production Room (609) 771-2424 (609) 771-2499 Ad Email: signalad@tcnj.edu

Editorial Staff Connor Smith Editor-in-Chief smithc57@tcnj.edu Thomas Infante Alyssa Gautieri Managing Editors infantt1@tcnj.edu gautiea3@tcnj.edu Michelle Lampariello News Editor lamparm2@tcnj.edu Maximillian C. Burgos Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editors burgosm2@tcnj.edu gonzam23@tcnj.edu Ashton Leber Features Editor lebera1@tcnj.edu Elizabeth Zakaim Arts & Entertainment Editor zakaime1@tcnj.edu Brielle Bryan Opinions Editor bryanb2@tcnj.edu Kim Iannarone Jason Proleika Photo Editors iannark1@tcnj.edu proleij1@tcnj.edu Heidi Cho Nation & World Editor choh2@tcnj.edu

Mailing Address: The Signal c/o Forcina Hall The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718

Lily Firth Reviews Editor Eric Preisler Production Manager preisle1@tcnj.edu Kyle Elphick Web Editor elphick1@tcnj.edu Danielle Silvia Maddi Ference Social Media Editors silviad2@tcnj.edu ferencm2@tcnj.edu Breeda Bennett-Jones News Assistnant bennett4@tcnj.edu Emmy Liederman Features Assistnant liedere1@tcnj.edu Meagan McDowell Photo Assistant mcdowem4@tcnj.edu Alexandra Parado Sports Assistant paradoa1@tcnj.edu

Emilie Lounsberry Adviser lounsber@tcnj.edu Thomas Munnia Business/Ad Manager tmunnia@gmail.com

“Dogs are natural therapy, they have unconditional love.

I always say that it is almost impossible to be sad when you have a dog that loves you so much and is so happy just to be with you. My dog has completely changed my life for the better.”

— Sophie Guss, Junior psychology major

“While individual exchange students come to TCNJ for one semester or one year, the impact that they have on our campus, and the impact our campus has on them is immeasurable.”

— Joanne Bateup, International student and scholar advisor

“We came into the season with the goal of qualifying for nationals as a team, I think keeping that goal in our minds throughout the season helped us push through tough races and workouts.”

— Natalie Cooper Junior All-American cross country runner

The Signal

Opinions

By Danielle Silvia comments eventually gnawed away at me.

If I looked so fabulous now, in the present, what had changed in the span of one year?

Did I look ugly before?

When I look at myself in the mirror, I am amazed, not by my beauty or by how many pimples are covering my face, but by the experiences my body has carried me through for the past 20 years of my life. I know it sounds convoluted, but I am grateful for the legs that have carried me everywhere I’ve ever ventured, the hands that have held those I love and the eyes that have seen everything that I have ever witnessed.

The human body, in my opinion, is more and what has literally carried us since birth.

As a young adult, it has become apparent to me that many cannot see this truth, particularly young women.

On social media and in face-to-face interactions, society has adopted a culture of tion. It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that true beauty comes from the inside out. However, most people’s many people place emphasis on their physical appearance and attractiveness, especially in the eyes of their peers. Most comments on social media revolve around how we pose, how perfect our hair is styled, how much I won’t lie, whenever I receive a comment

like no one really understood me. I thought that the people who cared for me the most loved me for who I was on the inside, and the outside was just a mere canvas. My attitude changed toward my body, and I became healthier. I practiced loving myself, and began casting away hurtful comments. My legs carried me through thick and thin, my hands guided me through the dark tunnel of my journey and my eyes opened themselves to a new revelation. This period of my life,

Flickr

Students should not be judged based on physical appearance. part of human nature. When people tell us we look good, we feel good. It becomes a problem, however, when physical appearance becomes an obsession for girls. Some whether that is eating one protein bar a day to squeeze into that size two pair of shorts or straightening their hair so often that the tips begin to feel like hay. In a world where we are constantly emphasizing individuality, our society has passively

enforced individuals to want to look, sound and act like everyone else. college, my appetite changed, and I lost weight. When I went home the summer after freshmen year, old friends swarmed me like a pack of bees, as if I was an elusive comb of honey. Friends who seemed to not care about my physical appearance before began to make comments. Statements such as, “You’re so thin now,” or, “You look amazing!” seemed well intended and

time, was also when I became an adult.

It is hard being an adult and not focusing on societal standards of beauty, and it’s even harder when people are constantly making comments, negative or positive, about the way you look. I’ve learned that the people who truly see you for you, and not as some physical object, are those who really matter in life. I have also grown to learn that loving yourself and accepting yourself for who you are is the most noble thing you will ever do.

So, eat that candy bar, sing your lungs out to your favorite song, run a mile and smile. Wake up every morning not asking yourself, “What can I do to be better?” but rather, “What can I do to be a better me?”

Student highlights racial stereotyping in media While the little boy faced no life-threatening injuries after being examined at a nearby children’s hospital, news articles about the incident described his mother as an irresponsible parent. A petition was started to have the parents charged with negligence. It was signed by 500,000 people who argued that the boy’s willingness to fall inside of a pit

AP Photo

Media portrayals can be inconsistent.

By Melissa Reed Last year, there were two incidents in which a child was attacked by a wild animal. Although the tragedies were similar, the media unrightfully placed the blame on the parents in only one incident due to false stereotyping.

On May 28, 2016, a 4-year-old African American boy fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. He climbed a three-foot fence before falling about 12 feet into the moat surrounding the habitat. After dragging the boy around for about 10 minutes, the incident ended when the 17-year-old gorilla, named Harambe, was shot dead, according to New York Daily News.

It’s been more than a year since this incident, and Harambe has been recently replaced by a new male gorilla named Mshindi, according to One Green Planet. While the Cincinnati Zoo has moved from the terrible incident, the little boy and his family have not been granted the same justice.

went as far as to check the father’s criminal background, according to Sunday Express.

The problem was not the parents. The problem was the media, which perpetuated false stereotypes surrounding African American families to make them seem inferior.

News articles were not the only source of media blaming the parents. Commenters on multiple YouTube videos describing the incident condemned the parents, as well.

A few weeks later, the media’s attitude toward the zoo and the child’s parents was contradicted by a separate, gruesome incident, which involved a caucasian family in Orlando, Florida.

A 2-year-old Nebraskan boy was snatched into a lagoon by an alligator while at a Disney Resort with his family. The boy was quickly attacked while wading off into the water, according to CNN. Sixteen hours after an intense search for the little boy, he was found dead, six feet below the surface where he had last been seen, according to The New York Times.

Several articles, commentaries and other social media platforms following the Orlando incident sympathized with the parents, such as The Guardian. Not one of the articles I saw placed blame on the parents for the child’s death. There was also no petition set up to charge the parents with negligence.

The blame was placed on Disney’s resort, acknowledging that a “no swimming” sign was not enough.

“A 2-year-old Nebraska boy killed by an alligator at a Walt

Disney World hotel in June died due to a series of events that The ugly truth is that while no one can expect a vacation to turn into a deadly event, it may have well been prevented.

The little boy who was attacked by the alligator was the only child near the surface of the water at the time, according to Daily Mail.

At the Cincinnati Zoo, there were no signs of warning that indicated a child might fall into a moat. However, there were warning signs at the Disney resort that were posted around the lagoon that read “no swimming.” Also, the boy who fell into the gorilla pit was at a zoo where there should have been more precautions taken to ensure that no one would fall into a gorilla enclosure, such as an increased amount of barrier to entry. On the other hand, where the little boy in Orlando was attacked was a known habitat to alligators. Despite these by the media, while the parents of the little boy in Orlando were pitied.

Why did the media respond so differently to these similar incidences of wild animal attacks on children?

The answer lies within the tone of the articles following both incidents. Both events are common examples of how the media perpetuates racist stereotypes surrounding African American people. These stereotypes, although false, were used to present African American people as inferior.

While parents are always held responsible for the safety of their children, African American parents are judged more critically due to their race. While the Cincinnati Zoo was able to move on from the incident that ended the life of Harambe, the little boy and his parents will always have the words of the media in the back of their minds, weighing on them for the rest of their lives.

Policies signal@tcnj.edu should not exceed 300 words. signal@tcnj.edu.

November 29, 2017 The Signal page 11

Students share opinions around campus “How important has physical appearance become in society?”

Brielle Bryan / Opinions Editor

Zéna Merhi, a senior early childhood education and music double major.

“It has become very prevalent. Beauty bloggers are put on a pedestal.”

Brielle Bryan / Opinions Editor

Javier Nicasio, a graduate student studying urban and elementary education.

“With social media, everyone is looking at everyone, and we’re all trying to work for likes.”

“Do you think the media perpetuates racial stereotyping?”

Brielle Bryan / Opinions Editor

Julianna Bottiglieri, a junior special education and math double major.

“There are definitely TV shows that focus on stereotypes to try to be funny.”

Brielle Bryan / Opinions Editor

Olivia Colomier, a senior secondary education and history dual major.

“Some shows misrepresent races, and what kids see on TV is what they take to be reality.”

The Signal’s cartoons of the week...

page 12 The Signal November 29, 2017

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November 29, 2017 The Signal page 13

Features

Students fiercely compete in Mr. Synergy Pageant

Left: Gonzalez takes home the title of Mr. Synergy. Right: Contestants bust some moves to impress the judges.

By Darian Scalamoni Staff Writer Six men representing their respective organizations anxiously waited backstage while music amplified throughout the Decker Social Space on Nov. 15. Students crowded in to see who would be crowned the next Mr. Synergy.

Synergy Dance Company hosted its annual Mr. Synergy Pageant, a fundraiser for the company with the winner serving as the host for the organization’s Spring Spectacular Show in April.

Spirits were high as six contestants from different campus organizations prepared for this year’s pageant.

Justin Gordon, a sophomore engineering major, represented Delta Tau Delta in the competition and looked forward to showcasing his talents.

“I’m usually not the type of person to go out on stage, but I wanted to challenge myself,” Gordon said. “This is Mr. Synergy, this is my time. It’s really exciting to be here.”

Synergy Dance Company then choreographed a dance routine as each contestant copied their moves to the best of their abilities.

Each competitor showed off their athleticism, poise and flexibility with splits, leg extensions and leaps.

Contestants performed their new dance routine. Some succeeded more than others, but their effort still impressed the panel of student judges.

Ian Salzman, a junior communication studies major representing Beta Theta Pi, never thought he’d have the courage to perform in front of a group of people.

“A friend of mine is in Synergy so I felt like I should help her out and make a fool of myself,” Salzman said. “It was an interesting experience because I never thought I’d be attempting a split in front of an audience.”

Next up was the freestyle round. Each student danced to pop hits, from Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” to Run DMC’s “It’s Tricky.”

The audience erupted in laughter and cheered throughout the pageant.

“The overall competition was great, but the freestyle round was definitely the best,” said Danielle Brex, a junior elementary education and iSTEM double major. “It was hilarious and they all looked like they were having tons of fun.”

The judges took their time critiquing the contestants

Meagan McDowell / Photo Assistant

while the audience watched performances from Synergy Dance Company.

While the contestants showcased their exquisite dancing skills and competed fiercely, there was a clear winner in the judges’s eyes.

Alberto Gonzalez, a sophomore business major and member of Phi Alpha Delta, was crowned Mr. Synergy.

Gonzalez’s dancing in the freestyle round was incomparable as he busted out signature Michael Jackson moves.

“The Michael Jackson dance must have helped a bit but I’m happy that I was able to get on stage with the rest of the guys and be crowned the winner,” Gonzalez said.

Dana Passin, a junior secondary education and math dual major and Synergy’s treasurer, coordinated the annual event.

“It’s a lot of fun because we spend a lot of time dancing, so it’s nice to get a little break and watch other people dance,” Passin said. “We get to share our love of dance with everyone else and teach other people how to dance too.”

Mr. Synergy provided a night full of laughter and hidden talents — like Salzman’s split — that students were unaware they possessed.

Virginity Monologues addresses sexual stigma

By Megan Schilling Correspondent

“Is virginity a blessing or a curse?”

Students crowded in the Library Auditorium as they pondered this question asked by alumna Kayla Termyna (’16). It may be a biological topic, but virginity also has the tendency to spark social controversy.

The Virginity Monologues, hosted by Women in Learning and Leadership, was held on Nov. 14 in part of the organization’s Redefining Sex Week.

“We wanted to provide different events that would get people to think more critically about sex and what it means to us,” said Rachel Smith, a sophomore women’s, gender and sexuality studies major and WILL’s programming co-chair.

Students were able to share their personal experiences with virginity, how it has affected their lives and their overall opinions on the subject as a concept and social construct.

Termyna, the former vice executive chair for WILL, devoted her time to coordinate the Virginity Monologues after graduating.

After attending Redefining Sex Week events as an undergraduate, Termyna was shocked at the impact sex culture has on students and decided to embrace her virginity.

“I’m greatly empowered by virginity,” Termyna said. “I’ve literally made it the most interesting thing about myself. Even though it’s important to me, I think it’s also important to recognize that to someone else it may not be a big deal at all.”

Termyna opened the floor for discussion

using Kahoot! to take a poll on the audience’s view of virginity.

Six students voted that virginity is a “blessing,” seven voted “curse” and 23 voted “it’s complicated.”

“Virginity originally became important because men needed it to prove their paternity,” Termyna said. “Over time, societal values have been regulated to place value on this, and this somehow translated into women being the moral compasses of society.”

For some women like Termyna, the topic of virginity is very important, while others choose not to give it much attention.

Sarah Pawlowski, a sophomore journalism and professional writing major and member of WILL, discussed how virginity has impacted her.

“To me, virginity was always something that was about as important as my astrological sign,” Pawlowski said. “It was a part of me but I never let it dictate my life.”

The concept of virginity is different for everyone, and each person can interpret it in a different way, according to Smith.

Some people find that it plays an important role in relationships, while others find that it’s simply a natural part of life.

“I’m aware of sex, but I honestly forget that sex is something that happens,” said Rebecca Conn, a junior mathematics major and community service chair for WILL. Through their monologues, the speakers tackled the idea of the inconsistent definitions of virginity and why people often think differently of people who are virgins and those who are not.

In attempting to answer these questions, Smith recognizes that religion and moral incentive can play an important role.

“Where we get our perception of virginity from comes from our family and whether or not they have religious ties or affiliations,” Smith said. “We craft what we think of virginity from what we’re told.”

The overall theme of the monologues was to talk about what virginity means to each person, and that there’s not a concrete definition, according to Smith.

The audience adopted a feeling of encouragement when the need to be ready, to be safe, and to not let others pressure you when it comes to sex, was emphasized.

Gigi Garrity, a junior psychology major and the vice executive chair of WILL, discussed the pressures she felt from a relationship when she was young.

“I didn’t understand the power of my own body and how rad I was,” Garrity said.

Today, Garrity feels comfortable talking about sex openly, but stresses that it’s best to wait until an individual is ready and comfortable to do so.

“The reason why I like to speak about this so much is because sex can be an amazing, awesome, wonderful (and a) very gratifying experience for both parties,” Garrity said.

Smith continued this theme of empowerment, as well as the idea that others’ opinions about one’s personal choices do not matter.

“It shouldn’t matter who you’re doing it with or what others think, as long as you’re doing it for yourself,” Smith said.

Despite each speaker’s view on this often taboo topic, all women recognized the importance of not letting virginity define them.

Meagan McDowell / Photo Assistant

Students discuss the idea of virginity as a social construct.

page 14 The Signal November 29, 2017

College brings Japanese festival to campus

By Alexander Edelson Correspondent Under a canopy of paper-mȃché flowers, students from professor Holly Ogren’s Japanese classes gathered in Trenton Hall Room 123 on Nov. 15 to celebrate Bunkasai, a Japanese cultural festival.

While Bunkasai may not be commonly known in America, it’s a staple of Japanese culture.

In Japan, students have specific Bunkasai days at school where they celebrate creativity and artistic achievements and showcase their efforts for the community.

This was reflected in the vibrant decorations that adorned the room. Python-like chains of rainbow-colored construction paper and beautiful floral arrangements covered the walls. Smaller origami shapes and animals were sprawled about on every table.

Authentic Japanese foods, such as udon noodles, Pocky and Happy Panda, were available for guests and presenters to enjoy.

In her opening remarks, Ogren broke down the meaning of Bunkasai to inform guests on what they were celebrating. “‘Bunka’ means ‘culture’ and ‘Si’ means ‘a festival,’” Ogren said. “In Japan in the fall, all the schools have a big celebration of

Randell Carrido / Staff Photographer

Students experience Japanese culture at the Bunkasai-themed event.

cultural works their students have done in the school. They will have art projects, plays and different kind of demonstrations.”

Inspired by this Japanese tradition, Ogren aimed to take the idea of Bunkasai and replicate her own version for students.

Alexandra Rizzo, a freshman international studies major in Ogren’s class, helped decorate and set up the festival.

“We were put on different committees like publicity and decorating,” Rizzo said. “I chose decorating because I love doing arts and crafts.”

The students’ efforts were displayed throughout the room, which was adorned with various Japanese decorations, adding to the authentic feeling of the event.

Each committee was responsible for different aspects of the evening. The publicity committee was composed of students who worked to spread the word about Bunkasai, in addition to preparing a presentation on one of Japan’s eight regions.

“In our other groups, we made a brochure and a presentation about our region,” Rizzo said. “Mine was Kushu, so I did the Nagasaki Lantern Festival.”

Rizzo’s presentation highlighted the importance of the annual Nagasaki Lantern Festival that occurs in January to celebrate the Japanese New Year.

In addition to providing images, videos and background information on the festival, attendees had the opportunity to build their own Nagasaki lanterns.

Every presentation featured an interactive component. Presentations included a live karate demonstration, Udon noodle tasting and paper boat sailing.

One of the most exciting presentations of the night was centered on

Japanese pop music that ended with a chance to learn the updated choreography to the Japanese Olympic song, “Tokyo Gorin Ondo 2020.”

Annette Giacobbe, a junior international studies major, orchestrated the presentation.

“I have background information of knowing about Korean idols in Japan,” Giacobbe said. “I know a lot of people don’t know Korean idols singing original songs in Japanese so I wanted to share that with other people.”

Giacobbe believed it was important to introduce Americans to the new song.

In 2020, Japan will host the Summer Olympics and have updated the classic dance to celebrate the event.

“With the Olympics coming up, I think it’s important that people know about it,” Giacobbe said.

When the international sports competition airs in 2020, viewers will be able to see “Tokyo Gorin Ondo 2020” at the opening ceremony. Those in attendance of Bunkasai will be able to participate in real time.

Bunkasai brought Japanese tradition to the College and gave students a taste of the culture in an evening filled with laughter, friends and celebration.

Students gain global perspective at Trip Around the World

By Ashton Leber and Rachel Von Hollen Features Editor and Correspondent

As soon as students entered room 212 of the Education Building, their senses were overwhelmed with wafts of spices, colorful posters and upbeat music. The room was filled with a diverse group of students currently studying abroad here in the U.S., all eager to share their love of their home country and culture.

The third annual Trip Around the World, held on Nov. 14, allowed students to gain an open-minded perspective on different cultures and customs.

Hosted by the International House and the Center for Global Engagement, the event encouraged participants to learn about other countries, cultures and customs.

Trip Around the World was done in part to acknowledge International Education Week, a nationwide opportunity for institutions to prepare the U.S. for a more globally influenced environment and celebrate the benefits of international education.

“The annual Trip Around the World event is a unique opportunity for our exchange students to showcase the places where they come from, alongside the student organizations engaged in building the

“We are made to stand out, not to fit in.”

—Rabbi Akiva Greenbaum

Adjunct professor of religion and Chabad representative

cultural awareness of our campus community,” said Joanne Bateup, the international student and scholar advisor at the College.

The international students at the College represented the countries they hail from, including Germany, India, Haiti and the United Kingdom.

Different cultural clubs on campus, such as the Association of Students for Africa, Chabad and TCNJ NAACP also set up tables at the event.

Each country and club had their own table and trifold filled with everything from food, props and games for students to interact with and enjoy as they walked about the room.

Rabbi Akiva Greenbaum, an adjunct professor of religion at the College and representative for Chabad, offered students matzah, unrisen bread commonly eaten on the Jewish holiday of Passover. He also had an Israeli flag hanging in front of his table.

“Your identity, whether it be your food style or your needs, your language or your music, it’s beautiful,” Greenbaum said. “We are made to stand out, not to fit in.”

Ariana Berberabe, a junior accounting major co-organized and co-hosted the event with Elizabeth Zakaim, a junior journalism and professional writing and psychology double major, the international house community advisor and The Signal’s arts & entertainment section editor.

Berberabe and Zakaim began planning the event in late September with Bateup, who also co-manages the International House Living Learning Community with Residential Education and Housing. Brenelle Tyus, the residence director for the Townhouses Complex, also contributed to organizing the event.

“The goal of (Trip Around the World) is to showcase the diverse cultures of our lovely international students and campus organizations,” Berberabe said. “Guests were able to learn about customs and cuisines through the

Natalie La Spisa / Staff Photographer

Foreign exchange students represent their respective countries.

interactive trivia games and food samples.”

Berberabe also managed the table for the Philippines alongside Barkada’s executive board.

Students were able to indulge in a taste of Filipino culture with puto, a steamed rice cake that left many coming back for a second helping.

“It was heartwarming to have the opportunity to share our culture and to see firsthand the genuine interest in our culture,” Berberabe said.

Although international students are only here for a short period of time, it doesn’t mean they’re any less important to the College community.

“While individual exchange students come to TCNJ for one semester or one year, the impact that they have on our campus, and the impact our campus has on them is immeasurable,” Bateup said.

Ajayraj Singh sra, a senior journalism and professional writing and communications

double major, represented his home country of Australia with pictures and facts on a trifold.

Singh sra also provided native Australian snacks, such as Tim Tams and cherry ripe bars, for students to enjoy.

“Portraying the right image of Australia meant a lot for me,” Singh sra said.

“Whenever a guest got interested in visiting my country, it meant that I was painting a clear picture for what my country stands for.”

Each representative wanted to express not only the importance of embracing diversity on campus, but their own heritage too.

“Events like Trip Around the World let us strip away the barriers that may exist between us for any number of larger reasons (such as) religion, economics, cultural norms and values,” Bateup said.

“Those barriers fade away and we interact with each other for who we are — funloving humans.”

:

November 29, 2017 The Signal page 15

Jan.‘70

Campus Style

Students voice concerns on campus

The president receives a letter about issues at the College.

Every week, Features Editor Ashton Leber hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories.

Within the last year, students have voiced their concerns to College President R. Barbara Gitenstein. It began with the namesake of Paul Loser Hall, which gathered a group of eager students hoping for change on campus and to rid the name of Loser’s segregationist past. When the TCNJ Clinic was nearly closed, students did everything in their power to save it.

Eventually their concerns were heard when the College decided to incorporate the clinic in a new health and wellness center.

It’s important that students at the College feel they have the ability to speak up when concerns arise, and students should feel that there is someone willing to help find a solution. In 1970, students wrote a letter to then President Robert Heussler voicing their concerns with issues on campus.

We, the students, handed the President a list of grievances on Wednesday, December 17, 1969. We, the students, gave the President until February 4, 1970 to answer our demands.

And what will the answer be? “Well the showers will be fixed in the boys’ locker room, the clocks in Green Hall will also be fixed and we’ll see if we can remind the custodian each day to fly the American flag.”

And what about the parking lots?

“They’re in the master plan of the college.”

And what about the classrooms and offices being removed from the dorms? “That’s in the master plan also.”

“Oh, by the way, the girl’s curfew will be in effect the second week of the second semester, pre registration is in the planning stage as is almost everything else on your list.”

And what about the security we need so desperately on this campus? And what about the 4-1-4 credit system? And what about tuition increases?

These things aren’t really campus matters and these grievances the state will refuse to correct.

Therefore, from a list of 26 grievances, we will be told either that each is in the planning stage or in the master plan of the college. So now what do we, the students, do?

We can wait until the decision is made on the fourth and then, as a student body, decide what to do. This is what the S.E.B. thinks is the right way. This is also what the petitioners did for four hours the same night Dr. Heussler was reinstated. This is what students did last May at the Higher Education Building in Trenton after being told Trenton State would have rent increase.

What we need now is a good effective plan that can be brought before the entire student body on the fourth. A plan is needed to unify the students so action can take place immediately. We can not make irrational decisions that day. The most important grievances — the ones against the state — will not be answered unless the state is pressured.

We, the students, have started something. We, the students, should continue this fight.

The Culinary Club Presents...

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Left: Teddy jackets offer warmth and comfort. Right: Ripped jeans pair perfectly with a graphic T-shirt.

By Lexy Yulich Columnist As the weather gets colder and winter approaches, finding a jacket that is both warm and stylish can be difficult. This winter season, there is a new trend taking over that provides both: fuzzy teddy jackets. Many models and celebrities are showing off their trendy new coats.

Plus, they have been featured in stores like Urban Outfitters, Madewell and Forever 21.

Teddy jackets come in a variety of colors and styles such as puffer, trench coat and pea coat. With the holidays around the corner, I was determined to find the perfect jacket. Luckily, I found a light brown teddy jacket that was long enough to keep me warm, but still a fashion statement. The teddy coat may seem overwhelming at first, but there’s no need to fret because this super chic style is the perfect piece for any outfit. If you’re wondering what you should pair with a teddy jacket, here are three fashionable ways to rock your new coat:

candy and swap peanut butter for peppermint extract. Or maybe drizzle chocolate sauce on top for extra gooey goodness.

Makes: Eight pieces of fudge

By Julia Dzurillay Columnist

Fudge reminds me of a summer night walking along Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, with sticky fingers and not a care in the world. But fudge doesn’t

Leggings and slip-on sneakers: If you’re running late for class on a cold morning, pair your favorite leggings with a black sweater, teddy jacket and a trendy pair of slip-on sneakers. For more warmth, add any style winter hat you have. You’ll be cozy while walking to class and fashion forward even when you take off the coat.

Ripped jeans and a graphic T-shirt: On the days you’re feeling more edgy, throw on a graphic T-shirt from Anthropology or Forever 21 with your favorite ripped skinny jeans, booties and a teddy coat. You’ll look like you just stepped off the runway. The best part is for any of these looks, you don’t have to sacrifice warmth for style.

: Peppermint fudge dessert

Lions Plate

Peppermint fudge is a delicious holiday dessert.

Over-the-knee boots: If you’re searching for an outfit to keep you warm while still sporting the latest trends, pair your fuzzy jacket with a cream pullover sweater, dark wash jeans and over-the-knee boots. The jacket layered over the sweater will keep you toasty and stylish.

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only need to be a summer treat.

Mix fudge with peppermint and you have the ingredients for a fabulous winter dessert.

If you’re craving all chocolate, substitute white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips. If you’d rather skip the peppermint, substitute crushed Oreo’s for peppermint

Ingredients: 24-ounce bag of white chocolate chips 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt 2 teaspoons of peppermint extract 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups of crushed peppermint candy or candy canes Directions: 1. Line a nine-inch square pan with parchment paper.

2. Add white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk to a medium saucepan over medium low heat.

3. Stir until the white chocolate

chips melt.

4. Remove the saucepan from heat. Add peppermint and vanilla extract.

5. Stir one cup of the crushed peppermint candy canes and sea salt into the mixture.

6. Pour the fudge into the pan.

7. Tap the pan onto the counter until the fudge is evenly distributed.

8. Top the fudge with remaining crushed peppermint candy canes and more sea salt, if desired.

9. Refrigerate fudge for two hours before cutting.

10. Enjoy!

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Crushed cookies are a tasty alternative to peppermint.

page 16 The The Signal Signal November November 29, 29,2017 2017 page 16

Arts & Entertainment Entertainment

Crowd over ‘Sweeney ‘Sweeny Todd’ Crowd swoons swoons over Todd’

Natalie La Spisa / Staff Photographer

Left: Schreiber delivers a captivating performance as Todd. Right: Lovett serves as Todd’s peculiar accomplice.

By Carolyn Molinelli Correspondent A vengeful barber, an immoral judge and a mysterious murder haunted Kendall Hall and captivated audiences during TCNJ Musical Theatre’s production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

The show premiered on Nov. 14, in the Don Evans Black Box Theater and ran until Nov. 18, and is a dark comedic classic based on the book, “The String of Pearls: The Original Tale of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street” by Thomas Peckett Prest. It first premiered as a musical in 1979, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The student theater troupe at the College worked hard to put its own twist on the eerie story.

“When I chose this show I chose with TMT in mind,” said Jenna Burke, the show’s director and an English graduate student at the College.

Sweeney Todd was played by senior chemistry major Eric Schreiber, and Mrs. Nellie Lovett, was played by junior communications major Gretchen Newell. Both portrayed their titular characters well among a talented cast.

“It’s really fun and almost really cathartic to be able to kind of release everything and go nuts,” Schreiber said.

The show begins with a haunting prelude, which leads into what is known in the theater community as one of the world’s greatest opening numbers, “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd.” Haunting and mysterious, the cast acts as a Greek

chorus, telling the audience about the title character and his murderous ways with his straight razors, all without spoiling the plot.

“What happened then, well, that’s the play, and he wouldn’t want us to give it away,” the chorus sung.

The story then begins in 1846, London, where Todd thanks the young sailor Anthony, played by sophomore secondary education and history dual major Casey O’Neill, for saving his life at sea.

While discussing Todd’s plans in London, he tells Anthony the story of a barber and his wife who were brutally separated by a ruthless judge who sentenced him to prison for life on a false charge. It is revealed later that Todd is referring to his own predicament.

After parting, Todd arrives at a pie shop on Fleet Street owned by Lovett. This leads to one of the show’s comedic moments as Lovett laments about her awful pies, or as she calls them, the “worst pies in London.” She then recognizes Todd as her upstairs neighbor from many years ago, Benjamin Barker, confirming to the audience that he is in fact the barber who was exiled and lost his wife to the lustful Judge Turpin, played by sophomore business management major Anthony Sofia.

Lovett also informs Todd that his wife had poisoned herself with arsenic after Turpin had lured her into his home and raped her. Turpin had also taken their 1-year-old daughter Johanna, played by sophomore music education major Angelina Francese, and is currently raising her as

his own.

Among all the unfortunate news, Lovett does reveal one silver lining — she had saved Todd’s silver barber’s razors.

The rest of the plot revolves around Todd’s killing spree, in which he becomes like Judge Turpin — a villain who gets away with his crimes.

The staging of the musical took on a Shakespearean aspect of storytelling where actors were recasted to portray several different characters. This brought more focus onto the actors as they told the story through their hilarious acting, all to the tune of thrilling musical numbers.

The cast members were pleased with how the show went, and were proud to see the fruits of their labor.

“This show was especially difficult to tackle and the entire cast and crew was so willing to give it all they had,” said Alaina Stampe, an ensemble member and a freshman music and psychology double major. “I couldn’t be more impressed with the talent and professionalism in this company.”

The close capacity of the theater brought audience members closer and more immersed in the story.

“Through most of it, I was really anxious because I didn’t know what was going to happen,” said audience member Eliana Sapin, a sophomore criminology major. “Overall it was a really good production and even though it wasn’t the happiest of shows I thought it was really well done.”

TMT’s tale of “Sweeney Todd” excited its audiences, who should be eager to see what’s up next for TMT.

Wind ensemble performs moving musical arrangements

By Raquel Sosa-Sanchez Staff Writer

The TCNJ Wind Ensemble’s airy woodwinds and deep brass painted a picturesque image in the minds of its audience members.

On Nov. 16, the TCNJ Wind Ensemble performed on the Kendall Hall Main Stage at 8 p.m. They were welcomed by a nearly full audience and a hearty applause. The set, titled “Reimagine,” succeeded its namesake.

Audiences were taken on a musical journey through time as they listened to pieces from different ages and cultures. The ensemble’s first set “Le Bal de Béatrice d’Este,” a ballet written by Reynaldo Hahn in 1905, consisted of seven separate pieces. “Entrée pour Ludovico Le More” came first, enveloping the crowd in a French anthemic sound and a lofty oboe.

Dramatic pauses filled with heavy silences enraptured the audience. The ensemble performed under the instruction of conductor Joshua Roach. “(The conductor’s) really focused and

dramatic,” said Diana Solano, a freshman open option arts and communication major.

The ballet featured many lighthearted and romantic pieces. Percussion and brass took the spotlight during the fourth performance, which was a rendition of Hahn’s “Ibérienne.”

Bellows from the low brass and woodwinds reverberated throughout the floors of the theater hall.

“Second Suite in F,” a popular tune among ensembles and concert bands, came next. Composed by Gustav Holst, the piece featured an arc of intensity by the high brass section. The ensemble’s performance of the movement “Song Without Words,” composed by Felix Mendelssohn, showcased an intense performance by woodwinds and low brass alike. The lowest of low notes from the brass, and the highest of highs from the woodwinds left the audience in awe of their juxtaposed synchrony.

Composer Chen Yi’s “Dragon Rhyme,” a piece favored by Roach, came in two movements. The ballad was thematic, like most of the ensemble’s performances.

“The first movement is lyrical,” Roach

The ensemble presents different cultural compositions. said, “the second, powerful.”

The piece was influenced by Eastern culture, according to Roach. The music painted the picture of a dragon, making the piece “layered, auspicious and vivid.”

The ensemble’s performance showcased 20th century The piece was influenced by Eastern culture, according to Roach. The music painted the picture of a dragon, making the

Randell Carrido / Staff Photographer

piece “layered, auspicious and vivid.”

The ensemble’s performance showcased 20th century pieces from different cultures and backgrounds, and the audience was captivated in the storytelling within the music. At the conclusion of the show, Roach praised the musical abilities of the students of the College’s Wind Ensemble.

“They are fantastic instrumentalists,” Roach said.

Recital series features multilingual music November 29, 2017 The Signal page 17

Ahn’s voice rings deep during his solo.

By Corinne Castaldo Staff Writer

Entrancing music poured from Mayo Concert Hall as eight students in the department of music showcased their talents as part of their Afternoon Recital Series on Nov. 14.

The first performance of the afternoon was an astounding clarinet quartet.

Sophomore music education major Alexis Silverman, sophomore iSTEM and elementary education double major Kimberly Cook, freshman music education major Miranda Inglese and sophomore biology major Richard Condon dazzled the audience with two pieces: Johann Sebastian Bach’s “French Suite No. 1” and Arne Running’s “Grotesque March.”

Kim Iannarone / Photo Editor

The two pieces flowed with one another, with the first piece offering light, harmonic notes. Similarly, the bouncy rhythm of the second piece had audience members bobbing their heads with the beat.

Silverman was anxious to kick off the performance.

“It’s always a little nerve-wracking, but after a while you get used to it,” Silverman said. “It’s better to perform in a group so you don’t feel like you’re going up there alone.”

Silverman was also delighted to hear the performances of her peers after seeing them rehearse diligently in order to ensure the concert’s success.

“It’s so exciting to watch,” Silverman said. “It’s fun to hang out and practice with them, and it’s rewarding to see them doing what they love.”

Joseph Ahn, a junior music education major, performed

second. The audience marveled at his tenor performance of Gustav Mahler’s “Wer hat dies Liedlein erdacht?”

(Who thought up this little song?) and Johannes Brahms’ “Sonntag” (Sunday). Though both pieces were in German, Ahn sang every word with precision. “(Singing in a different language is) a very interesting thing to do,” Ahn said. “Although you know the translations, you are relying on a language that is still foreign to you.”

The next performance was a smooth classical guitar solo played by Mark Juliano, a junior music education major. Juliano delivered a perfect performance of José Luis Merlin’s “Suite del Recuerdo.” This piece, played without piano accompaniment, effortlessly switched between slow, smooth rhythms and deep, intense staccato rhythms.

Maura McFadden, a sophomore music education major, sang a mezzo-soprano rendition of Gabriel Fauré’s “Au bord de l’eau” (At the Water’s Edge) and Stefano Donaudy’s “Sento nel core” (I Feel in my Heart).

McFadden’s honey-smooth voice flowed beautifully throughout the hall. The first song’s notes starting out soft and sweet, until they turned haunting and solemn. The long notes coupled with a perfect French accent made for an entrancing performance.

The final performer of the afternoon was senior music major Edward Wang, who sang Frederick Keel’s “Trade Winds” in baritone. Wang’s deep voice captivated the audience with this slow, harmonious tune.

Dominique Pisani, a sophomore psychology major, beamed with pride on her way into the hall.

“My friend is in the clarinet quartet,” Pisani said. “I made time out of my day so that I could see her perform.”

The event had a great turnout, with students and faculty alike coming out to enjoy the talent of the College’s music students. As the concert came to a close, performers were greeted by family and friends to celebrate their outstanding performances.

“There is a sense of pride that comes with seeing your peers perform,” Ahn said. “It’s one thing knowing them from classes, but seeing their performances is another experience entirely.”

Fiddler shares Yiddish music’s cultural inspiration

By Hailey Ruderman Correspondent

History and culture have always influenced music, and the Jewish tradition is only one example.

Through her violin, award-winning musician Angela Svigals tells the musical tale of the Yiddish language’s impact on Jewish culture during the latest Brown Bag in Mayo Concert Hall on Nov. 17. Students and staff had the opportunity to watch Svigals perform with her violin alongside student musicians.

Svigals uses her music to illustrate the connection between music and Yiddish, a hybrid language mainly made up of German, Aramaic and Hebrew, that was spoken by European Jews.

Svigals has been featured on MTV along with ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and performs regularly at festivals around the country.

Svigals was well versed in the history of Yiddish folk music, as it had a direct impact on her culture growing up. Most of Svigals’ sounds on her violin mimicked the vocal range and tone of a cantor in prayer, which was a common aspect of religious customs practiced by many Yiddish speakers.

While some pieces harked back to the music’s somber religious roots, other pieces had hints of more celebratory songs common in Jewish culture. She shared one of her favorite songs, which she believed sounds a lot like the “Horah,” a song played at Jewish events.

It had a very upbeat and folksy sound.

Early instruments used in songs like the “Horah” had a strong influence on her music.

“Drums and brass were extremely

Svigals performs alongside students. popular in the early centuries,” Svigals said. “They are very traditional when you listen to the old-world sounds.”

Richard Chachowski, a freshman journalism major, enjoyed both the lecture and the performance.

“It was definitely something I have never really attended before,” Chachowski said. “I thought it was an interesting way to demonstrate her talents and get people excited to talk about that kind of music.”

Svigals later put on a more Americanized version of Yiddish folk music. She incorporated various elements of jazz music, which differentiated it from traditional folk songs often played in minor keys, according to Svigals.

The songs in minor are often derived from tribulations that Jews faced

Emily Lo / Staff Photographer

throughout history — both as a religious group and on a personal level. In the Jewish tradition, musicians used to play somber music on the day of a bride’s wedding so that she could express her sadness before walking down the aisle. Marriages in this culture were often arranged and the music served as a cathartic acknowledgement as she started a new chapter in her life as a married woman.

Asianna Hall, a freshman chemistry major, was fascinated to learn about different customs in religions and how it influenced music at the time.

“It was interesting to hear different music from another culture,” Hall said.

“It was also interesting to hear the music coming from someone of the

new culture.”

Svigals played more songs for the audience, comparing them to songs she had already played.

After Svigals was done with her presentation, she opened the floor for questions, where she was asked about what first intrigued her about playing the violin.

“My parents made me play the instrument,” Svigals said.

As a child, her parents sent her to a Yiddish school, even though she didn’t feel that religious.

“You’re playing this,” her parents told her as they handed her a fiddle.

Svigals soon grew connected to the genre of music, and the heritage it has represented for generations.

page 18 The Signal November 29, 2017

Groovy jazz keeps Kendall jamming

Franco performs a passionate saxophone solo.

By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor

Purple lights gleamed low in anticipation at Kendall Hall on Nov. 17 as the night’s musicians finished warming up for the College’s Jazz Ensemble.

The ensemble sent Kendall back to the ’70s with its performance of Thad Jones’ “Us.” During the song, the percussion set the tempo for the saxophones and trumpets. The ensemble then went into full swing on Mark Taylor’s “Boptitude Test.”

Benjamin Franco, a junior music education major and alto saxophonist, played the first solo of the night. He had the audience in awe of his skillful playing and wide tonal range.

The rest of the saxophonists and trumpeters followed Franco’s solo and

Miguel Gonzalez / Sports Editor

pitched in for the high notes. The next piece, Sonny Rollins’ “St. Thomas,” featured more solos and involvement from the percussion.

Music director Gary Fienberg was a big fan of this musical selection.

“If you were stranded on an island, this record is the only thing you need,” Fienberg said.

The flute section of the ensemble then performed Pat Methany’s “First Circle.” The flutes crescendoed along with the melody while the saxophonists clapped their hands.

The middle of the piece featured more of the trumpet and saxophone players, who harmonized perfectly with one another. One of ensemble’s newest musicians — freshman electrical engineering major and trumpeter Matt Zidar —captivated the audience with his powerful sound projection.

The ensemble concluded the first half of the show with Duke Ellington’s “Ko Ko.” The song felt different from the other selections because different parts of the ensemble worked together seamlessly, according to Fienberg. After a 15-minute break, the ensemble brought out the best of Harlem jazz with Jerome Kern’s “This Song is You.” Kern made 30 records under Blue Note Records during the ’50s and ’60s, which was the only label at the time that paid studio musicians, according to Fienberg.

The ensemble transitioned into a bumpier tune with Bud Powell’s “Celia.” Fienberg described Powell as a pianist who strived to improve his music while enduring mental health issues.

The song started with the trombones sassy tone under the rhythm of repetitious woodblock and snare hits.

The ensemble added some extra energy to the stage while performing Nat Adderley’s “Jive Samba.” During the performance, all eyes were on Rider University alumnus and trombonist Devon Wheeler (’17) as his instrument erupted with commanding melody.

While on stage, Wheeler found it strange to be a performer rather than an audience member.

“Going back to play onstage felt different this time,” Wheeler said. “Not so long ago, I was getting back with the rest of the audience at another show. It’s a different atmosphere.”

The student-musicians finished off the night with a bursting performance of the classic piece, “Sweet Georgia Brown.”

The musicians were excited to share their love of jazz music with an attentive audience.

Franco felt grateful for the chance to perform, despite any pre-performance jitters he may have had.

“I get nervous before arriving on stage,” Franco said. “That’s when I remind myself to make the most out of a performance no matter what happens.”

Orchestra curates classical compositions

By Chandler Gorda Correspondent

Mayo Concert Hall swarmed with friends and family members of students as they waited to receive tickets to this fall’s TCNJ Orchestra performance.

Student performers filed past them, instruments in hand, ready to show the culmination of their practice on Nov. 14. Throughout the semester, students have worked through rehearsals to strengthen their abilities in instrumental technique and ensemble-playing skills. The concert served as a platform for students of the TCNJ Orchestra to perform their collaborative efforts and express their musical talents to the audience.

The performance, played by the orchestra’s string quartet, began with “String Quartet No. 8” in C minor and “Opus 110” by Dmitri Shostakovich. Although the piece featured changes in tempo, the haunting atmosphere remained consistent. The sounds emitting from the instruments were distinct, yet overlapping, and created a pained and suspenseful harmony. The rendition was meticulously executed and deeply expressive.

After the opening piece, the talented members of the orchestra

graced the stage with conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos and assistant conductor Uli Speth.

The performance continued with “String Symphony No. 2 in D Major,” composed by Felix Mendelssohn. This piece featured the string section of the orchestra.

Roderick Macioch, a junior journalism and professional writing major, has been a member of the College’s orchestra since his freshman year.

“The music isn’t easy,” Macioch said, “but it is always satisfying to improve individually and hear the group improving as a whole.”

Macioch also noted the challenge of getting accustomed to a new conductor, as the orchestra performance marked its first concert with Kitsopoulos.

Macioch felt it was successful.

Some students are music majors, while many who are active in the orchestra pursue different fields of study. Claire Paul, a junior biology major, balances academics and rugby with playing oboe in the orchestra.

“The music program here is really great,” Paul said. “They are very supportive.”

The final piece of the evening was “Symphony No. 89 in F Major,” by composer

Joseph Haydn. For this piece the entire orchestra emerged to play, including the woodwind instruments, who had not been featured earlier. As the composition came to life, the music established a more uplifting and triumphant atmosphere. The intricate interactions between the string and woodwind instruments made for an impressive finale to end the evening.

Kristina Hansen, a senior psychology major, attended the event and showed her support for her friends and her

peers. Hansen was impressed.

Although it was her first time attending an event like this, it will likely not be her last.

“It’s not comparable,” Hansen said of the performance. “It exceeded my expectations.”

As the finale came to an end, the crowd erupted in applause and the musicians took their bows. The lights shifted brighter, revealing a sea of smiles across the concert hall.

“Our hard work paid off in what I thought was a very strong performance,” Macioch said.

This week, WTSR Assistant Music Director EJ Paras highlights some of the best new music that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.

Band Name: Death From Above Album: “Outrage! Is Now” Release Number: 3rd Hailing From: Toronto, Ontario Genre: Dance-Punk Label: Last Gang Records The Toronto-based duo, Jesse Keeler and Sebastien Grainger, are keeping the anger alive on their third studio album, which delivers exactly what it promises –– a record filled with angry, punk-laced tracks and a distinctly mature edge that shows just how far the band has come. The album incorporates distorted bass and keyboards, and takes cues from funk and dance pop. “Outrage! Is Now” is thought-provoking, and has a level of complexity that only comes with age. It will have you head-banging along with every song.

Must Hear: “Freeze me,” “Caught Up” and “Outrage! Is Now”

Band Name: Walrus Album: “Family Hangover” Release Number: 3rd Hailing From: Halifax, Canada Genre: Pop-Rock Label: Madic Records The band produces a sound that carries a similar psychedelic vibe to the song of their namesake, “I am the Walrus,” by the Beatles.

While Walrus defines itself as poprock, its use of echoing vocals, synth and dreamy guitar puts the band in a category of its own. The dynamic arrangement incites one’s own emotional interpretation of each track. Walrus offers up a wide range of tunes that gives everyone something to listen to.

Jason Proleika / Photo Editor

The orchestra’s strings and woodwinds play harmoniously.

Must Hear: “Family Hangover” and “In Timely Fashion”

November 29, 2017 The Signal page 19

Fun Stuff

page 20 The Signal November 29, 2017

Fun Stuff

November 29, 2017 The Signal page 21

Sports Swimming and Diving

Violets and Blue Jays wash away swimmers

Diving team dominates on road with high scores

By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams endured a pair of losses against New York University and Johns Hopkins University on Nov. 18.

The men were swiftly defeated

by New York University, 208-90 and by Johns Hopkins University, 186-76. The women also fought adversity after dropping 251-44 to New York University and 218-41 to Johns Hopkins.

In the men’s competition, junior Alex Skoog was on top against New York and Johns Hopkins. Skoog claimed first in the 200-backstroke with a time of 1:52.44. He then got second place in the 100-backstroke and clocked in at 51.83. Skoog fought to a fifth place finish in the 50-freestyle, swimming it in 21.94.

At the diving board, freshman Jay Soukup claimed second place in the 1- and 3-meter diving events.

Sophomore Harrison Yi also had a strong performance. Yi got second place in the 200-freestyle with a time of 1:42.39. At the 100-freestyle, he swam to fourth place with a time of 47.61. Yi concluded the meet with another fourth place finish at the 500-free, clocking in at 4:47.04.

NYU and Johns Hopkins proved to be challenging opponents.

“NYU and JHU are both ranked in the top six in the nation so we definitely had our hands full,” said head coach Brian Bishop. “This meet gave us a glimpse of what we need to do moving forward.

We need show some more mental toughness when going against elite competition.”

For the women’s swimming and diving team, junior Gabi Denicola battled to sixth place in the 1,000-freestyle with a time of 11:21.49. Sophomore Annie Menninger also swam to a personal record finish in the 200-freestyle, clocking in at 2:20.45. Senior Hannah Raymond dominated at the

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Skoog wins the 200-backstroke and clocks in at 1:52.44 minutes. diving board as she snatched second place in the 1-meter event with a score of 292.66.

The Lions will compete at home for the TCNJ Invitational

from Friday, Dec. 1 to Monday, Dec. 4. Bishop sees the TCNJ Invitational as way to gear up for future meets.

“For the invite, our focus

will be on setting ourselves with some fast swims for a strong push through the second half of the season including METS and NCAA’s,” Bishop said.

Wrestling

York College outduels Lions in upper weights

Left: Erwin wins his bout by major decision. Right: Kilroy loses at 184.

By Maximillian C. Burgos Sports Editor

The College’s wrestling team fell 23-10 on Nov. 18 on the road against York College of Pennsylvania. The Lions came out strong, accumulating a 10-0 lead to start off the match, but York College proved to be too much for the Lions through the upper weights.

“We were competitive in a lot of those matches,” said head coach Joe Galante.

“There was a heated overtime match and a lot of matches were decided by a takedown.

Our guys train really hard and I expect them to make the necessary adjustments to compete a little harder and get those victories.”

Freshman Jacob Falleni kicked off the

match with a win at 125 in his first collegiate bout. Falleni faced off against stiff competition. He managed to edge out his opponent, 5-4, in a back-and-forth match. With the win, the Lions started with a 3-0 lead.

“Jacob wrestled really well,” Galante said. “At the end of every period he was able to score points. He was fierce and he was poised. He didn’t let anything rattle him. He did a really great job.”

Freshman Jake Giordano also wrestled hard for the Lions at 133. He won his match 4-2, earning his first collegiate win.

“Giordano knows how to wrestle a match,” Galante said. “He knows how to compete. He’s slick and getting tougher by the day. I really like the way he is adding up.”

Veteran junior Ryan Erwin had the best

Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

match of the day for the Lions at 141.

Erwin wiped the floor with his opponent coming in two points shy of a tech. With Erwin’s 18-5 major decision victory, the Lions advanced to a 10-0 lead.

“Erwin is pretty steady,” Galante said.

“He is low and forward all the time. With wrestling and in life he is always focused and hardworking. He is a pleasure to coach.

I think if he keeps working hard good things will happen.”

The rest of match proved far different for the Lions. They dropped each of the remaining bouts. The team struggled with their ranked opponents both at the 184-pound and heavyweight bouts.

Sophomore Dan Kilroy, the 2017 AllAmerican, lost an intense match at 184

against York’s Frankie Krauss. Kilroy ultimately lost his match, 11-6.

Senior heavyweight Kyle Cocozza also had a rough match against Stefanos Karpontinis. Cocozza fought hard against the Trenton native, but lost 11-5, concluding the match. The Lions lost the match 23-10, which dropped their record to 0-2.

“I sent the guys a text about the Eagles being 10-1, but they have never won a Super Bowl,” Galante said. “They are 10-1 for the fourth time in franchise history, but have still never won a Super Bowl. It just goes to show you, it’s not about how you start but about how you finish. I think that the captains will step it up now and help right the ship. These guys are ready to get things done.”

page 22 The Signal November 29, 2017 Men’s Basketball

Men’s basketball starts season with 2-1 record

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Jenson scores 12 points against Rutgers-Camden.

By Stephen Huber Correspondent

The men’s basketball team began its season on the road this weekend at the Chuck Resler Tournament, which was hosted by the University of Rochester.

The Lions then won their first conference

game on the road, defeating Rutgers University-Camden, 72-67 on Nov. 21.

The Lions fell to Utica College on Friday, Nov. 24, 76-72, but bounced back on Saturday, Nov. 25, with an overtime win against Bard College, 84-82.

The tournament was a great way to showcase the Lions’ newfound chemistry,

according to head coach Matt Goldsmith.

“Team chemistry this year is fantastic,” Goldsmith said. “Eric (Murdock Jr.) and Elias (Bermudez) have done a tremendous job of leading this group on and off the court and that includes bringing the team closer together as a whole.”

The season opener against Utica was a close game. The Lions fought back after being down early. Utica went on a 15-2 run to close out the first half. Utica took the 41-39 lead in the second half, but the Lions hit a few crucial three-pointers in the last minutes of the game that gave them a chance to come back. Murdock Jr. cut the deficit to three before the Lions got a defensive stop. Sophomore guard Randall Walko wasn’t able to tie up the game when he missed a shot from behind the arc.

Walko led the team with a career-high 22 points, shot 8-15 from the floor and recorded six rebounds. Murdock Jr. added 15 points and inched closer to the College’s all-time assists record, tallying five in the first game. Bermudez was efficient as well, scoring 10 points on 5-9 shooting.

In the consolation game against Bard College on Nov. 18, the Lions went back and forth, eventually forcing overtime.

After leading in the first half, the Lions faced a nine-point deficit with about four minutes left in the game. Sophomore Niall Carpenter shot for 29 points, seven of which came in the Lions 11-2 run at the end of regulation. Murdock Jr. hit a pair of free throws to tie it up, and sent the game to overtime.

Carpenter and Murdock Jr. took over the game in overtime, scoring 13 of the Lions’ 17 points. The team won, 84-82.

Senior guard Eric Murdock Jr. broke the all-time school record in assists, passing alumnus Sean Covington (’99). Murdock Jr. already held the record for most assists in a season with 180, which he set two years ago. He is also among the alltime scoring leaders at the College.

Goldsmith emphasized the importance of road games to this year’s success.

“Road wins are the key to having a successful season,” Goldsmith said. “Last year, we went undefeated at home during the regular season but struggled to win games on the road. With our schedule this year, we have to have a ‘road warrior’ mentality.”

“Team chemistry this year is fantastic. Eric and Elias have done a tremendous job of leading this group on and off the court and that includes bringing the whole team closer as a whole.”

– Matt Goldsmith Head coach

Women’s Basketball

Basket / Lions open conference play with win

College outscores opponents 273-242 in first four games

Left: The Lions offense leads the way. Right: Schott hits three out of four free throws for the College. continued from page 24

At the end of the first quarter, the Lions led 21-12. Junior forward Samantha Famulare and senior guard Charlotte Schum seized every opportunity to take their shots beyond the arc. Famulare drained a pair of threes and finished with 12 points that quarter.

The Lions continued to heat up in the second quarter and entered the second half with an 18-point lead. Their offense did not slow down at all.

After Grove City attempted to make a comeback, the Lions picked up four points each from Schum and Byrne and two points from Devitt who filled the stat sheet

with eight points, five rebounds, six blocks and two steals. The team obtained the win with a 21-point lead and a strong defensive effort.

The Lions remained on the road for their first conference matchup against Rutgers University-Camden on Nov. 21.

The Lions immediately took a 15-8 lead. Famulare shot perfectly in a 3-for-3 stretch including a three-pointer for seven early points. Rutgers-Camden was not behind for long as they fought to break the gap on the board. Rutgers-Camden led 22-19 after the opening quarter and carried that lead into the second quarter.

Byrne and Rutgers-Camden’s senior forward/center Michelle

Obasi battled to catch up and extend each team’s lead in the third quarter.

As soon as the final quarter began, Devitt began to orchestrate the Lion’s offense. She scored eight consecutive points that gave the Lions a lead to hold on to. Devitt recorded her first double-double of her collegiate career with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

The Lions continued to improve the score as junior guard Kate O’Leary delivered three pointers on back-to-back possessions that moved the Lions ahead, 75-72. Rutgers-Camden attempted an unsuccessful three-pointer at the buzzer which ensured a win for the Lions.

Fresh off two victories, the Lions were determined to get another win against Hunter College on Saturday, Nov. 25.

In front of a huge crowd in Packer Hall, the team came out on their home court with a 17-6 run and took a 27-16 lead in the first quarter.

O’Leary topped it off with a three-pointer made with only four seconds left in the quarter. The Lions offense cooled down in the second quarter but the defense held Hunter to only eight points that period.

Going into the second half, the Lions were up 36-24 and grabbed control of the game as if the lead wasn’t there. Schott and Byrne

Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

gave the team a jump start with three-pointers and pushed the lead to 55-30. Defensively, the Lions regulated Hunter to only nine points that quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Hunter had 27 points over the Lion’s 16, but the Lions cruised to victory.

The Lions were able to claim a 73-60 victory as three players reached double figures. The game featured strong performances from many players. Byrne finished with 21 points, Devitt with 16 points and Schum with 14 points.

After starting the season off with a loss in the opening game, the Lions impressively compensated for that loss with three sequential wins, ensuing a record of 3-1.

LIONS AROUND THE

D RM

November 29, 2017 The Signal page 23

Michael Battista “The Ref”

Jennifer Lowenberg ATD Correspondent

Albert Gregorio

ATD Correspondent

Tyler Law

ATD Correspondent

In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, “Ref” Michael Battista asked our panel of three experts — Jennifer Lowenberg, Albert Gregorio and Tyler Law — three questions: 1. During the Oklahoma-Kansas game, who showed less class and sportsmanship? 2. What has been the biggest surprise so far in the NHL season? 3. Should American sports leagues play regular season games in other countries?

AP Photo

1. During the Oklahoma-Kansas game, who showed less class and sportsmanship?

Jennifer: I don’t watch football, but from what I’ve heard Mayfield was making hand gestures?

I’m not sure what they were of, but if that was it and they had no meaning behind it, then it’s silly

to not shake hands.

Albert: When University of Kansas players refused to shake Baker Mayfield’s hand, they broke a tradition that has been happening for decades. Shaking hands before the coin toss is a sign of good sportsmanship. Yes, by refusing to do this, it made Kansas players look bad, but it’s still not an excuse for Mayfield to act like a child.

Mayfield is more at fault. When Kansas players refused to shake his hand, he should have just shut his mouth and played his game. It might be acceptable for Mayfield to act like this during a tight game to give his team an edge, but Kansas has one win.

No one expected Oklahoma to lose that game. Mayfield should have just showed Kansas why he is a favorite for the Heisman Trophy with his actions on the

field instead of his actions on the sideline.

Tyler: While I don’t think either party was completely in the right, I do think the Kansas football team started it. Sure, Mayfield has a history of being a little rowdy (see his games against Ohio State and Baylor University), but that doesn’t give Kansas’ captains a pass to disrespect the guy. Not shaking his hand and going for cheap blows and late hits throughout the game is almost like begging for him to lose his cool. He was obviously in a hostile environment and Mayfield is definitely not the type of guy to take that sitting down. Mayfield’s antics were inappropriate, but not uncalled for. Maybe Mayfield was going to act that way even if they did shake his hand, but we’ll never know for sure.

Albert gets 3 points for saying tradition isn’t an excuse. Tyler gets 2 points for calling out the environment and Jennifer gets 2 points for honesty.

2. What has been the biggest surprise so far in the NHL season?

Jennifer: For me, I’m surprised at how well my team, the New Jersey Devils, has been playing. We’re first in the metropolitan division and have been for most of the season, if not all of it. There are quite a few new faces on the team, too. So, between the rookies and players trying to put the team together after having a bad few years, I think the Devils are going to have an amazing turnaround. I hope to see them continue to do this well for the rest of the season!

Albert: The biggest surprise so far is the Vegas Golden Knights. Not only have expansion teams historically done poor in their first season, but they had to face adversity early in this season. For an expansion team, the Golden Knights have managed to still do well. After losing their starting goalkeeper, Marc-André Fleury to injury (the most important position in hockey), they

continued to keep on winning with backup goalkeeper, Malcolm Subban. He too ended up getting hurt. Still, they persevered with their minor league goalkeeper, Oscar Dansk, at the helm until he got hurt as well. It was not until they got to their fourth and fifth string goalkeepers, who started in a stretch of nine games, that they started to consistently lose games. In the losing stretch, the Knights went 4-4-1. They currently sit at third place in the western conference.

Tyler: I don’t really watch hockey. I went to a few New Jersey Devils games when I was younger. I’m technically a Flyer’s fan according to my dad, but I’ve heard that the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that I’ve been told do not usually do too well, are actually kind of killing the game. I can really relate to Toronto fans because, being a Philadelphia Eagles fan, I too have lived a long life of disappointment. Maybe 2017-18 season will be our year, Toronto. Fingers crossed.

AP Photo

Albert gets 3 points for discussing Vegas breaking the bank. Jennifer gets 2 points for mentioning rookies and Tyler gets 1 point to continue his life of disappointment. case, it’s no big deal to me.

Albert: I like the idea of trying to spread American sports in other countries but not during the regular season. Professional athletes are creatures of habit.

Taking them to an unfamiliar country to play a game takes them out of their routine. At the end of the season, these games could be the difference between making the playoffs or going golfing.

They should be played during the preseason when the games do not matter as much. This way, you do not have to worry about these games costing the teams a playoff spot. From a financial point of view, preseason games do not sell well to begin with, so there would be no harm in relocating them into unfamiliar territory anyway. These games would end

up making more money than a preseason game would.

Tyler: I love the idea of playing regular season games in foreign countries, especially when it comes to sports that most countries do not have leagues for such as football. As weird as it sounds, I feel like sports are a huge part of American culture.

So playing a game or two in England, China or Mexico is not only eye opening for Americans back home, but it must be pretty wild for people in other countries who have never even seen certain sports before. Learning about other cultures is the best way to break down barriers and come together in this world. Who knows?

Maybe world peace will begin with us all mutually agreeing that the Dallas Cowboys suck?

Winner’s Circle

AP Photo

3. Should American sports leagues play regular season games in other countries?

Jennifer: I don’t really mind. If the players are from the countries that they’re

playing for, I don’t see too much of a problem with it. The player may feel like they have an obligation to their home country to play for them, and if that’s the

Tyler gets 3 points because everyone can hate the Cowboys. Albert gets 2 points for talking about playoffs and Jennifer gets 1 point for thinking about homesickness.

Albert wins ATD 8-6-5

Tom wins ATD 9-5-4 miss 100% of the shotsYES!” “Do“You you believe in miracles? you don’t take”Faccus repe

Signal

Sports

New coaching era ushers in trio of wins

Left: Byrne scores 35 points against York College. Right: O’Leary hits multiple three-pointers for the Lions.

By Alexandra Parado Sports Assistant

After starting the season with a loss in the first round of the York College TipOff Tournament, the women’s basketball team bounced back with a three-game winning-streak.

The beginning of this season marked a new era in the women’s basketball program. New head coach Chessie Jackson leads the Lions after the retirement of former head coach Dawn Henderson.

On Nov. 17, the Lions opened their season with a close match against York College

of Pennsylvania where they fell 62-65. The following day, the team defeated Grove City College in a 63-42 win.

The team claimed its first New Jersey Athletic Conference victory against Rutgers University-Camden, 75-72, on Nov. 21. The Lions then handily defeated Hunter College, 73-60, in their home opener on Saturday, Nov. 25.

In their first game of the season, the Lions took the court and built a 16-8 lead in the first quarter. York didn’t respond until the second quarter when they pushed for a 21-18 advantage.

The third quarter was a stagnant period

for both teams — neither were able to gain a significant advantage. York led by only seven points.

In the face of York’s efforts to put the game away, the Lions played hard until the very last second of the game. Sophomore forward Jen Byrne’s last ditch shot didn’t land on the buzzer and resulted in a 65-62 defeat for the Lions.

During the game, Byrne led the Lions in scoring with a career-high of 35 points, enough to tie the College’s record for most points in a game held by alumna Hillary Klimowicz (’09) from the three-point arc, Byrne shot 4-6 and a flawless 7-7 from the line.

Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

As a team, the Lions made less than half of their shots. Defensively, the team prospered from senior forward Nikki Schott’s huge performance. Schott grabbed a teamhigh 10 rebounds and recorded three blocks.

Freshman forward Shannon Devitt snatched seven rebounds and tamed opponents with five blocks.

The Lions remained in York on Nov. 18, and got their first win against Grove City College, 63-42. From the start, the team was hungry and worked their way to an earned victory to bounce back from its first loss. see BASKET page 22

Cooper achieves All-American honors at nationals

By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor

The men’s and women’s cross country teams ran one last time in this year’s NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships held at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois.

Junior Natalie Cooper emphasized how the team has strived all year to make it to nationals.

“We came into the season with the goal of qualifying for nationals as a team,” Cooper said. “I think keeping that goal in our minds throughout the season helped us push through tough races and workouts. Each girl ran extremely well this season. We were able to have a very tight pack of us together during most of the races which really helped us work together and achieve our end goal of making it to nationals.”

At the women’s 6,000-meter race, the five women cross country runners competed against 279 opponents. Cooper led the Lions as she captured 28th place with a time of 21:24. Her performance garnered an All-American honor. She is the first to be an AllAmerican since alumna Martine McGrath (’09).

Lions Lineup November 29, 2017

I n s i d e

Head coach Justin Lindsey complemented Cooper’s effort to receive the All-American honor.

“Natalie is a natural competitor,” Lindsey said. “Her focus this year was to become an AllAmerican so the focus was to put her in the best position to do so.

She didn’t let anything get in her way this season. During the race she made a strong push with a mile and a half to go and it really paid off.”

Junior Erin Holzbaur followed Cooper and finished in 106th place, clocking in at 22.14. Just a minute later, junior Madeleine Tattory and freshman Gabby DeVito completed the race with times of 23:13 and 23:20 respectively. After, junior Abigail Faith finished and clocked in at 23:56. Juniors Emma Bean and Olivia Shenkman concluded the Lions participation with times of 24:22 and 24:30 respectively.

Cooper says she was more confident with the team supporting her.

“Having the whole team with me made the experience a lot more fun,” Cooper said. “I think having them also helped me before and during the race. I was much more calm going into the race having them by my side.”

Swimming and Diving page 21

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Cooper takes 28th place at nationals.

At the men’s side, junior duo Quinn Wasko and Matt Saponara ran toe-to-toe against the nation’s best in the men’s 8,000-meter race.

Wasko came in 145th place and almost finished below 20 minutes with a time of 20:45. Saponara was not far behind and clocked in at 21:45.

Lindsey was impressed by Wasko and Saponara’s efforts in the race.

“Quinn had a strong performance

Wrestling page 21

and made the best of his second trip to nationals,” Lindsey said. “Unfortunately for Matt, he had an asthmatic reaction during the race which slowed him.”

The men’s and women’s cross country teams were highly competitive during the season. From the women winning the conference championship to numerous conference accolades, Lindsey and Cooper believe the Lions’ mindset led them to the most success they

Men’s Basketball page 22

had in years.

“We think the biggest achievement for both teams is the strengthening of our pack running philosophy and the national team mindset we’re developing,” Lindsey said.

“Winning the women’s team title at NJACs and having them qualify for nationals as a team was a big accomplishment. We also had the most athletes, both men and women, competing at the NCAA champions since 2007.”

Around the Dorm page 23